A survey on the use of techniques, materials in dental implantology practice.

Purpose: To present results of a survey on the status of an implantology amongst implant-practicing dentist across the world in 2009. Materials and Methods: A questionnaire was sent to the members of EAO (European Association of Osseointegration), ICOI (International Congress of Osseointegrated Implants), ISOI (Indian Society of Oral Implantologists), Asian Academy of Osseointegration (AAO), Deutsche Gasellschaft Fur Orale Implantologie (DGOI), Philippines Implant Organization, Korean Society of Oral Implantologist, Japanese Association of OralIimplantologists, Chinese Dental Association, Pakistan Dental Association, asking for the personal (anonymous) background data and their implantology concepts. Specific questions dealt with level of recognition of implants, use of implants, superstructures, techniques followed, and materials used. Results: A total of 1500 (63.6%) of the 2358 questionnaires were answered. Dental implants were the most preferred treatment modality for restoring the missing teeth. Threaded implants were the most preferred. Cement retained implant prosthesis was the most preferred restoration procedure. Dentists believe that the general dentist should practice dental implant treatment modality, preferably teamwork. Immediate loading was the much-accepted concept among the dentists of the developed nations. Conclusion: Dental implants were much accepted treatment modality for the replacement of missing teeth. Most the dentists follow the well documented technique and proven materials, which have been documented in the literature, an evidenced based practice, thus, delivering the best to their patients. Dentists from the developing nations agreed to have standardization in implants.

Does nasal breathing cause frictional trauma in allergic rhinitis?

OBJECTIVES: Frictional stress on the walls of a tube increases with increased air flow and as the diameter of the tube is reduced. High values of frictional stress may occur in the nose during nasal obstruction which could damage the nasal mucosa particularly when the mucosa is inflamed and fragile as in allergic rhinitis. The effect of nasal airflow induced frictional stress on the nasal mucosa was studied in patients with allergic rhinitis. METHODS: We studied nasal peak flow rate in eight patients with allergic rhinitis and nasal obstruction comparing the change in peak expiratory flow after they breathed for 30 minutes through an obstructed and a patent nostril. Patients were studied in the right and left lateral decubitus positions to increase and decrease the resistance in the lower and upper nostril respectively and thus minimize any effects of cyclical changes in nasal resistance. Subjects breathed for 30 minutes through the upper patent nostril (schedule 1) and for a further 30 minutes through the lower obstructed nostril (schedule 2). Nasal peak expiratory flow rate was measured in both nostrils separately in both positions after each schedule. RESULTS: There was a significant reduction in mean (SD) nasal peak flow rate (-12.8 (4.06) L/min) after subjects had breathed for 30 minutes through the obstructed nostril. There was no significant change in nasal peak flow rate after subjects had breathed through the patent nostril, or in the nostril that had no flow for 30 minutes. CONCLUSIONS: These findings are compatible with the hypothesis that frictional stress due to airflow through an obstructed nostril induces trauma and swelling of the nasal mucosa of patients with allergic rhinitis.

The role of cough and hyperventilation in perpetuating airway inflammation in asthma.

Air flowing through a pipe exerts frictional stress on the walls of the pipe. Frictional stress of more than 40 N/m2 (velocity equivalent of air 113 m/s) is known to cause acute endothelial damage in blood vessels. The frictional stress in airways during coughing may be much greater, however, since the velocity of air may be as high as speed of sound in air. We suggest that high levels of frictional stress perpetuate airway inflammation in airways which are already inflamed and vulnerable to frictional stress-induced trauma in patients with asthma. Activities associated with rapid ventilation and higher frictional stress (e.g. exercise, hyperventilation, coughing, sneezing and laughing) cause asthma to worsen whilst activities that reduce frictional stress (Yoga 'Pranayama', breathing a helium-oxygen mixture and nasal continuous positive airway pressure) are beneficial. Therefore control of cough may have anti-inflammatory benefits in patients with asthma.