Structural Effects of Various Commonly used Disinfectant Solutions on Gutta-Percha: An Atomic Force Microscopic Study

Introduction: Gutta-percha cones can be contaminated by various ways. Literature revealed several methods for rapid decontamination of gutta-percha cones in dentistry. Atomic force microscope (AFM) is a well-established methodology for structural characterization of materials. Aim: The purpose of the study is to evaluate the effects of 5% sodium hypochlorite 2% chlorhexidine, 2.2% glutaraldehyde, 6% hydrogen peroxide on the surface structure of standardizedgutta-percha cones in their respective cold sterilization times 1, 10, 15, 10 minutes respectively as found in many studies. Materials and methods: Forty standardized gutta-percha cones (ISO standardized size 60) were cut 3 mm from the tip, attached to a glass base and immersed in 5% sodium hypochlorite, 2% chlorhexidine, 2.2% glutaraldehyde, 6% hydrogen peroxide for 1, 10, 15, 10 minutes. After this, the samples were positioned in the atomic force microscope. Theanalyses were performed between 1 and 2 mm from the tip after each period of immersion in NaOCl. Gutta-percha cone without any NaOCl treatment were used as control. Root mean square (RMS) parameters for contact mode imaging variations were measured. Results: The differences between RMS values were testedby ANOVA with Fisher’s protected LSD test for multiple comparisons (p < 0.05). Aggressive deteriorative effects on gutta-percha cone elasticity were observed for 5.25% NaOCl at 1 minute when compared to the control (p < 0.05). In addition, 2% chlorhexidine has caused topographic changes after 15 minutes when compared to the control (p < 0.05). Conversely, 2.2% glutaraldehyde, 6% hydrogen peroxide solution did cause minimal alteration on topography or elasticity of gutta-percha cone structure when compared to the control (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Six percent hydrogen peroxide and 2.2% glutaraldehyde are safe alternative for chair side decontamination of gutta-percha cones when compared to 5.25% NaOCl and 2% chlorhexidine.&nbsp

Dental caries in primary and permanent teeth in children's worldwide, 1995 to 2019: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Early childhood caries (ECC) is a type of dental caries in the teeth of infants and children that is represented as one of the most prevalent dental problems in this period. Various studies have reported different types of prevalence of dental caries in primary and permanent teeth in children worldwide. However, there has been no comprehensive study to summarize the results of these studies in general, so this study aimed to determine the prevalence of dental caries in primary and permanent teeth in children in different continents of the world during a systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods: In this review study, articles were extracted by searching in the national and international databases of SID, MagIran, IranMedex, IranDoc, Cochrane, Embase, ScienceDirect, Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science (ISI) between 1995 and December 2019. Random effects model was used for analysis and heterogeneity of studies was evaluated by using the I2 index. Data were analyzed by using the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (Version 2) software. Findings: In this study, a total of 164 articles (81 articles on the prevalence of dental caries in primary teeth and 83 articles on the prevalence of dental caries in permanent teeth) were entered the meta-analysis. The prevalence of dental caries in primary teeth in children in the world with a sample size of 80,405 was 46.2% (95% CI: 41.6–50.8%), and the prevalence of dental caries in permanent teeth in children in the world with a sample size of 1,454,871 was 53.8% (95% CI: 50–57.5%). Regarding the heterogeneity on the basis of meta-regression analysis, there was a significant difference in the prevalence of dental caries in primary and permanent teeth in children in different continents of the world. With increasing the sample size and the year of study, dental caries in primary teeth increased and in permanent teeth decreased. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the prevalence of primary and permanent dental caries in children in the world was found to be high. Therefore, appropriate strategies should be implemented to improve the aforementioned situation and to troubleshoot and monitor at all levels by providing feedback to hospitals

Knowledge, attitude and practices related to oral health among English and Telugu medium school teachers in two districts of Andhra Pradesh, India: A comparative study

Background: A teacher with adequate oral health knowledge, positive attitude toward dental health can always play an important role in health education of school children and be a role model for children, lay people and the community at large. Objective: To assess and compare the oral health knowledge among English and Telugu medium primary school teachers in Hyderabad and Ranga Reddy districts of Andhra Pradesh. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire study was conducted among 300 primary school teachers selected from two districts of Andhra Pradesh. A combination of cluster and systematic random sampling technique was employed for the selection of study participants. The data on oral health knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) were collected by two investigators using a structured questionnaire. The data were entered onto a personal computer, and statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 20. Results: A total of 150 school teachers each from English (62 males and 88 females) and Telugu medium (62 males and 88 females) schools participated in the study. By considering the oral hygiene aid used and frequency of brushing, it was evident that the oral hygiene practices were better among English medium teachers compared to their counterparts in Telugu medium. The teachers in English medium had favorable attitudes toward dental health than teachers in Telugu medium. Conclusion: The study found English medium teachers to be having better oral hygiene practices, more frequent dental visits, and better awareness about first aid in dentistry. However, the lack of preventive attitude, lack of motivation to be role models for children in oral health maintenance, reflect that there is a tremendous need to improve the oral health KAP among schoo teachers

