Effectiveness of 2% Articaine as an anesthetic agent in children: randomized controlled trial.

AIM: The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of 2% articaine and 2% lignocaine in achieving adequate anesthesia in children between the age group of 6-13 years using inferior alveolar nerve block. METHODS: A triple blinded randomized controlled trial was conducted in 180 participants (90 patients- 2% articaine, 90 patients-2% lignocaine). Effectiveness of the anesthetic agent was determined at 3 points determined by subjective evaluation of pain using pain scales (FPS-R). Paired sample t-test and chi square test were performed for statistical significance. RESULT: Anesthetic success for 2% articaine were 64.4%, 42.2% and 81.8% respectively. The anesthetic success of 2% lignocaine was 66.7%, 48.9% and 85.7% at point one, point two and point three respectively (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: This study concludes that 2% articaine in 1:2,00,000 did not demonstrate superior clinical effectiveness in comparison to 2% lignocaine. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Lignocaine has always been considered the gold standard. With its unique chemical structure and increased potency, Articaine has been gaining popularity. Its efficacy in 2% concentration had not been compared to 2% lignocaine. 2% articaine did not show clinical superiority but its comparable effectiveness with lignocaine can encourage further research in using articaine in reduced concentrations to improve effectiveness.

Prevalence and Heritability of Early Childhood Caries Among Monozygotic and Dizygotic Twins.

Deciphering the relative importance of genetic and environmental factors, which play a major role in the prevalence of early childhood caries (ECC), can help clinicians with planning a long-term preventive treatment. The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence and heritability of ECC among monozygotic (MZ) and dizygotic (DZ) twins in Chennai, India, in the year 2013. A cross-sectional study was designed to estimate the prevalence of ECC among twins. Zygosity classification for the survey framework was adapted from a highly accurate parental report questionnaire pertaining to the physical similarity between twins. The associated heritability index was estimated. The Decayed, Missing, Filled Surface (DMFS) Index was used as the diagnostic criterion for dental caries. The prevalence of ECC was estimated at 18.7%. The correlation coefficient between the twin pair showed significant correlation. The heritability index for ECC was estimated at 15% higher prevalence of ECC found among children in the age group 25-36 months. The heritability estimate indicated a relatively low genetic influence for early childhood caries among twins. There was no significant difference detected in the concordance rate for the MZ and DZ twins. Further research could be directed toward the prevalence of ECC among higher age group children to explore the role of genetic and environmental factors.

Applications of machine learning in acute care research.

Artificial intelligence has been successfully applied to numerous health care and non-health care-related applications and its use in emergency medicine has been expanding. Among its advantages are its speed in decision making and the opportunity for rapid, actionable deduction from unstructured data with that increases with access to larger volumes of data. Artificial intelligence algorithms are currently being applied to enable faster prognosis and diagnosis of diseases and to improve patient outcomes.1,2 Despite the successful application of artificial intelligence, it is still fraught with limitations and "unknowns" pertaining to the fact that a model's accuracy is dependent on the amount of information available for training the model, and the understanding of the complexity presented by current artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms is often limited in many individuals outside of those involved in the field. This paper reviews the applications of artificial intelligence and machine learning to acute care research and highlights commonly used machine learning techniques, limitations, and potential future applications.

Interproximal contact areas of primary molars based on OXIS classification - a two centre cross sectional study.

Background: Contact areas in primary teeth are known to be broader, flatter and situated farther gingivally than permanent teeth. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of OXIS contact areas between primary molars using die models of children from two different ethnic populations. The research question of the present study is "What is the prevalence OXIS contact areas of primary molars in the populations studied?". Methods: A cross-sectional study was planned in a representative sample of 200 caries-free contact areas among children aged 3-6 years in two centers, Ajman and Puducherry. Data collection was performed from sectional or full-arch die stone models. The contacts were assessed according to OXIS classification by a single calibrated examiner at Center 2. Prevalence was expressed as numbers and percentages. The Chi-square test was applied to determine the association of OXIS contacts across genders and arches. Results: The prevalence of O, X, I, and S contacts were 19%, 22.5%, 53%, and 5.5% in Center 1 and 6%, 1.5%, 75.5%, and 17% in Center 2, respectively. Significant results (p=0.005) were obtained in Center 1 when inter-arch comparison was performed and between the centers with respect to type of contact. No significant difference was obtained with respect to gender and OXIS contact areas. Conclusions: The present study confirmed OXIS contacts in both the centers. The 'O' and 'X' types of contacts were observed more in Center 1, whereas 'I' and 'S' contacts were observed more in Center 2.

Assessment of chair side techniques for composite resin restoration--a survey.

The purpose of this survey was to assess the awareness of dental practitioners relating to chair side techniques in restoring teeth with light cure composite. The survey package consisted of a consent form, a leaflet stating the rationale and purpose of the survey and the questionnaire. Randomised sample of dental surgeons in practice was selected. The collected data was then analysed. A 52% response was obtained. Gross deficiencies in practice technique were observed, especially related to parameters like isolation, etching, bond and composite application and finishing of the restoration. Significantly individual assessment of problems by dental practitioners was found to be different from objective rationale. It is suggested that adequate and periodic re-evaluation of techniques must be made by the general dental practitioners, through continuing dental education or workshops so as to achiEve optimum quality.