Evaluation of Maxillary and Mandibular Arch Widths among Various Malocclusions

Background: Arch dimensions such as arch width, arch lengthand arch form are very significant to orthodontic treatment.Diagnosis of arch length and width discrepancies are importantdiagnostic aids, with the help of which treatment outcome canbe predicted. The present study was conducted to evaluate thearch width among class I normal occlusion, Class II division 1and Class III malocclusions.Materials and Methods: In the present study a total of 75pairs of study models were selected to evaluate the arch widthamong class I normal occlusion, Class II division 1and Class IIImalocclusion. For the evaluation of arch width pretreatmentorthodontic study models were selected from orthodonticrecords. Each malocclusion class consisted of 25 studymodels. Measurements were performed on the orthodonticstudy models using an electronic digital caliper measuring tothe nearest 0.01 mm. One operator measured the arch widthparameters on both jaws. Statistical analysis was performedusing the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences softwareversion 21.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). A p-value <0.05was predetermined as statistically significant.Results: In the present study each malocclusion classconsisted of 25 study models of participants seekingorthodontic treatment. Class III and Class I groups showedsignificantly larger maxillary intercanine widths, larger maxillaryintermolar, inter premolar and alveolar widths than Class IIdivision1 groups. In mandible Class III group showedsignificantly larger mandibular intercanine, inter rmolar thanClass I and Class II division 1 groups. Class I shows largerinter-premolar width and inter alveolar width than Class III andClass II division 1 groups.Conclusion: Our study concluded that arch widh dimensionsvary according to malocclusion and hence measurement ofarch width provides important information for diagnosis andtreatment planning.

Patient’s Satisfaction with the Use of Fixed Partial Denture

The dental literature quotes around 7000 articles related to fixed partial dentures. However, only some of them are associated with patients’ perceptions of outcomes and their satisfaction level with FPD treatment. The present study was conducted with the aim to evaluate the patient satisfaction using fixed partial denture. Methods: Questions regarding masticatory efficiency, esthetics, speech, the comfort and the maintenance of oral hygiene and the ease of cleaning were noted. All the data thus obtained was arranged in a tabulated form and analyzed using SPSS software. Data was expressed as percentage of the total value. Results: The present study enrolled 200 subjects with the mean age of 37.72+/-4.89 years. There were 128 (64%) subjects who were wearing FPD for 0-3 years, 34 subjects (17%) wore FPD for 4-7 years and there were 38 subjects who were wearing FPD for more than 10 years. There were 0.25% subjects who were not satisfied with the mastication and comfort and esthetic and maintenance respectively. Conclusion: The results of the present study illustrated that the fixed partial prosthesis are very satisfying amongst the patients.

A Lateral Cephalometric Study to Evaluate Relation of Oro-Facial Structures with Pharynx in Bengali Population

Background: The relationship between respiratory disordersand changes in craniofacial morphology has been extensivelydebated in the literature. Hence we planned to assess relationof oro-facial structures with pharynx in the present study.Materials & Methods: The present study included assessmentof relation of oro-facial structures with pharynx in Bengalipopulation. A total of 30 males and 30 females of Bengaliethnicity were included in the present study. Lateralcephalogram was obtained in all the patients. Separatecalculation of airway areas of the nasopharynx and oropharynxwas done.Results: Significant results were obtained while comparing themean distance between Ho perpendicular and ANS-PNSplane, Ba-PNS, t-ppw, distance between anterior and posteriorpharyngeal wall and the distance between hyoid bone andanterior pharyngeal wall between Bengali male and female.Conclusion: Cautious evaluation of airway space might delivervaluable evidence in relation to potential malocclusion.

Effect of Thermocycling on the Flexural Strength of Various PMMA Resins Reinforced with Different Fibres: An In vitro Study.

Introduction: Fracture of an acrylic resin complete denture base after aging, poses problem for patients, dentists and dental laboratory technicians. This study was performed to determine the effect of thermocycling on the flexural strength of a commercially available, heat-polymerized acrylic denture base material reinforced with glass fibers, carbon fibers, aramid fibers and high (HI) impact resins. Materials and Methods: Forty specimens were made of similar dimension from five groups of materials. Each group had eight specimens. A commercially available heat polymerized P.M.M.A denture base resin was selected as control and PMMA reinforced with glass, carbon, aramid fibres and HI impact resin were compared. All specimens were then subjected to thermocycling before testing. Flexural strength was evaluated with universal testing machine. The results were analyzed with Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) followed by Turkey HSD test. Results: All reinforced specimens and HI impact resins showed better flexural strength than the conventional acrylic resin after thermocycling. Specimens reinforced with glass fibers showed the highest flexural strength, followed by HI impact resin, carbon fibers and aramid fibers. After artificial aging, a significant improvement in the flexural strength of conventional acrylic resin was observed when it was reinforced with glass fibers. Conclusion: Within the limitations of this study, incorporation of 2% by weight of glass fibre in PMMA resin exhibited statistically significant maximum flexural strength followed by high impact resin, carbon, polyaramid reinforced P.M.M.A denture base resin. These can readily be used in the fabrication of dentures subjected to heavy masticatory loads.

Scope of photodynamic therapy in periodontics.

Periodontal disease results from inflammation of the supporting structure of the teeth and in response to chronic infection caused by various periodontopathic bacteria. The mechanical removal of this biofilm and adjunctive use of antibacterial disinfectants and antibiotics have been the conventional methods of periodontal therapy. However, the removal of plaque and the reduction in the number of infectious organisms can be impaired in sites with difficult access. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a powerful laser‑initiated photochemical reaction, involving the use of a photoactive dye (photosensitizer) activated by light of a specific wavelength in the presence of oxygen. Application of PDT in periodontics such as pocket debridement, gingivitis, and aggressive periodontitis continue to evolve into a mature clinical treatment modality and is considered as a promising novel approach for eradicating pathogenic bacteria in periodontitis.