Comparative evaluation of the efficacy of lignocaine containing topical anesthetic agents during extraction of deciduous anterior teeth.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of 2%, 4% lignocaine, Eutectic Mixture of Local Anesthetics (EMLA) mixture and precaine topical anesthetic agents (with 1:1,000,000 epinephrine) during the extraction of deciduous anterior tooth. METHODS: Eighty patients with preshedding mobility of deciduous anterior tooth were divided randomly into four groups. Lignocaine, in amount of 2% and 4%, precaine and EMLA topical anesthetic agents were applied and the tooth was extracted. VAS has been used to assess the subjective pain while Wong-Baker Faces Scale and SEM Pain Scale have been used to record the objective pain to check the efficacy of these topical anesthetic agents. SPSS ver.17 was used for statistical analysis. Group comparison was done by ANOVA (Fishers F test) and inter comparison was done by Tukeys t-test. RESULTS: Based on the scoring criteria of VAS, SEM and Wong Bakers facial pain scales, precaine had best scores followed by EMLA mixture, 4% lignocaine, and then 2 % lignocaine during extraction of primary anterior teeth with preshedding mobility. CONCLUSIONS: The efficacy of precaine was superior compared to EMLA mixture followed by 4% lignocaine and 2% Lignocaine respectively.

A survey on radiographic prescription practices in dental implant assessment among dentists in Kerala, India.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To conduct a survey of the current radiographic prescription practices among implant practitioners in the state of Kerala, India. METHODS: 300 dentists were interviewed by employing a questionnaire which enquired about the radiographic evaluation methods prescribed by practitioners in implant site assessment in their implantology practice. Other reasons for choosing particular imaging modalities were also enquired. The data collected from the survey was analysed using Epi-Info 7.1.3 software. RESULTS: Around 87.33% of the dentists prescribed only OPG for the implant site assessment and only 4.66% ordered Orthopantomograph (OPG) in combination with an Intra Oral Periapical Radiograph (IOPAR) and 4.33% ordered OPG with Computed Tomography (CT). Only 0.02% of the practitioners ordered CT as a single examination and 1% ordered it in conjunction with other modalities. 0.066% individuals ordered IOPAR as the sole imaging modality and none of them ever prescribed conventional or Cone beam computed tomography. CONCLUSIONS: Our study has conclusively proven that most of the dentists prescribe OPG followed by a combination of OPG and Intraoral periapical radiographs in their implant practices. Many of them were not aware and did not follow the American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, European Academy of Dentomaxillofacial Radiology, European Association of Osseointegration and International Congress of Oral Implantology recommendations regarding cross-sectional imaging.

An evaluation of a resorbable (semirigid) GTR membrane in human periodontal intraosseous defects: A clinicoradiological re-entry study.

AIM: To evaluate the effectiveness of a resorbable, semi rigid guided tissue regeneration (GTR) membrane in the treatment of periodontal intraosseous defects. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Randomized controlled clinicoradiological re-entry study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eight patients with bilateral, identical intraosseous defects were selected. The sides for test and control group were randomly allocated to treat either with bioresorbable semi rigid membrane (test group) or open flap debridement (control group). Radiographic analysis was done by comparing intraoral peri apical radiographs taken at baseline and at six months. Extended cone paralleling device with grid was used to standardize radiographs. Auto CAD software was used for the analysis. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Paired-t test. RESULTS: On surgical reentry at six months, the mean reduction in depth of the defect at the test site was 2.63 mm. The mean gain in Relative attachment level was 1.75 mm. The control sites showed a statistically insignificant gain. The mean percentage defect fill assessed on radiographs using auto CAD software was 15.54%. CONCLUSION: The resorbable, semi-rigid GTR membrane can be effectively used for the treatment of human one-walled angular defects.