Physical and chemical properties of saliva and its role in Early Childhood caries - A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Early Childhood Caries is a chronic disease of childhood and salivary parameters are considered as one of the prime etiological factors of Early Childhood Caries. Aim: To develop a systematic review based on the relation between physical and chemical properties of saliva and Early childhood caries by comparing children with and without Early childhood caries. Methods: PubMed, Cochrane, Lilacs, Embase, Scopus, and additional manual search was done up to April 2021 to identify the original cross-sectional observational studies published in English. The risk of bias and quality of the included papers were assessed based on New castle Ottawa guidelines. Results: From a total of 1709 identified studies, only 22 articles were included in this systematic review and 10 studies were qualified for meta-analysis. Eight studies were classified as ''moderate risk of bias'' and fourteen studies were classified as ''high risk of bias''. Conclusion: There was a significant difference in physical and chemical properties of saliva in children with and without Early childhood caries. Since wide disparity were evident in available studies, further studies are needed to arrive to a definitive conclusion.

Genotypic diversity of Streptococcus mutans in children with and without early childhood caries- A systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: Genotypic diversity and polymorphism of Streptococcus mutans remain as a topic of interest, as this provides a satisfactory explanation for the contrasting caries status in people harboring Sterptococcus mutans. This systematic review aimed to analyze and appraise Genomic diversity of Streptococcus mutans and its relationship in Early Childhood Caries. METHODS: A literature search was conducted until August 2020 using PubMed, Cochrane central, SIGLE using search keywords and MeSH headings include "Early Childhood caries", "Streptococcus mutans" and "Genotypic diversity". Apart from the aforementioned electric search, manual search was also done. The retrieved papers were assessed by three review authors and the disagreements were discussed and the final decision was made by consensus. Qualities of the included studies were assessed and data were extracted for analysis. RESULTS: A total of 4081 papers were retrieved for screening after the removal of duplicate articles. Among the retrieved studies, 4074 papers did not satisfy the study inclusion criteria. Finally, those 7 papers which fulfilled all the inclusion criteria were selected and reviewed systematically. CONCLUSION: Genetic polymorphism and genetic mutation exist in S.mutans strain and the missense mutation varies between children with and without Early Childhood caries. The number of genotypes of S.mutans varies between caries active and caries-free children. Due to the lack of adequate studies on gene mutations for direct comparison, further studies are needed to evaluate these gene mutation and its diversities to draw a definitive conclusion.

Association between Early Childhood Caries and Quality of Life: Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale and Pufa Index.

Early Childhood Caries (ECC) are one of the major oral diseases affecting children. ECC adversely affects the children's as well as their parent/caregivers quality of life. The present study aims to assess the quality of life in children with Early Childhood Caries aged 6-72 months using the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale. It also aims to compare the quality of life between children with pufa scores of > 0 and a pufa score = 0. A total of 238 children aged 6 months to 72 months with ECC and their parent/caregiver were included in the present study. Oral examinations of the children were performed by the principal examiner using the defs and pufa index, which was followed by a personal interview of the 13 items in the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact scale among the 238 parents/caregivers. The results showed that, overall, Early Childhood Caries have a negative impact on children's quality of life, as assessed by the parent/caregiver. The overall Early Childhood Oral Health Impact scale score ranged from 0-32 (mean ± SD, 14.12 ± 6.72). Children with a pufa score > 0 (mean ± SD, 16.14 ± 6.27, p < 0.001) have significantly lower quality of life than children with pufa score = 0 (mean ± SD, 9.07 ± 4.94, p < 0.001). Early Childhood Caries had a negative impact on the quality of life of children aged 6-72 months. Children with a pufa score of "0" had better oral health-related quality of life than children with a pufa score > 0.

Management of Crown-Root Fracture in Primary Canine by Surgical Extrusion: A Case Report with 1-Year Follow-Up.

Complicated crown-root fractures of primary teeth often present with a greater challenge to the pediatric dentist. Extraction of the involved tooth is the routine treatment indicated. But, early loss of this primary tooth may lead to esthetic and psychological problems and also causes a detrimental effect on the development of occlusion and the alveolar bone. The present case report described the management of crown-root fracture in a primary canine by surgical extrusion and showed a satisfactory prognosis at one-year follow-up.

DNA profiling of Streptococcus mutans in children with and without black tooth stains: A polymerase chain reaction analysis.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to identify the genetic patterns of Streptococcus mutans by DNA finger printing among caries-active, caries-free, and in children with black tooth stains. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this in vitro study Ten children with black tooth stains and ten caries-free and caries-active children between 3 and 6 years of age were recruited. Saliva samples were collected using a sterile tube, followed by microbial culture of S. mutans, DNA isolation, and polymerase chain reaction amplification. The molecular weights of each band were converted into binary data, and data were entered into SPSS to generate similarity dendrograms. RESULTS: Dendrogram interpretation of black tooth stain and caries-free samples revealed an identical genetic pattern in 15 samples with high genetic similarity. Dendrogram interpretation of black tooth stain and caries-active samples exhibited a greater genetic diversity. CONCLUSION: This study concludes that identical genotypes and high genetic similarity among isolates of the caries-free and black tooth stains. Polymorphism and genetic diversity exist between the black tooth stain and caries-active samples.

Genotypic characterization of Streptococcus mutans in child-mother pair-A PCR based study.

