Effect of smoking on C-reactive protein levels in chronic periodontitis

The objective of the study was to compare the effect of smoking on the level of C-reactive protein [CRP] in chronic periodontal disease. The response of periodontal treatment and its effect on the level of the CRP was also observed in both groups. Hundred patients with chronic periodontitis were taken. Smoking history of the patients was assessed and accordingly, they were categorized as: Group A [smokers] and Group B [non- smokers]. Periodontal evaluation was done on every patient and blood samples were collected for noting the levels of CRP. All patients were then given treatment of chronic periodontitis by mechanical removal of calculus as well as prescription of antimicrobials and mouth rinses. Periodontal evaluation and blood samples were repeated three months after the given treatment to check the change in CRP levels. At Baseline, CRP levels of smoker group was more than non- smoker group. Three months after the given periodontal treatment, the periodontal health was significantly improved. Mean CRP level in both smoker group and non- smoker group was significantly decreased. Chronic periodontitis has significant effect on CRP levels. Chronic periodontitis may add to the inflammatory burden of an individual and this can be reverted to some extent if appropriate treatment is given. This response will not be affected by adverse effects of smoking

Socio-economic gradient and its impact on dental caries among school children of primary and early mixed dentition

Dental Caries influence on the Quality of life of any individual. There is a conspicuous gap between the living standards of the high and low socioeconomic populations living in urban and rural settings. The aim is to determine Dental caries prevalence among different socioeconomic classes and to observe a social gradient across the high and low income areas which impacts oral health care needs. Cross-sectional study. This study was carried out at various Schools from Lahore city and its surrounding were included. The data were collected over a period of 3 months time. The sample size was 750 school children age 2-6 years. The data were collected using questionnaire regarding Oral hygiene and Oral examinations were performed to observe DMFT scores. Mean DMFT score was found to be 1.7 Score. The students from urban school settings have lesser DMFT scores as compared to students from rural school settings bearing higher DMFT Scores [p<0.001]. Students having DMFT score 5 or above exist only in rural settings [73 students] however there was no student in urban area bearing such high score of 5 or above. Majority of the students [88.5%] never attended any dentist and those who have attended were mainly from the urban school. There was not a single child in which Dental Sealant was found. There is a strong need towards provision of equality based oral health care services. These services should include both Preventive, Promotive and Curative aspects. In this context a strong Oral health Plan should be fabricated on national level to address these issues

Retention of dental sealants -five years' post application lower socioeconomic class of Karachi

The current study was aimed towards evaluating retention of the sealants on the first permanent molars of low socioeconomic class children 5 years post application. Also presence and absence of dental caries was determined. It is a follow up study to evaluate the retention of sealants placed during a randomized control trial conducted in children of low socioeconomic class school of Karachi in January 2006. In 2011, after five years, the retention*of fissure sealants among study group was assessed. Using visual examination with the aid of a dental explorer and an intra oral mirror, sealants were evaluated on occlusal surfaces of first permanent molars and divided into three categories; retained, partially retained and lost. These molars were also checked for the presence or absence of dental caries. Data were entered in SPSS version 17.0. Frequency distribution was established. Two hundred molars were sealed out of which 41.5% were completely retained, 44.5% were retained partially and 14% were lost over the period of 5 years post application. Sealants are effective method of preventing dental decay in pits and fissures if they are retained

Partial edentulism based on Kennedy's classification

The aim of this study is to investigate the distribution of the partial edentulism in general population according to Kennedy's classification. Cross Sectional Study This study was conducted Isra Dental College OPD in Hyderabad from Feb 2010 to July 2011. This is a cross sectional study carried out on 395, subjects, both males and females and belonging to age groups 35-50 years, completed during the period of one and half year. All patients' personal history was taken regarding their age and socioeconomic condition. Partial edentulism was recorded by visually examining the study sample. The results include the visual examination of 395 individual in which majority were males 246 [62%], mostly belonging to the poor class, 231 [59%] and in early forties 181[46%]. There is high prevalence of Kennedy's class IV, 128[32%] among sample then followed by Kennedys Class I 92[23.3%], II 76[19.2%] and III 50[12.7%]. The association between partial edentulism according to Kennedy's classification with socio- demographic profiles of the sample is statistically significant [68, 17%; p=0.04]. In our study there is significant difference between gender and partial edentulism as more male patients visit the dental clinic for partial denture belongs to low income status and in 41-45 years age group

Effect of disinfecting solutions on the dimensional stability of alginate impression material

The aim of this study was to measure the linear shrinkage of alginate impression material in various disinfecting solutions. The two different alginates used were Blue Print Cremix [Dentsply, USA] and Hydrogum [Ivoclar vivadent, Liechtenstein] which are commercially available, whereas the two disinfectants used to measure the shrinkage of the alginates immersion materials were Perform I.D. [Schulke and Mayr, Germany] and sodium hypochlorite [Laboratories Rivadis, France]. Distilled water was used as control and air was used to simulate clinical situation. At the end of one hour Blueprint Cremix showed more shrinkage than Hydrogum in distilled water, 1% Na Hypochlorite and Perform I.D. Whereas, in air Hydrogum showed more shrinkage than BluePrint Cremix. Immersion of the two alginates in disinfecting solutions has similar effect of net shrinkage, how-ever the effect is more pronounced for BluePrint Cremix. Effect of disinfecting solutions on the dimensional stability of alginate impression material