Evaluation of dentifrices of complementary and alternative medicinal systems on plaque formation and gingivitis: A randomized controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Bio-film formation is a natural process in the oral environment, but needs to be controlled through regular brushing in order to prevent the development of caries and periodontal diseases. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A wide variety of dentifrices of complementary and alternative medicinal systems are available in the market which claims superior plaque control. A randomized controlled double-blinded concurrent parallel clinical trial was conducted with the objective to evaluate and compare the clinical effectiveness of three commercially available dentifrices of complementary and alternative medicine systems with that of a placebo dentifrice on Gingival Index (GI) and Plaque Index (PI) scores after 15, 30, 45 and 60 days of usage among 80 adults aged 35-44 years. RESULTS: The mean GI scores reduced by 29.19 %, 22.28 %, 32.43 % and 10.33 % in the herbal dentifrice, homeopathic dentifrice, conventional dentifrice, and placebo dentifrice groups by the end of the study period. Highest reduction of 33.5% and 34.87 % in PI scores were seen in the herbal and conventional dentifrice. This reduction was statistically significant (p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The herbal dentifrice tested in the present study has demonstrated anti-gingivitis and anti-plaque efficiency equivocal to the conventional dentifrice. The homeopathic dentifrice was as good as a placebo. Key words:CAM dentifrices, Homeopathic dentifrice, plaque, gingivitis, tooth brushing.

Digitized morphometric analysis of dental pulp of permanent mandibular second molar for age estimation of Davangere population.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study is to estimate the age of Davangere population by evaluating the pulp to tooth area ratio (PTR) by using digitized intraoral periapical radiographs of permanent mandibular second molar. METHODS: 400 intraoral periapical radiograph (IOPA) of permanent mandibular 2nd molar of both the sexes aged 14-60 years were used. Digital camera was used to image the radiographs. Images were computed and PTR was calculated by AUTOCAD software. Intra and Inter observer variability was also assessed. Regression analysis was used to estimate the age of an individual by taking PTR as dependent variable. RESULTS: The mean PTR of males and females was 0.10 ± 0.02 and 0.09 ± 0.02 respectively. Negative correlation was observed, when age was compared with PTR {r = -0.441, -0.406 & -0.419 among males, females and total subjects (p < 0.001)}. Regression analysis showed a Standard Error of Estimate (SEE) of 12 years. The Kappa coefficient value for the intra and inter examiner variability was 0.85 & 0.83 respectively. CONCLUSION: Our results showed that permanent mandibular 2(nd) molar can be taken as an index tooth for estimating the age of the adults using digitized periapical radiograph and AUTOCAD software. Also high differences were observed between estimated and chronological age of 12 years which is not in the acceptable range. But it provides a new window for research in the forensic sciences in estimating the adult age.

Modified schirmer test--a screening tool for xerostomia among subjects on antidepressants.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study is to assess salivary flow rate in the subjects who were on antidepressant medications and its comparison with healthy controls and assessment of unstimulated salivary flow rate by modified Schirmer test (MST) and volumetric method (spitting method) for evaluation of xerostomia and whether any correlation exists between two methods. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty subjects who were on antidepressants were divided into two groups: tricyclic antidepressants (TCA) and selective sertonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) of 15 each, compared with 30 age and gender matched controls. Unstimulated salivary flow rate was measured by both MST and spitting method. RESULTS: The unstimulated salivary flow rate measured by MST at the end of 3rd minute was 13.7 ± 10.08, 19.86 ± 8.95 and 31.0 ± 5.4 mm and by spitting method was 0.12 ± 0.07, 0.19 ± 0.10 and 0.30 ± 0.75 ml/min in TCA, SSRI and controls respectively (p<0.001). The Pearson correlation coefficient of r=0.85 shows excellent correlation between the two screening tests. Sensitivity and Specificity of MST was 90.9% and 31.5%. CONCLUSION: Salivary flow rate was less in antidepressant subjects when compared to the healthy controls. Results of the present study showed an excellent correlation excellent correlation between the two screening tests which suggests that MST can be routinely used as chair-side screening tool to evaluate hyposalivation which is time saving, patient friendly and specific of salivary secretions.