Silver diamine fluoride for managing carious lesions: A literature review

Though the prevalence and the severity of dental caries is decreased in past few years, still children from low socioeconomical status in many industrialized or developing countries are still suffering from ill-effects of dental caries. The antimicrobial effect of silver compounds has been proven by the 100-year-old application of silver compounds. Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) has been used to arrest dental caries during 1970s in Japan, but it was not exposed much to other parts of the world. Today in many countries a 38% (44,800 ppm fluoride) SDF solution is commonly used to arrest caries and also to reduce hypersensitivity in primary and permanent teeth. Application of SDF to arrest dental caries is non-invasive procedure and is quick and simple to use. Reports of available studies showed that there is no severe pulpal damage after SDF application. However, it has some drawbacks like black discoloration of the carious teeth and an unpleasant metallic taste. But, low cost of SDF and its simplicity in application suggest that it is an appropriate agent for use in community dental health programme. Thus, SDF appears to meet the criteria of both the WHO Millennium Goals and the US Institute of Medicine’s criteria for 21st century medical care, that is, it is a safe, effective, efficient, and equitable caries preventive agent.

General principles governing record taking in patients with cleft lip and palate

(WHO meetings on International Collaborative Research on Craniofacial Anomalies).One of the most common congenital anomaly we come across is the Cleft Lip and palate where affected children suffer from range of functional as well as aesthetic problems. Cleft lip and palate is a multifunctional disease associated with environmental factors. Management of cleft is a complex procedure and demands co-operation among experts from different fields. Clinical treatment procedure extends from beginning of birth, to achieving skeletal maturity effectively.

Diagnostic utility of saliva and its implication in detection of Covid-19 and other diseases

Saliva is a valuable tool for early detection, better treatment, and a better prognosis. Early detection of illnesses is sometimes challenging, and it necessitates additional clinical and laboratory tests, which can delay treatment and have a significant impact on prognosis. A large range of chemicals may be found in saliva, providing useful information for clinical diagnostic purposes.The coronavirus disease pandemic (Covid-19) is the world's largest challenge and global health disaster since World War II. Controlling the epidemic in the community and in hospitals requires a quick and precise diagnosis of Covid-19. For Covid-19 diagnostic testing, nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swabs are the suggested specimen types.The collection of these specimens necessitates intimate contact between healthcare staff and patients, which increases the risk of viral transmission. As a result, nasopharyngeal or oropharyngeal swabs are not recommended for sequential viral load monitoring. Saliva specimens are simply collected by having the patient spit into a sterile container. Saliva collection is non-invasive and significantly reduces healthcare personnel' exposure to Covid-19. To develop quick chair side assays for the detection of Covid-19, more study is needed to investigate the potential diagnostic of Covid-19 in saliva.

Theracal lc: A boon to dentistry

TheraCal LC, the focus of this article, is a material that creates a new category of resin-modified calcium silicates (RMCS). It is a light-cured, resin-based, and highly radiopaque liner designed to release calcium to promote hard-tissue formation, and is indicated for use under direct restorative materials as a replacement to calcium hydroxide and other calcium silicate-based materials, glass ionomers, eugenol-based sedative materials, and pulp capping restoratives. TheraCal LC exhibits several properties to help maintain ideal hard-tissue health and to reduce the incidence of postoperative sensitivity. This article is aimed to review the composition, method of application, setting reaction, properties and uses of TheraCal LC. TheraCal LC is interesting and promising product, which have the potential of creating major contributions to maintaining pulp vitality.

