To Evaluate and Compare the Antimicrobial Efficacy of Various Disinfecting Agents on K-file against Gram-positive and Gram-negative Bacteria of Endodontic Origin: An In Vitro Study.

Introduction: Microorganisms induce a variety of infections and diseases in the human body and are largely ubiquitous in the nature of the contamination, directly, or indirectly leading to transmission of infectious agents. A substantial number of bacterial species have been identified as inhabitants of the oral cavity. Infection control is a major topic of concern in medical and dental healthcare settings. Aim: To evaluate the disinfecting ability of various herbal extracts on sterilization of endodontic files against endodontic pathogens. Materials and methods: The study was conducted in three phases to evaluate the disinfecting ability of tea tree, neem, eucalyptus, and ajwain oil on sterilization of endodontic files against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus ß-hemolyticus, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Peptostreptococcus species, and Bacteroides fragilis. Results: Colony-forming units (CFU) of all tested bacteria among group I (tea tree oil) were found to be significantly lower than that among group II (ajwain oil), group III (eucalyptus oil), and group IV (neem oil), respectively. Conclusion: The antimicrobial activity among all the essential oils was found to be maximum for tea tree oil, followed in descending order by ajwain, eucalyptus, and neem oils. Hence, the incorporation of these herbs in dental practice will prove to be a valuable adjunct in dental treatment. Clinical significance: Herbs have also been long used in various endodontic medicaments and dressings with obtundent and soothing effects and exhibited a great microbial inhibition potential against the tested endodontic pathogens. How to cite this article: Opi K, Dhinsa K, Tripathi AM, et al. To Evaluate and Compare the Antimicrobial Efficacy of Various Disinfecting Agents on K-file against Gram-positive and Gram-negative Bacteria of Endodontic Origin: An In Vitro Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2023;16(S-2):S161-S167.

Remineralizing Potential of Low-fluoridated, Nonfluoridated and Herbal Nonfluoridated Dentifrices on Demineralized Surface of Primary Teeth: An In Vitro Study.

Aim: The aim of this in vitro study is to evaluate the remineralizing potential of commercially available low-fluoridated, nonfluoridated, and herbal nonfluoridated child formula dentifrices on primary teeth. Materials and methods: Total of 36 primary teeth were placed in the demineralizing solution for 96 hours to produce artificial carious lesions of approximately 100 µm depth, and then cut longitudinally into 30 sections of 100-150 µm thickness and randomly assigned to three groups. Sections were treated with low-fluoridated, nonfluoridated, and herbal nonfluoridated dentifrice. Lesions were evaluated using polarized light microscopy. Results: Intragroup comparison of mean lesion depth from pretreatment to posttreatment among the three study groups revealed that maximum reduction in lesion depth was found to be in group I (low-fluoridated) followed in descending order by group III (herbal nonfluoridated) and group II (nonfluoridated), respectively. Conclusion: Group I (low-fluoridated) and group III (herbal nonfluoridated) demonstrated remineralization of carious lesions by virtue of a decrease in lesion depth, whereas group II (nonfluoridated) showed an increase in lesion depth. Clinical significance: Fluoride dentifrices are the most widely used products that deliver topical fluoride to the oral environment. The major drawback is the risk of dental fluorosis, which occurs because of ingestion of dentifrices, in preschool children. This necessitates use of preventive measures which include (1) reducing the amount of toothpaste used, (2) supervised brushing in preschool children and (3) developing low-fluoride toothpastes for minimizing risk of dental fluorosis. Further dental professionals must investigate effectiveness of increasingly popular "Herbal" products. How to cite this article: Tiwari S, Saha S, Dhinsa K, et al. Remineralizing Potential of Low-fluoridated, Nonfluoridated and Herbal Nonfluoridated Dentifrices on Demineralized Surface of Primary Teeth: An In Vitro Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2022;15(3):251-257.

Comparative Microleakage Evaluation through the Interfaces between the Tooth and Cement after Stainless Steel Crown Cementation in Primary Molars: An In Vitro Study.

