Clinical Efficiency of Three Caries Removal Systems: Rotary Excavation, Carisolv, and Papacarie.

PURPOSE: The removal of dentinal caries using the rotary method of excavation is most often associated with pain and anxiety in children. Chemo-mechanical caries removal may eliminate some of the drawbacks of the rotary technique and improve patient comfort. The purpose of this study was to compare the efficiency of the rotary, Carisolv, and Papacarie methods for caries removal in primary teeth, length of time needed, influence on child behavior, pain perception, and treatment preference of the child. METHODS: This controlled, split-mouth study with a cross-over design compared three caries removal methods in the primary molars of 50 five- to 12-year-old children. RESULTS: The rotary method was the most efficient and least time-consuming (P<0.001). Pain perception, however, was highest with this method (P<0.05). Papacarie exhibited a higher efficiency and required fewer applications than Carisolv (P<0.01). The Papacarie method was the most preferred, and the rotary method the least-preferred (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Chemo-mechanical caries removal may be a promising alternative treatment procedure, particularly for anxious young patients.

Oral Myiasis: A Concealed Threat to Disabled Children of Developing Countries.

Disabled children with special health care needs are at high risk for oral disease. Myiasis is a rare condition that is associated with inadequate public and personal hygiene and is common in medically, mentally, and physically compromised individuals living in developing tropical countries. The purpose of this paper is to describe a case of oral myiasis in a 13-year-old Indian girl with spastic cerebral palsy.

Molar-incisor hypomineralization: prevalence, severity and clinical characteristics in 8- to 13-year-old children of Udaipur, India.

BACKGROUND: The last couple of decades has seen an increasing interest in molar-incisor hypomineralization (MIH). Although the reported prevalence of MIH ranges from 2.4% to 40.2% worldwide, very little data is available from India. OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence, clinical characteristics, distribution, severity and association with caries of MIH defects in children aged 8-13 years of Udaipur, Rajasthan. STUDY DESIGN: This cross-sectional descriptive study consisted of 1173 children aged 8-13 years selected by random sampling procedure. The European Academy of Pediatric Dentistry criteria were followed for MIH diagnosis. The presence of dental caries and treatment need for MIH-affected teeth were recorded as per the WHO criteria. RESULTS: The prevalence of MIH in the children examined was 9.46%. Severity of the defects increased with the age of the children. Involvement of incisors increased when more First permanent molars (FPMs) were affected. An average of 3.65 teeth was involved per MIH-affected individual. Significantly larger numbers of mandibular FPMs and maxillary central incisors were diagnosed with MIH. The association of dental caries was significantly higher with MIH-affected FPMs. Primary molars and permanent canines and premolars were also showed MIH like lesions in some of the MIH-affected children. CONCLUSION: MIH was observed in about 10% of the children examined. MIH-affected FPMs appear to be more vulnerable to early caries and subsequent pulp involvement with need for extensive dental treatment.

Complications of untreated molar-incisor hypomineralization in a 12-year-old boy.

Complications arising because of untreated molar-incisor hypomineralization (MIH) have received little mention in the dental literature. However, this can be an area of concern, with severe consequences in rare cases. Hence, early recognition and prompt management of MIH is essential for long-term oral health of affected individuals. This paper describes an untreated case of severe MIH that resulted in infection of facial spaces.

Relating tooth- and blood-lead levels in children residing near a zinc-lead smelter in India.

BACKGROUND: Lead toxicity particularly affects children because of their increased capacity for absorption and retention. Blood-lead (BPb) levels reflect recent exposure and are of limited value in predicting neurotoxicity, whereas in teeth, lead accumulates over a long period of time and provides an integrated record of lead exposure from intrauterine life until the teeth are shed. AIM: The present study aimed to relate tooth-lead (TPb) and BPb levels in children residing near a zinc-lead smelter in India, and to evaluate the effectiveness of primary teeth as bioindicators of life-long lead exposure. DESIGN: The lead levels in primary teeth and blood of 100 children aged between 5 and 13 years, living in the proximity of a zinc-lead smelter were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The mean levels were tabulated based on village, age, sex and tooth type, and analysed statistically. RESULTS: The mean BPb level was significantly influenced by proximity to the lead source, but not by age or sex. There was no consistent pattern of correlation between BPb and TPb levels. CONCLUSION: Primary teeth showed significantly high lead levels compared to blood; they reflect cumulative exposure to lead and prove to be better indicators of body lead burden.