Assessment of Clinical and Radiographic Success Rate of Formocresol-based Pulpotomy versus Collagen-based Pulpotomy: An In Vivo Study.

AIM: The aim of the study is (a) To use collagen as a pulpotomy material in comparison with the gold standard formocresol-based pulpotomy, (b) to assess the clinical and radiographic success rate of formocresol pulpotomy and collagen-based pulpotomy, and (c) to compare the success rate of formocresol-based pulpotomy and collagen-based pulpotomy over a definitive interval of time. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Totally 30 primary first or second molars indicated for pulpotomy after confirming with the operative diagnosis were taken as samples for this study. This split-mouth technique consists of two groups: Group 1-formocresol pulpotomy (n = 15), and group 2-collagen-based pulpotomy (n = 15). Both the procedures were done in the same patient on regular appointments. Pre- and postoperative radiographs were taken. The children were recalled for clinical and radiographic follow-up at 2, 4, and 6 months. The success of the procedure was assessed based on clinical signs (pain, tenderness to percussion, abscess, swelling, fistula, and pathologic mobility) and radiographic findings (radicular radiolucency, internal and external root resorption, periodontal ligament (PDL) space widening, and furcation radiolucency). The Chi-square test was used to compare the differences between the groups. RESULT: The overall success rate for formocresol pulpotomy (n = 15) was 14, 13, and 10 for the second-, fourth-, and sixth-month review period, respectively. For collagen pulpotomy group (n = 15), the overall success rate was 14, 14, and 14 for the second-, fourth-, and sixth-month review period, respectively. The obtained data from the overall success rate were subjected to statistical analysis, and chi-square test was used. The p-value less than 0.1 was considered a statistically significant result. The chi-square value for the fourth- and sixth-month review was 0.37 and 3.33, respectively. CONCLUSION: Statistically significant value was obtained from the sixth-month review period (p <0.1), which describes that the overall success rate was better for the collagen pulpotomy group when compared with the formocresol pulpotomy group. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Collagen had proven to be a very good alternative for formocresol, its biocompatibility, and regenerative efficiency and is a benchmark for a better clinical success rate in dentistry. However, its implication in pulpotomy should be subjected to further comparative research study on mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA), Biodentine, etc. Keywords: Collagen-based pulpotomy, Formocresol-based pulpotomy.

Correlation Between Body Mass Index and Dental Caries Among Three- to 12-Year-Old Schoolchildren in India: A Cross-Sectional Study.

INTRODUCTION:  Diet is a deeply ingrained element of a person's life. Children's dietary habits are a significant contributor to obesity and dental caries. Dental caries during childhood continues to be a significant public health concern, while childhood obesity is increasingly being cited as a major public health problem. This study aimed to assess the correlation between body mass index (BMI) and dental caries in children aged three to 12 years who attended both government and private schools in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. MATERIALS AND METHODS:  We conducted a cross-sectional review of 2200 children aged three to 12 years with clinically recorded dental caries. The World Health Organization diagnostic criteria for BMI percentile was used to evaluate and record dental caries clinically. The Mann-Whitney and the Kruskal-Wallis tests were used for univariate comparisons. RESULTS:  Mean values between the overweight category and underweight category revealed no significant differences. CONCLUSION:  We found no association between BMI-for-age and dental caries in children in both primary and mixed dentition. This relationship should be investigated further by longitudinal studies.

Use of a Teledentistry-based Program for Screening of Early Childhood Caries in a School Setting.

Aim The aim of this study was to assess the reliability and feasibility of using teledentistry for the screening and diagnosis of dental caries in children between the age groups of three to six years. Design This study included a total of 318 school-going children whose caries scores were calculated by visual method and using digital photographs generated by an intraoral camera by two examiners: examiner 1 and examiner 2 (E1 and E2). Intra-examiner and inter-examiner variability were determined. Reliability was compared across the three groups. Results Intra-examiner and inter-examiner variability when compared revealed no significant difference. A Cronbach's alpha of 0.983 was generated, which shows high reliability. Conclusions Effective screening for early childhood caries (ECC) in young children was possible with digital images generated in a school setting, thus paving the way for the application of teledentistry as effective means for the diagnosis of dental caries.