A Comparative Assessment of Peri-implant Soft and Hard Tissues with Immediate and Delayed Implants.

AIM AND OBJECTIVE: This study was done to assess peri-implant soft tissues and hard tissues in immediate and delayed titanium implants cases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted on 84 patients who were randomly divided into two groups. Group I was immediate implant group (42 patients) and group II was delayed implant group (42 patients). Parameters such as peri-implant esthetic score, crestal bone defect, and densitometry of peri-implant were evaluated after 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months. RESULTS: The mean peri-implant esthetic score at first week in group I was 7.4 and in group II was 5.8, at first month in group I was 6.8 and in group II was 4.6, at third month in group I was 6.7 and in group II was 4.5 and at sixth month in group I was 6.4 and in group II was 4.4. The difference was significant (p value < 0.05). The mean peri-implant crestal bone loss (mm) after 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months in group I was 0.24, 0.64, 0.86, and 1.04 and in group II was 0.28, 0.70, 0.94, and 1.14, respectively. The difference was nonsignificant (p value > 0.05). The mean peri-implant bone densitometry after 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months in group I was 52.4, 45.6, 42.4, and 40.2 and in group II was 64.2, 60.5, 55.2, and 47.6, respectively. The difference was significant (p value < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Instantaneous implants exhibited enhanced esthetic and purposeful result such as healing of peri-implant bone and peri-implant soft tissues when compared to delayed implants. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Immediate implants can be used to improve esthetic and determined result in healing of peri-implant bone and peri-implant soft tissues.

Assessment of Effectiveness of Erbium:Yttrium-Aluminum-Garnet Laser, GentleWave Irradiation, Photodynamic Therapy, and Sodium Hypochlorite in Smear Layer Removal.

AIM AND OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of erbium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser, GentleWave irradiation, photodynamic therapy (PDT), and sodium hypochlorite in smear layer removal and dentin permeability with a scanning electron microscope (SEM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-five recently extracted single-rooted teeth (maxillary second premolars) were randomly divided into 5 groups of 15 each. Group I teeth was the control group in which conventional root canal preparation (RCP) [17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)] was done without laser irradiation, group II teeth underwent RCP and GentleWave™ treatment, group III teeth were subjected to Er:YAG laser irradiation, group IV uses low-level 660 nm (PDT), and group V samples were irrigated with 5.25% NaOCl. All samples were viewed under the SEM. Images at the coronal, middle, and apical part of the root canal were obtained at ×1000. A scoring system for smear layer removal and debris removal scoring was used for analysis. RESULTS: Smear layer removal was significantly higher at different points (coronal, middle, and apical area) in group I, followed by V, IV, II, and group III in declining order (p < 0.05). Intercomparison between the groups at different points indicates a significant difference in smear layer removal score between group I and group V at coronal, middle, and apical third. The result was not significant at coronal third and middle third, between group I and V, II and III, II and IV. The result was not significant at apical third between I and V, II and III, and II and IV (p < 0.05). Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and sodium hypochlorite are effective in smear layer removal followed by the Er-YAG laser technique. CONCLUSION: Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and NaOCl are effective in smear layer removal. Er:YAG laser-activated RCP was comparatively efficient in cleaning the smear layer and opening dentinal tubules. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Er:YAG laser-activated RCP was comparatively efficient in cleaning the smear layer and it can be used for effective removal of smear layer for clinical usage.

Impact of lockdown and COVID-19 on the learning status of postgraduate students during the pandemic in India: A questionnaire-based study.

