Comparative Evaluation of Shear Bond Strength of Bioactive Restorative Material, Zirconia Reinforced Glass Ionomer Cement and Conventional Glass Ionomer Cement to the Dentinal Surface of Primary Molars: an in vitro Study.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM: The success of dental restorations depends mainly on its ability to bond to dental structures and resist the multitude of forces acting on it within the oral cavity. PURPOSE: Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the shear bond strength (SBS) of three different glass ionomer based restorative materials. MATERIALS AND METHOD: In this in vitro analytical study, 30 intact primary molars were sectioned buccolingually to obtain 60 sections. These sections were embedded in auto polymerizing acrylic resin and polished to obtain a flat dentin surface. Restoration cylinders were built on the dentin surface with the help of a Teflon template called bonding jig. Each group (n= 20) was restored as group A with conventional glass ionomer cement (GIC) (GC Fuji Gold Label Type 9), group B with Bioactive restorative material (ACTIVATM KIDS BioACTIVE Restorative material), and group C with Zirconia reinforced glass ionomer cement (Zirconomer). Following restoration, SBS testing was performed using Universal Testing Machine. The data obtained were statistically analyzed using One way ANOVA test and post hoc Tukey test (p= 0.05). RESULTS: The SBS values were significantly greater in the ACTIVA KIDS group as compared to the other two groups (p< 0.05). There was no significant difference in the SBS values between group B and group C (p> 0.05). CONCLUSION: The SBS of the ACTIVA KIDS to primary teeth dentin was the highest as compared to Zirconomer and conventional GIC. Therefore ACTIVA KIDS may protect primary teeth against recurrent caries and failure of the restoration.

COVID-19: Changing Trends and Its Impact on Future of Dentistry.

The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) rapidly escalated into a worldwide pandemic, creating a global health and economic crisis. It is a novel virus which is distinct from SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV, with Chinese horseshoe bats being the most probable origin. Transmission occurs primarily through droplet spread or contact routes. Due to the characteristics of dental settings, the risk of cross infection between dental health care personnel (DHCP) and patients can be very high. This article provides a brief overview of the structure of the virus, modes of transmission, and clinical features of COVID-19 disease. The aim of this article is to recommend infection control strategies and patient management protocols to provide optimum dental care and simultaneously prevent nosocomial infection in dental settings.

Implementation of Oral Health Education to Orphan Children.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the knowledge and oral hygiene status of orphanage children in Pune and changes in them after health education. STUDY DESIGN: Interventional study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Centers for Orphan Children in Pune, India, from April to June 2014. METHODOLOGY: A specially designed questionnaire was used to assess the dental problems and existing oral hygiene maintenance practice among children between 5 - 12 years of age (n=100) in an orphanage center. Pre- and postinterventional intra-oral examination was carried out to check their oral hygiene status which included DMFS [Decayed Missing Filled Tooth Surfaces index (for permanent teeth)], OHIS (Simplified Oral Hygiene Index) and gingival indices. Intervention was in the form of oral health education, demonstration of correct brushing technique, diet counselling and maintenance of overall oral hygiene. RESULTS: Present study shows that the orphans had multiple dental problems along with improper oral hygiene practices and careless attitude towards oral health. Pre- and post-interventional DMFS was compared using Wilcoxon sign rank test, which was not significant; while OHIS and gingival indices were compared by using repeat measures ANOVA(p < 0.001) which was significant for each, respectively. CONCLUSION: There was considerable improvement in the oral hygiene status of orphans due to educational intervention. Oral health education at right age can help to cultivate healthy oral hygiene practices in orphans which will benefit them for lifelong. Caretakers should be educated and trained about oral hygiene practices so that they can implement it and supervise the orphan children.

Prevalence of malocclusion among 12 to 15 years age group orphan children using dental aesthetic index.

OBJECTIVE: The study was done to determine the prevalence of malocclusion and orthodontic treatment among orphan children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The sample consisted of 165 orphan children aged between 12 and 15 years. A clinical examination was used to determine the orthodontic treatment need according to the Dental Aesthetic Index (DAI). The statistical software namely SPSS version 15.0 was used for the analysis different parameters as gender and age. RESULTS: The prevalence of definite, severe and very severe malocclusion was more among males than females and it increased with age. 16.4% subjects needed orthodontic treatment ranging from slight to mandatory form. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The prevalence and severity of malocclusion was more among orphan children as they are deprived of healthy lifestyle. So, they should be identified and corrective measures instituted at the earliest to prevent a widespread impact on their psychological development.

Effect of the presence of dental plaque on oral sugar clearance and salivary pH: an in vivo study.

BACKGROUND: Fermentable carbohydrates and microorganisms in the plaque play a significant role in the pathogenesis of dental caries. Oral clearance of sugars and salivary pH is affected by the presence of plaque. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to study the effect of the presence of plaque on the salivary clearance of sucrose and on salivary pH. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study design was of a randomized controlled parallel group clinical trial and included two groups: The control group and plaque group, as follows: Control group--subjects without plaque and plaque group--subjects with plaque. Salivary sucrose determination was done by using the anthrone technique. A digital pH meter estimated the salivary pH. The Student's t test and Mann-Whitney test was employed to compare the intergroup differences. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used for analysis. RESULTS: The salivary sucrose clearance time was increased by presence of plaque. CONCLUSION: The presence of plaque led to increased salivary sucrose concentrations and increased the salivary sucrose clearance time. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The dental caries is the dynamic relationship among the dental plaque microbiota, dietary carbohydrates, saliva and cariogenic potential of the dental plaque. Caries occur preferentially in the dentition sites characterized by high exposure to carbohydrate and diminished salivary effect.