Toothbrush selection: a dilemma?

The toothbrush is a fundamental tool used for accomplishing plaque control. Various types of toothbrushes available in the market keep the buyer in a state of dilemma as to which one to choose, due to lack of information about the "quality" of it. This study has been designed to understand whether all the products available in the market adhere to the specifications laid down by the ADA, which is universally accepted in standardization of a tooth brush. 95% of the brushes surveyed contain less number of bristles per tuft than specified and a large percentage deviate from the standard prescribed value for their bristle diameter and other dimensions. Few brushes labeled as "Soft" were "Medium" and labeled "Medium" were "Hard". The study will bring to light the quality of toothbrushes available in India for a rationalised selection of appropriate toothbrush by the community at large.

Clinical evaluation of sodium flouride chewable tablets in dental caries.

Chewable tablets containing low dosage flouride content were prepared using two varities of celluloses and their in vitro parameters were evaluated. An eighteen month clinical trial revealed that both these formulations were effective in controlling the caries. However, ethyl cellulose is proved to be superior to methylcellulose as a controlled release matrix material in controlling caries. Thus this study recommends ethylcellulose matrix tablets containing low flouride content is an efficacious and cost effective drug device in controlling dental caries.

Clinical evaluation of sodium fluoride chewable tablets in dental caries.

Chewable tablets containing low dosage fluoride content were prepared using two varieties of celluloses and their in vitro parameters were evaluated. An eighteen month clinical trial revealed that both these formulations were effective in controlling the caries. However, ethyl cellulose is proved to be superior to methylcellulose as a controlled release matrix material in controlling caries. Thus this study recommends ethylcellulose matrix tablets containing low fluoride content is an efficacious and cost effective drug device in controlling dental caries.

Antibacterial activity of ciprofloxacin-beta-cyclodextrin complex and its efficacy in dental implants.

Ciprofloxacin forms an inclusion complex with beta-cyclodextrin. The in vitro antibacterial activity of ciprofloxacin on E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus was found better on complexation. The complex was found very effective as a local antibacterial agent when used in dental implants. Significant reduction in the gingival index, probing pocket depth and microbial growth coupled with gain in attachment at the test site compared to control on the 14th day was observed when the implants containing 2.0 mg of the complex equivalent to 0.4 mg of ciprofloxacin was used in clinical trials.

Evaluation of methyl cellulose as controlled release matrix material.

The formulation for the controlled release of NaF from matrix tablets using Methyl cellulose to prepare chewable NaF tablets for the prevention of dental caries is developed. Various micromeritic studies of granules and tablets containing different concentrations of matrix were studied. Dissolution studies were also carried out in distilled water at 37 +/- 1 degrees C. Significant variations in granule and tablet characteristics were observed depending upon the concentration of the Methyl cellulose used observed. The in vitro drug release reveals that, T 80% values for 30% concentration of matrix is greatest, which seems to be ideal concentration. The drug dissolution is diffusion controlled and follows the Higuchi equation. The fraction of the drug release is proportional to time 1/2 Clinical study is in progress and is encouraging.