Isolation of Scardovia wiggsiae using real-time polymerase chain reaction from the saliva of children with early childhood caries.

AIM: This study aimed to quantitatively assess the levels of Scardovia wiggsiae in caries-free and early childhood caries (ECC)- and severe ECC (SECC)-affected children using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). METHODS: Forty-five children aged <71 months were randomly recruited from the Outpatient Clinic at the Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry at Subharti Dental College and Hospital, Meerut, India. Fifteen children suffering from ECC, 15 with SECC, and 15 children without ECC were enrolled in the study. About 1-2 mL of unstimulated saliva was collected and subjected to microbial analysis using RT-PCR. RESULTS: The SECC group (n = 15) was found to have significantly higher mean relative 16s rRNA expression of S. wiggsiae (3.67) than both ECC (n = 15) and controls (n = 15) (1.69 and 0.85, respectively). S. wiggsiae was detected in 86.7% of the SECC and 60% ECC group and was detected negligibly in the control (caries free) group. The correlation of decayed, missing, or filled surface levels with 16s rRNA levels showed significant positive correlation with 16S rRNA in both ECC and SECC patients. CONCLUSION: Salivary levels of S. wiggsiae were significantly associated with ECC in children. S. wiggsiae represents a new frontier in the microbial etiology of ECC. This may lead to the development of new antimicrobial agents targeted to this organism and improve the treatment of ECC.

How efficacious are Neem, Tulsi, Guduchi extracts and chlorhexidine as intracanal disinfectants? A comparative ex vivo study.

INTRODUCTION: In endodontics, despite careful instrumentation and antimicrobial irrigation, root canals still harbor cultivable microorganisms. Such cases require intra canal medicament that eliminates the microbial inhabitants from the canals. Recent trend advocates the use of herbal extracts due to easy availability, cost-effectiveness, low toxicity, and lack of microbial resistance. Hence, in the present study, Neem, Tulsi, and Guduchi extracts were used as intracanal medicaments. AIM: This study aimed to evaluate and compare the antibacterial efficacy of Neem, Tulsi, Guduchi extracts, and chlorhexidine against Enterococcus faecalis, when used as intracanal medicaments. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and twenty-five extracted human teeth, inoculated with E. faecalis, were divided into four experimental groups and a control group (n = 25 in each group). The experimental groups were treated with chlorhexidine, Neem, Tulsi, and Guduchi extracts and their antibacterial property was evaluated by estimating microbial counting (CFU/ml). RESULTS: The reduction in bacterial count for chlorhexidine, Neem, Tulsi, and Guduchi groups was 60.76%, 51.98%, 37.73%, and 34.93%, respectively. Statistically significant difference in reduction of bacterial count was observed in all the groups, when compared with the control group. CONCLUSION: Among all the herbal extracts, Neem was found to be the most potent medicament followed by Tulsi and Guduchi. However, chlorhexidine was found to be at epic.

Non suicidal self injury resulting in dental trauma in an adolescent.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Non-suicidal self injury may be a possible etiologic factor for dental trauma in adolescents. The aim of this case report is to present a case of non-suicidal self injury resulting in dental trauma in a 16 year old adolescent boy. CASE REPORT: This report illustrates a case of non-suicidal self injury in a 16 year old healthy boy with resultant trauma to the maxillary central incisors and the left lateral incisor (teeth 11, 21, and 22). Three tests were applied; Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence™ (WASI), Inventory of Statements about Self Injury (ISAS), and UPPS Impulsive Behavior Scale (UPPS); to assess the patient's intellectual and behavioral functioning. Dental treatment was rendered in the form of composite restorations on teeth 11, 21, and 22. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The patient had a general intelligence quotient (IQ) of 92 (SD = 10.9), verbal score of 86.6 (SD = 14.6), and performance IQ of 93.4 (SD = 23.66) which implied that the intelligence levels were well within the normal range. The patient demonstrated self hitting behavior and predominantly intrapersonal functions of his NSSI on testing with the ISAS scale and elevated urgency scores on the UPPS scale. The total UPPS score was 115.9 and urgency score was 35.9. NSSI was an outlet for negative emotions and to release self directed anger. This resulted in dental trauma to teeth 11, 21, and 22. CONCLUSION: NSSI may be an etiologic or risk factor for dental trauma in intellectually normal adolescents as seen in the present case. Self hitting, intrapersonal factors or self directed factors and impulsivity are more likely to predispose an adolescent toward performance of such behavior.

Obsessive compulsive disorder in dental setting.

