COVID-19 outbreak journey of dental care workers: A systematic review.

The conditions of health-care professionals including dental fraternity have been extremely affected during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dental care workers have suspended all routine dental activities with the fear of transmission of the virus from aerosol-generating dental procedures. They have also stood with medical care professionals as frontline warriors because of the exponentially overburdened of the COVID-19-positive patients worldwide. With the available literature, the aim of this article is to address the trajectories of the life of oral health workers during the outbreak of COVID-19 as well as to analyze what measures shall be taken to improve their overall physical, mental, social, and economic health and precautions while working in dental environment.

Comparative evaluation of extrasinus versus intrasinus approach for zygomatic implant placement.

Edentulism, a common problem can occur either as a congenital defect or acquired later due to dental caries, periodontitis, as a consequence of aging, maxillofacial trauma or post-ablation in tumor resections. The rehabilitation of the missing teeth can be done using dental implants. To overcome the deficiency of available bone, processes like sinus augmentation with substituted bone graft and Le Fort I osteotomy with interpositional bone graft have been described in the literature. In order to overcome the associated limitations with these procedures, implants were designed that can be placed in specific anatomical areas like zygoma. This study aims to compare two different types of surgical approaches (Intrasinus vs Extrasinus) for the placement of zygomatic implants to treat atrophic maxilla. The placement of zygomatic implant through both extrasinus and intrasinus approaches were evaluated on the basis of different parameters and it was observed that postoperative pain and swelling was significantly found in intra sinus approach as compared to extra sinus approach. However, in the intranasal approach, poor patient compliance or low satisfaction rate was observed as compared to extra sinus approach. On the basis of the results of the study and post operative evaluation based on various criteria, it was concluded that extra sinus approach has got an edge over intra sinus approach.

Evaluation of awareness regarding pictorial warning on tobacco packets and its effect on cessation among tobacco users in Lucknow.

Introduction: Tobacco use has been identified as the leading cause of the preventable death worldwide and estimates that it currently causes 5.4 million deaths/year. In fact, India is suffering a phase of tobacco epidemic. Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate the awareness regarding pictorial warning on tobacco packets and its effect on cessation among tobacco users. Materials and Methods: A study was conducted among 200 patients having tobacco habit, attending the outpatient department of Public Health Dentistry, KGMU, Lucknow. A self-structured questionnaire was made in English and Hindi language, pertaining to demographic details, type of tobacco products used, frequency, duration of tobacco habits, and awareness regarding pictorial warning. Results: Use of multiple tobacco habits was most prevalent 61 (30.5%) across all age groups, majority 185 (92.5%) of subjects had seen the tobacco warnings, and 113 (56.5%) participants had seen both types of warning (pictorial and written warning). One hundred and ten (55%) of subjects said that warning should be on both sides. Eighty-two (41%) study participants had never tried to quit tobacco habits, 43 (21.5%) of participants tried to quit tobacco habits because of peer pressure and 75 (37.5%) subjects said that after seeing a warning on tobacco packets, they will think to quit tobacco habit. Conclusion: Majority of study participants have observed the warnings on tobacco packets and most of them believe that they could recognize and understand warnings. The study participants believe that warnings on tobacco packets create alertness about various deleterious effects of all tobacco habits and help in dropping or give up these habits. Pictographic warnings were more effective than text warnings.

Teleassistance and teleconsultation using smartphones and its contribution in clinical progress of oral and maxillofacial surgery.

Smartphones, an advanced mobile device having combined function of a computer and cellular phone, have become an effective communication within and between specialties for management of patients. It provides voice, text, multimedia messages, camera, and E-mail option and helps the surgical team to communicate with each other. The application of computer technology in the field of cranio and maxillofacial surgery opened a new perspective in the preoperative planning and accurate intraoperative realization of treatment concept. A PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of science search of the English literature were done to review the English literature on teleassistance and teleconsultation using smartphones and its contribution in clinical progress of oral and maxillofacial surgery. Fifteen articles were found the relevant data were extracted and tabulated. Conclusion was drawn that teleconsultation using smartphones is a useful tool for specialized consultation, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up in remote areas. With technological evolution, new methods of delivering better health-care facilities can be possible with the help of smartphones.

