Objective: We attempted to find the possibility of determining the minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration needed for nano-silver base inorganic anti-microbial agent (Novaron^® AG 300, AG 1100) against Streptococcus mutans in vitro using broth dilution assay. Materials and Methods: An ampoule of freeze-dried S. mutans NCTC reference strain was revived, and the colony-forming units (CFU) were calculated. The MIC and MBC was determined by broth dilution assay using different concentrations of Novaron^® AG 300 and Novaron^® AG 1100 against 1 x 10 ⁵ CFU/ml of S. mutans. Results: The MIC and MBC of Novaron^® AG 300 and Novaron^® AG 1100 against S. mutans were found to be 40 μg/ml. Conclusions: Novaron^® has anti-bacterial effect against S. mutans. Further studies are needed to explore the applicability of these silver-supported anti- microbial agents in clinical dentistry.

Objective: To evaluate and compare the pain perception by the pediatric patients, while experiencing computerized injection device comfort control syringe (CCS) and the conventional injection technique during dental clinical procedures. Materials and Methods: Fifty children (31 boys and 19 girls) aged 6-14 years requiring local anaesthesia on both sides of the dental arch for various treatment procedures were selected for this study. The patients served as their own control, and on the appointed day CCS was used on one side of the dental arch and on the subsequent appointment, i.e., the very next day conventional injection technique was used. Visual analogue scale (VAS) and faces pain rating scale (FRS) were used to assess the child's pain perception to each of the techniques immediately after the injection. Various physiological parameters were measured before, during and after the two injection procedures and compared for statistical variation. Results : Paired t-test revealed a statistically significant difference in the pain perception by children using VAS and FRS between computerized and conventional technique. No statistically significant difference was observed when physiological parameters (heart rate, blood pressure and temperature) were compared at various intervals between the computerized and the conventional technique. Conclusion: Computerized injection device (CCS) provides less painful injections when compared to the conventional injection technique.

Aim: this study was conducted to evaluate the antimicrobial effectiveness of 6 root canal filling materials and a negative control agent against 18 strains of bacteria isolated from infected root canals of primary molar teeth using agar diffusion assay. Materials: Aloevera with sterile water, Zinc oxide and Eugenol, Zinc oxide-Eugenol with aloevera, Calcium hydroxide and sterile water, Calcium hydroxide with sterile water and aloevera, Calcium hydroxide and Iodoform (Metapex) and Vaseline (Control). MIC and MBC of aloevera was calculated. Results: All materials except Vaseline showed varied antimicrobial activity against the test bacterias. The zones of inhibition were ranked into 4 inhibition categories based on the proportional distribution of the data. All the 18 bacterial isolates were classified under 2 groups based on Gram positive and Gram negative aerobes. Statistical analysis was carried out to compare the antimicrobial effectiveness between materials tested with each of the bacterial groupings. Conclusion: Aloevera + Sterile Water was found to have superior antimicrobial activity against most of the microorganisms followed by ZOE + Aloevera, calcium hydroxide + Aloevera, ZOE, calcium hydroxide, Metapex in the descending order and Vaseline showed no inhibition.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of immersive VR (IVR) and non-immersive VR (NIVR) distraction on perceived pain during intraoral injections in children undergoing dental procedures. The objective was to introduce 3-dimensional nature of virtual reality during the provoking phase of dental treatment as a means of distraction in children. Study design: A total of 200 children were selected for the study, 100 for IVR group and 100 for NIVR group. After randomization, children were introduced to Oculus Go Standalone equipment; MCDAS (f), VAS, WBFRS and the treatment procedure using tell show do technique. Group I children were introduced to oculus go standalone headset with hand held controller to play temple run or roller coaster game while in group II, children watched cartoon movies of their choice. Pre-operative & post-operative MCDAS scores were obtained using MCDAS (f) questionnaire in local language. Post-operatively, VAS and WBFRS scores were also obtained. The data was analyzed using independent t-test and chi-square analysis. Results: Pre-operatively, the mean MCDAS scores were similar in both the groups viz. Group–I (29.20 ± 3.197) and Group–II (29.09 ± 3.803) and is statistically not significant. Post-operatively, the mean MCDAS scores were higher in non-immersive group (20.72 ± 2.822) as compared to immersive group (10.99 ± 2.227). VAS score was higher in non-immersive group (2.72 ± 0.99) as compared to immersive group (0.75 ± 0.88). WBFRS scores were higher in non-immersive group (2.78 ± 1.097) as compared to immersive group (0.82 ± 1.104). Conclusion: Three-dimensional virtual reality was found to be an effective means of distraction in children undergoing dental procedures and especially during the provoking phase. The significant difference obtained clearly indicates irrespective of immersiveness of virtual reality, anxiety had been decreased and on comparison the pain perception to intraoral injection is less in immersive virtual reality environment. Immersive VR distraction technique can serve as an adjunct to traditional behavior management strategies already available to the pediatric dentist.

Toothbrushing is fundamental to oral hygiene. Children differ in manual dexterity and their grip on toothbrushes. We videotaped toothbrushing sessions and observed the grip type, duration of brushing, and brushing technique used among 100 children aged 8-12 years. We then investigated the association between grip type and plaque removal, using plaque scores obtained at various time points. We further examined the effect on plaque scores of standardizing both brushing technique and duration among the same participants. The most common grip was the distal oblique, followed by the oblique; the spoon and precision grips were rare, and no child used a power grip. Mean brushing duration for most children was 1.43 ± 0.85 min, and the most common brushing technique was horizontal scrubbing. We conclude that grip preference is inherent and that the distal oblique grip was better than the oblique grip in removing plaque. (J Oral Sci 54, 183-190, 2012)

The radicular cyst arises from epithelial remnants stimulated to proliferate by an inflammatory process originating from pulpal necrosis of a non-vital tooth. Radiographically, the classical description of the lesion is a round or oval, well-circumscribed radiolucent image involving the apex of the tooth. Radicular cyst is usually sterile unless it is secondarily infected. This article presents a successful case of conservative non-surgical management of an infected radicular cyst associated with an immature permanent mandibular second molar (47) in a 14-year-old child.