Comparative Evaluation of Sealing Ability of Moisture-tolerant Sealant and Glass Ionomer Sealant Using Stereomicroscope: An In Vitro Study

Introduction/background

The preventive benefits of pit and fissure sealants rely on their retention and sealing ability. The drawback of the conventional pit and fissure sealant is its poor retention due to the presence of moisture. Among the numerous pit and fissure sealants available, newer hydrophilic sealants are ideal for children. This study evaluates and compares the sealing ability of hydrophilic sealant Embrace WetBond with conventionally used glass ionomer sealant under a stereomicroscope.

Materials and methods

A total of 48 extracted human premolars were randomly divided into two groups (N = 24) and sealed with Embrace WetBond and GC Fuji VII as per manufacturers' instructions. Following thermocycling, the sectioned samples were evaluated for sealant penetration, unfilled space, and total length of fissure under a stereomicroscope at magnifications 2.5×, 4×, and 5×. The values were measured in microns and in various fissure types using the "ImageJ app" to measure the sealant penetrability and sealing ability. The data recorded were statistically evaluated.

Results

The penetrability of moisture-tolerant sealant was better (87.8 ± 10.7) compared to that of glass ionomer sealant (73.8 ± 15.5) (p = 0.002). Among the samples, U-type fissure patterns displayed greater penetrability (94.2 ± 6.2), whereas IK-type fissures revealed the lowest degree of penetrability (67.5 ± 7.3).

Conclusion

Embrace WetBond is better than glass ionomer sealant with respect to penetrability and sealing ability under stereomicroscope hence recommended as a better sealant for pediatric clinical practice.

How to cite this article

Priscilla S, Shivashankarappa PG, Mohandoss S, et al. Comparative Evaluation of Sealing Ability of Moisture-tolerant Sealant and Glass Ionomer Sealant Using Stereomicroscope: An In Vitro Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2023;16(S-1):S67-S71.

Effect of green synthesized ZnO nanoparticles using Paspalum scrobiculatum grains extract in biological applications

In this report, ZnO nanoparticles were biosynthesized using Paspalum scrobiculatum grains extract for the first time. GC-MS analysis explicated that diethyl phthalate was the major phytocompound with 94.09% in aqueous extract. ZnO nanoparticles formation was confirmed by various physicochemical analyses. HR-TEM images showed the hexagonal, rectangular shaped nanoparticles in 15-30 nm size. The antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-diabetic analyses showed the effective bioactivity of ZnO nanoparticles in 80 μg/ml concentration with 95.36%, 94.08%, and 91.96%, respectively. The morphological and tissue changes witnessed in larvicidal and insecticidal activities against Culex tritaeniorhynchus and Tribolium castaneum revealed the efficient nature of ZnO nanoparticles in 100 ppm at 48 h and 100 μg/kg at 72 h, respectively. The morphological changes in antibacterial activity demonstrated the bactericidal nature of ZnO nanoparticles against Salmonella typhi and Staphylococcus aureus in 150 μg/ml concentration. The morphological observations in anticancer activity against HepG2 liver cancer cells showed the potent drug features of ZnO nanoparticles in 100 μg/ml concentration with 97.18% of cytotoxicity. The ZnO nanoparticles showed no toxicity against HDF normal cells in lower concentrations and it explicated the biocompatible features of nanoparticles. The Vigna radiata plant growth was efficiently promoted by low (60 ppm) concentration of nanoparticles. The ZnO nanoparticles divulged effective degradation of IPA, EDTA, BQ, and DPBF in 75%, 45%, 55%, and 80% through ROS formation, respectively. Thus, the synthesized ZnO nanoparticles are biocompatible and inexpensive material compared to the traditional one and can be utilized as an efficient material in biological fields.

Moisture Tolerant Pit and Fissure Sealant: A Literature Review

Even in the 21st century, dental caries are considered a global burden, severely upsetting the health and quality of life of those affected. Apart from the fluoride use and regular oral hygiene, one of the most important prophylactic approaches against caries occurrence is the sealing of pits and fissures. Pit and fissure sealants are a core part of the preventive program in pediatric dentistry and should be considered as a key component of minimally invasive dentistry due to their broad patient benefit. The primary sealant efficacy measure is retention. If the sealant remains bonded to the tooth and offers a good seal, then it is right to expect the occurrence of caries to be diminished. Traditional pit and fissure sealants are hydrophobic. These materials are based on bisphenol A-glycidyl methacrylate (bis-GMA) and other monomers requiring a dry field which is hard to achieve in an oral environment, especially for children. This review highlights the literature on the effectiveness of moisture tolerant pit and fissure sealant, which are the hydrophilic pit and fissure sealant, and a general overview of the pit and fissure sealant materials used for sealing occlusal surfaces, its classification as well as indications and possible side effects. How to cite this article: Priscilla S, GS P, Mohandoss S. Moisture Tolerant Pit and Fissure Sealant: A Literature Review. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2022;15(2):233-239.

