A clinical trial on topical effect of probiotics on oral Streptococcus mutans counts in children.

BACKGROUND: Probiotics compete with the cariogenic oral bacteria like Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) for carbohydrates resulting in substrate depletion and reduction in the number of S. mutans. AIM: The evaluation of topical effect of short-term application of Probiotic formulation on S. mutans counts in plaque of 7-12 years old children with decayed, missing, filled teeth (dmft/DMFT) score 2-5. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A registered randomized clinical trial (Clinical Trials Registry of India/ICMR - CTRI/2019/09/021205) was conducted on 7-12 years medium risk 10 children with dmft/DMFT score 2-5, where an innovative probiotic formulation (prepared from capsule) was applied for 6 consecutive days, on teeth and pre/post plaque samples were evaluated for S. mutans count on mitis salivarius agar. RESULTS: There was statistically significant and drastic reduction from 608,200 to 6600 (>90%) in the S. mutans count in plaque after the application of probiotic solution for a short period of time (6 days). CONCLUSION: Short-term application of probiotics can be used as an alternate topical preventive therapy to reduce the count of S. mutans effectively in oral cavity/plaque. Hence, probiotic can be used as topical caries preventive agent.

Comparative evaluation of antimicrobial effectiveness of probiotic milk and fluoride mouthrinse on salivary Streptococcus mutans counts and plaque scores in children - An in vivo experimental study.

AIM: The aim of the study was to compare the effectiveness of probiotic milk and fluoride mouthwash on salivary Streptococcus mutans (SM) counts and plaque index (PI) scores in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty children of 8-13 years with zero decayed, missing, and filled teeth (dmft)/DMFT were randomly divided into two equal groups of 15 each; baseline saliva samples were collected, and plaque scores were recorded. Group A received probiotic milk and Group B received fluoride mouthwash for 7 days, and then, saliva samples were collected for colony counting, and plaque scores were recorded on the 8th day. STUDY DESIGN: This was a double-blind experimental in vivo study and randomized sample selection. RESULTS: The results showed that there was statistically significant reduction in both salivary SM counts and plaque scores in both the groups after 7 days period. Intergroup comparison showed that there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups (i.e., both groups are equally effective in caries reduction). CONCLUSION: Probiotic milk was as effective as fluoride mouthwash in reducing SM counts and PI scores.

Comparative evaluation of two caries detection systems for detecting the prevalence of early childhood caries: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The early diagnosis of dental caries is very crucial to prevent tooth loss, which leads to serious consequences in preschool children. The aim of this study is to compare the diagnostic outcome by the World Health Organization (WHO) and WHO and early carious lesions (ECLs) (i.e., WHO + ECL) criteria for assessing early childhood caries (ECC) in preschool children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional, comparative study was conducted among 3-5 year old children (n = 358). Clinical examination was conducted using WHO and WHO + ECL criteria. The data were assessed using paired "t" test. P < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. RESULTS: There was statistically significant difference between the mean decayed, missing, or filled teeth recorded by the WHO + ECL and WHO (P < 0.05) method. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that WHO + ECL criteria were significant and more precise in assessing the presence of ECL in preschool children.

Fibrolipoma on a Child's Lip: A Rare Clinical Finding.

Lipoma is very common benign tumor of adipose tissue, but its presence in the oral cavity is rare. Fibrolipoma is a histological variant of lipoma that affects the buccal mucosa and nasal septum in the orofacial region and causes functional and cosmetic issues. However, this lesion has not been reported on the upper lip and may be confused with other soft tissue lesions of children. Hence, accurate histopathological examination of lipomas is important for a correct treatment plan. The purpose of this report is to describe the case of an 11-year-old boy with fibrolipoma of the upper lip.

The Untold Story of Fluoridation: Revisiting the Changing Perspectives.

The discovery of fluoride in dentistry has revolutionized treatment modalities with a new aspect of prevention and conservation of tooth structure coming into foreplay. Since then, there has been a lot of research on both topical and systemic fluoridation in an overzealous attempt to control the most debilitating dental problem of caries. Although topical fluoride is still being widely used as a preventive measure for dental caries, systemic administration of the same has gained major criticism worldwide due to the low margin of safety of fluoride and no control over the amount of individual intake when administered on a community level. This problem is more prevalent in countries with presence of natural fluoride belts that extend from Turkey to China and Japan through Iraq, Iran, and Afghanistan increasing the chances of both dental and skeletal fluorosis and hence increasing the focus toward defluoridation. This historical review highlights the distribution of fluoride worldwide and in India and also discusses about the various claims of the antifluoride lobby.

The effectiveness of pendulum, K-loop, and distal jet distalization techniques in growing children and its effects on anchor unit: A comparative study.

