Silver diamine fluoride can arrest dental caries and prevents its progression. By doing so, it provides an alternative care path for those patients in whom traditional restorative treatment cannot be done, for example, children lacking cooperating ability. Although silver diamine fluoride had been used as a caries preventive measure in 1970s in Japan, it had not become popular in the other part of the world. Now, many countries have recommend the use of 38% silver diamine fluoride solution for caries prevention as well as for caries arrest. Recently, The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry provided the guidelines regarding the use of silver diamine fluoride for dental caries management in children and adolescent including those with special healthcare needs.

Foreign body aspiration or ingestion can be a potential complication or a life-threatening emergency situation. During routine dental treatment, the handling of dental objects requires particular care, especially with dental bridges and files. Precautionary measures have to be taken to avoid such situation. A dentist must be able to manage emergency situations in which accidental swallowing of dental instruments and materials occur. This article reviews the signs and symptoms, management, complications, and precautions of aspiration or ingestion of foreign bodies.

Dental treatment under general anesthesia (GA) may be provided in the hospital operating room or dental office on the dental chair. There are various methods of behavior management that pediatric dentists apply in their day-to-day practice which are both nonpharmacological and pharmacological. Although most of the children can be managed with nonpharmacological methods, few require pharmacological methods. Pharmacological methods such as prescribing premedications, conscious sedation, and GA. Conscious sedation and GA are slowly gaining popularity in pediatric patients. Here, we discuss the pros and cons of chairside GA in this paper.

Introduction: Toothbrush decontamination is essential to eliminate pathogenic microorganisms transmitted on toothbrushes during brushing from the oral cavity or from the other toothbrushes and storage area. Rinsing the toothbrush with plain tap water may not be sufficient in regular use. Hence, the aim of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness of different disinfectant agents in decontaminating the toothbrushes and educate the children, parents, and the community about toothbrush decontamination. Materials and Methods: Seventeen children were asked to brush their teeth for 1 month. After 1 month, toothbrushes were collected. The bristles from these brushes were then placed in disinfectants such as 0.2% chlorhexidine (Group I), water (Group II), hydrogen peroxide (Group III), 5% sodium hypochlorite (Group IV), and Group V as a control for 12 hrs and then cultured. Results: Hydrogen peroxide (Group III solution) considerably reduced the bacterial colonies. Conclusion: It can be concluded that the use of hydrogen peroxide is a useful for every individual at regular intervals for day-to-day use for toothbrush decontamination.

Introduction: Dermatoglyphics is the scientific study of dermal ridge configurations on palmar and plantar surfaces of the hands and feet. Dermal ridges and primary palate, both are formed during 6^th–7^th week of intrauterine life; therefore, hereditary and environmental factors causing changes in fingerprint patterns may also lead to dental anomalies. Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate and compare the correlation between dermatoglyphic peculiarities and caries experience in special children. Materials and Methods: A total of 300 children aged 6–16 years were selected using simple random sampling technique. Their fingerprints were recorded with duplicating ink and caries experience was assessed using International Caries Detection and Assessment System criteria. Results: Chi-square test revealed a significant statistical association between the whorl and loop patterns in caries and caries-free groups. The frequency of whorls was found to be more in caries group and frequency of loops more in caries-free group. Conclusion: Dermatoglyphics could be an effective method as an early and noninvasive and early predictor of dental caries in special children so as to initiate the preventive oral health measures at an early age.

Objectives: The objective of the study was to evaluate the caries incidence of occlusal surfaces sealed using the two different techniques after 6 months and the ease of placement of sealant following the two techniques, for children and operator. Materials and Methods: Children between the age groups of 8–11 years and only mandibular molars were involved in the study; the techniques used for enamel preparation before sealant placement on the right and left side of the mandibular arch were randomized. On one side Adper™ SE plus and on the other side phosphoric acid etches together with Adper™ Single Bond 2 were used. Clinpro™ sealants were placed on both sides. The retention with these two techniques was compared after 6-month-based Color Coverage Caries system. The opinions of the children were taken on the two techniques that were used and recorded on individual questionnaires using Facial Grimace Scale and the operator by visual analog scale. Descriptive statistics carried out using SPSS (version 17.0). Results: Fifty-seven (95%) of the sixty children were available for the follow-up after 6 months. The retention of the acid-etch group was significantly superior (P = 0.00*) as was the caries preventive effect (P = 0.04*). Children felt that the placement of sealants was easier following enamel preparation with Adper™ SE Plus (P = 0.00*) and same as the operator. Conclusions: The regular acid etch with placement of sealant showed less caries occurrence on the occlusal surface after 6 months. Both the operator and children opined that acid-etch method for the placement of sealants is more comfortable.

