Quantitative and Mathematical Analysis of Mental Foramen along with Its Correlation with Sex and Age Using Cone-beam Computed Tomography.

AIM AND OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to perform quantitative and mathematical analysis of mental foramen (MF) along with its correlation with study subject's sex and age using three-dimensional imaging like cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The CBCT scan images stored in the database were used in this study. Two-hundred sixty-seven scans were selected. They were divided into four different age-groups. These age-groups were 16-23 years, 24-38 years, 39-55 years, and more than 56 years. Each age-group was further divided into two subgroups. One subgroup was of males, while the other subgroup was of females. Following this, there was evaluation of all CBCT-scanned images considering certain parameters like position of MF, size of MF, distance X, distance Y, and distance Z. RESULTS: The MF was located generally apically to the premolar and molar. It was more commonly located between the first premolar and second premolar among females, while in males, it was mostly located along the long axis of the second premolar. In most of the age-groups, the MF was located between the long axis of the first premolar and second premolar. The average distance of MF from the apex of first premolar was 5.01 mm. Further, the average size of MF and its distance from the base of the mandible were greater in males as compared with females. When all these measurements were compared in different age-groups, the difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The average distance of MF from the apex of the first premolar was 5.01 mm. The average size of MF and its distance from the base of the mandible were greater in males as compared with females. When the measurements were compared in different age-groups, then the difference was not statistically significant. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: MF is an important structure in the mandible because it acts as an important landmark in the anesthetic procedure; therefore, there was a need to carry out detailed quantitative and mathematical analysis for MF.

Predictors and prevalence of periodontitis among pregnant women of slum areas of Patna, India: An opportunity for oral health promotion.

BACKGROUND: There is abundant documentation in literature that presence of maternal periodontal infections has been attributed to serious health problem to the mother and the child. Regular evaluation of any illness burden is required for planning preventive and treatment strategies and fills the existing health gap. There is a lack of literature about the predictors and prevalence of periodontal diseases in expectant women in the slum areas of Patna. MATERIALS AND METHODS: It was a cross-sectional study conducted on pregnant women of slum areas of Patna, Bihar, by convenience sampling method. Using a questionnaire, data collection was carried for demographic and oral hygiene habits information. Periodontal examination was done using modified community periodontal index criteria (WHO, 2013) by recording bleeding on probing (BoP), periodontal pockets (PD) and loss of attachment (LoA). The prevalence of potential predictors was estimated and bivariate analysis was performed with BoP, PD, and LoA and then to explore the prevalence of odds ratio (ORs) multivariate logistic regression framework was employed. The level of significance was kept at P < 0.05. RESULTS: A higher level of BoP and PD was observed among women who had the habit of cleaning their teeth once daily a day than those who cleaned their teeth with brush twice a day. Oral cleanliness (hygiene) frequency established the maximum OR of 2.77 (2.07-3.71) for BoP. Gingival bleeding robustly was related with PD. Among all multivariate framework of predictors of LoA, BoP, and PD came as the firmest predictors. CONCLUSION: Teaching correctly how to maintain oral hygiene and periodic periodontal check-up can improvise the general well-being and adverse pregnancy outcomes can be lessened.

Factors affecting patient satisfaction among patients undergone removable prosthodontic rehabilitation.

BACKGROUND: Patient's satisfaction is of utmost importance to the dental professionals among all those who have undergone prosthodontic rehabilitation. The success of every dental prosthesis lies in the patient wearing those removable prostheses thereby restoring masticatory function and Phonatics, hence the aim of the present study is to determine various factors affecting the patient satisfaction among patients undergone removable Prosthodontic rehabilitation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study is a cross-sectional questionnaire descriptive study. The study is conducted among 183 patients undergone removable Prosthodontic rehabilitation and visiting private dental clinics for follow-up. The study was conducted in October to December 2019. The study was conducted among patients age between 21 and 60 years of age wearing removable prosthesis. RESULTS: Among all study participants, majority of study participants were moderately satisfied with the Retention {79 (43.16%)}, Esthetics {87 (47.54%)}, Mastication {68 (37.15%)}, Finish of the denture {89 (48.63%)}, and Overall satisfaction for maxillary and mandibular dentures {93 (50.81%)}. Patient's behavior was significantly associated with overall patient satisfaction (P = 0.00*). CONCLUSION: Factors affecting any parameter of patient satisfaction was age, Gender, Smoking habits, duration of wearing prosthesis, no. of removal prosthesis used, number of times denture was repaired, patient behavior was significantly associated with overall patient satisfaction.

Evaluation of marginal bone loss around dental implants in cigarette smokers and nonsmokers. A comparative study.

BACKGROUND: The overall success of osteointegrated dental implants depends on various factors. The deleterious effects of smoking on wound healing after the tooth extraction and its association with poor quality of bone are well documented. Similar effects of tobacco use on the success of dental implants are expected. Cigarette smoke mainly contains nicotine that delays the bone healing and increases the rate of infections at the implant insertion site. AIM: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate and compare the marginal bone loss around dental implants in smokers and nonsmokers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted on 500 individuals who received dental implants in maxillary or mandibular edentulous regions from 2010 to 2017. The sample was divided into two groups: Group I (smokers, n = 280) and Group II (nonsmokers, n = 220). Marginal bone loss was measured on mesial, distal, buccal, and lingual side of each implant using periapical radiographs 3 months after loading, 6 months after loading, and 12 months after loading. RESULTS: The crestal bone loss around dental implants was significantly greater in smokers (Group I) as compared to nonsmokers (Group II) irrespective of the duration of loading (P < 0.001). Marginal bone loss did vary significantly by location in either groups. CONCLUSION: Smoking overall lowers the success rate of dental implants. Increased duration and frequency of smoking leads to a greater degree of marginal bone loss around dental implants.

Probiotics: A New Era of Biotherapy.

Probiotics or health-beneficial bacteria have only recently been introduced in dentistry after years of successful use in mainly gastrointestinal disorders. The concept of bacteriotherapy was first introduced in the beginning of 20th century. They are administered in different quantities that allow for colon colonization. These products help in stimulating health promoting flora and also suppressing the pathologic colonization and disease spread. The use of probiotic plays an important aspect in dentistry too, ever since the oral infections occupied the prime spot among the other infections affecting the humans. Probiotics strengthen the immune system to combat allergies, stress, exposure to toxic substances, and other diseases. This review is an attempt to discuss briefly the role of probiotics in oral health.

Role of vitamin e in prevention of oral cancer:-a review.

Oral cancer is one of the major global threads to public health. The development of oral cancer is tobacco related mainly. Vitamin-E can inhibit reaction of the tobacco specific nitrosamine which undergoes specific activation, detoxification process. Dietary substitute such as vitamin-E can prevent oral cancer at a very early stage that is in premalignant lesions, in premalignant conditions. Main action of vitamin E includes increase immunity, controls free radicals mediated cell disturbances, maintains membrane integrity, inhibit cancer cell growth, cytotoxicity. Many past studies suggest the role of antioxidant (vitamin-E) in treatment of oral mucosal lesions particularly includes oral leukoplakia, oral lichen planus, oral submucous fibrosis and oral cancer. Vitamin-E as an antioxidant helps in prevention and slow the growth of Head and Neck cancer, improve the effects of cancer chemotherapy and reduce the side effects from both chemotherapy and radiation therapy for cancer patients. As prevention modality use of Vitamin-E may be beneficial for human beings.