Gastroesophegeal reflex disease [GERD] and dental erosion

Gastroesophageal reflux [GER] is the passage of gastric contents into the esophagus, and GERD is defined as symptoms or complications of GER. The most common extra oral manifestation of GERD is tooth surface loss, a progressive, irreversible loss of dental hard tissues due to a chemical process not involving bacteria. Dentists are often the first health care personnel to diagnose dental erosion in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease [GERD]. Permanent incisors and first permanent molars of 210 patients having age 06 years and above were examined. Patients were asked to fill the questionnaire containing questions about previous history of gatroesophageal reflex disease. Community periodontal index and treatment need [CPITN] probe was run over labial, occlusal and lingual surfaces of incisors and molars, to check for loss of enamel surface. Out of 210 patients examined, 39 were [18.57%] having GERD. Out of 39 patients only one [2.56%] patient had less than one third of the enamel surface involved. 13[33.3%] patients should teeth between one third and two third of the surface involved. 14[35.9%] patients had more than two third surface involved and in 6[15.4%] patients, assessment was not possible. Gatroesophageal reflex disease [GERD] is an increasingly common and potentially serious condition, with various extraesophageal adverse health effects that dental practitioners should be aware of. Clinicians should also be aware of the predisposing risk factors for GERD and its classical esophageal and extraesophageal symptoms and signs. This study determined the GERD patients were at higher risk of developing dental erosion compared to the healthy individuals in a sample of Pakistani population

Frequency and distribution of dental caries in teeth and arches of patients examined at Punjab Dental Hospital, Lahore

Worldwide prevalence of dental caries is very high reaching to more than 95% in developing countries. . Dental caries is a multi-factorial, dynamic and infectious microbiologic disease process resulting from imbalance in the physiologic equilibrium between the tooth mineral and the plaque liquid. The study design was cross-sectional. This study aim was to evaluate the frequency and distribution of dental caries in teeth and arches of caries patients reporting to department of Operative dentistry at Punjab Dental Hospital, Lahore. Total of 15323 patients with caries reporting to the OPD of Operative dentistry at Punjab Dental hospital were examined with age range of 10 to 60 years or more. Frequency of carious teeth in age group 20-29 years was maximum and minimum in age group 60 years or more. Dental caries was more prevalent in mandible [53%][n=8162] than in maxilla[47%] [n=7158]. In both the arches, first molars were the most frequently affected teeth by caries. Caries was found to be more prevalent in mandible than maxilla

Intensity of dental erosion in age groups [childhood, adolescence and adults]

The aim of this study was to find out correlation between dental erosion and its impact on different age groups. It is often difficult to compare the outcomes of different epidemiological studies on dental erosion due to the use of different examination standards, including scoring systems, samples and groups examined. Permanent incisors and first permanent molars of 210 patients having age 06 years and above were examined for dental erosion. Community periodontal index and treatment need [CPITN] probe was run over labial and lingual surfaces of incisors and buccal and lingual surfaces of molars, to check for loss of tooth surface. Patients were divided into three groups on the basis of age. i.e. Group I [06 years to 12 years], Group II [13 years to 18years] and Group III [19years and above]. Results collected on a Tooth Wear Index [TWI] showed that there was a non significant association between age of the patient and erosion as it was equally distributed among patients of all ages. The rationale of this study was to find out correlation between dental erosion and its impact on different age groups

Incidence of caries in 6-12 years children visiting Punjab Dental Hospital, Lahore and Sardar Begum dental college and hospital, Peshawar

