Knowledge and practice of, and attitudes toward, pulp therapy in deciduous teeth among pediatric dentists in India.

AIM: The aim of the present study was to assess the knowledge and practice of, and attitudes toward, pulp therapy in deciduous dentition among pediatric dentists. METHODS: A cross-sectional, observational survey was conducted using a closed-ended, multiple-choice questionnaire evaluating the knowledge and practice of, and attitudes toward, pulp therapy in deciduous dentition, which was formulated and sent to 360 pediatric dentists across India. Descriptive statistics were done, followed by χ2 -test to test the association between years of experience and the questionnaire items. RESULTS: A total of 3.5% of pediatric dentists performed their treatment using a rubber dam in all cases; 30% preferred to use local anesthesia prior to indirect pulp therapy (IPT). Traditional indirect pulp capping was preferred to IPT, and only 48% of them believed in not removing it completely. Pulpotomy was preferred over IPT (70%) when there was a probability of pulp exposure following complete caries excavation. Calcium hydroxide, along with iodoform, was the material of choice for the obturation of primary teeth (73.5%). A stainless steel crown was placed after pulp therapy in the primary tooth (86.3%). Most dentists believed requested immediate and 3-month follow up. CONCLUSION: The survey helps in assessing whether our views or approaches are in line with recent trends.

Visible Enamel Defects in Adolescents: How Do their Peers View Them?

AIM: The present study was aimed to determine whether adolescents make social judgments about other children who have noticeable enamel imperfections. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two schools with very different socio-economic profiles were selected using a stratified random sampling method. Children aged 13-14 years (school class 9) and 15-16 (school class 11) were randomly selected from these schools totaling to a sample size of 200. Half the participants rated full-face photographs of a boy and girl without an enamel defect, and the other half-rated the same two photographs with the digitally modified incisors. The photographic subjects were rated on a four-point Likert's scale consisting of six positive and five negative descriptors. RESULTS: Based on the gender of the photographic subject, the mean total attribute score was almost identical. However, it was lower for photographic subjects showing enamel defects as compared to those without. CONCLUSION: The dental appearance can influence value judgments in children. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: It is important to treat the enamel lesions and various developmental defects of the enamel as it may lead to a negative social judgment by peers. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Nayak UA, Pawar A, Kappadi D, Prajapati D, Roy KJ, Wadhwa S. Visible Enamel Defects in Adolescents: How Do their Peers View Them?. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent, 2018;11(6):479-482.

Comparative Clinical Evaluation of Resin-based Pit and Fissure Sealant and Self-adhering Flowable Composite: An In Vivo Study.

AIM: The study evaluated the use of self-adhering flowable composite as a fissure sealant and compared it with a resin-based pit and fissure sealant. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty children were selected for the study and all their four permanent first molars were subjected to fluoride free pumice oral prophylaxis. Their occlusal fissures were then prepared with fissurotomy bur using high-speed handpiece under cotton roll isolation and low volume suction. Simple random sampling was done and accordingly a child either received either a resin-based fissure sealant or a self-adhering flowable composite on the prepared fissure. All the restorations were clinically evaluated using Ryge's direct evaluation criteria for four times i.e., immediately after the treatment, at the end of 3rd, 6th and 12th month. The retention was evaluated using Horowytz criteria. RESULTS: The retention rate of Dyad flow after one year was significantly higher than that of Helioseal-F (p = 0.015). The marginal integrity of Dyad Flow was significantly better than that of Helioseal-F during every evaluation period (p < 0.05). Both retention and marginal integrity of both sealants were similar in maxillary and mandibular molars at all evaluation periods. CONCLUSION: Dyad flow can be used as an alternative to the conventional fissure sealant. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: In pediatric dentistry, where shorter appointment time is warranted, the self-adhering composite has the edge over conventional fissure sealant.How to cite this article: Wadhwa S, Nayak UA, Kappadi D, Prajapati D, Sharma R, Pawar A. Comparative Clinical Evaluation of Resin-based Pit and Fissure Sealant and Self-adhering Flowable Composite: An In-vivo Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent. 2018;11(5):430-434.

Effect of Resin Infiltration on Artificial Caries: An in vitro Evaluation of Resin Penetration and Microhardness.

