Assessment of Two Different Obturation Systems in Primary Teeth: A Comparative Study.

Aim: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of two distinct obturation techniques in primary teeth. Materials and Methods: For this investigation, 40 primary molar teeth were taken into consideration. Every sample underwent sample preparation. All teeth were evenly split into two groups: Group 1-obturation using the lentulospiral method and Group 2-obturation using the NaviTip method. The comparison between the two procedures was established through radiographic evaluation of the obturation quality and voids in the obturated canals. Results: In the lentulospiral method, 12 (60%) were optimal filling, 6 (30%) were underfilling, and 2 (10%) were overfilling. In the lentulo spiral method, 40% voids were present, and in the NaviTip method, 15% voids were present. Conclusion: The present study concluded that the NaviTip syringe method was sufficiently effective in regulating voids and yielded the best results for the apical seal, whereas the lentulo spiral approach generated the best results in terms of length of obturation.

Effectiveness of Topical Ozone Gel Application in the Management of Postextraction Wound Healing: An In Vivo Study.

AIM: The purpose of the current study was to determine the effectiveness of topical ozone gel application in the management of postextraction wound healing. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The current study involved a total of 40 participants. The patients were randomly placed into two groups with sample size estimated as n = 20 in each group. Group A: Control: patients received only saline irrigation and group B: patients receiving topical ozone gel. The surgical procedure was standardized for all groups, and local anesthesia was used during the procedure. After the removal of the mandibular third molar, the control group irrigated the socket with saline, whereas in the study group, the socket was filled with ozone gel. On the first, third, fifth, and seventh postoperative days, a single examiner evaluated each participant for postoperative mouth opening, discomfort, and patient satisfaction. The t-test was used to analyze quantitative data, whereas the Fisher exact test was employed to analyze qualitative data. Statistical significance was defined as a p value less than 0.05. RESULTS: On comparison of patient satisfaction, in the ozone gel group, 13 patients were very satisfied but in the control group, 8 patients were very satisfied. On comparison of pain intensity, on the 5th day, the complete absence of pain patients was more in the ozone gel group (12 patients) compared with the control group (4 patients). There was a statistically significant difference found between these two groups (p < 0.001). On comparison of mouth opening, on the 3rd and 5th day, mouth opening was better in the ozone gel group (29.22 ± 1.28 and 34.06 ± 0.09) compared with the control group (27.38 ± 1.03 and 31.14 ± 0.82), respectively. And there was a statistically significant difference found between these two groups (p < 0.001) on both the days. CONCLUSION: The current study came to the conclusion that using ozone gel significantly improves postoperative pain, mouth opening range, and promotes faster wound healing. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The primary goals of postoperative care for exodontia patients have always been pain management and infection control. The most frequent postoperative consequences are pain and edema. Hence, ozone therapy can be used as an effective topical agent to manage postextraction pain and swelling in healthy patients without the need for excess medications. How to cite this article: Varghese LJ, Lahiri B, Penumatsa NV, et al. Effectiveness of Topical Ozone Gel Application in the Management of Postextraction Wound Healing: An In Vivo Study. J Contemp Dent Pract 2023;24(11):887-890.

Influence of Smoking on Gingival Crevicular Fluid Interleukin 1ß and Interleukin-8 in Patients with Severe Chronic Periodontitis among a Rural Population in India.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Smoking is widely prevalent among rural Indian populations. Smoking is considered a significant risk factor for periodontal diseases. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of smoking on the inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL) IL-1ß and IL-8 in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and compare these between smokers and nonsmokers with periodontitis in diseased and healthy sites. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of thirty patients with severe chronic periodontitis (15 smokers and 15 nonsmokers) participated in this study. Clinical parameters assessed were gingival index, bleeding on probing, probing depth (PD), and clinical attachment level. One diseased and one healthy site from each of the periodontitis patients were selected for GCF collection and assigned to the following four groups: healthy sites in smoker (SH), diseased sites in smoker (SD), healthy sites in nonsmoker (NH), and diseased sites in nonsmoker (ND) and were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test (Quantikine®). RESULTS: Intragroup comparisons revealed statistically significant levels of IL-1ß in ND sites compared to NH sites (P < 0.005) and SD sites showed statistically significantly higher levels of IL-1ß compared to SH sites (P < 0.0001). However, there was no significant difference in IL-8 levels between NH and ND sites as well as between SH and SD sites. Intergroup comparisons revealed that SH sites exhibited significantly lower amounts of IL-8 (P < 0.01) compared to NH sites and SD sites showed significantly lower levels of IL-8 compared to ND sites (P < 0.001). However, the comparison of NH and SH sites as well as ND and SD sites showed no significant difference in the levels of IL-1ß. CONCLUSIONS: Cytokine levels were significantly elevated in periodontitis patients. Smokers exhibited a decrease in IL-8 and increase in IL-1ß levels. Hence, this reflects the influence of smoking on immunosuppression and its role in the pathogenesis of periodontal disease.

Correlation of lip prints and lip competence in children.

