Comparative evaluation of chelating efficacy of nano-chitosan, pomegranate extract, and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid on primary radicular dentin: An in vitro study.

Background: Irrigation is a crucial aspect of root canal treatment, and it is imperative to employ chelating agents to eliminate the smear layer during biomechanical preparation. They in turn react with mineral content of dentin, leading to decreased strength and increased susceptibility to fracture. Aims: This study aimed to assess and compare mineral loss and microhardness from primary root canal dentin following the usage of different irrigating solutions and determine the least detrimental irrigant among the tested solutions. Materials and Methods: Sixty-six primary anterior teeth were divided into three groups with 22 in each- Group I: 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) Group II: 0.2% Nano chitosan Group III: Pomegranate extract. The decoronated teeth were split longitudinally. Half of it was directly subjected to Vickers test, and the other half was immersed in a magnetic stirrer bath containing test solution to record the mineral loss from solution. Postmicrohardness values were recorded on the specimen and compared with initial values. Statistical Analysis Used: Statistical analysis was done using SPSS software (Version 20, SPSS, IBM, Armonk, NY, U. S. A). Results: Descriptive statistics were calculated, and the groups were compared using analysis of variance test and post hoc Tukey test. Pomegranate extract showed least effect on mineral content and microhardness compared to 17% EDTA and 0.2% nano chitosan. P ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Conclusion: Pomegranate aril extract showed better results with selected parameters.

An In Vitro evaluation of biodegradability of stainless steel crowns at various salivary pH.

AIM: To evaluate the biodegradability of preformed stainless steel crowns at varying salivary pH and the cytotoxic effect of leached out elements on fibroblasts. METHODOLOGY: A total of 243 stainless steel crowns were selected and were divided into 3 groups (I, II, III) based on Ph of immersion media. The pH of samples in group I, II, III were 4.3, 5.5 and 6.3 with 81 crowns in each group. Each group has 9 samples with 8 crowns in each sample. All samples were immersed in polyethylene bottles containing 10ml of artificial saliva and incubated at 37°C for 4 weeks. All the samples were analyzed on 1,7,14 and 21 days by atomic absorption spectrophotometer for the quantitative assement of Ni, Cr and Fe. Fibroblast tissue culture was used to assess the cytotoxicity of the samples. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Analysis of variance. RESULTS: Maximum release of Ni, Cr, Fe ions were observed at pH 4.3 followed by pH 5.5 and least release of ions were observed at pH 6.3 from SS crowns. The cytotoxic results showed that the least cell viability of cells was seen at pH 4.3. CONCLUSION: With decrease in pH, there is an increase in ion release from stainless steel crowns and the mean release of nickel, chromium and iron were very much below the average dietary intake. But the allergic manifestations of ions like nickel can't be ruled out.

Correlation of Mother and Child's Taste Perception and their Caries Experience.

AIM AND BACKGROUND: Nowadays, clinical assessment of caries susceptibility is evaluated by the individuals taste perception. As food habits of the child are mostly influenced by the parents (mothers), it would be beneficial to assess the relation between mother and child's taste status and their caries experience to predict the caries susceptibility of the child. METHODOLOGY: A convenience sample of 310 mother-child dyads of both the sexes were selected. After obtaining the data on the taste preferences, dietary habits, and oral hygiene practices, caries experience of both the mother and child were recorded using the DMFT and defs indices, followed by the taste assessment using 6-n propylthiouracil (PROP) tester strips. RESULTS: Irrespective of the taste status, the majority of the mother and child dyads showed preference to sweet foods. A statistically significant relationship between taste status and caries experience was noticed among mothers and children individually. However, there was no significant association between mother and child taste status. Whereas, a weak-positive correlation is observed between the mother and child's caries experience. The children of supertaster mothers have relatively less caries experience compared to children of moderate and nontaster mothers, which was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Mother's taste perception or caries experience may not always be a risk predictor for their child's caries experience, but the PROP tester strips were very effective in predicting the caries risk of an individual.

