Context. Occlusion in primary teeth varies among children of different populations and races. Aim. To assess and compare the occlusal characteristics and spacing in primary dentition among 3–6-year-old Dravidian children. Materials and Methods. The study included 2281 school going children. The primary molar relation, canine relation, overjet, and overbite were assessed using Foster and Hamilton criteria. Spacing conditions were registered according to Kisling and Krebs criteria. Results. The flush terminal plane molar relation (80.3%) was the most common primary molar relation. The distal step molar relation was more frequently found in female children (12.8%) than in males (8.6%). Class 1 canine relation was the most prevalent canine relation (81.3%) among males and females. Ideal overjet (84.3%) and overbite (72.7%) were observed among the majority of the children. Spaced type of arches occurred more frequently than closed arches in this sample. The incidence of primate spaces was more in males than in females. Conclusion. The study population has fewer deviations from normal occlusion which indicates decreased tendency for malocclusion in permanent dentition. However, further longitudinal studies are necessary to identify the potential limitations of a clinical approach relying on early orthodontic diagnosis and intervention.

Aim: To evaluate the penetration depth, surface roughness, and color stability of resin infiltration restoration of artificial enamel lesions induced in primary and permanent teeth. Materials and methods: Primary (group I, n = 30) and permanent (group II, n = 30) extracted non-carious human anterior teeth were subjected to demineralization for four days after creating a window of 5 mm × 5 mm on the labial surfaces. Demineralized area was infiltrated with the low viscosity resin. Ten samples from each group were evaluated for penetration depth, surface roughness, and color stability, respectively. Penetration depth was determined using a stereomicroscope at 80× magnification. Surface roughness of sound and infiltrated enamel was recorded using a profilometer. The color stability was assessed at 2, 4, and 8 weeks along with baseline values using vita easy shade spectrophotometer. Results: Data were analyzed using the student "t" test and Friedman test. The degree of resin penetration was observed to be higher in primary teeth (32.6 ± 15.72 μm) compared to permanent teeth (24.23 ± 6.85 μm), but no significant difference was found (p = 0.138). Surface roughness values of resin infiltrated enamel is similar to that of sound enamel in both primary (p = 0.617) and permanent teeth (p = 0.234). The mean color stability scores immediately after resin infiltration at 2, 4, and 8 weeks intervals showed no statistically significant difference in primary (p = 0.998) and permanent teeth (p = 0.213). Conclusion: Resin penetration into enamel lesions was more in primary teeth enamel compared to permanent. The early enamel lesions, when treated with resin infiltration, showed surface characteristics similar to sound enamel and also exhibited acceptable color up to 8 weeks duration. Clinical significance: Resin infiltration can be considered as an effective and predictable treatment option for the restoration of early enamel lesions owing to its deeper penetration, provision of better surface characteristics, and reliable masking of white spot lesions in both primary and permanent dentitions.

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Background: Decayed, missing, and filled teeth and def indices are the preferred choices for dental caries quantification. Lacunae in earlier caries indices led to Caries Assessment Spectrum and Treatment Needs Index (CAST) development. CAST index measures caries experience of a single tooth and overall dentition in a hierarchical level of caries severity. Aim: This study aimed to compare CAST and def indices in measuring dental caries among 3–6-year-old school children in and around Bhimavaram town, Andhra Pradesh, India. Material and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted. A single examiner conducted survey among 898 3–6-year-old school children at randomly selected schools. Caries experience was recorded in a structured pro forma using CAST and def indices. Descriptive statistical analysis was done. Inter- and intragroup comparisons were made by Kruskal–Wallis ANOVA and Mann–Whitney U–tests, respectively. Correlation between def and CAST indices was explored by Spearman's rank correlation coefficient. Results: Caries prevalence with CAST index (45.7%) was marginally higher compared with def index (44.7%). No statistically significant difference was found between mean deft scores measured with CAST and def index (P = 0.87). High statistically significant difference in mean def scores with def index and def component of CAST index for 3-, 4-, 5-, and 6-year age groups was observed (P < 0.001). A strong correlation in measuring dental caries (P < 0.001) and similar percentage of agreement for application (98.5%) was observed between both the indices. Conclusion: No statistically significant difference was found in measuring caries experience indicating the similarity between CAST and def indices in quantifying dental caries. CAST index provides more detailed information of caries prevalence, experience, and severity compared with def index.