Effect of duloxetine in temporomandibular joint disorders: A comparison with arthrocentesis.

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to compare the efficacy of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) arthrocentesis, duloxetine therapy alone, and duloxetine in combination with TMJ arthrocentesis in the treatment of painful TMJ. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty patients with TMJ pain were included in the study who were divided into three groups with ten patients in each group. Group A included patients having only TMJ arthrocentesis; in Group B, only duloxetine therapy (30 mg) was given twice a day orally for 3 months; and in Group C, a combination of TMJ arthrocentesis with duloxetine therapy (30 mg) was given twice a day orally for 3 months. Patients were followed at regular interval of the 1st day, 5th day, 7th day, 4th week, 6th week, and 12th week and assessed in terms of pain, maximum mouth opening (mm), clicking, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Rating Scale and estimation of interleukin-6 (IL-6). The data collected were compiled and statistically analyzed. RESULTS: The pain was found to be significantly lower in Group C than other groups at weeks 4, 6, and 12. In Group C, mouth opening increased significantly than Groups A and B on subsequent follow-ups. On biochemical analysis of IL-6 levels in lavage fluid, a significant decrease was observed in levels of IL-6 in lavage fluid in Groups A and C postoperatively. CONCLUSION: The present study states that pain was observed to be much less after arthrocentesis along with duloxetine therapy. This combination therapy leads to much better and faster outcome, but still, long-term follow-ups with larger number of patients are required.

Prevalence of maxillectomy defects among patients visiting in an institutionalized hospital setting: A prospective, single-institute study.

INTRODUCTION: The rehabilitation of a patient undergone maxillectomy requires a prosthesis that provides with the optimum appearance and functional results. Scarce literature has been published regarding the prevalence of maxillary defects related to palatal obturator prosthesis. This study evaluates the incidence of the maxillectomy defects among different age groups, gender, side involved, and etiology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a prospective study of maxillectomy defects cases which reported and were treated in the department over a period of 2 years (2015-2017). Information regarding general identification, gender, and age at which the patient was operated for surgical resection of the maxilla or diagnosis of the tumor, affected side and etiology, and the time lag between surgical resection and rehabilitation was recorded from the clinical records of the patients. RESULTS: A total of 30 patients reported to the department in the 2 years. However, the detailed data were available for only 22 patients, and these patients were treated in the department. Information regarding general identification, gender, and age at which the patient was operated for surgical resection of maxilla or diagnosis of the tumor, affected side and etiology, and the time lag between surgical resection and rehabilitation was recorded from the clinical records of the patients. CONCLUSION: The finding of the study revealed a predominance of the males being more affected, with the predominance of the left side involvement over the right side, with most frequently involved the age group of 21-40 years, and the etiology revealed the predominance of carcinoma of the maxilla for its resection.

Microflora analysis in the postchemotherapy patients of oral cancer.

BACKGROUND: To assess changes in oral microflora in dental plaque from cancer patients within 7 days of the first course of chemotherapy and the relationship of the changes with mucositis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty cancer patients, divided into a test group undergoing chemotherapy and a control group not undergoing chemotherapy, were enrolled in this pilot study. Oral microflora was cultured from three samples of dental plaque at t0 (before chemotherapy), t1 (1 day after chemotherapy), and t2 (7 days after chemotherapy). Single and crossed descriptive analyses were used to establish prevalence, and the Chi-square test was used to establish the statistical significance of the differences observed in distributions (significance level: P < 0.05). RESULTS: In most patients (55%), oral microflora consisted mainly of Gram-positive cocci, while the remaining 45% of the bacterial flora also had periodontal-pathogenic species. No Porphyromonas gingivalis appeared in the test group. Actinobacillus was the least frequently found bacterium among periodontal pathogens in the test group, while Fusobacterium nucleatum was the most frequently found. No significant differences were found in quantitative bacterial changes between t0, t1, and t2 in either the test or control groups, or between the two groups. According to World Health Organization scores, oral mucositis developed in 10 patients (66.6%) in the test group. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this pilot study indicate that there were no changes in microflora in dental plaque in cancer patients within 7 days of the first course of chemotherapy. No correlations between oral mucositis and specific microorganisms were assessed.

