Prebiotics-A Primeval Measure to Combat Dental Caries: A Short-term Clinical Study.

Background: Prevention of dental caries is paramount in reducing the global burden of the disease. The consumption of probiotics as a prophylactic and therapeutic agent for dental caries, has certain limitations. Prebiotics are nondigestible food ingredients, that enhance the growth and activity of probiotic microorganism, thereby help in the establishment of a healthy oral environment. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the effect of prebiotics, probiotics, and synbiotics on the salivary Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) counts and salivary IgA concentrations. Methodology: Children of age-group 6-9 years with DMFT score of 5 and above were divided into three groups of 10 each: Group 1 (prebiotics), Group 2 (probiotics), and Group 3 (synbiotics). The functional food therapy was done for a period of 1 month twice daily. The S. mutans count and IgA concentrations were assessed pre- and postintervention. The obtained results were subjected to statistical analysis. Results: A statistically significant reduction of S. mutans was seen in all three groups after 1 month. However, no statistically significant difference was noted between the groups. Conclusion: Prebitoics can serve as an unfortified and natural means of combating dental caries. How to cite this article: Konde S, Ravindran S, Agarwal M, et al. Prebiotics-A Primeval Measure to Combat Dental Caries: A Short-term Clinical Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2022;15(S-2):S234-S238.

Comparative Evaluation of Efficacy of Hypnosis, Acupressure and Audiovisual Aids in Reducing the Anxiety of Children during Administration of Local Anesthesia.

Aim: The present study aimed to assess and compare the efficacy of acupressure, hypnosis and audiovisual aids in reducing anxiety in children during the administration of local anesthesia (LA). Methodology: Two hundred apparently healthy children were selected randomly between 6 and 10 years of age and were divided into 4 groups with 50 children in each group. Group I: children were subjected to hypnosis, group II: acupressure, group III: AV aids i.e., VPT, and group IV: children were the control group where no anxiety-reducing techniques were used during administration of LA. The anxiety scores were recorded at three different time intervals by recording the pulse rate (PR), respiratory rate (RR) and anxiety rate (AR) and subjected to statistical analysis. Results: The results showed that, all the three distraction techniques showed a significant reduction in PR, RR and AR at all time intervals, when compared to the control group. A significant reduction in PR, RR and AR was seen in the hypnosis group when compared to acupressure and only PR in comparison to AV aids. There was no significant difference between group II and III in reducing anxiety. Conclusion: The present study indicates that all the three distraction techniques were effective in reducing anxiety in children. Hypnosis was most promising, followed by audiovisual aids and acupressure. Clinical significance: The techniques can be utilized in a day-to-day practice to manage patients with anxiety. How to cite this article: Erappa U, Konde S, Agarwal M, et al. Comparative Evaluation of Efficacy of Hypnosis, Acupressure and Audiovisual Aids in Reducing the Anxiety of Children during Administration of Local Anesthesia. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2021;14(S-2):S186-S192.

"Thaumaturgy"- A Novel Behavior-shaping Technique.

AIM: To compare and evaluate the effectiveness of thaumaturgy in alleviation of anxiety in children aged 2-13 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred and forty children aged 2-13 years, identified as manifesting strong-willed behavior were selected for this study. The children were randomly assigned to be managed by one of the three thaumaturgic distraction techniques. Anxiety was assessed before and after the local anesthetic procedure using the anxiety facial scale. RESULTS: There was a significant decrease in anxiety with the use of thaumaturgic techniques. Thumb and light trick significantly reduced anxiety in children aged 2-7 years, book trick reduced anxiety in children aged 7-11 years, and item tricks in children aged 11-13 years. CONCLUSION: The use of thaumaturgy plays an important role in shaping the behavior of a child in pediatric dentistry. The age and cognitive development of child dictates the technique to be used. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Thaumaturgy helps to render effective dental treatment in uncooperative children and instill a positive attitude. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Konde S, Sumaiyya S, Agarwal M, et al. "Thaumaturgy"-A Novel Behavior-shaping Technique. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2020;13(4):318-321.

Volumetric Analysis of Root Canal Filling in Deciduous Teeth after Using Different Canal-Drying Methods: An In-vitro Study.

