assessment of knowledge and usage of rubber dam among dentists in a Karachi sample

The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of rubber dam during root canal treatment and how to enhance its usage among dentists in Karachi. This was a questionnaire based study conducted by Endodontic Department of Jinnah Medical and Dental College. It was conducted from 28 April 2016 to 10 September 2016. The questions were divided into six categories; Demographic data, knowledge, availability, usage, advantages and disadvantages of rubber dam usage during root canal treatment. Total 263 out of 300 responded in which 59% were general dental practitioners, 35.7% were house officers, 25% were specialists. While 55% of house officers, 59% general dental practitioners and only 25% of the specialists used rubber dam during root canal treatment. Overall 12% of the respondent thought rubber dam usage can be promoted through both lectures and workshop while 26.6% opted for lectures, 36.5% through workshops, and 24% by some other means. It was concluded from the current study that the use of rubber dam is less common during root canal treatment among dentists in Karachi, in spite of knowing all the benefits of the rubber dam usage

Perception study of relevance of oral biology amongst 1[st] year BDS students, dental house officers and post-graduate trainees in DUHS

Objectives; To investigate the significance of Oral biology course in dentistry amongst 1[st] year BDS, interns and postgraduate students

Study Design: Cross sectional study

Place and Duration of Study: This study was carried out at Dow University of health sciences from 1[st] April 2015 to 1[st] July 2015

Materials and Methods: This study was conducted on 75 1[st] year BDS students, 25 house officers and 100 postgraduate trainees of Dow University of Health Sciences. A questionnaire based on a likert scale was distributed among 200 participants. The response rate was 100%. 5 questions were asked with five options

The main focus was to know whether Oral Biology being the basic foundation of dentistry is adequate enough to be taught for one year only. Data was analyzed on SPSS version 22

Results: 65% strongly agreed and 34% agreed that Oral Biology is relevant subject for general dentistry

Whereas 47.5% disagree and 9% strongly disagree that Oral Biology is one of the pillars in dentistry. 68.5% strongly agree and 25% agree that Oral Biology is a building block in medical and dental sciences. 24% agree, strongly agree 12% and remaining 59% were unaware with the fact about the knowledge of oral biology is applicable to clear the aptitude test

Majority of the students agreed that the knowledge of the oral biology is essential for their clinic practice in future [Strongly agree-44% Agree-48.5%]

Conclusion: Oral biology is the relevant subject to the general dentistry

Restorative material of choice for a moderately sized class i cavity in a lower permanent molar

Objective: To study dentist related factors affecting choice of restorative material in a moderately sized, simple class I cavity on a permanent molar

Study Design: Cross sectional / descriptive study

Place and Duration of the Study: This study was carried out at Jinnah Medical and Dental College between February 2015 to July 2015

Materials and Methods: Dentists from public and private sectors were requested to respond to a self administered questionnaire regarding their choice of restorative material for a moderately sized class I cavity in a permanent molar

Results: 66%, 54% and 16% of the dentists graduating in the years 2011-2015, 2006-2010 and 2001-2005 respectively chose amalgam. Whereas, 31%, 35% and and 73% graduating in the same years preferred composite. 38% of the dentists practicing privately and 69% of dentists working in institutional setup selected amalgam.66% of female dentists selected amalgam and 30% chose composite. In contrast, 43% of male dentist selected composite and 44% chose amalgam

Conclusion: The dependable blend of enduring service of amalgam with its cost effectiveness makes amalgam a better choice for posterior teeth in our settings. [Pakistan]

Root canal morphology of mandibular first permanent molars - Karachi sample

Asian populations show many variations in root canal morphology of permanent mandibular first molar. This in vitro study was done at Dr Ishrat ul Ibad Khan Institute of Oral Health Sciences and NED University Karachi, Pakistan to explore the number of roots and root canals, their configurations, occurrence of isthmi and apical deltas in mandibular permanent first molar teeth in Pakistani population. One hundred and twenty three mandibular first permanent molars were collected and exposed to clearing technique. The teeth were then viewed in a stereomicroscope under 7.5 x magnifications. The canal configurations were characterized using Vertucci's categorization of canal configuration. Although two roots were found in all teeth under study, 65.8% exhibited three root canals, 34.2% had four root canals. The most prevalent canal arrangements found in mesial roots were Vertucci's type [IV] 70.7% and in distal roots Vertucci's type [I] 65.8% respectively

