Quality Assessment of Systematic Reviews of Temporomandibular Joint Ankylosis Surgical Treatment Outcomes.

AIM: Temporomandibular joint ankylosis (TMJA) management involves many surgical treatment modalities depending on the experience of the operator. A lot of literature has been published on various treatment modalities. Many systematic reviews (SRs) were published without any published prior protocol. So, the study aimed to evaluate the quality of SRs with meta-analysis of TMJA management. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Systematic reviews with meta-analysis were included for the quality assessment using AMSTAR (assessment of multiple SRs) and Glenny et al. checklist by two independent teams. The search was limited to the Medline database archival (from January 1980 to December 2018). RESULTS: The primary search identified 1,507 related articles. After activation of different filters, abstracts screening, and cross-referencing, finally, a total of six studies were assessed to make the overview up-to-date. CONCLUSION: The articles scored 8 to 11 with AMSTAR and 7 to 13 with the Glenny et al. checklist. None of the published reviews received maximum scores. The methodology and heterogeneity are essential factors to assess the quality of the published literature. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: None of the included meta-analysis was registered or published protocol with Prospero or Cochrane before publication for better validity of the studies. The authors are advised to follow reporting criteria so that in the future it is possible to provide the standards of care for TMJA with the highest quality of evidence.

Role of Synthetic Hydroxyapatite-In Socket Preservation: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Since a long time, the preservation of the socket is emphasized for various reasons. Many studies have suggested the ridge preservation through socket grafting using various bone graft substitute materials (GSMs). But none of the studies suggested the material of choice for the grafting. So, the systematic review was planned to analyze the outcomes of synthetic hydroxyapatite (SHA) graft material for socket preservation. The review was aimed to determine the existing evidence for the use of SHA GSM for grafting and its usefulness. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The literature search was performed for the studies published in the English language independently by all four authors (search team) in the Medline database through the PubMed search engine for the past 5 years. The study involved predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria for the search. The final lists of clinical trials were analyzed to determine the existing evidence and suggested the mechanism of action. REVIEW RESULTS: The search resulted in 117 titles. After application of inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of seven studies were found eligible for this systematic review. Out of seven, two studies were found eligible for meta-analysis whereas remaining included for the systematic review. CONCLUSION: The meta-analysis favors socket grafting compared to control in terms of preservation of existing bone height and width. The SHA grafting showed successful bone regeneration with less connective tissue component. The histomorphometric evaluation showed a good bone regeneration associated with SHA than xenograft. Within the limitations of this meta-analysis, the synthetic GSM can be used for socket grafting. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: In the wake of increasing graft materials in the market and different origin raw material sources for the preparation of graft materials, clinicians are in dilemma for selection and its use. The success of grafting depends on the selection of appropriate material with a suitable calcium/phosphate (Ca/P) ratio. The review provided available evidence for the use of SHA.

Role of Nanotechnology in Dentistry: Systematic Review.

AIM: This systematic review aimed to provide an overview of role of nanotechnology in dentistry and to evaluate its applicability in prevention and treatment of oral diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic literature search was conducted in 2 electronic databases - PMC and Cochrane. The search was restricted to the articles published during the last 5 years. First-level screening was done to select articles for the review on the basis of title and abstract. Then, full texts of selected articles were studied, and relevant articles were selected to be included in this review. Articles selected were critically appraised to evaluate their quality. RESULTS: Literature search revealed 837 articles in PMC, 15 in Clinical trial register of US National library, and 43 in Cochrane. Additional 6 articles were identified by hand search. Eleven clinical trials were included in this review. CONCLUSION: Advancement in nanotechnology has greatly influenced dental disease prevention and therapy significantly.

Adult Immunization - Need of the Hour.

Immunization is the process of making individuals immune. Childhood immunization is a common process for various aliments, but adult immunization in the Indian scenario is obscure. Officially, India has been declared polio-free, which is an achievement despite cultural, political, economic, geographic, and so many other factors. The changing demographics of adult, geriatric population and growing cost of health-care maintenance are a concern in developing countries like India. Thus, promoting healthy lifestyle needs prevention, early detection, and management of various diseases and disorders. Certainly, prevention in adults is yet to be tapped completely, so that goal of 100% prevention can be achieved. Various fraternities of medical association have come up with guidelines for adult immunization schedules in India. The present paper reviews infectious diseases such as anthrax, chikungunya, cholera, dengue, influenza, and malaria in this section of the review. We humbly request all health-care professionals and educators to educate the mass for adult immunization. So that, cost involved for treatment and workforce for the management of diseases can be better utilized in some other needed areas.

Cu-sil Denture- A Space Maintainer for Function- In Paediatric Patients.

The purpose of this report is to introduce Cu-sil like denture as a functional space maintainer. Here, we report two paediatric cases treated with Cu-sil like denture with multiple edentulous spaces and partially erupted/compromised permanent teeth. Cu-sil like denture not only serves as removable partial functional space maintainer, but also restores the vertical dimension of occlusion, mastication and aesthetics in children. Cu-sil like denture is used in elderly patients who are not willing for extraction of remaining few healthy teeth in the oral cavity. This concept utilizes the remaining natural teeth in the arch, accommodates them within the denture through perforations made in the denture base. The gap between the denture base and the tooth is sealed using a resilient liner. Such denture is used for the paediatric age group in this report for functional rehabilitation temporarily. The report describes the pros and cons of the Cu-sil like denture use in children with technique of preparation along with review of literature.

An Evaluation of Fracture Strength of Zirconium Oxide Posts Fabricated Using CAD-CAM Technology Compared with Prefabricated Glass Fibre Posts.

Post and core therapy is regarded as the treatment of choice for restoring severely damaged endodontically treated teeth. Critical control of endodontic materials in the coronal third of the canal and pulp chamber is essential in order to maintain its colour and translucency. In addition to this, the duplication of the optical characteristics of an intact tooth, including shade translucency and fluorescence is often made difficult by the use of metal infrastructures. As a result of this tooth colored posts have gained popularity especially in aesthetic areas. Besides aesthetics, the post is also responsible for transmitting the occlusal forces to the remaining tooth structure making the mechanical properties of the post critical. However, there is no clear consensus regarding an ideal system as far as strength of the post is concerned. Hence this study aims to analyses and compares the fracture strength of traditional prefabricated glass fibre posts with zirconium oxide posts constructed using CAD CAM technology.