Dental Research Journal
Volume:18 Issue: 8, Sep 2021

The management of children’s anxiety in dental offices is still a challenge for the treatment team. The most important factors which affect children’s dental anxiety are the clinician‑related factors and the physical factors of the dental operatory. Color is an environmental factor whose relationship with the perceptive and emotional factors of children has been reported. On the other hand, distraction is essential factors in a treatment environment that can be used to manage children’s anxiety.

In this randomized clinical trial study, from 132 6 to 9 years of age children, 52.3% were male, and 47.7% were female, with a mean age of 7.45 ± 1.1 years. The children’s anxiety levels were determined using the Venham Picture Test and pulse oximetry before and after the administration of local anesthesia. The children were randomly assigned to two groups (n = 66): Group 1, music, and Group 2, animated cartoons. The data were analyzed with SPSS 25, using descriptive statistics and the statistical tests consisting of one‑way analysis of variance (ANOVA), t‑test, and repeated‑measures ANOVA, followed by Tukey honestly significant difference tests. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05.

The anxiety levels were the lowest in the blue and pink environments and the highest in the black and red. Anxiety levels between different colors in terms of physiologic markers and the questionnaire in each distraction technique at different intervals was significantly different.

The use of blue, pink, green, and yellow for dentists’ attire, and the interior design of the dental operatory decreased the child patients’ anxiety

The success of the sandwich technique depends on the bond strength of composite to glass‑ionomer cement (GIC)/resin‑modified glass‑ionomer cement (RMGIC). Currently used adhesives employ the total‑etch and the self‑etch techniques. The total‑etch system is technique sensitive, whereas the self‑etch system is popular for its ease of use. The aim of this systematic review is to compare the effect of total‑etch and self‑etch adhesives (SEAs) on the bond strength of composite to GIC/(RMGIC) in the sandwich technique. A literature search was conducted using electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Ebscohost, and Scopus) limiting the year of publications from January 1, 2000, to September 30, 2018, to identify the relevant studies. All the cross‑references of the selected studies were also screened. In vitro studies on extracted human teeth were selected. A total of 10 articles were included in this review. A conclusion was drawn that SEAs when used in the sandwich technique resulted in greater bond strength in comparison to total‑etch adhesives. Moreover, increased bond strength was achieved when the primer was employed on unset GIC as compared to set GIC. Furthermore, the application of SEAs over uncured RMGIC (co‑curing technique) resulted in better bond strengths as compared to their application over cured RMGIC.

To improve the limitations, many modifications in the resin‑modified glass ionomer (RMGI) composition have been proposed. In this study, we evaluated the effect of different concentrations of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles incorporated into RMGI cement on its physical and antimicrobial properties.

In this in vitro study, ZnO nanoparticles with 0–4 wt.% concentrations were incorporated into RMGI. The following tests were carried out: (a) Antibacterial activity against Streptococcus mutans tested by disc diffusion method,(b) mechanical behavior assessment by measuring flexural strength (FS) and flexural modulus (FM),(c) micro‑shear bond strength (µ‑SBS), and (d) fluoride and zinc release. Data were analyzed using the statistical tests of ANOVA, t‑test, and Tukey’s HSD post hoc in SPSS V22. The level of significancy was 0.05.

In the disc diffusion method, specimens with 2 wt.% ZnO nanoparticles showed the highest antimicrobial efficacy (P < 0.05). After 1 month of water storage, no significant difference was observed in FS and FM of the samples (P > 0.05). In 2 wt.% ZnO nanoparticles group, µSBS increased in the first 7 days but decreased by 17% after one month, which showed a significant difference with that of the control group. The fluoride release did no change in the ZnO nanoparticle‑containing group compared with the control group at all time intervals.

Incorporation of 2 wt.% ZnO nanoparticles into the RMGI cement adds antimicrobial activity to the cement without sacrificing FS and fluoride release properties, while decreased µSBS.

Although it is shown that probiotic agents might reduce Streptococcus mutans, no study has evaluated this effect in the form of probiotic mouthrinse. The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of probiotic experimental mouthwash Lactobacillus plantarum versus sodium fluoride and placebo mouthwashes on the number of S. mutans present in dental plaque around orthodontic brackets in fixed orthodontic patients.

