Herbal Composite Preparation and Investigating its Efficiency to Inhibit Biofilm Formation and Virulence Factors of Prevotella Intermedia and Porphyromonas Gingivalis - Formulation of Mouthwash Using a Herbal Composite and Evaluating its Anti-microbial Activity.

Herbal composite preparation was studied with the aim of inhibiting the virulence factors of two dental pathogens: Prevotella intermedia and Porphyromonas gingivalis. A novel herbal composite was developed using the herbal extracts of Wrightia tinctoria and Bauhinia variegata. During the study, the following observations were noted. The minimal inhibitory concentration of Wrightia tinctoria and Bauhinia variegata composites (WBc) was obtained for the test concentration of 20 µg/ml (16 ± 0.57 mm and 15 ± 0.75 mm of inhibitory zones against Prevotella intermedia and Porphyromonas gingivalis, respectively). Biofilm inhibition assay results revealed about 0.51 ± 1.25 mg/ml and 0.53 ± 0.57 mg/ml of minimal biofilm eradication concentration (MBEC) against Prevotella intermedia and Porphyromonas gingivalis, respectively. The effect of WBc on lactic acid production showed that 200 µg/ml and 400 µg/ml concentrates reduced up to 80% and 70% in Prevotella intermedia and Porphyromonas gingivalis, respectively. Formulated herbal mouthwash showed good stability under all three different test conditions (5°C, 25°C, and 40°C) as the color, odor, phase separation, and homogeneity were not changed for the period of 3 months. The anti-bacterial activity of formulated mouthwash (30 µg/ml) exhibited maximum inhibitory zones of about 18 ± 0.75 mm and 19 ± 1.05 mm against the respective test bacteria - Prevotella intermedia and Porphyromonas gingivalis. Amplification of mfa1 and clpB genes showed 246 bp and 294 bp fragments of P. gingivalis and 238 bp and 280 bp fragments of P. intermedia during agarose electrophoretic analysis. The docking report revealed -5.84 Kcal/Mol binding energy and found three hydrogen bonding between the quercetin and target protein, mfa1 of Porphyromonas gingivalis. The target protein, clpB of Prevotella intermedia, and quercetin had -6.72 Kcal/Mol binding energy and found four hydrogen bonds between them. The developed composite could be optimized in future to develop a novel and biocompatible herbal mouthwash for the prevention of different dental caries and gingival inflammation associated with dental biofilm formation.

To Evaluate the Efficacy of Topical Propolis in the Management of Symptomatic Oral Lichen Planus: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

INTRODUCTION: Lichen planus (LP) is a chronic inflammatory, autoimmune, mucocutaneous disease of unknown etiology. The first line of treatment for oral LP (OLP) has been corticosteroids, but because of their adverse effects, alternative therapeutic approaches are being carried out, of which the recent natural alternative is propolis. AIM: This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of topical propolis in the management of OLP. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The research group consisted of 27 patients diagnosed with symptomatic OLP, among which 15 patients were in the control group and the rest 12 were in the study group. The patients in the control group received triamcinolone acetonide 0.1% (topical application) while the patients in the study group received propolis gel. Both the groups were evaluated for pain and erythema at baseline (1st visit), first follow-up (7th day), and second follow-up (14th day) using numerical rating scale and modified oral mucositis index. RESULTS: The patients in both the study and control groups showed a statistically significant reduction (P = 0.000 for the study group and P = 0.000 for the control group) in pain and erythema scores from baseline to second follow-up visit. However, on comparison of the reduction in pain and erythema scores between the two groups, the difference was found to be statistically insignificant (P = 0.255). STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Chi-square and Cramer's V test were used. CONCLUSION: The topical propolis was found to be of comparative effectiveness with respect to triamcinolone acetonide 0.1% in the management of OLP.

Assessment of Microleakage in Class II Cavities having Gingival Wall in Cementum using Three Different Posterior Composites.

BACKGROUND: Dental composites are one of the most desired restorative materials today. Composite materials can be bonded successfully to human tooth enamel; however, developing the same degree of adhesion to dentin or cementum is a more challenging task. Polymerization contraction stress of dental composites is often associated with marginal and interfacial failures of bonded restorations. The magnitude of stress depends on composite composition and its ability to flow before gelation, which is related to the cavity configuration and curing characteristics of the composite. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was carried out on 24 extracted human molars and divided into three groups. Class II (slot) cavities were prepared on the mesial and distal surfaces of the teeth with the gingival wall in dentin/cementum, and the microleakage was observed. After preparation the teeth were randomly assigned into three groups of eight specimens each. The cavities were restored with: Group 1: Packable composite (Surefil, Dentsply); Group 2: Hybrid composite (Filtek Z250, 3M Dental Products); Group 3: Nanocomposite (Filtek Z350, 3M Dental Products). Sixteen samples of each group were subjected to 500 cycles of thermocycling between 5°C and 55°C. All the teeth were immersed in methylene blue for 8 h and then left in tap water for 12 h. The teeth were sectioned mesiodistally with a diamond disc, and examined under a stereomicroscope. RESULTS: The analysis indicated that packable composite showed more microleakage than all the other groups. Hybrid composite showed less microleakage than packable composite, but more leakage than nanocomposite. CONCLUSION: All composites under the study exhibited a certain amount of microleakage in the dentin/cementum margin. Packable composite showed the most microleakage and nanocomposite showed least microleakage. Since these results were obtained in vitro, long-term clinical trials are needed to fully understand the performance of these materials.

Staff's attitude regarding hospital waste management in the dental college hospitals of Bangalore city, India.

BACKGROUND: Growing urbanization has led to several changes in the healthcare sector. While on one hand, access to healthcare services are being provided to the community, thereby resulting in better health for all, improper management of biomedical waste emanating from these healthcare establishments has also given rise to many environmental and health problems (Acharya 2003). Although awareness in this issue has increased considerably over the last few years, sensitivity to this problem has been limited. Most hospitals are not actively involved in addressing this problem. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study was conducted to assess the attitude of waste management among staff of dental hospitals in Bangalore city, by issuing a pre-tested structured questionnaire. RESULTS: While 82.6% of attenders said that it is necessary to segregate waste into different categories at the point of origin, 61.5% of auxiliaries strongly disagreed that segregation of waste at source increases the risk of injury to waste handlers. As many as 33.5% of dentists strongly disagreed that segregation of waste at source increases the risk of injury to waste handlers and 53.6% agreed that segregation of waste at source does not increase the risk of injury to waste handlers. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study suggest that the staff had good attitude towards waste management among.