ABSTRACT
Dental caries remains the most common oral disease affecting a considerable proportion of people worldwide. It not only causes damage to the tooth, but is also responsible for several morbid conditions of the oral cavity and other systems of the body. Without treatment, caries can proceed and destroy the tooth leading to infection of dental pulp. We wanted to evaluate the prevalence of dental caries and treatment needs among adult rural population. METHODS619 participants aged 18 years and above from peripheral health centres were examined to determine the prevalence of caries and treatment needs. A pretested proforma was used for data collection. Collected data was analysed using Chi Square test. P<0.05 was considered as significant. RESULTSNo significant difference was found in the mean number of teeth affected by caries between the two age groups (<40 years & >40 years) (p= 0.352), between genders (p=0.704) and education levels (p=0.983). When treatment needs (TN) was considered, maximum 2 surface fillings were needed in both the age groups (<40 years 45.6% & >40 years 54.4%). Various treatment needs prevailed among participants of different education level. CONCLUSIONSOral health educative programs may change the attitude of an individual and population as a whole towards maintenance of oral health.
ABSTRACT
Long-term retention of the restoration depends on strength and durability of the bond of the luting composite resin to the tooth and the porcelain substrates. Aims: This in vitro study was conducted to compare and evaluate the influence of hydrofluoric acid (HF) and acidulate phosphate fluoride (APF) gel-etched treatments on surface roughness and bond strength to dentin of a commercially available lithium disilicate ceramic (E-Max). Subjects and Methods: Sixty lithium disilicate ceramic disks measuring 5 mm in diameter and 2 mm thick were fabricated and divided into three groups: Group A (n = 24), Group B (n = 24), and Group C (n = 12) and were subdivided to Group A1, A2, and A3which were surface treated with 1.23% APF gel (pH = 3–4) at different time intervals 4, 7, and 10 min, respectively. Group B1, B2, and B3 were surface treated with 1% APF gel (pH = 1–2) at different time intervals 4, 7, and 10 min, respectively. Group C were surface treated with 9.6% HF (pH = 1–2) for 1 min. Morphological changes obtained with the surface treatments were analyzed using a surface profilometer. Statistical Analysis: All specimens were subjected to a tensile bond strength test using a tensometer, and the obtained data were statistically analyzed using Kruskal–Wallis test. Results: The surface roughness (μm) and bond strength (MPa) of lithium disilicate discs (samples) etched with 1.23% APF gel and 1% APF gel for 10 min and etched with 9.6% HF for 1 min showed no statistical significant difference among them. Conclusions: In this study, the lithium disilicate discs etched with 1.23% APF gel and 1% APF gel for 10 min showed similar surface roughness and bond strength to those etched with 9.6% HF for a minute.