Development and evaluation of retort pouch processed chhenapoda (cheese based baked sweet).

A study has been undertaken to optimize ingredient proportions for preparation of chhenapoda and the effect of retort processing on its quality and storability. Chhenapoda was prepared from cottage cheese with standard practices followed by confectioners using different levels of semolina (0, 50, 100, 150, 200 g) and sugar (0, 100, 200, 300, 400 g) per kg cheese and ingredient proportion was optimized based on sensory scores. Prepared chhenapoda sample of 200 g were packed in pre-fabricated 3 side seal multilayer laminated retortable pouches, hermetically sealed and retort processed at different temperatures (100, 110 and 120 °C) and time intervals (15, 30 and 45 min). It was found from Response Surface Methodology (RSM) technique that addition of 18.5% sugar and 7.5% semolina with cottage cheese was optimum for chhenapoda preparation. Microbiological analysis showed that total plate count and yeast and mould count (YMC) decreased from 110 × 107 to 4 × 104 and YMC from 3 × 103 to 0 respectively during retort processing (30 min thermal processing in laminated pouch at 120 °C). From the storage study, it can be concluded that retort processing of chhenapoda in laminated pouch at 120 °C for 30 min resulted in microbiological safe and sensory acceptable product which could be stored up to 30 days under refrigerated condition.

Effect of Topical Application of Pure Honey in Chemo-radiation-Induced Mucositis and Its Clinical Benefits in Improving Quality of Life in Patients of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Oral cancer is a major health problem in India, and in certain parts, it represents more than 50% of all cancers. Since almost all of these patients receive chemo-radiotherapy with or without surgery for treatment, a vast majority of them also develop oral mucositis, a debilitating adverse effect of chemo-radiation. There have been various reports in the literature regarding the beneficial role of honey in the management of oral mucositis. The objective of this study was to investigate whether the application of honey in mucositis confers any significant improvement in lesions of mucositis and more specifically whether application of honey brings about any improvement in the quality of life of patients suffering from chemo-radiation-induced oral mucositis. If found to be beneficial, honey could provide a simple, elegant and cost-effective solution to a troublesome health problem, thus benefiting a large number of patients.

TMJ Arthrocentesis Alone and in Combination with Duloxetine in Temporomandibular Joint Pain.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to compare the efficacy of arthrocentesis alone and arthrocentesis with duloxetine in patients with TMJ pain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study comprised of 20 patients. Patients with TMJ pain as confirmed by RDC/TMD and with pain duration of at least 3 months were included in the study. Patients were randomly divided into two groups, group A in which patients were treated with arthrocentesis alone and group B in which patients were treated with arthrocentesis followed by duloxetine 30 mg twice daily for 12-week therapy. Patients were followed up at regular interval at day 1, day 5, day 7, week 4, week 6 and week 12. Outcome assessment of pain, swelling, maximal mouth opening, painful/pain-free lateral or protrusive jaw movement was done. Hospital anxiety and depression (HAD) scale was used to assess pre- and post-treatment anxiety and depression. Radiologic assessment was done based on OPG and CBCT. Biochemical assessment of IL-6 in lavage fluid between groups A and B was done pre-operatively and postoperatively. RESULTS: There was significant reduction of pain in both groups, but reduction of pain was more in group B than in group A at week 4, week 6 and week 12. Mouth opening was significantly higher in group B than in group A patients. Reduced painful lateral and protrusive movements were seen in group B than in group A patients. There was no significant difference in hospital anxiety and depression scale among the groups at pre-operative and at 4th week post-operative. Though a significant reduction of IL-6 levels was seen post-operatively, there was no significant difference between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Arthrocentesis is an effective procedure for relieving symptoms in patients with temporomandibular disorders. In this study, combination of duloxetine with arthrocentesis gave much better outcome than arthrocentesis alone. Further studies with large sample size required to evaluate the effect of arthrocentesis plain or in combination with duloxetine in providing permanent relief to the patient.

