Age Estimation in Mixed-dentition Children, Using Cameriere's European Formula and Demirjian's Method: A Comparative Pilot Study.

AIM: The objective of the present investigation is to compare the accuracy of two methods of age estimation, Cameriere's European formula and Demirjian's method, in estimating the age of mixed-dentition children in Telangana. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Digital orthopantomographs (OPGs) of 36 children between the age of 7 years and 12 years were subject to analysis. All the OPGs were analyzed for dental age using both Cameriere's and Demirjian's methods for mixed dentition. Chronological age was calculated by subtracting the date of births from the date on which the OPGs were taken. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: descriptive analysis was performed. The accuracies of both the methods (Cameriere's and Demirjian's) were evaluated by calculating the mean prediction error. Wilcoxon signed-rank test was performed for both methods of dental age estimation with chronological age and for boys and girls. Significance threshold was set at 5%. RESULTS: Cameriere method resulted in a mean prediction error of 0.579 for girls and 0.483 for boys. Demirjian's method resulted in a mean prediction error of 2.228 for girls and 2.046 for boys. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, as far as accuracy is concerned, Cameriere's European formula proved to be more accurate, according to the current investigation. SIGNIFICANCE: The significance of age estimation is reflected in various fields such as pediatric endocrinology, orthodontics, law, anthropology, archeology, and forensics where identification of unascertained human bodies is required (crime investigations, mass disasters). Demirjian's method is commonly employed for dental age estimation in pediatric dentistry, orthodontics, and forensic dentistry. Cameriere's method may serve as a more accurate and reliable method for dental age estimation. Key message: Cameriere's European formula proved to be better, in terms of accuracy, in determining the chronological age of mixed-dentition children in the region of Telangana, according to the current investigation.

Correlation of Variables for WHARFE Assessment and Pederson Difficulty Index for Impacted Mandibular Third Molar Surgery-A Prospective Clinical Study.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the correlation of factors of WHARFE assessment and Pederson difficulty index for impacted mandibular third molar surgery. STUDY DESIGN: A comparative study of difficult factors utilizing Pederson WHARFE and WAR lines was performed involving patients undergoing surgical removal of mandibular third molars for 100 such teeth. RESULTS: The Spearman's rho correlation run to determine the relationship between Pederson difficulty index and WHARFE assessment values showed a strong, positive monotonic correlation at the 0.05 level (2-tailed; rs = 0.242, n = 100, p = 0.015 < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The study has revealed WHARFE assessment to be a more reliable and consistent measure for the radiological evaluation of surgical difficulty over the contemporary Pederson difficulty index.

Estimation of Dental Anxiety Levels Before and After Dental Visit in Children with Visual Impairment Using Modified Dental Anxiety Scale in Braille Text.

OBJECTIVE: Dental anxiety and fear of dental treatment in special children has been recognized as a public health dilemma. Dental anxiety (being the fear of unknown in a dental setting) would definitely have a substantial effect on the children with visual impairment. Assessment of the dental anxiety makes it possible to design intervention programs aimed at reducing the anxiety levels in children with visual impairment. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the dental anxiety levels before and after dental visit in children with visual impairment using Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS) printed in braille. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 144 institutionalized children with visual impairment in the age group of 6-13 years, residing at an institutionalized blind school, participated in the study. Dental anxiety was assessed pre- and post-dental-screening visit using MDAS printed in braille. Statistical analysis was performed using the Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed rank test. RESULTS: Of 144 children, just before dental screening visit, 78 (54.1%) had severe dental anxiety, 52 (36.11%) had mild anxiety, and 14(9.72%) reported no anxiety, whereas after dental education, only 28 (19.44%) had severe anxiety, 22 (16.66%) had mild anxiety, and 94 (63.88%) reported no anxiety. CONCLUSION: In our study, there was a significant decrease in dental anxiety after dental screening and education. Therefore, proper behavior management techniques and dental health education programs would decrease dental anxiety in children with visual impairment.

Distribution of Periodontal Pockets Among Smokers and Nonsmokers in Patients with Chronic Periodontitis: A Cross-sectional Study.

