Volumetric Analysis of Various Pediatric Rotary Files in the Preparation of Primary Root Canals Using Cone-beam Computed Tomography.

Aim: This study was planned to evaluate and compare the cleaning efficacy of three pediatric rotary files with the standard Protaper adult file system in primary teeth using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Materials and methods: A total of 40 extracted deciduous second molars, with palatal/mesial roots having at least two-thirds of root length and an intact furcation area, were distributed randomly among four groups, with each group containing 10 teeth. Canal preparation of group I (Pro AF Baby Gold), group II (Kedo SG Blue), group III (Prime Pedo), and group IV (Protaper) was done. Pre- and postoperative CBCT images were taken. The volumetric changes of the root canals were assessed and subjected to statistical analysis using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16 and R Studio 3.1.1. Volumetric changes within the groups were analyzed using paired t-tests and between the groups using analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: The comparison of mean volume difference between groups using ANOVA was statistically significant with F = 4.467, p = 0.002. A Tukey post hoc test revealed that group IV was statistically significant compared with groups I (p = 0.033) and III (p = 0.008) but was not statistically significant with group II (p = 0.170). There was no statistically significant difference in volumetric changes within the three pediatric rotary file systems. Conclusion: Protaper removed more dentin than all the pediatric rotary files, but it was not statistically significant over Kedo SG Blue. Among the pediatric rotary files, Kedo SG Blue removed more dentin than Pro AF Baby Gold and Prime Pedo, but they were not statistically significant. How to cite this article: Nainer Chidambaram JV, Jayaprakash J, Arangannal P. Volumetric Analysis of Various Pediatric Rotary Files in the Preparation of Primary Root Canals Using Cone-beam Computed Tomography. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2024;17(1):15-20.

Prognostic Factors for Successful Dental Treatment in Autistic Children and Adolescents.

Aim: The aim of this study was to recognize and assess the prognostic factors which could predict the level of cooperation of children with autism for dental appointments. Methods: A total of 395 parents of children with autism participated in this study. Prognostic factors of cooperation were evaluated using questionnaires. Data were collected using parent surveys by a dentist. Statistical analysis: Statistical analyses used in the present study include the formation one way and two-way frequency tables, binomial tests, Pearson's Chi-squared tests, Fisher's exact test, and collation of multiple proportions tests. Results: Autistic children meeting their own needs, cooperation for nail-clipping and haircuts, smiling frequently, using toothbrushes and toothpaste and being assisted by parents for toothbrushing, and children who brushed their teeth once a day were more cooperative with the dentist. Children who had thumb-sucking and nail-biting habits were cooperative with the dentist. Children who bit their hands appeared to be more cooperative with the dentist when compared to other self-inflicting habits. Conclusion: This study identified "prognostic factors" such as their cooperative ability during nail clipping, hair cutting, and ability to read, write, and meet their own needs that are answered by a parent and that may show a child's cooperative potential. How to cite this article: Chamarthi VR, Arangannal P. Prognostic Factors for Successful Dental Treatment in Autistic Children and Adolescents. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2023;16(S-1):S45-S50.

Frequency of putative periodontal pathogens among type 1 diabetes mellitus: a case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study is to compare and assess the risk of periodontitis due to the presence of four putative periodontopathic bacteria viz., Eikenella corrodens, Campylobacter rectus, Prevotella intermedia and Prevotella nigrescens. To fulfil the above objective, polymerase Chain reaction using the primers targeting 16S rRNA gene of the bacterial species was performed with the subgingival plaque collected from the permanent first molars of type 1 diabetic children and age matched healthy children. RESULTS: The prevalence of periodontal pathogens in diabetic and healthy children was 6% and 16% for E. corrodens, 18% and 36% for C. rectus, 2% and 2% for P. intermedia, 4% and 0%, for P. nigrescens respectively. Statistically, significant difference was not observed for the prevalence of all the four periodontal pathogens between type 1 diabetic and healthy children (P = 1.00). The results of the present study thus reveal a negative correlation of type I diabetes to periodontitis in association to Eikenella corrodens, Campylobacter rectus, Prevotella intermedia and Prevotella nigrescens.

Lesion Sterilization and Tissue Repair in Nonvital Primary Teeth: An In vivo Study.

