Plaque removal efficacy of Colgate 360 toothbrush: A clinical study.

AIM: The aim of this clinical study was to confirm the plaque removal efficacy of the Colgate 360 Whole Mouth Clean Toothbrush. STUDY DESIGN: This was a single-center, monadic, case-controlled study with the 7 days duration. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of eighty participants (56 male and 24 female) aged between 18 and 45 years with a minimum of 20 permanent teeth (excluding the third molars) without any prosthetic crowns and an initial plaque score of minimum 1.5 as determined by Modified Quigley-Hein Plaque Index (1970) participated in the study. There were two dropouts during the study duration, one male and one female. The participants were instructed to brush for 1 min, after which plaque index was recorded again. They were then instructed to brush their teeth twice a day for 1 min with the assigned toothbrush (Colgate 360 Whole Mouth Clean Toothbrush) and a commercially available fluoride toothpaste for the next 7 days. On the 7(th) day, all the participants were recalled for follow-up and plaque examination. The plaque index scores (pre- and post-brushing) were recorded, tabulated, and analyzed statistically. RESULTS: The mean plaque indices reduced after brushing both on day 1 and day 7. There was also a reduction in mean plaque indices from day 1 to day 7. All these reductions were statistically significant (P < 0.001). The reduction in plaque scores was independent of the gender of the participants however female participants showed lower scores as compared to male participants (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrated a significant reduction in plaque scores with the use of Colgate 360 Whole Mouth Clean Soft Toothbrush throughout the study period. Continued use resulted in a further significant reduction in plaque scores irrespective of the gender of participants.

Clinical and radiographic assessment of mineral trioxide aggregate and calcium hydroxide as apexification agents in traumatized young permanent anterior teeth: A comparative study.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate and compare the efficacy of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) and traditionally used calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) in inducing root end formation of immature roots of traumatized young permanent anterior teeth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was carried out on 22 nonvital, immature permanent maxillary incisors. Samples were allotted into two groups - Group I MTA and Group II Ca(OH)2 Success rate was determined based upon the time duration required for apical barrier formation. The canals were obturated using gutta-percha points in MTA group, after 24 h, whereas in Ca(OH)2 group, obturation was carried out after radiographic confirmation of the apical barrier. The clinical and radiographic evaluation was carried out at a follow-up periods of 3, 6, and 9 months and statistical analysis was carried out by SPSS version 15.0 statistical analysis software (Chi-square test and fisher exact test). RESULTS: In MTA Group, barrier formation was observed in 90.90% of the patients after 9 months whereas in Ca(OH)2 Group, the same was observed in 81.81%. The mean time required for barrier formation in MTA group was 4.90 months and 5.33 months in Ca(OH)2 group. CONCLUSION: MTA and Ca(OH)2, as medicaments for apexification, were comparable in terms of the evaluation parameters. However, MTA was beneficial in terms of immediate obturation of immature roots with wide open apices.

Effect of dentifrices on their remineralizing potential in artificial carious lesions: An in situ study.

BACKGROUND: The eventual sequel of dental caries is determined by the dynamic equilibrium between pathological factors which lead to demineralization and protective elements, which in turn leads to remineralization. Remineralization is the natural process for noncavitated demineralized lesions and relies on calcium and phosphate ions assisted by fluoride to rebuild a new surface on existing crystal remnants in subsurface lesions remaining after demineralization. Hence, the present study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of fluoride dentifrices in remineralizing artificial caries-like lesions in situ. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A double-blind, randomized study with an initial washout period of 7 days was carried out for 3 weeks. Twenty volunteers were enrolled, who wore the intraoral cariogenicity test appliance having enamel slabs incorporated into them, for 3 weeks. 10 participants were instructed to use Group A dentifrice (fluoride) and the other 10 Group B dentifrice (nonfluoride) for brushing their teeth. The enamel slabs were analyzed by surface microhardness testing and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) at 3 intervals. RESULTS: No significant differences was seen in the microhardness values recorded for Group A and Group B at baseline and after demineralization (P > 0.05); however Group B exhibited lesser microhardness compared to Group A, after intra-oral exposure (P < 0.05). In the SEM analysis, the Group A enamel surfaces had more regular and longer crystallites to those of the Group B. CONCLUSION: Fluoride dentifrices avert the decrease in enamel hardness and loss of minerals from the enamel surface to a large extent as compared to the nonfluoride dentifrices.

Insight into thermophiles and their wide-spectrum applications.

The deconstruction of biomass is a pivotal process for the manufacture of target products using microbial cells and their enzymes. But the enzymes that possess a significant role in the breakdown of biomass remain relatively unexplored. Thermophilic microorganisms are of special interest as a source of novel thermostable enzymes. Many thermophilic microorganisms possess properties suitable for biotechnological and commercial use. There is, indeed, a considerable demand for a new generation of stable enzymes that are able to withstand severe conditions in industrial processes by replacing or supplementing traditional chemical processes. This manuscript reviews the pertinent role of thermophilic microorganisms as a source for production of thermostable enzymes, factors afftecting them, recent patents on thermophiles and moreso their wide spectrum applications for commercial and biotechnological use.

Effectiveness of supervised toothbrushing and oral health education in improving oral hygiene status and practices of urban and rural school children: A comparative study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and compare the oral health status and the impact of supervised toothbrushing and oral health education among school children of urban and rural areas of Maharashtra, India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 200 school children in the age group 12-15 years were selected by stratified random sampling technique from two schools and were further divided into two groups: Group A (urban school) and Group B (rural school). Both the groups were again subdivided into control group and study group. Supervised toothbrushing was recommended for both the groups. The toothbrushing teaching program included session on oral health education, individual toothbrushing instructions, and supervised toothbrushing. Dental caries increment, plaque scores, and gingival status were assessed as per the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria (1997), Turesky-Gilmore-Glickman modification of the Quigley Hein Plaque Index, and Loe-Silness Gingival Index (1963), respectively. Cronbach's alpha, Chi-square test, paired t-test, and unpaired t-test were utilized for data analysis. RESULTS: The mean plaque and gingival score reduction was significantly higher in the study groups as compared to the control groups. An increase in the mean of Decayed, missing, filled teeth (DMFT) and Decayed, missing, filled teeth and surfaces (DMFS) scores throughout the study period was seen in children who participated in study. CONCLUSION: Oral health education was effective in establishing good oral health habits among school children and also in enhancing the knowledge of their parents about good oral health.

A study of occurrence of malocclusion in 12 and 15 year age group of children in rural and backward areas of haryana, india.

OBJECTIVES: OBJECTIVES of the study were to determine the severity of malocclusion, orthodontic treatment needs and variation in malocclusion with respect to age and sex (gender) in 12 and 15 years age-group children in rural and backward areas of Haryana, India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A sample of 1322 school children (12 and 15 years of age) was selected randomly. Severity of malocclusion and orthodontic treatment needs were assessed according to dental aesthetic index (DAI) criteria (WHO). All the 10 components of DAI were assessed. Clinical examination was performed by single examiner. The data for each child was coded and analyzed by Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 13, Chi Square and Student t-tests. RESULTS: 23.6% of the subjects had dental anomaly, ranging from mild to severe. Percentage of medium, high, and very high treatment needs in children was 15.1, 4.9, and 3.6% respectively. CONCLUSION: 76.4% children had little or no malocclusion and 23.6% children were in need of treatment which reveals that the influence of civilization has reached rural and backward areas.