MTA is superior to formocresol clinically, radiographically. Histological analysis showed better reparative ability with hard tissue barrier formation with MTA compared to formocresol.

Aim:This study was done to evaluate association of caries in deciduous second molar and adjacent permanent first molar, tooth surface more involved in permanent first molar and to assess the parental awareness regarding the eruption of permanent first molar.Subjects and Methods:Three hundred and ten children (160 boys, 150 girls) of mixed dentition aged between 6 and 11 years were included. Presence or absence of paired association of caries in primary second molar and adjacent permanent first molar, of both the jaws, were noted. Parental awareness regarding the child's dentition was asked by pointing the maxillary and mandibular permanent first molar.Results:Pearson Chi-square test was used. Significance was noted in both sexes between paired nonassociation of caries in mandibular primary second molar and mandibular permanent molar (P =0.01) and paired nonassociation of caries in primary maxillary second molar and maxillary permanent first molar in girls only (P =0.04). Parental awareness that permanent first molar has erupted was 24.83% and not to be exfoliated and replaced was 22.9% for both the sexes. In permanent teeth of both the sexes, the occlusal surface was more involved with caries in maxillary teeth; the buccal surface was more involved in mandibular teeth. About 10% of the sample did not have caries in both maxillary and mandibular permanent first molar.Conclusions:Paired association of caries of primary second molar and permanent first molar though found in large number of cases was not significant. It is clear that parental awareness is less regarding the child's oral health. Thus, community-based awareness program has to be conducted to emphasize on pediatric oral health status and care.

Aim:The objective of the study was to evaluate the occlusal characteristics of primary dentition in 3–5-year-old children in Kancheepuram district.Materials and Methods:A cross-sectional survey was carried out on children aged 3–5 year old in the Kancheepuram district. A total of 603 children were examined. Occlusal relationship was assessed separately on both right and left side and was classified as a flush terminal plane, mesial step, or distal step. Similarly, occlusal relationship of primary canine was examined and classified as Class I, II, or III. Primate space was measured in both the arches using digital Vernier caliper.Results:Pearson Chi-square test was used. Statistical significance was noted on both right and left side primary molar occlusion as well as in the canine occlusion across the three age groups. Primate spaces in both arches have been found to be significant across the three age groups. Mann–Whitney test between gender and occlusal relationship was found to be not significant.Conclusion:Flush terminal plane is the most common primary molar occlusion found in the present study which is statistically significant. Most of the children had primate space present in upper and lower teeth which is statistically significant.

Aim:The aim of the present study is to clarify the possible application of orthopantomogram (OPG) for evaluating craniofacial specifications such as angular and linear measurements of the mandible by comparing with lateral cephalogram.Materials and Methods:OPG and lateral cephalogram were taken from 100 patients of age group 16–35 years from Chettinad Dental College and Research Institute. Linear measurements (body length and ramus height) and angular measurement (gonial angle) were assessed both in lateral cephalogram and OPG. Independent t-test was performed for comparison of OPG and lateral cephalogram using SPSS with a probability level of P < 0.05 considered to be statistically significant.Results:The results of the present study show that there is no statistically significant difference in ramus height and gonial angle when compared between OPG and lateral cephalogram while statistically significant difference exists for body length between OPG and lateral cephalogram.Conclusion:It may be concluded that panoramic radiography can be used to determine the gonial angle and ramus height as accurately as a lateral cephalogram. However, clinicians should be vigilant when predicting horizontal measurement from OPGs.

Aim:The aim is to recycle mercury from dental amalgam scrap using the vacuum distillation method.Materials and Methods:A total of 150 g of dental amalgam scrap was taken in a round bottom flask and was subjected to vacuum distillation at 398°C. The vapor of mercury was collected in another round bottom flask.Observation:The procedure is carried out for mercury recovery using vacuum distillation apparatus, and mercury vapor are collected in a round bottom flask, and the silver is recovered using sucrose as reducing agent. Using 150 g of dental amalgam scrap 50%–80% of silver are recovered, and silver has a purity of 70%–80%. However, the total time required in the reduction process ranged between 303 and 600 min.Conclusion:Mercury could be recycled from dental amalgam scrap through vacuum distillation method at 398°C and its implication of dental amalgam scrap in an Indian perspective.