Calcium hydroxide, a material widely used for the treatment of permanent teeth has not been used frequently for pulpectomy in primary teeth. A comparative evaluation of calcium hydroxide and zinc oxide eugenol used as root canal filling materials in primary molars is presented.

A survey was conducted among 5-6 and 12-13 years old school children of Puttur municipality, Karnataka State, India, to assess the prevalence of dental caries, malocclusion and dental calculus. A sample size of 200 subjects was taken for each age group and cluster-sampling method was used to select those schools which were to be included in the sample frame. Data collection was done using the Basic Oral Health Survey (WHO) form. The deciduous dentition alone was considered for 5-6 year old subjects while the permanent dentition alone was considered for those aged 12-13 years. A total of 427 subjects from 7 schools were studied. Results indicated that 81.25% of 5-6 year old subjects had dental caries (mean dmft = 4.86 +/- 4.16 S.D.) as compared to 59.6% of 12-13 year old (mean DMFT = 1.87 +/- 2.01 S.D.). The prevalence of malocclusion was 1.79% and 36.95% among those aged 5-6 year and 12-13 year, respectively. None of the 5-6 years old subjects had calculus on their teeth while 47.78% of 12-13 year old subjects exhibited the presence of dental calculus. Overall the prevalence of dental caries was found to be significantly higher among 5-6 year old subjects compared to 12-13 year old subjects. The prevalence of malocclusion and dental calculus was significantly higher among 12-13 year old subjects compared to 5-6 year old subjects.

The occurrence of a single supernumerary tooth in the upper canine region a rare condition is reported. The crown resembles a molar tooth, thus suggesting a molariform supernumerary tooth.

An unusual case of unilateral idiopathic gingival hyperplasia in a 6 year old child is reported and its management discussed.

Maxillary expansion is a very useful procedure for arch length augmentation, posterior crossbite treatment and removing cross arch interferences. Removable appliances are in the realm of a pedodontist and general dentist. However, one should be aware of the problems arising at an early age of the child, should be able to properly diagnose the condition and if required, a timely referral to a specialist is also expected.

The study was carried out with the purpose of assessing the dental treatment requirement and analysis of cost in the management of dental caries among primary school children of Kerala. The sample consisted of 750 primary school children and their parents. 68.5% children were affected with dental caries. Decayed teeth accounted for the largest component. One surface restorations were the most frequent type of treatment required followed by extractions, pit and fissure sealants and pulp therapy. The treatment cost increased in direct proportion to the number of teeth involved. The average cost incurred for various dental treatment varied from Rs. 50 (consultation) to Rs. 300 (for filling and extraction) depending on the nature of treatment. Only 1/3rd of children requiring immediate dental treatment had approached for any form of dental consultation. The study also revealed that all the children who had approached the dentist for consultation and treatment had only done for temporary relief in relation to emergency management.

A dentigerous cyst is a type of an odontogenic cyst associated with the crown of an impacted, embedded or unerupted tooth. In this article, we report a case of dentigerous cyst with an impacted canine in an unusual position which was surgically removed.

The trend of dental caries in Chandigarh school children over a sixteen year period, studied by almost the same authors and using the same recording criteria of WHO reveals a continuous decline in 12 and 15 year children but a slight increase in the dental caries status of 5-6 year children. In 1977, the mean DMFT of 12 and 15 year children was 3.88 and 4.74 respectively. In 1985, it decreased to 1.38 in 15 year olds (12 year children not recorded) and in 1993 it marginally decreased to 1.12 +/- 1.35, much lower than the figure of 3.88 in 1977. In 5-6 year children, mean dmft/dmfs of 2.69 +/- 1.45 and 6.06 +/- 9.77 was found to be slightly higher as compared to the earlier caries prevalence figures (deft + DMFT-2.6 in 1977 and 2.26 in 1985).