Comparative Evaluation of Cotton PTFE Tape and Foam Pellets as Endodontic Spacer in Primary Teeth: An In Vivo Study.

Aim and objective: This study was conducted to microbiologically evaluate cotton, PTFE tape, and foam pellets as endodontic spacer in primary teeth. Materials and methods: Thirty primary second molars indicated for pulpectomy were included in this study. Followed by the completion of pulpectomy in each teeth cotton, PTFE tape, and foam pellets were placed as endodontic spacers randomly in 10 teeth each. The samples were collected from the pulp chamber at baseline and after 7 days to evaluate for microbial contamination of the same. The data obtained was tabulated and subjected to appropriate statistical analysis. Results: There was a statistically significant increase in the colony forming unit after 7 days in cotton and foam pellet group. But PTFE tape group showed very minimal contamination of the pulp chamber after 7 days. Conclusion: Within the limitations of this study, it can be concluded that PTFE tape found to be the best alternative to cotton as an endodontic spacer. Clinical significance: In case of multiple visit pulpectomy procedure, the state of sterility must be maintained in between the appointments until a definitive coronal restoration is placed following root-canal obturation. So it is mandatory to place an endodontic spacer under a provisional restoration to maintain the patency of the root canals and prevention of the microbial growth. The PTFE tape is inorganic, nonfibrous material which can be tightly packed without any voids under the provisional restoration. So PTFE tape is the best material to maintain the root canal patency and to provide a sterile environment by preventing the microbial growth under the provisional restoration as an endodontic spacer material in between the appointments. How to cite this article: Somani R, Arya MV, Singh DJ, et al. Comparative Evaluation of Cotton PTFE Tape and Foam Pellets as Endodontic Spacer in Primary Teeth: An In Vivo Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2022;15(1):74-78.

Dermatoglyphics as a Noninvasive Tool for Predicting Dental Caries in Cerebral Palsy and Healthy Children: An In Vivo Study.

AIM: To find the association of dermatoglyphics and dental caries in normal and cerebral palsy (CP) children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 150 children of age group 6-12 years were selected and divided into three equal groups. Group I constituted of 50 CP caries-active children, group II constituted of 50 healthy caries active children, and group III consisted of 50 healthy caries-free children. World Health Organization (WHO) criteria were used for diagnosis and recording of decayed, missing, filled teeth (DMFT)/deft scores. Fingerprints of both hands were taken using a stamp pad and analyzed using the Cummin and Midlo method. RESULTS: The results were statistically analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and post hoc Tukey's honestly significant difference (HSD). The data for the entire study were calculated using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) statistical software 19.0 version. The mean DMFT/deft score was the highest for the CP caries-active group compared to the healthy caries-active and healthy caries-free children. Dermatoglyphic pattern distribution in the CP caries-active group showed more whorls and that in the healthy caries-free group showed more arches. Intergroup comparisons for DMFT/deft and dermatoglyphic patterns were significant except between CP caries-active children and healthy caries-active children. CONCLUSION: Association of dermatoglyphics and dental caries was observed among CP caries-active children, healthy caries-active children, and healthy caries-free children. This association can be helpful in identifying the possible genetic predisposition and early prediction of dental caries in CP children, so as to initiate oral health measures at an early stage. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Maintaining oral hygiene has always been a challenge in children because of many difficulties like behavior management and lack of dexterity, and it becomes all the more difficult in the case of children with special needs. Dermatoglyphics can be proven to be a very useful, noninvasive, and economical tool for the preliminary diagnosis of diseases of suspected genetic origin like dental caries and CP. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Somani R, Gupta MP, et al. Dermatoglyphics as a Noninvasive Tool for Predicting Dental Caries in Cerebral Palsy and Healthy Children: An In Vivo Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2019;12(3):237-242.

Hermetic Seal in Obturation: An Achievable Goal with Recently Introduced Cpoint.

AIM AND OBJECTIVES: To evaluate and compare the dentinal microcrack formation after obturation using CPoint and gutta percha as root canal filling materials. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty orthodontically extracted single-rooted premolars were selected. The teeth were decoronated and were then divided into four groups (n = 10). In group I, samples were left unprepared and unfilled (negative control), in group II, samples were prepared and left unobturated (positive control), in group III, samples were prepared and obturation was done with Cpoint (F3) and endosequence bioceramic sealer, and in group IV, samples were prepared and obturation was done with Protaper gutta percha (F3) and endosequence bioceramic sealer. Then, the samples were kept for 1 week at 37°C and 100% humidity. All roots were then sectioned at 2 mm from the apex. Additional cross sections at a 4 mm level were made in groups III and IV. Then, the sections were observed under a scanning electron microscope and the presence of dentinal microcracks was checked. RESULTS: There was statistically nonsignificant difference for a mean number of microcracks in the samples after obturation with CPoint and gutta percha. CONCLUSION: CPoint can be used as an alternative to gutta percha as it provides better seal because of its lateral hygroscopic expansion without causing significant damage to the dentinal microstructure. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: In spite of gutta percha being the gold standard in obturating material, still the desired hermetic seal could not be achieved. To achieve this attainable goal, a new material CPoint had been introduced, which has the ability to undergo hygroscopic expansion within the root canal. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Somani R, Jaidka S, Singh DJ, et al. Hermetic Seal in Obturation: An Achievable Goal with Recently Introduced Cpoint. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2019;12(5):410-413.

