Bifid Mandibular Canals: A Pediatric Case Series with Clinical Implications.

Aim: The aim of this case series is to provide a detailed account of pediatric cases with bifid mandibular canal (BMC) along with clinical implications. Background: The prevalence of BMC on panoramic radiographs has been reported to be 0.03-1.90% in adults. Only one study reported prevalence of BMC in children based on cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images. As CBCT images are not routinely prescribed in children, it is important to understand if panoramic radiographs provide a valuable tool to diagnose BMC in children. Case description: This case series provides a review of three cases of nonsyndromic, bilateral BMC, and associated radiculomegaly affecting mandibular permanent first molars in children during the mixed dentition stage. An overview of clinical implications of BMC in children is also discussed to help clinicians provide appropriate dental care and anticipatory guidance. Conclusion: Bifid mandibular canal (BMC) has never been reported in children during mixed dentition stage based on panoramic radiographs. This is the first case series reporting BMC and associated dental anomalies in children. Clinical significance: This case series will help clinicians in diagnosing BMC during mixed dentition stage and understand its clinical implications. Additionally, this case series will help define future cross-sectional studies evaluating BMC and associated dental anomalies in children. How to cite this article: Puranik CP, Chandki R, Mladenovic R, et al. Bifid Mandibular Canals: A Pediatric Case Series with Clinical Implications. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2023;16(3):547-549.

Comparative evaluation of substantivity of two biguanides - 0.2% polyhexanide and 2% chlorhexidine on human dentin.

BACKGROUND: Substantivity is one of the desirable characteristics of root canal irrigants. Among conventional endodontic irrigants, only chlorhexidine (CHX) is known to exert significant substantivity on root canal dentin. This study explored the substantivity activity of a polymeric biguanide-poly hexamethylene biguanide (PHMB). AIM: The aim of this study was to determine the substantivity of a polymeric biguanide - 0.2% PHMB and compare it with that of 2% CHX. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To evaluate and compare the substantivity of 0.2% PHMB and 2% CHX on root canal dentin, dentin disks were prepared and substantivity after 1 h, 24 h, 7 days and 21 days was measured using spectrophotometry. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: The data so obtained were analyzed, and the intergroup comparison was made using unpaired t-test. RESULTS: The results of this study indicated that 0.2%. PHMB exerts significantly greater substantivity than 2% CHX on human dentin. CONCLUSION: Within the limitations, this study supports the use of 0.2% polyhexanide as an endodontic irrigant based on its property of substantivity.

Perception and Attitude of Medical Students towards Communication Skills Lab and Teaching Module.

INTRODUCTION: The knowledge of proper communication skills with the patients plays a pivotal role in success of medical professionals. A practical approach would be to initiate its training at an early stage of education period of undergraduate medical students. AIM: To assess perception and attitude of medical students towards Communication Skills Lab (CSL) and teaching module in Central India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Department of General Surgery at Index Medical College, Indore, India. Undergraduate medical students were trained as per a systematic teaching module in a well equipped 'CSL'. Feedback was obtained via Likert scale and analysed after completion of the training course of eight days. RESULTS: A majority of the students (96.43%) opined that the training had improved their communication with the patients. They also felt that such training should be integrated in regular teaching curriculum of our country. CONCLUSION: The training of basic communication skills can be introduced at an early stage of undergraduate medical curriculum in form of an effective, interesting and acceptable teaching module.

Preservative management of traumatized maxillary central incisor using fiber reinforced composite and mineral trioxide aggregate: Report of a case.

The myriads of technological advancements in dentistry in last two decades have led to a dramatic shift from conventional invasive procedures to more conservative biomimetic therapies. In this series, management of traumatic dental injuries has taken a big leap in that now it is possible to conserve many of these teeth which were otherwise doomed to extraction. Depending on the extent of injury, esthetic and functional requirements, traumatic dental injuries can be managed by a variety of clinical procedures including composite resin restorations, reattachment of fractured fragment, endodontic therapy with or without post and core or lastly extraction. Reattaching natural tooth structure offers an advantage over the others in that it is instant, provides superior esthetics, preserves the natural tooth structure and is best accepted by the patient. This paper describes the comprehensive management of traumatized maxillary central incisor involving pulp exposure while maintaining pulp vitality and natural appearance of a tooth.

Simple way of recording dental arch forms.

Like finger prints each individual has a unique dental arch form design. Recording patient's dental arch form may be required in various fields in dentistry be it longitudinal studies for evaluating growth, forensic dentistry and most importantly in orthodontic practice for fabricating arch wires for individual patients. An easy and practical method to obtain individual arch form for each patient is explained.

Natural tooth versus implant: a key to treatment planning.

Since time immemorial, man has constantly contrived to replace natural body parts that are either congenitally absent or lost subsequent to disease or injury, so as to maintain a perfect amalgam of form and function. Dental implants have recently become established as a standard treatment protocol for replacing missing teeth. Ostensibly, a dilemma has arisen whether the implant should obviate the necessity to preserve teeth with debatable restorative prognosis. This article attempts to review the work done hitherto and to formulate a combined perspective in such cases.

From stem to roots: Tissue engineering in endodontics.

The vitality of dentin-pulp complex is fundamental to the life of tooth and is a priority for targeting clinical management strategies. Loss of the tooth, jawbone or both, due to periodontal disease, dental caries, trauma or some genetic disorders, affects not only basic mouth functions but aesthetic appearance and quality of life. One novel approach to restore tooth structure is based on biology: regenerative endodontic procedure by application of tissue engineering. Regenerative endodontics is an exciting new concept that seeks to apply the advances in tissue engineering to the regeneration of the pulp-dentin complex. The basic logic behind this approach is that patient-specific tissue-derived cell populations can be used to functionally replace integral tooth tissues. The development of such 'test tube teeth' requires precise regulation of the regenerative events in order to achieve proper tooth size and shape, as well as the development of new technologies to facilitate these processes. This article provides an extensive review of literature on the concept of tissue engineering and its application in endodontics, providing an insight into the new developmental approaches on the horizon. Key words:Regenerative, tissue engineering, stem cells, scaffold.

'Nanodentistry': Exploring the beauty of miniature.

Feynman's early vision in 1959 gave birth to the concept of nanotechnology. He saw it as an unavoidable development in the progress of science and said that there is plenty of room at the bottom. Since then, nanotechnology has been part of mainstream scientific theory with potential medical and dental applications. Numerous theoretical predictions have been made based on the potential applications of nanotechnology in dentistry, with varying levels of optimism. While a few layers of nanotechnologic capability have become a reality for oral health in the last decade, many of these applications are still in their puerile stage .The most substantial contribution of nanotechnology to dentistry till date, is the more enhanced restoration of tooth structure with nanocomposites. The field of nanotechnology has tremendous potential, which if harnessed efficiently, can bring out significant benefits to the human society such as improved health, better use of natural resources, and reduced environmental pollution. The future holds in store an era of dentistry in which every procedure will be performed using equipments and devices based on nanotechnology. This article reviews the current status and the potential clinical applications of nanotechnology in dentistry. Key words:Nanotechnology, nanodentistry, nanocomposites.

Biofilms: A microbial home.

Microbial biofilms are mainly implicated in etiopathogenesis of caries and periodontal disease. Owing to its properties, these pose great challenges. Continuous and regular disruption of these biofilms is imperative for prevention and management of oral diseases. This essay provides a detailed insight into properties, mechanisms of etiopathogenesis, detection and removal of these microbial biofilms.