Effects of educational attainment on dentition status in socioeconomically deprived population of Karachi

The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between educational attainment and dentition status. A cross sectional survey was conducted. The total number of participants in this study was 408. The subjects of age 15 years to 65 years were included in this survey. To record subjects own educational attainment, education level was divided into levels which are Primary school [1-5 grade], Middle [6-8 Grade], Secondary or High school [9-10 Grade], Higher Secondary and highly educated which include Tertiary School [Bachelors]. To record dentition status, DMFT index was used. The DMFT score of 0 indicates minimum risk of caries, DMFT score between 1-4 indicates moderate risk of decay and DMFT score greater than 4 indicates high risk of dental decay. The data was collected through intra oral examination of subjects. The test indicates that association exists between level of education and DMFT scores. However, the strength of association is not very strong. The correlation value for spearman's rho was [.116] and [P= .01]. The impact of poor oral health in low educated people can be reduced by the developing policies related to building healthy public policy, strengthening community actions, and developing personal skills. To improve the knowledge, attitudes and oral health of people with low educational status, it is necessary to increase the oral health promotion activities

Oral rehabilitation with mandibular cast partial overdenture opposing maxillary cast complete denture: a case report.

The basic principles of any prosthetic design include preservation of the remaining tissues along with retention, stability, support, and aesthetics. Partial Overdenture is a logical method in preventive prosthodontics that emphasizes on the importance of any rehabilitative procedure to delay or eliminate the future prosthodontic problems. This clinical report describes [conventional] prosthodontic management of a diffuse hyperplastic goitrous patient who presented with complete maxillary and partially edentulous mandibular arch with several periodontally compromised teeth. The rehabilitation of this patient was done with conventional cast complete denture in maxillary arch and a teeth-tissue supported cast partial overdenture in mandibular arch. This prosthodontic treatment spectrum renders the patient, the satisfaction of preserving their own natural teeth as well as a definitive prosthesis even in an extremely critical clinical condition

Evaluation of various concentrations of alkaline surface treatment on interfacial bond strengths of amalgam bonded to amalgam

This study was done to assess the influence of alkaline surface modification on interfacial bond strength of existing fractured [old] amalgam restoration bonded to fresh amalgam. Old and Fresh amalgam interfaced samples were prepared by applying a 4-methacryloyloxyethy trimellitate anhydride [4-META] containing adhesive. The adhesive used was Amalgabond [Parkell, Farmingdale, NY 11735, USA]. Four concentrations of calcium hydroxide Ca[OH][2] solutions were used as a surface modifiers for old amalgam to increase the pH of the amalgam surfaces. The concentrations used were 2.5, 5, 10 and 15%. Direct measurement of the interfacial bond strength was carried out using an electromechanical universal tensile testing machine at crosshead speed of 10mm per minute. Results show that all the calcium hydroxide modified samples produced the increased tensile bond strength [TBS] as compared to their control group. The highest values of bond strength were achieved using 15% Ca[OH][2] solution as surface modifier. Pretreatment of fractured amalgam with calcium hydroxide improves the bond strength of 4-META adhesives. Its use in repair of amalgam may therefore be considered

Management of maxillary molar undergoing buccal bone resorption due to orthodontic banding

The consequences of injudicious use of orthodontic braces may vary from mild periodontal problems to severe loss of the attached periodontal tissues. In this case the patient had undergone orthodontic treatment. Though her appearance improved after the orthodontic treatment, but tooth # 16 which was banded and used for anchorage showed complete crestal and apical bone dehiscence in the buccal region. The patient came with the complaint of discomfort and inability to chew on the right side of maxilla. On intraoral examination, unusual calculus was seen deposited on the gums. X-ray showed resorption of buccal roots of tooth # 16. The patient was treated endodontically for the same tooth as it was grossly carious with exposed pulp chamber but incomplete root canal treatment. The buccal canals showing resorption were disinfected and overfilled to an extent that GP points became visible in the buccal sulcus. Raising the flap, the affected roots were cleaned and planed and the extruded GP cut and the roots resected and sealed with glass ionomer cement to encourage reattachment of periodontal apparatus. After 9-month of recall, patient is performing well with improved periodontal attachment and firmly standing tooth in the socket

Management of crown-root fracture of an incisor using a prefabricated metal post

This case report presents the management and follow-up of a 12-year old boy who had sustained trauma to his upper anterior teeth. The tooth 21 had an oblique fracture just above the cemento-enamel junction running from buccal to the palatal aspect of the root extending upto mid radicular area. Such fractures pose difficulty to treat them because of loosening of fractured coronal fragment. Clinicians have used various techniques to repair such fractures. In this case the coronal fracture was temporarily stabilized using orthodontic wire. Wires are used for immobilizing mandibular fractures and splinting loosened teeth. Their use for repair of fractured teeth has been described here as it is a simple procedure and wires are quite freely available in the dental clinics. This reporting will add to the already available options for saving and restoring teeth sustaining traumatic injuries. The wire was tightened circumferentially around the tooth at the cervical region. After thorough debridement and copious irrigation canal was filled. A prefabricated gold plated post was loaded with glass ionomer cement and inserted into the canal approximating the fragments close together. Subsequent to successful endodontic therapy, metal-ceramic crowns were provided as final restorations to the teeth. Clinical and radiographic examinations after 12 months revealed a perfect repair of the broken fragments with healthy peridontium

Effect of alkaline vs acid surface treatment on bond strength of adhesives used for amalgam repair

To assess the effect of alkaline versus acid surface treatment on bond strength of adhesives used for amalgam repair. Sixty cylindrical samples were prepared by condensing amalgam into plastic tubes 0/ 4mm diameter and 10mm length. Tubes were filled up to 5.0mm with admixed amalgam. They were allowed to set hard for three months. The samples were divided into Al, A2 andA3. Al and A2 had 25 samples each and A3 bad 10 samples. Flat exposed surfaces of the samples in Al were treated with 35% Phosphoric acid for 3 minutes. The samples in A2 were treated with 10% solution of Ca ['OH]2. A dentine adhesive containing 4-META, Amalgabond was applied on the treated surfaces. The adhesive-coated surfaces, with the help of a probe were pushed inside the tubes such that uncoated surfaces came in level with the margins of the tubes on the other end. Samples in A3 were not treated with acid or alkali and were kept as control group. Freshly mixed amalgam was packed against the coated surfaces to completely fill the transparent tubes. The samples were subjected to electromechanical testing machine at the crosshead speed of 10mm/minute to collect the data. Mean bond strength of the control samples was 3.0 MPa. It decreased with 35% phosphoric acid and increased with 10% Calcium Hydroxide in the range of 4.5 MPa. The results of the present study revealed that alkaline treatment brings more hardness to the sample surface, whereas acid softens the surface