Assessment of Perception of Pain with E-Speed Film, CCD Sensor and Photostimulable Phosphor Plates for Intraoral Radiographs in Children using Three Pain Rating Scales.

BACKGROUND: Dental radiography is an integral part of intraoral evaluation. Children are often uncomfortable during the placement of film or sensor due to the impingement of the soft tissues. Thus, the perception of pain with three intraoral radiographic methods in children was evaluated using three subjective pain rating scales. AIM: To evaluate the discomfort with three different techniques, that is, intraoral periapical (IOPA) radiograph, charge-coupled device (CCD), and photostimulable phosphor (PSP) luminescence (PSPL), using the Wong-Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale (WBFPRS), numerical rating scale, and visual analog scale (VAS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A sample of 35 children aged 6-12 years were divided into two groups: group 1 (6-8 years) and group 2 (9-12 years). For each child, simulations of the three radiological methods (IOPA, CCD, and PSPL) were performed. The meaning of each facial expression on the WBFPRS, VAS, and the numbers on the numerical rating scale was explained to each child before the procedure. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) test and paired-samples t-test are used. RESULTS: The results revealed that the CCD sensors elicited higher pain scores than those obtained with IOPA and PSPL, whereas the IOPA film showed the least pain score. Higher score values were obtained in group 1 than in group 2, indicating that children aged 6-8 years felt higher discomfort than the 9- to 12-year age group for the same procedure. This difference was statistically significant (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: It was concluded that conventional IOPA films were tolerated better by children when compared to PSP plates and CCD sensors.

Comparative evaluation of three mixed dentition analyses and formulation of regression equations for north Indian population: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The present study was undertaken to evaluate the accuracy of methods proposed by Tanaka and Johnston, Moyers, and Bernabé and Flores-Mir to forecast the mesiodistal dimensions of permanent canine and premolars in a North Indian population. METHODS: Mesiodistal tooth dimensions were measured from study models representing 68 male and 68 female subjects (aged 12-16 years) of North Indian descent. The mesiodistal dimensions of the teeth were measured using a digital Vernier caliper (providing measurements to 0.01 mm accuracy). The measurements of canine and premolars were summed up and compared with those derived from Tanaka and Johnston equations, Moyers probability tables (75 th percentile), and Bernabé and Flores-Mir equations. RESULTS: All the three methods exhibited overestimation of actual sum of permanent canine and premolars in both the arches and genders in this population. Because of the discrepancy observed, new regression analyses in the form of Y = A + B (X) were formulated similar to those proposed by Tanaka and Johnston originally, but separately for males and females. In males, the correlation coefficient between the sum of mesiodistal widths of mandibular incisors and the sum of widths of canine and premolars was 0.637 and 0.685 for maxilla and mandible, respectively. This value was 0.55 for maxilla and 0.64 for mandible in females. These values were found to be statistically significant. CONCLUSION: All the methods evaluated in the study were found to be inaccurate and they overestimate the mesiodistal widths of permanent canine and premolars in North Indian population. Revised linear regression equations were derived using the data obtained from this population.