Immediately placed dental implants in smokers with plasma rich in growth factor versus without plasma rich in growth factor: A comparison.

INTRODUCTION: The placement of implants into fresh extraction sockets was introduced in 1970. This approach has been reviewed extensively during the past decade. Immediate postextraction implant placement is a well-accepted protocol. The concept of placement of dental implants soon after the removal of a tooth in smokers, however, is still a matter of controversy. PURPOSE: (i) To access failure rate of dental implant in smokers (ii) To evaluate added advantage of plasma rich in growth factors (PRGFs) in immediate placement of dental implants in smokers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The sample of 30 patients was obtained from the different Outpatient Department of Faculty of Dental Sciences; King George's Medical University, Lucknow, who had visited for rehabilitation of missing teeth by implants between April 2013 and July 2015. They were randomly divided into two groups (without use of PRGF and with use of PRGF) of 15 each. Pre- and postoperative assessment included a thorough history and clinical examination, regression of pain and swelling, implant stability by resonance frequency analysis (RFA), and implant stability according to the bone type as well as radiographic interpretation for measurement of bone loss on the mesial and distal surfaces of the implant. RESULTS: In this study, pain and swelling were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in Group A than in Group B across the time interval. RFA score for implant stability was lower in Group A across the period than Group B. At the end of 3 months, RFA score (mean) in Group A was having 72.55 ISQ value, and in Group B, it was 75.71 ISQ value. In this study, postoperative crestal bone loss was more in patients in Group A as compared to patients in Group B. There was significant difference in mesial (P = 0.003) and distal (P = 0.001) crestal bone loss at 6 months between the groups. CONCLUSION: The immediate placement of dental implants in smokers with use of PRGF is shown to be efficient in relation to postoperative pain and swelling, stability, stability according to bone type, as well as bone loss.

Efficacy of arthrocentesis versus arthrocentesis with sodium hyaluronic acid in temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis: A comparison.

INTRODUCTION: Temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJ OA) is a degenerative disease characterized by deterioration of articular tissue with concomitant osseous changes in the condyle and/or articular eminence, joint positive for TMJ noise with jaw movement or function, crepitus detected on palpation on opening, closing, right/left lateral, or protrusive movement. Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a polysaccharide of the family of glycosaminoglycans. HA has been shown to improve and restore normal lubrication in joint, provide nutrition to the avascular articulating disc, and stabilize the joint. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty patients with OA of TMJ with age limit between 18 and 60 years of age were enrolled in this study. Patients were randomly divided into two groups, in which one group received arthrocentesis only, and another group received arthrocentesis plus intra-articular injection of sodium HA (0.5 ml) in superior joint space in a cycle of 5 weekly arthrocentesis (one per week). Patients were followed at regular interval of 1st day, 5th day, 7th day, 4 weeks, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks. Assessment of clinical outcome was done in terms of reduction in pain (visual analog scale score), maximum mouth opening (MMO) in millimeters, painful/pain-free lateral or protrusive jaw movement, and clicking/crepitus in joint. RESULTS: Significant reduction in pain was observed in both the groups. MMO, lateral and protrusive movements improved significantly in both groups; however, arthrocentesis with sodium HA was superior to arthrocentesis alone. CONCLUSION: Combination of arthrocentesis with HA injection showed much better outcome than arthrocentesis alone.