Malocclusion status among 15 years old adolescents in relation to fluoride concentration and area of residence

Objectives: To compare the overall dental aesthetic index scores between rural and urban areas, males and females, and to correlate dental aesthetic index score with fluoride concentration in drinking water. Settings and Design: The study was cross sectional and conducted among 15 year old adolescents in the rural and urban areas of Nalgonda district, Andhra Pradesh, India (an endemic fluoride belt). Materials and Methods: Six out of 59 mandals in Nalgonda district were first selected by simple random sampling technique. Then 24 secondary schools were selected from these six selected mandals. All eligible grade X children from these sixteen rural and eight urban schools, having different fluoride concentrations in drinking water, selected by simple random sampling, were considered for the study. Dentofacial anomalies with criteria of dental aesthetic index were used for assessing malocclusion. The information on the dietary habits, orthodontic treatment history, parafunctional habits, continuous residence etc., was collected using a pre-designed questionnaire. The examination was carried out by three trained and calibrated dentists. The Dental Aesthetic Index (DAI) scores, in areas with below optimal, optimal and above optimal fluoride concentrations, between urban and rural areas were compared and analyzed using SPSS windows version 16. Results: The mean DAI scores, for the rural and urban population were 21.37 ± 5.845 (mean ± SD) and 22.26 ± 6.115, for males and females, it was 20.86 ± 5.100 and 22.70 ± 6.713 respectively. The mean DAI scores in areas with below optimal, optimal and above optimal fluoride concentration were 23.42 ± 7.205 (mean ± SD), 20.85 ± 4.658 and 19.93 ± 4.312 respectively. Conclusion: The prevalence and severity of malocclusion was more in urban than rural areas, more among females than males, and it decreased with increasing concentration of fluoride in drinking water

Nutritional status in edentulous people as compared to age matched dentate individuals-a cross-sectional study

Objectives: To assess the nutritional status in completely edentulous subjects and to compare with age matched dentate individuals. Materials and Method: The study was carried out in 60 individuals divided into two groups. Group one consisted of 30 edentulous subjects and 30 dentate individuals formed the second group Body Mass Index (BMI), serum albumin and hemoglobin values were analyzed in both the groups. Independent sample t- test was employed to check for the difference between the groups and Pearson′s correlation was done to ascertain the association between the variables within the groups. Results: There was a significant difference in all the biomarkers evaluated in between the groups. The values were negatively correlated with the period of edentulism within the groups. Conclusion: Edentulous people had lower nutritional values than their dentate counterparts and maintaining a healthy and normal dentition may have significant bearing on the overall health of an individual. body mass index, serum albumin, malnutrition, edentulous, dental statu

Prevalence of malocclusion among 15-year-old school children using dental aesthetic index in Nalgonda district, Andhra Pradesh, India: A cross-sectional study

Background: The available literature on the prevalence of malocclusion among school children in endemic fluoride areas in India is scanty. Objectives: The objective was to assess the prevalence of malocclusion using dental aesthetic index (DAI) and its association with gender, area of residence, and fluoride concentration among 15-year-old school children. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 15-year-old school children in the rural and urban areas of Nalgonda district, Andhra Pradesh, India. Two-stage cluster sampling was used for selecting the eligible children. Six out of 59 mandals in Nalgonda district were selected by simple random sampling technique. All the secondary schools in rural and urban areas of these mandals were listed and subsequently, four schools from each of these mandals were selected using random sampling. All eligible children aged 15 years were selected and assessed for malocclusion using Dentofacial anomalies with criteria of DAI by three trained and calibrated dentists. The DAI in relation to gender and area of residence were compared and analyzed using SPSS 16. Student′s t-test and one-way ANOVA were used for comparing the mean values between groups. The qualitative data were analyzed using the Chi-square test. Results: A total of 1484 children was examined. The prevalence of malocclusion was 17.9%. The prevalence was significantly higher (P = 0.001) among females (23.6%) compared to males (13%). The prevalence was significantly higher (P = 0.001) in urban areas (22.2%) compared to rural areas (15%). The prevalence was significantly less (P = 0.001) in optimal (13%) and above optimal areas (8%) compared to below optimal areas (23%). Conclusion: The prevalence and severity of malocclusion were more among females, urban, and below optimal fluoride areas

