Effect of unintentional periapical extrusion of metapex in immature teeth- a case report.

The paper discusses a case of an immature premolar tooth with a large periapical lesion, in which Metapex (calcium hydroxide paste containing iodoform and barium sulphate as a radiopacifier) was used. There was an un-intentional extrusion of calcium hydroxide during application. The patient was evaluated for periapical healing at 12 and 24 months. The follow up revealed that the accidental extrusion of metapex did not have any detrimental effect on periapical healing. However, delayed resorption of Metapex as well as healing of the periapical lesion may be attributed to the presence of BaSO4 and iodoform as compared to plain Calcium hydroxide.

Dentin hypersensitivity following tooth preparation: A clinical study in the spectrum of gender.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to estimate and compare the incidence of dentin hypersensitivity among men and women in an adult population who required replacement of missing tooth/teeth with a fixed partial prosthesis (FPD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study population included 124 subjects (62 men and 62 women), who visited the out-patient department in need of FPD for replacement of missing teeth. After conducting routine examinations, each abutment tooth received two stimuli: Tactile and thermal to assess the sensitivity. The measurement of sensitivity was carried out by using a 10 cm visual analog scale before preparation and after preparation. The results were analyzed statistically using the Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: The results showed that women reported more dentin hypersensitivity than men before and after tooth preparation. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study demonstrated that women reported more dentin hypersensitivity than men before and after tooth preparation. More studies are needed to explore this nature on gender basis.

Correlation of oral hygiene practices, smoking and oral health conditions with self perceived halitosis amongst undergraduate dental students.

OBJECTIVE: The present study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of oral hygiene practices, smoking habits and halitosis among undergraduate dental students and correlating the oral hygiene practices, oral health conditions to the prevalence of self perceived oral malodour. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A self-administered questionnaire was distributed among 277 male and female students. A questionnaire was developed to assess the self-reported perception of oral breath, awareness of bad breath, timing of bad breath, oral hygiene practices, caries and bleeding gums, dryness of the mouth, smoking and tongue coating. RESULTS: The results indicate female students had better oral hygiene practices. Significantly less self-reported oral bad breath (P = 0.007) was found in female dental students (40%) as compared to their male counterparts (58%). It was found that smoking and dryness of mouth had statistically significant correlation with halitosis (P = 0.026, P = 0.001). Presence of other oral conditions such as tongue coating and dental caries and bleeding gums also showed higher prevalence of halitosis in dental students. CONCLUSION: A direct correlation exists between oral hygiene practices and oral health conditions with halitosis. Females exhibited better oral hygiene practices and less prevalence of halitosis as compared to male students.

An analysis of the vertical bone loss in edentulous mandibles by using the mental foramen as a reference: a radiographic study.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the amount of vertical bone loss in edentulous mandibles by using the mental foramen as a reference. METHOD: Ninety subjects who consisted of thirty dentulous (males I MD and females II FD) and sixty edentulous (males I ME and females II FE) subjects were selected and they were subjected to digital panoramic radiography. Among the dentulous subjects, in both the groups, the ratio between the height of the mandible and the distance from the mental foramen and the lower border of the mandible (A/B) were calculated by using inbuilt software. This ratio A/B was applied in the edentulous subjects to measure the original height of the mandible before resorption. The amount of vertical bone loss was then calculated. RESULTS: In the dentulous subjects, the A/B ratio in males was 2.94 and in females, it was 3.09. In the edentulous subjects, the vertical bone loss in males was 3.55mm and in females, it was 6.59mm. CONCLUSION: The ratio of the distance from the inferior border of the mandible to the superior border of the mandible(A) and the distance from the inferior border of the mandible to the inferior margin of the mental foramen (B) were less in the dentulous males than in the dentulous females. The comparison of the ratios was nonsignificant. The mean bone loss in edentulous females was found to be greater than the mean bone loss in edentulous males on comparison.

Utilization of dental care: An Indian outlook.

Oral health has a significant impact on the quality of life, appearance, and self-esteem of the people. Preventive dental visits help in the early detection and treatment of oral diseases. Dental care utilization can be defined as the percentage of the population who access dental services over a specified period of time. There are reports that dental patients only visit the dentist when in pain and never bother to return for follow-up in most cases. To improve oral health outcomes an adequate knowledge of the way the individuals use health services and the factors predictive of this behavior is essential. The interest in developing models explaining the utilization of dental services has increased; issues like dental anxiety, price, income, the distance a person had to travel to get care, and preference for preservation of teeth are treated as barriers in regular dental care. Published materials which pertain to the use of dental services by Indian population have been reviewed and analyzed in depth in the present study. Dental surgeons and dental health workers have to play an adequate role in facilitating public enlightenment that people may appreciate the need for regular dental care and make adequate and proper use of the available dental care facilities.

Comparative evaluation of microleakage of various retrograde filling materials: An in vitro study.

OBJECTIVE: The present study is envisaged to evaluate and compare the microleakage of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) with commonly used retrograde filling materials, like light-cured composite with dentin-bonding agents, light-cured glass ionomer cement (LC GIC) and resin-modified zinc oxide eugenol. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety freshly extracted non-carious single-rooted human anterior teeth were used in the study. They were randomly divided into four experimental groups and two control groups of 15 each. Following the biomechanical preparation, all teeth were obturated and then the apices of the obturated teeth were resected by removing 3 mm of each apex at 90° to the long axis of the tooth with a straight fissure bur in a high-speed air-rotor handpiece with water coolant. A 3-mm-deep root end cavity was prepared and the root end fillings were placed as per the manufacturer's instructions and according to the groups divided. The samples were then immersed in 1% methylene blue at room temperature for 72 h, 96 h and 1 week and the dye penetration was measured. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: All the four materials used in the study showed some microleakage throughout the experimental period. The sealing ability in terms of microleakage can be summarized as: MTA > Composite resin with dentin bonding agent > LC GIC > Resin modified zinc oxide eugenol.