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

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

Antiplaque efficacy of tooth and gums tonic, Hiora-GA gel, and Spirogyl Gum Paint in comparison with chlorhexidine M gel: A double-blind randomized control trial

Objective: To compare the efficacy of three different herbal products (Tooth and Gums Tonic, Hiora-GA gel, and Spirogyl Gum paint) in reducing plaque, gingival inflammation and bacterial count in comparison with chlorhexidine M gel among participants with moderate to severe periodontitis. Materials and Methods: A total of eighty participants with moderate to severe periodontitis were initially recruited after obtaining their informed consent. All participants were offered scaling and polishing on the first visit to remove visible calculus. Then, these participants were randomly divided into four groups of twenty participants each using block randomization method. Participants in Group 1, 2, 3, and 4 were given chlorhexidine M gel, Hiora-GA gel, Spirogyl Gum paint, and Tooth and Gums Tonic, respectively. All participants were instructed to brush their teeth twice day with a soft bristled toothbrush and their regular fluoridated toothpaste. They were instructed to apply the respective gels twice a day according to the manufacturer's guidelines. The posttreatment follow-up examinations for gingival and plaque changes were assessed after 30, 60, and 90 days by three trained and calibrated investigators using gingival and plaque index. The investigators and statistician were blind about group allocation. The supragingival plaque samples were collected before and 90 days after treatment from the buccal surfaces of maxillary right first permanent molar of each participant for microbial analysis. Results: The mean plaque, gingival scores significantly decreased at different intervals following intervention in all groups. The bacterial counts also significantly reduced postintervention with no significant difference in the efficacy of these products compared to chlorhexidine. Conclusion: All three herbal products were found to be effective when used along with oral prophylaxis. Hence, they can all be used as alternates to chlorhexidine in the management of periodontal diseases