ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The quest for an ideal restorative material has led to the discovery of biological restoration that is, the use of natural tooth as a restorative material. Thus, the aim of the present study is to evaluate the knowledge about biological restorations and efficacy of health education. MATERIALS AND METHODS: It was a questionnaire-based pre- and post-educational interventional study. Around 386 parents reported to the department and willing to participate were included in the study. Data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire. The study was carried out in three phases where the second being the health education by individual approach. The data were further subjected to statistical analysis. RESULT: Our study comprised of 117 (30.3%) fathers and 269 (69.7%) mothers. When enquired about the awareness of biological restoration and tooth banks 96.6% and 95.3% of the parents were unaware of it respectively. About the acceptance of biological restoration treatment before the intervention, only 26% of parents accepted the treatment. However, after the educational intervention, the acceptance increased to 93%. CONCLUSION: A lacuna exists as per the knowledge and awareness of biological restorations was concerned. Health education can be considered as a pioneering approach in the creation of awareness and there is an increased need to conduct such educational interventions to improve parents' attitudes.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Age plays an important role in personal identification, treatment planning, forensic dentistry, and legal issues. It is one of the key identification tools for distinguishing one person from another and one population from another. An intraoral radiographic technique for age estimation is an easier approach. The widely accepted age estimation method in children is the Demirjian system. Tooth coronal index is another method that gained popularity for adult age estimation. AIM: This study aims to estimate the tooth coronal index (TCI) of mandibular right and left second deciduous molar and its correlation with chronological age to derive a regression equation. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: The present study is a cross-sectional radiographical study which is conducted in AME's Dental College and Hospital, Raichur, Karnataka, India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 100 children aged 5-10 years were selected. Digital intraoral periapical radiographs were taken for right and left deciduous mandibular second molar. The length of the tooth crown and the coronal pulp cavity were measured. Statistical Analysis: Further, the data are subjected to student's unpaired t-test and ANOVA test for the statistical analysis and simple linear regression to derive the regression equation. RESULTS: TCI showed a statistically significant reduction with increasing age in both right and left mandibular deciduous second molar (P ≤ 0.05), and the strength of the correlation is moderate (r = -0.59) if age is correlated with TCI using simple linear regression. CONCLUSION: The tooth coronal index method is found as a simple, noninvasive, nondestructive and cost-effective method for age assessment in children.
