Age Estimation in Mixed-dentition Children, Using Cameriere's European Formula and Demirjian's Method: A Comparative Pilot Study.

AIM: The objective of the present investigation is to compare the accuracy of two methods of age estimation, Cameriere's European formula and Demirjian's method, in estimating the age of mixed-dentition children in Telangana. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Digital orthopantomographs (OPGs) of 36 children between the age of 7 years and 12 years were subject to analysis. All the OPGs were analyzed for dental age using both Cameriere's and Demirjian's methods for mixed dentition. Chronological age was calculated by subtracting the date of births from the date on which the OPGs were taken. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: descriptive analysis was performed. The accuracies of both the methods (Cameriere's and Demirjian's) were evaluated by calculating the mean prediction error. Wilcoxon signed-rank test was performed for both methods of dental age estimation with chronological age and for boys and girls. Significance threshold was set at 5%. RESULTS: Cameriere method resulted in a mean prediction error of 0.579 for girls and 0.483 for boys. Demirjian's method resulted in a mean prediction error of 2.228 for girls and 2.046 for boys. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, as far as accuracy is concerned, Cameriere's European formula proved to be more accurate, according to the current investigation. SIGNIFICANCE: The significance of age estimation is reflected in various fields such as pediatric endocrinology, orthodontics, law, anthropology, archeology, and forensics where identification of unascertained human bodies is required (crime investigations, mass disasters). Demirjian's method is commonly employed for dental age estimation in pediatric dentistry, orthodontics, and forensic dentistry. Cameriere's method may serve as a more accurate and reliable method for dental age estimation. Key message: Cameriere's European formula proved to be better, in terms of accuracy, in determining the chronological age of mixed-dentition children in the region of Telangana, according to the current investigation.

"Analysis of immunohistochemical expression of epidermal growth factor receptor in oral squamous cell carcinoma using tissue microarray technology and whole sections:" A comparative study.

BACKGROUND: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) accounts for more than 90% of all oral cancers. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) dysregulation is associated with essentially all of the key features of cancer. Tissue microarrays (TMAs) allow the simultaneous analysis of many tumours using small-diameter cores sampled from larger blocks of tissue. Hence present study was taken up to validate TMA technology. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To analyse and compare the immunohistochemical (IHC) expression of EGFR in OSCC using TMA technology and in whole tissue sections. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Study included 34 cases of OSCC.Three tissue cores, each 1 mm in diameter were placed into a recipient paraffin block using a precision microarray instrument finally containing 102 spots. EGFR expression was analysed. Agreement between whole sections and TMA scores was analysed using Cohen's weighted Kappa. RESULTS: EGFR expression was seen in 61.8% of whole section cases. In TMA out of 102 cores 75.50 % of the disks were confirmed to represent an adequate amount of tumor tissue. In TMA 48.5% cases showed EGFR expression.The EGFR expression of whole. CONCLUSION: Some OSCC express high EGFR and this expression may be an independent Wfactor of certain clinico-pathological variables. TMA may be used as an adjunct with conventional method of evaluation of OSCC especially in larger sample sized studies keeping in mind its limitations.

Oral Health Related Awareness and Practices among Pregnant Women in Bagalkot District, Karnataka, India.

BACKGROUND: Cumulative evidence in the dental literature strongly supports the fact that poor oral hygiene practices and inadequate attention toward oral health during pregnancy have an impact on developing the fetus and significant adverse postnatal effects. Available literature suggests that the research is deficit in assessing knowledge and practices related to exposure to radiation, use of medication and safe period for dental treatment during pregnancy. Assessing the knowledge and practices among pregnant women could be a valuable tool for policy makers to improve the oral health. To assess knowledge and practices of pregnant woman regarding oral health. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was a cross sectional survey. A total of 332 samples were selected by convenience sampling technique. A questionnaire containing 14 close-ended questions related to knowledge and practices pertaining to oral health during pregnancy along with sociodemographic data were used for collecting baseline information. RESULTS: The overall level of knowledge and practice was 27.17% and 55%, respectively. Majority of respondents (89.10%) were not aware that gum diseases are common during pregnancy. Most of them (73.07%) were not aware of safe period for undergoing dental treatment during pregnancy. Only 19.87% were aware that exposure to high dose of radiation was hazardous to their babies. Around 18.6% did not brush when they experienced bleeding, 35.25% cleaned their teeth using finger. CONCLUSION: The overall results suggest that knowledge and practices of pregnant women need to be greatly improved. All necessary measures should be taken for maintenance of oral hygiene and to avoid complications with the use of drugs and exposure to radiation.

Effect of saliva contamination on the shear bond strength of a new self-etch adhesive system to dentin.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of saliva contamination on the shear bond strength of a new two-step self-etch adhesive (P90 system adhesive) to dentin and to determine the effect of contaminant removing treatments on the recovery of bond strengths. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The buccal surfaces of 40 human premolars were ground to expose dentin. The specimens were randomly divided into four groups. Group 1 is uncontaminated and serves as the control group. Further groups were divided based on the step in the bonding sequence when the contamination had occurred as follows: Group 2 (primer, saliva contamination, rinse and dry), group 3 (after procedure of group 2, reapplication of primer), and group 4 (after procedure like in control group, saliva contamination, rinse and dry). Filtek P90 composite resin cylinders of 3 mm diameter and 3 mm length were fabricated on the surfaces. Shear bond strength testing was done in an Instron Universal Testing Machine and the data were subjected to one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Student's t-test. RESULTS: With P90 system adhesive, group 2 and group 4 showed lower shear bond strength than group 1 (control) and group 3 (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Saliva contamination significantly decreased the shear bond strength of the adhesive to dentin.