ABSTRACT
The Covid-19 pandemic over the past year has raised concern regarding the precautions needed to be taken to prevent cross-infection in the field of dentistry, as the virus is highly contagious and life-Threatening. At least half of the population above the age of 50 years are denture wearers. These dentures act as a base for the colonization of microorganisms, hence raise the chances of cross-contamination. When the patient wears contaminated dentures, the most common manifestation it may cause is oral candidiasis or denture-related stomatitis, this fungal infection leads to white or red sores, bleeding, swelling and burning sensations in the oral cavity. As the patient s oral cavity is a sterile tissue with mucous membranes, incompetent sterilisation of dentures bears the risk associated with the break of host barriers and carrying of environmental pathogens (e.g., Pseudomonas aeruginosa). The application of an improper sterilisation method in the maintenance of dental appliance mainly the complete denture concerns not only the patients but also the dental personnel and prosthesis laboratory. The first studies on microwave sterilisation of dentures were performed to confirm the potent of microwave sterilisation in preventing microorganisms attached to complete dentures prosthesis. Using different methods, definite results were obtained by studies, confirming that microwave irradiation can be an efficient technique in sterilizing the complete dentures prosthesis. Thus, executing microwave irradiation of a complete denture before it is brought to a lab, and immediately before it is placed in the patient s mouth, acts as a means of infection prevention system for all individuals. Microwave sterilisation of dentures has been recommended for denture sterilisation but its effect on the dimensional property of a complete denture still needs to be focused on. Hence, the current review presents the effect of microwave sterilisation on the physical properties, mainly the dimensional stability of the complete denture base. © (2022) Society for Biomaterials & Artificial Organs #20051922.
ABSTRACT
The entire world is now agog with the novel coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) chaos, as it has caused unexpected devastation in almost every country. As the resurgence of the COVID-19 is most certain in the coming two years (most probably during the winter season), extremely stringent methods have to be practiced to lower its spreading. The appropriate measures to be followed by wearing a mask (both infected as well as healthy population), adopting social distancing methods, regular medical checkups, and lowering of the grim emissions of toxins from heavy industries around the world, and other effective methods. This study has presented databases of COVID-19 (as of 25 May 2020), which revealed that most of the western countries are showing decreasing trends after being attained the maximum peak of the ‘Gaussian shape’. In contrast, Asian countries (India, Indonesia, and Pakistan) show, alarmingly, increasing trends that imply great care has to be taken to fight against COVID-19. It is well known that nanomaterials have unique physical and chemical properties (ultra-small size, large surface-area-to-mass ratio, and high reactivity) that are different from bulk materials of the same composition. Therefore, this paper discusses the role of nanomaterials in identifying and offering protection against the virus. Also, it gives an insight into their use in the treatment to treat COVID infected patients. Furthermore, this paper also elaborated the challenges being faced while dealing with coronaviruses with a few feasible solutions to eradicate this untoward danger of the pandemic. A meaningful schematic on ‘flattening of the curve’ is included in this paper by considering several factors into account that may help to lessen or eradicate the present pandemic. © (2020) Society for Biomaterials & Artificial Organs #20042020