Efficacy of three-tone disclosing agent as an adjunct in caries risk assessment

BACKGROUND

Today, most approaches to caries viewed that catastrophic change in normal plaque biofilm is responsible for the disease. The behavior and composition of the biofilm are a reflection of the oral environment; the caries is a reflection of adverse changes occurring in that environment. Thus, it is important to identify the pathogenicity of the plaque biofilm so as to predict the caries risk. The recently developed three-tone plaque disclosing agent was used to test its ability in identifying the pathogenicity of plaque.

AIM

To assess the efficacy of three-tone plaque disclosing agent in identifying the plaque pathogenicity and correlate with the clinical caries status and microbiological findings.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sixty children of 6-13 years age group of both sexes were clinically examined for caries and plaque scores, and then disclosing agent was applied; the color stained plaque samples were collected and cultured for microbiological assessment, and the data were analyzed based on the caries status of the children.

RESULTS

There was a significant difference between the pathological plaque of caries active and caries free group (P < 0.05). The pathological plaque scores and the total colony counts, Streptococcus counts and mutans streptococci counts increased with the increase in caries.

CONCLUSION

Three-tone plaque disclosing agent was effective in identifying pathological plaque and can be used as one of the chairside adjuvants in caries risk assessment.

Do newly diagnosed cancer patients require palliative care? An audit at a regional cancer center in India

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Background: The present study was planned to record the distressing symptoms of newly diagnosed cancer patients and to evaluate how the symptoms were addressed by the treating oncologists. Methods: All newly diagnosed cancer patients referred to the department of Radiotherapy during the month of May 2014 were asked to fill a questionnaire after taking their consent. The ESAS-r questionnaire was used to assess the frequency and intensity of distressing symptoms. The case records of these patients were then reviewed to compare the frequency and intensity documented by the treating physician. The difference in the two sets of symptoms documented were statistically analysed by non-parametric tests using SPSS. Results: Eighty-nine patients participated in this study out of which only 19 could fill the questionnaire on their own. Anxiety was the commonest symptom (97.8%) followed by depression (89.9%), tiredness (89.9%) and pain (86.5%). The treating physicians recorded pain in 83.1% while the other symptoms were either not documented or grossly under reported. Anxiety was documented in 3/87 patients but depression was not documented in any. Tiredness was documented in 12/80 patients, loss of appetite in 54/77 patients mentioning them in the questionnaire. Significant statistical correlation could be seen between the presence of pain, anxiety, depression, tiredness and loss of appetite in the patients. Conclusions: The study reveals that the distressing symptoms experienced by newly diagnosed cancer patients are grossly under reported and inadequately addressed by treating oncologists. Sensitizing the oncologists and incorporating palliative care principles early in the management of cancer patients could improve their holistic care.

Comparative evaluation of shear bond strength and microleakage of tricalcium silicate-based restorative material and radioopaque posterior glass ionomer restorative cement in primary and permanent teeth: an in vitro study

BACKGROUND

Restoration of carious primary molars is still a major concern while treating the young children that too in deep carious lesion which extends below the cemento-enamel junction (CEJ) where pulp protection and achieving adequate marginal seal are very important to prevent secondary caries. The needs were met with the development of new materials. One such of new bioactive material is tricalcium silicate-based restorative material (Biodentine), recommended for restoring deep lesions.

AIM

To evaluate and compare shear bond strength and microleakage of tricalcium silicate-based restorative material (Biodentine) and glass ionomer cement (Fuji IX GP) in primary and permanent teeth.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Occlusal surface of crowns were ground flat. PVC molds were stabilized over flat dentin surface and filled with tricalcium silicate-based restorative material (Biodentine)/glass ionomer cement (Fuji IX GP) according to group ascertained. Shear bond strength was evaluated using universal testing machine (INSTRON). Standardized Class II cavities were prepared on both primary and permanent teeth, and then restored with tricalcium silicate-based restorative material (Biodentine)/glass ionomer cement (Fuji IX GP) according to group ascertained, over which composite resin material was restored using an open sandwich technique. Microleakage was assessed using dye penetration. Microleakage was examined using a stereomicroscope.

