Correlation of intercondylar distance and occlusal vertical dimension in dentate individuals: A clinical study.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Determining the vertical dimension of occlusion for an edentulous patient depends on clinical judgment and the skill and experience of the dentist. Though many methods have been advocated, a universally accepted method of determining the vertical dimension of occlusion in edentulous patients is lacking. PURPOSE: This clinical study aimed to find a correlation between the intercondylar distance and occlusal vertical dimension in dentate individuals. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study was conducted on 258 dentate individuals aged 18 to 30 years. The Denar posterior reference point was used to determine the center of the condyle. The posterior reference point was marked on either side of the face with this scale, and the intercondylar width between these 2 posterior reference points was measured with custom digital vernier calipers. A modified Willis gauge was used to measure the occlusal vertical dimension from the base of the nose to the lower border of the chin when the teeth were in maximum intercuspation. The relationship between the ICD and OVD was analyzed with the Pearson correlation test. Simple regression analysis was used to formulate a regression equation. RESULTS: The mean intercondylar distance was 133.5 mm, and the mean occlusal vertical dimension was 55.4 mm. A statistically significant correlation (R=0.619) was found between the intercondylar distance and occlusal vertical dimension in the study population (P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: A significant correlation was found between the intercondylar distance and occlusal vertical dimension of the participants. Occlusal vertical dimension may be predicted from the intercondylar distance by using a regression model.

Effect of Fluoride-based Varnishes with Added Calcium and Phosphate on Microhardness of Esthetic Restorative Materials: An In Vitro Study.

Background and objectives: Fluoride varnishes are being used to prevent caries in children. The high concentration of fluoride in varnishes apart from caries prevention may cause changes in surface properties of esthetic restorations. The study aims to evaluate and compare the effect of four commercially available fluoride varnishes with added calcium and phosphate on microhardness of three esthetic materials namely conventional GIC (Fuji II), high viscosity GIC (Fuji IX), and nanocomposite (Filtek Z350). Materials and methods: A total of 28 pellets were made of each material and stored in distilled water at 37 °C for 48 hours. The microhardness of the pellets was tested which served as a baseline. These were then randomly divided into four subgroups. In one subgroup Profluorid varnish was applied, second subgroup MI varnish was applied, third subgroup Embrace varnish was applied, and in the fourth subgroup Enamel Pro varnish was applied as per protocol. Thereafter, all the pellets were subjected to microhardness testing (load = 100 g for 15 seconds). Results: The fluoride varnishes increased the microhardness of conventional GIC (Fuji II) whereas in case of high viscosity GIC (Fuji IX) the application of varnishes reduced the microhardness. In case of nanocomposite restorative material (Filtek Z350) only Profluorid varnish increased its microhardness. Conclusion: Fluoride varnish and calcium-phosphate containing fluoride varnish effect on the microhardness of restorative material is material dependent. So, the choice of fluoride varnish with or without proprietary additives depends on the nature and composition of the restorative material. How to cite this article: Shetty RS, Bhat SS, HK Sundeep, et al. Effect of Fluoride-based Varnishes with Added Calcium and Phosphate on Microhardness of Esthetic Restorative Materials: An In Vitro Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2022;15(2):187-193.

Prosthodontic Management of Congenital Hypothyroidism with Anodontia: A Case Report.

Thyroid dysfunction has various manifestations which include orofacial abnormalities like delayed eruption, retained deciduous teeth, etc. Early detection of this deregulation of thyroid homeostasis can prevent associated complications. This report is a case of congenital hypothyroidism (CH) in a 4-year-old boy who presented with a completely edentulous maxilla and hypodontic mandible. Based on various biochemical and radiographic investigations, a diagnosis of CH was established. He was prosthodontically rehabilitated with removable dentures. How to cite this article: Bhat V, Bhat VS, Vadakkan J, et al. Prosthodontic Management of Congenital Hypothyroidism with Anodontia: A Case Report. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2021;14(4):586-589.

Comparative Evaluation of Two Remineralizing Agents on Artificial Carious Lesion Using DIAGNOdent.