This study was a randomized clinical trial. The total of 38 patients participate consisting of 12 patients in the fluoride group, 13 in the probiotic, and 12 in the placebo group. They were given mouthwashes to use twice a day for 2 weeks. Plaque sampling was performed using the 4‑pass technique in all three groups in two stages: before the intervention and after 2 weeks of using the mouthwash. The number of bacteria present in the dental plaque was then reported based on the number of colonies grown on agar medium. Data were analyzed using Kruskal–Wallis and Wilcoxon tests (α = 0.05).

Gender distribution, mean age, and protocol adherence were not significantly different among all three groups. After the intervention, the number of S. mutans present in the dental plaque followed an increasing manner in the placebo (P = 0.005) and probiotic (P = 0.158) groups and decreased in fluoride group (P = 0.025).

The L. plantarum probiotic mouthwash was ineffective in reduction of S. mutans in dental plaque. However, fluoride mouthwash is considerably effective against S. mutans and thus recommended.

One of the drawbacks of tooth‑colored dental restorations is their discoloration over time. The present study aimed to determine the effect of four categories of pediatric medications, including analgesics, antibiotics, anticonvulsants, and multivitamins, on two types of tooth‑colored dental materials, namely, composite resins and glass ionomer cements.

In this in vitro study, a total of 40 specimens with disc shapes (with a diameter of 5 mm and thickness of 2 mm) were prepared from each material and immersed in eight different drugs for 2 min three times a day for 1 week. The values of the baseline color were calculated based on the CIE (International Commission on Illumination) L*a*b* system. After 7 days, ΔE values were calculated. Two‑way analysis of variance was employed for statistical analysis. Statistical significance was defined at 0.05.

Statistical analysis showed that there were significant differences between ΔE and different restorative materials as well as ΔE and drug types (P < 0.001).

According to the results of this in vitro study, all the four types of drugs caused the discoloration in all the restorative materials, and the color change values were affected by the type of used drug and restorative material.

Pulpectomy is the treatment of choice for severely infected primary molars. The aim of the study is to evaluate the instrumentation time and obturation quality using Kedo SG blue, Kedo SH, and reciprocating hand K files in primary mandibular molars. To evaluate the instrumentation time and obturation quality using Kedo‑SG blue, Kedo‑SH, and reciprocating hand K‑files in primary mandibular molars.

A double‑blinded randomized controlled trial was conducted on 45 mandibular molars and were randomly assigned to three experimental groups (n = 15). Group I was instrumented using Kedo‑SG blue pediatric rotary files, Group II with Kedo‑SH pediatric hand files, and Group III with reciprocating hand K‑files. Standardized digital radiographs were taken before and after root canal instrumentation. Root canal preparation time was also recorded. Statistical analysis of the obtained data was done using SPSS software version 17.0. An intergroup comparison of the instrumentation time and the quality of obturation were done using ANOVA and Chi‑square test with the level of significance set at 5%. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

No significant differences were noted with regard to the quality of obturation between the three groups(P < 0.14). However, a statistically significant difference was noted in the instrumentation time between the three groups (P = 0.000). Kedo‑SG blue rotary file had significantly lesser instrumentation time when compared to that of Kedo‑SH hand files and reciprocating hand K‑files.

On comparative evaluation, Kedo‑SG blue pediatric rotary file showed a marked reduction in instrumentation time, followed by Kedo‑SH pediatric hand files and reciprocating hand K‑files.

One of the causes of treatment failure is calcification in the canal pathway, which prevents complete access to proper working length, and one of the most difficult and challenging cases of root canal treatment has been reported. In some cases, the dentist will not be able to open the calcified canal. Therefore, the prognosis of root canal treatment in these cases has been reported poor, and the dentist will offer a plan for possible treatments, including tooth extraction or apical surgery. The presented case is one example of those cases with a periapical lesion, which as a temporary treatment, the pulp chamber was filled with cold ceramic. This material, which is an MTA‑like (Mineral Trioxide Aggregate) bioceramic with proper sealing ability, has been introduced as a root‑end filling material. After 6 years of which the patient returned, he did not express any pain or discomfort during these 6 years. Furthermore, in radiograph that was taken, periapical lesion relative healing and bone regeneration were amazingly seen.

