An In-Vivo Comparative Study of the Soft Tissue Response and Esthetics of the Titanium Implant with Titanium Collar by Flapless and Conventional Flap Technique.

Background: These days, patients want quick results for tooth replacement and esthetic results. However, there is no direct correlation between the achievement of osseointegration and the outcome of successful treatment always. It is vital to sustaining peri-implant soft tissue health for extensive tenure success of the implant. Aim: The purpose of this trial was to determine, estimate, and compare the soft tissue retort and esthetics of the titanium implants with titanium collar at periodic intervals by flapless and conventional flap technique before and after prosthesis placement. Results: The difference in soft tissue indices namely, gingival index, plaque index, and the modified sulcular bleeding index was insignificant between the two implants placed by flapless and open flap technique 2. There was a significant difference amid the probing depths of the two implants after 3 months of prosthesis positioning where the implant placed by flapless technique showed lesser values as compared to the implant placed by the open flap technique 3. The esthetics of the soft tissues surrounding the titanium implant with titanium collar, when compared, presented a significant difference between the two techniques of implant placement. Conclusion: In conclusion, in recent advancements in dentistry, the flapless technique is becoming prominent because of procedure of minimally invasive surgery in implantology. There are advantages of early re-epithelialization and less inflammation around the soft tissue of the implant in the flapless procedure, provided that the prospective for the establishment of a fully functioning along with aesthetically desirable peri-implant soft tissue collar. The flapless technique accomplishes high degrees of gratification by the patients by shortening the surgery time and minimum invasion to both bone and soft tissue.

A Study to Assess Patients' Perception and Acceptance of Teledentistry for Care During the Covid-19 Pandemic.

Background: With the aim of preventing the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), teledentistry allows for the follow-up of patients who can be remotely monitored, decreasing patient mobilization and reducing the risk of virus dissemination. The aim of this cross-sectional pilot survey was to assess patients' perception and acceptance of a teledentistry program during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: Demographic characteristics of the patients were recorded, and a 24-question survey was completed. A Chi-square test and an analysis of variance (ANOVA) test were performed with a significance level set at P ≤ 0.05. Results: Forty-eight percent patients declared an interest in the use of a teledentistry. Furthermore, 45% participants preferred this type of visit to a conventional dental visit. Conclusion: Our study showed that teledentistry appears to meet the expectations and needs of our patients.

Evaluation of Electrosurgery and Diode Laser in Gingival Depigmentation.

Introduction: Gingival depigmentation is a surgical procedure done to eliminate or reduce gingival hyperpigmentation. Various techniques are employed such as scalpel de-epithelization, gingivectomy, electrosurgery, use of chemical agents, cryosurgery, and lasers. The present study was conducted to assess the efficacy of laser and electrosurgical procedure in reducing gingival pigmentation in terms of pain, wound healing, and recurrence of melanin pigmentation. Methodology: A prospective study was conducted on 40 subjects affected by melanin pigmentation. Group I patients were treated with electrosurgery and Group II patients with diode laser procedure. Evaluation for pain was done intraoperatively, 24 hours and 7 days using VAS. Wound healing and recurrence of pigmentation was assessed at one month and three months. Results: No significant difference was noted between the two groups for pain assessment at 7 days with P > 0.001. Both electrosurgery and laser group showed significant differences between intraoperative time period to 24 hours and 24 hours to 7 days at P < 0.001 for pain. Conclusion: Esthetic demands necessitate cosmetic gingival depigmentation procedure. Laser diode photoablation proves to be an effective and reliable technique in achieving the same.

Traumatic Ulcerations Frequencies and Postinsertion Adjustment Appointments in Complete Denture Patients.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The patient who is wearing a denture after missing teeth faces traumatic ulceration very frequently. This ulceration creates difficulties in denture wearing. Hence, this study aimed to evaluate the most common locations of traumatic injuries in form of ulcerations, their frequency, and also the duration and number of adjustment visits required to achieve patient comfort following placement of complete removable dentures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty edentulous patients were selected from a private clinic. Complete removable dentures were fabricated for all patients. All patients were evaluated for their complaints after denture insertion. Patients were followed up till the problem persisted. Descriptive analysis was done. Chi-squared test was used to differentiate the associations between lesions, postinsertion visits, and gender. RESULTS: About 85.62% of patients need denture adjustment because of mucosal injuries during their first visit following. Approximately four appointments are needed for maxillary and six appointments needed for mandibular denture. Male and female have no difference in the number of mucosal injuries in the anatomical area evaluated in the maxilla and mandible using Fisher's exact test (P > 0.05). Mandibular dentures need more appointments than maxillary dentures after post insertion (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The vestibule was the most common site for mucosal injuries which can be corrected by proper extension of denture flanges during border molding. Pressure indicator ink (arti spot) and paste is used to correct the overextended denture flanges.