Efficacy of oral colchicine with intralesional hyaluronidase or triamcinolone acetonide in the Grade II oral submucous fibrosis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is a potentially malignant disorder of oral mucosa affecting mainly population in South and Southeast Asia. The aim of this study is to compare the effectiveness of oral colchicine with intralesional injection of hyaluronidase or injection triamcinolone acetonide in patients with Grade II OSMF. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included thirty patients of clinically diagnosed Grade II OSMF. Patients were divided randomly into two groups: Group A patients were treated by administrating tablet colchicine 0.5 mg twice daily with an intralesional injection of hyaluronidase 1500 IU with 0.5 ml of lignocaine hydrochloride at weekly interval for 12 weeks. Group B patients were treated by administering tablet colchicine 0.5 mg twice daily with an intralesional injection of triamcinolone acetonide 10 mg/ml at weekly interval for 12 weeks. Clinical diagnosis was based on burning sensation in mouth, blanching of mucosa, presence of vesicles or ulceration in oral cavity, and reduced mouth opening. Outcome assessment was done at intervals of 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months. RESULTS: Improvement in mouth opening and reduction in burning sensation was seen more in Group A patients. Improvement in blanching of mucosa was seen in both the groups. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, use of injection hyaluronidase with oral colchicine gave better results in terms of increase in mouth opening and improvement in burning sensation without notable side effects. However, for a definite conclusion, further study with large sample size and long follow-up is required.

Role of fixation in posttraumatic nerve injury recovery in displaced mandibular angle fracture.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of different types of fixation in the enhancement of posttraumatic inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) recovery in displaced mandibular angle fracture and to establish. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty patients of displaced mandibular angle fracture were treated with preangulated plate and three-dimensional (3D) matrix plate in two groups and were observed during follow-up at 04,06 and 12 weeks along with other parameters. RESULTS: Fifteen patients were treated with preangulated plate and 15 patients with 3D matrix miniplate. There was early nerve recovery in Group A than Group B, with residual paresthesia 20% in Group A and 26.6% in Group B at the end of 12-week follow-up. CONCLUSION: The displaced mandibular angle fracture with posttraumatic IAN paresthesia treated with preangulated plate has shown evidence of early nerve recovery than those fractures were treated with matrix miniplate. The fracture fragments displaced more than 9 mm have shown poor nerve recovery in both groups.

Effects of honey in the management of alveolar osteitis: A study.

INTRODUCTION: Alveolar osteitis (AO) is a complication of tooth extraction which indicates inflammation of alveolar bone of either maxilla or mandible. This study uses Apitherapy where honey catalyses biological reactions to improve immune system, makes local environment unbearable for microorganisms in the affected socket and enhances healing. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 50 patients of AO were included in the study. After cleansing of the affected socket, honey dressing was applied. Dressings were changed daily for first 2 days and then altenatively. In biochemical investigations, CRP levels in the body were measured using Nephelometry method. Microbiological examination was done for the identification of microorganism and semi quantitative count of colony forming units. RESULT: Results were assessed from clinical, microbiological, biochemical and radiological findings at 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 7th day based on VAS score, erythema, pus discharge, swelling, lymphadenitis, fever, bleeding on probing, exposed bone and necrotic debris. Pre-Treatment CRP was 2.08 ± 1.62 which significantly (P = 0.0001) decreased to 0.82 ± 0.48. Mean change and average percentage change were 1.25 ± 1.51 and 44.1% respectively. CONCLUSION: Majority of the patients with exposed bone got healed socket with evidance of granulation tissue and healing gingiva in about one week. CRP levels at the completion of treatment of AO with honey dressing showed a significant decrease from the pre-treatment values indicating fast recovery. Microbiological examination showed presence of normal commensal flora at AO sites like Streptococcus, Staphyloccocus and Enterococcus. So, the role of bacteria in the genesis of AO, if any, appears unclear.

Molecular concept in human oral cancer.

