Biological approach in repair of partially inflamed dental pulp using second-generation platelet-rich fibrin and mineral trioxide aggregate as a pulp medicament in primary molars.

AIM: The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare clinically and radiographically PRF, MTA and Ca(OH)2 as a pulp dressing material in primary molars. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was conducted on 30 children between 6-9 years of age. Pulpotomy was performed using MTA(Gp I), PRF + MTA(Gp II) and PRF +Ca(OH)2(Group III). The teeth were evaluated clinically and radiographically after 1,3 and 6 months and were subjected to statistics analysis. RESULTS: After 6 months follow-up the overall success rate was found to be highest in Gp I with success rate of 97% followed by Gp II 95% and Gp III 78.3%. The results were found to be statistically insignificant (P ≤ 0.05). CONCLUSION: All materials used in the present study were equally effective as the success rates are statistically insignificant.

Predicting the mesiodistal width of unerupted canine and premolars by using width of the permanent mandibular incisors and first molar in the Himachal population.

INTRODUCTION: The determination of tooth size to arch length discrepancy in mixed dentition requires an accurate prediction of mesiodistal width of unerupted permanent teeth. Presently available methods use only the mesiodistal width of mandibular incisors. Melgaco (2007) introduced a new method of estimating width of unerupted canine and premolars by using mesiodistal width of incisors and first permanent molar. AIM: The aim of this study is to determine linear regression equation for estimating the widths of mandibular permanent canines and premolars using mesiodistal width of mandibular incisors and first molars in the Himachal population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Dental casts of 250 subjects were selected from the Himachal population who had fully erupted mandibular permanent incisors, canine, premolar, and first molar. Actual mesiodistal width of all fully erupted teeth were measured with digital vernier caliper and the values obtained were subjected to statistical and regression analysis. RESULTS: High values of correlation (0.957) were found while considering Melgaco's method. CONCLUSION: From this study, it can be evaluated that Melgaco's method gives better prediction of unerupted permanent canines and premolars, and the equation Y = 13.48 + 0.614X can be suggested for the present population.

Radon levels in drinking water and soil samples of Jodhpur and Nagaur districts of Rajasthan, India.

Radon causes lung cancer when it is trapped inside the lungs. Therefore it is very important to analyze the radon concentration in water and soil samples. In the present investigation, water and soil samples collected from 20 different locations of Jodhpur and Nagaur districts of Northern Rajasthan, India have been studied by using RAD7. The measured radon concentration in water samples varies from 0.5 to 15Bql(-1). The observed values lie within the safe limit as set by UNSCEAR, 2008. The total annual effective dose due to radon in water corresponding to all studied locations has been found to be well within the safe limit of 0.1mSvy(-1) as recommended by World Health Organization (WHO, 2004) and European Council (EU, 1998). The measurements carried out on radon concentration in soil samples reveal a variation from 1750 to 9850Bqm(-3). These results explore that the water of Jodhpur and Nagaur districts is suitable for drinking purpose without posing any health hazard but soil hazards depend upon its permeability and radon concentration.

Comparative evaluation of the antibacterial and physical properties of conventional glass ionomer cement containing chlorhexidine and antibiotics.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy and compressive strength of conventional glass ionomer cement (GIC) containing chlorhexidine and antibiotics at varying concentrations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Chlorhexidine diacetate and antibiotics (ciprofloxacin, metronidazole, and minocycline) were incorporated into GIC Fuji IX at 1.5% and 3% w/w ratio to form the experimental groups. The experimental GIC specimens were placed on brain heart infusion agar plates inoculated with Streptococcus mutans, and the area of inhibition was measured after 48 h. The 24-h compressive strength of the set specimens was evaluated using a Universal Testing Machine. RESULTS: The control group demonstrated no zone of inhibition. All experimental groups showed inhibition against S. mutans (P < 0.05), with larger zones of inhibition found in the higher concentration groups. Compressive strength at the end of 24 h decreased in the experimental groups as compared to the control group (P < 0.05), but no difference was found between the experimental groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrated that experimental GICs containing chlorhexidine diacetate and antibiotics were effective in inhibiting S. mutans, and incorporation of 1.5% ABX was optimal to give the appropriate antibacterial and physical properties.

Assessment of natural radionuclides in the soil samples from Marwar region of Rajasthan, India.

In the present investigation, (226)Ra, (232)Th and (40)K analysis has been carried out in the soil samples collected from different locations of Jodhpur and Nagaur districts of Northern Rajasthan, India using gamma ray spectroscopy. The measured activity concentration ranges from 13±8 to 36±9 Bq kg(-1), 40±9 to 71±11 Bq kg(-1) and 294±125 to 781±159 Bq kg(-1) with the mean value of 24±9 Bq kg(-1), 55±11 Bq kg(-1)and 549±141 Bq kg(-1) for (226)Ra, (232)Th and (40)K, respectively. The radium equivalent activity of all the soil samples ranges from 114 to 157 Bq kg(-1) with an average value of 141Bqkg(-1), which is lower than the safe limit 370 Bq kg(-1) as set by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. The total absorbed dose of all the investigated samples varies from 56 to 77 nGy h(-1) with an average value of 68 nGy h(-1). The overall annual effective dose ranges from 0.34 to 0.47 mSv with the average value of 0.41 mSv. The corresponding values of external and internal hazard index of all the soil samples ranges from 0.32 to 0.43 and 0.37 to 0.53 with an average value of 0.39 and 0.45 respectively. It was observed that the soil of Jodhpur and Nagaur districts is suitable for construction purpose without posing any health hazard.