Context Cigarette smoking is a well-established risk factor for periodontitis and carries an increased risk for loss of periodontal attachment as well as bone loss. Aims The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether disease severity differs between smokers and nonsmokers in a group of chronic periodontitis patients by assessing the periodontal probing depth (PPD) and bleeding on probing (BOP). Materials and methods The study included 150 individuals, 75 smokers and 75 nonsmokers, in the age group of 35-60 years. Subjects with chronic periodontitis were selected and included in the study. Periodontal evaluation, including periodontal probing pocket depths and bleeding on probing, was performed on all four quadrants and at six sites per tooth using the Williams periodontal probe. The data were pooled from the anterior sextant and the posterior sextant as well as from the facial and lingual surfaces. Statistical analysis Comparisons were made between smokers and nonsmokers using the z-test (two-tailed test). Probing pocket depth categories 0-3 mm, 4-5 mm, 6-7 mm, and ≥8 mm and the proportion of sites having a pocket depth of ≥5 mm were used in the analysis. Results The mean percentage of sites that bleed upon probing was higher for nonsmokers as compared with smokers. Smokers had less shallow pockets (0-3 mm) than nonsmokers and more pockets of 4-7 mm (categories 4-5 mm, 6-7 mm). No significant differences were detected in the prevalence of pockets ≥8 mm. In the anterior, premolar, and molar regions, pockets of 6-7 mm were significantly more prevalent in smokers. The buccal and lingual sides also showed that smokers had more sites with deep probing depths ≥5 mm than nonsmokers. The data also showed that in the upper jaw, in the anterior and premolar teeth, the largest differences were found between smokers and nonsmokers. Conclusions From the results, it can be concluded that cigarette smoking results in periodontal tissue destruction in the different areas of the oral cavity, with the maximum periodontal destruction in the maxillary anterior and premolar region.

A Comparative Study of Shear Bond Strength of Direct Bonding System with and without a Liquid Primer: An In Vitro Study.

BACKGROUND: A primer in dental bonding agents enhances the bond between the adhesive and the tooth by way of deriding the tooth surface of moisture and creating a hydrophobic surface for the adhesive to bond and by facilitating the flow of the adhesive into the etched tooth surface. In the orthodontic context, however, there have been debatable results in the published literature as to how significantly the use of primer affects the bond strength between the bracket and the tooth surface. AIMS: This study aimed to evaluate and compare the shear bond strength of two commercially available direct bonding systems with and without using liquid primer and to record their adhesive remnant index scores. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A total of 100 natural human teeth, extracted for orthodontic therapies, had been selected as specimens for the study. They were equally divided into four categories. Two commercially available products were used to bond metallic orthodontic brackets to the teeth, both with the use of and without the use of a primer to test the shear bond strengths of the four types of adhesive-tooth complexes created. Shear bond strength was measured using universal testing machine, and Student's t-test was applied for the comparison of the results. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 100 extracted human premolar teeth were divided into two groups: Group I and Group II, each of which contained two subgroups (with one subgroup pretreated with a primer and the other, not pretreated with the primer). All the teeth were divided equally among the subgroups and were mounted on color-coded acrylic blocks to aid in identification. Group I was bonded with Transbond XT Light Cure Adhesive (3M Unitek Orthodontic Products, Monrovia, California) and Group II was bonded using Phase II two-paste system (Reliance Orthodontic Products, Itasca, Illinois). The shear bond strength of Transbond XT Light Cure Adhesive used with Transbond XT primer and Phase II orthodontic two-paste system used with liquid primer was compared with that of those used without a liquid primer, respectively. The shear bond strength was evaluated using universal testing machine and the adhesive remnant scores were evaluated subsequently. The Student's t-test was applied for comparison of the two groups. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Descriptive statistics, such as mean, standard deviation, and a standard error, were calculated for Transbond XT used with and without primer and for Phase II two-paste system used with and without a liquid resin. The Student's t-test was applied for comparison of the two groups. RESULTS: In Group I, the mean bond strength of Transbond XT without primer (12.5272MPa, 95% CI: 11.76-13.68) was compared to that of Transbond XT with XT primer (13.2028MPa, 95% CI: 12.39-14.06). In Group II, the mean shear bond strength of Phase II two-paste system without primer (10.66MPa, 95% CI: 10.13-11.18) was compared to that of Phase II two-paste system with primer (10.66MPa, 95% CI: 10.13-11.18), and the values were statistically insignificant. CONCLUSION: The shear bond strength of the brackets bonded with Transbond XT and Phase II without using the liquid primer was sufficient enough to withstand the masticatory forces, which implies the elimination of liquid primer during bonding. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The development of the acid-etch technique and Bisphenol A-glycidyl methacrylate-based liquid resin has changed the practice of orthodontics over the years more than any other single principle formulated. Despite its wide popularity, the cytotoxicity, which stems from the use of liquid primer, needs attention.