The effectiveness of Moringa oleifera in the preservation of periodontium after radiation therapy: An experimental animal study.

Background: Radiation therapy produces reactive oxygen species, which have been linked to various degenerative conditions in periodontal attachment. This study aimed to assess the beneficial effects of aqueous Moringa oleifera leaf extract on the periodontium of albino rats exposed to fractionated gamma radiation. Materials and methods: This experimental study involved 24 adult male albino rats divided into three groups: Group M received M. oleifera leaf extract (300 mg/kg) intraperitoneally for 14 days; Group R received 20 Gy fractionated gamma irradiation; and Group MR received the same M. oleifera regimen as Group M and then fractionated gamma irradiation dose as Group R. On the first and seventh days post-radiation, bone, cementum, and periodontal ligament samples were histologically and histomorphometrically examined. Results: The periodontal ligament, alveolar bone, and cementum showed structural damage in Group R. A relative persistence of normal periodontal tissue structures was seen in Group MR, showing less disruption of the periodontal ligament and greater trabecular bone thickness than Group R. The histomorphometric analysis showed that the mean periodontal ligament width was highest in Group R7 (245.20 µm) and lowest in Group M7 (54.55 µm). In addition, the mean cementum width was highest in Group R1 (88.99 µm) and lowest in Group M1R1 (17.87 µm) and differed significantly between groups. Conclusion: Within the limitations of this study, Moringa oleifera leaf aqueous extract showed the potential to reduce the adverse effects of radiation, control inflammation, and support tissue healing in a rat model.

Comparative Assessment of Three Different Alveolar Ridge Dimension Measurement Methods before Implant Placement: An In Vivo Study.

AIM: The purpose of this study was to compare the three various techniques for measuring the alveolar ridge's dimensions prior to implant insertion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For this study, a total of 36 participants were chosen. To prepare a surgical stent, a study model was created from an alginate impression. A first point (reference point) was marked on the crest of the ridge in relation to the adjacent teeth. Then, one point (point 1) and another point (point 2) were marked at distances of 3 and 6 mm, respectively, from the reference point. Based on the procedure for measuring the size of the alveolar ridge, the study was divided into the following groups. Group I: Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) measurement method; Group II: Ridge mapping measurement method; Group III: Direct caliper measurements method. Descriptive statistics were used to estimate the mean and standard deviation (SD). The Student's unpaired t-test was utilized for the statistical analysis. The 5% level of significance was used. RESULTS: There was no significant difference found between CBCT with ridge mapping and direct caliper measurements. However, on comparison of ridge mapping and direct caliper measurements technique, at point 1, the ridge mapping was 3.88 ± 0.12 and the direct caliper measurement was 3.62 ± 0.08. At point 2, the ridge mapping was 6.58 ± 0.06 and the direct caliper measurement was 6.32 ± 0.04. There was a statistically significant difference found between these two measurement methods. CONCLUSION: Within the limitation, the current study came to the conclusion that when CBCT and ridge mapping measurements were individually compared with the gold standard-the surgical open method, CBCT-demonstrated to be a highly specific and sensitive method for detecting the residual alveolar ridge width in the treatment planning of dental implants. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Evaluation of alveolar bone is necessary during treatment planning for dental implant placement. Using simply panoramic and/or periapical radiographs to evaluate the bone may not be sufficient because it only provides two-dimensional information regarding the implant locations. Therefore, for better implant placement, three-dimensional information of the implant site, such as CBCT and ridge mapping technique, should be assessed.

Prosthetic Rehabilitation of a Maxillofacial Defect with Silicone Orbital Prosthesis: A Simplified Technique.

Rehabilitation of various maxillofacial defects is a time-consuming, complex, and overwhelming task requiring a patient-specific design and technique. Human face disfigurement involving loss of an eye enhances physical and emotional challenges. A wide range of various treatment modalities are being practiced over the period of time, with the recent one being use of ocular implants. Undoubtedly, an implant-supported orbital prosthesis has a superior outcome; it may not be as practical option considering the cost and availability, especially in economically constrained patients. The present case report describes a simplified technique for fabrication of an adhesive-retained silicone orbital prosthesis.

Innovative Technique for Fabrication of Forefinger Prosthesis.

Traumatic finger digit amputation may affect patient's psychology also along with a serious injury to the affected hand. Recently, advanced micro-surgical re-implantation can help save a damaged human finger that is badly injured and/or amputated. Considering its associated financial burden, a vast majority of such patients cannot afford it. For such patients, a hand/finger prosthesis may act as a blessing, boosting social performance. In the present case report, an innovative type of prosthesis finger replacement method is discussed.

Assessment of the Relationship between Maxillary Posterior Teeth and Maxillary Sinus Using Cone-Beam Computed Tomography.

Introduction: Because of the close contact between maxillary sinus and maxillary posterior teeth, procedural errors such as perforation of the sinus may occur during surgical intervention resulting in oroantral communication, which if not corrected, would develop into a fistula. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between maxillary posterior teeth and maxillary sinus floor in a population of the western area of Saudi Arabia, and if age, gender, and size may affect such distance. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study evaluated 539 cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) radiographs of patients over 20 years of age. Patients were divided into four groups according to age: group I (20-30 years), group II (31-40 years), group III (41-50 years), and group IV (more than 50 years). From coronal and sagittal images of CBCT, the vertical distance between the posterior maxillary root and the maxillary sinus was measured and classified according to its proximity to the maxillary sinus. Results: Gender and size did not significantly affect the distance between maxillary posterior root and maxillary sinus. However, there was a significant increase in this distance with increased age. Mesiobuccal root of the second molar was the nearest root to the maxillary sinus (0.8 ± 1.62, p < 0.001), while the buccal root of the first premolar was the farthest root (5.39 ± 3.26, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Regarding the population of this study, the buccal roots of the second molars are the closest to the sinus floor. Complications associated with maxillary molar extraction and implantation are greater at a younger age. Because the distance between posterior maxillary teeth and maxillary sinus was mostly type 1 (0-2 mm), clinicians are advised to perform CBCT to get a better understanding of the relationship between maxillary posterior roots and maxillary sinus before surgical intervention.