Dermatoglyphic Analysis in Parents with Cleft Children: A Comparative Study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: There were studies in the literature which showed the altered dermatoglyphics in the cleft children. But it would be beneficial if probable expression can be proved in prior generations, so that genetic counseling and other preventive measures can be undertaken. The aim of the study is to determine variations in dermatoglyphics of prior generations which would serve as bench markers to predict the occurrence of cleft in off springs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 400 parents aged between 25-45 years were selected and divided into two groups - Group A consisted of parents with cleft children and Group B comprised of parents with at least 2 healthy children who met the inclusion criteria. Dermatoglyphic prints were collected by ink method and evaluated for pattern types, total ridge count and palm prints were evaluated for a-b ridge count, atd angle and asymmetry. RESULTS: Significant difference was observed between Group A and B with reference to pattern types; TRC and a-b ridge count and atd angle. Absence of t point was variably noticed in the mothers of affected children. CONCLUSION: Dermatoglyphics can be used as tool to study the developmental instability of cleft anomalies and provides data to assess the genetic etiology of clefting.

Endodontic treatment of chronically infected primary teeth using triple antibiotic paste: An in vivo study.

AIM: Maintenance of primary dentition is imperative for the development of arch form, esthetics, function, mastication, and normal eruption of permanent teeth. Premature loss can cause various problems such as ectopic eruption, space loss for the successor permanent teeth, alterations in speech, and impairment of function. Hence, decayed primary teeth should not be extracted and treated whenever possible. Pulpectomy is generally recommended as a treatment of choice in such cases. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical and radiographic success of pulpectomized primary teeth with chronic infection using a mixture of metronidazole, ciprofloxacin, and minocycline (3MIX)-MP as an intracanal medicament before the obturation. METHODOLOGY: Sixty primary teeth were selected, which were randomly divided into two groups (Group A and Group B) with thirty teeth in each group. In Group A, 3MIX-MP was used as intracanal medicament whereas in Group B, conventional pulpectomy was performed. Resolution of clinical signs and symptoms were evaluated within 2 weeks after the treatment and at recalled 3rd, 6th, and 12th month intervals. The treated teeth were evaluated clinically and radiographically. RESULTS: High success rate was observed in Group A samples both clinically and radiographically. Although the difference in clinical success was not statistically significant, the difference in radiographic success was statistically significant. CONCLUSION: All the primary teeth with chronic infection which were treated using 3MIX-MP, followed by the instrumentation and obturation provided excellent clinical and radiographic success when compared to conventional pulpectomy and noninstrumentational lesion sterilization tissue repair therapy.

Diagnostic perspective of saliva in insulin dependent diabetes mellitus children: An in vivo study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The absence, destruction, or loss of ß-cells of pancreas results in type 1 diabetes (insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus [IDDM]). Presently, diagnosis and periodic monitoring of diabetes is achieved by evaluating blood glucose levels as it is relatively invasive and dreaded by children. In the light of this, present study was planned to compare salivary glucose values with blood glucose values and the biochemical characteristics of saliva in IDDM children were evaluated and obtained results were compared with the salivary parameters of normal children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty IDDM children and 30 healthy children were selected for the study. Fasting blood sample and unstimulated salivary sample were collected from all the subjects and were subjected for analysis. RESULTS: A weak positive correlation was noticed between fasting blood glucose and salivary glucose values in IDDM children. But a mean average of salivary glucose was high in IDDM children when compared with healthy children. The biochemical parameters like acid phosphatase, total protein count, and α-amylase were increased, whereas salivary urea did not show significant variation between the groups. CONCLUSION: With presently used diagnostic armamentarium, estimation of salivary glucose cannot replace the standard method of estimation of glucose in diabetic mellitus children. The established relationship was very weak with many variations.

Endodontic treatment of primary teeth using combination of antibacterial drugs: an in vivo study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate clinical and radiographic success of endodontic treatment of infected primary teeth using combination of ciprofloxacin, metronidazole, and minocycline. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The treatment was performed on selected 60 teeth, which were randomly divided into two groups, viz. Group A and B with 30 teeth in each group. In Group A, only the necrotic coronal pulp was removed, whereas in Group B both necrotic coronal as well as all accessible radicular pulp tissue was extirpated. The orifice of the canal was enlarged in both the groups and was termed as "Medication cavity." The medication cavity was half-filled with antibacterial mix, sealed with glass-ionomer cement and reinforced with composite resin. Resolution of clinical signs and symptoms was evaluated within a month after the treatment. At every subsequent visit, clinical and radiographic evaluation was done once in 6 months for a period of one year. RESULTS: Both the groups showed considerable clinical and radiographic success, but Group B showed greater clinical and radiographic success than Group A.