A comparative study of conventional and Hall techniques of crown placement using finite element stress analysis

Background: Hall technique of crown placement causes the changes in vertical occlusal dimension; the mode of settlement of which needs to be explored. Aim: To assess and compare the changing patterns of stress distribution following placement of stainless steel crowns on primary teeth by Hall and conventional techniques using a finite element model analysis. Materials and Methods: The clinical crown heights of primary molars restored with Hall and conventional techniques and opposing teeth in contact, vertical dimension changes in the primary canine area were measured using intraoral digital scan. T-scan was used to measure the changes in bite force while the finite element analysis was used to assess deformative changes on the 2nd, 5th, 10th, and 15th days. Results: The Hall technique of crown placement caused more stress distribution in the tooth supporting tissues that settled in 2 weeks as compared with conventional technique of crown placement in which settlement occurred in 2 days. Conclusion: The settling of vertical occlusal dimension as well as stress distribution in Hall technique probably takes place by intrusion of crowned tooth and opposing teeth in contact.

A clinical and radiographic comparative evaluation of custom-made zirconia crowns using CAD-CAM and stainless steel crowns in primary molars

Background and Aim of Study: Early childhood caries is a multifactorial disease process affecting children below 71 months of age and continues to be a global health problem. Stainless steel crowns (SSCs) are widely used and are very popular in pediatric dentistry due to its superiority and durability when compared with multisurface amalgam restorations. However, one of the major disadvantages with these crowns is the poor esthetics. Parents often request for a more esthetic alternative to the SSC. Zirconia crowns are one of the tooth-colored full crown restorations currently available for use in primary teeth. These are available as both preformed and custom-made crowns and show excellent esthetics. However, these require extensive tooth preparation with a subgingival finish lines, which would cause gingival trauma and bleeding during the preparation. The present study uses intraoral scanners for making the custom-made zirconia crowns, which will avoid the conventional impressions. Currently, there are no studies available in pediatric dentistry regarding CAD-CAM crowns. Hence, there is a need for the study. Aim: The aim of this study is to clinically evaluate the performance of preformed SSCs and custom-made zirconia crowns in primary molars. To elicit parental and patient satisfaction with respect to preformed SSCs and custom made zirconia crowns and to radiographically compare the interproximal bone height for 1 year. Methods: The patients were selected with purposive sampling. The tooth of interest was prepared according to the crown it would receive. The upper and the lower arch of the tooth receiving custom-made zirconia crown was scanned using an intraoral scanner. The crowns were cemented using Type 1 glass ionomer cement (GIC) (SSC) and resin modified GIC (custom-made zirconia crown). After the crown placement, the patient and the parent's satisfaction was scaled regarding the time taken, comfort, cost of crown, appearance of crown, etc., using a 5-point Likert scale. A baseline radiograph was taken after crown placement. The patient was recalled every 3 months till 1 year for evaluation (loss of retention, loss of proximal contact, gingival inflammation, opposing tooth wear, and marginal integrity). At the end of 1 year, radiographs were taken to check the interproximal bone. Results: After 1 year evaluation of custom-made zirconia crowns and preformed SSCs in primary molars, it was shown that both SSC and zirconia crowns showed good gingival scores but zirconia crown was better than SSC in improving the gingival health. SSCs showed better results with respect to the opposing tooth wear and marginal adaptability. Parents as well as patients preferred a tooth-colored crown as a treatment option. Conclusion: Custom-made zirconia crowns are comparable to the preformed SSCs and they show better gingival scores and excellent color match.

