Comparison of Automatically Controlled Injection System with a Traditional. Syringe for Multiple Infiltrations in Children Aged 6-12 Years: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Children's conduct is significantly impacted by pain during dental procedures. Children's pain and discomfort can be reduced using computer-controlled local anesthetic delivery, which applies a steady, gradual flow of the anesthetic solution into the tissues. Using a self-report anxiety scale, the study aimed to assess and compare children's perceptions of discomfort following a new auto-controlled injection method to a traditional local anesthetic procedure. A total of 25 children, ages 6-12 requiring the use of local anesthesia for treatment on both sides of the arch were selected. It was a split-mouth design, in which each participating child received both types of infiltrations in two separate, consecutive visits, using a metallic syringe in one session, and using the I-Ject device in the other. Before administering anesthesia, all the children's anxiety scales were recorded using the Modified Child Dental Anxiety Faces Scale simplified to assess the anxiety level of a child. In the first appointment, Conventional anesthetic technique was and in the second appointment anesthesia was delivered using a computer-controlled device. Faces pain scaleRevised, a selfreport measure of pain was recorded immediately after completion of both types of local anesthesia (LA) administration. Patients reported greater comfort with the I-Ject computer-controlled device than with conventional anesthesia. Together with the practitioner, the computer system produced a pleasant and cozy environment for the youngster.

Salivary Proteinase 3 as a Biomarker for Caries Severity in Children: A Cross-sectional Study.

AIM: This study aims to evaluate the relation between salivary proteinase 3 (PR3) concentration and caries severity in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six-to-eight-year age group children, from the Outpatient Department of Pediatric and Preventive dentistry at PMS Dental College were selected for the study. From these children, three groups each consisting of 28 children were selected according to the dental caries severity. Three groups were: (1) No Dental Caries group, (2) Low Dental Caries group with DMFT/DEFT score of 1-4, and (3) High Dental Caries group with DMFT/DEFT score of 5-15. Thus, a total of 84 children who satisfied the inclusion criteria were selected. The concentration of PR3 in saliva of the donors were analyzed using an ELISA kit. One way ANOVA was used for finding the relation of salivary PR3 concentration with caries severity. Pairwise comparison of PR3 concentration and caries severity were analyzed using post hoc Tukey test. RESULTS: Severity of caries and concentration of salivary PR3 showed an inverse relation. As the caries severity increases there was a decrease in PR3 concentration and vice versa. CONCLUSION: The children with high caries severity showed lower concentration of PR3 in their saliva compared with those with lower caries severity which indicates that PR3 can be used as a biomarker for assessing caries severity and also paves way to use PR3 as a caries vaccine in future. Nowadays, interest toward noninvasive and personalized dentistry has been increased. Molecular assays using salivary biomarkers can be an effective tool in detecting the caries in earlier stages and assessing a patient's caries risk. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Salivary PR3 can be used as prognostic biomarker for assessing caries severity and after treatment the value of PR3 can be used as a assessment tool to confirm its relation with caries. How to cite this article: Karthika S, George S, Soman A, et al. Salivary Proteinase 3 as a Biomarker for Caries Severity in Children: A Cross-sectional Study. J Contemp Dent Pract 2024;25(3):236-240.

Assessment of Antibacterial Effectiveness of SDF and Fluoride Varnish Agents for Application in Pediatric Dentistry.

Objectives: To assess antibacterial effects of silver diamine fluoride (SDF) and fluoride varnish treatment against Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus acidophilus. Materials and Methods: The antibacterial effectiveness of SDF (group A) and fluoride varnish (group B) against S. mutans was investigated in an in vitro microbiological investigation, with distilled water (group C) serving as the positive and negative controls. After 24 hours of incubation, the antibacterial efficiency was assessed using the agar well diffusion technique, and the diameter of the zones of inhibition (ZOI) was quantified. Sumba mare's milk from MRS broth was extracted and then placed into a test tube. L. acidophilus was grown on Sumba mare's milk from MRS broth. On this media, each testing agent was poured and tested for the inhibitory zone. The obtained data was statistically analyzed. Results: SDF group had a higher mean zone of inhibition against S. mutans and Lactobacillus followed by fluoride varnish, and there was no ZOI in the case of distilled water. Intergroup comparison was significant. Conclusion: When compared to fluoride varnish, the SDF teeth remineralizing agent had greater antibacterial activity against S. mutans.

Early Prediction of Dental Caries using Hormonal Fingerprint in 6-12 Years Old Children: A Cross-sectional Study.

Background: The ratio between second and fourth digit lengths (2D:4D ratio) is termed as hormonal fingerprint. Second and fourth digit lengths ratio is used as a biological marker for predicting and diagnosis of many metabolic disorders mainly coronary heart disease and autism, whereas, in dentistry, this method is still in blooming stage. The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between the new biological marker-hormonal fingerprints in the early detection of caries in children. Methodology: A total of 250 children were randomly selected from both sexes of the age group 6-16 years. Caries assessment was done using standard mouth mirrors and community periodontal index probes. Caries status (deft and DMFT) was recorded and subjects with a total DMFT/deft score of >5 were considered to have a high caries rate. The hormonal fingerprint was made by measuring the length ratio of the index and ring finger with the help of vernier caliper. The entire study population was divided into children with 2D:4D ratio less than 1 and ≥1 based on the calculations of 2D:4D. Results: The results showed that 79.67% males and 29.92% females have 2D:4D ratio <1 and 70.07% females and 20.32% males have 2D:4D ≥1. There is negative correlation between caries incidence and 2D:4D ratio. Children with low 2D:4D ratio have high caries index (54.4%) and high 2D:4D ratio have low caries index (45.6%), which is statistically significant. Conclusion: The study confirms a positive correlation between low 2D:4D ratio and high caries, which could be used as an early biological predictor of dental caries. How to cite this article: Beegum F, Khan N, George S, et al. Early Prediction of Dental Caries using Hormonal Fingerprint in 6-12 Years Old Children: A Cross-sectional Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2022;15(3):247-250.