Dental clinic: Potential source of high-risk screening for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.

BACKGROUND: It is predicted that by 2030 diabetes may affect 79.4 million individuals in India. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment of diabetes are essential to prevent or delay its acute or chronic complications. It is observed that the number of patients visiting dentists is significantly increased. This opportunity can be used for early identification of diabetes in dental office. This study assesses the feasibility of high-risk screening for diabetes and prediabetes in private dental care center. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among patients reporting to the dental clinic. A total of 1150 patients above 40 years of age having one or more risk factors such as family history of diabetes, hypertension, smoking, loss of teeth, and periodontitis were included in the study. Patients were subjected to high-risk screening by random blood sugar (RBS) test. American Diabetes Association criteria indicating normal (RBS 79-140 mg/dL), prediabetic (RBS 140-200 mg/dL), and diabetic (RBS >200 mg/dL) was considered for screening. RESULTS: Among 1150 participants, 64.69% had RBS level within normal range and 20.69% had prediabetic range while 14.60% had RBS level above 200 mg/dL, suggestive of having diabetes. A total of 35.29% patients had hyperglycemia based on random blood glucose level. CONCLUSION: The study concluded that patients who are unaware about their diabetic status visiting a dental clinic having one or more risk factors of diabetes can be used as potential sources for high-risk screening for diabetes using a simple RBS test and oral examination.

A Simple Technique to Fabricate Custom Made Occlusal Plane Template.

The plane of occlusion represents the average curvature of the occlusal surfaces of anterior and posterior teeth rather than a flat surface. An anteroposterior curve, the curve of Spee and the mediolateral curve, the curve of Wilson determine the position of posterior teeth. Management of patients with uneven occlusal plane is an essential step for the long term success of the treatment. Devices, like occlusal plane analyzers, are routinely used to evaluate the occlusal problems and help improve the situation. Yurkstas metal occlusal template is a device frequently used to determine proper occlusal plane. A simple procedure to fabricate a transparent occlusal plane template is described in this article. This occlusal template overcomes the major disadvantage i.e. non-transparency of the Yurkstas metal occlusal template.

A simple technique to fabricate a surgical obturator restoring the defect in original anatomical form.

Oral cancer treatment involves the surgical removal of all or part of the maxilla, leaving the patient with a defect that compromises the integrity and function of the oral cavity. The postoperative restoration of esthetics, deglutition, and speech shortens recovery time in the hospital and expedites the patient's return to the community as a functioning member. The surgical obturator is the proven treatment option in such situations. This article describes a simple technique to fabricate a surgical obturator that restores patient's original dentition and facial and palatal tissue form. The obturator fabricated with this technique utilizes the vacuum formed index of patient's original tissue form and duplicated partly in heat and partly in auto polymerizing acrylic resin. Duplication of the original tissue form helps patient to minimize the immense physiological trauma immediately after the surgical resection. The obturator fabricated with this technique supports soft tissues after surgery and minimizes scar contracture and disfigurement, and thus may have a positive effect on the patients' psychology.

Achieving a desired esthetic outcome for a single-tooth implant restoration with tissue excess using a multidisciplinary treatment approach: a clinical report.

Achieving ideal emergence profile and restoration contours for implant-supported prostheses in the anterior esthetic zone is a prime requisite. In this report, the patient presented with decreased restoration space and unfavorable tissue contours for an implant restoration. Correction of space deficiency and reshaping of excess bone height and soft tissue were planned and executed carefully prior to definitive restoration of a maxillary anterior missing tooth with an implant-retained prosthesis. Post-treatment evaluation of the papillary levels and soft tissue profile helped in assessing maintenance of the restored emergence profile.

A modified technique for retention of orbital prosthesis.

An orbital defect (congenital or acquired) causes severe facial asymmetry and disfigurement, which results in psychological and social disturbances to the patient. It becomes a challenging task for a maxillofacial prosthodontist to fabricate a prosthesis that replicates the healthy side of the face. Success of the prosthesis depends primarily on satisfactory retention of the same. This clinical report illustrates rehabilitation of a patient with an orbital defect by fabricating a hollow orbital prosthesis, utilizing anatomical undercuts for retention using an acrylic resin template relined by a resilient denture liner.