Evaluation of Streptococcus mutans Colonization and Oral Hygiene Status in Primary Molars Restored with Two Different Crowns: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background: Full-coverage restorations are commonly employed choice of treatment in treating multisurface carious lesions in primary teeth. Aim: To assess the amount of Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) colonization and oral hygiene status in deciduous molars restored with preformed zirconia and stainless steel crowns (SSC). Materials and methods: A total of 21 children aged between 4 and 7 years with bilateral carious primary molars were randomly divided into two groups of zirconia and SSC. Plaque collection was done using sterile swabs at baseline and 1-month intervals. S. mutans was cultured on mitis salivarius-bacitracin agar (MSBA). The microorganisms were then counted and expressed as colony-forming units. The plaque and gingival indices were recorded during the follow-up visits. All data were tabulated and subjected to statistical analysis, with the level of significance set at 5%. Results: A total of 21 children with 42 teeth were randomized into group I-SSC and group II-zirconia crowns using the split-mouth technique, respectively. The zirconia group showed a statistically significant reduction in the adhesion of S. mutans (p < 0.001). On comparing the plaque and gingival indices between the groups, plaque index (PI) and gingival index (GI) scores were significantly low in the zirconia group as compared with the SSC, with a mean difference of 0.08 at 3 months in group II (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) adhesion to zirconia crowns was significantly less when compared with SSC, with better gingival health and oral hygiene. How to cite this article: Elizabeth JAA, Ramkumar H, Paulindraraj S, et al. Evaluation of Streptococcus mutans Colonization and Oral Hygiene Status in Primary Molars Restored with Two Different Crowns: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2023;16(S-2):S183-S189.

Clinical and Radiographic Evaluation of Curcumin as an Obturation Material in Deciduous Teeth: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Aim and objective: To evaluate the clinical and radiographic success rates of curcumin, curcumin and calcium hydroxide in equal proportions and calcium hydroxide as an obturation material compared to curcumin and calcium hydroxidet (Metapex). Materials and methods: This study included 64 primary molars with irreversible pulpitis indicated for single visit pulpectomy. After obtaining informed consent from the parents, all the teeth were randomly allocated to one of four groups. Pulpectomy was performed using rubber dam isolation and was obturated. The samples were categorized into the four groups based on obturation material namely, group A: curcumin with calcium hydroxide in equal proportions, group B: curcumin, group C: calcium hydroxide, and group D: Metapex. Clinical and radiographic outcomes were evaluated at time intervals of 10 days, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months. Data was subjected to statistical analysis. Chi-square tests were used compare the groups. Results: At the end of 6 months, clinical and radiographic success rates of groups A, B, and C showed 81.3%, 61.5%, and 93.8%, respectively, while group D had 100% success rate. Conclusion: Among the four groups, the hierarchy of success rates are as follows: Metapex > calcium hydroxide > curcumin and calcium hydroxide > curcumin. However, various formulations and combinations of curcumin can still be extended with larger sample size. Clinical significance: Curcumin and calcium hydroxide paste can be used as an obturating material with further follow-up studies. How to cite this article: Bommareddy CS, Ramkumar H, Dakshinamurthy S, et al. Clinical and Radiographic Evaluation of Curcumin as an Obturation Material in Deciduous Teeth: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2022;15(S-1):S35-S39.

Evaluation of molar bite force in carious and non-carious primary dentition among 4 to 6 year old children / Evaluación de la fuerza de mordida molar en dentición temporal cariada y no cariada en niños de 4 a 6 años

