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Introduction: Fluoride plays a key role in prevention of dental caries and is also an essential element for oral health promotion both in children and adults. Aim: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of surface coating (petroleum jelly, G-Coat Plus) on the fluoride releasing property of conventional Glass Ionomer Cement (GIC) and Zirconomer. Materials and Methods: A total of 30 disk shaped brass mold specimens (6±0.1mm in diameter and 2±0.1mm thickness) for each test group were fabricated with conventional GIC (Group A) and Zirconomer (Group B). These test groups were further divided into three subgroups of 10 each. The unprotected specimens act as control (Group A1 and B1), G-Coat Plus specimens as (Group A2 and B2) and for the remaining specimens petroleum jelly was applied (Group A3 and B3). Fluoride ion concentration was measured with a combination of fluoride ion specific electrode and ion analyzer for every 24 hours for 15 days. The data was statistically analyzed using Kruskal Wallis and Mann-Whitney U test. Results: The Group B released significantly more fluoride than Group A. Among all the subgroups the greatest amount of fluoride was released from Group B1, in the first 24 hours followed by A1 and B2. The least was observed on 15th day with Group B3 and A3. Conclusion: Both the tested materials (GIC and Zirconomer) used in the study exhibited fluoride release whether protected or unprotected with surface coating. Though there was a difference between the groups, the pattern of fluoride release was similar and continuous throughout the study period i.e., first the initial burst followed by sustained release. The results revealed Zirconomer released more fluoride and is comparable to conventional GIC.

The study aimed to assess the Knowledge, attitude, and practices of parents regarding kid's dentifrices in Sullia city, Dakshina Kannada. A total of 152 questionnaires both in English and the local language (Kannada) were distributed randomly to parents of children aged 4-7yrs of age on parent-teacher day meet at the schools across Sullia city. Responded questionnaires were collected on the same day and responses obtained were tabulated and were expressed as frequency distribution and computed in percentages. Parents (57%) lacked knowledge of differences between adult & kids dentifrices, 53.1% did not prefer the use of kids dentifrices and 71% of the them used same adult dentifrices for their children; 46.9% preferred kids dentifrices in that 75.6% of them often changed the dentifrices. 73.6% of the parents dispensed the dentifrices for their children, but 62.5% of the parents were not aware of the exact amount of dentifrices to be used and 71.1% of parents used dentifrices half or full length of the toothbrush head. 86.1% of parents supervised the child's brushing and 86.9% raised concern that the child would swallow dentifrices. Brushing time reported was more than 5 minutes in 42.5%, 3-5 min in 38.3%, and less than 3 minutes in 19.2%. Parents used adult toothpaste for children and did not prefer kid's dentifrice as knowledge regarding the differences between adult and kid's dentifrices was less. Parents were not aware of the exact amount of dentifrice to be used according to age; they supervised the child's brushing but were concerned about dentifrice swallowing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: The aim of this study is to evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of synthetic obturating material (Zinc oxide eugenol) individually and combined with medicinal plant extracts (Triphala, Aloevera, Tulsi) against four bacterial strains (Streptococcus mutans, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli). Methods: The herbal extracts were independently mixed in different ratios with zinc oxide powder, followed by mixing with eugenol to know the effective concentration using antibacterial assay. Initially different concentrations of each test material were placed into Agar diffusion wells and zones of inhibition were measured against the selected bacteria. The concentration with maximum zone of inhibition for each test material was assessed and grouped as Group I- Triphala and zinc oxide eugenol (80:20), Group II- Aloevera and zinc oxide eugenol (80:20), Group III- Tulsi and zinc oxide eugenol (50:50) and Group IV- Plain zinc oxide eugenol. Results: All the groups exhibited varied antimicrobial activity against test microorganisms which were statistically significant. Highest antimicrobial efficacy was noticed in the group I followed by group II, III and the least with group IV samples. Conclusion: The formulations obtained by incorporating Triphala, Aloevera, Tulsi in Zinc oxide exhibited substantial antimicrobial activity when compared to Zinc oxide eugenol alone. Even though, the tested materials showed good antibacterial activity in this in vitro study, clinical trials need to be conducted before recommending them as obturating materials in primary teeth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The success of an endodontic treatment depends on effective disinfection and complete sealing of root canal. The irrigants that are currently used in the field of endodontics have certain limitations, so the quest for an ideal root canal irrigant continues. Nowadays, the use of herbal extracts such as Triphala and liquorice are used for their potent antimicrobial activity and less side effects.Aim: This study aims (1) to evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of Triphala and liquorice against Enterococcus faecalis.