Clinical Evaluation of Two Distinct Materials for Implant-Supported Interim Fixed Partial Prostheses: An Original Research.

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of posterior resin implant-supported fixed partial dentures (FPDs) made from two different computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD-CAM) materials: polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) and polyoxymethylene (POM). Materials and Methods: Twenty-one patients received a total of 49 interim implant-supported FPDs. The same participant received PMMA and POM as part of the control and experimental groups, respectively. The restorations were evaluated 1 week, 3 months, and 6 months after placement. In addition, their functional wear and color stability were assessed. Nonparametric statistics (α = 0.05) were used to analyze the data. Results: The study found that PMMA outperformed POM in surface and color parameters, with more fractures occurring with internal conical connection implants. The color stability analysis showed ΔE*ab values of 7.18 for PMMA and 8.8 for POM, with no significant differences. After 6 months of operation, both materials showed a significant increase in wear, but no significant differences were found within the materials. Conclusion: The study found that PMMA interim implant-supported FPDs outperformed POM in surface and color parameters, while polymer posterior implant-supported FPDs with internal conical connection implants were more fracture-prone.

Knowledge and awareness of polycaprolactone and its applications as provisional material in prosthodontic practice: A questionnaire-based survey.

Aim: The present study was done to evaluate the knowledge and awareness of different provisional materials, especially polycaprolactone (PCL) and their application in prosthodontic practice. Setting and Design: A questionnaire based survey was carried out to assess the knowledge and awareness of PCL and its applications as provisional material in prosthodontic practice. Materials and Method: A questionnaire-based descriptive study consisting of 10 questions related to different provisional materials and their applications in prosthodontic practice was formulated on Google Forms. The link was created and circulated among the prosthodontist faculty members of various dental institutes and private practitioners of India with the use of digital platforms such as E-mail and social media. The data were collected and examined using Microsoft Excel software for statistical evaluation. Statistical Analysis Used: For this descriptive type of study, knowledge and awareness among prosthodontists across India was evaluated using Microsoft Excel software. Results: The use of PCL was known only to 20.75% of prosthodontists. Moreover, its application and indications are known to only <1% of the study participants. Autopolymerizing resin was most commonly used for the custom tray and temporary base fabrication as well as temporization in crown and bridge prosthesis, while muscle deprogrammer and surgical template were commonly fabricated in heat-cure and clear acrylic resin, respectively. Pattern resin was found to be commonly used in splinting implant impression copings. Conclusion: The use of PCL as a temporary denture base, custom tray, muscle deprogrammer, implant impression splinting, and provisional for crown and bridge and templates should be encouraged and incorporated to get benefits of its characteristic properties. Considering the overall performance of PCL, its use should be incorporated into prosthodontic research and practice.

Comparative evaluation of peri-implant stress distribution in implant protected occlusion and cuspally loaded occlusion on a 3 unit implant supported fixed partial denture: A 3D finite element analysis study.

PURPOSE: To assess peri-implant stress distribution using finite element analysis in implant supported fixed partial denture with occlusal schemes of cuspally loaded occlusion and implant protected occlusion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 3-D finite element model of mandible with D2 bone with partially edentulism with unilateral distal extension was made. Two Ti alloy identical implants with 4.2 mm diameter and 10 mm length were placed in the mandibular second premolar and the mandibular second molar region and prosthesis was given with the mandibular first molar pontic. Vertical load of 100 N and and oblique load of 70 N was applied on occlusal surface of prosthesis. Group 1 was cuspally loaded occlusion with total 8 contact points and Group 2 was implant protected occlusion with 3 contact points. RESULTS: In Group 1 for vertical load , maximum stress was generated over implant having 14.3552 Mpa. While for oblique load, overall stress generated was 28.0732 Mpa. In Group 2 for vertical load, maximum stress was generated over crown and overall stress was 16.7682 Mpa. But for oblique load, crown stress and overall stress was maximum 22.7561 Mpa. When Group 1 is compared to Group 2, harmful oblique load caused maximum overall stress 28.0732 Mpa in Group 1. CONCLUSION: In Group 1, vertical load generated high implant stress, and oblique load generated high overall stresses, cortical stresses and crown stresses compared to vertical load. In Group 2, oblique load generated more overall stresses, cortical stresses, and crown stresses compared to vertical load. Implant protected occlusion generated lesser harmful oblique implant, crown, bone and overall stresses compared to cuspally loaded occlusion.

Significance of maternal periodontal health in preeclampsia.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present case-control study was to evaluate the association between maternal periodontitis and preeclampsia. Association studies between maternal periodontitis and elevated risk for preeclampsia have shown conflicting results. Periodontal maintenance is necessary to reduce the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes like preeclampsia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Periodontal parameters [bleeding on probing, probing depth (PD), and clinical attachment level (CAL)] of 1320 women were assessed, followed by retrieval of their demographic and medical data from the medical records. Based on the medical records, 80 women were excluded from the study, leaving 1240 females as the eligible sample for the study. The women were divided into control group (1120 non-preeclamptic women who gave birth to infants with adequate gestational age) and case group (120 preeclamptic women). Logistic regression analysis revealed that primiparity and maternal periodontitis were the two significant variables causing preeclampsia. Further analysis was carried out by matching the two groups for primiparity to find the significance of maternal periodontitis. Maternal periodontitis was defined as PD ≥4 mm and CAL ≥3 mm at the same site in at least four teeth. RESULTS: The results showed that maternal periodontitis (odds ratio 19.8) was associated with preeclampsia. Maternal periodontitis also remained associated with preeclampsia after matching for primiparity, which was another significant confounding factor in the study (odds ratio 9.33). CONCLUSION: Maternal periodontitis is a risk factor associated with preeclampsia, emphasizing the importance of periodontal care in prenatal programs.

Evaluation of calcium sulphate barrier to collagen membrane in intrabony defects.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to clinically and radiographically evaluate and compare treatment of intrabony defects with the use of decalcified freeze-dried bone allograft in combination with a calcium sulphate barrier to collagen membrane. METHODS: Twelve patients having chronic periodontal disease aged 20 to 50 years and with a probing depth >6 mm were selected. Classification of patient defects into experimental and control groups was made randomly. In the test group, a calcium sulphate barrier membrane, and in control group, a collagen membrane, was used in conjunction with decalcified freeze-dried bone graft in both sides. Ancillary parameters as well as soft tissue parameters along with radiographs were taken at baseline and after 6 months of surgery. Parameters assessed were plaque index, modified gingival index, probing depth, relative attachment level, and location of the gingival margin. A Student's t-test was done for intragroup and a paired t-test for intergroup analysis. RESULTS: Intragroup analysis revealed statistically significant improvement in all the ancillary parameters and soft tissue parameters with no statistically significant difference in intergroup analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The study concluded that a calcium sulphate barrier was comparable to collagen membrane in achieving clinical benefits and hence it can be used as an economical alternative to collagen membrane.