A comparative evaluation of fracture load of monolithic and bilayered zirconia crowns with and without a cervical collar: an in vitro study.

INTRODUCTION: The use of zirconia based all-ceramic restorations are preferred nowadays owing to superior biologic and esthetic properties. However, these restorations have also reported higher incidences of fracture and chipping. The clinical success may be enhanced by optimizing the core design, through the introduction of monolithic zirconia, or the layered crowns can be strengthened by adding the cervical collar to them. OBJECTIVE: This study was performed with the objective to compare and evaluate the fracture load of monolithic and bilayered zirconia crowns with and without a cervical collar. METHODS: A prospective observational study was carried out to compare 45 fabricated zirconia crowns of three different designs on a customized metal mould. The samples were oriented on the metal mould and subjected to confocal microscope for the evaluation of marginal integrity followed by cementing the crown on the metal mould and subjecting it to the universal testing machine for the analysis for the flexural strength. Data were analyzed using one way Anova and t- test for inter and intra groups. The significance level was set at P ≤ 0.05. RESULTS: The monolith zirconia crowns and layered zirconia crowns with cervical collar reported more flexural strength. CONCLUSION: The amount of force required to fracture the zirconia crowns was higher in the case of monolith zirconia crown and layered zirconia crown with cervical collar as compared to the layered zirconia crown without cervical collar.

Dental fluorosis and associated risk factors in early adolescents in India.

Background Dental fluorosis has a negative impact on the facial esthetics of adolescents and is a worldwide oral health concern. Objective To assess the prevalence and associated risk factors for dental fluorosis in early adolescents in India. Methods This was a cross-sectional study carried out on 800 adolescent school children selected from the Jhabua and Dhar districts of Madhya Pradesh, India. The children were in the of 12-15-year age group. A total of eight schools from both Jhabua and Dhar districts were included in the study. A self-administered questionnaire collected information on demographic characteristics, oral hygiene practices and various risk factors for dental fluorosis. Water samples were collected from each zone and sent to a laboratory for water fluoride estimation. Dental fluorosis was assessed using the Dean index. Chi-squared (χ2) and logistic regression analysis were performed. Results The overall prevalence of dental fluorosis was found to be 40.5% in early adolescents. The prevalence of dental fluorosis was found to be 45% in the Jhabua district and 36% in the Dhar district. The water fluoride content was found to be the strongest predictor for dental fluorosis followed by the method of water storage. Conclusion Dental fluorosis affects a large number of adolescents in both the Jhabua and Dhar districts of Madhya Pradesh. Effective policies focusing on oral health education and prevention of dental fluorosis need to be drafted.

Assessment of orthodontic treatment need among tribal children of Indore division, Central India.

INTRODUCTION: India is home to many tribes which have an interesting and varied history of origins, customs and social practices. Oral health care in tribal areas is limited due to shortage of dental manpower, financial constraints and the lack of perceived need for dental care among tribal masses. OBJECTIVE: To assess orthodontic treatment need among tribal children of Indore division, Central India. METHODS: A cross-sectional house to house survey was carried out among 800 tribal children aged 5 to 15 years old in two major tribal districts of Indore division. Permissions and consent were obtained from local administrative authorities, ethical committee and parents respectively. A structured proforma was used to record demographic data. Examination for dentofacial anomalies was conducted according to WHO 1997 survey methods. Descriptive tables and analytical tests like ANOVA, post-hoc and chi-square test were employed. RESULTS: The mean age was 9.75(±2.43) years. The mean DAI score among 12 to 15 years old children was 23.19±5.22. Female exhibited higher (24.51±5.34) mean DAI score compared to males (22.12±4.87) (p<0.05). The Patelia tribes (24.38±5.13) reported higher mean DAI score than Bhilala (23.02±5.69) and Bhil tribe (22.73±4.79) (p<0.005). CONCLUSION: The tribal children had minor malocclusion with no or slight treatment need. Categorization of orthodontic treatment need according to malocclusion severity is particularly important for the planning of corresponding public policies. The isolation of the villages, lack of transportation options imposes limitations on the availability of health professionals to provide dental services.

Impact of Having a Mentally Disabled Child in the Family on the Oral Health of the Healthy Sibling: A Comparative Study.

PURPOSE: To determine and compare oral health status, knowledge and attitude among siblings of mentally disabled with siblings of normal healthy children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 240 study subjects consisting of 120 each of siblings of mentally disabled and normal, healthy children (control group) matched for age and gender were selected by convenience sampling. Oral health was assessed using the WHO-1997 proforma. A pretested questionnaire (30 items) was used for oral health knowledge and attitude assessment. Statistical analysis was performed using the chi-squared and Mann-Whitney tests. RESULTS: Caries prevalence among the siblings of mentally disabled and control group was 82% (mean DMFT 1.68 ± 1.18) and 45% (mean DMFT 0.58 ± 0.72), respectively (p < 0.05). The siblings of mentally disabled children also showed good oral health knowledge (mean 7.1 ± 1.4) and a positive attitude (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Siblings of mentally disabled children showed higher caries experience. Knowledge and attitude towards oral health was comparatively good among siblings of mentally disabled children. They exhibited favourable attitudes and involvement in helping their sibling to maintain oral health.