A prospective study of the lumps in the right hypochondrium

Background: The abdominal cavity can harbour a varied spectrum of diseases. Abdominal lumps are one of the commonest disorders in this region. The clinical presentation, diagnosis, minimal investigations and optimum treatment of the lumps in the right hypochondrium were studied in detail in present study.Methods: The prospective observational study was carried out for 24 months. 60 consecutive patients who satisfied the inclusion criteria were taken up for the study. Calculation and analysis of data was done by using MS Excel.Results: The lumps in the right hypochondrium were most common in the 31-40 years age group in the present study. Majority of the lumps were found to be intraperitoneal (65%), of which 45% were neoplastic in nature. 68.3% as compared to 31.7% of lumps had an organ of origin which was not anatomically situated in the right hypochondrium viz. from right kidney and right adrenal. Hepatic lumps were found to be the commonest (35%), of which 14.3% were malignant tumors. Gall bladder carcinoma was more common in 40-60 years with female preponderance. Only 26.7% patients presented with the complaint of lump in abdomen. The commonest complaint was pain in the abdomen followed by vomiting. In 88.3% cases surgery was undertaken for curative or palliative purposes.Conclusions: Of all the lumps in the right hypochondrium, intraperitoneal lumps were more common with abdominal pain as commonest presenting symptom. The commonest lumps were found to be hepatic lumps. Incidence of Neoplastic masses was more than infections and infestations.

A retrospective study to evaluate the pattern of spontaneously reported antiretroviral induced adverse drug reactions in a tertiary care hospital

Background: To evaluate the adverse effect profile of spontaneously reported cases of adverse drug reactions due to antiretroviral (ART) drugs in a tertiary care teaching hospital.Methods: A descriptive retrospective study of pattern of ART induced adverse drug reactions (ADRs) spontaneously reported to the Pharmacology department at a tertiary care hospital from January 2011 to December 2016. The details of suspected ADRs including drugs involved, treatment given for ADRs, and the outcome were also documented. These ADRs were analyzed for causality (WHO scale), severity (Hartwig et al. scale), seriousness (ICH E 2A guidelines), preventability (Schumock and Thornton scale) and type based on Edwards and Aronson classification system.Results: Of the 75 cases of ART induced ADRs, reactions were slightly more common in males (52%) and had median age and duration of ART as 36 years and 109 days respectively. Drug induced anemia was the most common presentation followed by cutaneous ADR and zidovudine being the commonest offender. Severity was moderate in 85.3% and causality was probable in 16% and possible in 84% cases. The type reaction was augmented type in 41.3% and not preventable in 76%.Conclusions: Zidovudine is the commonest drug implicated in causing anemia amongst the antiretrovirals. Spontaneous reporting method for antiretroviral pharmacovigilance is insufficient. Targeted spontaneous reporting or cohort event monitoring need to be studied for antiretroviral pharmacovigilance.

Dissemination of aerosol and splatter during ultrasonic scaling: a pilot study

Routine dental procedures produce aerosol and splatter, which pose a potential risk to the clinician and dental personnel, as well as the immunocompromised patient. Reports indicate that the ultrasonic scaler is the greatest producer of aerosol and splatter.The study aimed to evaluate the contamination distance, contamination amount and contamination duration of aerosol produced during ultrasonic scaling. The study was performed on a mannequin fitted with phantom jaws on a dental chair. Mock scaling was done for 15 min using an auto-tuned magnetostrictive ultrasonic scaler with the simultaneous use of a low volume saliva ejector. An ultrafiltrate-containing fluorescent dye was used in the reservoir supplying the scaler unit. Filter paper discs were placed in different positions and distances in the operatory. Immediately following scaling, the filter paper discs were replaced with new ones. This was done every 30 min for a total duration of 90 min. Maximum contamination was found on the right arm of the operator and left arm of the assistant. Contamination was also found on the head, chest and inner surface of the face mask of the operator and of the assistant. The aerosol was found to remain in the air up to 30 min after scaling. The occupational health hazards of dental aerosols can be minimized by following simple, inexpensive precautions