BACKGROUND: A common strategy to correct Class II malocclusions using a nonextraction protocol in children is to move the maxillary molars distally using molar distalization appliances, which usually derive their anchorage from maxillary premolars, causing mesialization of premolars and protrusion of incisors. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the skeletal, dental and soft tissue changes produced by three different distalizing appliances, namely, pendulum, K-loop, and distal jet appliances. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-six children of mean age 14.13 years requiring molar distalization were divided into three groups: Group I (pendulum appliance), Group II (K-loop), and Group III (distal jet). Lateral cephalometric films were taken before and after 5 months of molar distalization and following cephalometric parameters were used to assess the effects of maxillary molar distalization, namely, anteroposterior skeletal (SNA/SNB/ANB), vertical skeletal (face height ratio/Frankfort-mandibular plane [FMA]/angle formed between Maxillary plane & Mandibular plane (MM)), interdental (overjet/overbite), maxillary dentoalveolar, and soft tissue parameters. RESULTS: There was no significant age difference between the three groups. In overall treatment changes among the three groups, the Anteroposterior skeletal changes were not statistically significant, vertically FMA angle increased by 1.79° ± 2.25° and overbite reduced by 2.38 ± 1.83 mm. The maxillary first molars were distalized by an average of 4.70 ± 3.01 mm (Upper 6 [U6] to pterygoid vertical [PTV]). The maxillary central incisor labial tipping increased to an average of 1.61 ± 2.73 mm and cant of upper lip increased by 3.40° ± 5.88° are statistically significant (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: All three distalization techniques in growing children produced significant effects on anchor unit. There was an increase in FMA angle, significant bite opening, proclination of the maxillary incisors and increase in the cant of the upper lip.

Pendulum Therapy of Molar Distalization in Mixed Dentition.

Early and timely pedo-orthodontic treatment is aimed at eliminating the disturbances of skeletal or dentoalveolar development, to harmonize the stomatognathic system before the full eruption of all permanent teeth. The advantages of pendulum appliance are its minimal dependence on patient's compliance (child cooperation), ease of fabrication, onetime activation and adjustment of the springs if necessary to correct minor transverse and vertical molar positions. This article reports a successful treatment method of class II malocclusion with pendulum appliance in mixed dentition phase. Distalization of maxillary molar was done, followed by guidance of canine impaction orthodontically and other dental correction using 0.022 MBT appliances. Posttreatment results were stable and remarkable. How to cite this article: Patil RU, Prakash A, Agarwal A. Pendulum Therapy of Molar Distalization in Mixed Dentition. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2016;9(1):67-73.

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice among Dental Practitioners Pertaining to Preventive Measures in Paediatric Patients.

INTRODUCTION: Prevention at primary level is of great value in Paediatric Dentistry. Since use of preventive measures can prevent future complications, dental professionals share an important responsibility toward early screening, prompt referral and treatment and this knowledge must transfer into the practice of dentistry. AIM: To evaluate Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) among dental practitioners in Bhopal city (central part of India) pertaining to sealants, topical fluorides usage and orthodontic consideration in paediatric patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted using a 20-item self-administered, closed ended, structured questionnaire. A total of 200 available private dental practitioners of Bhopal city made up the sampling frame of study. RESULTS: Out of 200 practicing dentists, 147 participated with response rate of 73.5% in which 69.4% were males and 30.6% were females. A total of 83% dentists were less than 35 years of age, while 17% were equal to or more than 35 years of age. Qualification distribution revealed 67.3% dental graduate and 32.6% dental specialist. A highly significant difference in knowledge in relation to age was observed. The mean±SD were found for Knowledge as 8.46±1.82, Attitude as 2.65±0.780, and Practice as 1.66±1.57. Statistically significant correlations were found between attitude and practice (r=0.58, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Dentists in Bhopal city have vast knowledge towards preventive dentistry. The attitude is highly commendable but underutilized in practice, which needs to be improved.

Permanent Maxillary Canine Agenesis: A Rare Case Report.

Congenitally missing teeth (CMT) are among one of the commonly known dental anomalies. The most frequently missing teeth in the permanent dentition, excluding the third molars, are mandibular second premolars and maxillary lateral incisors. Exclusive agenesis of both maxillary canines is an extremely rare occurrence and only a few cases have been reported. Previous studies showed that the prevalence of maxillary canine agenesis varies between 0.07 and 0.13%. In recent studies on Indian population, no cases of maxillary canine agenesis have been documented. This paper reports a case of non-syndromic bilateral agenesis of permanent maxillary canines, along with agenesis of both mandibular central incisors in a healthy 13-year-old Indian female patient; and a brief literature review on prevalence, etiology and treatment modalities of the condition. How to cite this article: Kambalimath HV, Jain S, Patil RU, Asokan A, Kambalimath D. Permanent Maxillary Canine Agenesis: A Rare Case Report. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2015; 8(3):242-246.

Autologous reattachment of complicated crown fractures using intra canal anchorage: report of two cases.

Crown fractures are most common form of dental trauma sustained by children and adolescents. Major portion of these crown fractures are uncomplicated. Complicated crown fractures though infrequent and account only 4-16%, is an enigma to any clinician. Autologus reattachment of the tooth fragment is a simple and conservative procedure in managing such crown fractures. The present article intends to report the successful clinical management of Autologus tooth fragment reattachment in two complicated crown fractures.