This study was conducted on 1146 patients having age of 6-12 years visiting two dental hospitals of NWFP and Punjab, Pakistan. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of caries in 6-12 years children. G.V.Black's classification of dental caries was used. 516 cases were studied in Lahore while 630 in Peshawar during the period from January to December 2006. Class I and II carious lesions were included. Among 516 cases studied in Lahore, total of 938 carious lesions were detected on various surfaces. Class I caries on buccal surface was found in 40 [4.3%] teeth, on palatal/ lingual surfaces 4 [0.4%], occlusal surface caries, 503 [53.6%]. Class II caries on mesial surface 77 [8.2%] were detected while on distal surface 91 [9.7%] were seen. Other details were; mesio-occlusal [M-O] caries 109 [11.6%], disto-occlusal [D-O] caries 85 [91.1%], mesio-occluso-distal [MOD] caries were 29 [3.1%]. 630 patients were examined at Sardar Bengum dental College and Hospital, Peshawar. A total of 1838 carious lesions were detected on various surfaces. Class I caries on buccal surface 01 [0.1%], palatal/ lingual surfaces 19 [1.0%], occlusal surface caries 665 [36.2%]. Class II caries on mesial surface 200 [10.9%], on distal surface 173 [9.4%], mesio-occlusal [M-O] caries 384 [20.9%], disto-oocclusal [D-O] caries 328 [17.8%], mesio-occluso-distal [MOD] caries 68 [3.7%]. A high significance level [p<0.05] was compounded by poor knowledge of preventive and restorative oral health care services was contributory to the current trend

Relationship of intracanal irrigants to inter-appointment pain in endodontics

The purpose of this study was to compare levels of postoperative pain after cleaning and shaping of root canals using three different root canal irrigants for debridement. Sixty patients with irreversible pulpitis and acute apical periodontitis requiring root canal treatment were included. They were divided into three study groups. Canals were cleaned and shaped with one of the following protocols. In group 1, 17% EDTA was used as the root canal irrigant. In group II, canals were irrigated with 2% Chlorhexidine. In group III, 5.25% sodium hypochlorite was used as root canal irrigant. Access cavities were closed with a sterile cotton pellet and Cavit. The patients recorded degree of pain at various tune intervals afterconclusion of the first appointment on a visual analogue scale for 72 hours. A significant statistical difference was found in the degree of pain between the three groups [p = 0.0001]

Vaccination status against hepatitis b in doctors and final year clinical students working at Khyber college of dentistry and Sardar begum dental college, Peshawar

This is a descriptive study conducted from February, 2006 to april, 2006 The purpose of this study was to assess the vaccination status of dental health care workers at Khyber college of dentistry and Sardar begum dental college Peshawar. Eighty three doctors and fifty six students were interviewed. Sixty seven doctors and forty three students had vaccinated themselves. Sixteen doctors and twenty five students had booster dose of vaccination as well, while seven doctors and six students had checked their antibody level. The commonest reason for non-vaccination was financial factor [cost] and lack of motivation. Two of the participants thought it was not necessary [including one consultant] while seven other participants had other reasons. Among one hundred and thirty nine participants one student and two doctors did not get the 3rd dose of vaccination. Ten students and fifteen doctors had habit of patient screening for HBsAg and anti HCVAb. Sixty five doctors and forty seven students were aware of the importance of antibody titre

Hepatitis in dental practice - A study conducted on 1498 patients

The purpose of this study was to determine the carrier status of hepatitis Band C in those patients who were admitted in the surgical unit of Khyber College of Dentistry, Peshawar for the treatment of miscellaneous oral and maxillofacial pathologies, including fractures, cystic lesions, tumors, neurec-tomies, impactions and biopsies. All the patients were operated under general anesthesia and were screened for hepatitis B and C virus. This is the retrospective study conducted from September 2002 to December 2004. There were 1498 patients. Out of these, 44 were diagnosed as positive for the viral pathology. Some infected patients presented with a known history of jaundice, blood transfusions, major and minor dental surgeries in the past. The percentage of patients positive for HBsAg and HCVAb was 1.66 and 1.26 respectively.

Causes of dental extractions among 2000 patients -a study conducted at oral and maxillofacial surgical unit, khyber college of dentistry, Peshawar - Pakistan

The purpose of this study was to determine different causes of dental extractions. Two thousand patients were examined thoroughly. Among 2000 patients 1188 were male, 812 were female. Grossly Carious teeth remain the dominant cause contributing to 61.50% of all extractions followed by trauma [9.86%], miscellaneous group [9.70%], abscesses I granulomas [7.60%], impactions [3.60%],periodontal diseases [3.00%] and cystic lesions [3.00%]. The least possible cause of dental extractions was orthodontic purpose [1.94%]