A path less travelled — Short review on ossifying fibroma and osseous dysplasia

Fibro-osseous lesions (FOL) are characterized by replacement of normal bone by fibrous tissue containing a newly formed mineralized product. The mineralized product may be ossification (sometimes cementum formation) or calcification of fibrous tissue by metaplasia. These lesions have similar radiographic and histopathologic features hence the term fibre- osseous lesion is not a diagnosis, rather a description of the presence of fibrous and calcified tissue. They may be developmental (fibrous dysplasia), reactive (cemento-osseous dysplasia) or neoplastic (ossifying/cementifying fibroma). This article presents the commonly used classification for fibro-osseous lesions and an insight into a few changes that have been introduced in the recent past with emphasis on Ossifying Fibroma and Osseous Dysplasia.Ossifying fibromas are considered as benign fibro-osseous neoplasms which are principally encountered within the jawbones. Cemento-osseous dysplasias are non-neoplastic fibro- osseous lesion. Since 1971, the World Health Organization classified cemental lesions into 4 distinct entities, as follows: Periapical Cemental Dysplasia, Benign Cementoblastoma (true cementoma), Cementifying Fibroma and Gigantiform Cementoma (GC). The term, gigantiform cementoma, may imply a solitary process but it is misleading because the condition typically presents as slow-growing, multifocal/multiquadrant and expansile lesions involving both jaws. WHO classified it in Osseous dysplasia and El-Mofty et al. under Ossifying fibroma.

Recurrence of mucocele- A case report

A mucocele is a tiny, fluid-filled cyst within the mouth. A blockage or damage to the salivary gland is the most prevalent cause. A mucocele is formed when saliva pools due to a blockage or damage within the salivary gland. Biting the lip, cheek, or other parts of the mouth can cause a mucocele to develop. Its management may be difficult for dental practitioners. The purpose of this clinical case report was to discuss mucocele therapy using traditional methods, as well as the benefits and reasons of recurrence.

Sialadenitis associated with Sialolith- A Case Report

Sialadenitis is the inflammation of the major salivary glands. It is an insidious inflammatory disease of the major salivary glands which may lead to the development of fibrous masses. The most frequent cause of sialadenitis is the presence of a salivary duct calculi, the sialolith. Sialolithiasis is the presence of stones in the salivary gland. It presents with pain and tenderness in the affected area. A 56-year old male patient had reported in the department with pain and swelling in the right lower back region of the jaw since 7 days. On clinical, radiographic and histopathological examination, a case of sialolith was reported in the right submandibular gland along with sialadenitis.

Knowledge, attitude and practice of infection control from aerosol generating procedure in clinical setting among dentist during COVID-19 pandemic: A multi centric survey

Dentistry is the profession in which there is a high risk of contagion due to the exposure to aerosol/droplets, saliva and blood which is produce during the majority of dental procedures. SARS-CoV-2 therefore can be transmitted from an infected individuals through inhalation of aerosol/droplets or by direct contact with mucous membrane, oral fluids, contaminated instruments and surfaces. The present study was proposed to assess the level of awareness, perception, and attitude regarding COVID-19 and infection control among dentists. It was concluded that the dentists involved in the current survey showed satisfactory knowledge and a positive attitude towards COVID-19 during the outbreak.

Preheated composite: Innovative approach for aesthetic restoration

Resin-based composites are today one of the most widely used restorative materials. However, its most debilitating problem is volumetric shrinkage due to polymerization which may result in contraction stress and subsequent micro leakage and adhesion failure. Preheating composites prior to polymerisation have several advantages over conventional composites. This review article highlights the mechanical properties, advantages and significance of preheated composites.

Pit and fissure sealants — A review

Caries on the occlusal surface of dentition is a significant dental health problem. Among all of the teeth particularly molars and premolars have greater susceptibility to caries. Their susceptibility to caries is probably related to its occlusal morphology. Use of fissure sealant and fluoride have been shown to play an important role in reducing caries. This can be possible through converting the caries susceptible areas like pits and fissures into glazed surface which prevent bacterial colonization and makes the tooth easy to clean. Pit and fissure areas of enamel do not receive sufficient protection from topical or systemic fluorides, the reason for ineffectiveness of fluorides in the pit and fissure caries may be due to inaccessibility to these areas and due to the differences in enamel thickness. The most efficient way to prevent pit and fissure caries is by effectively sealing the fissures using resins called pit and fissure sealants.