Evaluation of nitrous oxide-oxygen and triclofos sodium as conscious sedative agents.

BACKGROUND: Conscious sedation is used in the pediatric dentistry to reduce fear and anxiety in children and promote favorable treatment outcomes. To achieve them, the primary clinical need is for a well-tolerated, effective, and expedient analgesic and sedative agent that is safe to use. AIM: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of nitrous oxide-oxygen and triclofos sodium as conscious sedative agents in 5-10-year-old children. METHODOLOGY: Sixty children aged 5-10 years showing anxious, uncooperative, and apprehensive behavior were randomly divided and assigned into two groups (Groups A and B) such that Group A received 40% nitrous oxide-60% oxygen and Group B received triclofos sodium in the dose of 70 mg/kg body weight, given 30 min before the treatment procedure. During the whole course of sedation procedure, the response of the child was assessed using Houpt's behavior rating scale. The acceptance of route of drug administration by the patient and parent was also assessed. Data obtained were statistically evaluated using the Mann-Whitney U-test and Chi-square test. RESULTS: Children sedated with triclofos sodium were significantly more drowsy and disoriented compared to those sedated with nitrous oxide. The overall behavior of children in both the groups was similar. Good parental acceptance was observed for both the routes of administration. Patients accepted the oral route significantly better than inhalation route. CONCLUSION: Both nitrous oxide-oxygen and triclofos sodium were observed to be effective sedative agents, for successful and safe use in 5-10-year-old dental patients. Patients showed a good acceptance of the oral route compared to the inhalation route for sedation.

Knowledge, attitude, and practice of pediatricians regarding pediatric liquid medicaments.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of pediatricians regarding pediatric liquid medicaments (PLMs) and its effect on dental health. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A convenience sample of 103 pediatricians was asked to answer a questionnaire. RESULTS: A total number of 87 pediatricians completed the questionnaires. They considered age and body weight of the child (58%), cost of the medicine (40%), and pharmaceutical company (37%) to be relevant while prescribing. Eighty-eight percent of pediatricians knew that the PLM was sweet in nature. Sixty-seven percent of pediatricians stated that pH of PLM is responsible for deleterious effect on teeth. Seventy-two percent of pediatricians were aware of hidden sugars present in PLM. Only 48% of pediatricians were aware of availability of sugar-free medicine. Seventy percent of pediatricians were of the opinion that sugar-free medicine is not as sweet as sugar-containing medicines and is more expensive (65%). CONCLUSION: Knowledge, attitude, and practice of pediatricians regarding PLMs and its effect on dental health were not satisfactory.

Does Addition of Propolis to Glass Ionomer Cement Alter its Physicomechanical Properties? An In Vitro Study.

Propolis is a natural resinous substance produced by honey bees. The antimicrobial effects of glass ionomer cement have been shown to improve with the addition of propolis; however its effect on the physicomechanical properties of the cement is not known. AIM: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the compressive strength and solubility of conventional restorative glass ionomer cement following the addition of propolis. STUDY DESIGN: Twenty half cylindrical samples were prepared with conventional restorative glass ionomer cement formed the control group. Another twenty samples were prepared with propolis added to conventional restorative glass ionomer cement formed the experimental group. The compressive strength was assessed using universal testing machine. To assess solubility, the samples were immersed in deionised water at room temperature, for 7 days. The solubility was measured as a difference in the weight of the sample; prior to immersion and following immersion at the end of each day. RESULTS: The control group had a significantly higher mean compressive strength of 146.26 Mpa as compared to the experimental group (135.06 Mpa). The solubility between the groups was significant. CONCLUSION: In comparison to the control group, incorporation of propolis to conventional restorative glass ionomer cement decreased the compressive strength significantly. The solubility of the cement in the experimental group increased significantly over 7day period as compared to the control group.

Does Addition of Propolis to Glass Ionomer Cement Alter its Physicomechanical Properties? An in Vitro Study.

