Management of immature permanent teeth with pulp necrosis remains a clinical challenge due to incomplete root development and limitations of conventional endodontic approaches. Therefore, it is of interest to evaluate the clinical and radiographic efficacy of regenerative endodontic procedures using platelet-rich fibrin compared with mineral trioxide aggregate apexification in 40 immature necrotic teeth. Patients were randomly allocated into two groups and assessed clinically and radiographically using periapical radiographs and CBCT at 3, 6 and 12 months. The platelet-rich fibrin group demonstrated significantly greater improvement in root length, dentinal wall thickness and apical closure compared to the apexification group, with higher clinical success rates. Regenerative endodontic procedures using platelet-rich fibrin appear to be more effective in promoting root maturation and periapical healing in immature necrotic teeth.
Introduction: The concept of gerotranscendence reflects a shift in an individual’s understanding of self, relationships and existential perspectives in later life. Validated tools to assess this construct in Indian regional languages are limited particularly for populations living in long-term care settings. Aim: To translate, culturally adapt and validate the Tamil version of the Gerotranscendence Scale (GTS-T) among Institutionalised elderly in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among the 182 elderly residents aged ≥65 years. The 10-item GTS was translated into Tamil following standard World Health Organisation (WHO) forward-backward translation and expert review protocols. Content validity was assessed using the Content Validity Index (CVI). Convergent validity was examined through the correlation with the Sense of Coherence (SOC) scale, while discriminant validity was established by comparing GTS-T scores between participants with (Group I,n=40) and without (Group II, n=40) Oral Frailty (OF). Cross-cultural validity was tested using Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) with a three-factor model. Reliability was assessed through internal consistency (Cronbach’s α) and test-retest stability using the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC). Results: Among 182, 94 (51.6%) were males and 88 (48.4%) were females with the mean age 71.8±5.4 years. The GTS-T showed significant content validity (I-CVI=0.60-1.00; S-CVI=0.88). CFA supported a three-factor model cosmic, coherence, and solitude with factor loadings above 0.40. Convergent validity demonstrated a moderate positive correlation with the SOC scale (r=0.56, p<0.001). Discriminant validity was supported by significantly higher GTS-T scores among participants without OF (22.3±3.8) than those with frailty (18.7±4.3; p=0.03). The scale demonstrated good internal consistency (Cronbach’s α=0.86) and strong test-retest reliability varied across items (ICC range: 0.192-0.862), indicating heterogeneous temporal stability with some items demonstrating poor reliability. Conclusion: The GTS-T showed satisfactory psychometric properties, including content, convergent, discriminant and cross-cultural validity along with high internal consistency and test-retest reliability proving its suitability for Tamil-speaking elderly populations.
ABSTRACT Purpose: Early childhood caries (ECC) is a chronic, infectious, and transmissible condition with a complex multifactorial etiology, aspects of which remain unclear. This study aims to evaluate differences in enamel loss and surface roughness between primary teeth affected by ECC and those of caries-free dentition. Materials and Methods: Sixty-four extracted human primary incisors from two groups of children were allocated to two study groups: Group I (ECC-affected; n = 32) and Group II (caries-free; n = 32). All samples underwent artificial demineralization by immersion in 0.1 mol/L lactic acid (pH 5.3) at 37°C for 30 days. Postdemineralization, enamel loss and surface roughness were assessed using three-dimensional noncontact profilometry. Statistical analysis was performed using independent t -test. Results: The mean depth of demineralization was significantly higher in the ECC affected group (9.04 ± 4.08 μm) compared to the caries-free group (4.45 ± 3.39 μm). Similarly, the mean surface roughness was higher in the ECC group (2.00 ± 0.79 μm) than in the N-ECC group (0.87 ± 0.59 μm). Conclusions: Primary teeth affected by ECC exhibit significantly greater enamel loss and surface roughness following demineralization. These findings suggest the presence of inherent structural enamel defects in ECC-affected teeth, which may contribute to their increased susceptibility to caries development in children.
Case reports hold an indispensable and enduring position in medical literature and serve as cornerstones for advancing medical knowledge. Despite their placement at the base of the evidence hierarchy, they are unparalleled in their ability to provide early indications of the potential harm of drugs to patients. They illuminate rare and atypical diseases, enrich medical education, and provide a foundation for future studies. With the advent of standardized reporting frameworks and the proliferation of open-access dissemination, the quality and impact of these studies are not only improving but also transforming the medical research landscape. This editorial examines the contemporary relevance of case reports for practicing clinicians and explores their evolution in modern medicine.
The retrocuspid papilla (RCP) is an asymptomatic developmental soft-tissue nodule located in the attached gingiva, lingual to the mandibular cuspids. Frequently misinterpreted as a reactive or neoplastic gingival lesion, it remains under-recognized in dental practice despite its well-established benign nature. This editorial addresses its clinical presentation, epidemiology, histopathological characteristics, and core controversies surrounding its nosological classification and differential diagnosis from giant cell fibromas. Correct clinical identification eliminates the need for biopsy and prevents unnecessary interventions.