Objetive: The aim of the study was to evaluate the maximum molar bite force in children aged 4 to 6 years with and without dental caries. Material and Methods: This cross sectional study was carried out from May 2018 to December 2018. A total of 288 children aged between 4 to 6 years were randomly selected from six different primary schools in Chennai city, India and divided into two groups of 144 children each, based on the presence and absence of caries: Group A children with non-carious dentition and Group B children with carious dentition. Bite force measurement was performed using standardized custom made occlusal force gauge. Statistical analysis used: Data were expressed as the mean ± SD. Student's t­test (two tailed, independent) and ANOVA were used to find the significance of study parameters between the groups. Results: Occlusal bite force of non-carious dentition (367.94 ±33.71N) was higher than the carious dentition (326.73±27.83N) and it was statistically significant (p≤0.01). Overall occlusal bite force of boys (350.44±35.84N) was significantly higher than that of girls (344.22±38.25N). Flush terminal plane molar relationship showed higher occlusal bite force (380.54±27.36N) followed by mesial step (350.82±22.25N) and distal step (310.63±20.82N) molar relationship. Conclusion: Non-carious dentition showed significantly higher bite force than carious dentition in children 4 to 6 years of age. Boys had higher bite force than the girls and flush terminal plane molar relationship showed higher bite force than mesial and distal step molar relationship.

Objetivo: El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar la fuerza de mordida molar máxima en niños y niñas de 4 a 6 años con y sin caries dental. Material y Métodos: Este estudio transversal se llevó a cabo entre mayo de 2018 y diciembre de 2018. Se seleccionó aleatoriamente un total de 288 niños y niñas de entre 4 y 6 años de seis escuelas primarias diferentes en la ciudad de Chennai, India, y se dividieron en dos grupos de 144 niños cada uno según la presencia y ausencia de caries: El grupo A incluye niños con dentición no-cariada y el grupo B incluye niños con dentición cariada. La medición de la fuerza de mordida se realizó utilizando un medidor de fuerza oclusal estandarizado hecho a medida.Análisis estadístico utilizado: Los datos se expresaron como la media ± SD. Se utilizó la prueba t de Student (dos colas, independiente) y ANOVA para encontrar la importancia de los parámetros de estudio entre los grupos. Resultados: La fuerza de mordida oclusal de la dentición no cariada (367,94 ±33,71N) fue mayor que la de la dentición cariada (326,73±27,83N) y fue estadísticamente significativa (p≤0,01). La fuerza de mordida oclusal global de los niños (350,44±35,84N) fue significativamente mayor que la de las niñas (344,22±38,25N). La relación molar en el plano terminal al ras mostró una mayor fuerza de mordida oclusal (380,54 ± 27,36 N), seguida de una relación molar de escalón mesial (350,82 ± 22,25 N) y escalón distal (310,63 ± 20,82N).Conclusión: La dentición no cariada mostró una fuerza de mordida significativamente mayor que la dentición cariada en niños de 4 a 6 años de edad. Los niños tenían una mayor fuerza de mordida que las niñas y la relación molar en el plano terminal mostró una mayor fuerza de mordida que la relación molar escalonada mesial y distal.

Knowledge, attitude, and practice of autotransplantation among the practicing pediatric dentists in Chennai - A questionnaire study.

Background: Autotransplantation is a minor surgical procedure which involves transplantation of teeth within the same oral cavity. For children, autotransplantation may be considered as a provisional measure with good survival probability. It offers a viable biological approach for replacing the missing teeth and also for orthodontic treatments in children. Aim: The aim of this study is to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of autotransplantation among pediatric dentists in Chennai, India. Methods: An 18-item questionnaire was developed, piloted, and distributed among 100 practicing pediatric dentists in Chennai, India. Descriptive statistical analysis was done using Chi-square test. Results: Seventy valid responses from the practicing pediatric dentists were obtained. Among them, 39.7% had an experience of 5-10 years, 47.1% practiced less than 5 years, and 13.2% had experience more than 10 years. Analysis of the responses showed that 76.5% of the pediatric dentists were aware of the procedure but have not observed autotransplantation being done. Among the respondents, 95.6% have not performed this technique and 40.6% of them were not sure of the prognosis. Atraumatic extraction of donor tooth was considered to be a major limitation in autotransplantation by 41.8% of the pediatric dentists. From the responses received, 95.6% were interested in gaining more information with majority opting for more hands on workshops on the technique of autotransplantation. Conclusion: Though most of the respondents were aware of autotransplantation procedure, they have not practiced it due to inadequate training.