Concentration-dependent effect of carboxymethyl chitosan amorphous calcium phosphate on the surface hardness of primary tooth enamel.

PURPOSE: To compare the effects of gels containing 2.5% and 5% carboxymethyl chitosan amorphous calcium phosphate (CMC-ACP) on the microhardness of primary tooth enamel. METHODS: Twenty-four tooth specimens were demineralized with 37% phosphoric acid and divided into four groups: an untreated control group, a positive control group treated with casein phosphopeptide amorphous calcium phosphate, and two groups treated with 2.5% and 5% CMC-ACP gel, respectively. The enamel surface hardness was then measured with a Vickers hardness tester. RESULTS: In terms of Vickers Hardness Number (VHN), the degree of alteration in tooth surface microhardness was 77.83 ± 13.44 in the 5% CMC-ACP group and 52 ± 6.93 in the 2.5% CMC-ACP group (P = 0.002). The inter-group difference in the surface hardness change was significant (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The 5% CMC-ACP gel increased the hardness of primary tooth enamel to a greater degree than the 2.5% CMC-ACP gel.

Spectrophotometric Analysis of Streptococcus mutans Growth and Biofilm Formation in Saliva and Histatin-5 Relate to pH and Viscosity

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze the ability of saliva in controlling the growth and the biofilm formation of Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) as well as the effect of histatin-5 anti-biofilm relate to pH and saliva viscosity. Material and Methods: The S. mutans biofilm assayed by crystal violet 1% and its growth measured by spectrophotometer. The saliva viscosity was analyzed by viscometer, and pH of saliva was measured by pH meter. Results: Based on the optical density values, growth of S. mutans in saliva ranged <300 CFU/mL (0.1 nm) at concentrations of 25%, 12.5% and 6.25% for 24 hours. Whereas at the 48 h and 72 h period of incubation shown an increase in growth of S. mutans ranged 300-600 CFU/mL (0.2-0.36 nm). The inhibitory biofilm formation of S. mutans in saliva was significantly higher at concentrations of 12.5% and 6.25% at 24 h incubation times on a moderate scale, whereas the histatin-5 was effective to inhibit S. mutans biofilm on the 50 and 25 ppm. The saliva possessed a higher inhibitory of biofilm S. mutans than histatin-5 and good level viscosity (0.91-0.92 cP). Conclusion: The saliva was able to control the growth of S. mutans, and histatin-5 can inhibit the biofilm formation S. mutans. Furthermore, the saliva was also able to respond to the pH change with good viscosity of saliva.

Vertical Cephalic Index, Dental Arch and Palatal Depth Measurement: A Study in Bataknese Children

Objective: To evaluate the cephalic indices among Bataknese school students. Material and Methods: An observational study was performed by measuring 95 Bataknese children aged 3-5 years using a purposive sampling technique. The vertical cephalic index was measured directly in children, while the dental arch and palatal depth were measured on maxillary impressions. Vertical cephalic index data were obtained by measuring the height and length of the child's head directly. Measurement was performed three times by three different people. Cephalic height was measured by a digital calipers by placing each edge of the calipers on the nasion and gnathion. Descriptive statistics were used to calculate the mean and standard deviation. Results: The analysis of height and cephalic length showed that the highest values were 9.28 cm and 18.13 cm, while the lowest were 7.43 cm and 13.43 cm, respectively. The means for Maxillary canine arch width and Maxillary molar arch width were 30.66 mm and 46.69 mm, respectively. For the Maxillary canine arch depth, the mean was 12.0 mm, while for the Maxillary molar arch depth was 28.65 mm. The palatal depth was 14.33. Conclusion: The majority of Bataknese children have a dolichocephalic head shape with a tapered maxillary dental arch and a narrow one.

Caries Risk Factors among Children Aged 3-5 Years Old in Indonesia.

BACKGROUND: Dental caries is the most common oral disease in children. Dental caries is a multifactorial disease both etiologic factor and risk factor. Other factors that could not find in clinical examination or radiograph, but contribute to the disease are assumed as risk factor. A child as an un independent individual will be influenced by external risk factor, especially from the mother. Mother is an important figure for children character building. Risk factor detection is an essential effort to decrease the prevalence of dental caries. AIM: The aim of this study is to identify caries risk factor in children aged 3-5 years old in Indonesia. SETTING AND DESIGN: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted using a universal sampling protocol. METHODS: Subject is 248 pairs of mother and children. Clinical examination and questionnaire interview are applied on the subject. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The association between caries risk factors and caries cases on children were tested using bivariate analysis, followed by identifying the most dominant factors using logistic regression multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Each caries risk factor has a significance level which could distinct to children's caries case. After multivariate logistic regression, maternal attitude and how to drink milk bottle were the most risk factors to childhood caries (odds ratio: 3.61; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.18-11.01 and 7.69; 95% CI: 1.84-32.13 respecting). CONCLUSIONS: Many risk factors contribute to childhood caries, originated from both children themselves and mothers. Caries risk factor identification is an important role in preventing childhood caries.

Evaluation of Oral Hygiene in Children with Down Syndrome Using the Busy Book Ayo Sikat Gigi as an Educational Toy

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the oral hygiene status of children with Down syndrome using the busy book Ayo Sikat Gigi as an educational toy. Material and Methods: We ran an experimental study involving 25 educable and trainable children with Down syndrome, comprising 17 males and 8 females aged 7-12 years, who were free from other disabilities and did not use orthodontic or prosthodontic appliances. Parents were instructed to educate their children using the busy book Ayo Sikat Gigi and also to guide their children in brushing their teeth effectively at home. We evaluated the OHI-S score over two visits, one before and the other after education using the busy book Ayo Sikat Gigi over a 7 day period. The Wilcoxon test with the p-value set at 0.05 was used Results: It was noted a statistically significant decrease in the OHI-S scores of children with Down syndrome (p<0.05), reflecting an improvement in their dental health, after education using the busy book Ayo Sikat Gigi (median scores before and after education: 2.30 and 1.84, respectively) Conclusion: The busy book Ayo Sikat Gigi is a highly effective educational toy for children with Down syndrome, and in our study, it was demonstrated to decrease their OHI-S scores after education for 7 days.

Validated Questionnaire of Maternal Attitude and Knowledge for Predicting Caries Risk in Children: Epidemiological Study in North Jakarta, Indonesia.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: Predicting caries risk in children can be done by identifying caries risk factors. It is an important measure which contributes to best understanding of the cariogenic profile of the patient. Identification could be done by clinical examination and answering the questionnaire. We arrange the study to verify the questionnaire validation for predicting caries risk in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted on 62 pairs of mothers and their children, aged between 3 and 5 years. The questionnaire consists of 10 questions concerning mothers' attitude and knowledge about oral health. The reliability and validity test is based on Cronbach's alpha and correlation coefficient value. RESULTS: All question are reliable (Cronbach's alpha = 0.873) and valid (Corrected item-total item correlation >0.4). CONCLUSIONS: Five questionnaires of mother's attitude about oral health and five questionnaires of mother's knowledge about oral health are reliable and valid for predicting caries risk in children.