Evaluation of Mesiodistal Angulation of Maxillary Anterior Teeth in Incisal View Using Manual and Digital Methods: An In Vivo Study.

AIM: The aim of the present research was to assess the mesiodistal angulation of the maxillary anterior teeth utilizing Image J computer software, a Profile projector, and a Custom-made jig. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 34 subjects (17 males and 17 females) were chosen from a group of 18-30 years old with bilateral Angle Class I molars and canine relationships. One manual approach (Custom-made jig) and two digital methods (J computer software, a Profile projector) were used to record the mesiodistal angulation in incisal view. The individuals had alginate impressions made, and a facebow was used to capture the maxilla's spatial relationship with the cranium. The articulated cast with the help of mounting ring moved to the specially customized jig, then the angulations was measured in the incisal view after the casts were placed in a semi-adjustable articulator. Data were recorded and statistically analyzed. RESULTS: The mesiodistal angulation in the incisal view via three methods between the 17 males and 17 females has statistically significant different. Although the mesiodistal angulation for maxillary lateral incisor and canine did not show any statistically significant difference, the maximum and minimum values obtained were always greater in males in comparison with the females. This indicates that the positions of six maxillary anterior teeth in the males resulted in the creation of upward sweep of incisal edges of central and lateral incisors which was also referred to as "smiling line" producing masculine surface anatomy more squared and vigorous while feminine surface anatomy being more rounded, soft, and pleasant. There was no statistically significant difference between the right and left sides, indicating bilateral arch symmetry and the symmetrical place of the right teeth compared with the left side's corresponding teeth. CONCLUSION: On conclusion, according to the current study's findings, all three approaches can measure the mesiodistal angulations of maxillary anterior teeth in incisal view with clinically acceptable accuracy. The digital methods, which included using the Image J computer software and the profile projector, achieved more accurate results than the manual method. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The outcomes of this study's mesiodistal angulations can be used as a reference for placing teeth in both fully and partially edentulous conditions. This study contributes to a better understanding of the importance of achieving the ideal occlusion in the Indian population by placing the maxillary anterior teeth at the proper mesiodistal angulation. How to cite this article: Shadaksharappa SH, Lahiri B, Kamath AG, et al. Evaluation of Mesiodistal Angulation of Maxillary Anterior Teeth in Incisal View Using Manual and Digital Methods: An In Vivo Study. J Contemp Dent Pract 2024;25(4):320-325.

Assessment of Penetration Depth and Microleakage of Different Pit and Fissure Sealants Using Dye Penetration Method: An In Vitro Study.

AIM AND OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the depth of penetration as well as the microleakage of three different pit and fissure sealant materials employing the dye penetration method. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty healthy human mandibular premolar teeth without dental caries that were extracted for orthodontic treatment constituted the study samples. These 60 premolar samples were subjected to an equal division (20 in every group) into three groups. Group I: self-adhering flowable composite, group II: flowable nanocomposites, group III: classical pit and fissure sealants. Every sample tooth underwent thermocycling amid 4°C ± 2°C and 60°C ± 2°C for 1,000 cycles. The samples were placed in 1% methylene blue solution for 24 hours to permit diffusion of the dye into probable gaps in between the restoration and the tooth. The teeth were sectioned and evaluated below a stereomicroscope at 10× magnification with image analysis software. RESULTS: Flowable nanocomposites (3.69 ± 0.10) exhibited a slightly greater mean depth of penetration as compared to classical pit and fissure sealants (3.58 ± 0.16) and self-adhering flowable composites (3.51 ± 0.13) in that order. This difference between the three sealants was not significant statistical. Amid the three sealant study groups, the lowest mean marginal microleakage was exhibited by the flowable nanocomposites (1.06 ± 0.03), followed by self-adhering flowable composites (1.98 ± 0.06), and classical pit and fissure sealants (2.74 ± 0.11). Analysis of variance revealed statistically significant differences among the three sealants that were studied. CONCLUSION: This study concludes that flowable nanocomposites depicted enhanced penetration and reduced marginal leakage as compared to the self-adhering flowable composites and classical pit and fissure sealants. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: An efficient approach to preventing dental caries on the occlusal surfaces of teeth is the use of pit and fissure sealants. The efficiency of sealants chiefly depends on the morphological characteristics of the fissures and properties of dental materials used.

Correlating the clinical assessment of impacted mandibular third molars with panoramic radiograph and intraoral periapical radiograph.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to compare the clinical assessment of impacted third molars of mandible with panaromic radiograph (OPG) and intraoral periapical radiograph (IOPA) and to assess the efficacy of IOPA and. Moreover, we corroborated the OPG and IOPA findings of impacted mandiblar third molar root apex to inferior alveolar canal. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 200 patients with pericoronitis were examined who were indicated for surgical extraction, among which 50 patients were selected for the study. All the patients underwent a radiographic survey with a digital OPG and IOPA of impacted mandibular third molars, along with clinical survey for anatomic relationship, type of impaction, space available, position in relation to second molar, number of roots, root curvature, and proximity of nerve canal. The data was subjected to statistical analysis. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 4.0.1 software was used for analyzing the collected data. RESULTS: The study revealed that IOPA was more accurate in determining a majority of the factors affecting the third molar surgery, including relationship of the external oblique ridge (IOPA vs OPG = 96%:90%), anteroposterior relation with ramus (IOPA vs OPG = 70%:66%), vertical depth of impaction (IOPA vs OPG = 72%:68%), number of roots (P = 0.013), morphology of roots (IOPA vs OPG = 96%:90%); however, OPG was found to be accurate in evaluating the type of impaction (IOPA vs OPG = 88%:94%), canal relation, along with root of impacted molar (IOPA vs OPG = 74%:86%). CONCLUSION: To conclude, although IOPA has a marginal angle over OPG in assessing various parameters, only the number of roots have a greater accuracy (P < 0.0013) in IOPA than with OPG. However, the OPG is the better choice to be considered when the patient is associated with trismus.