Comparative Evaluation of the Efficacy of Chlorhexidine, Fluoride and the Combined Use of Chlorhexidine and Fluoride Varnishes on Salivary Streptococcus mutans Count in Children with Mixed Dentition: An In Vivo Study.

Aim: To study the effect of combination of chlorhexidine and Fluoride on the growth and colonization of cariogenic bacteria (Streptococcus mutans) in children with mixed dentition. Materials and methods: Sixty children of age 6-14 years with mixed dentition and S. mutans count > 1 × 105 CFU/mL of saliva were divided: group I-chlorhexidine varnish; group II-Fluoride varnish; group III-Combination of chlorhexidine and Fluoride varnish. chlorhexidine and Fluoride varnishes were applied to teeth once every week for four consecutive weeks in respective groups. Salivary S. mutans count was estimated and evaluated at baseline, 1, 3, and 6 months. Results: No significant difference was seen in group I and II at the end of 1, 3, and 6 months (p > 0.001) but the reduction in S. mutans count was statistically more significant in group III after a period of 6 months (p < 0.001). Maximum reduction in count was noted in group III at all intervals of varnish application. Conclusion: The concomitant use of chlorhexidine and fluoride varnish would prove to be more effective than individual components over a longer period of time and especially in high caries risk children. How to cite this article: More VP, Hugar SM, Sogi S, et al. Comparative Evaluation of the Efficacy of Chlorhexidine, Fluoride and the Combined Use of Chlorhexidine and Fluoride Varnishes on Salivary Streptococcus mutans Count in Children with Mixed Dentition: An In Vivo Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2022;15(3):267-272.

Evaluation of the Working Length Determination Accuracy by Cone-beam Computed Tomography in Primary Teeth.

Background: In primary teeth, working length determination is complicated due to its continuous alteration in dimension, shape, and root apex position. Accurate working length determination is essential to achieve the optimal cleaning and disinfection of the canal. Despite the use of conventional radiographic method, newer methods are available to increase the accuracy of WL determination. This study aims to compare electronic apex locator (EAL) with radiographic method of WL determination and to evaluate its accuracy using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Materials and methods: Sixty root canals from 34 extracted primary teeth were included. Occlusal surfaces were flattened and access opening done for all the samples. Teeth were subjected to working length determination by conventional radiograph and EAL. Samples were then mounted on a U-shaped wax and subjected to CBCT. Results were recorded and statistically analyzed using ANOVA and ICC for quantitative data. Result: The mean measurement of radiographic, EAL and CBCT methods are 11.708, 11.200, and 10.895, respectively. Mean measurements demonstrated significant difference (p < 0.05) between three methods. ICC demonstrated high correlation between EAL and CBCT with Cronbach's α value of 0.962 and moderate correlation were observed between radiographic method and CBCT (0.706) and EAL and radiographic method (0.763). EAL demonstrated 87% accuracy whereas radiographic method demonstrated 63% accuracy to the actual length as evaluated by CBCT. Conclusion: EAL is more accurate than conventional radiographic method as evaluated by CBCT. How to cite this article: Shibin J, GS P, M S, et al. Evaluation of the Working Length Determination Accuracy by Cone-beam Computed Tomography in Primary Teeth. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2022;15(S-1):S92-S96.