(2) To determine any cytotoxic effect on isolated human periodontal ligament (PDL) fibroblasts.Materials and Methods: The antimicrobial efficacy of Triphala and liquorice extracts was analyzed at different concentrations (12.5, 25, 50, 75, and 100 mg/ml) using the well-diffusion method. Three percent sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) and distilled water were taken as positive and negative controls. Minimum inhibitory concentration of the active extract was determined by the broth dilution assay. Human PDL fibroblast tissue culture was used to assess the cytotoxicity of the preparations. The data thus obtained were subjected to statistical analysis.Results: The results showed that the mean antimicrobial efficacy of Triphala and liquorice at 50 mg/ml is 20.33 and 9.33, respectively, which are statistically significant (P < 0.0001) as compared with a concentration 12.5 and 25 mg/ml. 50 mg/ml showed significant results (P < 0.001) on comparing with hypochlorite. Triphala and liquorice showed no cytotoxic effect as compared to NaOCl on human PDL fibroblasts.Conclusion: Among the three tested materials Triphala showed the highest antimicrobial efficacy followed by NaOCl and liquorice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Adequate salivary flow is an important requisite in the maintenance of oral health. Salivary flow increases in response to both gustatory (taste) and mechanical (chewing) stimuli. Hence, the aim of the present study was to know the efficacy of commercially available chewing gums (sugar free and sugared) on salivary flow rate (SFR) and pH in caries-active and caries-free children.Materials and Methods: One hundred school children aged between 10 and 12 years were divided into two groups on the basis of their caries status into caries free and caries active. Unstimulated saliva was collected before start of the study. Both groups were subjected to three commercially available chewing gums (2 sugar free, 1 sugared) on consecutive days, and saliva was collected at intervals of 2 min (T2), 10 min (T10), and 30 min (T30). The pH and flow rate of saliva samples were measured before and specified time intervals after gum chewing.Results: In both the groups, gum chewing increased the SFR, significantly at T2, and gradually declined at T30 which was significantly higher than baseline values. The pH raised significantly at T2 and gradually declined at T30 which was significantly higher than baseline values with sugar-free gums, but with sugared gums, the pH raised slightly at T2 and dropped significantly at T30. However, no statistically significant differences in pH and flow rate were noticed in both the groups.Conclusion: Chewing of sugar-free gums in both caries-active and caries-free children may aid in reducing the incidence of dental caries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: A clinician's path to success is a clean root canal system with three dimensional seal. Mechanical instrumentation of root canals alone leaves behind a smear layer covering the dentinal walls. Instrumentation must always be supported by use of irrigants which are considered as an essential prerequisite for root canal debridement. Aim: The aim of this in vitro study was to compare the efficacy of four irrigating solutions in removing the smear layer in primary root canals after hand instrumentation. Materials and Methods: A total number of 40 human primary incisors were decoronated and split longitudinally. The specimens were divided randomly into four groups (n=10): Group I: 5.25% Sodium Hypochloride (NaOCl), Group II: 6% citric acid solution, Group III: smear clear and Group IV: 0.2% chitosan. Scanning electron microscopic analysis was performed to assess the presence or absence of smear layer at the coronal, middle and the apical portion of each canal. The data was analysed using Stastical Package For Social Sciences (SPSS) version 19.0 Armonk, NY IBM Corp soft ware. Results: The pictures from the scanning electron microscopy showed that Group II exhibited better efficacy in removing smear layer without altering the normal dentinal structures with lowest mean scores (p<0.001) followed by Group III, Group IV and Group I. The presence of debris was more evident in the apical third rather than in the middle and the coronal part of the root canal. Conclusion: A 6% citric acid removed the smear layer more efficiently than other test irrigants in primary root canals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: As the search for a better biocompatible medicament is on, aim of the present study was to evaluate the pulpal response to collagen particles impregnated in antibiotics (BiofilTM-AB) and new commercially available cement (Pulpotec) that can be used as pulpal medicament. Materials and Methods: Total sample of 40 teeth from 20 children in the age group of 7-10 years which are noncarious having bilateral retained primary teeth were enrolled for the study. Nine teeth each were treated with collagen particles (group I) and Pulpotec cement (group II), and the remaining samples were discarded due to various reasons. Both groups were randomly subdivided into three teeth each that were extracted after 7, 15, and 30 days intervals and examined histologically. Results: Moderate to severe inflammatory cells with newly formed blood vessels and disorganized odontoblastic cell layer was observed in group I after all three intervals with dentinal bridge formation in two specimens. On contrary, none of the specimens in group II showed any signs of inflammation, but there was a discontinuity in the odontoblastic layer lining along the dentin walls. Conclusion: Both materials were proven to be promising alternatives as pulp medicaments. However, collagen was found to be a better material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim of this study is to compare the shear bond strength between fiber reinforced composite post with three different composite core materials. Materials and Methods: The materials used for the study were: 30 maxillary central incisors, pre fabricated fiber reinforced composite post (postec plus posts), Multi-core heavy body, Ticore, Fluoro-core, Etchant gel, Silane coupling agent, Dentin bonding agent, Standardized gutta percha points, Rely-X dual cure composite resin. A total of 30 human maxillary central incisor were selected for this study. They were divided into three groups of 10 specimens each namely A, B and C. Results: The results obtained were analyzed by using one way analysis (ANOVA) and Tukey Honestly Significant Difference and they showed highest mean shear bond strength for group C when compared with group A and group B. There is no significant difference in the shear bond strength values between group A and group B. Conclusion: The teeth restored with multicore HB showed highest shear bond strength. The teeth restored with Fluoro core showed lowest shear bond strength. No statistically significant difference exists between the shear bond strength values between Ti-core and Fluoro-core. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]