Cervical Abrasion, Sexual Dimorphism, and Anthropometric Tooth Dimension.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to analyze the anatomic crowns of the maxillary and mandibular dentition concerning the mesiodistal, buccolingual measurements which will be used to establish normative data as a part of comprehensive study being carried out to determine the depth of the cervical abrasion (CA) of the individuals by predicting the CA Index of Treatment Needs (CAITN) score. Materials and Methods: A newly developed instrument termed as CAITN probe was used to measure CA of the tooth more quantitatively. The mesiodistal and buccolingual width of all the 14 maxillary and mandibular teeth from the right second permanent molar to the left second permanent molar of the study sample was measured. The ratio between buccolingual and mesiodistal measurements of each tooth of the maxillary and mandibular arch of the study sample (n=100) was also determined. Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS 26.0 software. Results: Descriptive statistics were calculated for each group independently. The statistical significance of the difference in mean in mesiodistal and buccolingual diameters between males and females was calculated using the t-test for independent samples with p < 0.05. The ratio was highest in the left second premolar (1.752) and least in the right central incisor (0.980) of the maxillary arch. Similarly, the ratio was highest in the left central incisor (1.723) and least in the left second molar (0.910) of the mandibular arch. Conclusion: The present study was conducted as an initial step in the process of development of the novel tool or index enabling the dentists to organize the health-care needs of their patients by facilitating standardized identification of CA with objective measurements used for epidemiological or community purpose.

Association Between Cervical Abrasion, Oral Hygiene Practices and Buccolingual Dimension of Tooth Surfaces: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Cervical abrasion is a multifactorial process due to the use of abrasive dentifrices along with improper brushing patterns. An extensive lesion may cause loss of structural integrity of tooth and esthetically unacceptable. The purpose of the study was to assess the prevalence of cervical abrasion with age, gender, and oral hygiene practices among workers in a spinning mill, Kerala. The study also aimed to identify the buccolingual measurements of each abraded tooth using the Community Abrasion Index of Treatment Needs (CAITN) probe. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study where 366 subjects (257 males and 109 females) above 20 years of age were selected using a random sampling technique. Data was collected from the assessment form comprising demographic data and oral hygiene practices of the subjects. Clinical examination for abrasion and buccolingual measurements of abraded tooth recorded using CAITN probe. The statistical analysis was done using SPSS 26.0. for calculating descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, and binary logistic regression. Results: The overall prevalence of abrasion was 37.2% and 97.7% of subjects with abrasion had sensitive teeth and were statistically significant. Age, gender (males) and combined horizontal and vertical method of brushing technique were strongly associated with the cervical lesion (P < 0.001). Binary logistic regression analysis showed that age group, gender, combined horizontal and vertical method of brushing, and presence of sensitive tooth was associated with the abrasion. Conclusion: It is concluded that the severity of the abrasion is an age-related phenomenon associated with combined horizontal and vertical strokes of brushing and is common among the male population. Dentinal hypersensitivity is also more prevalent with cervical abrasion. The novel CAITN probe can be used as an effective tool to assess the cervical abrasion and its treatment needs.

Role of Dentist: COVID19 and Mucormycosis.

Dental practice has evolved over time and has adapted to the challenges that it has faced. The risk of infection spread via droplet and airborne routes poses a significant risk to the dentist who works close to patients. The risk of cross-infection between dental health-care personnel and patients can be very high due to the peculiar arrangements of dental settings. Dental clinics should have air purification systems with high volume excavators and negative pressure rooms for COVID-19 screening. Mucormycosis is a fungal disease that mostly occurs in immunocompromised individuals and those with uncontrolled diabetes. Dental extraction can trigger the occurrence. Increased occurrence of mucormycosis is seen in COVID-affected patients. This article gives a review on the dentistry-related transmission of COVID 19, the relation of COVID and mucormycosis.

The Design, Development, and Calibration of Cervical Abrasion Index of Treatment Needs Probe for Measurement of Cervical Abrasion.

Context: Although a common dental problem, there are no simple instruments or reliable methods to measure cervical abrasion. Aim: To study the design, development, calibration, efficacy, and compliance of usage of a novel Cervical Abrasion Index of Treatment Need (CAITN) probe to measure cervical abrasion. Settings and Design: The ex-vivo study was conducted as a part of comprehensive study for the development of standardized CAITN probe and index with a standard methodology for recording the abrasion. Materials and Methods: The compliance and usage of the probe were assessed by a standardized set of questionnaires to the interns followed by an ex-vivo study in 100 subjects. Gold standard comparisons with Vernier caliper, inter-examiner, and intra-examiner reliability were analyzed using SPSS. Results: Data from the questionnaire indicate that 100% of examiners had no difficulty in handling the instrument or measuring and reading the values. Comparison between the CAITN probe and the gold standard was statistically significant indicating a correlation for cervical abrasion measurement between the two methods (p < 0.001). The mean difference between the two measurements using the CAITN probe and gold standard method was calculated with paired t-test and was insignificant (p > 0.05). High statistical significant correlation was also found for intra-examiner and inter-examiner reliability measurement of CAITN probe (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The design and structure of the CAITN probe are standardized with a fair gold standard comparison and that the novel probe can be used as an effective tool to measure the depth of cervical abrasion and its treatment needs.