Caries Risk Assessment among School Going Young Adolescents in Sullia Taluk-Dakshina Kannada.

BACKGROUND: Dental caries continue to be one among the major problems related to oral health in developing countries, that affects 60%-90% of school-aged children and adults. According to the WHO Global oral data bank in 2009 the point prevalence was 54% among 12 years old. Studies on prevalence conducted in Dakshina Kannada district reported a caries prevalence ranging from 32.8% to 82.6%. This study was undertaken to assess the risk of among school-going young adolescents using the Cariogram model. SUBJECT AND METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive epidemiological study was conducted among school-going young adolescents of Sullia taluk Dakshina Kannada for a period of 3 months (August-October) 2019. From a total of 20 schools, 3 schools were randomly selected and children satisfying inclusion/exclusion criteria were randomly drawn from these schools. Data on parameters of Cariogram model were collected on a specially designed pro forma consisting of four parts, namely Questionnaire, along with a clinical examination, the collection of saliva and microbiological analysis. Descriptive data were recorded and Fischer's Exact test was used to test the significance of the findings. P ≤ 0.05. RESULTS: An analysis of the relative contribution of each cariogram parameter in relation to the caries experience revealed that diet content, frequency of diet, mutans count were statistically significant factors in determining caries risk (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the present study performed with cariogram in young adolescent school-going children revealed that diet content, frequency of diet, mutans count were statistically significant factors in determining caries risk and susceptibility factors were mainly responsible for the aforementioned experience of the school children.

Effect of Green Tea Extract Mouthrinse and Probiotic Mouthrinse on Salivary pH in a Group of Schoolchildren: An In Vivo Study.

AIM AND OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to assess the efficacy of probiotic and green tea mouthrinse on salivary pH. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted over a period of 1 month among 40 healthy schoolchildren aged between 6 and 8 years. The subjects who fulfilled inclusion criteria were selected and randomly divided into two groups, namely probiotic and green tea groups. Salivary pH was recorded at baseline (0 day) and at the end of the specified time using GC pH strips. Statistical analysis was done using paired t test. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULT: The comparison of mean pH scores for green tea showed that the pH of saliva was increased in the children after rinsing with green tea (6.00-7.60) and was statistically significant (P < 0.001). Similarly, when pre- and post-mean pH was compared in the probiotic group, the pH was found to be higher in the probiotic rinse group (5.60-7.20). The results were statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The study conducted shows the beneficial effects of green tea in providing a alkaline environment, which is conducive to the oral health of children.

Five canalled and three-rooted primary second mandibular molar.

A thorough knowledge of root canal anatomy and its variation is necessary for successful completion of root canal procedures. Morphological variations such as additional root canals in human deciduous dentition are rare. A mandibular second primary molar with more than four canals is an interesting example of anatomic variations, especially when three of these canals are located in the distal root. This case shows a rare anatomic configuration and points out the importance of looking for additional canals.

Study of pulp chamber morphology of primary mandibular molars using spiral computed tomography.

AIM: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the pulp chamber morphology in primary mandibular molars using spiral computed tomography (SCT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty extracted primary mandibular molars were scanned using SCT for the (i) distance between the central fissure to furcation, (ii) distance between the central fissure to the floor of the pulp chamber, (iii) height of the pulp chamber (roof-floor), (iv) distance between the floor of the pulp chamber to the furcation. The mean and standard deviation was analyzed using statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) program. RESULTS: The results of this study show that the average mean distance from the central fissure to the floor of the pulp chamber is 5.07 mm in first mandibular primary molar and 5.54 mm in second mandibular primary molar. CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that the greatest depth to which a bur can go during access opening without perforating the furcation in first primary mandibular molar is 5.07 mm and 5.54 mm in second primary mandibular molar.