Comparison of periodontal health status of smokers versus non-smokers

This study aims to compare the periodontal health status of current smokers versus nonsmokers. The study was carried out in the Dental department, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences [PIMS] between May 2009 and June 2010. A total of 280 male subjects, married, over the age of 18 were selected to take part in the study and their periodontal health was assessed by presence of calculus, bleeding on probing and pocket depth greater than four millimetres. Patients including smokers and non smokers were selected on the basis of the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Subjects were clinically evaluated by using a specially designed CPITN probe which was used to measure pocket depths in the mouth. The mouth was divided into six sextants. The other variables examined included bleeding on probing and presence of calculus. The data was subsequently analyzed using the SPSS statistical software programme. The statistical significance level was set at 5%. There was decreased incidence of bleeding on probing [31.7%] in smokers than non-smokers [53.5%] however, there was an increased incidence of calculus formation among smokers [89.4%] compared to the subjects who did not smoke [69.6%]. There was a significant difference between the overall mean pocket depth in smokers [3.7 +/- 1.4] and non-smokers [3.0 +/- 1.1]. All of the above differences were found to be statistically significant. There was a marked association between cigarette smoking and periodontal disease

Traumatic injuries of the permanent maxillory incisors at dental department, Pakistan institute of Medical Sciences Islamabad: a retrospective study

The study aims to ascertain the prevalence of traumatic dental injures of the maxillary permanent incisors at Dental Department, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences Islamabad during the years 2003-2005. Information concerning age, sex, cause, type of tooth, number of injured teeth and patterns of tooth injury were recorded retrospectively from 336 patients aged between 8-40 years, comprising 498 traumatized teeth. The dental records of all the patients presenting with dental trauma were examined for collection of data relating to age, sex, cause, number of injured teeth, type of tooth and type of tooth trauma. Type of tooth trauma was recorded according to the Andreason classification. The data was subsequently processed and analyzed using the SPSS statistical software programme. The statistical significance level was set at 5%. Of the 336 patients, 227 were males [67.6%] and 109 were females [32.4%]. The gender difference was statistically significant [P < 0.0001]. The patients had a total of 498 traumatized teeth. A large number of dental trauma occurred in patients aged between 9-11 years. Most injuries involved one tooth in 227 patients [67.6%]. However two teeth in 90 patients [26.7%], three teeth in 11 patients [3.2%] and only in 8 patients [2.3%] four teeth were involved. Fractures in enamel only occurred in 74 teeth [14.6%]. Uncomplicated crown fractures in 208 teeth [41.9%] were the most commonly encountered dental trauma. 137 teeth [27.6%] suffered complicated crown fractures, 44 teeth [8.9%] uncomplicated crown-root fractures, 19 teeth [3.8%] complicated crown-root fractures and avulsion in 16 teeth [3.2%] only. The main causes were falls in 225 patients [66.9%], collision with objects in 40 patients [11.9%], road traffic accident in31 patients [9.2%] violence in 21 patients [6.2%], and sports in 19 patients [5.6%]. The maxillary central incisor was traumatized in 384 teeth showing a high percentage of 77%. Raising public dental awareness regarding the serious outcome of traumatic dental injuries is mandatory to improve the prognosis of dental trauma and to avoid complications

Risk factors for dental caries in Pakistani children

The present study was carried out to determine any possible association of caries with oral hygiene and food habits. This was prospective descriptive study. Total [n= 543] patients with dental caries between 6-9 years were selected from dental OPD of Children's Hospital, PIMS, Islamabad. Questions regarding brushing habits and food habits were asked by interviewing the accompanied adults and caries status of teeth after intra oral examination were recorded in questionnaire. X-ray was not taken to diagnose the caries. The frequency of caries was higher in age group of eight and nine. Children who ate candies daily had statistically [p<0.05] high caries. Negative correlation was found between mother's education, father's education and caries- Significantly high frequency of caries [P<0.05] was found in children who ate bread in their breakfast with sugar sweetened tea and patients used fluoride containing toothpaste had less caries. Surprisingly, in comparison of food habits between male and female subjects no significant difference was found