The Mean time taken by Stainless Steel Bur excavation was found to be less and caused more amount of dentinal tubule destruction when compared to Polymer Bur, Carisolv and Papacarie. Chemo-mechanical methods found to be more efficient with lesser amount of bacterial remnants and dentinal tubule destruction after caries excavation when compared to conventional methods.

Background: Among the numerous methods used to control anxiety, distraction is the most popular method for controlling behavior during dental procedures in children. The present study aimed to use a fidget spinner, kaleidoscope, and virtual reality as distraction techniques individually and observe the effects on the anxiety levels of children subjected to inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB). Methods: In this parallel-group randomized clinical trial, 102 children aged 6-9 years requiring IANB for various dental treatments were screened and 60 children who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled and randomly assigned into four groups of 15 each; Group 1 fidget spinner (FS), Group 2 kaleidoscope, Group 3 virtual reality (VR) and Group 4 no distraction (Control). The child's self-reported anxiety levels using Venham's picture test (VPT); the pulse oximeter was used to measure physiological signs of oxygen saturation and pulse rate at three intervals i.e. before, during, and after the IANB procedure. The collected data were statistically analyzed with SPSS 21 software. Paired t-test and One way ANOVA were used to compare the VPT, oxygen saturation, and pulse rate values. Findings: Groups 1, 2, and 3 showed significantly lower mean VPT scores compared to Group 4. Groups 1 & 3 showed lower mean pulse rates and Group 2 showed comparable mean pulse rates to Group 4 respectively during the IANB procedure. Oxygen saturation levels remained non-significant between all the Groups (p > 0.05). Interpretation: Fidget spinner, kaleidoscope, and virtual reality seem to be effective distraction methods and can be recommended as effective approaches to help alleviate children's dental anxiety during IANB procedures.

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To evaluate and compare the efficacy of eggshell derived calcium hydroxyapatite with Dycal ® as indirect pulp capping material in primary molars. Material and Methods: A total of 32 carious primary molars from 22 children (6-10-years) were screened, of which 26 primary molars meeting inclusion criteria were selected and equally divided into two groups. At the first appointment, the infected dentin was excavated using a spoon excavator after treating the carious part with Carie-Care™ chemomechanical caries removal agent. After this, eggshell derived calcium hydroxyapatite in Group 1 and Dycal ® in Group 2 were used as liners followed by restoration of the cavity with type IX glass ionomer cement. Clinical assessment for pain and radiographic assessment for measurement of the amount of reparative dentin thickness formation was performed at baseline, 8 weeks and 3 months. The data were subjected to statistical analysis by one-way ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis tests. Results: Higher mean reparative dentin formation was found in eggshell derived calcium hydroxyapatite group than Dycal ® group at the end of 8 weeks and 3 months and the difference was significant statistically (p<0.001). Conclusion: Eggshell derived calcium hydroxyapatite seems to be a suitable alternative to Dycal ® (calcium hydroxide) that can be used as a liner for indirect pulp capping in primary molars.

Objective:To compare the effectiveness of various caries removal techniques in mandibular primary molars using Smart Burs, atraumatic restorative technique (ART) (mechanical caries removal) and Carie-care (chemomechanical caries removal [CMCR]) among primary school children in clinical and community-based settings.Materials and Methods:A total of 80 carious primary mandibular molars were selected for the study from the dental clinic and community. They were equally assigned to four groups according to caries removal technique and also by the operating site. In Group 1, caries was removed using Carie-care in the dental clinic and in Group 2, with Smart Burs in the dental clinic. In Group 3, caries was removed using Carie-care in the field and in Group 4, with the ART in the field. The time taken for caries removal, the efficacy of caries removal and patient acceptance were evaluated with different caries removal techniques.Statistical Analysis:The obtained data were subjected to statistical analysis by ANOVA test.Results:In clinical settings, Carie-care was time-consuming but was more efficient with increased acceptance than Smart Burs and the result was found to be significant statistically (P < 0.05). In community-based settings, Carie-care was more efficient, less time consuming, and showed an increased acceptance when compared to atraumatic restorative treatment and the result was found to be significant statistically (P < 0.05).Conclusions:The CMCR technique was superior to the mechanical caries removal technique in primary teeth among school children in terms of time, efficacy, and acceptance in both clinical- and community-based settings.