Comparative Analysis of Biodentine, Calcium Hydroxide, and 2% Chlorhexidine with Resin-modified Glass Ionomer Cement as Indirect Pulp Capping Materials in Young Permanent Molars.

AIM AND OBJECTIVE: This study was carried out to compare the effectiveness of biodentine, calcium hydroxide, and 2% chlorhexidine gluconate used along with resin-modified glass ionomer cement (RMGIC) as indirect pulp capping (IPC) materials in young permanent molars. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, 54 patients were selected. Among these patients, 72 young permanent molars were selected randomly in which IPC was required. These teeth were randomly categorized into three different groups and each group consisted of 24 teeth. The first group was group A consisting of teeth treated with biodentine, the second group was group B consisting of teeth treated with 2% chlorhexidine gluconate being followed by RMGIC, while the third was group C consisting of teeth treated with calcium hydroxide. All cases were subjected to follow-up for clinical and radiographic evaluation at 4, 8, and 16 months. The data were recorded and analyzed statistically by utilizing the Chi-square test. RESULTS: After 16 months, 95.83% of cases in group A consisting of teeth treated with biodentine showed successful results both clinically and radiographically. While 87.5% of cases in group B consisting of teeth treated with 2% chlorhexidine gluconate being followed by RMGIC showed successful results. And finally, 91.66% of cases in group C consisting of teeth treated with calcium hydroxide showed successful results. CONCLUSION: Biodentine can be efficiently used as an IPC agent in young permanent molars although all three materials were effective in IPC with a nonsignificant difference statistically. This study highlights the success of IPC in young permanent molars and the choice of better IPC material can be biodentine. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Indirect pulp capping is one of the procedures in which preservation of carious affected dentin nearest to the pulp is carried out to protect the pulp. Several new IPC agents like biodentine have been introduced. Hence, it is necessary to evaluate their effectiveness. How to cite this article: Kaul S, Kumar A, Jasrotia A, et al. Comparative Analysis of Biodentine, Calcium Hydroxide, and 2% Chlorhexidine with Resin-modified Glass Ionomer Cement as Indirect Pulp Capping Materials in Young Permanent Molars. J Contemp Dent Pract 2021;22(5):511-516.

Association of maternal periodontal health with preterm birth and a low birth weight among newborns: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Despite numerous advancements in prenatal and natal care, complications arising in pregnancy and related to child-birth are major concerns in public health. Various risk factors responsible for poor outcomes include - life-style, biological, social, infectious, hormonal, and metabolic conditions. Oral diseases have been identified as a risk factor for low birth weight both under preterm and at-term states. AIM: The aim of this study was to find an association of maternal periodontal health with preterm births and low birth weight among newborn infants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional observational study comprising of 300 pregnant females who had underwent child deliveries within the past 24 h with an age range of 21-30 years. Study participants were selected after interviewing for gestational history and obtaining prior informed consent. Postpartum female subjects following delivery within a time period of 24 h were included in the study. Gingival index (by Loe and Silness) was calculated for the evaluation of bleeding from gingival tooth surfaces. All data tabulations were done by performing statistical analysis into Microsoft Excel Worksheet 2007. RESULTS: Mean age group of study participants was calculated to be 25 years. On analyzing brushing frequency, it was observed that approximately 40% brushed three times daily whereas 35% used to brush twice daily while the remaining, 25% brushed only once daily. No statistical significance was obtained on comparing brushing frequency with gingival health (P = 0.8). Similarly, no association was found between periodontal health and preterm low weight child births. CONCLUSION: This study found no association between maternal periodontal health and preterm and low-birth weight births among newborns.

Psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare workers in India: An observational study.

BACKGROUND: The World Health Organization (WHO) in January 2020 declared outbreak of novel coronavirus disease, COVID-19, an international public health emergency. It was stated that there was high COVID-19 spread risk to various other countries across world. According to WHO in March 2020, COVID-19 was characterized as pandemic. However, this sudden crisis is generating great deal of stress, anxiety, and depression throughout the world. AIM: The aim of this study was to assess the psychological impact and various associated factors during the developing COVID-19 situation among both the healthcare and non-healthcare working professionals in India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was an observation-based cross-sectional study conducted during the lockdown period and following the lifting of the lockdown for a total of 3 months duration. A structured questionnaire was send via the (email) electronic mail system to a target population of 350 people. Out of which 300 responded. The questionnaire was comprised of study variables: (a) Gender; (b) age-group range which was categorized into- (i) Between 30 snf 50 years and (ii) More than 50 years; (c) Presence of any comorbid medical condition; psychological symptoms of- (d) insomnia; (e) anxiety; and (f) depression. Statistical analysis was performed using the Chi-square test for determining significance. RESULTS: Mean ± SD values for age were found to be 35.54 ± 6.09; 33.84 ± 7.87; 32.16 ± 5.89 and 55.76 ± 8.98 for physicians, nurses, technical staff, and non-healthcare professionals while the percentages of male study participants was found to be 37.2%, 15%, 57%, and 65% and female study participants was 62.8%, 85%, 43%, and 35% for the physicians, nursing staff, technicians, and non-healthcare professionals. Depression, insomnia, and anxiety between healthcare and non-healthcare professional workers, demonstrated significant P values of 0.05, 0.03, and 0.02, respectively. CONCLUSION: The present study has shown a significant psychological impact arising from this crisis.