RESULTS

RESULTS showed that glass ionomer cement (Fuji IX GP) exhibited better shear bond strength than tricalcium silicate-based restorative material (Biodentine). Mean microleakage score for glass ionomer cement (Fuji IX GP) in permanent teeth was 1.52 and for primary teeth was 1.56. The mean microleakage for tricalcium silicate-based restorative material (Biodentine) in permanent teeth was 0.76 and for primary teeth was 0.60. Glass ionomer cement (Fuji IX GP) exhibited more microleakage than tricalcium silicate-based restorative material (Biodentine), which was statistically significant both in permanent (P = 0.02) and primary (P = 0.006) teeth.

CONCLUSION

Shear bond strength of glass ionomer cement (Fuji IX GP) is greater than tricalcium silicate-based restorative material (Biodentine) in both primary and permanent teeth. Tricalcium silicate-based restorative material (Biodentine) exhibited less microleakage compared to glass ionomer cement (Fuji IX GP) in both primary and permanent molars.

Comparative evaluation of fluoride release and recharge of pre-reacted glass ionomer composite and nano-ionomeric glass ionomer with daily fluoride exposure: an in vitro study

AIM

This in vitro study was designed to investigate the effects of daily fluoride exposures on fluoride release and recharge by prereacted glass ionomer (PRG) composite and nano-ionomeric glass ionomer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Seventy-two specimens (36 of each material) were prepared and by placing the restorative materials into Teflon mold. Each specimen was subjected to one of three daily treatments (n = 12): (1) No fluoride treatment (control); (2) application of a fluoride dentifrice (1,000 ppm) once daily; and (3) the same regimen as (2), plus immersion in a 0.05% sodium fluoride (NaF) mouth rinse (225 ppm) immediately following the dentifrice application. Specimens were suspended in a storage vial containing 10 ml demineralizing solution for 6 h and transferred to a new test tube containing 10 ml remineralizing solution for 18 h. Fluoride treatments of the specimens were completed every day prior to their immersion in the demineralizing solution. Media solutions were buffered with equal volumes of total ionic strength adjustment buffer (TISAB) II; fluoride levels were measured using a digital ion analyzer and fluoride electrode throughout the 21 day duration of the experiment.

RESULTS

Nano-ionomeric glass ionomer showed a better amount of fluoride release than PRG composite irrespective of the fluoride treatment supplementation (P < 0.01). Additional fluoride supplementation improved fluoride release and recharge ability for both the materials when compared to their respective control groups. The fluoride recharge for both materials did not show any sustained pattern of release.

CONCLUSION

Nano-ionomeric glass ionomer demonstrated a greater ability to release and recharge compared with that of PRG composite.

Child's dental fear: cause related factors and the influence of audiovisual modeling

BACKGROUND

Delivery of effective dental treatment to a child patient requires thorough knowledge to recognize dental fear and its management by the application of behavioral management techniques. Children's Fear Survey Schedule - Dental Subscale (CFSS-DS) helps in identification of specific stimuli which provoke fear in children with regard to dental situation. Audiovisual modeling can be successfully used in pediatric dental practice.

AIM

To assess the degree of fear provoked by various stimuli in the dental office and to evaluate the effect of audiovisual modeling on dental fear of children using CFSS-DS.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ninety children were divided equally into experimental (group I) and control (group II) groups and were assessed in two visits for their degree of fear and the effect of audiovisual modeling, with the help of CFSS-DS.

RESULTS

The most fear-provoking stimulus for children was injection and the least was to open the mouth and having somebody look at them. There was no statistically significant difference in the overall mean CFSS-DS scores between the two groups during the initial session (P > 0.05). However, in the final session, a statistically significant difference was observed in the overall mean fear scores between the groups (P < 0.01). Significant improvement was seen in group I, while no significant change was noted in case of group II.

CONCLUSION

Audiovisual modeling resulted in a significant reduction of overall fear as well as specific fear in relation to most of the items. A significant reduction of fear toward dentists, doctors in general, injections, being looked at, the sight, sounds, and act of the dentist drilling, and having the nurse clean their teeth was observed.

