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.

Characteristics of occlusion in primary dentition of preschool children of Udaipur, India.

OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to study the occlusion characteristics of the primary dentition in a group of 3-5 year-old Indian children and the differences with age in the same group. METHODS: The study was a cross-sectional survey based on examination of the primary dentition of 200 preschool children aged 3-5 years who were selected from nursery schools in Udaipur, India, using a stratified random sampling technique. The study group was assessed for the several occlusal parameters, which included primary molar and canine relationship, degree of overjet and overbite, anterior and posterior crossbite, and the presence or absence of physiologic spaces and crowding. RESULTS: Flush terminal plane was more common at 3-4 years of age, mesial step at 4-5 years, and class I canine relationship in both age groups. The prevalence of overjet less than 1 mm and overjet exceeding 1 mm was almost comparable in both groups. Overbite with less than 30% overlap was most frequently observed in both age groups, with 30-60% overlap following closely behind. Physiologic and primate spacing were observed in less than half of the children examined, while a small percentage displayed the presence of either single-segment or two-segment crowding. CONCLUSION: The present study provided insight into the state of dentition, occlusal pattern, spacing, and crowding in the primary dentition of Indian children of Udaipur.

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.