INTRODUCTION: Individual identification is a significant and difficult task in forensic search; it was based on logical values. A lip print is different in every living individual and does not change with time so it can be used as a tool in forensic investigations. The present work aimed to find out the correlation between lip prints and lip competence in the pediatric population of Davangere city. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study sample comprised of 103 children that is, 49 males and 54 females of aged between 4 and 14 years. The lip impression was made on a strip of cellophane tape on adhesive portion; it was then placed to a white bond paper. This serves as permanent record. In this study, we are followed the classification of patterns of the lines on the lips proposed by Tsuchihashi. For recording lip competence, we considered Ballard criteria. RESULTS: Chi-square test was used to find out the degree of association between variables and to check out whether statistically significant differences exist. CONCLUSION: Lip prints are unique for every person and show differences according to the race and the ethnic origins of a person. The present study confirmed the distinctiveness of cheiloscopy but disproves any statistical correlation of lip print with lip competency.

Evaluation of remineralization capacity of casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate on the carbamide peroxide treated enamel.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP) in remineralizing the bleached enamel surface using micro-hardness. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty human enamel slabs were randomly divided into three groups (n = 10). Groups A and B were exposed to 20% carbamide peroxide and 35% carbamide peroxide gel, respectively. After the exposure to the bleaching agent, the slabs were kept in artificial saliva for 1-week. Group C (control group) were kept in artificial saliva for 1-week. Vickers micro-hardness test was performed by Leica VMHT-Mot micro-hardness tester. CPP-ACP (Gc Tooth Mousse, Melbourne, Australia) was then applied to specimens of Groups A and B for 3 min for 2 weeks. Micro-hardness values of postbleach Group A (Ar) and Group B (Br) were recorded and statistically analyzed by paired t-test and one-way analysis of variance at the significance level of α =0.05. RESULTS: There was a significant decrease in micro-hardness of enamel in carbamide peroxide bleached groups. However, there was a significant increase in micro-hardness after the remineralization by CPP-ACP and the extent of remineralization is more for the Group B. CONCLUSIONS: That bleaching agents reduced enamel micro-hardness and the use of CPP-ACP after bleaching can significantly enhance the micro-hardness of bleached enamel.

Bleaching of fluorosis stains using sodium hypochlorite.

Fluorosis staining is commonly considered an esthetic problem because of the psychological impact of unesthetic maxillary anterior teeth. Numerous treatment approaches have been proposed, ranging from bleaching to enamel reduction to restorative techniques. Bleaching of hypomineralized enamel lesions, using 5% sodium hypochlorite, has been useful clinically. The technique described, in this case, appears to have advantages over other methods for improving the appearance of fluorotic lesions. It is simple, low cost, noninvasive, so the enamel keeps its structure, relatively rapid, and safe; it requires no special materials, and it can be used with safety on young permanent teeth.

The influence of finishing/polishing time and cooling system on surface roughness and microhardness of two different types of composite resin restorations.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of finishing time and polishing time on surface roughness and microhardness of nanofilled and hybrid resin composites. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Hundred disk composite specimens from micro hybrid composite and nanohybrid composite were prepared, 50 for each type of composite. The specimens were divided into five groups according to the time of finishing and polishing (immediate, 15 min, 24 h and dry). Composite under the Mylar strip without finishing and polishing was taken as the control group. Surface roughness was measured with environmental scanning electronic microscope (ESEM) and microhardness was determined using Vickers Microhardness Tester. Data collected were statistically analyzed by t-test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Turkey's post hoc test. RESULTS: Smooth surface with low hardness was obtained for the group under Mylar strip without finishing and polishing. The highest roughness was recorded for delayed finishing and polishing for both composites. Immediate finishing and polishing increased the surface hardness more than that in the control group in both types of composites. Dry finishing reduced the hardness significantly for micro hybrid composite, but resulted in the highest surface hardness for nanofilled composite. CONCLUSION: Immediate finishing and polishing under coolant resulted in the best surface smoothness and hardness values in micro hybrid composite; however, immediate dry finishing and polishing gave the best smoothness and hardness values in nanohybrid composite.

Comparison of anxiety levels associated with noise in the dental clinic among children of age group 6-15 years.

Fear or anxiety due to noise produced in the dental clinic is rated third among the reasons to avoid dental visits. The aim of the present study was to determine anxiety levels associated with noise in a dental clinic. The study was done using a survey questionnaire containing 10 questions and was divided into two parts. The first part included demographic information such as name, age, gender, and school; the second half included questions regarding patient's feelings toward noise in the dental clinic and its possible link to dental anxiety. Two-hundred and fifty children and adolescents of age group 6-15 years participated in the study. Results of the study showed that 50% of females, 29% males avoided a visit to the dentist because of anxiety and fear, 38% subjects of age group 6-11 years reported that sound of the drill makes them uncomfortable, followed by having to wait in the reception area. Gender gap was also observed with more females feeling annoyed than males on the 1-10 annoyance level scale. More than 60% felt "annoyed" to "extremely annoyed" by noise in the dental clinic. 45% of subjects preferred watching television to cope with such noise. This study concludes that the noise produced in dental clinic is anxiety provoking and significantly contributes to avoidance of dental treatment and the best way opted by the majority of subjects to overcome this anxiety was audiovisual distraction method.

Conservative approach in the management of radicular cyst in a child: case report.

Radicular cyst is the most common odontogenic cystic lesion of inflammatory origin. It is also known as periapical cyst, apical periodontal cyst, root end cyst, or dental cyst. It arises from epithelial residues in the periodontal ligament as a result of inflammation. The inflammation usually follows the death of dental pulp. This paper presents a case report of a patient with radicular cyst associated with a primary molar.