Evaluation of golden proportion between maxillary anterior teeth

Objective: The study has been made to scrutinize the occurrence of Golden proportion between maxillary anterior teeth in a group of Pakistani population

Study Design: Cross sectional study

Place and Duration of the Study: This study was conducted at the Oral Biology Department at Dr. IshratulEbad Khan Institute of Oral Health Science Dow University for a period of 6 months from August 2014 to January 2015. Materials and Methods: This study comprised 500 volunteers of satisfactory aesthetics, out of which 394 were females and 105 were males between 21 to 30 years of age.First the impression of the subjects was taken with Alginate and cast was made with hard plaster. This was followed by measuring the width of maxillary anterior teeth of both quadrants at the mesio-distal contact point using a Digital caliper. Next, the Golden proportion for all subjects was calculated by multiplying the width of the larger factor by 62% and compared with the width of the smaller factor for proportion to be evaluated

Results: The data highlighted the statistical significant result in the ratio of Golden proportions depending upon gender. 11.2% of the samples have the width of their central incisors in golden proportion to the width of their lateral incisors.9.6% of the subjects had the width of their lateral incisors in golden proportion to the width of their canines. Age showed no significantdifference

Conclusion: It is not always correct to assert that golden proportion exists between widths of maxillary anterior teeth in a subject of Pakistanipopulation

Locating MB2 canal in maxillary first molars with magnification: in vitro study

To determine the ability of locating the second mesiobuccal canals in maxillary first molars with magnification [dental loupes 3.5x]. This was a Cross sectional study. 300 freshly extracted maxillary first molars were stored in 1% thymol solution for 1 week. Rhomboidal access cavities were prepared in these teeth and chamber cleared to look for canals first with naked eye and then with dental loupes [x3.5]. If MB2 was detected two periapical radiographs were exposed with files in MB andMB2 canals. The data was analyzed using chi squared test on SPSS version 10. In 77 out of 300 extracted teethMB2 canal was located with naked eye and with the use of dental loupes the number of located canals increased to 265. There was a statistically significant difference between the two methods of identification of MB2 canals [p value <0.005]. Use of magnification increases the number of MB2 canals located in maxillary first molars compared to those located with naked eye examination alone in vitro

evaluation of association between crown margins and materials with the periodontal health

The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between crown margin and type of restorative material on the periodontal health of the restored teeth. This case control study was conducted on 100 patients [50 metal crowns, 50 porcelain fused to metal crowns] whose prosthesis were fabricated in the department of crown and bridge of Fatima Jinnah Dental College Hospital. Contra-lateral tooth of same patient served as control. Clinical evaluation was performed and periodontal indices including Bleeding index, Plaque index, and Pocket depth measurement were recorded on a proforma. CPITN[Ash] "C"probe was used to record the readings. Data was analyzed with SPSS for windows using chi square test. One hundred patients with either porcelain fused to metal crown [n=50] or metal crown [n=50] with unrestored and healthy contralateral dentition were included in the study. Teeth restored with supra-gingival margins scored better for bleeding index, plaque index and pocket depth as compared to teeth restored with subgingival margins [p value<0.01]. The type of restorative material did not have an effect on recorded scores [p value>0.1]. Supragingival preparations for the crowns were better tolerated by the periodontium as compared to the subgingival preparations. There was no influence of type of restorative material on gingival health

In vivo study of antibacterial effect of calcium hydroxide and chlorhexidine as intracanal medicaments in a sample of Pakistani population

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the antibacterial effects of Calcium hydroxide and Chlorhexidene as intra canal medicaments in a sample of Pakistani population. Eighty, single rooted teeth of patients with necrotic pulps and periradicular lesion who presented at Department Of Operative Dentistry, Fatima Jinnah Dental College Hospital, Azam Basti were recruited in the study. At first appointment the root canals were cleaned, shaped and dried. Initial samples for bacteriological examination were taken. Medicaments to be tested were placed in the root canals and access cavities were sealed with temporary filling material. After seven days, samples were taken again from the root canal and inspected for growth of microorganism to determine the efficacy of the medicament used. Data was compared using 'Pearson's Chi-square test' on SPSS version 10 for windows. Twenty three [57.5%] out of 40 cases with Chlorhexidene dressing yielded negative cultures. Whereas Calcium Hydroxide group showed negative cultures in 18 [45%] out of 40. There were no statistically significant differences between the two medicament groups. [p-value is 0.263]. Chlorhexidene has better antibacterial effects than calcium hydroxide clinically. However, there were no statistically significant differences among the medicaments tested