OBJECTIVES: At present, there is lack of evidence in literature regarding the transmission of Streptococcus Mutans from a caries-free mother to child by genetic methods, so the present study aimed to identify the genetic characterization of Streptococcus Mutans strains isolated from caries-free and caries active children and their mother being caries-free in both the groups and also to identify the genetic patterns of Streptococcus Mutans between caries-free and caries-active individuals. METHODS: Twenty child-mother pair were selected and divided into 2 groups and the mothers being caries-free in both the groups. Saliva samples were collected using a sterile tube, followed by microbial culture of Streptococcus mutans, DNA isolation and PCR amplification. The molecular weights of each band were converted into a binary data and data were entered into SPSS software version 20.0 to generate similarity dendrograms. RESULTS: Amplified products of Streptococcus Mutans demonstrated a same genetic distance between the mother-child pair, indicative of a closely related species. Dendrogram interpretation represented a greater genetic polymorphism of Streptococcus Mutans between caries-free and caries-active children. CONCLUSIONS: Identical genetic distance between child-mother pair showed that, these Streptooccus Mutans were closely related and could have vertically transmitted from their mothers. Different genotypic pattern between caries-free and caries active subjects showed a genetic polymorphism among the Streptococcus Mutans strains.

Management of foreign body ingestion in children with cerebral palsy: Need for proper trauma management protocol.

Cerebral palsy (CP) is described as a group of permanent, nonprogressive movement disorders that cause physical disability in development and further affecting body movement and muscle coordination. The condition develops when certain abnormalities persist inside the developing brain that ultimately disrupts the brain's ability to control movement and maintain posture and balance. Patients with CP are more susceptible to dental trauma due to the lack of muscle coordination and unexpected involuntary movements. The present case series highlights the need for emergency protocol management when these patients report with dental trauma and complications which can happen in dental office. The first case report is about ingestion of permanent incisor following trauma which was diagnosed incidentally in the abdominal radiograph, and the second case is reported to be accidental ingestion of head of dental mouth mirror during the routine oral examination. These two case reports emphasize the need for more comprehensive trauma management protocol in these children.

Evaluation of knowledge among general dentists in treatment of traumatic injuries in primary teeth: A cross-sectional questionnaire study.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the present study was to assess the knowledge of General dentist regarding the management of dental traumatic injuries of primary teeth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 100 general dentists were selected and a validated questionnaire was distributed among the dentist to assess their knowledge on treatment strategies regarding traumatized primary teeth. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Data were entered into SPSS version 20.0 for percentages. The correct answers were tested in relation to the dentists' years of experience using the Chi-square test. RESULTS: Analyzing the questionnaire for knowledge, 49% of dentists answered accurately regarding avulsed primary teeth, 36% of dentists answered appropriately regarding crown and root fractures, and 55% of dentists gave appropriate answers regarding luxation injuries. Chi-square test showed a statistically significant difference only for 2 questions in relation to the dentist's years of experience (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: There is a lack of consistency in the knowledge among general dentist regarding traumatic dental injuries of primary teeth. There is a need to create awareness and education regarding traumatic injuries of primary teeth.

Effect of Mechanical and Chemical Root Surface Treatment on the Shear Bond Strength of Intracanal Post in Primary Anterior Teeth: An In vitro Study.

INTRODUCTION: Aesthetic restoration of severely mutilated primary anterior teeth still remains as a special challenge to paediatric dentist. Due to increased parent's concern for aesthetic rehabilitation for their children, paediatric dentist are in a state to improve technique sensitive restorative procedure to improve aesthetic rehabilitation in children. AIM: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effect of different root surface treatment on the shear bond strength of glass fibre reinforced post in primary anterior teeth using Universal Testing Machine (UTM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty single rooted primary anterior teeth were selected. Coronal portions of the teeth were sectioned transversally 2 mm above the Cemento-Enamel Junction (CEJ) and specimens were treated endodontically and obturated using metapex. Then the specimens were randomly divided into four groups. Group 1: Control group; Group 2: Chemical surface treatment of the root with 2% chlorhexidine; Group 3: Mechanical surface treatment with mushroom-shaped undercut; Group 4: Combination of mechanical and chemical surface treatments. Samples were tested for shear bond strength. ANOVA and Post-hoc Tukey test were used for statistical analysis using SPSS version 20.0. RESULTS: Combination of mechanical and chemical surface treatments exhibited higher mean shear bond strength (8.41 MPa), followed by mechanical surface treatment (4.68 MPa), chemical surface treatment (3.92 MPa) and control group (2.76 MPa). CONCLUSION: Mechanical and chemical surface treatments together led to a improved shear bond strength and increased the retention of the post to the root surface.

Age and Environment Determined Children's Preference Towards Dentist Attire - A Cross - Sectional Study.

INTRODUCTION: The attire of the dentist has an influence on child's behaviour in dental setup. Recent research has shown that the children have preferences towards the outfit worn by the dentist. AIM: The aim of the study was to determine the preference of children towards dentists' attire based on various age groups and environment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 534 children aged between 6-11 years participated in the study. Children were divided into three groups based on their age as younger, middle and older age groups. Photographs of the dentist in different attires such as white coat, surgical scrubs and regular outfit were shown to children and the questionnaire was evaluated by a single, qualified Paediatric dentist in two different environmental set ups, namely school and dental environment. The anxiety level was evaluated by using Modified Child Dental Anxiety Scale [MCDAS (f)]. Data was collected and tabulated. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 20.0. RESULTS: A statistically significant difference was evident in the preference level of children towards dentist attire (p-value= 0.002). There was a positive correlation in the preference level of children towards dentist attire in different age groups. A statistically significant difference was evident in the preference level of children towards the dentist attire in school and dental environment (p-value <0.001). CONCLUSION: Younger age group children preferred regular outfit and middle and older age group preferred white coat and surgical scrubs respectively. Children preferred white coat in school environment and surgical scrubs in dental environment.