Perceptions of Chandigarh sports coaches regarding oro-facial injuries and their prevention.

Enthusiastic participation by the younger generation in sports exposes them to a high risk of injuries. In the present study, the perceptions of sports coaches regarding their knowledge and experience of such injuries is evaluated. The coaches considered helmet as the most common protective device followed by mouth guard and facemask. About 58% observed that boxing was associated with oro-facial injuries and protective devices were deemed mandatory by 68% in this event. About 45% saw over five injuries in the last year, mostly soft tissue facial injuries (47%) and tooth loss (33%). Most injuries were in hockey and 32% were due to hits by ball, stick or related hard objects. About 82% were related to nonuse of protective devices. The majority of coaches considered that oro-facial devices be made more popular among sportspersons for their safety while 28% felt they reduced efficiency. The author concludes that there is a need to popularize the use of oro-facial protective devices in a variety of sports events in our country by interacting with coaches, sports administrators and sportspersons as well as familiarizing the Indian dentists in this relatively new field.

Reattachment of fractured fragments of maxillary central incisors--report of a case.

Reattachment of the original tooth fragment to the fractured tooth helps in maintaining the tooth's colour, wear resistance, morphology and translucency in the restoration. This paper describes the reattachment of fractured fragments using metallic post and core in case of a 12 year old patients who suffered a complicated facture of maxillary central incisors.

Dentigerous cyst with an impacted canine in an unusual position-a case report.

A dentigerous cyst is a type of an odontogenic cyst associated with the crown of an impacted, embedded or unerupted tooth. In this article, we report a case of dentigerous cyst with an impacted canine in an unusual position which was surgically removed.

Relationship between cariogenic diet and dental caries as evaluated from a 5-day diet diary in 4-12 year-old children.

A preliminary study was conducted on 50 children in the age group of 4-12 years, who were divided into two groups on the basis of decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT) i.e. Group A (1-3) and Group B (> 3). A 5-day diet diary was evaluated and Sweet Score, Total Sugar Exposure, At Meal Sugar Exposures and Between Meal Sugar Exposure were calculated. There was statistically significant difference between the two groups in relation to Sweet Score and Total sugar Exposures. Between Meal Sugar Exposure and At Meal sugar exposure did not differ significantly.

Talon cusp associated with other dental anomalies--a case report.

Talon cusp is an anomalous structure resembling an eagles talon which projects lingually from the cingulum area of an incisor. It is a rare anomaly which is commonly seen in maxillary incisors. This paper is a report of a case of Talon cusp associated with cross-bite and partial anodontia.

Evaluation of the cariogenicity of sugar containing drinks by estimating changes in pH of human dental plaque and saliva.

Cariogenicity of five commonly consumed carbonated beverage and sugar containing drinks (Frooti, sugarcane juice, Limca, Thumps up and Big Sipp) was evaluated by estimating changes in pH of human dental plaque and saliva in 2 groups of subjects (20 each) differing in caries experience (Group A DMFT zero; Group B DMFT 3-5). In group A subjects, pH of plaque did not fall to levels near critical pH (5.5) with any of the test drinks or control. However, in group B children the salivary pH did fall below critical levels in the case of Frooti while salivary pH fell below critical pH with Frooti and Thums up.