Comparative Microbiological Evaluation after Caries Removal by Various Burs.

AIM: The aim of the study was to compare the caries removal efficacy in terms of bacteriology and efficiency in terms of time taken by conventional and smart burs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 40 extracted permanent molars with occlusal caries were selected for this study. These teeth were split at the center of carious lesion buccolingually, in order to obtain two similar halves. Thus, 80 samples were obtained in this way and were randomly divided into 2 groups of 40 samples each. Caries was removed using conventional burs in group I and polymer bur Smartprep (SS white) in group II. The time involved in caries removal was measured for both the groups. After excavation of all carious lesions, the samples were decalcified, dehydrated, and embedded in paraffin wax from which thin sections of 5 µm were obtained, which were histologically evaluated for bacterial presence under a light microscope. RESULTS: An intergroup comparison between conventional bur (group I) and smart bur (group II) showed a statistically nonsignificant difference in terms of the presence of microorganisms after caries removal with a p value of 0.073638 (p > 0.05). However, the time taken for caries removal was significantly more for smart burs than diamond burs with a p value of 0.001 (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The polymer burs were found to be as effective as the conventional burs in terms of microbial presence after caries removal, but are more time-consuming than conventional burs. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Somani R, Chaudhary R, Jaidka S, et al. Comparative Microbiological Evaluation after Caries Removal by Various Burs. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2019;12(6):524-527.

Comparative Evaluation of Shear Bond Strength of Various Glass Ionomer Cements to Dentin of Primary Teeth: An in vitro Study.

AIM: To evaluate and compare shear bond strength of various glass ionomer cements (GICs) to dentin of primary teeth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sample size taken for the study was 72 deciduous molars with intact buccal or lingual surfaces. Samples were randomly divided into three groups, i.e., groups A, B, and C and were restored with conventional type II GIC, type II light cure (LC) GIC, and type IX GIC respectively. Thermocycling was done to simulate oral conditions. After 24 hours, shear bond strength was determined using Instron Universal testing Machine at crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/ minute until fracture. Results were tabulated and statistically analyzed. RESULTS: It was found that the shear bond strength was highest in group B (LC GIC) 9.851 ± 1.620 MPa, followed by group C (type IX GIC) 7.226 ± 0.877 MPa, and was lowest in group A (conventional GIC) 4.931 ± 0.9735 MPa. CONCLUSION: Light cure GIC was significantly better than type IX GIC and conventional GIC in terms of shear bond strength. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Somani R, Jaidka S, Singh DJ, Sibal GK. Comparative Evaluation of Shear Bond Strength of Various Glass Ionomer Cements to Dentin of Primary Teeth: An in vitro Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2016;9(3):192-196.

Comparative evaluation of compressive strength, diametral tensile strength and shear bond strength of GIC type IX, chlorhexidine-incorporated GIC and triclosan-incorporated GIC: An in vitro study.

AIM: To comparatively evaluate the compressive strength, diametral tensile strength, and shear bond strength of glass ionomer cement type IX, chlorhexidine-incorporated glass ionomer cement, and triclosan-incorporated glass ionomer cement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, glass ionomer cement type IX was used as a control. Chlorhexidine diacetate, and triclosan were added to glass ionomer cement type IX powder, respectively, in order to obtain 0.5, 1.25, and 2.5% concentrations of the respective experimental groups. Compressive strength, diametral tensile strength, and shear bond strength were evaluated after 24 h using Instron Universal Testing Machine. The results obtained were statistically analyzed using the independent t-test, Dunnett test, and Tukey test. RESULTS: There was no statistical difference in the compressive strength, diametral tensile strength, and shear bond strength of glass ionomer cement type IX (control), 0.5% triclosan-glass ionomer cement, and 0.5% chlorhexidine-glass ionomer cement. CONCLUSION: The present study suggests that the compressive strength, diametral tensile strength, and shear bond strength of 0.5% triclosan-glass ionomer cement and 0.5% chlorhexidine-glass ionomer cement were similar to those of the glass ionomer cement type IX, discernibly signifying that these can be considered as viable options for use in pediatric dentistry with the additional value of antimicrobial property along with physical properties within the higher acceptable range.