Comparative evaluation of virtual reality distraction and counter-stimulation on dental anxiety and pain perception in children

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the efficacy of virtual reality (VR) distraction and counter-stimulation (CS) on dental anxiety and pain perception to local anesthesia in children. METHODS: A prospective, randomized, single-blinded interventional clinical trial with a parallel design was used. Seventy children 7–11 years old who required local anesthesia (LA) for pulp therapy or tooth extraction were recruited and allocated to two groups with equal distribution based on the intervention. Group CS (n = 35) received CS and Group VR (n = 35) received VR distraction with ANTVR glasses. Anxiety levels (using pulse rate) were evaluated before, during, and after administration of local anesthesia, while pain perception was assessed immediately after the injection. Wong-Baker faces pain-rating scale (WBFPS), visual analog scale (VAS), and Venham's clinical anxiety rating scale (VCARS) were used for pain evaluation. Student's t-test was used to test the mean difference between groups, and repeated measures ANOVA was used to test the mean difference of pulse rates. RESULTS: Significant differences in mean pulse rates were observed in both groups, while children in the VR group had a higher reduction (P < 0.05), and the mean VCARS scores were significant in the VR group (P < 0.05). Mean WBFPS scores showed less pain perception to LA needle prick in the CS group while the same change was observed in the VR group with VAS scores. CONCLUSIONS: VR distraction is better than CS for reducing anxiety to injection in children undergoing extraction and pulpectomy.

Rare association of dens invaginatus with premolarform mesiodens: radiographic and histological aspects

Supernumerary teeth [SNT] may occur any region of both the arches and both dentitions. Mesiodens is the common type of [SNT], occur in pre-maxillary region. Supernumerary teeth cause a range of complications like crowding, impaction, rotations, displacement, cyst formation and etc. Dens invaginatus is a developmental anomaly resulting in an invagination of pulp into enamel and dentin prior to calcification of the dental tissues. The purpose of this manuscript is to describe a case of premolariform mesiodens caused impaction and resorption of central incisor. The radiographic and histological examination of dilocerated SNT showed evidence of dens invaginatus

Fluorides in periodontal therapy: a review

In general practice, the most common dental diseases in patients are caries and periodontal disease. Dental visits would typically involve removal of supragingival plaque and calculus, identification of failed restorations and/or incipient carious lesions and the placing of restorations to restore tooth surfaces to health. Typically a patient would be delivered two or more restorations at each dental visit. Although the association between fluoride and dental caries has been widely studied and clearly determined, the association between fluoride and periodontal health and disease is not clearly mentioned in literature. To our incompatible studies in the literature either suggests regular usage of fluoride as an adjunct to conventional periodontal therapy or dispute against topical fluoride use on periodontally involved teeth was found. This literature review concludes the aims and utility of fluondes in patients with periodontal disease, and rational principle use of fluorides in the management of periodontal diseases. Topical fluoricles application of exposed root surfaces after periodontal therapy may be beneficial