Utilization of Probiotics Among Dental Students: A KAP Study.

Aim: The aim of the study is to know about the awareness of probiotics among undergraduate dental students. Materials and Methods: We conducted cross-sectional research where we had distributed a questionnaire consisting of ten open-ended questions, among 150 dental students through emails. The questions were based on the utilization of probiotics in dentistry. The data obtained was statistically analyzed with the help of Chi-square test. Results: In our study, we noted that most of the participants were aware of the term probiotics and had general ideas but were not fully aware of its pathogenesis. Around 83.2% of the participants were aware of probiotics and general concepts. We also noted that only 42.5% of the students agreed that probiotics can be used in the management of halitosis as well as periodontitis. Conclusion: We concluded that most of the dental students had a lack of awareness as well as were not familiar with the usage of probiotics in dentistry.

Role of general anesthetic agents in postoperative nausea and vomiting: A review of literature.

Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is considered to be the most unpleasant experience associated with surgery and is believed to be one of the most common reasons for poor patient satisfaction in the postoperative period. It also results in prolonged hospitalization and increased use of resources such as intravenous fluids and drug supplements along with prolonged medical attention, all of which have psychological and financial implications. In addition to this, PONV can result in aspiration, laryngospasm, dehydration, electrolyte disturbances, gastric bleeding, increased intracranial pressure, increased intraocular pressure, and wound dehiscence particularly when the surgical intervention is performed through an intraoral approach. It is a well-known fact that there are many etiological factors as well as predisposing factors for PONV. Hence, this review is intended to evaluate as an individual factor what the role was played by the anesthetic agents used for GA in the incidence of PONV.

Quandary in Diagnosing Peripheral Ossifying Fibroma and Pyogenic Granuloma: A Case Report with Mini Review.

The soft tissues of the oral cavity are constantly subjected to microtrauma due to various factors. The gingiva in particular reacts to these beyond a point resulting in reactive hyperplastic lesions. Amongst these, the pyogenic granuloma and the peripheral ossifying fibroma are the most common clinical entities. Since they have a similar clinical presentation but diverse histomorphologic illustrations, it was advocated that there exists an interrelation between these two reactive fibrous overgrowths. Hence, this paper is intended to abolish the quandary in diagnosing peripheral ossifying fibroma and pyogenic granuloma.

Knowledge and Apprehension of Dental Health Professionals Pertaining to COVID in Southern India: A Questionnaire Study.

AIM: This study was intended to evaluate the knowledge and apprehension of dental health professionals pertaining to COVID-19. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional survey, a self-administered questionnaire survey was used to validate the dental health professional's knowledge and apprehension pertaining to COVID-19. In this regard, a preliminary study with a convenience sample of 124 dentists working in various clinics in southern India was conducted so as to evaluate the knowledge and apprehension of dentists related to COVID-19 in India. This study, while limited in sample size, benefits the general practitioners as target readers to assess the awareness pertaining to COVID-19. RESULTS: The results of this study reveal that there exists a good knowledge among dental health professionals pertaining to the COVID-19 virus and its oral manifestations in addition to the precautions to be taken for the prevention of COVID-19 in a clinical setup. However, there exists an apprehension as well as lack of awareness pertaining to the laboratory test to be carried out in a patient suspected with COVID-19 infections as well as the role of a mouthwash and the management of contaminated air in the dental clinic. CONCLUSION: The results elicited that there is a dearth of knowledge and relatively a fair apprehension among dental health professionals pertaining to COVID-19.

Evaluation of the Efficacy of Regional Anesthesia and Intramuscular Diclofenac in the Management of Postoperative Pain: A Comparative Study.

AIM: Managing postoperative pain following maxillofacial surgery is an important task. Our study aims to compare this with regional anesthesia or IM diclofenac. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 30 patients who underwent bi-jaw orthognathic surgery between April 2016 and January 2020. Two groups were formed. Group A was administered inferior alveolar nerve block at the surgical site bilaterally using 0.5% ropivacaine and Group B were administered 75 mg intramuscular diclofenac just before extubation. Tramadol HCl 2 mg/kg body wt is used as a rescue analgesic. The pain was evaluated periodically at 2nd, 4th, 6th, and 12 h postoperatively. RESULTS: The mean Visual Analog Scale score was 2 in Group A and 5 in Group B. The mean duration of analgesia was 6 h 42 min, whereas in Group B, it was 8 h and 5 min. In 2 patients (13.3%) belonging to Group A and 3 patients (20%) belonging to Group B. There were no local complications in any group. CONCLUSION: It was observed that regional anesthesia in the form of intraoral nerve blocks was efficient than diclofenac (75 mg) administered intramuscularly for the management of immediate postoperative pain.

Esthetic Root Coverage by Subepithelial Connective Tissue Graft with Management of Repeated Rupture of Palatal Arterial Bleeding: A Rare Case Report.

Nowadays, patients are much concerned about esthetics of the oro-facial region. Gingival recession is considered as one of the major esthetic problems creating complex situations by compromising oral esthetics. This can be treated successfully by means of several mucogingival surgical procedures which can be used to accomplish satisfactory root coverage without any loss of interdental soft- and hard-tissue height. Grafts are also very useful in such scenarios. Our case reports the connective tissue graft technique used in the treatment of gingival recession. The objective of this case was to evaluate the efficacy of connective tissue graft (CTG) and also to mention the management of complications on the donor site.

Is Open Reduction and Internal Fixation Sacrosanct in the Management of Subcondylar Fractures: A Comparative Study.

PURPOSE: This paper is intended to compare and evaluate the better treatment option in the management of subcondylar fractures of the mandible. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 20 patients who were diagnosed clinically and radiologically to have sustained an isolated subcondylar fracture of the mandible. They were divided into two groups randomly. Group I included 10 patients who underwent treatment by intermaxillary fixation alone followed by active physiotherapy in the form of conservative management. Group II included 10 patients who underwent treatment by surgical intervention for open reduction and internal fixation under general anesthesia following elastic guidance. Factors such as maximal mouth opening, pain scores, and deviation of mandible on mouth opening were taken into consideration and evaluated. RESULTS: It is observed that the patients in Group I had weight loss and restrictions in their social well-being in the early recovery phase, in addition to delay in return to function. In spite of the early return to function, patients in Group II were subjected to all kinds of surgical complications such as transient facial nerve injury, infection, and unesthetic scar. The maximal mouth opening and deviation of the mandible on mouth opening remained almost the same in both groups. CONCLUSION: A regular follow up of operated patients post trauma is essential to obtain morphological and functional recovery. When the respective advantages and disadvantages of both treatment options were compared and evaluated, it was observed that patients treated by closed reduction had a better clinical and psychological outcome.

Corona virus disease bring a new challenge for the dentistry: A review.

An outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the 2019 novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) began in the city of Wuhan in China and has widely spread worldwide. While human strains of coronavirus (CoV) are associated with about 15% of cases of the common cold, the SARS-CoV-2 may present with varying degrees of severity, from flu-like symptoms to death. It is currently believed that this deadly CoV strain originated from wild animals at the Huanan market in Wuhan, a city in Hubei province. Bats, snakes, and pangolins have been cited as potential carriers based on the sequence homology of CoV isolated from these animals and the viral nucleic acids of the virus isolated from SARS-CoV-2 infected patients. Common clinical signs of the infection comprises of respiratory symptoms in the form of fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, infection results in pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure, and even death. Standard recommendations advocated to prevent spread of infection consist of frequent hand washing, covering mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing. This article, based on our experience and relevant guidelines and research, introduces essential knowledge about CoV in dental settings and provides recommended management protocols for dental practitioners affected areas.