Introduction: The longevity of stainless steel crowns is related to perfect adaptation and long-term union between restoration and teeth. In this respect, evaluation of marginal leakage of luting cement is essential. Aim and objective: To compare and evaluate the ability of new adhesive cement to prevent microleakage under stainless steel crowns on primary teeth. Materials and methods: Forty-five specimens were embedded, standardized preparations were made onto selected extracted primary molars, and stainless steel crowns were adapted. Samples were assigned randomly to cement groups: Glass ionomer (GI), resin-modified glass-ionomer (RMGI), and Adhesive resin (AR) cement, followed by storage in water, artificially aging, staining, sectioning, and the linear dye penetration and proportion of microleakage evaluation. Results: AR showed the lowest microleakage, followed in increasing order by RMGIC and GIC showed the greatest microleakage (p-value < 0.0001). Clinical Significance: There are many kinds of luting agents that vary considerably from the viewpoint of solubility, strength, and ability to adhere to the tooth structure. Lack of adhesion of the luting cement to the tooth structure is one of the reasons for microleakage related to different types of crowns. Cement breakdown may result in the entrance of fluids and microorganisms along with the tooth restoration interface. In this study, attempts were made to simulate standard clinical procedures, although this is not a substitute for the complex oral environment, the results provide useful information to choosing the best cement materials. Conclusion: Adhesive resin cement can be recommended for cementation of Stainless Steel Crowns because of added advantages over others. How to cite this article: Gundewar MS, Saha S, Arora D, et al. Comparative Microleakage Evaluation through the Interfaces between the Tooth and Cement after Stainless Steel Crown Cementation in Primary Molars: An In Vitro Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2022;15(2):159-163.

Assessment of Oral Health-related Quality of Life in Patients Suffering from Systemic Diseases.

AIM: To assess the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) among children suffering from congestive heart failure and bronchial asthma in Lucknow city. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Methodology: Patients aged 6-12 years were assessed using Child Perception Questionnaire (CPQ). DMFT was assessed in same patients to measure their caries experience. RESULTS: Dental caries were observed in 62.6% of cardiac patients followed by 55.8% in bronchial asthma patients. CONCLUSION: Children with CHF had high dental caries experience as compared to asthmatic patients. Due to high caries exposure, they had a negative impact on OHRQoL as compared to others. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The relationship between oral and systemic health must be consistently reinforced to a patient and guardians of children with systemic disease that can enable to improve the quality of life of these compromised populations. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Dhinsa K, Saha S, Tripathi AM, et al. Assessment of Oral Health-related Quality of Life in Patients Suffering from Systemic Diseases. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2021;14(6):779-783.

Evaluation of the Antimicrobial Efficacy of Herbal Extracts Added to Root Canal Sealers of Different Bases: An In Vitro Study.

AIM: This study aimed to evaluate and compare the antimicrobial efficacy of root canal sealers of different bases when mixed with herbal extracts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An evaluation of three sealers (Endomethasone, AH plus, Apexit plus) mixed with three herbal extracts [Emblica officinalis (Amla), Myristica fragrans (Nutmeg) and Salvadora persica (Miswak)] was done against nine strains of bacteria at various time intervals using the agar diffusion test. Moreover, measurement of the mean zones of inhibition was done. RESULTS: The largest zones of bacterial growth inhibition were observed with Endomethasone mixed with Myristica fragrans (Nutmeg) followed in the descending order by AH plus mixed with Salvadora persica (Miswak) and Apexit plus mixed with Salvadora persica (Miswak) respectively. The differences between zones of inhibition among different groups were found to be statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Zinc-oxide-eugenol-based sealer (Endomethasone) mixed with herbal extracts produced the largest inhibitory zones followed in the descending order by resin-based sealer (AH plus) and calcium-hydroxide-based sealer (Apexit plus), respectively. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Herbal plants such as [Emblica officinalis (Amla), Myristica fragrans (Nutmeg) and Salvadora persica (Miswak)] are rich sources of bioactive compounds that possess antimicrobial properties. Mixing their extracts with endodontic sealers can produce additive antimicrobial effect against microbes found in inflamed pulp. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Devi MT, Saha S, Tripathi AM, et al. Evaluation of the Antimicrobial Efficacy of Herbal Extracts Added to Root Canal Sealers of Different Bases: An In Vitro Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2019;12(5):398-404.

Effect of fixed space maintainers and removable appliances on oral microflora in children: An in vivo study.

BACKGROUND: Oral habits and caries if left untreated may result in crowding and arch length discrepancy in developing dentition. Therefore, appliances are used to maintain the arch length and for proper relationship between dental arches. However, its insertion may cause an increase in bacterial concentration. AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the growth of Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacillus sp., and Candida albicans in saliva during the first 6 months of orthodontic therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty children in the age group of 6-15 years were selected with regard to indication of orthodontic treatment, and subsequently grouped as patients to be treated with fixed space maintainers or removable appliances. Unstimulated saliva was collected in a sterile container at baseline and at 1-month, 3-month, and 6-month recalls for every selected child. Samples collected were processed for bacterial culture in different culture media at different time intervals. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) Version 15.0 statistical software was carried for bacterial counts. Chi-square test and t-test were performed to know the effects of each variable and to reveal the statistical significance. RESULT: Bacterial counts of Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacillus sp., and Candida albicans were found to be statistically significant (P 0≤ 0.001), (P < 0.05), and (P < 0.001), respectively in both the groups at all intervals. CONCLUSION: At different time intervals, the total numbers of bacterial count of Streptococcus mutans were comparatively higher, followed by Lactobacillus sp. and Candida albicans.