UNLABELLED: Propolis is a natural resinous substance produced by honey bees. The antimicrobial effects of glass ionomer cement have been shown to improve with the addition of propolis; however its effect on the physicomechanical properties of the cement is not known. AIM: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the compressive strength and solubility of conventional restorative glass ionomer cement following the addition of propolis. STUDY DESIGN: Twenty half cylindrical samples were prepared with conventional restorative glass ionomer cement formed the control group. Another twenty samples were prepared with propolis added to conventional restorative glass ionomer cement formed the experimental group. The compressive strength was assessed using universal testing machine. To assess solubility, the samples were immersed in deionised water at room temperature, for 7 days. The solubility was measured as a difference in the weight of the sample; prior to immersion and following immersion at the end of each day. RESULTS: The control group had a significantly higher mean compressive strength of 146.26 Mpa as compared to the experimental group (135.06 Mpa). The solubility between the groups was significant. CONCLUSION: In comparison to the control group, incorporation of propolis to conventional restorative glass ionomer cement decreased the compressive strength significantly. The solubility of the cement in the experimental group increased significantly over 7day period as compared to the control group.

Effect of Restoring Carious Teeth on Occlusal Bite Force in Children.

BACKGROUND: Bite force is one of the components of masticatory function. Poor dental health impacts on quality of life as a whole due to a number of different elements, dental caries being one of them. Functional impairment is a negative sequel of caries. AIM: to assess the impact of comprehensive dental treatment on occlusal bite forces in children. STUDY DESIGN: The sample comprised of forty children of both genders, aged 6-9 years, with dental caries in primary molars. Occlusal bite force was recorded using a hydraulic occlusal force gauge, in the region of primary molars before and following the restorations in primary molars. The obtained data was subjected to statistical analysis. RESULTS: Children with caries in all quadrants showed a significant increase in mean maximum bite force following restoration of their decayed teeth. In children with unilateral caries, either on right or left sides, a similar increase in occlusal bite force was seen in relation to the teeth that were restored. The contralateral sound teeth in these groups also showed an improvement in bite force. CONCLUSION: The mean occlusal bite force was seen to increase significantly following dental restoration of primary teeth.

Effectiveness of Rotary Endodontic Instruments on Smear Layer Removal in Root Canals of Primary Teeth: A Scanning Electron Microscopy Study.

AIM: The present SEM study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of root canal instrumentation using both manual and rotary files in the root canals of primary anterior teeth. STUDY DESIGN: Thirty freshly extracted primary maxillary incisors were divided into 3 groups of 10 teeth each. In Group I, root canals were instrumented with rotary NiTi files; in Group II, the root canals were instrumented using manual NiTi K files and; in Group III, manual instrumentation was done with stainless steel K files. Longitudinal sections were prepared and processed for observation under SEM at the coronal, middle and apical thirds. Scoring of smear layer was done according to Hulsmann and the data obtained was subjected to statistical analysis. RESULTS: Rotary files cleaned the coronal and middle thirds of root canals more effectively. Statistically there was no significant difference between the groups. Lowest score of 2.6 in the apical third of root canals was seen with hand NiTi files. CONCLUSION: Rotary instrumentation was as effective as manual instrumentation in removal of smear layer in the root canals of primary anterior teeth.

Evaluation of Solubility and Microleakage of Glass Carbomer Sealant.

AIM: This study was carried out to evaluate and compare solubility and microleakage of the newly introduced moisture tolerant glass carbomer sealant. STUDY DESIGN: For evaluation of solubility, 20 specimens of glass carbomer and conventional glass ionomer were prepared and immersed in artificial saliva of pH 4 and 6 for seven days. The difference between initial and final weight was calculated. For evaluation of microleakage, glass carbomer was compared with a conventional resin sealant. 20 premolar teeth indicated for orthodontic extraction were collected and divided into two groups and the respective sealants were applied. It was subjected to thermocycling and then kept immersed in methylene blue for 24 hours. Dye penetration was scored. RESULTS: The glass carbomer specimens were less soluble than the conventional glass ionomer at both pH values. There was no significant difference in the microleakage. CONCLUSION: Being moisture resistant, glass carbomer can be used as an alternative fissure sealant material; especially in young children with partially erupted teeth and where obtaining moisture control is difficult.

Levels of Salivary Immunoglobulin A (SIgA) in HIV Infected Children.

