Volumetric Analysis of Hand and Rotary Instrumentation, Root Canal Filling Techniques, and Obturation Materials in Primary Teeth Using Spiral CT.

AIM AND BACKGROUND: To compare the root canal volume in primary teeth using hand and rotary instruments and to evaluate root canal filling techniques and flow of root canal obturation materials in the postinstrumented root canal volume using spiral computed tomography (SCT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Freshly extracted 16 primary molars were randomly divided into two groups and subjected to SCT analysis before and after instrumentation. For the manual technique (group I) with eight teeth were prepared using K files, and rotary (group II) eight teeth preparation was performed with ProTaper files. The filled volume in each canal was measured using SCT, and the percentage of obturated volume was calculated. The data were statistically analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference in both groups' volume of root canals enlarged. Even though both K files and the ProTaper system brought about enlarged canals after instrumentation, there was a statistically significant increase in volume after using K files in two canals. In three canals, there was a statistically significant increase in volume after using ProTaper. Irrespective of the obturation technique and materials used, there is no statistically significant difference in the volume after obturation. CONCLUSION: From the results of this study, the ProTaper file system shows suitable volumetric enlargement up to an optimum level, which is needed in primary root canal walls, and is better in canal shaping, as evidenced by good postobturation volume. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The traditional method of cleaning and shaping the root canals in permanent teeth using manual stainless-steel files can lead to undesirable curvatures in root canal morphology, making correctly filling the root canals difficult. It is also time-consuming and sometimes leads to iatrogenic errors. Rotary nickel-titanium (Ni-Ti) instrumentation techniques have been developed to overcome these problems. How to cite this article: Yadav DBUC, Varma RB, Kumar JS, et al. Volumetric Analysis of Hand and Rotary Instrumentation, Root Canal Filling Techniques, and Obturation Materials in Primary Teeth Using Spiral CT. J Contemp Dent Pract 2024;25(3):250-259.

Comparison of cytotoxicity and smear layer removal efficacy of triphala (an Indian ayurvedic herbal formulation) and 5.25% sodium hypochlorite as root canal irrigants: An in vitro study.

INTRODUCTIO: Healing potential of plants is an age-old idea that has recently attained renewed interest. Considering the ineffectiveness, potentially harmful effects, and safety concerns of commonly used synthetic irrigants, the herbal alternatives for endodontic usage might prove to be advantageous. AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the adequacy of smear layer removal and cytotoxicity potential of triphala in comparison to sodium hypochlorite. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted in two parts: the first part of the study was cytotoxicity assessment studied using Alamar blue assay. L929 mouse fibroblasts were seeded in 96-well plates at a density of 5000 cells/well and treated with different concentrations of triphala and NaOCl for a period of 24 and 48 h. The percentage of cell viability was then quantified using an Alamar blue assay. The optical density was measured at 570 nm and compared with 620 nm, which was considered as a reference wavelength. The second part of the study was smear layer assessment at the coronal, middle, and apical third of twenty human premolar teeth using scanning electron microscope. RESULTS: The Alamar blue reagent cytotoxicity study suggested that triphala showed no cytotoxic properties against the normal mouse fibroblast cells whereas sodium hypochlorite showed a significant cytotoxic effect against the L929 cell lines with the IC50 concentration at 1.8%, respectively, after the treatment of 24 h of incubation at 37°C temperature. Triphala was as effective as sodium hypochlorite in smear layer removal in the coronal and middle third of the root, but sodium hypochlorite showed better smear layer removal in the apical third. CONCLUSION: Triphala can be considered as a superior irrigant with good antibacterial efficacy and least cytotoxicity potential compared to conventional hypochlorite irrigating agent and provide adequate clearing of smear layer in the coronal and middle third, and further studies are warranted to alter the properties of liquid to make it more cleansable in the apical third of the root.

Feeding Difficulty in an Infant with Stickler's Syndrome.

Stickler syndrome or hereditary progressive arthro-ophthalmopathy is an autosomal dominant condition characterized by ocular manifestations, arthritic changes, orofacial features, and deafness, in variable degrees. This is a case report of a 48-day-old infant who presented with severe feeding difficulty. It also details the clinical, diagnostic features, and management of an infant with Stickler syndrome.