Observations have suggested that during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, because of lockdown students who are in process of doing their thesis related work exhibit responses related to stress due to the fear of spread contagion and because of various limitations in performing thesis work, especially patient-oriented collection of data and clinical work. The present study aimed to determine various problems faced by the students in postgraduate courses for completing their thesis during pandemic. This was a prospective and cross-sectional study based on a questionnaire. This study was comprised of a total sample size of 300 postgraduate students of different disciplines in the health stream. The study was conducted between June 2021 and December 2021. The prepared study questionnaire was sent to postgraduates by use of electronic mail. Of the total selected students, 280 had responded with complete answers to the questionnaire. Collected data were entered into a Microsoft Excel sheet and analyzed for percentage distribution. 50.7% of postgraduates were found in the age range of 26-30 years, 73.1% were female and 35.6% were in their final year of postgraduation. It was seen that 6.5% were unable to procure ethical approval due to the pandemic, and 43.1% were not able to get permission from the board due to the sudden pandemic. 64.9% were unable to collect data for their thesis, and 18% were unable to report to supervisors. 86.9% of postgraduates suffered from anxiety due to the inability to perform thesis work. 78.9% of postgraduate students had a decrease in motivation for a thesis and 89.1% suffered from anxiety. Due to the ongoing pandemic, postgraduate students are facing many problems in completing their thesis work. This resulted in anxiety and stress themselves.

Comparative Evaluation of Primary Stability of Two Different Types of Orthodontic Mini-Implants.

BACKGROUND: The mini-implants introduced new possibilities of adequate anchorage in orthodontics. Furthermore, due to its small size, it can even be placed at relatively difficult sites with ease. Removal torque should be high to prevent implant unscrewing. OBJECTIVE: This prospective clinical trial was aimed to evaluate the insertion torque and removal torque of single-threaded and double-threaded cylindrical orthodontic mini-implants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 36 cases were randomly divided into two groups, with an equal number of patients in each group (n = 18). In Group 1 single-threaded cylindrical mini-implant was placed, and in the other group, cylindrical implants with double-threaded were placed. Maximum insertion torque (MIT) and maximum removal torques (MRTs) were recorded for both groups. Data collected were subjected to statistical analysis. RESULTS: MIT was found to be significantly higher than MRT for both the groups and between the groups. Intergroup comparison in the present study showed significantly higher values for MIT than MRT. Intergroup comparison of MIT showed more values for Group 2 as compared to Group 1. Similar statistically significant values were seen in terms with MRT, where double-threaded cylindrical mini-implants had more torque value than the other group. CONCLUSIONS: Orthodontic mini screws represent effective temporary anchorage devices. Double-threaded cylindrical mini-implants have significantly higher insertion and removal torque than single-threaded mini-implants and hence better stability.

Psychological Impact on Maxillofacial Trauma Patients - An Observational Study.

Facial disfigurement due to trauma is very common as the face is a prominent part of the body and is susceptible to injuries. A protocol for the diagnosis and intervention for psychological problems of trauma patients should be implemented in the Indian hospitals as they lack policies for assessing the mental status of such patients. This study was conducted to analyze and determine the psychological implications and need for mental health services of maxillofacial trauma patients. Fifty patients with maxillofacial trauma above 18 years of age were included in this study. The assessment was done using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Trauma Screening Questionnaire (TSQ), which are considered as the standard tools for assessment of psychological disorders post-trauma. We observed psychological stress in 84% of the patients at the baseline, which reduced to 24% after one month at the first follow-up visit and further reduced to 22% at the second follow-up visit. The reduction in the percentage from the first to the second follow-up visit was less significant. However, the change in HADS and TSQ scores was found to be significant, suggesting that the intensity of trauma decreases with the time-lapse. Anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress are prevalent in patients with maxillofacial trauma, which may lead to impaired day-to-day life. Our results suggest that there is a need for psychological care in patients with maxillofacial trauma.

Bisphenol A in dental sealants and its estrogen like effect.

Bisphenol A or BPA-based epoxy resins are widely used in the manufacture of commercial products, including dental resins, polycarbonate plastics, and the inner coating of food cans. BPA is a precursor to the resin monomer Bis-GMA. During the manufacturing process of Bis-GMA dental sealants, Bisphenol A (BPA) might be present as an impurity or as a degradation product of Bis-DMA through esterases present in saliva. Leaching of these monomers from resins can occur during the initial setting period and in conjunction with fluid sorption and desorption over time and this chemical leach from dental sealants may be bioactive. Researchers found an estrogenic effect with BPA, Bis-DMA, and Bis-GMA because BPA lacks structural specificity as a natural ligand to the estrogen receptor. It generated considerable concern regarding the safety of dental resin materials. This review focuses on the BPA in dental sealants and its estrogen-like effect.