Microbiological and Clinical Evaluation of Efficacy of Locally Delivered Tetracycline in Conjunction with Scaling and Root Planning.

Introduction: Chronic periodontitis is an infectious disease which is multifactorial in etiology. The red complex bacteria have an enzyme capable of hydrolyzing the synthetic trypsin substrate, N-benzoyl-DL-arginine-2-napthylamide (BANA). Tetracycline as a bacteriostatic agent is used in the treatment of periodontitis. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate clinically and microbiologically the efficacy of tetracycline fibers in conjunction with scaling and root planning in chronic periodontitis patients. Methodology: A Split mouth clinical and microbiological randomized control study was done to compare the clinical effects of subgingivally delivered antimicrobial bioabsorbable controlled release 2 mg tetracycline fibers as an adjunct to scaling and root planning on one side and comparing the other side treated only with scaling and root planning only. Result: Showed both scaling and root planning and the use of tetracycline an adjunct with scaling and root planning are equally effective. Conclusion: It can be concluded that Scaling and root planing (SRP) with or without use of adjunct local drug delivery agent like tetracycline is effective in treating chronic periodontitis.

Intake of Artificial Sweeteners by Children: Boon or Bane?

BACKGROUND: Sugar is the main culprit in many health dysfunctions. Excessive sugar intake can negatively affect oral health, precipitate diabetes, and lead to weight gain and obesity. Sucrose is the primary form of sugar, and is strongly correlated with dental caries. Artificial sweeteners are chemically synthesized sugar substitutes that are generally regarded as being low-calorie. OBJECTIVE: This review examines the current evidence in the literature for the need for artificial sweeteners and outlines its implications for the health of children. We briefly outline its adverse effects, and concerns regarding their safety. REVIEW RESULTS: Artificial sweeteners are a widely used food additive. Six main artificial sweeteners are approved by the food and drug administration (FDA). The conflicting results and divergent regulatory norms of each sweetener are a constant cause of concern and debate. However, most studies have spotlighted the beneficial effects of artificial sweeteners. Dental caries diminish with the increase in sweetener intake. An increase in appetite and eventually weight gain is observed in individuals consuming artificial sweeteners. CONCLUSION: Artificial sweeteners are indeed a bane according to present studies, although more research on recently discovered non-nutritive artificial sweeteners is required. It also has a positive effect on overall health disorders. If one curbs the onset of dental caries, then the eventual rise is highly unlikely. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Artificial sweeteners' effect on lowering dental caries will help to reduce the caries index in general. Oral hygiene is maintained, and the growth of oral bacterium is depressed. Research on novel sweeteners will help to compare their efficacy in caries prevention compared to existing ones. It is necessary to educate people on artificial sweeteners and its implication as one can use them by being aware of their properties.

Evaluation of Fluoride Uptake of Two Fluoride Varnishes into and onto the Enamel Surface at Different Temperatures: An In Vitro Study.

Background: Fluoride (F) is an effective anticaries agent and can be delivered through various mediums at different concentrations. The ability to increase the enamel resistance to acid by decreasing solubility through the incorporation of F into the enamel apatite structure is the primary function of these agents. The efficacy of topical F can be determined by measuring the amount of F incorporated in and on human enamel. Aim: To compare the F uptake into and onto the enamel surface of two different F varnishes at different temperatures. Materials and methods: In this study, 96 teeth were divided equally and randomly (n = 48) into two experimental groups (group I and group II). Each group was further divided into four equal subgroups (n = 12); depending on the temperature (25°, 37°, 50°, and 60°C) they were subjected to Fluor-Protector® 0.7% and Embrace® 5% F varnishes were allocated to experimental groups I and II, respectively, and every sample was individually treated with the assigned F varnish. After the varnish application, two specimens from each subgroup, the group I and group II (n = 16), were mounted for hard tissue microtome sectioning for scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis. The remaining 80 teeth underwent potassium hydroxide (KOH) soluble and KOH-insoluble F estimation. Results: Group I and group II, both, showed maximum F uptake of 2817.07 ppm and 1626.8 ppm at 37°C temperature and the lowest of 1168.9 ppm and 1068.93 ppm at 50°C, respectively. The intergroup comparison was carried out using an unpaired t-test and the intragroup comparison was done using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) univariate analysis.Post hoc Tukey test was performed for pairwise comparison between different temperature groups. In group I (Fluor-Protector®), the difference in F uptake was statistically significant when the temperature was increased from 25° to 37° C (mean difference = -9.90, p = 0.016). In group II (Embrace®), a statistically significant difference in F uptake was observed when the temperature was increased from 25° to 50°C (mean difference = 10.00, p = 0.003) and 25° to 60°C (mean difference = 13.38, p = 0.001), respectively. Conclusion: Fluor-Protector® varnish proved to have better F uptake in comparison to Embrace® varnish on human enamel. Topical F varnishes were most effective at 37°C, which is close to the standard human body temperature. Thus, the application of warm F varnish ensures more uptake of F in and onto the enamel surface for greater protection against dental caries. How to cite this article: Vishwakarma AP, Bondarde P, Vishwakarma P, et al. Evaluation of Fluoride Uptake of Two Fluoride Varnishes Into and onto the Enamel Surface at Different Temperatures: An In Vitro Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2022;15(6):672-679.