Awareness about periodontal disease among patients- a study

Periodontal diseases can lead to tooth loss. The bacterial plaque is the main etiology of periodontal diseases, while many other factors such as hormonal changes, diabetes, poor nutrition, smoking, and stress may affect the initiation and progression of gingival and periodontal diseases. The objective of this study was to evaluate the knowledge about periodontal oral health and causes of inflammatory periodontal diseases among patients of our local population. A total of 105 patients presented to out-patient department of Khyber College of Dentistry, Peshawar were included in this study. Age, gender, economic level, educational level, occupation and specific questions about periodontal diseases were recorded. Questions related to periodontal diseases like meaning and causes of periodontal disease, relation to the risk factors, prevention and treatment of periodontal diseases. Each question was provided with different options [Yes and No] to patients were requested to answered. The collected data were processed and analyzed by SPSS [statistical Package for Social Sciences] version 17.0. Percentages and frequencies were tabulated and shown in the form of charts. Of total 105 patients 74[70.47%] were males and 31[29.52%] females. The most common age decade was third. Most of participants belonged to medium income families and most of their had university level education. Educated patients were using tooth brush while illiterate patients used miswak wooden stick. University level educated patients were more aware about the meaning, risks factors and causes of periodontal diseases

Patterns and frequency of dental caries in primary teeth

Primary teeth play an important role in mastication, speech and occlusion of permanent dentition. Due to high prevalence of dental caries in primary teeth, it is essential to educate parents about prevention and management of dental caries of children. The objective of this study was to determine the pattern and prevalence of caries in primary teeth among children reporting to Khyber College of Dentistry, Peshawar. Total 900 children having age 4 to 7 years were includes in this study. Dental caries was assessed using sterilized mouth mirror and dental probe under dental chair light in primary teeth. The collected data were analysed in SPSS version 16.0. Percentages and frequencies were calculated for examined and affected teeth. Z-test was applied for statistical difference among girls and boys. P<0.05 was considered significant. Out of total of 900 children, 478[53.11%] affected by caries. The posterior teeth had greater prevalence of caries. In anterior teeth, central incisors[10%] followed by lateral incisors[8.09%] were affected by dental caries. Canine[3%] were least affected. In posterior teeth, second molars were affected more than first molars by caries. Girls were having less caries than boys.[p<0.05]

Effect of some plants' extracts used in Sudanese folkloric medicines on carrageenan-induced inflammation

Investigations for anti-inflammatory potential and categorization of Sudanese medicinal plants according to their potency. Anti-inflammatory effect of plants' extracts of 17 genera were studied using the carrageenan induced inflammation in rats' paws. The plant extracts were obtained using methanol and dichloromethane as solvent and administered intra peritoneally at the concentration of 2g/kg body weight. The results obtained in this experiment strongly support and validate the traditional uses of these Sudanese medicinal plants to treat various inflammatory diseases. 63.9% of plants extracts showed marked inhibition of inflammation induced by carrageenan [78.3% out of this percentage represented by methanolic extract], 27.8% showed no activity and 8.3% enhanced the carrageenan induced inflammation. The anti-inflammatory effect of many of these plants has not been reported previously, yet they have been extensively used in Sudanese folkloric medicine. The result of this study justify the traditional medicinal use of the evaluated plants species in treating inflammatory disorders and helped in categorizing the investigated plants into most useful, moderately useful and least useful category for inflammatory diseases. Out of the 17 investigated plant species 05 belongs to most useful and 06 belongs to moderately useful category. However, toxicity studies are required to prove the safety of these plant materials

Complaints among patients wearing metal ceramic fixed partial dentures

The objective of this study was to assess the causes of failure of tooth supported fixed partial dentures due to biological and technical complications. A total of 115 patients who had problems with their metal ceramic FPDs were included in this study. Age, gender, oral hygiene habits, reason for tooth loss [caries, periodontal disease, and trauma], and level of education [university, secondary, primary school and illiterate] were recorded in history. Detailed intra-oral clinical examination was carried out following the standard techniques of inspection, palpation, percussion and probing. Radiographic examination, when necessary, was also done. Prostheses evaluation included the recording of location of FPD in jaw, the technical complications of de-cementation, ceramic deboning and chipping, fracture of metal-frame, esthetic, occlusal problems, pain on chewing, dislodgement and secondary caries. Out of 115 total patients having FPDs with complaints 55[47.8%] were males and 60[51.7%] were females. Age range was from 20 to 65 years. Maximum number of missing teeth in single patients in both arches was 13 replaced with FPD. Most of the patient were employing tooth brush as oral hygiene measure [74.7%].illiterate patients having compliant FPD were carrying the maximum number [37.1%]. Caries [83.4%] were the common cause of tooth loss followed by periodontal problems [9.5%]. In both dental arches posterior FPDs were more numerous than anterior. In maxilla it was 25[21.6%] while in mandible 37[31.9%]. So it was more in posterior mandible than posterior maxilla.The most common complaint was pain on chewing 58[50.0%] followed by esthetics 18[15.5%. A high number of patients wearing fixed partial denture are having complaints which emphasize need for proper case selection, diagnosis and treatment planning on the behalf of the practitioners