Trends, awareness, and attitudes of patients towards replacement of missing teeth at University College of Dentistry

This study was carried out among the out patients seen in the University College of Dentistry [UCD] with the aim to assess their trends and attitudes towards tooth replacement. Patients with at least one missing tooth [excluding the third molars] were included. The study was conducted using a questionnaire. Majority of the patients [n=180] did not have previous experience of any sort of prosthesis. Although most of the patients preferred to have fixed partial denture [n=195] some of them responded that they would be comfortable with removable partial denture [n=33]. Low felt need was the most common reason among this study group for delay in seeking dental replacement, while 5% patients were in the post extraction healing period. Dentists were found to be the most important d riving force for patient awareness regarding replacement of teeth. Majority of the patients agreed that dental visits should be regular. Some patients [8.8%] did not appreciate the importance of restoring teeth while 62.5% of the patients had the perception that artificial teeth were not equivalent to natural teeth

Complications associated with tooth supported fixed dental prosthesis amongst patients visiting University College of Dentistry Lahore

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to assess the complications associated with tooth supported fixed dental prosthesis amongst patients reporting at University College of Dentistry Lahore, Pakistan. An interview based questionnaire was used on 112 patients followed by clinical oral examination by two calibrated dentists. Approximately 95% participants were using porcelain fused to metal prosthesis with 60% of prosthesis being used in posterior segments of mouth. Complications like dental caries, coronal abutment fracture, radicular abutment fracture, occlusal interferences, root canal failures and decementations were more significantly associated with crowns than bridges [p=0.000]. On the other hand esthetic issues, periapical lesions, periodontal problems, porcelain fractures and metal damage were more commonly associated with bridges [p=0.000]. All cases of dental caries reported were associated with acrylic crown and bridges, whereas all coronal abutment fractures were associated with metal prosthesis [p=0.000]. A significantly higher number of participants who got their fixed dental prosthesis from other sources i.e. Paramedics, technicians, dental assistants or unqualified dentists had periapical lesions, decementations, esthetic issues and periodontal diseases. This association was found to be statistically significant [p=0.000]. Complications associated with fixed dental prosthesis like root canal failures, decementations, periapical lesions and periodontal disease were more significantly associated with prosthesis fabricated by other sources over the period of 5 to 10 years

Influence of volume of dental treatment on self reported oral health of patients visiting university college of dentistry Lahore

The aim of this study was to assess the influence of volume of dental treatment on self reported oral health of patients visiting University College of Dentistry Hospital, Lahore. A cross sectional study of 660 participants was conducted in the Department of Periodontology, University of Lahore from March 2011 to March 2012. An oral examination conducted by calibrated examiners was followed by administering a self complete questionnaire i.e. global oral health transition [GOHT] statement to indicate change in oral health related quality of life [OHRQoL]. A statistically significant greater proportion of people who had received six or more dental services in the past one year had a self-reported improvement in oral health than people who received less or no dental services [p=<0.01]. Of the putative confounders, the presence of oral disease at baseline [p=<0.01], having a treatment need [p<0.01] usually visiting a dentist with a problem [p<0.05] and having a lot of difficulty paying Rs 1000[$10] dental bill [p=<0.01] were significantly associated with oral health staying the same or worsening. Having six or more dental services was significantly associated with greater self-reported improvement in oral health than less than six dental services. Results provide important information to politicians, policy makers and administrators for allocating necessary resources to improve population OHRQoL

Effects of tobacco chewing on oral health status of patients visiting university college of dentistry, Lahore

This cross sectional study was designed to evaluate the effects of tobacco chewing on oral health status of patients visiting University College of Dentistry Hospital of the University of Lahore between October 2011 to March 2012. A purposive sampling of 200 individuals was selected and subjects were divided into 2 groups: tobacco chewers [n=100] and non-tobacco chewers [n=100] age ranged between 18 to 55 years. A structured questionnaire was used to collect history by two calibrated dentists who later examined the oral conditions. A statistically significant difference was found between tobacco chewers and non tobacco chewers with respect to mean values of missing teeth [M] and overall DMFT [p=<0.01]. Thirty eight [38%] percent tobacco chewers had some kind of oral mucosal lesion compared to only 6% oral mucosal lesions of non-tobacco chewers. This association between tobacco chewing and oral mucosal lesions was found to be statistically significant with p=0.000. Tobacco chewers had more calculus, shallow pockets [<4mm] and deep pockets [>6mm] as compared to non-tobacco chewers p=0.000. There was however no significant difference found between tobacco chewers and non tobacco chewers with respect to bleeding on probing p=0.445. The results of study suggest that tobacco chewing causes deleterious effects on oral tissues, teeth and thus enhance the risk of periodontal disease. Strict policies based on common risk factor approach need to be adopted by the health authorities to reduce the burden of general and oral diseases