Comparative Evaluation of Clinical Instrumentation Time and Quality of Obturation of Two Different Pedo Rotary File Systems in Primary Mandibular Molars: An In Vivo Study.

Introduction: The preferred treatment for primary teeth that are necrotic has been pulpectomy. Despite being the gold standard for years, using hand files can be difficult because of the longer chairside periods. Technology advancements have made it possible to reduce the need for manual dexterity and enhance pulpectomy care. Pediatric rotary files are now available specifically for use with primary teeth. This study's goal was to assess and contrast the instrumentation time and obturation quality of manual H files and pediatric rotary file systems (Prime Pedo™ and DXL-Pro™ rotary file systems) in primary mandibular molars. Materials and methods: A total of 51 deciduous mandibular molars that were evenly distributed for instrumentation were subjected to pulpectomy. Group I included the Prime Pedo™ rotary file system, group II included the DXL-Pro™ rotary file system, and group III included manual H files. A stopwatch was used to record the instrumentation time, and a postoperative radiograph was used to record the obturation quality. Results: When comparing pediatric rotary file systems to manual H files, there was a statistically significant reduction in instrumentation time (p = 0.000). When comparing the pediatric rotary file systems to the manual H files, there was no discernible difference in the obturation quality (p = 0.534). Conclusion: In all three file groups, the quality of obturation produced results that were comparable. On the other hand, a significant difference was observed in the instrumentation time between rotary and manual instrumentation for deciduous teeth. How to cite this article: Thakur S, Dhanasekaran M, Singhal P. Comparative Evaluation of Clinical Instrumentation Time and Quality of Obturation of Two Different Pedo Rotary File Systems in Primary Mandibular Molars: An In Vivo Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2024;17(3):303-306.

Comparative Evaluation of L-PRF and Ofloxacin Incorporated L-PRF as an Adjunctive to SRP-A Split-Mouth Randomized Clinical Trial.

Aim and Objectives: To compare and evaluate the clinical efficacy of "ofloxacin incorporated L-PRF" and "L-PRF alone" when used as an adjuvant to non-surgical periodontal therapy. Materials and Methods: A split-mouth study was conducted in 50 patients diagnosed as chronic periodontitis with pocket depth ≥6 with at least one site in each quadrant. All patients underwent scaling and root planning. Test site received with ofloxacin incorporated L-PRF and control site received L-PRF alone. Clinical parameters pocket depth (PD), plaque index (PI), and gingival bleeding index (GBI) were recorded at baseline and 1 month after scaling and root planning. Results: In total, 100 sites were treated (50 test group and 50 control group) with no uneventful healing effects. Statistically significant decreases in PD (P = .0001 for both test and control groups), PI (P = .001), GBI (P = .001 for both groups), between pre-treatment and 1 month post-treatment were noted in both test and control groups. For intergroup comparisons, there was a statistically significant difference in all clinical indices (P > .005). Conclusion: Use of L-PRF with ofloxacin as an adjuvant to non-surgical periodontal therapy showed better improvements in clinical parameters.

The influence of nonsurgical periodontal therapy on the occurrence of adverse pregnancy outcomes: A systematic review of the current evidence.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The poor maternal oral health in the pregnancy has an impact on the fetus through the oral-systemic link. Various studies have proven the relationship between poor maternal oral health and the occurrence of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Hence, periodontal therapy becomes indispensable during pregnancy. Previous systematic reviews and meta-analysis conducted to assess the influence of periodontal therapy on the occurrence of adverse pregnancy outcomes have shown inconsistent results. Hence, we conducted the present review to assess the influence of periodontal therapy on the occurrence of adverse pregnancy outcomes including the studies published till date. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We searched for the relevant studies using the databases PUBMED, MEDLINE, CINAHL, and EMBASE on the randomized controlled trials evaluating the influence of periodontal treatment on adverse pregnancy outcomes from 2000 to 2018. Nineteen studies were considered for the present review based on the predetermined criteria. The risk of bias tool by Cochrane was used to evaluate the risk of bias among the studies. RESULTS: Among the studies included for the present review, the occurrence of preterm birth among the pregnant mothers who received periodontal therapy ranged from 0% to 53.5%, while in the control group, the range was 6.38%-72%. The rate of LBW among the mothers treated for periodontal disease ranged from 0% to 36%, and in the control group, it varied from 1.15% to 53.9%. CONCLUSION: With best possible evidence, it can be inferred that nonsurgical periodontal therapy is safe during pregnancy. Even though it does not completely avert the occurrence of adverse pregnancy outcomes, it can be recommended as a part of antenatal care.