BACKGROUND: Drying the root canals in pulp therapy is often ignored, but is essential for a successful clinical outcome. The conventional method used for drying root canals is by the use of paper points, but recently, various other methods have also been employed for this purpose. AIM: The purpose of this study was to volumetrically analyze root canal fillings in deciduous teeth, after using different canal-drying methods namely 95% ethanol, CANAL CLEAN (Cerkamed Medical Company), and Endo-Aspirator (Cerkamed Medical Company), and compare with the conventional paper point drying method. METHODOLOGY: Access cavities were prepared on eighty extracted primary canines, and irrigation was done with 1% sodium hypochlorite and normal saline while enlarging the canals. The specimens were then scanned using a cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), and preobturation volume (X) of each tooth was measured. The teeth were then randomly divided into two groups - Group 1 - Zinc oxide eugenol (ZOE) group and Group 2 - Metapex group. Each group was further divided randomly into four subgroups based on the drying agent used - Subgroup A - Control group, Subgroup B - 95% ethanol group, Subgroup C - CANAL CLEAN group, and Subgroup D - Endo-Aspirator group. After obturation, a second CBCT was taken to measure the postobturation volume (Y). The percentage of obturated volume was calculated by the following formula: (postobturation volume/preobturation volume) ×100 ([Y/X] ×100). STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The obtained data were tabulated and subjected to statistical analysis using one-way ANOVA test and unpaired t-test. RESULTS: A significantly high postobturation volume was seen after using 95% ethanol followed by CANAL CLEAN, Endo-Aspirator, and paper points. On comparing the obturation volumes within Metapex and ZOE groups, Metapex group had significantly high obturation volumes irrespective of the drying method used. CONCLUSION: 95% ethanol is the best intracanal drying agent as it provides optimum pupal obturation.

Unrevealed Caries in Unerupted Teeth: A Prevalence Study.

BACKGROUND: Preeruptive caries are an abnormal, well-circumscribed, radiolucent area, occurring within the coronal dentinal tissue close to the dentinoenamel junction of unerupted teeth. OPGs are commonly taken in children for assessing the dental age and eruption sequence. It can be used as a good diagnostic source for detection of PEIR defects. AIM: The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of Preeruptive intracoronal dentin radiolucencies in unerupted permanent teeth from orthopantomogram. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A total of 1000 standard orthopantomographs of children below 12 years of age were collected and examined. METHODOLOGY: The OPGs were examined for PIER defects in the unerupted teeth. The prevalence of PEIR defects was assessed with respect to age, sex, tooth, and the arch involved. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The data obtained were tabulated and analyzed. The prevalence was calculated in percentage. RESULTS: The participant prevalence was 13.6%. The teeth prevalence was 1.20%. The majority (38.9%) of defects were seen in the in the mandibular first premolar. Almost half of the lesions were located on the mesial side (52.3%), with a size less than one-third of dentine thickness (53%). CONCLUSION: PIER defects constitutes an important part of anomalies associated with unerupted teeth and thus needs a proper understanding of its prevalence, etiology, manifestations, and complications. These defects are usually overlooked by clinicians while interpreting radiographs; however, it is of utmost importance to promptly diagnose these defects thus preventing further complications.

Antibiotic overusage and resistance: A cross-sectional survey among pediatric dentists.

INTRODUCTION: Most human orofacial infections originate from odontogenic infections and prescribing antibiotics has become a ubiquitous phenomenon. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recognized the inappropriate, indiscriminate, and irrational use of antibiotics leading to antibiotic resistance as a global problem. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this survey is to compare the antibiotic prescription pattern and the awareness of antibiotic resistance among Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) practitioners and pediatric dentists. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A hundred BDS practitioners and 100 pediatric dentists included in the study were given a questionnaire containing both open-ended and closed-ended questions. The questionnaire comprised information pertaining to antibiotic prescription for most common oral conditions, commonly prescribed antibiotics, their dosage, etc. RESULTS: The majority of the practitioners prescribed antibiotics for managing oral diseases. On comparing the prescription patterns between the BDS practitioners and pediatric dentists, there was an overprescription in the BDS group for many conditions, which was statistically significant. Amoxicillin was the most commonly prescribed drug in both the groups. In the presence of an anaerobic infection, the most preferred drug was a combination of amoxicillin and clavulanic acid with metronidazole. With regard to the duration of antibiotic prescription, 74% BDS practitioners prescribed antibiotics as a 3-day course and 60% pediatric dentists resorted to a 5-day course, which was statistically significant. The awareness regarding antibiotic prophylaxis and antibiotic resistance was found to be adequate in both the groups. However, there was a general lack of awareness with regard to the guidelines for antibiotic prescribing in both the groups. CONCLUSION: Practitioners should prescribe antibiotics in accordance with the guidelines to curb antibiotic resistance, an emerging public health problem.