Evaluating the difference in perception of the Akinosi technique among dentistry students: A comparison between theoretical and practical learning.

INTRODUCTION: Effective pain control is crucial in dental practice; thus, local anesthetic techniques have been extensively taught. The Halstead technique is the most commonly used inferior alveolar nerve block despite its relatively high failure rate. On the other hand, the Vazirani‒Akinosi technique (VAT) is less commonly taught. This study evaluated changes in final-year students' perceptions of VAT after a period of active learning. METHODS: This prospective randomized study was performed in 2022 and included fifth-year dental students (n = 91). The study group (n = 49) received practical VAT training during oral surgery internships, whereas the control group (n = 42) did not. A Likert-scale questionnaire assessed students' perceptions, theoretical knowledge, and difficulty levels. An independent sample t-test was used for comparison and the statistical significance level was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: The survey response rate was 100%. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences between the groups for seven of the 12 questionnaire statements (p < 0.05). Overall, perception scores favored the study group, indicating a more positive response. The statements related to theoretical knowledge, except for one statement, showed no significant differences (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Practical training significantly improved students' perceptions of VAT, demonstrating the importance of active learning in dental education. Faculties should integrate active learning methods to enhance students' clinical skills and prepare them for professional practice.

Comparison of Surgical Drain Placement With Use of Kinesiologic Tape on Postoperative Pain, Swelling, and Trismus in Impacted Mandibular Third Molar Surgery.

PURPOSE: The aim of this prospective study was to compare the effects of a surgical tube drain with kinesiologic tape (KT) application on postoperative complications such as trismus, swelling, and pain after impacted third molar surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This single-center, randomized study included 90 patients divided into 3 groups. After impacted third molar removal, 30 patients were treated with a tube drain (drain group), 30 patients were treated with KT application (KT group), and 30 patients were treated with a routine surgical operation and no extra procedure (control group). RESULTS: A total of 29 male and 61 female patients were included. Mouth opening was greatest in the drain group over a period of 7 days. Patients in the control group had more pain than those in the drain and KT groups. No statistically significant difference was found in terms of pain and swelling between the drain and KT groups over the 7-day period of the study. The tube drain was found to improve patients' quality-of-life compared with the KT and control groups. CONCLUSIONS: Although the effects of a tube drain and KT in terms of pain and swelling were similar, the tube drain was more effective in reducing postoperative complications.

A prospective split-mouth clinical study: comparison of piezosurgery and conventional rotary instruments in impacted third molar surgery.

PURPOSE: Our purpose was to compare the effects of piezosurgery and conventional rotary instruments on postoperative pain, swelling, trismus, and patients' comfort after mandibular third molar surgery. METHODS: Thirty patients (27 women and 3 men) with bilateral impacted mandibular third molars were included in this split-mouth clinical study. Sixty impacted third molars were divided into a control group (n = 30), in which the osteotomies were performed using a conventional rotary handpiece technique and an experimental group (n = 30), in which the osteotomies were done by piezosurgery technique. Duration of the procedure was recorded. Postoperative pain was assessed using a visual analogue scale (VAS). All the patients were given a form containing verbal rating scale for evaluating the swelling. Trismus was evaluated using a caliper at maximum mouth opening (cm). In postoperative seventh day, patients were asked to fill a global quality of life (QoL) scale as well. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in postoperative pain, trismus, and swelling between control and experimental groups (p > 0.05). However, time of the procedure increased in control group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Piezosurgery is a safe way for performing the osteotomies during third molar surgery. However, regarding the postoperative morbidity, it does not have an advantage over conventional rotary instruments. Piezosurgery took longer to complete the osteotomy than the rotary handpiece technique.

Acutely infected teeth: to extract or not to extract?

Not only laymen but also dentists generally believe that extraction of acutely infected teeth should be avoided until the infection subdues by using systemic antibiotics. The aim of this study was to compare perioperative complications in routine extractions of acutely infected teeth with extractions of asymptomatic teeth. This prospective study was performed with 82 patients. Severe pain on percussion of the relevant tooth was considered as basic criteria for acute infection. The acutely infected teeth were labeled as the study group (n = 35) and the asymptomatic teeth as the control group (n = 47). The extractions were done using standard procedures. The amount of anesthetic solution used and duration of extractions were recorded. Postoperative severe pain and exposed bone with no granulation tissue in the extraction socket were indications of alveolar osteitis (AO). The level of statistical significance was accepted as 0.05. Symptoms that could indicate systemic response, including fever, fatigue, and shivering were not found. There was no statistically significant difference between groups in terms of AO, amount of anesthetic solution used, and duration of extraction. The presence of an acute infection characterized by severe percussion pain is not a contraindication for tooth extraction. Infected teeth should be extracted as soon as possible and the procedure should not be postponed by giving antibiotics.

Acutely infected teeth: to extract or not to extract?

Abstract: Not only laymen but also dentists generally believe that extraction of acutely infected teeth should be avoided until the infection subdues by using systemic antibiotics. The aim of this study was to compare perioperative complications in routine extractions of acutely infected teeth with extractions of asymptomatic teeth. This prospective study was performed with 82 patients. Severe pain on percussion of the relevant tooth was considered as basic criteria for acute infection. The acutely infected teeth were labeled as the study group (n = 35) and the asymptomatic teeth as the control group (n = 47). The extractions were done using standard procedures. The amount of anesthetic solution used and duration of extractions were recorded. Postoperative severe pain and exposed bone with no granulation tissue in the extraction socket were indications of alveolar osteitis (AO). The level of statistical significance was accepted as 0.05. Symptoms that could indicate systemic response, including fever, fatigue, and shivering were not found. There was no statistically significant difference between groups in terms of AO, amount of anesthetic solution used, and duration of extraction. The presence of an acute infection characterized by severe percussion pain is not a contraindication for tooth extraction. Infected teeth should be extracted as soon as possible and the procedure should not be postponed by giving antibiotics.