AIM AND OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical and radiographic success of endodontic treatment of nonvital primary teeth using lesion sterilization and tissue repair (LSTR) therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A sample size of 40 primary molars from 34 children of 3-10 years of age were selected for the study. Nonvital primary molars were treated using LSTR technique with a combination of antibacterial drugs comprising ciprofloxacin, metronidazole, and doxycycline with propylene glycol as vehicle. The procedure was completed in a single appointment. Only analgesics were prescribed postoperatively. Postoperative evaluation was done after 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. RESULTS: Clinical signs and symptoms got resolved in the 1st-month follow-up itself and continued in the subsequent visits. Radiographic evaluation showed a gradual improvement in success rates through the 12-month follow-up period. CONCLUSION: LSTR technique can be considered as an alternative treatment option for nonvital primary teeth avoiding a course of systemic antibiotics to the children. Doxycycline can be used in the drug combination instead of minocycline which also gives higher clinical and radiographic success.

Prevalence of Dental Caries among School Children in Chennai, Based on ICDAS II.

INTRODUCTION: Dental caries is a common dental disease, which occurs during childhood and continues to be a major public health problem. The prevalence of dental caries was associated with oral hygiene practice, sugar consumption and implementation of the preventive oral health program. AIM: The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of dental caries in school children aged between 6-14 years using the International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS II). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study population consisted of 2796 school children living in Pallikkaranai, Chennai, India and studying in government recognized schools. Each student was examined by a single examiner using ICDAS system under natural light during normal school hours. RESULTS: The prevalence of dental caries was 68.8% in the total surveyed population. The gender-wise prevalence of dental caries shows, females to have slightly higher prevalence than male. The prevalence of dental caries at the age group of 6 years was 57%, seven year 67%, eight year 63%, nine year 74%, 10 year 76%, 11 year 74%, 12 year 69%, 13 year 71%, and 14 year 69%. The distribution of CARS (Caries associated with Sealants and Restorations) in the surveyed population was only 1.4. CONCLUSION: The distribution of non-cavitated/early enamel lesions was higher in the studied population and indicated a requirement of a sustained dental health preventive program targeting specific segments of the population.

Detection of putative periodontopathic bacteria in type 1 diabetic and healthy children: a comparative study.

AIM: The aim of this study was to compare and assess the risk of periodontitis due to the presence of four putative periodontopathic bacteria (Porphyromonas gingivalis, Treponema denticola, Tannerella forsythia, and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans) in type 1 diabetic and healthy children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty type 1 diabetic and 50 healthy children in the age group of 7-14 years were recruited for the study. Subgingival plaque samples collected from permanent first molars were subjected to polymerase chain reaction assay to detect 16S rRNA gene of P. gingivalis, T. forsythia, T. denticola and A. actinomycetemcomitans. The data were analyzed using Fisher exact test. The P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The prevalence of subgingival periodontal pathogens in diabetic and healthy children was 2% and 4% for P. gingivalis, 34% and 34% for T. denticola, 20% and 18% for A. actinomycetemcomitans and for T. forsythia, 4% and 34%, respectively. Significant statistical difference was not observed with regard to the prevalence of P. gingivalis, T. denticola, and A. actinomycetemcomitans among type 1 diabetic and healthy children (P = 1.00). Conversely, T. forsythia was less prevalent in diabetic children compared to healthy children. CONCLUSION: Statistical significance was not observed for the prevalence of periodontopathic bacteria in type 1 diabetic subjects. The results of the present study thus reveal the absence of risk of periodontitis by these bacterial species in type 1 diabetic subjects.

Enamel thickness in primary teeth.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the enamel thickness of all primary teeth in both maxilla and mandible. STUDY DESIGN: An in vitro study was performed with fifty primary teeth including five each of central and lateral incisor, canine, first and second primary molars in both maxillary and mandibular region. Samples were mounted on wax sheets and scanned using a 64-slice CT scanner which were then 3D reconstructed. Three serial slices were obtained from the middle of the coronal portion of each tooth. Volume rendering was done to differentiate three distinct zones of enamel, dentin and the pulp from each slice. A box was constructed touching the borders of the image on all the surfaces and the mid-point of each side was taken to measure the enamel thickness. RESULTS: Tests used were ANOVA, Post-hoc Tukey's test and student's paired t-test. Enamel thickness was not the same on all the sides. Intergroup comparisons between maxillary anterior and posterior teeth showed difference in enamel thickness. On comparing the mandibular anterior and posterior teeth, the posteriors showed a greater value of enamel thickness on all the sides (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Primary enamel does not follow the same thickness patterns on all sides. It is also different in each primary tooth. There was an increase in enamel thickness in posterior teeth on comparison to their anterior counterparts in both maxilla and mandible. Enamel thickness was more on the distal aspect compared to mesial in all samples.