The incidence of oral cancer remains high in both Asian and Western countries. Several risk factors associated with development of oral cancer are now well-known, including tobacco chewing, smoking, and alcohol consumption. Cancerous risk factors may cause many genetic events through chromosomal alteration or mutations in genetic material and lead to progression and development of oral cancer through histological progress, carcinogenesis. Oral squamous carcinogenesis is a multistep process in which multiple genetic events occur that alter the normal functions of proto-oncogenes/oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes. Furthermore, these gene alterations can deregulate the normal activity such as increase in the production of growth factors (transforming growth factor-α [TGF-α], TGF-ß, platelet-derived growth factor, etc.) or numbers of cell surface receptors (epidermal growth factor receptor, G-protein-coupled receptor, etc.), enhanced intracellular messenger signaling and mutated production of transcription factors (ras gene family, c-myc gene) which results disturb to tightly regulated signaling pathways of normal cell. Several oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes have been implicated in oral cancer especially cyclin family, ras, PRAD-1, cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors, p53 and RB1. Viral infections, particularly with oncogenic human papilloma virus subtype (16 and 18) and Epstein-Barr virus have tumorigenic effect on oral epithelia. Worldwide, this is an urgent need to initiate oral cancer research programs at molecular and genetic level which investigates the causes of genetic and molecular defect, responsible for malignancy. This approach may lead to development of target dependent tumor-specific drugs and appropriate gene therapy.

Effect of refining on quality and composition of sunflower oil.

An experimental oil refining unit has been developed and tested for sunflower oil. Crude pressed sunflower oil obtained from a local oil mill was refined using chemical method by degumming, neutralization, bleaching and dewaxing. The quality and composition of crude and refined oil were analysed compared. Reduction in phosphorous content from 6.15 ppm to 0, FFA content from 1.1 to 0.24 % (oleic acid), peroxide value from 22.5 to 7.9 meq/kg, wax content from 1,420 to 200 ppm and colour absorbance value from 0.149 to 0.079 (in spectrophotometer at 460 nm) were observed from crude to refined oil. It was observed that refining did not have significant effect on fatty acid compositions as found in the percentage peak area in the GC-MS chromatogram. The percentage of unsaturated fatty acid in both the oils were recorded to be about 95 % containing 9-Octadecenoic acid (Oleic acid) and 11,14-Eicosadienoic acid (elongated form of linoleic acid). The research results will be useful to small entrepreneurs and farmers for refining of sunflower oil for better marketability.

Applications of botulinum toxin in dentistry: A comprehensive review.

The horizons of treatment options in dentistry are broadening rapidly. In this scenario, applications of unconventional treatment options like use of botulinum toxin (BT) are gaining momentum. The use of BT has been popularly accepted in esthetic procedures like management of facial wrinkles; however, it has been documented to be successful in a variety of conditions. Of particular interest to this paper are applications of BT in the maxillofacial region, concerned to dentistry. BT offers a transient, reversible, relatively safe treatment option to many conditions of interest to a dental practitioner. Dental surgeons by their virtue of being extensively aware of the anatomy of faciomaxillary region are a potential pool of operators who can use BT in their armamentarium with minor skill enhancement and thus widen the perspective of alternative, minimally invasive options to refractory conditions or invasive protocols.

Honey a sweet approach to alveolar osteitis: A study.

BACKGROUND: Honey is one of the oldest known medicines. Its use has been rediscovered in later times by the medical profession, especially for dressing wounds. It has been reported from various clinical studies on the usages of honey as a dressing for infected wounds that the wound become sterile in 3-6 days, others have al so reported that the honey is effective in cleaning up infected wound. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The 54 patients of dry socket were selected from the from the outpatient department of oral and maxillofacial surgery. A diagnosis of dry socket was made clinically. This study was under taken to evaluate the effect of honey dressing in management of dry socket. RESULTS: In this study there was significant reduction if inflammation, hyperemia, edema and exudation after honey dressing that results in soothing effect and reduction in pain and discomfort. There was al so significant reduction in CRP level post operative days .There was side effect of honey was observed in our study, so it can be used as alternative for the management of dry socket. DISCUSSION: It has al so been reported that the honey dressing halt advancing necrosis. It has al so been found to act as barrier preventing wounds from becoming infected, preventing cross infection, and allowing burn wound to heal rapidly. CONCLUSIONS: There are no side effects of honey. Excess use of euginol, can lead to necrosis of bone. The honey can be used as medicament for the management of dry socket.