Comparison of Three Luting Cements for Prefabricated Zirconia Crowns in Primary Molar Teeth: a 36-month Randomized Clinical Trial.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the long-term clinical retention and gingival health of prefabricated zirconia crowns (PZCs) in primary molar teeth cemented using three luting cements. METHODS: Primary molar teeth restored with PZCs (n equals 30 per group) were cemented using glass ionomer cement (GIC), resin-modified GIC (BioCem™), or adhesive resin cement (APC technique: air- particle abrasion, zirconia primer, composite resin). Crown retention, plaque accumulation, and gingival status were evaluated over three years; cumulative crown survival was assessed using Kalpan-Meier analysis. Plaque gingival scores were analyzed for within and between groups using repeated measures one-way analysis of variance. RESULTS: The survival of PZCs cemented using GIC was 76.7 percent, 70 percent for APC, and 50 percent for BioCem™ after three years. The mean survival for PZC in the GIC group (35.5 months) was significantly higher than for APC (34.7 months), and BioCem™ (33 months; P=0.019). Plaque accumulation around GIC-luted crowns was significantly lower (P<0.001; three-year follow-up); gingival outcomes were uniformly favorable between groups. No crown fracture was observed throughout the study period. CONCLUSIONS: Prefabricated zirconia crowns cemented using traditional glass ionomer cement have superior retention and lower plaque accumulation compared to BioCem™ and APC after three years. PZCs provided long-term favorable gingival health outcomes irrespective of the cement used for luting the crowns.

Factors affecting the interrelationship between cynical hostility and dental anxiety among dental patients.

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to assess the relationship between dental anxiety and cynical hostility in a sample of dental patients and to study the possible role of socioeconomic status (SES) in this relationship. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 288 dental patients completed a self-administered questionnaire consisting of the cynical distrust scale (CDS) and the modified dental anxiety scale (MDAS). Data on sociodemographic characteristics were also collected. RESULTS: Dental anxiety as reflected by mean MDAS scores was significantly higher among the younger age group (P = 0.002), among females (P = 0.025), and the lower SES groups (P = 0.001). Cynical hostility was significantly higher among the older age group (P = 0.03), among males (P = 0.02), and among the lower SES groups, respectively, (P = 0.001). When the CDS scores for individuals with and without dental anxiety were compared within the context of the three socioeconomic strata, there was a statistically significant difference (P = 0.029) in scores between the two anxiety groups in the middle socioeconomic strata where the cynical distrust scores were lower among the anxiety group. DISCUSSION: Mediation analysis revealed that SES played an important role in the association between dental anxiety and cynical hostility. It also showed that the mediating effect is not uniform across socioeconomic strata and may be different in different societies with their own unique population structures and classes.

Retention of moisture-tolerant fluoride-releasing sealant and amorphous calcium phosphate-containing sealant in 6-9-year-old children: A randomized controlled trial.

CONTEXT: Pits and fissures of teeth have been recognized as the most susceptible areas for initiation of caries. The ability of the resin sealant to thoroughly fill pits, fissures, and/or morphological defects and remain completely intact and bonded to enamel surface is the primary basis for its caries prevention. AIM: The present study evaluated and compared the retention rates and development of caries in permanent molars of children sealed with amorphous calcium phosphate-containing (Aegis™) and moisture-tolerant fluoride-releasing (Embrace WetBond™) sealant over a period of 1 year. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This was a double-blind, split-mouth, randomized controlled trial among children aged 6-9 years. METHODS: Sixty-eight permanent mandibular first molars in 34 children were randomly assigned to be sealed with Aegis™ or Embrace Wetbond™ sealant. The follow-up examinations were conducted at 3, 6, and 12 months for evaluating the retention and development of caries. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: SPSS version 16.0 was used for the analysis. Within-group comparison of retention and development of caries at 3, 6, and 12 months was evaluated using the Friedman's test. RESULTS: The final sample was 32 children with 64 teeth. At 12 months, 23 of 32 (72%) sealants were completely retained in Aegis™, whereas 21 of 32 (65.6%) were retained in Embrace Wetbond™ group. There was no significant difference in the retention rates of Aegis™ and Embrace Wetbond™ sealants at 12 months (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Aegis™ was superior to Embrace Wetbond™ sealant as Aegis™ exhibited higher retention and lower caries scores.

Sociodemographic and behavioral factors associated with early childhood caries among preschool children of Western Maharashtra.