A Comparative Assessment of the Effect of Professional Oral Hygiene Measures on the Periodontal Health of Patients Undergoing Fixed Orthodontic Appliance Therapy.

BACKGROUND: Fixed orthodontic treatment provides good alignment and improves the maxilla-mandibular and dentoalveolar function. The present study was conducted to evaluate fixed orthodontic patients' periodontal condition with professional oral hygiene measures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One-hundred and twenty patients undergoing fixed orthodontics were included in the study, divided with 60 patients in the control group (Group I) and the other 60 in the experimental group (Group II). Periodontal indices were compared. RESULTS: In Group I, there were 40 females and 20 males, and in Group II, there were 35 females and 25 males. The mean gingival index was 0.62 and 1.14, plaque index was 0.94 and 1.38, and pocket depth was 1.50 and 1.68 at T0 and T1 in Group I, respectively. The mean gingival index was 0.80 and 1.14, plaque index was 1.2 and 0.81, and pocket depth was 1.31 and 1.57 at T0 and T1 in Group II, respectively. CONCLUSION: For patients undertaking orthodontic fixed appliance therapy, professional oral hygiene measures can significantly improve periodontal health.

Comparative Evaluation of Marginal Bone Loss and Implant Failure Rate in Smokers and Nonsmokers.

BACKGROUND: Smoking impose various ill-effects on the alveolar bone concerning dental implants including reduced bone height, delayed healing of bone, poor peri-implant bone formation, increased bone loss, and peri-implantitis. AIMS: The present clinical trial was aimed to analyze the smoking effect on dental implant survival rate as well as marginal bone loss in dental implants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Out of 86 patients, Group I had 43 patients who were smokers and Group II had nonsmokers. Following the implant placement, marginal bone loss radiographically and mobility were assessed clinically at 3, 6, and 12 months after implant loading. RESULTS: The mean marginal loss seen in smokers at 3 months was 2.13 ± 0.21, 2.46 ± 0.09, 2.60 ± 0.0.92, and 2.74 ± 0.11 for maxillary anterior, maxillary posterior, mandibular anterior, and mandibular posterior regions, respectively. The 12-month recall visit showed a higher proportion of smokers having implant mobility. In smokers, 13.95% (n = 6) of the study participants had implant mobility, whereas 6.97% (n = 3) of the nonsmokers had mobility. CONCLUSION: Smoking is associated with long-term implant failure which is directly proportional to the duration ad frequency of smoking. Furthermore, smoking has a detrimental effect on dental implants and its surrounding bone.

Oral Health and Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Case Control Study.

INTRODUCTION: Association between oral health and rheumatoid arthritis is well established. Oral health-related quality of life was determined in patients diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted among 45 patients (males 25 and female 20) (Group I) of RA and 45 healthy participants as control (Group II). Disease activity score 28 test, health assessment questionnaire (HAQ), and general oral health assessment index (GOHAI) questionnaire were applied. RESULTS: The mean HAQ score in Group I was 1.14 and in Group II was 0.36. The mean GOHAI score in Group I was 36.4 and in Group II was 52.8. The mean HAQ in males was 0.94 and in females was 34.6. The mean GOHAI in males was 12.6 and in females was 38.2. In Group I, there were 15 patients with HAQ level 1 and 30 with HAQ level 2 and in Group II was 40 with HAQ levels 1 and 5 with HAQ level 2. In Group I, 42 had Dt GOHAI = 0 and 3 had Dt GOHAI = 1 and in Group II, 10 had Dt GOHAI = 0 and 35 had Dt GOHAI = 1. The difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in the mean value of HAQ and GOHAI in degree of disease activity (P < 0.05). There was an increase in HAQ and decreases GOHAI scores with the deterioration of disease. There was a correlation between age and involved joints with HAQ and inverse relationship between age and involved joints with GOHAI. CONCLUSION: Authors found that RA patients had poor oral health quality of life. It was found that aging and with the deterioration of disease, GOHAI, and the oral health quality of life of patients decreased.