Evaluation of Lung Volume and Effect of Vital Staining as Motivation to Quit Tobacco among Nicotine Dependents of Kanpur, India

Abstract Objective: To quantify and compare respiratory functions and further screen the oral mucosa of tobacco and non-tobacco users. Material and Methods: First control group, non-tobacco users (n=55); Second group, smokers' group (n=168) who currently smoked cigarettes; Third group smokeless/chewing type, tobacco group (n=81); Fourth group, both smokeless and smoking type tobacco users (n=46). Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependences (FTND) and Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence-Smokeless Tobacco (FTND-ST) instruments were used to assess nicotine dependence. Subsequently, spirometry and Toluidine Blue (TB) vital staining were performed. Chi-squared and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used for statistical analysis. Results: Fagerstrom test resulted in 48.8% of subjects with low dependency, followed by an increase in nicotine dependency from low to moderate (29.2%), moderate (15.6%), and highly dependent (6.4%) groups. All respiratory function tests and oral screening confirmed significant changes amongst tobacco and non-tobacco users. The forced vital capacity of non-smoker group was significantly different from other tobacco users' group (p<0.05). Conclusion: Early effects of tobacco use can lead to complications with the respiratory system and oral cavity. Such data can be used to delineate the harm of tobacco and should be used to urge individuals to evade the utilization of tobacco (AU).

Comparative Evaluation of Apical Transportation and Canal Centric Ability in Apical Region of Newer nickel-titanium File Systems Using cone-beam computed tomography on Extracted Molars: An In Vitro Study.

BACKGROUND: Objective in root canal preparation is to develop a shape that tapers from apical to coronal, maintaining the original canal shape. With advent of instruments manufactured from nickel-titanium (NiTi) alloys, there was a significant improvement of quality of root canal shaping, with predictable results and less iatrogenic damage. AIM: The aim of the study was to evaluate the canal centric ability and apical transportation in apical region of newer NiTi file system in root canal using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) on extracted molars. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Root canal of thirty extracted human permanent teeth with mature root apices with 20°-40° of curvature were collected and divided into three groups after initial bio-mechanical preparation: Group 1: canal prepared using ProTaperNext (PTN) file system; Group 2: canal prepared using Mani silk system; and Group 3: canal prepared using V-taper file system. All samples were scanned before and after biomechanical preparation using CBCT. The data collected were evaluated using the Kruskal-Wallis analysis of variance test and Mann-Whitney U-test. RESULTS: It was observed that in apical region Group I (PTN) showed significantly lower mean apical transportation and canal centric ability as compared to Group II (Mani Silk) and Group III (V-taper). CONCLUSION: It was concluded that PTN rotary system has no canal transportation and maintained centric ability in comparison to Mani and V-taper rotary file system in apical region of curved root canal.

Comparative Evaluation of Pediatric Patients with Mental Retardation undergoing Dental Treatment under General Anesthesia: A Retrospective Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Behavioral management of patients forms one of the foremost components of pediatric dental treatment. Some children readily cooperate with dental treatment, while others require general anesthesia as a part of treatment protocol for carrying out various dental procedures. Hence, we evaluated the pediatric patients with and without mental retardation, who underwent dental treatment under general anesthesia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study analyzed the record of 480 pediatric patients reporting in the department of pedodontics from 2008 to 2014. Analysis of the records of the patients who underwent dental treatment under general anesthesia was done and all the patients were divided into two study groups depending upon their mental level. For the purpose of evaluation, the patients were also grouped according to their age; 4 to 7 years, 8 to 12 years, and 13 to 18 years. Measurement of decayed, missing, and filled teeth and scores for both deciduous and permanent dentition was done before and after the commencement of the dental treatment. Chi-square test and independent t-test were used for evaluating the level of significance. RESULTS: While comparing the patients in the two groups, maximum number of patients is present in the age group of 13 to 18 years. While comparing the indices' score between the two study groups in various age intervals, no statistically significant results were obtained. Restorative treatment and dental extractions were the most common dental treatments that were seen at a higher frequency in the intellectual disability study group. CONCLUSION: In patients with mental retardation, a higher frequency of restorative treatment and extractions occurs as compared to healthy subjects of similar age group. Therefore, they require special attention regarding maintenance of their oral health. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Special attention should be given for maintaining the oral health of patients with special health care needs as compared to their physically and mentally normal counterparts.

Oral health of preschool children in Dhanbad District, Jharkhand: A gander into the maternal behavior and practices.

INTRODUCTION: Mothers have an important role in taking decisions about their children's oral health. The study assessed the echelon of oral health behavior and practices of the mothers in relation to their preschool-aged children, which could possibly influence their oral health. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 312 mothers, selected randomly from eight blocks of Dhanbad District, Jharkhand State, by administering a structured questionnaire on oral health behavior and practices regarding oral health. RESULTS: The overall data indicated that the practices of mothers about oral health of their preschool children increased as their age increased, which was however, not statistically significant (P > 0.47). The mothers who had less than higher secondary school education and belonging to lower socioeconomic groups had poorer oral health practices and was found to be statistically significant (P < 0.002). CONCLUSION: The mothers ought to inculcate positive practices and perceptions about preventive oral health for themselves first, to be good role models for their children.