Background: Resin-based sealants are most commonly used in the clinical practice. With the introduction of self-etch self-adhesive flowable composite, their efficacy as a sealant needs to be evaluated as they can be of great help render preventive care, especially in very uncooperative child. Aim: To evaluate the various parameters and compare the efficacy of the new material to the conventional sealant. Materials and Methods: Seventy-six noncarious primary molars were randomly assigned into two groups, Fissurit F (Group A) and Constic (Group B). Each group was further subdivided into four groups: G₁– Microleakage (n = 18), G₂– Fracture strength (n = 18), G₃– Tensile strength (n = 20), G₄– Shear strength (n = 20). The parameters were evaluated and compared to check the efficacy of the two groups. Results: Nonparametric tests Kruskal–Wallis and Mann–Whitney tests were applied to the values obtained to compare microleakage and fracture strength and comparison of shear and tensile bond strengths is done by independent t-test. Microleakage and fracture strength of Constic were found to be better, but bond strength of Fissurit F (tensile strength – 14.30 ± 4.49; shear bond strength – 6.12 ± 2.84) was more than that of Constic (tensile strength – 6.33 ± 1.47; shear bond strength – 2.06 ± 0.635). Conclusion: Use of a flowable composite without bonding agent is a good alternative for sealing pits and fissures; however, further in vitro and in vivo studies are necessary.

Background: The occurrence of an extra distal root in primary mandibular first molars is relevant clinically for the delivery of optimal care. However, there have been no studies conducted for establishing the prevalence of same in South Indian population. Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence of three-rooted primary mandibular second molars in South Indian children. Materials and Methods: Intraoral periapical radiographs of bilateral primary mandibular second molars, obtained from 77 patients, were investigated for the presence of additional root. A total of 154 primary mandibular second molars were examined. Results: The total occurrence of three-rooted primary mandibular second molar among the study participants was 6.5%. A male:female ratio of 1.5:1 was noted. Three-rooted primary first molar occurrence on the right side was noted to be higher than on the left, with 2.6% having a bilateral occurrence. Conclusion: 6.5% of children have an additional root making it rare entity.

Background: Endodontic treatment involves cleaning, shaping, and obturation of the root canal system which requires knowledge of root canal morphology and its commonly occurring variation. Aim: The aim of the present study was to assess the variations in number and morphology of deciduous molar teeth using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) an auxiliary imaging modality. Materials and Methods: A total of ninety recently extracted deciduous molar teeth were collected which are divided into four groups: Group I: mandibular first molars (n = 22), Group II: maxillary first molars (n = 18), Group III: mandibular second molars (n = 21), Group IV: maxillary second molars (n = 29). The length of the roots, angulation of the roots, number of the root canals, curvature of the root canals, and the type of root canals were determined using CBCT. Statistical Analysis: Descriptive statistics were used to find out the frequency, mean, standard deviation, and range of all the five parameters. Results: CBCT showed that the distobuccal root of primary maxillary molars had the greatest angulation, whereas, in deciduous mandibular molars, distal root has the greatest angulation. S-shaped canals were more common in the palatal root of maxillary molars, and curved canals were more common in the mesial root in mandibular molars. Conclusions: CBCT was found to be an effective and accurate diagnostic tool which provides an auxiliary imaging technology to assess the root canal morphology of primary teeth.

Grossly destructed anteriors and compromised esthetics are very commonly seen in the early childhood caries. Primary maxillary anterior teeth dominate the physical appearance, and their structural loss affects not only esthetics but also leads to compromised mastication, poor phonetics, development of aberrant oral habits, neuromuscular imbalance, and difficulty in social and psychological adjustment of the child. To prevent this restoration of maxillary anteriors with suitable option is highly expected. One of the options available apart from the routine tooth-colored restorations is the heat cure acrylic crown. This paper focuses the advantages and disadvantages in a way attempt to discuss custom made full coverage restoration, i.e., heat cure acrylic crown for anterior esthetic rehabilitation for pediatric patients.