The normal range of maximal incisal opening in pediatric population and its association with physical variables.

Background: Restricted mouth opening is a common complaint in patients suffering from temporomandibular joint disorders, ankylosis, impaired masticatory muscle function, rheumatic disease, infection, or malignancy. As with any disease, the aim of treatment of disorders affecting mouth opening is to restore the mouth opening to its normal value. It is thus of paramount importance to determine the normal value. Objective: To establish the normal range of maximal incisal opening (MIO) in children aged 4 to 15 years and to investigate the correlation between MIO and age, gender, height, and body weight. Materials and Methods: Six hundred and two children from various schools in Bengaluru, India, participated in the study. The children were divided into the following age groups: 4-5, 6-7, 8-9, 10-11, 12-13, and 14-15 years. MIO for the children was recorded using Therabite® scale. The measurements of MIO were then correlated with gender, body weight, and height of the children in different age groups. Results: It was observed that MIO gradually increased with age with a mean MIO of 41.34 mm at 4-5 years to a mean MIO of 51.73 mm at 14-15 years. The mean MIO value for males (48.90 ± 6.49 mm) was found to be higher when compared to that of females (46.17 ± 5.58 mm). The results indicated a strong positive correlation of MIO with height and weight. Conclusion: MIO gradually increased with age in both the genders, and a strong positive correlation of MIO with height and weight was observed.

RésuméContexte: L'ouverture restreinte de la bouche est une plainte fréquente chez les patients souffrant de troubles de l'articulation temporo-mandibulaire, d'ankylose, d'altération de la fonction musculaire masticatoire, de rhumatisme articulaire, d'infection ou de cancer. Comme pour toute maladie, le traitement des troubles de l'ouverture de la bouche a pour objectif de ramener cette ouverture à sa valeur normale. Il est donc primordial de déterminer la valeur normale. Objectif: Établir la plage normale d'ouverture maximale de l'incision (OMI) chez les enfants âgés de 4 à 15 ans et étudier la corrélation entre l'ouverture maximale de l'incision et l'âge, le sexe, la taille et le poids corporel. Conception de l'étude: Six cent deux sujets de diverses écoles de Bangalore, en Inde, ont participé à l'étude. Les sujets ont été répartis dans les groupes d'âge suivants: 4-5, 6-7, 8-9 ans, 10-11 ans, 12-13 ans et 14-15 ans. L'ouverture incisive maximale des sujets a été enregistrée avec l'échelle Therabite®. Les mesures de MIO ont ensuite été corrélées avec le sexe, le poids corporel et la taille des enfants dans différents groupes d'âge. Résultats: Il a été observé que le MIO augmentait progressivement avec l'âge, avec un MIO moyen de 41,34 mm à 4-5 ans, pour atteindre un MIO moyen de 51,73 mm à 14-15 ans. La valeur moyenne maximale de l'ouverture incisive chez les hommes (48,90 ± 6,49 mm) s'est avérée plus élevée que celle des femmes (46,17 ± 5,58 mm). Les résultats ont montré une forte corrélation positive entre le MIO et la taille et le poids. Conclusion: le MIO a augmenté progressivement avec l'âge chez les deux sexes et une forte corrélation positive entre le MIO et la taille et le poids a été observée.

The normal range of maximal incisal opening in pediatric population and its association with physical variables

Background: Restricted mouth opening is a common complaint in patients suffering from temporomandibular joint disorders, ankylosis, impaired masticatory muscle function, rheumatic disease, infection, or malignancy. As with any disease, the aim of treatment of disorders affecting mouth opening is to restore the mouth opening to its normal value. It is thus of paramount importance to determine the normal value. Objective: To establish the normal range of maximal incisal opening (MIO) in children aged 4 to 15 years and to investigate the correlation between MIO and age, gender, height, and body weight. Materials and Methods: Six hundred and two children from various schools in Bengaluru, India, participated in the study. The children were divided into the following age groups: 4­5, 6­7, 8­9, 10­11, 12­13, and 14­15 years. MIO for the children was recorded using Therabite® scale. The measurements of MIO were then correlated with gender, body weight, and height of the children in different age groups. Results: It was observed that MIO gradually increased with age with a mean MIO of 41.34 mm at 4­5 years to a mean MIO of 51.73 mm at 14­15 years. The mean MIO value for males (48.90 ± 6.49 mm) was found to be higher when compared to that of females (46.17 ± 5.58 mm). The results indicated a strong positive correlation of MIO with height and weight. Conclusion: MIO gradually increased with age in both the genders, and a strong positive correlation of MIO with height and weight was observed