ABSTRACT
Oral submucous fibrosis [OSMF] is a chronic, insidious, fibrotic disease that predominantly affects people of South-East Asian origin. The majority of patients present with an intolerance to spicy food, rigidity of lip, tongue and palate leading to varying degrees of limitation of mouth opening and tongue movement. The use ofareca nut has been strongly implicated as the principal etiological factor in the pathogenesis of OSMF which involves cytokine mediated collagen synthesis and deposition and reduced collagen degradation. Various modalities have been proposed for the management of OSMF. Aimed primarily at increasing oral opening, surgical treatments have been hampered by relapse and medical agents have yielded limited success. In this prospective comparative study we tested a hypothesis that a combination ofintralesional steroid and oral antioxidant would prove to be of maximal efficacy than either of the two agents used alone. Forty five patients with a clinical and histologic diagnosis of OSMF were randomly divided into three treatment groups of fifteen patients each. Patients in group [A] received monthly intralesional injections of methylprednisolone acetate, those in group [B] were put on daily lycopene supplements while the ones in group 'C' received monthly intralesional injections of methylprednisolone acetate and concurrently were put on daily lycopene supplements as well. Mouth opening values for patients showed an average increase of 3.46 mm, 2.46 mm and 7 mm for groups A, B and C respectively. The difference in mouth openings at the end of treatment was found to be statistically insignificant between groups A and B [p > 0.05], significant between groups A and C [p < 0.05] while it was very significant between groups B and C [p < 0.01]. We therefore conclude that the most favorable response in terms of clinical efficacy was derived from the combination ofintralesional steroid and oral antioxidant therapy in patients abstaining from areca nut habit and indulging in rigorous physiotherapy. We further suggest that this modality may be used as a frontline therapy for the pharmacologic and physiotheraputic management of oral submucous fibrosis
ABSTRACT
The objective of the present study was to evaluate the awareness and compliance among dental surgeons working within twin cities about "forensic dentistry". Secondary objective was to evaluate the need of this specialty to be added in BDS curriculum as an independent subject or part of any major subject. This cross sectional Study was done in five teaching dental hospitals of Rawalpindi and Islamabad which are affiliated with Dental colleges. 318 questionnaires consisting of fourteen basic questions were distributed in the dental colleges/ hospitals selected for the study. Data were then compiled, categorized and analyzed using SPSS. The response rate was 93%. Participants who had never studied forensic dentistry at any level were 99.32% and who never got any formal training in forensic dentistry were 100%. Individuals who opted to study forensic as a subject if opportunity of training was given within Pakistan were 60%. Forensic Dentist may play a major role in identification of those individuals who cannot be identified otherwise. Recent tragedies and situations have increased awareness concerning the importance of forensic dentistry in identification of victims especially in current era in Pakistan. Forensic dentistry must be introduced into the BDS curriculum effectively as a subject. Moreover, the likelihood of future disasters due to terrorism, earthquakes and other causes require the dental profession in Pakistan to be prepared for an ex-pended role
ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to compare the treatment outcome of thirty unilateral temporomandibular joint [TMJ] ankylosis cases treated in Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences [PIMS], Islamabad within four years by either silastic or acrylic interpositional arthoplasty. Patients having bilateral TMJ ankylosis, age less than 16 years, coronoidectomy required during procedure, already operated cases and medically compromised patients were excluded from the study. Pre and post-operative assessment was done by thorough history, physical examination and radiographic evaluation [OPG and CT scan] to determine the cause of ankylosis, the maximal inter-incisal opening, complications including infection, presence of facial nerve paralysis and recurrence rate. The maximal inter-incisal opening in the pre-operative period ranged from 0-11mm and was recorded at a mean of 32.7+/-5.8mm for cases treated with silastic interposition and 29.5+/-6.8mm for the ones treated with acrylic one year after surgery. Infections, swelling, pain and nerve injuries were reported in both the groups post-operatively. Both silastic and acrylic were found to be statistically similar in terms of maximal inter-incisal opening, complications and recurrence rates. Recurrence was observed in only one patient treated by acrylic inter-positioning. Silastic however demonstrated itself to be a better choice in terms of handling and patient tolerability
ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to measure the distribution of learning preferences of 1[st] and 2[nd] year dental students at Islamabad Medical and Dental College. Each individual has learning styles in various combinations; as a teacher were need to use all four ourselves recognizing that each student may have a preference of acquiring information and skill in one style over another. As students progress it is important for us to match our teaching method to their task specific needs. To determine the learning style preferences, the VARK questionnaire was administered. Student questionnaires were scored and tabulated to determine the distribution of VARK preferences. 52% of respondents preferred a single mode of learning, 36% were bimodal, 8% tri modal and 4% were quad modal. Results clearly demonstrate that Dental students' preferred kinesthetic and aural learning at a higher percentage. Dental students may be more skilled at some tasks and less in others; it is important that our teaching/ coaching methods are matched to their learning preference and to each task
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Learning , Students, Dental , Visual Perception , Writing , Surveys and Questionnaires , Problem-Based Learning , Data CollectionABSTRACT
A 19 years male patient came to the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery outpatient department with chief complaint of progressively reducing mouth opening for the past four months. History, clinical and radiological examination strongly suggested it to be a rare case ofmyositis ossificans traumatica which was subsequently confirmed histopathologically. The patient was managed by extirpation of the ossified left lateral and medial pterygoid muscles with inter positioning of split thickness temporalis muscle and fascia flap and post-operative mouth opening exercises. Satisfactory mouth opening was achieved. However recurrence relapse was noted soon after