Prevalence of dentofacial abnormalities in children and adolescents with β-thalassaemia major

BACKGROUND

β-thalassaemia major is a hereditary hemolytic anemia and the patients often experience growth retardation, protrusive maxilla, and depressed nasal bride leading to various degrees of malocclusion.

AIM

The purpose of this investigation is to find the prevalence of dentofacial abnormalities in β-thalassaemia major patients.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Seventy-two patients between 6 and 18 years of age diagnosed with β-thalassaemia major were examined for extraoral abnormalities, malocclusion, oral hygiene, and dental caries. Data obtained were tabulated and statistically analyzed using Chi-square and paired t-test.

RESULTS

Thirty-nine (54.2%) were males and 33 (45.8%) were females. Prominent extraoral abnormalities were found in 41 (56.9%) of the individuals. Study population predominantly had class I occlusion (59.7%) followed by class II occlusion (23.6%) and no class III occlusion. Mean oral hygiene index-simplified score was 2.43 ± 1.24, mean decayed missing filled teeth (DMFT) score was 7.10 ± 3.92, and deft was 5.68 ± 3.12.

CONCLUSION

Despite starting regular blood transfusion at an early age, β-thalassaemia major patients showed marked facial abnormalities. When compared with individuals with no systemic disease, oral hygiene status was similar, but the caries experience was higher in β-thalassaemia major patients. Therefore, emphasis to educate these patients in the prevention and control of dental caries and maintenance of good oral hygiene should be considered.

Comparative evaluation of the antimicrobial efficacy of four chewing sticks commonly used in South India: an in vitro study

BACKGROUND AND AIM

The use of chewing sticks has been well documented since ancient times in India. Chewing sticks are a good alternative to the toothbrush for maintaining oral hygiene. The present study was designed and conducted to compare and evaluate the antimicrobial effects of the aqueous extracts of neem, miswak, mango, and banyan chewing sticks against two bacterial species considered the most important in the initiation and progression of dental caries, namely Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus acidophilus, respectively.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twigs of the above mentioned chewing sticks were sun dried and powdered, and sterile aqueous solutions of 10%, 25% and 50% concentrations were prepared. Culture plates for S mutans and L acidophilus were prepared and the growth was transferred to nutrient agar and Mueller-Hinton agar; antimicrobial activity of the extracts was tested after 72 h, using the disc diffusion method. Normal saline was used as control.

RESULTS

The antimicrobial activity of neem, miswak, and mango extracts increased as their concentrations increased. Both banyan extract and saline showed no antimicrobial activity against the organisms tested.

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Based on the zones of inhibition, aqueous extracts of neem showed the most antimicrobial activity against S mutans, while miswak extracts showed superior antimicrobial activity against L acidophilus. We recommend further phytochemical and pharmacological studies to discover newer nonsynthetic tooth pastes and mouthwashes.

A probe on the intermolecular forces in diisopropyl ether-n-butyric acid mixture by dielectric, FTIR studies and quantum chemical calculations

The results of FTIR spectral measurement on equimolar diisopropyl ether-butyric acid binary mixture and quantum chemical calculations on the complex molecule have been presented. Dielectric studies have been carried out on the binary mixture over the entire composition range and at four different temperatures 303 K, 308 K, 313 K and 318 K. n-Butyric acid seems to prefer less polar ether to interact with it. It appears that the usual interpretation of variation of static dielectric constant and positive deviation of excess permittivity from ideal mixture behavior needs to be relooked.

Exploring the relation between body mass index, diet, and dental caries among 6-12-year-old children

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Childhood overweight and obesity are becoming a major public health concern all over the world. Change in lifestyles and economic growth have led to sedentary lifestyle and altered dietary patterns. There are conflicting reports in the literature regarding the association between body mass index (BMI) and dental caries from various parts of the world. The aim of the present study was to determine if there is an association between BMI-for-age and dental caries in children and to find out the role of diet with respect to BMI-for-age and dental caries.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Demographics and anthropometric measurements were obtained for 600 children and BMI-for-age was calculated. Clinical examination for dental caries was carried out following WHO criteria. A diet recording sheet was prepared and children/parents were asked to record the dietary intake for 3 days. Data obtained were statistically analyzed using Chi-square, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and multiple linear regression.

