Prevalence and characteristics of supernumerary teeth in a non-syndromic South Indian pediatric population.

BACKGROUND: Supernumerary teeth are one of the most widely reported and significant anomaly in patients affecting the primary and early mixed dentition. AIM: To describe the distribution and characteristics of the supernumerary teeth in South Indian population of paediatric patients. DESIGN: In a 12 year retrospective study, a total of 63,569 patients up to the age of 14 years who visited our department between June 2003 and May 2013 were revised.790 cases of supernumerary teeth were found. Patients were evaluated for age, sex, site, status of dentition, number, position, orientation and type of supernumerary teeth. Statistical analysis was carried out using chi square test. RESULTS: 790 subjects with supernumerary teeth (481 males and 309 females) were detected, revealing male-female ratio of 1.55:1.The most common supernumerary teeth were mesiodens (82.28%), the most common site was the anterior maxilla (92.53%)region. Majority of patients had a single erupted supernumerary oriented straight in the arch. Patients in mixed dentition stage reported with maximum number of supernumerary teeth. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of supernumerary teeth in non syndromic South Indian paediatric population is 1.24% with slight male predilection and conical mesiodens being the commonest.

Comparison of antibacterial activity of glass-ionomer cement and amalgam in class two restorations by Streptococcus mutans count analysis at fixed intervals: an in vivo study.

AIM: The purpose of the present study was to determine the influence of glass ionomer cement and amalgam restoration on the level of Streptococcus mutans in the interproximal plaque at periodic intervals and also to compare these values. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventeen adult patients having two proximal carious lesions on any quadrant of the jaw (either opposing or contralateral) were selected for this study. Carious lesions were diagnosed clinically and from bitewing radiographs. Of the two carious lesions, one was restored with glass ionomer cermet cement and another with amalgam. Plaque samples were collected from interproximal areas before and at 1 month and 3 months post-treatment in a test tube containing 5 ml of modified Stuart's liquid transport fluid. Identification of organisms in the colony was done after Gram staining. RESULTS: Comparison of values before restoration and after restoration at 1 month interval showed a statistically significant decrease (p<0.001). Similarly, comparison of values before and after restorations at 3 months also showed statistically significant decrease (p<0.02). But comparison of restorations of 1 and 3 months intervals showed no statistical significant difference (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Glass ionomer restorations have definite advantage over the amalgam, as the tunnel preparation is more conservative and fluoride release from the glass ionomer inhibits the growth of S. mutans in the plaque. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Glass ionomer cement should be preferred over amalgam in conservatively prepared restorations as it reduces the microbial activities due to fluoride release.