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Introduction: Malocclusion profoundly impacts a child's emotional well-being and affects an individual's quality of life. Early identification improves the chances of organising preventive and interceptive treatment to limit the intensity of developmental aberrations. The data for malocclusion among children of Visakhapatnam is lacking. Aim: To study and evaluate the prevalence of malocclusion and ascertain gender dimorphism among six- and nine-year-old school-going children of Visakhapatnam Materials and Methodols: A cross-sectional, double-stage sample study was conducted among 616 school-going children of Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India, by a single calibrated examiner using a modified Index for Preventive and Interceptive Orthodontic Needs (IPION). IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), version 25.0, was used to analyse data and Pearson's chi-square test to elicit gender differences in the prevalence of malocclusion traits. Results: Prevalence among six-year-old children: interproximal caries-38.4%, premature tooth loss-10.1%, supernumerary teeth-0.3%, upper molar rotation-0.3%, lower molar tipping-2%, anterior crossbite-2.7%, posterior crossbite-0.7%, overjet more than 3 mm-5.1%, overbite more than 2/3rd-8.4%, open bite-2%, incompetent lips-13.8%. Prevalence among nine-year-old children: interproximal caries-49.5%, premature tooth loss-8.8%, active frenum-2.8%, supernumerary teeth-0.6%, diastema-3.4%, upper molar rotation-2.2%, lower molar tipping-5%, impended eruption of first permanent molar-1.3%, overjet more than 3 mm-11%, overbite more than 2/3rd-12.5%, open bite-2.2%, anterior crossbite-8.2%, posterior crossbite tendency-3.1%, Class I-75.6%, Class II-18.8%, Class III (functional shift)-0.6%, Class III (no functional shift)-3.76%, incompetent lips-16.3%. Conclusion: Children from both cohorts demonstrated malocclusion traits. The nine-year-old group had greater prevalence for all components examined except premature tooth loss. No statistically significant gender dimorphism was found in both cohorts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There has been a concerning escalation in oral health problems worldwide. More than half of Indian children are affected by dental diseases. Although several oral health education programs are being implemented at national and regional levels, the goal of optimal oral health seems elusive. During the recent COVID-19 outbreak and the ensuing global lockdown, social media played a key role in disseminating crucial information about the novel coronavirus, leading to appropriate protocols being followed by a vast majority of the population, resulting in the containment of the pandemic. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate knowledge among children about oral hygiene practices and compare them with knowledge regarding COVID-19 preventive measures in view of the role played by social media. Subjects and Methods: An online questionnaire survey was conducted among children aged 10--15 years. Results: A total of 177 children responded to the questionnaire. The results showed that all the participants (100%) followed the correct method of wearing a mask during the COVID-19 pandemic, as advised by social media. More than half of the children (61%) had knowledge about the handwash protocol. Contrarily, only 33% of children brushed their teeth twice a day, 51% of children brushed for 2--3 min, 68% of children had a snacking habit, and only 7.3% of children were aware of the process to be followed in the event of tooth avulsion due to dentofacial trauma. Conclusion: Children are sensitized to information regarding COVID-19 safety measures and therefore followed them better than oral hygiene practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Indirect pulp therapy (IPT) is conventional treatment of deep dentinal carious lesions without risk of pulp exposure. Development of new biomaterials with biocompatibility and seal has changed the attitudes toward IPT.Aim/objectives: This study was conducted to evaluate and compare the clinical and radiographic success of biodentine, 2% chlorhexidine gluconate with resin-modified glass ionomer cement (RMGIC), and calcium hydroxide as indirect pulp-capping materials in primary molars over an observation period of 12 months.Materials and Methods: A total of 54 primary molars within the age group of 3-9 years, which were indicated for IPT were randomized into three groups of 18 samples each; Group I: biodentine, Group II: 2% chlorhexidine gluconate followed by RMGIC, Group III: calcium hydroxide (Dycal). These cases were followed up for evaluation clinically and radiographically at 3, 6, and 12 months. The recorded data were subjected to statistical analysis using Chi-square test.Results: After 12 months, the clinical