Globally, 20% of children and adolescents suffer from a disabling psychologic illness. Among these, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is listed by the World Health Organization (WHO) as one of the 10 most disabling conditions, with prevalence rates of OCD in children ranging between 1 to 3%. Pediatric dentists are in a unique position to diagnose psychological problems in children and adolescents due to their ongoing relationship with children and their parents that starts at a very early age. Timely diagnosis of psychological illness can result in early intervention as well as better patient management for the dentist too. The purpose of this case report is to highlight a case of OCD in an adolescent girl diagnosed in a dental setting.

Pediatric oral lichen planus: review and case report.

Oral Lichen Planus (OLP) is one of the most common dermatologic diseases occurring in the mouth with an overall prevalence of 0.5 - 2.2%. Childhood OLP is rare and follows an atypical course. OLP typically presents clinically as bilateral, symmetrical, flat- topped polygonal papules and plaques that may be symptomatic or asymptomatic. The aim of this article is to present a brief review of OLP with a case report of a 7 year old girl with OLP.

A study of root canal morphology of human primary incisors and molars using cone beam computerized tomography: an in vitro study.

BACKGROUND: Variations in morphology of root canals in primary teeth usually leads to complications during and after endodontic therapy. To improve the success in endodontics, a thorough knowledge of the root canal morphology is essential. AIM: The aim of this study was to assess the variation in number and morphology of the root canals of primary incisors and molars and to study the applicability of cone beam computerized tomography (CBCT) in assessing the same. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A total of 60 primary molars and incisors with full root length were collected and various parameters such as the number of roots, number of canals, diameter of root canal at cementoenamel junction and middle-third, length and angulations of roots of primary molars and incisors were studied using CBCT. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: The observations were put to descriptive statistics to find out the frequency, mean, standard deviation and range for all four subgroups. Further, unpaired t-test was used to compare these parameters between subgroups and analysis of variance test was implemented to evaluate the parameters within the subgroups. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The CBCT showed the presence of bifurcation of root canal at middle third in 13% of mandibular incisors while 20% of mandibular molars had two canals in distal root. The diameter of distobuccal root canal of maxillary molars and mesiolingual canal of mandibular molars was found to be minimum. CBCT is a relatively new and effective technology, which provides an auxiliary imaging modality to supplement conventional radiography for assessing the variation in root canal morphology of primary teeth.

Surgical Repositioning of a Dilacerated Impacted Incisor.

Dilaceration is one of the most common complications of trauma to deciduous dentition. The possible causes of dilaceration are trauma and developmental disturbances, while some authors suggest an association with some developmental syndromes. Dilaceration can be seen in both the permanent and deciduous dentition. The present case report describes surgical repositioning of a dilacerated impacted maxillary central incisor in a 9-year-old boy.

Mandibular fracture in an 18-month-old child.

Facial trauma in a child can be a greatly distressing experience for the parents as well as the child, causing uncontrollable crying in the child and panic and fear in the parents. Facial injuries in children are less common than in adults. This case report describes the management of symphysial fracture of the mandible in an 18-month-old girl. The fracture was reduced under general anesthesia and then stabilized with an acrylic cap splint, utilizing circummandibular wiring.

Oral health in children guidelines for pediatricians.

Dental caries in the primary dentition can have significant damaging effects on a childs growth due to impairment of oral functions. Since the first encounter of a child to a medical environment is often through pediatricians and medical practitioners, it is important that they be aware of the prevention of oral disease that begins early in life. The aim of this article is to diminish the existing ambiguity among pediatricians and medical practitioners regarding oral disease and its prevention.

A comparative evaluation of hydroxyapatite crystals and glutaraldehyde as agents for pulpotomy in deciduous molars.

PURPOSE: To evaluate and compare clinically and radiographically use of hydroxyapatite crystals and 2% glutaraldehyde as a pulpotomy agent. METHOD: Thirty deciduous molars were treated with pulpotomy using hydroxyapatite crystals and 2% glutaraldehyde. RESULTS: Clinical and radiographic findings were observed at three months and six months. The success rate was found to be 100% clinically and 80.33% radiographically in the hydroxyapatite crystals group and 100% clinically and radiographically in the glutaraldehyde group. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The results of this study revealed that hydroxyapatite crystals is a potential pulpotomy agent for deciduous molars.

Orofacial cat bite: a case report.

The article describes an unusual case of a 7 years old male child presenting with orofacial cat bite injury that occurred in infancy. This resulted in loss of deciduous and permanent tooth buds and consequently hampered alveolar growth. The patient was given a removable partial denture to restore function and aesthetics. The article highlights the importance of complete history, diagnosis and management of such injuries in children.