Mandibular tooth extractions for camouflage treatments in borderline Class III patients may end up with unpleasing esthetic results which may lead the patient seeking further complicated retreatments. In this case report, we presented a patient’s retreatment with a combined orthodontic and orthognathic surgery treatment plan. The treatment strategy involved an innovative temporary anchorage device (TAD)‑based method for total mandibular arch mesialization instead of space reopening for first lower premolar replacement with implants. In the current case report, orthognathic management of a Class III adult female is discussed. The patient had a history of an esthetically unsuccessful previous camouflaged orthodontic treatment with two lower premolar extractions. She was prepared for orthognathic surgery using an innovative custom‑made sliding jig based on miniscrews for total mandibular arch mesialization with the aim of dental arch decompensation. After gaining the optimal dental arch discrepancy, the patient had orthognathic surgery (maxillary advancement and mandibular setback and advancement genioplasty). Total mandibular dental arch mesialization with the aim of dental arch discrepancy preparation was successfully conducted using TADs. By means of the innovative miniscrew‑anchored sliding jig, the patient’s satisfactory esthetic and occlusal results were obtained in 22 months. With innovative application of the miniscrews, more practical and reasonable alternatives are available to replace conventional and complicated treatment plans such as space reopening for implants in patients with unsuccessful previous orthodontic therapies.

Adipocyte fatty acid binding protein (A‑FABP) is a novel biomarker of inflammation for various chronic systemic diseases. Since periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease, this study explores the association of A‑FABP with periodontal disease parameters and tumor necrosis factor‑alpha (TNF‑α) levels in gingival crevicular fluid in periodontal health and disease.

This original research article describes a cross‑sectional study conducted at the Department of Periodontics, M. R. Ambedkar Dental College and Hospital, Bangalore, India. This cross‑sectional investigation was conducted on sixty subjects which were divided into three groups of twenty subjects each – healthy, gingivitis, and chronic periodontitis. Clinical parameters – plaque index, bleeding index, probing depth, and clinical attachment loss were recorded. Gingival crevicular fluid samples were analyzed for A‑FABP and TNF‑α levels using ELISA. One‑way analysis of variance was used to find the significance of study parameters on a continuous scale between three groups. Pearson’s correlation has been used to find the relationship between Gingival crevicular fluid concentration of markers and periodontal parameters. Multiple linear regression analysis was applied to the study. The statistical significance was considered at P < 0.05.

Mean concentration of A‑FABP (6.43 ± 2.51) and TNF‑α (3454.82 ± 1566.44) was highest in the periodontitis group, and the difference among the groups was statistically significant (P < 0.05). A positive correlation was observed between clinical attachment loss and the two markers among all groups. The correlation between A‑FABP and TNF‑α in periodontitis groups was positive and statistically significant (P < 0.05). Multiple linear regression model was statistically significant (P < 0.05) indicating that there is a significant relationship between the set of predictors and the clinical attachment loss.

A‑FABP and TNF‑α levels in GCF were significantly elevated in the presence of inflammation. A‑FABP has a probable stimulatory effect on TNF‑α; however, its role needs to be explored. A‑FABP could serve as a novel inflammatory biomarker of periodontitis and the scope of using A‑FABP inhibition as a treatment modality could be investigated with interventional studies

Basaloid squamous cell carcinoma (BSCC) is an exceptional, aggressive variant of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) because of its unique histological feature and an ominous clinical behavior. Recently, it has been recognized as a high‑grade SCC. The most preferential site of occurrence is the upper aerodigestive tract. Because of its aggressive behavior and tendency to metastasize, BSCCs are considered to have poor prognosis. We present a BSCC case in a 60‑year‑old male, which was clinically diagnosed as an aggressive inflammatory lesion with a differential diagnosis of granulomatous lesion, involving the mandibular anterior gingiva. Till now, only 17 cases of BSCC with gingival involvement have been reported in the literature. Here, we present one additional case of BSCC involving gingiva.