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Genetic and environmental factors are essential in occlusal variations and malocclusion and have been of considerable interest to orthodontists. Studies on twin pairs are one of the most effective methods for investigating genetically determined occlusal variables. Many studies have focused on distances between first molars or between canines but malocclusions can also occur in other regions of the dental arch. Aim: To evaluate the characteristics of the dental arch between pairs of Monozygotic (MZ) and Dizygotic (DZ) twins from Southern India. Methods: A random sample of 51 twin pairs (12–18years old) participated in this study. The zygosity of twin pairs was recorded by facial appearance. The occlusion of the first permanent molars was recorded according to Angle’s classification. Study models were prepared to assess dental arch characteristics (i.e., arch form, arch perimeter, arch length; intercanine, intermolar width, and teeth size discrepancy). The obtained data was statistically analyzed using SPSS software 19.0. The student’s t-test (two-tailed, independent) and Chi-square test was used to determine the significance of studied parameters. Results: Angle’s Class I molar relation was more commonly observed followed by the Class II molar relationship among twins. The measured dental arch dimensions did not show a statistically significant difference among twin pairs. The ovoid arch form was commonly observed among Monozygotic and Dizygotic Twins. There was a similarity among MZ and DZ twins in the anterior and overall Bolton’s ratio. Conclusion: There were similar occurrences of measured parameters among twins, which showed genetic predominance in the expression of measured dental arch traits.

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Introduction: Children residing in orphanages are a disadvantaged section of the population. Inadequate care can impair the quality of life of orphan children. Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the oral health-related quality of life and dental caries status among institutionalized orphan children. Materials and Methods: Children without parents, aged 6–14 years, were selected from government-run orphanages. Children who were willing to participate were included. Data on oral health-related quality of life were collected by personal interviews by a single investigator. Following, intraoral examination of each child was carried out in an adequate natural light using a sterilized mouth mirror and probe. Dental caries was assessed according to the World Health Organization criteria. The data obtained were subjected to statistical analysis. Results: The Decayed, Missed and Filled teeth (DMFT) score of males was 0.41 ± 0.86 and females was 0.97 ± 1.44, and the difference was statistically significant. The mean of oral symptoms, functional limitation, emotional well-being, and social well-being was 26.49 ± 4.48, 37.75 ± 3.63, 33.31 ± 4.18, and 47.92 ± 3.37, respectively. Conclusions: The prevalence of dental caries was low among these orphan children. The quality of life of these children was not affected by their dental caries status.

Introduction: To meet the demand of pediatric endodontists, exclusive pediatric rotary file systems have been recently introduced by the manufactures. However, no study has been conducted to compare the clinical efficiency between pediatric rotary file systems. Aim: To determine the clinical efficiency (instrumentation time, obturation time, quality of obturation and postoperative pain) of two pediatric rotary file systems following the root canal preparation of primary molars. Materials and Methods: A total of 75 primary molars requiring pulpectomy were selected from children aged 4 to 7 years. These teeth were divided into three groups of 25 teeth each. In the first, second, and third groups, the cleaning and shaping of the root canals were carried out with Pedo-Flex pediatric rotary files (Group PF), Kedo-S pediatric rotary files (Group KS), and, manual nickel-titanium K-files (Group MF), respectively. Obturation was carried out with zinc oxide eugenol cement with an engine-driven Lentulo spiral. The instrumentation and obturation times were recorded. The quality of the root filling was radiographically assessed immediately after obturation. The postoperative pain was evaluated at time intervals of 6, 12, 24, 48, 72 h, and 1 week. Results and Discussion: The instrumentation and obturation times were significantly less with the use of pediatric rotary file systems compared to the manual file system. The quality of obturation was superior in the root canals instrumented with pediatric rotary file systems compared to manual files. There was decreased postoperative pain with the use of pediatric rotary file systems as compared to manual files. In all three groups, postoperative pain decreased over time. The optimally filled root canals showed a significant correlation with the absence of postoperative pain. Conclusions: The use of pediatric rotary file systems for root canal instrumentation of primary molars resulted in the superior quality of obturation in decreased instrumentation and obturating times with the least postoperative pain. The overfilled root canals were not associated with significant postoperative pain.