PURPOSE: The current in vitro study was conducted to assess the remineralization potential of CPP-ACP and a customized dentifrice (tricalcium-phosphate) on artificial carious lesions using DIAGNOdent. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-one extracted premolars that satisfied the inclusion criteria were painted using acid-resistant nail varnish. A window of 4 × 4 mm was exposed on the center of the buccal surface of each tooth. After 20 minutes of drying, the baseline reading of enamel specimens was assessed using DIAGNOdent. The teeth were then immersed in a bath of demineralizing solution. An incubation period of 96 hours at 37°C resulted in artificial caries-like lesions on the specimen. Readings of the specimen within the window after demineralization were recorded using DIAGNOdent for all the samples. The specimens were divided into three groups randomly [group I-casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP), group II-customized dentifrice, group III-artificial saliva]. Samples were subjected to the daily treatment regimen for a period of 30 days. The samples were evaluated for remineralization by laser fluorescent device (DIAGNOdent) on the 15th and 30th day, respectively. RESULTS: The statistical analysis was done using the Friedman test, Kruskal-Wallis test, Wilcoxon sign rank test, and Mann-Whitney test. The results showed that both CPP-ACP and customized dentifrice showed almost similar remineralization potential but CPP-ACP showed significant remineralization (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The DIAGNOdent observation conclusively proves that CPP-ACP and customized dentifrice remineralizes the demineralized tooth samples in vitro with CPP-ACP showing significant remineralization. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Arjun DS, Bhat SS, Hegde SK, et al. Comparative Evaluation of Two Remineralizing Agents on Artificial Carious Lesion Using DIAGNOdent. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2021;14(2):192-195.

Acidogenic Potential of Plain Milk, Milk with Sugar, Milk with Cornflakes and Milk Cornflakes with Sugar: A Comparative Study.

AIM: To compare the acidogenic potential of plain milk, milk with sugar, milk with cornflakes, and milk cornflakes with sugar by assessing the salivary pH. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was carried out on 40 school children of 8 to 12 years; 20 boys and 20 girls were randomly selected. The salivary pH was assessed before and after the consumption of milk; milk and sugar; milk and cornflakes; and milk, sugar, and cornflakes. Baseline unstimulated saliva was collected in sterile plastic tube and the pH was recorded. The change in the salivary pH from the respective groups after consuming the test meal was recorded as follows: (1) after 5 minutes; (2) after 10 minutes; (3) after 15 minutes; (4) after 30 minutes; (5) 120 minutes. Statistical analysis was done using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences 18.0 (SPSS). RESULTS: The average baseline salivary pH among all the groups was 7.26. A fall in pH at 5 minutes was seen in all the four groups. However, at different time intervals 5, 10, 15, 30, and 120 minutes, the pH values between the groups showed a significant difference at p < 00.7, 0.005, 0.001, 0.010, and 0.028 respectively. CONCLUSION: The fall in pH in all the groups was not significant to a limit of critical pH. Milk when added with sugar and/or cornflakes as a meal did not pose a threat as there was not significant decrease in pH. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Bhat SS, Hegde SK, Bhat VS, Ramya KM, Jodalli PS. Acidogenic Potential of Plain Milk, Milk with Sugar, Milk with Cornflakes, and Milk Cornflakes with Sugar: A Comparative Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2016;9(3):218-221.

Direct pulp capping in an immature incisor using a new bioactive material.

Preservation of the pulp in a traumatized immature fractured incisor tooth is of prime importance in order to achieve apexogenesis, a natural apical closure. The main factor influencing this is pulpal protection by a bioactive material proving optimum marginal seal in preventing any microleakage. This case report presents an 8-year-old female diagnosed with Ellis Class 3 fracture of immature tooth 11 involving the mesial pulp horn. Under rubber dam isolation, a partial pulpotomy was performed and the pulp was sealed using a new bioactive material BIODENTINE to stimulate apexogenesis, dentine replacement and pulp protection. The fractured segment was reattached for optimum esthetics, which was a concern for the patient. The patient was followed-up for 1, 3, 6 and 12 months, which revealed continued apical closure and maintenance of pulp vitality. The patient remained asymptomatic. This case report provides evidence for the potential use of Biodentine as an effective pulp capping material in the future.