To assess the prevalence of malocclusion among 12-18-year-old disabled adolescents in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, by using the Dental Aesthetic Index (DAI) and to determine the association of malocclusion with dental caries. This cross-sectional study included 243 children with various mental disabilities with or without physical infirmities. The Dental Aesthetic Index (DAI) and the dentition status were recorded using the World Health Organization Oral Health Surveys – Basic Methods (1997) Pro-forma. The Decayed (D), Missing (M) and Filled (F) components of the DMF index were calculated using the Dentition Status and Treatment Need (DSTN). A Chi-square test, ANOVA, and t-test were used to derive inferential statistics. The mean DAI score ± standard deviation was 39.0 ± 12.3. A total of 123 (50.6%) participants (74 males and 49 females) had DAI scores of 36 and above, which indicated a handicapping malocclusion requiring mandatory orthodontic treatment. Sixty-nine (28.4%) adolescents (36 males and 33 females) had DAI scores between 31 and 35, which indicated severe malocclusion, for which orthodontic intervention was desirable. Incisal segment crowding (84.8%) was the most common aspect of the malocclusion. The mean DMFT score was 4.36 ± 3.81, and 82.8% of the participants had a DMFT score > 0. There was no statistically significant correlation between the mean DAI and DMFT scores (r = 0.090, p = 0.15). Only 16 (6.6%) of the adolescents had minor or no anomaly not needing orthodontic treatment. The prevalence of malocclusion and dental caries was found to be high. However, there was no positive correlation between the severity of malocclusion and dental caries among the surveyed disabled adolescents.

Background: Intracanal medicaments can be used in various endodontic conditions including multiple visit endodontics after trauma or in regenerative endodontics. These medicaments should be removed from the root canal before the placement of the filling or repair material. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of prior calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)₂) and modified triple antibiotic paste (mTAP) placement on the push-out bond strength of TotalFill BC fast set putty (BC fast set putty) to root dentin when compared to mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA). Methods: The root canals of 45 extracted mandibular premolars were prepared to a standardized internal diameter (1.5 mm). The specimens were randomly assigned to 3 groups according to the intracanal medicament used: mTAP (a mixture of metronidazole, ciprofloxacin, and cefaclor), Ca(OH)₂, and no intracanal medicament. After 1 week, the medicaments were removed, and the middle third of the roots were cut into two transverse sections (2.0 ± 0.05) (n = 90 slices). Thereafter, the specimens were divided into two subgroups (n = 45 each): MTA or BC putty. After 1 week, the push-out test was performed and failure mode was evaluated. The data were statistically analyzed using two-way ANOVA and Tukey’s post hoc. Results: The application of the intracanal medicament did not significantly affect the bond strength of BC putty (p > .05). For MTA, the prior application of Ca(OH)₂ or mTAP significantly decreased the dislocation resistance (p < .05). Specimens in the MTA subgroups showed an almost equal number of cohesive and mixed types of failure while the majority of the specimens in the BC putty subgroups revealed the cohesive type. Conclusions: Ca(OH)₂ and mTAP promoted lower bond strength of MTA to root dentin compared to the control group. However, the BC fast set putty bond strength to dentin was not affected by prior medication with Ca(OH)₂ or mTAP.

This study assessed the dose-dependent effect on the cytotoxicity of BioRoot RCS (BR) and Endosequence BC (BC) sealers in human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) compared to those of the AH Plus sealer. Cells were exposed to different dilutions of extracts from freshly prepared sealers (1:2, 1:8, 1:32). Unexposed cells acted as the negative control. Cytotoxicity was evaluated by an alamar blue assay. Cell morphology was analyzed by using scanning electron microscopy after exposure to the different sealers’ extracts. Statistical analysis was performed using a one-way analysis of variance and the Bonferroni post hoc test (p < 0.05). The cytotoxicities of BC and BR were less than that of AH Plus. In the presence of 1:2 BR, the cell proliferation was significantly lower than the control. At 1:8 and 1:32 concentrations, both the tricalcium silicate sealers led to similar cellular proliferation. Cells in BC and BR sealers’ extracts spread better than those in AH Plus extract.

To determine the prevalence of dental erosion and its association to commonly used beverages and snacks among 3 to 5 year old preschool children in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Three hundred eighty-eight preschool children between 3 and 5 years old were selected from 10 different schools using a cluster random sample selection; there were 184 (47%) boys and 204 (53%) girls. The surfaces of each tooth were examined for erosion, and the level of tooth wear was recorded. Data on the frequently used beverages and snacks were obtained by questionnaires completed by the parents of the preschool children. Among the 388 children examined, 47% exhibited low erosion, 10% exhibited moderate erosion and 4% exhibited severe erosion. There was no statistically significant difference between boys and girls in terms of the prevalence of erosion. Sixty percent of the children regularly consumed juice drinks. Among daily consumers, 84% of children showed erosion prevalence with strongly significant association (p < 0.005). Holding the drink in the mouth also showed a significant association with erosion (p < 0.02). It was concluded that an association was found between the prevalence of dental erosion and the frequency of citrus and carbonated juice consumed by the preschool children in Saudi Arabia.

Papillon–Lefèvre syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by palmoplantar hyperkeratosis and aggressively progressing periodontitis leading to premature loss of deciduous and permanent dentition. The etiopathogenesis of the syndrome is relatively obscure, and immunologic, genetic, or possible bacterial etiologies have been proposed. A series of five cases of Papillon–Lefèvre syndrome among the siblings in a family is presented here: a 3-year-old Arab girl, a 4-year-old Arab boy, a 11-year-old Arab boy, a 12-year-old Arab boy, and a 14-year-old Arab boy. The patients presented with severe gingival inflammation and mobility of teeth. The clinical manifestations were typical of Papillon–Lefèvre syndrome and the degree of involvement of the oral and skin conditions varied among them. This case series stresses the consanguinity in the family as an etiologic factor. All siblings in the family were affected with Papillon–Lefèvre syndrome which makes this a rare case. A multidisciplinary approach with the active participation of a dental surgeon, dermatologist, and pediatrician is essential for the management of cases of Papillon–Lefèvre syndrome.