Laser-assisted gingivectomy in pediatric patients: a novel alternative treatment.

Gingival enlargement is quite a common pathology in pediatric patients and may be inflammatory, noninflammatory, or a combination of both. Idiopathic gingival fibromatosis, although rare, is a slowly progressive benign enlargement that affects the marginal gingiva, attached gingival, and interdental papilla. The fibromatosis may potentially cover the exposed tooth surfaces, causing esthetic and functional problems. The treatment of gingival fibromatosis is essential because it causes difficulties with mastication, speech problems, mispositioning of teeth, esthetic effects, and psychological difficulties for the patient. Traditional gingivectomy procedures have been a challenge for dentists who confront issues of patient cooperation and discomfort. In the last decade, laser procedures in oral cavity had shown many optimum effects in both hard and soft tissue procedures. Laser soft-tissue surgery has been shown to be well accepted by children. The following case report describes a laser-assisted gingivectomy procedure performed on a 13-year-old female.

Cellulitis on face in a patient with congenital afibrinogenemia.

Congenital afibrinogenemia is a rare coagulation disorder, with an estimated prevalence of 1 : 1,000,000, characterized by a complete absence to reduced level of circulating fibrinogen. This article presents a case of congenital afibrinogenemia, which presented as cellulitis on the face.

The knowledge, attitude and practice in prevention of dental caries amongst pediatricians in Bangalore: a cross-sectional study.

Dental caries comprise the single most chronic disease affecting children today. Evidence increasingly suggests that for successful prevention of dental caries, preventive interactions must begin within the first year of life. Pediatricians are responsible for the primary care of the child and are well positioned to begin this process if they recognize and encourage good preventive habits and refer appropriately. Insufficient information about their role in prevention of dental caries led us to conduct a survey among pediatricians in Bangalore urban to determine their knowledge, attitude and practice in prevention of dental caries.

Knowledge, attitude and practice in emergency management of dental injury among physical education teachers: a survey in Bangalore urban schools.

The purpose of this study was to assess, by means of a self administered structured questionnaire, the level of Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of physical education teachers in Bangalore city with regards to emergency management of dental injuries. The questionnaire surveyed the physical education teacher's background, knowledge of management of tooth fracture, avulsion, luxation injuries, it also investigated physical education teacher's attitude and the way they handle the injuries. The sample consisted 580 teachers from 700 selected schools in Bangalore city. Chi-square test was applied to test the significance between trained and untrained teachers. Among the population 70% were males physical education teachers 30% were females. 95% of the teachers had physical education training and 5% did not have the training. 95% of the population had first aid component and 5% did not have. Only 25% of trained physical education teachers had correct knowledge about tooth identification and 17% among untrained teachers. 81% of trained teachers answered correctly regarding management of fractured anterior teeth against 27.5% of untrained teachers (P< 0.0002). The present report indicates that there is lack of knowledge and practice among physical education teachers in Bangalore city regarding emergency management of dental trauma. Educational programs to improve the knowledge and awareness among the teachers have to be implemented.

Prevalence and severity of dental fluorosis among 13- to 15-year-old school children of an area known for endemic fluorosis: Nalgonda district of Andhra Pradesh.

OBJECTIVES: The present study was conducted to assess dental fluorosis and to compare fluorosis in incisor teeth among 13- to 15-year-old school children of Nalgonda district, Andhra Pradesh. METHODS: Cross-sectional analytical study was conducted. A total of 1000 school children aged 13 to 15 years were selected by stratified cluster sampling from 4 different areas with different levels of naturally occurring fluoride in drinking water. Fluorosis was recorded using TF index (TFI). RESULTS: Prevalence of fluorosis (TFI score, > or = 1) was 100% at all the 4 different fluoride levels. The prevalence and severity increased with increased fluoride levels in drinking water. Prevalence and severity of fluorosis did not show any significant variation between maxillary and mandibular incisor teeth. CONCLUSION: There is a high prevalence of mild-to-moderate fluorosis in Nalgonda district, even in areas with optimal fluoride levels in water.

In vitro evaluation of micromarginal leakage of three filling systems--an autoradiographic analysis using radio isotope S35 as a tracer.

An in vitro study was carried out on 60 human pre- molar teeth to study the sealing efficacy of Glass Ionomer, Silver amalgam, Composite resin and cavity varnish in Class V cavities. The filled specimens were thermocycled (4 degrees C +/- 2 degrees C and 60 degrees C +/- 2 degrees C) and subjected to Radio Isotope penetration tests. S35 was used as a tracer and autoradiography for detecting the microleakage. The extent of penetration of S35 in case of each material was assessed. No material was found to completely seal the cavity, however, Glass Ionomer could minimise the microleakage. Amalgam restorations exhibited gross microleakage which reduced to a great extent after application of cavity varnish. Composite resin was found to be superior to Silver amalgam in controlling microleakage.