AIM: To evaluate the effectiveness of resin infiltration on artificial caries lesion by assessing the depth of resin penetration and the change in microhardness of lesion postinfiltration. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Totally 45 human extracted premolars were used to create an artificial demineralized lesion in enamel using demineralizing solution. A total of 15 samples (group I) were infiltrated with resin. The depth of resin penetration was studied using scanning electron microscope (SEM). Other half (n = 30) of samples was equally divided into three subgroups and Vickers hardness number (VHN) values were obtained to measure the surface microhardness as group 11 a-before demineralization, 11 b-after demineralization, IIc-postresin infiltration. RESULTS: Mean depth of penetration in group I was 516.8 urn. There was statistically significant increase in VHN values of demineralized lesion postresin infiltration (independent Student's t-test, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Penetration depth of the resin infiltrant was deep enough to render beneficial effects, while significant increase in microhardness was observed postresin infiltration. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Infiltrant used can be considered as a valid treatment option for noncavitated lesions. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Prajapati D, Nayak R, Pai D, Upadhya N, Bhaskar VK, Kamath P. Effect of Resin Infiltration on Artificial Caries: An in vitro Evaluation of Resin Penetration and Microhardness. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2017;10(3):250-256.

Association between Chewing Side Preference and Dental Caries among Deciduous, Mixed and Permanent Dentition.

INTRODUCTION: Chewing Side Preference (CSP) is said to occur when mastication is recognized exclusively/consistently or predominantly on the same side of the jaw. It can be assessed by using the direct method - visual observation and indirect methods by electric programs, such as cinematography, kinetography and computerized electromyography. AIM: The present study was aimed at evaluating the prevalence of CSP in deciduous, mixed and permanent dentitions and relating its association with dental caries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a cross-sectional observational study, 240 school going children aged 3 to 18years were randomly allocated to three experimental groups according to the deciduous dentition, mixed dentition and permanent dentition period. The existence of a CSP was determined using a direct method by asking the children to chew on a piece of gum (trident sugarless). The Mann Whitney U-test was used to compare the CSP and also among the boys and girls. The Spearman's Correlation Coefficient was used to correlate CSP and dental caries among the three study groups and also among the groups. RESULTS: CSP was observed in 69%, 83% and 76% of children with primary, mixed and permanent dentition respectively (p>0.05). There was no statistically significant association between the presence of CSP and dental caries among the three study groups. CONCLUSION: There was a weak or no correlation between gender and distribution of CSP and between presence of CSP and dental caries.

Efficacy of Concomitant Therapy with Fluoride and Chlorhexidine Varnish on Remineralization of Incipient Lesions in Young Children.

AIM: To assess the effect of combined use of chlorhexidine and fluoride varnish on the remineralization of incipient carious lesions in young children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty caries-active children (80 lesions) were randomly divided into four groups and subjected to initial examination. Caries status was assessed visually and with the aid of DIAGNOdent. Baseline enamel biopsies were obtained. Subjects of groups I and II received fluoride and chlorhexidine varnish respectively. Group III received both fluoride and chlorhexidine varnish alternatively, for a period of 4 weeks. Group IV served as the control. At 3-month follow-up, the incipient lesions were assessed again with DIAGNOdent and enamel biopsy. RESULTS: Increased calcium, phosphate, and fluoride levels were noticed in groups I, II, III compared to group IV, at the 3-month follow-up (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The combined therapy with fluoride and chlorhex-idine varnish may be considered an alternative therapy for early reversal of incipient lesions. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Naidu S, Tandon S, Nayak R, Ratnanag PV, Prajapati D, Kamath N. Efficacy of Concomitant Therapy with Fluoride and Chlorhexidine Varnish on Remineralization of Incipient Lesions in Young Children. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2016;9(4):296-302.

Rashmdeep's method: a novel method to confirm nasal breathing.

Mouth breathing has been a very prevalent oral habit, especially among children. Common etiologies behind this common occurrence can be physiologic enlargement of lymphoid tissue like adenoids leading to decrease nasopharyngeal airway or allergic rhinitis. The traditional or the latest methods used for diagnosing mouth breathing either are too subjective or cannot be performed in usual dental setups. This article presents an innovative method to confirm whether patient can breathe through the nose. This can also be used to diagnose any unilateral nasal blockade.