Aims:Streptococcus mutans is the most common organism causing dental caries. Various chemotherapeutic agents are available that help in treating the bacteria, with each having their own merits and demerits. Recent research has shown that coconut oil has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial action. Therefore, the present was conducted to determine the antibacterial efficacy of coconut oil and to compare it with chlorhexidine.Materials and Methods:A total of fifty female children aged 8–12 years were included in the study. Twenty five children were randomly distributed to each group, i.e., the study group (coconut oil) and the control group (chlorhexidine). The participants were asked to routinely perform oil swishing with coconut oil and chlorhexidine and rinse every day in the morning after brushing for 2–3 minutes. S. mutans in saliva and plaque were determined using a chairside method, i.e., the Dentocult SM Strip Mutans test. Patients were instructed to continue oil swishing for 30 days. S. mutans. counts in plaque and saliva on day 1, day 15, and day 30 were recorded and the results were compared using Wilcoxon matched pairs signed ranks test.Results:The results showed that there is a statistically significant decrease in S. mutans. count from coconut oil as well as chlorhexidine group from baseline to 30 days. The study also showed that in comparison of coconut oil and chlorhexidine there is no statistically significant change regarding the antibacterial efficacy.Conclusion:Coconut oil is as effective as chlorhexidine in the reduction of S. mutans.

Aim: This study aims to compare the marginal adaptation and sealing ability [mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA)-Fillapex, AH Plus, Endofill sealers] of root canal sealers. Materials and methods:In the present study, the inclusion criteria include 45 single-rooted extracted mandibular premolar teeth, with single canal and complete root formation. The sectioning of the samples was done at the cementoenamel junction using a low-speed diamond disc.Step-back technique was used to prepare root canals manually. The MTA-Fillapex, AH Plus, and Endofill sealers were the three experimental sealer groups to which 45 teeth were distributed. Under scanning electron microscope (SEM), marginal gap at sealer and root dentin interface were examined at coronal and apical halves of root canal.Results: Among the three maximum marginal adaptations were seen with AH Plus sealer (4.10 ± 0.10) which is followed by Endofill sealer (1.44 ± 0.18) and MTA-Fillapex sealer (0.80 ± 0.22). Between the coronal and apical marginal adaptation, significant statistical difference (p = 0. Kannur, Kerala, India, e-mail: vimalremy@gmail.com there was a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) found between the above two groups at coronal and apical third. Conclusion:The present study proves that AH Plus sealer has a better marginal adaptation when compared with other sealers used.Clinical significance: For sealing space of crown wall and main cone in root canal treatment, sealers play an important role. The other advantages of sealers are that they are used to fill voids and irregularities in root channel, secondary, lateral channels, and space between applied gutta-percha cones and also act as tripper during filling.

Introduction: Most common nerve block used in children is the inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB) for anesthetizing mandibular teeth. Therefore, knowledge of the location of the mandibular foramen is necessary for a successful IANB anesthesia. Aim: The study aimed to correlate the position of mandibular foramen in relation to the mandibular occlusal plane and the deepest point of the coronoid notch as a clinical guide for IANB injection in 4–9-year-old children. Materials and Methods: One-hundred orthopantamographs were analyzed and divided into two groups; Group 1 (4–6 years) and Group 2 (7–9 years). The orthopantamographs were traced on the acetate paper using a radiograph viewer and measurements were taken from mandibular lingula (ML) to the occlusal plane and to the deepest point of the coronoid notch. Results: Statistical analysis of the data revealed that there was a significant difference in mean distance between the two groups on both sides by measuring the position of ML to the mandibular occlusal plane and to the deepest point of the coronoid notch. Intergroup comparison of the distance from ML to the deepest point of the coronoid notch on the right and left sides shows a statistically significant difference (P < 0.001). Conclusion: There is a significant difference in both the distance and position of mandibular foramen in the considered age groups.