Salivary interleukin-6 levels in children with early childhood caries and ventricular septal defect.

BACKGROUND: The efficacy of dental treatment on the levels of inflammatory markers in ventricular septal defect (VSD) has not been fully explored. AIMS: The aim of this study was to assess the level of salivary interleukin-6 (IL-6) in children with early childhood caries (ECC) and VSD and to compare its levels before and after comprehensive full mouth rehabilitation. METHODS: Saliva samples were collected from children with ECC and VSD before dental treatment and 1-month posttreatment. The salivary IL-6 levels were analyzed using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. Gingival index (GI) was also timely recorded during the study period. Oral health awareness sessions were conducted for children and their parents. The Fisher's Least Significant Difference test was used for intergroup comparison of salivary IL-6 levels, while the paired t-test compared the values of GI before and after treatment. RESULTS: The mean salivary IL-6 levels 1 month after treatment had reduced (P < 0.000). There was a reduction in GI score (P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: When children having VSD and ECC are dentally rehabilitated and followed up periodically, the level of IL-6 is minimized, hence improving the quality of life of the affected children.

Efficacy of a Calcium Sucrose Phosphate Based Toothpaste in Elevating the Level of Calcium, Phosphate Ions in Saliva and Reducing Plaque: A Clinical Trial.

AIM: To evaluate and compare the efficacy of "calcium sucrose phosphate" (CaSP) toothpaste (Enafix 5%) with ordinarily used calcium, phosphate-containing toothpaste in elevating the level of calcium, phosphate ions in saliva. Secondary aims were to evaluate substantivity and plaque-reducing ability of CaSP toothpaste. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty study participants of age group 6-13 years were divided into two groups: Group X (Control group) was made to continue brushing with their regularly used calcium, phosphate-containing toothpaste and Group Y (Test group) was allotted CaSP toothpaste. 1 ml of unstimulated saliva was periodically collected from both groups to determine any alteration in the salivary calcium, phosphate level. Parameters such as substantivity and plaque-reducing ability of CaSP toothpaste were also evaluated. Salivary mineral's intergroup comparison was evaluated by Student's t-test while its intragroup comparison along with the plaque amount variation in Group Y was evaluated by ANOVA and Tukey's post hoc test. RESULTS: Group Y showed an increase in the salivary calcium level though not statistically significant. The increase was pronounced in samples collected on day 1. Group Y showed a consistent level of calcium, phosphate in samples collected immediately and 6 h postbrushing, indicating its substantivity. In addition, Group Y had an impact in reducing the plaque level when the 1st-month plaque score was compared with the 12th-month score. CONCLUSION: CaSP leads to an increase in the salivary calcium level though it was not statistically significant. Supervised brushing and dietary habits showed a positive effect on both the groups. CaSP toothpaste also showed substantivity and plaque-reducing ability.

Unique Approach to Dental Management of Children with Hearing Impairment.

The number of deaf children has dramatically increased in the past few decades. These children present to the pediatric dentist a unique set of challenges mostly pertaining to the establishment of communication with them. There have been very few attempts in the past to break down these challenges and formulate a strategy on how to manage them effectively. This is a case report of a child who was successfully managed using two different modes of communication. Finally, the advantages and disadvantages are mentioned, and a common strategy incorporating the positives of both the methods has been devised. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Renahan N, Varma RB, Kumaran P, Xavier AM. Unique Approach to Dental Management of Children with Hearing Impairment. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2017;10(1):107-110.

Christ Siemens Touraine syndrome: Two case reports and felicitous approaches to prosthetic management.

Ectodermal dysplasia is a heterogeneous group of inherited disorders, which exhibit a classic triad of hypohydrosis, hypotrichosis, and hypodontia. Hypohidrotic or anhidrotic ectodermal dysplasia or Christ Siemens Touraine syndrome is the most common condition among ectodermal dysplasia patients. This is a case report on two Christ Siemens Touraine syndrome cases and two different approaches to prosthetic management.