Facile synthesis of metal nanoparticle-loaded polymer nanocomposite with highly efficient an optically enhanced biocidal and anticancer agents

In this work, we prepared silver nanoparticles (AgNPs)-loaded poly(2,5-dimethoxyaniline;PDMA) nanocomposite via a simple chemical oxidative method to develop new effective biocidal and anticancer agents systems. In situ UV-vis and fluorescence spectroscopy has been used to monitor the formation of PDMA/Ag is strongly dependent on the concentration of PDMA in the present system. The FTIR and XRD studies exhibit that the rate of polymer formation and oxidation state of PDMA/Ag nanocomposite, which confirmed the AgNPs is strongly binding with the PDMA matrix. SEM and EDAX analysis revealed the presence of uniform size and the highest percentage of AgNPs (42.1%) in the PDMA/Ag nanocomposite. TEM and size distribution analysis revealed the presence of spherical AgNPs with an average diameter of 25 nm in the PDMA/Ag nanocomposite. In addition, the PDMA polymer with embedded AgNPs exhibited excellent antibacterial performance against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Interestingly, the prepared PDMA/Ag nanocomposite exhibited enhanced bactericidal performance compared with the PDMA polymer, presumably because of the antibacterial properties of the AgNPs substrate. The anticancer effects of combined treatment with PDMA polymer and AgNPs were evaluated using a series of cellular and biochemical assays. The findings from this study revealed that the PDMA/Ag nanocomposite treatment significantly inhibited cell viability and proliferation of the human cervical cancer cell line (HeLa). The PDMA/Ag nanocomposite exhibits better antibacterial and anticancer activities compare to pristine PDMA.

Comparative Evaluation of Plaque Removal Effectiveness of Manual and Chewable Toothbrushes in Children: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Objective

In children, manual dexterity poses a problem with the use of manual tooth brushes (MB), resulting in inefficient plaque removal. Recently, novel chewable brushes (CB) have been introduced which could overcome this problem but are less researched in children. The objective of this study is to assess and compare the plaque removal effectiveness of CB with that of MB.

Materials and methods

A total of 60 patients aged 8 to 10 years were enrolled in a single-blinded randomized clinical trial. At baseline, disclosing solution was applied and the Turesky modification of the Quigley–Hein index (TQHI) plaque index and Loe and Silness gingival index were recorded. The subjects were randomly divided into two groups as group I (MB) and group II (CB) and they were instructed to use their respective brushes for a period of 1 week. For statistical comparison, the difference (prebrushing minus postbrushing) in average scores was calculated. Data were evaluated by the independent t test and paired t test, with p < 0.05.

Results

The overall plaque scores reduced from 1.71 ± 0.4 to 0.79 ± 0.24 when using CB and from 1.64 ± 0.64 to 1.13 ± 0.47 when using MBs. On lingual tooth surfaces, CB showed a plaque reduction of 38.70 ± 11.04 to 12.60 ± 4.79 compared to less reduction from 37.43 ± 14.26 to 28.73 ± 11.37 for MB. The overall gingival scores were also reduced from 0.33 ± 0.51 to 0.09 ± 0.07 when using CB and from 0.30 ± 0.33 to 0.19 ± 0.23 when using MB. Differences in scores between the two brushes were statistically significant (p = 0.0001).

Conclusion

It was concluded that the experimental CB was able to remove a significant amount of plaque, particularly on the lingual surfaces, and reduced gingival index scores, thereby improving oral hygiene and gingival health status.

How to cite this article

Kayalvizhi G, Radha S, et al. Comparative Evaluation of Plaque Removal Effectiveness of Manual and Chewable Toothbrushes in Children: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2019;12(2):107–110.

Prevalence of Dental Caries Among Primary School Children of India - A Cross-Sectional Study

INTRODUCTION

In India, the trend indicates an increase in oral health problems especially dental caries, which has been consistently increasing both in prevalence and in severity. Children of all age groups are affected by dental caries. It becomes imperative to collect the data on prevalence of dental caries and treatment needs to provide preventive care.

AIM

To assess the prevalence of dental caries and treatment needs of 6-11years old Indian school children.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study. Sampling frame consisted of 6-11years old primary school children. Study sample consisted of 13,200 children selected from 10 talukas of Belgavi District, Karnataka, India. Clinical examination for dmft and DMFT was carried out in the school premises by five teams, each consisting of one faculty, three postgraduate students and five interns from the KLE VK Institute of Dental Sciences, Belagavi, Karnataka, India. The examiners were trained and calibrated by the principal investigator. Statistical analysis was done using Chi-square and t-test.

RESULTS

The overall caries prevalence was 78.9%, mean dmft was 2.97±2.62 and mean DMFT was 0.17±0.53. The decayed teeth component was the principal component in both dmft and DMFT indices. The mean dmft in boys was higher compared to girls and it was found to be statistically significant (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

This study provided us with the baseline data, using which treatment was provided to all the children screened. The children were provided treatment at the camp site/dental hospital/satellite centers and primary health care centers according to the facilities available.