Background and Objectives The purpose of this prospective study was to evaluate the incidence and various risk factors influencing the sensory deficit in case of lingual nerve injury (LNI) in individuals whose impacted mandibular third molars are surgically removed under local anesthesia. Materials and Methods The study was based on the data collected prospectively from a random group of 100 patients who underwent surgical removal of bony impacted lower third molar in a dental hospital. Details of the patient, reason for extraction, type of impaction, method of surgery and signs and symptoms of nerve injury are recorded. Neurosensory testing was done to evaluate the LNI at 1 week, 1 months, 3 months and 6 months interval.Comparison was carried out using Chi square test. For all tests a P \ 0.05 was considered significant. Results The incidence of LNI was 4 % and of temporary in nature which recovered well within 6 months postoperatively. The age of the patient above 26 years, lingual flap retraction, depth of impaction (red line C10 mm) and duration of surgery above 30 min were the significant factors for causing LNI. Conclusions The age of the patient, depth of impaction, lingual flap retraction and longer duration of surgery are significant risk factors for LNI during mandibular third molar surgery. Greater care should be taken to avoid the morbidity and patients should be informed well ahead about the probable complications.

Objective: The present study aimed to evaluate and compare six different materials commonly used for filling the root canals of primary teeth for antimicrobial efficacy against some of the microorganisms commonly found in infected root canals. Study design: In this experimental in vitro study six root canal filling materials were tested for antimicrobial efficacy against eight microbial strains using the agar diffusion method. Results: Zinc oxide eugenol paste exhibited the strongest antimicrobial potential followed by Endoflas™, zinc oxide-calcium hydroxide-sodium fluoride mixture, zinc oxide-calcium hydroxide mixture and calcium hydroxide paste (Apexcal™). The addition of sodium fluoride to the zinc oxide-calcium hydroxide mixture enhanced the antimicrobial efficacy. Metapex™ demonstrated minimal inhibition and Vaseline™ was non-inhibitory. Conclusions: All the test filling materials demonstrated varying antimicrobial activity against the microorganisms tested. Zinc oxide eugenol paste and materials containing zinc oxide were found to be more effective against the microorganisms compared to materials without zinc oxide.

A radiographic assessment of the correlation between the calcification stages of the mandibular second molar and the middle phalanx of the third finger of 9-16 years old children Mitul Joshi * , Dinesh Rao, Shubha A.B., Sunil Panwar and Sachin Franklin Abstract Background: Hand-wrist radiographs and orthopantomographs are routinely used for assessing skeletal and dental maturation and analyzing skeletal morphology and growth patterns. Though minimal radiation is associated with a hand-wrist radiograph, it would be superlative to assess the growth stage without an additional radiograph. Aim: To assess the correlation between the calcification stages of mandibular second molar and the modified middle phalanx of the third finger (modified MP3) of 9 to 16 year old children. Design: In this cross-sectional observational study we assessed the dental calcification of the mandibular second molar on orthopantomograms using Demirjian's tooth developmental stages and skeletal maturity of the middle phalanx of the third finger on hand-wrist radiographs using modified MP3 method proposed by Rajagopal and Kansal (J Clin Orthod 36(7):398, 2002) of 100 children (48 boys and 52 girls), aged between 9 and 16 years. Results: A strong association was found between calcification stages of mandibular right second molar and the developmental stages of the modified middle phalanx of the third finger of right hand in both the gender. Spearman rank order correlation coefficients between the developmental stages of the modified MP3 of hand and the developmental stages of the mandibular second molar and found to be statistically significant positive in males (0.62) and females (0.41) when Demirjian's Index (DI) and modified middle phalanx of the third finger stages were compared. Conclusion: There was a good concordance between the stages of modified middle phalanx of the third finger and the Demirjian's tooth developmental stages. Demirjian's second molar calcification stages can be a better choice for predicting skeletal maturity because of its simplicity and reliability.

External root resorption in permanent teeth can occur as a result of a multitude of local and systemic factors. Root resorption that is idiopathic or occurring without any identifiable underlying cause is an unusual phenomenon, especially in children. This article describes a rare case of extensive external apical root resorption affecting multiple teeth and occurring concomitantly with localized periodontitis in a 13 year-old child. No significant systemic, local or familial findings could be identified as a plausible cause for the root resorption.

The aim of this paper is to describe a unique and unusual case of concomitant appearance of morphological dental anomalies in the maxillary anterior region, along with its management in a patient with no systemic abnormality. This case report describes the clinical and radiographic features of talon cusp, dens invaginatus, shovel-shaped incisors and a supernumerary tooth occurring in a single patient, which is a rare presentation. All 4 permanent maxillary incisors had dens invaginatus, the permanent maxillary canines showed the presence of talon cusps, the permanent maxillary central incisors were shovel-shaped and an erupted mesiodens was also observed. Treatment included restorative, surgical and orthodontic approaches.Kathmandu University Medical Journal Vol.12(4) 2014; 292-295