Association of body mass index with dental caries among malnourished tribal children of Indore division.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Nutrition is an essential component in human growth, development and maintenance of healthy life. Tribal communities are highly disease prone and do not have the required access to basic health facilities, also having a high degree of malnutrition. The aim of this study was to determine the association of body mass index with dental caries among malnourished tribal children of Indore division (M.P.). METHODS: A cross-sectional house to house survey was carried out among 275 study subjects, 6-15 years old tribal children in two major tribal districts of Indore division. Permissions and consent was obtained from local administrative authorities, ethical committee and parents respectively. Anthropometric measurements like height, weight, mid-arm and head circumference were recorded. Children with confirmed malnourishment on basis of BMI index were considered for data collection. Oral examination for caries was conducted according to WHO 1997 survey methods. Descriptive tables and analytical tests such as ANOVA and chi-square test were employed. Independent effects of age, gender, BMI, oral hygiene status and daily intake sugar on caries status were tested using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The mean age was 9.75 (±2.43) years. The caries prevalence among permanent dentition of malnourished children was 61.4% with a mean of 1.61 (±0.48). Among tribes, malnourished children of Bhilala tribe showed significantly higher caries prevalence (1.82±0.46, p<0.01). Increase in caries prevalence was seen with increase in severity of malnourishment (p<0.05). Logistic regression indicated gender (males OR=1.19), age (5-10years OR=1.11) and high sugar intake (OR=1.49) were significantly associated with caries occurrence (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: Caries was more prevalent in malnourished tribal children and was seen to increase with severity of malnourishment.

Knowledge,attitude and anxiety towards pandemic flu a potential bio weapon among health professionals in Indore City.

BACKGROUND: Flu is one of the oldest medical concerns, causing high mortality rates among humans. Swine flu has not only emerged as a fatal disease omong Indian population but has also created havoc among various sections of society. OBJECTIVE: To determine Knowledge, Attitude and Anxiety towards pandemic flu a potential bioweapon among health care professionals in Indore City. METHOD: The study design used was a cross sectional descriptive study was carried out between February-March 2015 during the outbreak of Swine Flu. The survey was administered to a sample of 271 health professionals. Participants comprised of 148 medical professionals and 123 dental professionals practicing in Sri Aurobindo Institute of Medical Science. The data collection tools comprised of a questionnaire on demographic characteristics, knowledge and attitude. Beck Anxiety Inventory was used to assess the anxiety among professionals. RESULTS: The medical professionals (95.9%) had significantly higher (p value=0.007) knowledge about available vaccines against Swine Flu. The dental professionals (33.3%) were more hesistant in treating patients suffering from Swine Flu compared to medical. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study suggest that the health care professionals had good knowledge, showed positive attitude, and demonstrated lower anxiety levels.

Impact of Dental Neglect Scale on Oral Health Status Among Different Professionals in Indore City-A Cross- Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Young educated Indian generation are very much health conscious. They take adequate nutritious balanced diet and practice physical exercise regularly to keep themselves active and healthy. Oral health is a part of general health care system. If oral health is neglected it may affect our general health and as a result it affects our quality of life too. AIM: To assess dental negligence and oral health status by using Dental Neglect scale questionnaire among different professionals of Indore city. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study consisted of a convenient sample of 400 students of aged 18-25 years from 4 different professional colleges of Sri Aurobindo Group of Institutes of the same campus. A pretested validated questionnaire was used for assessing dental neglect and home dental care practices. Oral health examination was conducted to assess dental caries and oral hygiene status by using DMFT and OHIS respectively. Data was analysed using SPSS Software (version 20). RESULTS: For OHI(S), majority of the respondents (57.7%) showed fair oral hygiene for DNS score <15, whereas majority of the professionals (63.7%), showed poor oral hygiene for DNS score >15. The Dental Neglect Scale (DNS) score was found statistically significant with OHIS and caries experience at 95% Confidence Interval. There was no statistically significant difference between DNS score and frequency of Decayed, Missing and Filled teeth DMFT. CONCLUSION: The Dental Neglect Scale appears to be a sound method for objectifying dental neglect. It has many of the features of a satisfying health index. However, further validation with other age groups, cultures, place and a larger population is required in order to justify the utility of Dental Neglect Scale in different situations.