and radiographic success of biodentine group was 100% (18/18), with 2% chlorhexidine gluconate disinfecting solution followed by RMGIC was 94.4% (17/18) and calcium hydroxide (Dycal) was 94.4% (17/18), failures included one at 3 months with RMGIC and another at 12 months with calcium hydroxide group; but there was no statistically significant difference observed between them with P = 0.361 at 3 months and P = 0.371 at 12 months interval.Conclusion: Biodentine can be effectively used as indirect pulp-capping medicament in primary teeth which has similar clinical and radiographic success as 2% chlorhexidine gluconate in conjunction with RMGIC and calcium hydroxide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Despite modern advancement in material and technical aspect, management of infected primary molars is of prime concern in pediatric endodontics. An effective root canal material plays the major role in achieving the fluid impervious seal by defending against variant microflora and maintaining the tooth in function for longer duration.Aims: This study aims to evaluate and compare the success of endoflas as root canal filling material in infected primary molars with zinc oxide eugenol (ZOE).Materials and Methods: Primary molars with necrotic pulp in healthy, cooperative children were selected. Ethical clearance and informed consent was obtained. Standardized pulpectomy procedure was done and root canals were filled with either ZOE or endoflas. Further follow-up with clinical and radiographic evaluation was carried at 0, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months. The findings obtained were statistically analyzed using Chi-square test.Results: Endoflas showed acceptable results as root canal filling material in primary molars even at 2-year follow-up, though overfilling of root canals led to low success rate compared to teeth with combined optimal and under fillings. There was no significant difference between the two materials (P > 0.05).Conclusions: Endoflas could be a potential alternative to ZOE for preserving infected primary molars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The rationale of this in vivo study was to evaluate and compare different obturation techniques for the intracanal conveyance of Endoflas in the primary molars using conventional radiography.Materials and Methods: Thirty-eight children (4-9 years old) with total of 45 pulpally infected primary mandibular molars indicated for pulpectomy were categorized into three groups (i) endodontic pluggers, (ii) lentulospirals, and (iii) NaviTips, respectively, for obturation with Endoflas. The level of obturation and the presence of voids were evaluated radiographically, and the obtained data were statistically analyzed using Chi-square test.Results: The results showed no significant difference between the three techniques to deliver Endoflas. Motor-driven lentulospirals showed better results (64.4% optimal fillings) compared to the pluggers (62.2%), but NaviTips showed poor results (48.9%) for the level of obturation (P > 0.05). Voids were observed in all the techniques used. Pluggers and lentulospirals showed similar results with greater void-free canals, whereas NaviTip system showed more voids which was statistically not significant (P > 0.05).Conclusion: Motor-driven lentulospiral and pluggers were almost equally efficient to fill Endoflas to an optimal level, devoid of voids, and both were considered better compared to NaviTip system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The rationale of this in vivo study was to evaluate and compare different obturation techniques for the intracanal conveyance of Endoflas in the primary molars using conventional radiography., Materials and Methods: Thirty-eight children (4-9 years old) with total of 45 pulpally infected primary mandibular molars indicated for pulpectomy were categorized into three groups (i) endodontic pluggers, (ii) lentulospirals, and (iii) NaviTips, respectively, for obturation with Endoflas. The level of obturation and the presence of voids were evaluated radiographically, and the obtained data were statistically analyzed using Chi-square test., Results: The results showed no significant difference between the three techniques to deliver Endoflas. Motor-driven lentulospirals showed better results (64.4% optimal fillings) compared to the pluggers (62.2%), but NaviTips showed poor results (48.9%) for the level of obturation (P > 0.05). Voids were observed in all the techniques used. Pluggers and lentulospirals showed similar results with greater void-free canals, whereas NaviTip system showed more voids which was statistically not significant (P > 0.05)., Conclusion: Motor-driven lentulospiral and pluggers were almost equally efficient to fill Endoflas to an optimal level, devoid of voids, and both were considered better compared to NaviTip system.