The Relationship of Orofacial Pain and Dental Health Status and Oral Health Behaviours in Facial Burn Patients.

This study aims to examine the association of orofacial pain and oral health status and oral health behaviours in facial burn patients. The participants in this cross-sectional study were randomly recruited from the Burn Care Center, Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad, Pakistan. An intraoral evaluation was carried out to record the DMFT and OHI-S. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect information on sociodemographic status, brushing frequency, and dental visits. Orofacial pain during mandibular movement was assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Psychological status was assessed using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale and Impact of Events Scale. ANOVA and simple and multiple linear regression tests were used to analyse the data. From the 90 facial burn patients included, the majority were below 34 years of age, female, single or divorced, and unemployed. The mean DMFT was 10.7, and 71% had poor oral hygiene. 56% of the participants had moderate-to-severe anxiety, and 68% had posttraumatic stress disorder. 53% of the participants had moderate-to-severe pain during mouth opening or moving the mandible with a mean score of 41.5. Analyses showed that orofacial pain was associated with less frequent brushing, irregular dental visits, greater DMFT score, and more plaque accumulation (OHI-S). It was also associated with employment status, the severity of a burn, anxiety, and stress. The treatment and management of dental and oral conditions in burn patients need judicious balance in controlling and accurate assessment of the pain and improving psychological problems in burn patients.

Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure of Dentistry: Analysis of Dental Students' Perception about Educational Environment in College of Dentistry, Mustaqbal University.

INTRODUCTION: Evaluation of the educational environment is an important element which can be used to improve our curriculum. The aims and objectives of this cross-sectional study were to identify the student's perception about educational environment in College of Dentistry, Mustaqbal University. As the educational environment has a significant impact on the learning and academic performance of the students, the present study will help us identify areas of improvement and refining the dental curriculum. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 120 students of year 4, 5, 6, and interns, both male and female, responded to the Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure (DREEM) in the 1st month of the second semester, 2021. This scale measures the student's perceptions of the educational environment overall and for five domains: learning, teaching, academic self-perception, atmosphere, and social self-perception. RESULTS: A total of 92 students responded and were generally positive about their learning environment, with a total DREEM score of 130.87 ± 32.73/200. The lowest score for Domain 5 (social self-perception) and the highest score for Domain 1 (student's perception of learning.) were noted. CONCLUSION: Students' perception of educational environment of College of Dentistry, Mustaqbal University, was more positive than negative. This study provided a valuable insight of how students perceive their course and identified several weak areas that need to be worked upon, hence helping in improvement of the curriculum.

Comparative Evaluation of the Effects of Light Intensities and Curing Cycles of QTH, and LED Lights on Microleakage of Class V Composite Restorations.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of light intensity and curing cycles of QTH and LED lights on the microleakage of Class V composite restorations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty freshly extracted human maxillary premolars were used for this study. Standardized Class V cavities were prepared and they were restored with microhybrid resin composite. According to the curing protocol, the teeth were then divided into 4 groups (n=20): QTH curing (standard and soft start modes), and LED (standard and soft start modes) irradiations. Microleakage was evaluated by immersion of the samples in 50% silver nitrate solution. The samples were then sectioned, evaluated under a stereomicroscope, and scored for microleakage. RESULTS: The results of the present in-vitro study showed mean dye leakage scores of 1.9, 1.2, 1.45 and 0.90 for Group I (QTH-Standard mode), Group II (QTH-Soft Start mode), Group III (LED-Standard mode) and Group IV (LED-Soft Start mode) respectively. CONCLUSION: It was thus concluded that the soft start polymerization showed a highly significant difference as compared to the standard curing modes of QTH and LED lights, respectively.

A comparative evaluation of fracture resistance of endodontically treated teeth, with variable marginal ridge thicknesses, restored with composite resin and composite resin reinforced with Ribbond: an in vitro study.

BACKGROUND: The anatomic shape of maxillary premolars show a tendency towards separation of their cusps during mastication after endodontic treatment. Preservation of the marginal ridge of endodontically treated and restored premolars can act as a strengthening factor and improve the fracture resistance. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of varying thickness of marginal ridge on the fracture resistance of endodontically treated maxillary premolars restored with composite and Ribbond reinforced composites. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and twenty, freshly extracted, non carious human mature maxillary premolars were selected for this experimental in vitro study. The teeth were randomly assigned in to twelve groups ( n = 10). Group 1 received no preparation. All the premolars in other groups were root canal treated. In subgroups of 3 and 4, DO cavities were prepared while MOD cavities were prepared for all subgroups of group 2, the dimensions of the proximal boxes were kept uniform. In group 3 and 4 the dimensions of the mesial marginal ridge were measured using a digital Vernier caliper as 2 mm, 1.5 mm, 1 mm and 0.5 mm in the respective subgroups. All samples in groups 2.2 and all the subgroups of 3 were restored with a dentin bonding agent and resin composite. The teeth in group 2.3 and all subgroups of 4 were restored with composite reinforced with Ribbond fibers. The premolars were submitted to axial compression up to failure at 45 degree angle to a palatal cusp in universal testing machine. The mean load necessary to fracture was recorded in Newtons and the data was analysed. RESULTS: There was a highly significant difference between mean values of force required to fracture teeth in group 1 and all subgroups of group 2, 3 and 4 (i.e., P < 0.01) CONCLUSION: On the basis of static loading, preserving the mesial marginal ridge with thicknesses of mm, 1.5 mm, 1 mm and 0.5 mm, composite restored and Ribbond reinforced composite restored maxillary premolars can help preserve the fracture resistance of teeth.