Prevalence and risk factors for severity of diabetic neuropathy in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Purpose: To estimate the prevalence of diabetic neuropathy (severity wise) and associated risk factors in a population having type 2 diabetes mellitus. Materials and Methods: A population-based sample of 1401 persons with diabetes (identified as per the WHO criteria) underwent comprehensive eye examination including stereoscopic digital photography (45° four field) for diabetic retinopathy grading. Vibration perception threshold (VPT) measurements were done to assess neuropathy (cut off ≥ 20 V). Severity of neuropathy was graded into three groups based on VPT score as mild (20-24.99 V), moderate (25-38.99 V), and severe (≥39 V). Univariate and multivariate analyses were done to find out the independent risk factors for severity of diabetic neuropathy. Results: In the overall group, the prevalence of diabetic neuropathy was 18.84% (95% CI: 16.79-20.88). The prevalence of mild diabetic neuropathy was 5.9% (95% CI: 4.68-7.15), moderate diabetic neuropathy was 7.9% (95% CI: 6.50-9.33), and severe diabetic neuropathy was 5% (95% CI: 3.86-6.14). Increasing age per year (P < 0.0001) was a statistically significant risk factor for all - mild, moderate, and severe - types of diabetic neuropathy. For severe diabetic neuropathy, other significant risk factors were duration of diabetes mellitus (P = 0.027), macroalbuminuria (P = 0.001), and presence of diabetic retinopathy (P = 0.020). Conclusions: The results suggested that every fifth individual in a population of type 2 diabetes is likely to have diabetic neuropathy. Nearly 13% had neuropathy of moderate and severe category, making this group vulnerable for complications such as foot ulceration or lower limb amputation.

Single-nucleotide polymorphisms in peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ and their association with plasma levels of resistin and the metabolic syndrome in a South Indian population.

Studies on the association of the Pro12Ala and C1431T polymorphisms of PPARγ with diabetes and obesity have revealed extensive population-dependent variations. However, association of these polymorphisms with the metabolic syndrome and its individual components has not been well investigated in the Indian population. The Indian population harbours the maximum number of diabetics in the world who are thus more susceptible to metabolic disorders. We screened a South Indian population (N = 699) for a possible association of these polymorphisms with the metabolic syndrome (MS) and type 2 diabetes. We also investigated the correlation of these two single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with plasma resistin levels. The C1431T SNP was associated with higher levels of plasma resistin (P = 0.017). Furthermore, C1431T was associated with resistin in different tertiles. Prevalence of the ‘Pro-C’ haplotype decreased with increasing tertiles of resistin (84.1% to 75.4%, P = 0.037). Plasma resistin levels were not found to be associated with MS and type 2 diabetes. These results point to a likely association of plasma resistin levels with PPARγ polymorphisms in the Indian population.

The effect of ibuprofen on bleeding during periodontal surgery.

BACKGROUND: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are one of the most commonly used medications for both medical and dental ailments. These drugs have been shown to increase bleeding during surgeries, which may prompt practitioners to discontinue their use before surgical procedures. The aim of the present study is to assess the effect of a common NSAID, ibuprofen, on bleeding during periodontal surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study group consisted of 10 patients who were scheduled to undergo periodontal surgery of similar type, complexity, and duration. Each subject acted as control as well as case group. The case group consisted of 10 surgeries in which patients were administered ibuprofen prior to surgery, whereas ibuprofen was not administered in control group. Bleeding time was measured at first visit and prior to first and second surgeries. The volume of blood loss during each surgery was measured by subtracting the amount of water used for irrigation from the total volume of fluid collected in the portable aspirator at the end of the surgery. RESULTS: The result showed a statistically significant (P < 0.05) increase in intraoperative bleeding during periodontal surgery when ibuprofen was preadministered. In addition, there was statistically significant (P < 0.05) increase in bleeding time. CONCLUSION: Ibuprofen taken prior to periodontal surgery increases intraoperative bleeding and should be administered cautiously before periodontal surgeries.

Continuous glucose monitoring system--useful but expensive tool in management of diabetes.

Until recently, self monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) was the only tool used for monitoring blood glucose levels. The limitation of SMBG is that it cannot continuously monitor blood glucose levels. In this paper, we present our initial experience with the continuous glucose monitoring system (CGMS) in three different clinical situations. With reduction in cost and further refinement in technology, CGMS could become a valuable tool for clinical practice and research studies in diabetes.