Morphometric analysis of pulp size in maxillary permanent central incisors correlated with age: An indirect digital study.

CONTEXT: Teeth are hardest part of the body and are least affected by the taphonomic process. They are considered as one of the reliable methods of identification of a person in forensic sciences. AIM: The aim of the following study is to establish morphometeric measurements by AutoCad 2009 (Autodesk, Inc) of permanent maxillary central incisors in different age groups of Udaipur population. SETTING AND DESIGN: Hospital-based descriptive cross-sectional study carried out in Udaipur. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A study was carried out on 308 subjects of both genders with the age range of 9-68 years. Standardized intra-oral radiographs were made by paralleling technique and processed. The radiographs were scanned and the obtained images were standardized to the actual size of radiographic film. This was followed by measuring them using software AutoCad 2009. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: F-test, post-hoc test, Pearson's correlation test. RESULTS: For left maxillary central incisor, the total pulp area was found to be of 38.41 ± 12.88 mm and 14.32 ± 7.04 mm respectively. For right maxillary central incisor, the total pulp size was 38.39 ± 14.95 mm and 12.35 ± 5 mm respectively. Males (32.50, 32.87 mm(2)) had more pulp area when compared with females (28.82, 30.05 mm(2)). CONCLUSION: There was a decrease in total pulp area with increasing age which may be attributed to secondary dentin formation.

Evaluation of marginal alveolar bone height for early detection of periodontal disease in pediatric population: clinical and radiographic study.

OBJECTIVES: To establish a normal range for the radiographic distance between cementoenamel junction and alveolar bone crest and the factors affecting distances for the early assessment of periodontal disease in Dravidian pediatric population. METHODS: Fifty children aged 6 to 8 years were selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Clinical and radiographic examination was performed. All the surfaces were examined starting from the distal surface of primary canine to the mesial surface of first permanent molar. The various risk factors like plaque, calculus, proximal caries, restoration and bleeding on probing were recorded. A pair of bitewing radiographs was taken for each child. Bitewing radiographs were traced and analyzed. RESULTS: It showed that CEJ-ABC distance in primary teeth is about 1 ± 0.5 mm. In the permanent teeth, it was found to be 0.6 ± 0.5 mm in 6 to 8 years age group. CEJ-ABC distance was also affected by different variables like physiologic (eruption and exfoliation) and pathologic factors (plaque, calculus, dental caries, restorations, stainless steel crowns, bleeding on probing and probing depth). CONCLUSION: CEJ-ABC distances greater than 2.5 mm should be considered under recall and follow-up. Children and adolescents susceptible to periodontal disease should be identified by radiographic means as early as possible in order to prevent the advance of an otherwise possibly destructive disease. The concept of oral health examination and treatment must include examination of the periodontal status of the patient.

Nationwide survey of fifth-year dental students' perceptions about tobacco prevention, control, and curriculum in India.

The objective of this study was to assess the tobacco cessation knowledge, attitudes, practices, and perceived barriers of dental interns (students in their last year of the five-year dental curriculum) in India as well as to assess the adequacy of training in tobacco use cessation (TUC) counselling. This was a cross-sectional questionnaire study conducted with 1,521 interns at fiftyone dental colleges of India selected by multistage random sampling. The survey instrument was a fifty-nine-item, self-structured, and self-administered questionnaire. Fifteen questions were about knowledge and attitudes, with twenty-two about practices, fifteen about barriers, and seven about curriculum adequacy; demographic data were also collected. The response rate was 99.7 percent. The results showed that 38.8 percent had knowledge, 30.8 percent had positive attitudes, 19.2 percent practiced TUC, 43 percent experienced barriers, and 85.2 percent agreed on receiving extensive curriculum on tobacco cessation. Only 1 percent were aware of the 5As, the 5Rs protocol, and the motivational interviewing technique of TUC. These respondents' knowledge, attitudes, and practices were below normative level, and they took a superficial approach to TUC. The perceived barriers were very high and included curriculum inadequacy. The results of this study help show there is an urgent need to revise the tobacco curriculum in dental schools in India to make students more confident to practice this aspect of dentistry independently.

Comparison of the effectiveness of 0.5% tea, 2% neem and 0.2% chlorhexidine mouthwashes on oral health: a randomized control trial.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of 0.5% tea, 2% neem, and 0.2% chlorhexidine mouthwashes on oral health. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A randomized blinded controlled trial with 30 healthy human volunteers of age group 18-25 years was carried out. The subjects were randomly assigned to 3 groups i.e., group A - 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate (bench mark control), Group B - 2% neem, and group C - 0.5% tea of 10 subjects per group. Plaque accumulation and gingival condition were recorded using plaque index and gingival index. Oral hygiene was assessed by simplified oral hygiene index (OHIS). Salivary pH was assessed by indikrom pH strips. Plaque, gingival, and simplified OHI scores as well as salivary pH were recorded at baseline, immediately after 1 st rinse, after 1 week, 2 nd week, and 3 rd week. The 3 rd week was skipped for group A. RESULTS: Mean plaque and gingival scores were reduced over the 3 week trial period for experimental and control groups. Anti-plaque effectiveness was observed in all groups and the highest being in group C (P < 0.05). Neem and tea showed comparative effectiveness on gingiva better than chlorhexidine (P < 0.05). The salivary pH rise was sustained and significant in Group B and C compared to Group A. Oral hygiene improvement was better appreciated in Group B and Group C. CONCLUSION: The effectiveness of 0.5% tea was more compared to 2% neem and 0.2% chlorhexidine mouth rinse.

Sex determination using cheiloscopy and mandibular canine index as a tool in forensic dentistry.

INTRODUCTION: Establishment of a person's individuality is important for legal as well as humanitarian purpose and gender determination is an essential step in identifying an individual. In forensic odontology the sum total of all the characteristics of teeth and their associated structures provide a unique totality and forms the basis for personal identification. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To investigate the accuracy of various methods employed in sex determination such as cheiloscopy and mandibular canine index (MCI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study group comprises adults between 20 and 25 years of age, who were assessed for gender identification using lip prints and MCI. The results were subjected to statistical analysis. RESULTS: MCI and lip prints were found to be accurate and specific for sex determination. CONCLUSION: There is scope for use of these methods in criminal investigations, personal identification, and genetic studies. Thus, dental tissues make good witnesses although they speak softly, they never lie and they never forget.

Questionnaire vs clinical surveys: the right choice?--A cross-sectional comparative study.

PURPOSE: To investigate the practical value of using questionnaires (self perceived assessment) as compared with clinical examinations (normative assessment) and to evaluate the role of socioeconomic status and implications of the results in understanding the public perception of oral health. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional single-blind study. A purposive sample of 860 bank employees of Belgaum city, India, were asked to fill in a close-ended questionnaire inquiring about their socioeconomic status, dental, periodontal health levels and treatment needs. Clinical examinations, employing the WHO dentition status and Community Periodontal Index, were performed to determine normative status and needs. Perceived and normative assessments were compared for sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values. RESULTS: The kappa values ranged from 0 (treatment needs) to 0.67 (for prosthesis). The degree of agreement with the following kappa values and sensitivity was seen in filled teeth (0.52, 60%), missing teeth (0.62, 83.8%), and prosthesis (0.67, 58.3%). However, the disagreement was seen with all other questions with average kappa value of 0.20. CONCLUSIONS: Self-assessment questionnaires were of low value in evaluating dental, periodontal health status and treatment needs in the study subjects. Findings reflect a low level of awareness that may influence care-seeking behavior and socioeconomic status has a clear role to play in dental health perception.