Comparative evaluation of antimicrobial effect of herbal root canal irrigants (Morinda citrifolia, Azadirachta indica, Aloe vera) with sodium hypochlorite: An in vitro study.

AIM AND OBJECTIVES: Successful root canal treatment involves the complete elimination of microorganism from the root canal and the three-dimensional obturation of the canal space. Enterococcus faecalis is the most commonly found bacteria in failed root canal. Chemical irrigation of canals along with biomechanical preparation helps in the elimination of microorganisms. The present study was aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial effect of herbal root canal irrigants (Morinda citrifolia, Azadirachta indica extract, Aloe vera) with sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The bacterial E. faecalis (ATCC) culture was grown overnight in brain heart infusion (BHI) broth and inoculated in Mueller-Hinton agar plates. Antibacterial inhibition was assessed using agar well diffusion method. All five study irrigants were added to respective wells in agar plates and incubated at 37°C for 24 h. Bacterial inhibition zone around each well was recorded. Results were tabulated and statistically analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software for Windows, version 19.0. (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY. RESULTS: Highest inhibitory zone against E. faecalis was seen in NaOCl fallowed by M. citrifolia and A. indica extract, and the least by A. vera extract. CONCLUSION: Tested herbal medicine (A. indica extract, M. citrifolia, A. vera) showed inhibitory zone against E. faecalis. Hence, these irrigants can be used as root canal irrigating solutions.

In-vitro Evaluation of Fracture Strength Recovery of Reattached Anterior Fractured Tooth Fragment Using Different Re-Attachment Techniques.

BACKGROUND: Traumatic injuries caused to anterior teeth are most common. Emergency management of fractured fragments is necessary, for preserving their vitalities and for retaining aesthetics in an economical way. Various methods are available for restoring fractured, uncomplicated teeth, such as reattachment of fractured fragments, composite restoration. But only limited data is available on evaluation of the strength of reattached fractured fragments. Hence, the present study was designed. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to evaluate the fracture strength recovery of re-attached anterior fractured tooth fragment by using different re-attachment techniques. METHODOLOGY: Forty human upper central incisions were used in this study. The roots of the teeth were confined in a special device (holder) and adapted in a Universal Testing Machine. Load was applied to each tooth in bucco-lingual direction, by using a small stainless steel ball. The force which was required to fracture the tooth was recorded. Both the fragment and remaining fractured tooth was restored by using four reattachment techniques - simple reattachment, external chamfer, over contour and internal dentinal groove. Specimens were loaded in same pre-determined area which was used in procedure to obtain fragments. The force required to detach each fragment was recorded and it was correlated with the fracture strength of an intact tooth and that which was obtained after doing restorative procedures for all groups i.e. fracture strength recovery. RESULTS: Technique I (simple reattachment) and Technique 2 (external chamfer) showed fracture strength recoveries of 44.3% and 60.6% respectively. However, these values were lower than those which were obtained by usingTechnique 3 (Over contour) -86.8% and Technique 4 (internal dentinal groove) -89.5%. CONCLUSION: Over contour and internal dentinal groove reattachment is a preferred technique as compared to the other reattachment techniques which were tested.

Knowledge and attitude about computer and internet usage among dental students in Western Rajasthan, India.

BACKGROUND: Internet is a useful tool to update the knowledge. The aim of the present study was to assess the current level of knowledge on the computer and internet among under graduate dental students. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study consists of self-administered close ended questionnaire survey. Questionnaires were distributed to undergraduate dental students. The study was conducted during July to September 2012. RESULTS: In the selected samples, response rate was 100%. Most (94.4%) of the students had computer knowledge and 77.4% had their own computer and access at home. Nearly 40.8% of students use computer for general purpose, 28.5% for entertainment and 22.8% used for research purpose. Most of the students had internet knowledge (92.9%) and they used it independently (79.1%). Nearly 42.1% used internet occasionally whereas, 34.4% used regularly, 21.7% rarely and 1.8% don't use respectively. Internet was preferred for getting information (48.8%) due to easy accessibility and recent updates. For dental purpose students used internet 2-3 times/week (45.3%). Most (95.3%) of the students responded to have computer based learning program in the curriculum. CONCLUSION: Computer knowledge was observed to be good among dental students.

Deletion of short arm of chromosome 18, Del(18p) syndrome.

Deletion of the short arm of chromosome 18 is a rare syndrome clinically presenting with variable mental retardation, growth retardation, low height, pectus excavatum, craniofacial malformations including long ear, ptosis, microcephaly and short neck. This case report presents with characteristic features along with rare feature of single nostril.