Purpose: To assess and compare the antibacterial efficacy of Aloe vera (AV) extract solution and chlorhexidine (CHX) as mouth washes for children. Material and methods: Forty children of age range (5-12) years were enrolled in this study. The participants were randomly divided into two equal groups; A& B (n= 20). Participants were asked to rinse with 10 ml of either 100% AV extract or 0.125% CHX mouthwashes (in group A & B respectively) for 4 days twice daily (after breakfast and lunch) for one minute and not to rinse with water thereafter. Saliva samples were collected at 0 (base line) (S1) and after 4 days use (S2). All collected saliva samples, were submitted to microbiology laboratory for total bacterial counting at both intervals for the two groups, the data were then collected, tabulated and statistically analyzed. Results: In both AV and CHX groups, the total bacterial count was decreased with a significant difference (P≤ 0.05) between the base line and after 4 days samples. In CHX group however, there was a significant decrease in total bacterial count compared to AV group. Conclusion:AV mouth wash has a comparable antibacterial effect to CHX mouth wash when used for children's oral health care.

Purpose: To evaluate clinically, radiographically and histologically the postoperative success of Ankaferd Blood Stopper (ABS) and formocreosl (FC) in pulpotomy procedures for primary teeth. Materials and Method: 70 Primary molars found in 27 patients were selected according to inclusion criteria. In the first part of the study pulpotomy was accomplished in 22 patients having 60 teeth (30 each group) and depending on the type of radicular pulp medicament, the teeth were divided randomly and equally into 2 groups: Group I (FC) and Group II (ABS). Clinical follow up was done after 1, 3, 6 and 9 months.Periapical radiographs were taken at 3 , 6 and 9 months follow up visits. In the second part of the study 10 primary molars were found in 5 patients planned for extraction due to orthodontic purpose were treated by pulpotomy procedure. Teeth were divided into 2 groups (5 each group) and the teeth were extracted after 2 months for observation under light microscope. Results: No statistically significant difference between groups in the overall cumulative clinical or radiographic success at follow up periods. Histopathological examination revealed dentin bridge formation and continuous regular arrangement of odontoblastic layer at the pulp dentin junction along the root length in primary molars treated with ABS while FC specimens revealed Severe pulp hyperemia with thrombus formation at the entrance of pulp canal. Conclusion: Ankaferd blood stopper was found to be an acceptable alternative to formocresol pulpotomy agent with less inflammatory cell response and shorter application time.