RESULTS

After excluding improperly filled diet recording sheets, 510 children were included in the study. Caries prevalence was more in obese children than in other BMI groups. Caries scores increased as BMI-for-age increased, though this was not statistically significant. Consumption of fatty foods and snacks was more with obese children compared to other groups. A correlation was found between caries and snacks.

CONCLUSION

Dental caries scores showed no relationship between BMI-for-age in children. Both snacks and fatty food items were consumed more by obese children, which seeks attention.

Molecular interaction study of the diisopropyl ether-propionic acid mixture by spectroscopic and dielectric studies

FTIR and 13C NMR spectral studies have been carried out on diisopropyl ether-propionic acid binary mixture to probe the molecular interactions and stoichiometry of complexation. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations of vibrational frequencies of pure acid and ether-acid binary mixtures have also been performed. In addition, Kirkwood-correlation factors, excess permittivity and excess free energy of mixing have been obtained at various concentrations and at four different temperatures from the dielectric measurements. Excess permittivity is found to have positive deviation and excess free energy deviates negatively from ideal behaviour.

Modelling epidemiology of leprosy

A simulation model for leprosy transmission and control has been developed with specific objectives. Several sensitivity experiments have been carried out by altering the various inputs based on empirical data combined with intelligent guessing. The outputs generated through these exercises were on the expected lines. While incremental exercises would improve the model, it can be used even at the existing stage as a tool for programme managers.

Efficacy of a Bacillus sphaericus formulation as influenced by the quality of Culex quinquefasciatus breeding waters

To understand the physico-chemical factors that influence the efficacy of B. sphaericus formulation in the breeding sites of Culex quinquefasciatus, a study was carried out in Mayiladuturai area of Tamil Nadu (India). The factors studied were hydrogen ion concentration (pH), acidity, alkalinity, chlorides, phosphates, total hardness, sulphates, total solids, dissolved solids, suspended solids, nitrate nitrogen, ammoniacal nitrogen, dissolved oxygen, biological oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD). Efficacy of the formulation was assessed in terms of reduction in larval population in the treated habitats. pH of water in the treated sites was around neutral range (mean +/- SD 7.65 +/- 0.23). Phosphate content was low (2.27 +/- 1.34 ppm) whereas chlorides (326.1 +/- 55.8 ppm) and sulphates (38.9 +/- 23.8 ppm) were high. Total hardness ranged from 206 to 462.5 ppm with a mean of 312.1 +/- 80.5 ppm. The chlorides and sulphates, though present in considerable quantity, did not have any influence on the efficacy of B. sphaericus formulation. However, the proportion of insoluble chlorides and sulphates which contribute to total hardness seemed to influence the formulation adversely.

Efficacy of Bacillus sphaericus in different breeding habitats of Culex quinquefasciatus

'Spherifix', an alginate based slow release formulation of Bacillus sphaericus was field tested in different types of breeding habitats of Culex quinquefasciatus at the dose of 15 kg ai/ha at bimonthly interval. The efficacy of the formulation was higher in most of the months except in rainy and post-rainy months. The mean percentage reduction +/-SD during the treatment phase of one year was 31.2 +/- 17.9, 50 +/- 29.4, 28.3 +/- 17.6, 30.3 +/- 21.1, 66 +/- 22.5 and 53 +/- 20.4 in larval density and 49 +/- 20.8, 65.1 +/- 26.1, 30.3 +/- 21.9, 59.8 +/- 22.6, 63.1 +/- 21.9 and 47.7 +/- 24.2 in pupal density respectively in cement tanks, cesspools, cesspits, disused wells, unlined drains and cement lined drains. The reduction in immature density was relatively higher in undisturbed, debris free and shallow habitats such as cesspools, unlined drains and cement lined drains. After withdrawal of treatment, the effect of the formulation could be seen for a period of four months.