Formulation and Physical Characterization of Bio-Degradable Chitosan-Poloxamer Gel Base for Local Drug Delivery

Objective: Thermo-modulated in-situ hydrogel (TSHG) are formulated routinely utilizing poloxamer for extended drug release. However physical properties of such formulations may have some flaws, which can be rectified using a combination of polymers with better physical properties such as chitosan. The purpose of the present study was to fabricate biodegradable chitosan-poloxamer-based in-situ drug delivery systems and assessment of their physical properties. Methods: The present chitosan-poloxamer gel base was formulated using a two-stage method. Initially, chitosan gel was prepared by dissolving 1% w/w chitosan in glacial acetic acid. The poloxamer gel was prepared using “cold method”. The final chitosan-poloxamer gel base was prepared by mixing equal amounts of both solutions and evaluated for physical and mechanical properties. Result and Discussion: The DSC thermogram demonstrated no obvious interactions among ingredients or micellization temperature. The gelation temperature of the gel was between 27 and 330C. The pH was 7 with slight clarity. The viscosity of the gel ranged from 15.14 to 41.19 pa.s. The gel was syringable between 4-300C and biodegradable under physiological conditions. The mean particle size of the gel under SEM was found in the range of 300-554 nm. Conclusion: After the evaluation of the formulation, it can be concluded that all the ingredients in the gel showed good compatibility with each other, which could form a stable and homogeneous gel with favorable mechanical and physical properties. Keywords: chitosan, drug delivery system, hydrogels, poloxame

Comparative evaluation of role play and group discussion as teaching-learning method for behavior management in pediatric dentistry

Communication, behavioral and attitudinal skills are an integral part of teaching behavior management to dental undergraduate students. Due to the complexity of these skills, clinical teaching through didactic method imparts minimal capacity for adopting deep approach to learning. The implication of role play and group discussion could be an opportunity to facilitate such learning outcome. The objectives of this study were to evaluate and compare the efficacy of role play and group discussion as teaching-learning methods for behavior management in pediatric dentistry. The study was carried out with ninety-two final BDS undergraduate students at Sharad Pawar Dental College & Hospital, INDIA. Tell-Show-Do, non-pharmacological behavior management technique was taught to intervention and control group by role play and group discussion method respectively. To assess knowledge gain, pre-test and post-test was conducted. To evaluate acquisition of communication, behavioral and attitudinal skills, students were made to perform a clinical procedure i.e. placement of pit and fissure sealant in primary molars. Each student was evaluated by direct observation using a check-list.  Role play method was found to be highly effective as significant difference was observed in knowledge gain (p=0.020) and acquisition of behavioral and attitudinal skills (p= 0.027) among intervention and control group

Evaluation of Antibacterial Efficacy of Vitex negundo Linn. extract as Root Canal Irrigant against Enterococcus faecalis and its penetration into Root Dentin: An in-vitro study

Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial efficacy of Vitex negundo Linn. extract as root canal irrigant against Enterococcus faecalis and its penetration into root dentin. Methods and Materials: Forty single rooted premolars were randomly divided into 4 groups: 3% Sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), 2% Chlorhexidine (CHX) , 100mg/ml Vitex negundo Linn. and saline as control all mixed with Rhodamine B dye. Test samples were analysed for bacterial count before and after irrigation using absorbent paper points and the colony forming units were recorded and measured. Sectioning of the samples was performed at three levels 3mm,6mm,9mm from apex and then these samples were analysed using confocal laser scanning microscopy for penetration depth of the irrigant within the dentinal tubules. Paired t-test and ANOVA test were used to perform statistical analysis with level of significance set at 0.05 Results: The mean CFU/ml count of Enterococcus facealis reduced significantly in all the groups post irrigation. All the irrigants showed maximum penetration depth at coronal third level compared to middle and apical third level respectively. The penetration depth of NaOCl group was better when compared to CHX group and Vitex negundo Linn. group but the difference was statistically not significant. Conclusion: Although 3% NaOCl was the most effective irrigant, all agents exerted acceptable antimicrobial activity against Enterococcus faecalis and penetration depth within tubules of dentin

Surgical management of large radicular cyst associated with mandibular deciduous molar using platelet-rich fibrin augmentation: A rare case report

Radicular cysts arising from deciduous teeth are rare and usually cause a large bony defect. Autologous platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) is an easily available healing biomaterial in oral surgical defect with the new perspective of accelerated healing of a large bony defect. The present case is of unusually large radicular associated with neglected carious mandibular deciduous second molar in 10-year-old girl and its surgical management with PRF augmentation as a healing biomaterial in the bony defect. One-year follow-up showed uneventful healing and eruption of succedaneous tooth. Healing was relatively faster and facilitated by PRF placement. Furthermore, the importance of anticipatory guidance about the treatment of diseased primary teeth and their preservation gets highlighted