Relationship between psychological distress with self-rated oral health and dental caries status among dental patients

Background: The present study aimed to determine relationship between psychological distress with self-rated oral health and dental caries status among dental patients. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was designed to explore the relationship between psychological distress using Kessler Psychological Distress (K6) Scale with self-rated oral health and dental caries among dental patients in Hyderabad city. Clinical examination was done using Caries Assessment Spectrum and Treatment (CAST) index. P < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results: Subjects aged over 32 years and females had higher mean scores of psychological distress (6.64 ± 3.90 and 5.90 ± 3.80, respectively). The overall prevalence of caries was 69.1%. Moderate psychological distress remained significantly associated with higher odds of poor self-rated oral health (OR = 1.33). The presence of dental caries, combined with moderate psychological distress, also increased the odds of poor self-rated oral health (OR = 1.18, OR = 1.76). Furthermore, subjects aged under 32 years and males had higher odds of poor self-rated oral health (OR = 2.07, OR = 2.15) (P < 0.05) (Model 3). Conclusion: In conclusion, the present study indicated that individuals with moderate psychological distress had an increased likelihood of reporting poor self-rated oral health and higher odds of dental caries. Additionally, subjects who were younger than 32 years and males had higher odds of poor self-rated oral health

Reconnoitering the association between body mass index and oral health among elementary school children in Hyderabad, Telangana, India

Objective: To evaluate the association between body mass index (BMI) and oral health status among elementary school children in Hyderabad, Telangana, India. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among elementary school children selected from government, private-aided and private-unaided schools in Hyderabad. A stratified cluster random sampling technique was used to select study participants. All parents were requested to be personally present on the day of examination. All eligible children were assembled in a hall and their height in inches and weight in kilograms were recorded by two calibrated investigators. The oral health status of children was assessed using a predesigned oral health assessment proforma. Plaque status was assessed using Sillness and Loe plaque Index and caries using decayed and filled teeth (dft) by a trained and calibrated investigator. Results: One hundred and seventy-one children (89 males and 82 females) were included in the present study. Mean plaque score was 1.4 ± 0.6 with no significant difference in the mean plaque score between children in three different categories of nutritional status (P = 0.07). Mean dft among primary teeth was 1.1 ± 1.1 with a significantly higher score among children who were malnourished (2.4 ± 0.9) compared to children who were overweight (0.9 ± 0.9) and normal (0.4 ± 0.6) (P < 0.001). Conclusion: BMI was negatively associated with caries experience in primary dentition with no association with plaque scores. Overweight children with malnutrition had significantly higher caries experience compared to children with normal BMI

Comparison of patient sensitivity using dentin bonding agent versus zinc phosphate base beneath the amalgam restorations: An in vivo comparative study

Aim: The aim of the present study is to evaluate and compare patient sensitivity following the amalgam restorations using two different materials beneath them - zinc phosphate base and dentin bonding agent. Materials and Methods: Thirty individuals aged between 20 years and 60 years were selected who presented with two class I carious lesions located in different quadrants. Both the teeth were filled at the same appointment. Following rubber dam isolation, conventional cavities were prepared for the amalgam restorations. One tooth received zinc phosphate base while the other received dentin bonding agent beneath the amalgam restoration. High copper non-γ2 amalgam was triturated using amalgamator by condensing it into the cavity. Questionnaires were given to the patients for recording sensitivity scores to heat, cold, or biting at the end of 1, 3, 7, and 14 days. Results: Significance was determined based on the P values obtained from the simple curve z-test. On day 1, when groups I and II were compared, no significant difference in number of patients reporting postoperative sensitivity was found. On day 3, more number of patients reported sensitivity with zinc phosphate cement compared to those with dentin bonding agent. On day 7, there was great reduction in sensitivity in both groups compared to day 1 and day 3 but comparatively more in teeth with zinc phosphate base. On day 14, there was no significant sensitivity in both groups, patients showing no sensitivity to both zinc phosphate base and dentin bonding agent. Conclusion: Postoperative sensitivity was relatively more in teeth restored with zinc phosphate base compared to that restored with dentin bonding agent. Postoperative sensitivity resolved earlier in restorations with dentin bonding agent compared to zinc phosphate base, and sensitivity resolved with time in both the restorations