Finger prosthesis: A novel way to restore the form, function, and esthetics.

Key Clinical Message: A well-customized prosthesis with a life-like esthetic and function are the primary determining factors for its acceptance and success. RTV silicones can prove to be very effective and useful in fabricating such prosthesis. Abstract: Complete or partial finger amputations impact an individual's psychological and physical well-being and are considered the most frequently observed pattern of hand loss. A customized prosthesis offers the patient rehabilitative, functional, and psychological advantages. Retention is the key to the success of such prosthetic restoration. The present case report describes a novel technique that utilizes passive vacuum fit and mechanical retention to restore controlled function movements as a metal wire framework. The procedure was economical, most importantly, produced life-like anatomy of the missing digit and restored the function to some extent.

Coronavirus: An emerging and future challenge for dental clinicians.

The first case of pneumonia of unknown origin was identified in Wuhan, the capital city of Hubei province situated in the Republic of China. The pathogenic organism that has been identified as a causative organism is a novel enveloped RNA betacoronavirus which has been designated as' severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus- 2 (SARS-CoV-2). This virus has been found to have a similar phylogeny to SARS-CoV. The novel Coronavirus or COVID-19 can be symptomized through clinical manifestations like- Pyrexia or fever, Cough, Dyspnea/difficulty in breathing, Myalgia/muscle pain, and constant fatigue. In the later stages, these symptoms worsen leading to severe pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, sepsis, and multiple organ failure. These days, this pandemic is emerging as a major threat for dental health-care professionals. The dental surgeons are at greater risk of novel coronavirus infections due to direct contact with infected patients and exposure to contaminated blood, saliva, and other body fluids. This article deals with viral structure, clinical symptoms, and modes of transmission, recommended measures to prevent its spread in dental operatories.

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.

Cancer stem cells and field cancerization of head and neck cancer - An update.

Oral cancer results due to multiple genetic alterations that transform the normal cells in the oral cavity into neoplastic cells. These genetic changes in a particular tumor field lead to a rapid expansion of preneoplastic daughter cells producing malignant phenotype but the malignancy results due to such genetic changes occurr over several years. The morphological changes in these transformed cells help in the diagnosis of malignancy. Thus, the early changes at the gene level are present in the population of daughter cells in the organ, which explains the concept of field cancerization. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) represent a group of cells that have the capacity of self-renewal and have the potential to differentiate into other types of tumor cells. This review explains the cellular and genetic basis of field cancerization and the role of cancer stem cells in field cancerization.

The medicolegal importance of establishing human identity by using dactyloscopy and rugoscopy: A comparative study.

BACKGROUND: Palatal rugae are irregular and asymmetric mesenchymal ridges that extend in a lateral direction away from the incisive papilla and mid-palatine raphe. Their unique characteristics and environmental stableness justify their inclusion in forensic investigations. Dermatoglyphics or fingerprint patterns are epidermal ridges, which are genetically controlled and are specific to an individual. Hence they are used as a forensic tool. OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to assess the reliability of Rugoscopic and Dermatoglyphic patterns for gender identification. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 200 subjects were recruited in this prospective study. All subjects were between the age range of 18 and 55 years. The subjects were categorized into 100 males and 100 females. Fingerprint dermatoglyphic patterns were recorded using stamp pad, ink, and A4 size white sheets. A subject's fingers were pressed onto the stamped ink pad and lightly pressed over a sheet of paper. Obtained patterns were coded and analyzed as per Galton's criteria into arch, loop, and whorl patterns. Palatal rugae patterns were obtained by making alginate impression material and impression trays. Obtained casts were analyzed for rugae pattern analysis using Kapali's classification. An unpaired t test was used as a statistical tool. RESULTS: On analyzing dermatoglyphic patterns, the arch pattern was most common among male subjects, whereas loop pattern was found to be most common among females. On rugoscopic pattern analysis, Straight pattern was most frequent among males, whereas the circular pattern was common among females. CONCLUSION: A statistically significant difference was noted between gender and rugoscopic patterns (P = 0.02) and dermatoglyphic patterns (P = 0.03).

Effect of heat sterilization and chemical method of sterilization on the polyvinyl siloxane impression material. A comparative study.

BACKGROUND: Dental impression is a crucial part of the process of constructing a well-fitting prosthesis. In the clinical scenario, impressions can act as a vehicle for the transfer of bacteria and fungi. Therefore, an attempt was made to evaluate the dimensional accuracy of the newly introduced polyvinyl siloxane (PVS) impression material upon autoclaving and comparing it to the traditional means of chemical disinfection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional comparative in vitro study was conducted. Three groups were made for testing different sterilization methods. The sample size for the study was kept as 30 observations in each of the three groups. Test samples were prepared by making an impression of the die using the putty-wash technique. Statistical analysis was done by applying unpaired t-test, paired t-test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and post hoc Tukey's honestly significant difference (HSD). RESULTS: Initial mean of samples of group I were compared to A (actual measurement of metal ruled block = 24.960), a dimensional change of 1.6% was found. Similarly, in group II, a change of 1.59% was found and in group III the change was 1.7%. There was mean shrinkage of 24.557 mm in group I, 24.586 mm in group II, and 24.535 mm in group III and these changes were found statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Dimensional changes in the impression material after disinfection with 2% glutaraldehyde were considered high compared to autoclaving and, hence, it may not be advisable to disinfect this material with 2% glutaraldehyde.

Influence of Implant Neck Design on Crestal Bone Loss: A Comparative Study.

BACKGROUND: The success rate of dental implants depends on the amount of crestal bone around the implants. Crestal module is the transosteal region of implant that is designed to receive the prosthetic component. The design of crestal module influences the crestal bone loss around implants. AIM: The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the crestal bone loss around implants with smooth collar and implants with micro threaded rough collar design. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 150 individuals received 100 dental implants. Each individual received one implant with smooth collar design (Group-A) and one implant with microthreaded rough collar design (Group-B) in the posterior edentulous region. All the 100 implants were prosthetically loaded after a healing period of 3 months. Crestal bone loss was measured on mesial, distal, buccal, and lingual side of each implant using periapical radiographs before loading (baseline), immediately after loading, 6, and 12 months after loading. RESULTS: The average crestal bone loss 12 months after loading the implants in Group A and Group B was 3.75 mm and 3.23 mm, respectively, the value being statistically significant (P < 0.05). In both Group A and Group B, the average crestal bone loss was maximum on the lingual side followed by buccal, distal, and mesial sides. CONCLUSION: Crestal bone loss around rough-surfaced microthreaded neck implants was significantly lower than smooth-surfaced neck implants.

A comparative rugoscopic study of the dentate and edentulous individuals in the South Indian population.

UNLABELLED: This study analyzes the rugae pattern in dentulous and edentulous patients and also evaluates the association of rugae pattern between males and females. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: This study aims to investigate rugae patterns in dentulous and edentulous patients of both sexes in South Indian population and to find whether palatoscopy is a useful tool in human identification. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four hundred outpatients from Sree Balaji Dental College and Hospital, Chennai, were included in the study. The study group was equally divided between the sexes, which was further categorized into 100 dentulous and edentulous patients, respectively. RESULTS: The edentulous male showed the highest mean of wavy pattern and total absence of circular pattern while the edentulous female group showed the highest mean of curved pattern and total absence of nonspecific pattern, while dentate population showed similar value as that of the overall population such as straight, wavy, and curved patterns. CONCLUSION: The present study concludes that there is similar rugae pattern of distribution between male and female dentate population while there is varied pattern between the sexes of edentulous population. However, the most predominant patterns were straight, wavy, and circular patterns.