Comparative analysis of the remineralization potential of CPP?ACP with Fluoride, Tri-Calcium Phosphate and Nano Hydroxyapatite using SEM/EDX ? An in vitro study

In recent years, the non-invasive management of non cavitated caries lesions using remineralization systems to repair the enamel have received more attention from the scientific community. Aim: To quantitatively evaluate the remineralization potential of Casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate-fluoride(CPP-ACPF), Tri-calcium phosphate(TCP) & Nano-hydroxyapatite(nHAP) using Scanning Electron Microscopy(SEM) and Energy dispersive X-ray Analysis(EDX). 40 enamel specimens were prepared, and immersed in demineralising solution at a pH of 4.4 for 96 hours at 37°C, to induce artificial carious lesions. Remineralization was carried out for a period of 30 days using CPP-ACPF, TCP, nHAP. The specimens were evaluated for calcium and phosphorus content using SEM-EDX. The Ca/P mass % after remineralization was significantly higher with CPP-ACP-F and TCP-F followed by nHAP. CPP-ACP-F and TCP can promote significant remineralization of incipient carious lesions. These are excellent delivery vehicles available in a slow release amorphous form to localize calcium, phosphate and fluoride at the tooth surface

COVID-19 and Personal Protective Equipment-Related Challenges Faced by Pediatric Dentists during patient care: A Qualitative Study

Objective: To describe the challenges pediatric dentists face while caring for their patients during the pandemic. Material and Methods: A descriptive qualitative study was conducted with purposefully sampled pediatric dentists. Data were collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews until the content of the collected data reached theoretical saturation. Data were transcribed verbatim, coded, and analyzed using content analyses. Results: Seven participants (four females and three males) between 29 and 50 years participated in the study. Three themes emerged from the analyses: Anxiety and fear; PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) and its impact on care delivery; and 3) Behavior management. Conclusion: Dental care delivery was challenging for pediatric dentists. They experienced high anxiety levels and modified their services according to the recommended guidelines while making accommodations to lessen patients’ COVID-19-related anxiety. The additional mandated PPE use affected the communication between the dentists and their patients, affecting their dentist-patient bonding

Efficacy of glutathione biomolecule in reducing the tooth discoloration associated with silver diamine fluoride: A split-mouth In vivostudy

Background: The necessity to modify silver diamine fluoride (SDF) to make it esthetically acceptable without affecting its beneficial properties keeps the research in this field pertinent. Aim: This study aims to comparatively evaluate the efficacy of Glutathione (GSH) in reducing tooth discoloration associated with SDF. Materials and Methods: This split-mouth in vivo study was conducted on 20 children aged 3–8 years having a minimum of 3 active carious primary teeth. The three teeth in each patient were randomly divided into Group I – 38% SDF; Group II – 38% SDF followed by application of potassium iodide; and Group III – 38% SDF mixed with 20% GSH. Standardized photographs were taken immediately after application and after 6 months, which were analyzed using Image J software. The carious lesions were clinically classified as active or arrested after 6 months. Results: When mean gray values of three groups were compared postoperative, the highest value (lighter shade) was observed for group II and least (darker shade) for group I, whereas, during the 6-month follow-up, the highest value was seen for group III and least for group I. The color change from preoperative to 6 months' follow-up was compared, and a statistically significant difference was observed between groups I and II (P = 0.003) and groups I and III (P = 0.001). When caries arresting effectiveness was analyzed, there was no significant difference found between any of the groups (P = 1). Conclusion: Mixing 20% GSH with 38% SDF was an effective measure in reducing the tooth discoloration associated with SDF, without affecting caries arresting the efficiency of the latter