World Health Organization’s (WHO) definition of health as ‘ a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity’ cannot be complete without a good or sound oral health. Dental caries and gingivitis are the two most common oral diseases affecting children in India. Like most of the common non-communicable diseases, oral diseases are also largely preventable in nature by simple preventive methods and behavioral modifications. Hence, investing in the oral health care of children by promotive, preventive and curative approaches will yield good results in reducing the burden of oral diseases of any country. In India, Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) and the National Oral Health Program (NOHP) are programmes aimed at early identification of cases and their appropriate management. However, there is an urgent need to frame strategies for integrated, focused and efficient oral health care services targeting the children of all age-groups for an overall improvement of health.

Aim: To evaluate and compare the role of macrogol–propylene glycol (MP), aloe vera gel (Aloe barbadensis miller) and distilled water as a vehicle (mixing medium) for triple antibiotic drugs in the success of lesion sterilization and tissue repair (LSTR).

Materials and methods: Fifty-four primary mandibular second molars with irreversible pulpitis and poor prognosis in children aged 3–8 years were included in the study and were randomly divided into three groups (18 per group), in which LSTR was performed. Samples were grouped based on the vehicle used for mixing triple antibiotic drugs as macrogol–propylene glycol (Group A), aloe vera (Group B) and distilled water (Group C). Clinical evaluations were done at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months and radiographic evaluations at 6, 9 and 12 months.

Result: At the end of 12 months, 100% clinical and radiographic success was observed in Group B, while clinical and radiographic success rate in Group A was 82.35% and 88.24% respectively and both clinical, as well as radiographic success rate in Group C, was 81.25%. No statistically significant difference was seen in clinical as well as radiographic success rates (p = 0.156 and 0.176 respectively) among the three groups.

Conclusion: Clinical and radiographic outcomes suggested that all of the three mixing media used in the study could be regarded as a suitable vehicle for 3 Mix in LSTR. However, better results were found when aloe vera was used as a mixing medium.

Purpose: This preliminary investigation seeks to assess clinical and radiographic outcomes of Biodentine™ (BD) as a pulpotomy medicament compared with one-minute full-strength formocresol (FC) and white MTA (WMTA).

Materials and methods: Determined by power analysis, 90 primary molars of 73 four- to eight-year-olds with at least two asymptomatic molars. These teeth, displaying pulp exposure during caries excavation, were randomly assigned to receive BD, WMTA or FC pulpotomy and restored with preformed metal crowns. At the 12-month follow-up, recordings of treated teeth of these patients were taken for clinical and radiographic findings. Clinical evaluation was done by a blinded calibrated evaluator, whereas four evaluators scored each radiograph for pathologies based upon a modified Zurn and Seale criteria. The data were subjected to statistical analysis.

Results: At 12 months, 100% clinical success was observed with all groups. The radiographic success at 12 months was 92.9%, 75% and 92.9% for BD, FC and WMTA groups respectively (p = 0.073).

Conclusion: Biodentine™ can be suggested as a pulpotomy agent for primary teeth. However, further clinical studies with long-term follow-ups are needed to test its efficacy as a pulpotomy medicament.

Purpose: To compare the remineralization potential of amorphous calcium phosphate-casein phosphopeptide (ACP–CPP), ACP–CPP with fluoride and placebo group in an in situ model concerning enamel subsurface lesion in primary and young permanent teeth.

Materials and methods: This randomized double-blind crossover in situ study was conducted for 21 days. Fifteen healthy children in the age group of 12–15 years with a mean age of 13.5 years wore acrylic palatal appliances having two rows of four demineralized enamel slabs. The left row consisted of the enamel slabs of primary teeth, and the right row consisted of enamel slabs of young permanent teeth. Changes in the enamel microhardness and surface roughness were assessed using surface microhardness assessment analysis and Scanning electron microscopy in three different groups (group I ACP–CPP with fluoride, group II ACP–CPP, and group III Nonfluoridated toothpaste).

Results: Mean change in microhardness was higher in enamel slabs of primary teeth as compared to enamel slabs of young permanent teeth. Group I (ACP–CPP with fluoride) showed maximum microhardness (p 0.579). Statistically, the insignificant difference was found between group II (ACP–CPP) (p 0.739) and group III (non-fluoridated toothpaste) (p 0.011). SEM evaluation revealed mean scores were minimum at baseline and maximum after demineralization. After remineralization, mean scores were minimum in group I (ACP–CPP with fluoride) (3.94) and maximum in group III (nonfluoridated toothpaste) (6.94).

Conclusions: ACP–CPP with fluoride showed maximum remineralization potential between primary and permanent enamel groups as compared to ACP–CPP alone and nonfluoridated toothpaste.

Background: Teeth may vary in number, size, and shape. Supernumerary teeth are a developmental anomaly of the number which may involve both primary and permanent dentitions.

Objectives: The objectives of the present study were to determine the prevalence of supernumerary teeth in the pediatric population of Manipur in North East India and to study the characteristics of supernumerary teeth.

Study Design: Observational study.

Materials and methods: The study was carried out in children from 3 to 14 years of age. Four thousand thirty-two children were examined over a period of 6 months who reported to the Department of Paediatric and Preventive Dentistry, Dental College, Manipur. Children with only supernumerary teeth were included whereas children with syndromes which are known to be predisposed to supernumerary teeth were excluded. The clinical and radiographical examination was done for diagnosis. Demographic details (age and sex) of children and characteristics of supernumerary teeth were noted.

Results: Out of 4032 children examined, supernumerary teeth were detected in 36 children (0.9%). Males were affected more than females with a male:female ratio of 2.3:1. Maximum supernumerary teeth were seen in mixed dentition (66.6%). About 86.1% of children had only one supernumerary tooth. 92.7% of supernumerary teeth were located in premaxilla. Conical shape was the most predominant (65.8%). 75.6% supernumerary teeth erupted while 24.3% were impacted. The majority were oriented straight (87.8%) with complete crown and root formation (80.4%).

Conclusion: The prevalence of supernumerary teeth was found to be 0.9% with the most common location being the premaxilla. Maximum supernumerary teeth were erupted and had straight orientation.

Congenital epulis (CE) is a rare congenital growth affecting the gingival mucosa of neonates. It is also known as Neumann’s tumor. It is a benign growth seen frequently on the maxillary alveolus than the mandibular alveolus. It has a tendency of occurrence in the female is more than the male with a ratio of 10:1. This case report documents the presentation and management of congenital epulis present on the anterior maxillary alveolus in a three days old male patient treated with modified microdissection electrocautery needle.

Purpose: This article describes the possible pathogenesis of the often ‘misdiagnosed’ dental abscess seen in young patients who are going through the transitional mixed dentition phase.

Methods: Patient records were collected from a private dental clinic’s outpatient department.

Result: The lesions were resolved once the tooth in question was exfoliated or was extracted. Such lesions could be attributed to the seepage of bacteria and their products through the gingival sulcus of the teeth, which were likely to shed out soon. Pre-shedding mobility and enlarged gubernacular canals might facilitate the spread of infection to periapex of the exfoliating primary tooth.

Conclusion: Clinically, such lesions are similar to a commonly seen periapical abscess. But an absence of an obvious etiology (dental caries or trauma), tooth nearing its exfoliation, poor oral hygiene should hint towards the diagnosis of proposed Rashmdeep’s abscess.