An unusual presentation of dental calculus.

Calculus is a mineralized bacterial plaque that is formed on natural teeth surfaces where there is constant supply of saliva. Dental calculus is commonly seen over the buccal surfaces of maxillary molars and lingual surfaces of mandibular anterior teeth where the salivary duct opens into the oral cavity. This case report presents an unusual presentation of a large hard calcified mass in the left side of retromolar region associated with partially erupted tooth; hard mass was excised and examined histochemically which suggested the presence of calculus. Elimination of such nidus shall prevent formation of such calculus in such unusual position. This can also be achieved with proper oral hygiene measures.

Knowledge, awareness, and practice among gynecologists, medical practitioners and dentists in Madurai regarding association between periodontitis and pregnancy outcomes.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of oral disease during pregnancy affects the health of the fetus and mother. The interdisciplinary protocol between general dentists (GDs), gynecologists, and general medical practitioners (GMPs) is proved to reduce the incidence of maternal and neonatal complications. AIM: The aim of the present survey is to assess the knowledge, awareness, and attitude of practicing gynecologists, GMPs, and GDs regarding the association of periodontitis and adverse pregnancy outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 150 health-care professionals in Madurai. A well-structured pretested questionnaire consisted of 12 questions which were used to assess the awareness of association regarding maintaining oral health during pregnancy among GMPs, GDs, and gynecologists. The knowledge, awareness, and practice scores were calculated for the correct answers to the questions. A software program (SPSS 12) was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The mean age of participants was of 33.14 ± 1.5, 32.58 ± 2.80, and 37.7 ± 9.7, respectively. Majority of the participants agreed the importance of dental examination and maintaining oral health during pregnancy GMPs (96%), GDs (100%), and gynecologists (92%). About 92% of gynecologists and GMPs supported that providing dental treatment during pregnancy improved pregnancy outcomes. About 64%, 76%, and 68% of GMPs, GDs, and gynecologists, respectively, confirmed the association between periodontal disease and adverse pregnancy outcomes. CONCLUSION: In this study, knowledge and awareness of gynecologists and GMPs are appreciable; however, their attitude toward bringing the facts into clinical practice needs to be improved through integrated programs.

Maternal Risk Factors and Periodontal Disease: A Cross-sectional Study among Postpartum Mothers in Tamil Nadu.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: It is inconclusive that periodontitis is an independent risk factor for adverse pregnancy outcomes. This study aims to investigate the association between maternal periodontitis and preterm and/or low birth weight babies. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This was a prospective cross-sectional study. After prior informed consent, 3500 postpartum mothers were selected from various hospitals in Tamil Nadu and categorized into the following groups: group-1 - Normal term normal birth weight (n = 1100); Group-2 - Preterm normal birth weight (n = 400); Group-3 - preterm low birth weight (PTLBW) (n = 1000); and Group-4 - Normal term low birth weight (n = 1000). Periodontal examination was done, and risk factors were ascertained by means of questionnaire and medical records. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Comparison between case groups and control groups were done, odds ratio (OR) was calculated, and statistical significance were assessed by Chi-square tests. To control for the possible confounders, all variables with P < 0.05 were selected and entered into multivariate regression model, and OR and 95% confidence limits were again estimated. SPSS-15 software was used. RESULTS: Periodontitis was diagnosed in 54.8%, 52.3%, 53.8%, 59.4%, respectively. On comparison between the groups, none of periodontal parameters showed significant association except for the crude association observed in Group-4 for mild periodontitis (OR - 1.561; P = 0.000) and PTLBW. CONCLUSION: Periodontitis is not a significant independent risk factor, and obstetric factors contribute a major risk for preterm and/or low birth weight babies.