INTRODUCTION: Early childhood caries is a preventable disease of multifactorial etiology and is a public health problem affecting majority of the preschool-age children of the country. If left untreated, it has many social, economic, and nutritional implications and affects the quality of life of the affected child. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 200 preschool children of Karad city, western Maharashtra, to assess the prevalence of dental caries among the preschool children and to assess the factors affecting the development of dental caries. Various child-level, parent-level, attitudinal- and family-level factors, and clinical variables were evaluated. RESULTS: High prevalence of caries of 87.5% was observed in the study sample. Bivariate analysis showed a significant association of age of child (P < 0.001), age of mother at birth (P = 0.041), feeding during 1st year (P = 0.034), snacking habits (P = 0.001), and brushing frequency (P = 0.03) with dental caries. On multivariate analysis, the factors of snacking habits (P = 0.003) and age of child (P = 0.002) remained significantly correlated with dental caries. CONCLUSION: There was a strong and consistent relation of the snacking habits with the prevalence of dental caries among the preschool children of Karad city. There is a need to sensitize the caregivers regarding the role of frequent snacking in dental caries.

A Study on the Assessment of Haller Cells in Panoramic Radiograph.

CONTEXT: Haller cells are extensions of ethmoid cells which can be seen in several imaging modalities. Literature search has shown that idiopathic orofacial pain is associated with the presence of Haller cells. Hence, a simple cost-effective imaging modality for displaying the presence of Haller cells is desirable. AIMS: This study aims to determine the prevalence of Haller cells in panoramic radiography. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The retrospective study comprised of 403 individuals of both genders. Panoramic radiograph was taken for every individual and interpreted for the presence of Haller cells. Factors incorporated in the interpretation were prevalence of Haller cells, distribution of Haller cells among genders, site predilection, unilocular or multilocular variant, and most common shape prevalent among the individuals. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Chi-square test with SPSS software. RESULTS: Among 403 individuals, the Haller cells were present in 92 (22.8%) individuals. Of 92 (22.8%) individuals with Haller cells, 40 (18.5%) were males and 52 (27.8%) were females. Seventy-four individuals (80.4%) were unilocular and 18 (19.6%) were multilocular. Forty-five individuals had (48.9%) tear-shaped Haller cells, 27 (29.3%) had round-shaped Haller cells, and 20 (21.8%) had oval-shaped Haller cells. Forty (43.5%) were on the right side, 29 (31.5%) were on the left side, and 23 (25%) were on both sides. CONCLUSIONS: The present study assessed the prevalence of Haller cells as 22.8%, and this was done in a cost-effective way using panoramic radiographs.

Issues related to diagnosing oral lichen planus among oral pathologists in South India: A pilot survey.

AIM: In the present study, we simulated clinical scenarios by explicitly describing the history and clinical and histological features of hypothetical patients presenting with oral lichen planus (OLP), oral lichenoid lesion, and epithelial dysplasia in a self-designed questionnaire. By doing so, we aimed to elicit a diagnosis from oral pathologists and trainees, analyze their responses, appraise issues, and propose solutions regarding the diagnosis of OLP. METHODS: The questionnaire was distributed to 100 oral pathologists and trainees in South India. Six questions were designed to assess awareness of the diagnostic aspects of OLP. Ten questions were hypothetical clinical scenarios (HCS) devised to evaluate respondents' knowledge of diagnostic guidelines and the criteria used by the respondents to render a diagnosis. RESULTS: There were 60 of 100 responses to the questionnaire. More than half the respondents were aware of the World Health Organization and modified guidelines of OLP. We observed considerable variations in diagnoses for the HCS. CONCLUSIONS: Our study illustrates the ambiguity in rendering an accurate diagnosis, despite adequate guidelines. Based on the responses for the HCS, we hypothesized that changes in the distribution (unilateral or bilateral) and clinical characteristic of OLP, and habits of patients, have a significant bearing on the clinical and final diagnoses of the lesion.

Evaluation of the Efficacy of G32 (Commercially Available Ayurvedic Preparation) in Reducing Halitosis - A Randomized Controlled Trial.

INTRODUCTION: Oral malodour is a social malady affecting people of all the age groups. Effective management of oral malodour is the key to improve the quality of life of such people. AIM: To evaluate the effectiveness of ayurvedic medication, G32 in controlling oral malodour and comparing the effects with Chlorhexidine (CHX). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a single blind randomized controlled trial with parallel study design conducted at a hospital in the city of Udupi in Southern India. A total of 40 patients suffering with oral malodour, aged 17-35 years, were included in this trial. After inclusion into the study, the subjects were examined twice, with a one-week interval between both examinations. Volatile Sulphur Compounds (VSCs), gingival, plaque and tongue coating scores were assessed at both examinations. Subjects were randomly allocated to G32 group - ayurvedic formulation (intervention group) and CHX group (control group), and were provided with the respective formulations enough to be used twice daily for a period of one week. The difference between the mean scores of VSCs, plaque, and gingivitis and tongue coating were compared within the intervention and control groups, respectively, using paired t-test. RESULTS: Both test and control groups showed a significant reduction in VSCs, plaque and gingivitis levels. The percentage reductions in VSCs, plaque and gingivitis were found to be similar among the two groups. There was no significant difference between the preintervention and postintervention scores in both the groups. CONCLUSION: G32, an ayurvedic medication, can be an effective tool to deal with oral malodour.