UNLABELLED: Secretory IgA is the main type of immunoglobulin in saliva and is considered to be the main secretion factor of adaptive immunity in the mouth. OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of Anti Retroviral Therapy on SIgA levels in saliva of HIV infected children. STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional sample of 50 HIV infected children aged 6-8 years were divided into 2 groups ; Group 1: children prior to onset of anti-retroviral therapy and Group 2: children undergoing anti-retroviral therapy. Stimulated whole saliva samples were collected from each child following I hour of breakfast. The samples were placed on ice packs and immediately transferred to a laboratory, processed and total SIgA quantification was estimated using ELISA. Data obtained was statistically analyzed. RESULTS: Among HIV infected children, significantly low SIgA levels of 6.2 mg/dl was seen in children prior to ART. CONCLUSION: Salivary IgA levels were significantly low in HIV infected children, particularly in children prior to ART.

Evaluation of penetration depth of a commercially available resin infiltrate into artificially created enamel lesions: An in vitro study.

BACKGROUND: Early enamel lesions have a potential to re-mineralize and prevent caries progress. AIM: The aim of the following study is to determine the depth of penetration of low viscosity resin into artificially created enamel lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A sample of 20 sound premolars, indicated for orthodontic extraction, formed the study group. The teeth were coated with a nail varnish, leaving a window of 4 mm × 4 mm, on buccal surfaces of sound, intact enamel. Each tooth was subsequently immersed in demineralizing solution for 4 days to produce artificial enamel lesions. The demineralized area was then infiltrated with low viscosity resin (Icon Infiltrant, DMG, Hamburg, Germany) as per the manufacturer's instructions. All the restored teeth were then immersed in methylene blue dye for 24 h at 37°C. Teeth were then sectioned longitudinally through the lesion into two halves. The sections were observed under stereomicroscope at ×80 magnification and depth of penetration of the material was measured quantitatively using Motic software. RESULTS: The maximum depth of penetration of the resin material was 6.06 ± 3.31 µm. CONCLUSIONS: Resin infiltration technique appears to be effective in sealing enamel lesions and has great potential for arresting white spot lesions.

Dental home: Patient centered dentistry.

Early childhood dental caries occurs in all racial and socioeconomic groups; however, it tends to be more prevalent in children in families belonging to the low-income group, where it is seen in epidemic proportions. Dental caries results from an overgrowth of specific organisms that are a part of normally occurring human flora. Human dental flora is site specific, and an infant is not colonized until the eruption of the primary dentition at approximately 6 to 30 months of age. The most likely source of inoculation of an infant's dental flora is the mother, or another intimate care provider, shared utensils, etc. Decreasing the level of cariogenic organisms in the mother's dental flora at the time of colonization can significantly impact the child's redisposition to caries. To prevent caries in children, high-risk individuals must be identified at an early age (preferably high-risk mothers during prenatal care), and aggressive strategies should be adopted, including anticipatory guidance, behavior modifications (oral hygiene and feeding practices), and establishment of a dental home by 1 year of age for children deemed at risk.

Oral rehydration salt-liquid as an alternative storage medium--a preliminary study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of Oral Rehydration Salt-Liquid (ORS-L) in the maintenance of the viability of Periodontal ligament cells (PDL). MATERIALS AND METHOD: Twenty freshly extracted teeth were used for this study. They were then randomly divided into 3 groups: Positive control group--5 teeth which were immediately subjected to collagenase assay, without immersing in ORS-L; Negative control group--5 teeth with an extra oral dry time of 24 hours, followed by subjecting to collagense assay without immersing in ORS-L and Test group (ORS-L)--10 teeth with an extra oral dry period of 30 minutes, followed by immersion in ORS-L for a period of 45 minutes and then subjected to collagenase assay. The mean number of viable PDL cells were counted on a hemocytometer under 20X magnification. RESULTS: The mean number of viable PDL cells was highest in the positive control group. In comparison to the negative control group, the test group showed a higher number of viable PDL cells. CONCLUSION: The study found that ORS-L was an effective solution in maintaining the viability of PDL cells.