An in-vitro study to compare the temperature rise in the pulp chamber by direct method using three different provisional restorative materials.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: The provisional restorative materials in fixed prosthodontics are basically bis-GMA resins which releases exothermic temperature while polymerization which can damage the pulp. Intrapulpal temperature exceeding 42.5°C found to result in irreversible damage to the pulp. The remaining thickness of dentine after tooth preparation control the conduction of heat released by the resins. PURPOSE: (1) To quantify the temperature changes in the pulp chamber using different provisional restorative materials. (2) To evaluate the peak temperature time of different materials used. (3) To compare the intrapulpal temperature changes with a variation in the width of the finish line. METHODOLOGY: Two intact mandibular molars were selected and designated as Specimen A and B. Tooth preparation was done to prepare a finish line of 1.2 mm and 1 mm width, respectively. Three provisional restorative materials were considered and they were grouped as Group I-Cool temp, Group II-Protemp-4, Group III-Integrity. A J thermocouple probe was placed into the pulp chamber to determine the rise in temperature. The temperature was recorded during polymerization at 30-s intervals until the peak temperature was reached. The same procedure was repeated for fabricating remaining provisional crowns. A total of 45 provisional crowns were fabricated for each specimen. RESULTS: Kruskal-Wallis test revealed that there was a significant difference in the temperature changes associated with the provisional restorative materials used. All the three provisional restorative materials were compared for 1.2 mm and 1 mm wide finish line. Integrity produced the highest temperature rise and the maximum temperature recorded was 40.2°C in 1.2 mm wide finish line. However, for a 1 mm wide finish line, Protemp-4 produced the highest temperature rise and the maximum temperature recorded was 40.3°C. It was observed that peak temperatures with Specimen B were more when compared with Specimen A. CONCLUSION: Cool temp showed least temperature rise in the pulp chamber. The order of rise in intrapulpal temperature in tested provisional materials using direct technique would be Cool temp, Integrity, and Protemp-4.

Status of Dental Caries and Its Association with Oral Hygiene Practices among School-going Children of Rural and Urban Areas in Kamrup District of Assam.

Aim and objective: The study aimed to assess and compare the prevalence of dental caries with its association with oral hygiene practices among 13-14 years old schoolchildren in urban and rural areas in Kamrup Metropolitan (M) District, Assam. Materials and methods: A total of 1,501 schoolchildren in the age group of 13-14 years were included in the study and dental caries was recorded from decayed missing filled teeth (DMFT)/deft index as described by World Health Organization (WHO) (1997). The children were asked to fill in the basic information in the proforma by themselves. The statistical tests used in this study were unpaired t-test, Chi-square test, and one-way ANOVA test to compare the DMFT among the different age groups, gender, and location. Results: A statistically significant difference was found in the prevalence of the decayed (D) component between the 14 years old (33.9%) and the 13 years old (28.5%) age groups and a highly statistical difference was found between the male (27.9%) and the female (35.7%) population. However, the prevalence of decayed components for the rural (30.1%) and the urban (33.1%) population was not statistically significant. Conclusion: The overall prevalence of dental caries among schoolchildren of Kamrup (Metropolitan) District was 33.6%. Clinical Significance: Dental caries is a major public dental health problem; hence, an active and effective preventive program for dental care is needed for the child population in the area. How to cite this article: Doley S, Srivastava M, Piplani A, et al. Status of Dental Caries and Its Association with Oral Hygiene Practices among School-going Children of Rural and Urban Areas in Kamrup District of Assam. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2022;15(2):182-186.

To Evaluate the Prevalence of Edentulousness, the Present Prosthetic Status, and the Need for Prosthetic Treatment in the Population of Garhwa, Jharkhand.

AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of edentulousness, the present prosthetic status, and the need for prosthetic treatment in the population of Garhwa, Jharkhand. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among the population of Garhwa, Jharkhand. The sample size included 460 subjects belonging to an age group of 25 years and above. Detailed case history and thorough dental examination was done and all the findings were recorded and compiled. Each subject was interrogated with the help of a predesigned closed ended questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of six patients were completely edentulous, while 55.04% of males and 42.80% of females were partially edentulous. All patients who were completely edentulous were denture wearer, while among partially edentulous patients, 6.31% of males and 3.15% of females had RPD and 13.68% and 6.31% of males and females, respectively, had FPD as prosthesis. Prosthetic status of females was better than males In a comparison of prosthetic status between male and female, out of 460 subjects, 195 subjects opted for prosthesis, in which 117 were male and 78 were female. CONCLUSION: Community-based oral health education programs should be conducted to improve patients' oral health knowledge. Educating patients regarding the limitations of prosthesis as mechanical substitutes for natural teeth must be a continuing process from the initial patient contact until adjustments are completed.

Assessment of Dental Caries Spectrum among 11 to 14-Year-Old School Going Children in India.

INTRODUCTION: The quantification of dental caries is usually done by DMFT index but efforts are being made to find an alternative. Caries Assessment Spectrum and Treatment (CAST) is a recent, innovative caries assessment tool which can be used in epidemiological surveys. AIM: To assess dental caries using CAST index among 11-14-year-old school children in Rohtak city, Haryana, India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 11-14-year-old children in schools of Rohtak City using multi stage cluster sampling technique. Rohtak city was divided in to nine clusters. In the 2nd stage, one school was randomly selected from each cluster with lottery method. Finally from each selected school, every odd roll number child between age group 11-14 years, were enrolled to reach a sample of 586. Caries was recorded using the CAST index. Each child was clinically examined by a trained examiner using CAST index. Descriptive and inferential statistics were done and Chi-square test was used to find association between caries prevalence and gender. Mann-Whitney U test was used to find any difference of mean DMFT between different age groups. RESULTS: A total of 586 children were examined. Prevalence of dental caries was 28.6%. Highest caries was observed in lower right first molar and lower left first molar (13.8% and 11.6%) respectively. Pulpal involvement in lower molars was found more than the upper molars. CONCLUSION: CAST index presents a simple hierarchical structure of caries spectrum and is a promising index for epidemiological studies with complex quantifiability.