Aim: This study was conducted to compare the in vivo effectiveness of DIAGNOdent with other conventional methods (visual, tactile and bitewing radiographs) for the detection of occlusal caries in primary molars. Another objective of the study was to calculate new cut-off limits for the detection of caries by DIAGNOdent in primary teeth. Materials and Methods: Eighty-four primary molars in 52 children (aged 8-12 years), which were indicated for extraction, were selected and evaluated for dental caries using DIAGNOdent, visual and tactile examination and bitewing radiographs. Histological examination of the sections, prepared subsequent to extraction of the teeth, served as the gold standard for comparison of the above-mentioned methods. Results: When considering enamel caries, values obtained for sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were 48.15, 100 and 49.40% for visual examination, 48.15, 100.00 and 49.40% for tactile examination, 49.38, 50.00 and 49.40% for bitewing radiographs, 85.19, 50.00 and 84.34% for DIAGNOdent scores interpreted according to manufacturer's cut-off limits and 81.48, 100.00 and 81.93% for DIAGNOdent scores interpreted according to newly formulated cut-off limits, respectively. At dentin caries cut-off levels, the values of sensitivity, specificity and accuracy for visual examination were 52.78, 89.36 and 73.49%; 50.00, 91.49 and 73.49% for tactile examination; 30.56, 82.98 and 60.24% for bitewing radiographs; 72.22, 76.60 and 74.70% for DIAGNOdent scores when interpreted according to manufacturer's cut-off limits and 77.48, 74.47 and 75.90%, respectively, for the DIAGNOdent scores when interpreted according to the newly formulated cut-off limits. Conclusions: DIAGNOdent showed higher sensitivity and accuracy as compared with other conventional methods for detection of enamel caries, whereas for detection of dentinal caries, even though the sensitivity was high, accuracy of the DIAGNOdent device was similar to other conventional caries diagnostic methods.

The present study was conducted to find out the role of natural immunity against dental caries. Whole stimulated saliva of various caries from active children was collected. Antigen glucosyltransferase (GTF) was prepared from Streptococcus mutans serotype C and the antibody titre was estimated using ELISA. Salivary IgG, s-IgA and total immunoglobulins (IgG + s-IgA+ IgM) concentration were assayed. The result showed an increased level of salivary IgG concentration with the increased number of dental caries, which was not statistically significant. But there were significant decrease of s-IgA titre as well as total immunoglobulin concentration in saliva with the increased number of dental caries. This study showed that because of lack of local immunity the children are more prone to dental caries.

This paper describes the successful alignment of a horizontally impacted maxillary central incisor positioned high in the vestibule, in a 15-year-old girl, by purely orthodontic means. A unique and innovative technique for traction was employed so as to cause minimal injury to the neighboring soft tissue. The article is a step forward in establishing the predictability of orthodontic alignment in management of such cases, which may become the method of choice over extractions or surgical repositionings.

The present study was conducted to evaluate the influence of thumb sucking and its duration on the type of malocclusion. A total of 410 North Indian individuals between ages 12-30 years, 161 males and 249 females were examined. A specially designed proforma was used to record the detailed history of the individual. Among the etiological factors it was found that history of thumb sucking was present in 13.9% and significantly related to Class II div 1 malocclusion. When thumb sucking exceeded 18 months, it was found statistically significant (P < 0.1) in Class II skeletal malocclusion, in open bite (P < 0.1) and in extreme overjet (P < 0.5). CONCLUSION: If thumb sucking is not treated early, it can cause skeletal Class II malocclusion, anterior open bite and excessive overjet.

Class III malocclusion may develop in children as a result of an inherent growth abnormality, i.e., true class III malocclusion, or as a result of premature occlusal contacts causing forward functional shift of the mandible, which is known as pseudo class III malocclusion. These cases, if not treated at the initial stage of development, interfere with normal growth of the skeletal bases and may result in severe facial deformities. The treatment should be carried out as early as possible with the aim of permitting normal growth. This paper deals with the selection of an appropriate treatment approach from the various current options available for early intervention in children developing class III occlusal tendencies; the different clinical features are depicted in the three case reports.

The prevalence of dental caries in 6, 9, 12 and 15-year-old school children of Chandigarh, selected on a randomized basis was evaluated using Moller's criteria (1966) and correlated with the various risk factors. The mean deft was found to be 4.0 +/- 3.6 in 6 year old and 4.61 +/- 3.14 in 9 year old, whereas the mean DMFT in 12 and 15 year old was found to be 3.03 +/- 2.52 and 3.82 +/- 2.85 respectively. The high prevalence of dental caries in these children was attributed to the lack of use of fluoride toothpaste (80% children), lack of knowledge about etiology of dental caries (98%) and frequency of sugar exposures up to more than five times per day (30%).

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) and calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) for their efficacies and time taken for formation of apical biological calcific barriers and resolution of periapical radiolucencies, if present at baseline, in teeth with unformed apices. METHODS: Twenty nonvital permanent maxillary incisors with unformed apices, stratified according to the size of periapical radiolucencies and stage of root development, were equally allocated to MTA and Ca(OH)2 groups. In group 1 (MTA group), after 7 days of disinfection with Ca(OH)2, MTA was packed into the apical one third of the root canals and obturation with gutta percha (GP) was performed in 90%(9/10) of cases within 15 to 30 days. In group 2 (Ca(OH)2 group), obturation was performed following clinical and radiographic depiction of the apical stop. RESULTS: The mean time taken for apical biological barrier formation was 3 +/- 2.9 months for group 1 and 7 +/- 2.5 months for group 2 (P=.008). The periapical radiolucencies were resolved in 4.6 +/- 1.5 months for group 1 and 4.4 +/- 1.3 months for group 2 (P=.83). The total treatment was completed in 0.75 +/- 0.4859 months and 7 +/- 2.5 months for groups 1 and 2, respectively. CONCLUSION: The 2 materials were found to be equally efficacious in the management of nonvital teeth with unformed apices. Time taken to complete the treatment and the biological barrier formation in group 1 was significantly less than that for group 2. The healing time for periapical radiolucencies was almost identical.

The role of tongue thrust has often been suspected, long debated and largely dispelled as a primary etiological factor of malocclusion. However, tongue thrust may contribute to poor occlusal intercuspation both during and after treatment. A tongue thrust may also develop during orthodontic mechanotherapy as a result of the transient creation of intra and interarch spaces and this little recognized phenomenon was found to occur in many randomly followed cases. In many instances, this seemingly adaptive and secondary response of the tongue posture and function may persist and thereafter impede the resolution of intra and interarch problems.