ABSTRACT
Introduction: The general health of the individual can be calculated using the body mass index (BMI). In our study, we aim to evaluate the association of the BMI to the oral hygiene (OH) and dental caries (DC), in the school pupils. Materials and Methods: We piloted a cross-sectional study with 1000 participants of the ages 5-15 years with mixed dentition. We evaluated the BMI and the Oral Hygeine Index (OHI), DC. We compared the two oral parameters among pupils to the BMI using "ANOVA and Logistic regression analysis" for the identification of the significance and correlation. Results: We observed a significant variation for the different categories of the BMI and the OH, DC. BMI and the OHI, DC both depicted a strong and positive correlation. Conclusions: The nutritional status and the oral health are interrelated. Good oral health has to be promoted for the better general health.
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Introduction: Dental caries is a common oral disease that still needs to be thoroughly evaluated for understanding the pathophysiology. Hence, in our study, we evaluate the physicochemical and the peptide properties of the saliva and their role in dental caries among children. Materials and Methods: We conducted an observational in vitro study among 100 subjects of age 5-15 years. Decayed, missing, and filled surface (DMFT)/dmft was used to calculate the caries activity. The unstimulated saliva was evaluated for the peptides "LL-37, human neutrophil peptide (HNP) 1-3, and human beta-defensin-3" by ELIZA and for the "pH, buffer, and flow rate" of the saliva. The data thus obtained were analyzed to correlate caries and the salivary physiochemical and peptides using the "linear regression analysis." P < 0.05 was deliberated as significant. Results: Although no statistically significant variation was seen between low and high caries risk groups and the salivary parameters in our study, we observed a negative correlation of the salivary peptides and caries. For the salivary peptide "HNP1-3," there was a statistically significant variation. Conclusion: The salivary peptides may be carioprotective. However, further research has to be done to establish the mechanism of the action of these substances against caries.
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Introduction: Dental specialties are seldom recognized in India. Hence, in the present study, we aim to assess awareness among the rural population about the dental specialty of orthodontics. Materials and Methods: We conducted a questionnaire-based cross-sectional observational study at the rural center attached to the institute. We divided the participants into two groups as adults and teenagers. A questionnaire with 15 questions to assess the knowledge of the orthodontics was given and the response was noted. Data were analyzed for the statistical significance. Results: We observed no significant difference in general information and awareness about the knowledge for the orthodontics. Conclusion: There is still a deficit of the awareness among rural India about the dental specialty of the orthodontics irrespective of the age and gender. Awareness camps have to be arranged at the school levels.
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Introduction: With the increased stress among the students, their sleep patterns have been derailed from the routine. Hence, in our study, we aimed to appraise among the dental students the occurrence of sleep disorders. Materials and Methods: We conducted a questionnaire-based survey study among 1115 dental students of 1-4 years. The survey was based on SLEEP-50 that had 50 questions that were given scores from 1 to 4 based on the response. The scores were analyzed for the statistical connotation, keeping P < 0.05 as significant. Results: We observed that 352 students suffered from sleep disorders. The sex ratio of male:female was 25:75. No significant age variation was seen. For the various disorders, insomnia (25%), nightmares (13%), and sleepwalk (8%), circadian rhythm disorders (34%), obstructive sleep apnea (26%), and narcolepsy (30%) were noted with significant variation. The habit of alcohol was seen in 17% of students. Conclusions: The sleep disorders were prevalent among the dental students due to the great amount of stress caused in the study. They should be educated about the stress management methods and importance of sleep.
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Introduction: The extensively damaged teeth can be treated with the inlay and onlay. The ceramic inlays and onlays can be prescribed for the esthetic needs of the patient. Hence in our study, we aim to evaluate clinically the outcomes of the ceramic inlays and onlays for the posterior teeth. Materials and Methods: We piloted a retrospective analytical study from the departmental records. We included 70 patients who had a total of 160 ceramic inlays and onlays prepared between the years 2010-2020. The survival and the failure rates were noted and compared using the "Kruskal-Wallis H statistics and the Chi-square tests" deliberating P < 0.05 as significant. Results: The mean survival was 6.1 ± 1.8 years. The success rate was 92.21% and the failure was 7.6%. Significant variation was seen with the survival rate between the vital and nonvital teeth and between the molars and premolars. Conclusions: The ceramic inlays and onlays were performed successfully in the posterior teeth with a high survival rate and very low failure.
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Introduction: The implants have brought a paradigm shift in the replacement of lost teeth. The complete dentures that are implant fixed have increased acceptance among patients. Since these are recently introduced, we aim to evaluate the prosthetic complications and the survival of the implant-fixed complete dental prostheses. Materials and Methods: We piloted a retrospective study among subjects who received "implant-fixed complete dental prostheses (IPs)." We included 100 subjects with different IPs from the department records who complied with the follow-up. Prosthodontic complications and the survival of the IP were noted and presented as percentages. Results: Of the 100 subjects finalized in our study, 78 had metal acrylic (MA) and 22 metal ceramic (MC). The mean survival of the MC and MA was 5.2 and 5.1 years, respectively. The most common minor and major complications were "loss of screw access hole material, chipping of the veneering material, and chipping events." Parafunctional habits affected the survival of the IP along with the reluctance to wear the night guard. Conclusions: Good survival and only a few prosthetic complications are associated with the IP and showed good patient satisfaction.
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Introduction: Rehabilitation after the maxillectomy is challenging to the clinician and the patient. Since the invention of the implants, the rehabilitation has changed the treatment strategies. Hence in our study, we evaluated the maxillary obturator that is implant supported. Materials and Methods: We piloted a retrospective analysis of the patients who received the maxillary obturator prosthesis with implant support from the department records from 2010 to 2020. We finalized 50 subjects who fit the criteria and evaluated clinically for various parameters. The comparison of these parameters was done using the Chi-square tests deliberating P < 0.05 as significant. Results: We observed that the implant survival was 94%. There was significant variation for the implant bone height (P = 0.001) and the implant threads exposed (P = 0.044) for the posterior and the anterior regions. Conclusion: The implant-supported maxillary obturator prosthesis has been shown to perform clinically satisfactorily. The success of the implant-supported maxillary obturator is dependent on the time of the placement, load applied, the radiation regime, and the patient follow-up.
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Introduction: Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has been of interest in the clinical application in dentistry. Hence, we evaluated the LLLT on the wound healing in the mandibular surgical extraction. Materials and Methods: We conducted a prospective clinical study with 50 male subjects, equally distributed as controls and cases. Routine surgical extraction was done for control group, and in case group, LLLT was applied after the extraction. Evaluation was done for various parameters and after comparison the P value was less than 0.05 which was considered as significant. Results: Significant difference was seen between the groups for the socket depth on 7th day, swelling on 1st, 3rd, and 5th days, and pain on all the days. Conclusion: LLLT can be successfully used for the surgical extractions.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: The students pursuing professional studies such as medicine and dentistry have to endure a lot of stress. Hence, we evaluated the prevalence of stress and coping disorders among dental students. Methods: We conducted a questionnaire-based online survey study among 100 dental students of 1-4 years. The survey was based on the "modified General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12; Goldberg and Williams, 1988)." The scores were analyzed for the statistical connotation, keeping P < 0.05 as significant. Results: We observed that over half of the dental pupils felt stressed. The dental students resorted to "Destructive coping mechanisms." Less than 15% of students sought medical and psychiatric counseling. The mean GHQ was 12 ± 1.7. Conclusions: Psychological strength is a prerequisite for good health and better performance in the studies as well as for the practice. There is an urgent need to focus on the mental health of the students specifically in the medical and dental fields.
