Journal of Clinical Pediatric Dentistry

Purpose: This study was undertaken to compare the clinical and radiographic effectiveness of Mineral Tri-oxide Aggregate (MTA) and Calcium Hydroxide in apexification of traumatized young permanent incisors. Methods: Thirty permanent incisors with necrotic pulps and open apices were evenly divided into two groups –Group I (MTA group) & Group II (Calcium Hydroxide group) and treated by apexification. The time taken for apical barrier formation was analyzed. In MTA group, obturation using gutta-percha points was done after 24 hours, whereas in Calcium Hydroxide group obturation was carried out after radiographic confirmation of an apical barrier. Follow up evaluation (clinical and radiographic) was carried out at- 3, 6, 9 and 12 months. Results: The mean time taken for barrier in Group I was 4.50 ± 1.56 months whereas for Group II was 7.93 ± 2.53 months (p value- 0.0002). Radiographic evidence of mean time taken for completion of lamina dura in Group I was 4.07 ± 1.49 months whereas the time period for Group II was 6.43 ± 2.59 months (p value- 0.0067). Conclusion: MTA demonstrated good success and an effective option for apexification with the advantage of reduced treatment time, good sealing ability, biocompatible and provides barrier for immediate obturation.

This study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of caries detector dyes and/or cavity cleanser on composite bonding and etching patterns of enamel and dentin. One hundred and eight non-carious premolars were divided into six groups according to the enamel and dentin pretreatment investigated. The different pretreatment were as follows: Group I: teeth with prophylaxis only, Group II: Sable seek caries detector dye,Groups III: chlorhexidine cavity cleanser,Group IV: the caries detectors dye followed by prophylaxis, Group V: the cavity cleanser followed by the caries detector dye, and Group IV: Snoop caries detector dye. The shear bond strength of composite resin bonded to enamel and dentin was evaluated by the Instron Universal testing machine while, the topographic details of enamel and dentin were examined by the SEM following the different pretreatment and acid etching. Results of the shear bond strength showed no statistically significant difference among the six groups, with no substantial differences in SEM results. It is concluded that using the caries detector dyes and/or chlorhexidine cavity cleanser before acid etching does not significantly affect composite bonding to enamel and dentin.

Objective: Dental anxiety, fear and phobia have different etiology, response patterns, time courses, and intensities that justify a clear distinction between these constructs. Differentiation of dental anxiety, fear or phobia in practice is a critical prerequisite for developing and implementing effective treatment for children. The aim of this study was to investigate whether current researches in the pediatric dentistry appropriately discriminate the central construct of dental anxiety, fear and phobia. We also highlighted the specific methodological issues in the assessment of these issues in pediatric dentistry. Study design: A systematic search was conducted in Pubmed/medline and Scopus for articles which assessed dental anxiety, fear or phobia in children. Results: 104 research papers were included in the review that had made a distinction between dental anxiety, fear and phobia and had not used them interchangeably. Only five studies used different clinical measures or cut-offs to discriminate between dental anxiety, fear and phobia. Conclusion: The dental literature appears unable to capture and also measure the multi-sided construct of dental anxiety, fear and phobia and, therefore, there was a tendency to use them interchangeably.

Purpose: A relationship between the distribution of periodontal bacteria species and malodor in children has not been sufficiently investigated. The present study was undertaken to determine the presence of 3 periodontopathic bacteria (Prevotella spp. P. intermedia, P. nigrescens, P. melaninogenica) in the supragingival plaques of 3 to 16-year-old children with different oral health conditions and oral malodor. Methods: The number of decayed and filled primary teeth (df) and Decayed, Missing and Filled permanent teeth (DMF),Papillary Marginal and Attached gingivitis (PMA) index, Oral Hygiene Index (OHI), and oral malodor of each subject were determined prior to the collection of supragingival plaques. Three periodontopathic bacteria(P. intermedia, P. nigrescens, P. melaninogenica ) in supragingival plaques were detected by using an immunoslot blot assay with monoclonal antibodies specific for each microorganism. Findings: The frequencies of periodontopathic bacteria in children with and without caries were not significantly different from each other. Positivity for P. intermedia, but not for P. nigrescens or P. melaninogenica was correlated with oral malodor. Oral malodor was also correlated with the debris index, a component of OHI.

The group with the higher OHI showed a higher prevalence of periodontopathic bacteria. For the 3 periodontopathic bacteria in the subjects tested, plaques positive for any of them were not age related. However,the frequencies of all 3 periodontopathic bacteria were the highest in the 3-6-year olds. Conclusion: The supragingival plaques in children can harbor 3 species of periodontopathic bacteria, P. intermedia,P. nigrescens, and P. melaninogenica.

The occurrence of root resorption in orthodontically treated permanent incisors with partially formed roots was investigated using periapical radiographs taken before and after the orthodontic leveling in the mixed dentition. The mean age at the beginning of treatment was 9 years and the mean treatment time was 7.1 months. The findings showed that the orthodontic movement during root formation causes no root resorption. The longitudinal follow-up showed that incompletely formed roots developed normally.