Correlation of index finger length to vertical dimensions of occlusion for edentulous patients and their satisfaction: a randomized controlled trial.

The prevalence of edentulism is pandemic and people resort to complete dentures for the restoration of missing teeth and esthetics. However, the determination of the correct occlusal vertical dimensions (OVD) constitutes to play an important role in overall patient satisfaction. The objective of this study was to apply anthropometric methods to correlate the length of index finger (2D) to measure the OVD from base of the nose to the base of the chin (Sn-Me) and to assess satisfaction by comparing both the methods. A total of 80 edentulous patients were randomized and controlled for this trial into experimental and control groups. A correlation was found between Sn-Me and finger measurements, dentures' satisfaction was assessed after a 1-week follow-up and marked according to the Visual Analog Scale. Our findings established that finger measurements are greater among males, and in both genders, positive, and statistically significant correlations exist between the facial and finger length measurements. Moreover, 97.0% patients from experimental group were satisfied with the use of complete dentures through the new anthropometric method. Hence measuring the length of index finger can be an adjunct method for the restoration of OVD and is a relatively time-effective and simple method with a satisfactory follow-up.Trial registration: ID: NCT05153213 ( https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05153213 ).

Efficacy of Smear Layer Removal at the Apical One-Third of the Root Using Different Protocols of Erbium-Doped Yttrium Aluminium Garnet (Er:YAG) Laser.

Background and Objectives: Smear layer forms during cleaning and shaping can obstruct the entry of both irrigant and sealant into the dentinal tubules, resulting in the accumulation of the bacteria and their byproducts. To ensure effective adhesion and better periapical healing, it is strongly advised to remove the smear layer before proceeding with root canal obturation. This study was designed to compare the efficiency of laser-activated irrigation (LAI) in removing the smear layer and debriding the most apical third of the root canal. Materials and Methods: Sixty-five extracted human teeth with straight single roots were randomly and equally divided into four laser and one control groups. Root canals in all samples were shaped using prime size TruNatomy rotary files. During preparation, each canal was irrigated with 3 mL of 3% NaOCl and 3 mL of 17% EDTA alternately, followed by the irrigation with 10 mL of distilled water to avoid the prolonged effect of EDTA and NaOCl solutions. Final irrigation of 5 mL of 17% EDTA of the root canal was done to eliminate the smear layer and was subsequently activated by an endodontic ultrasonic tip for 20 s three times (control group), a flat-end laser tip (test groups 1 and 3) or a taper-end laser tip (test groups 2 and 4) for two cycles. The time of each cycle activation was 10 s (groups 1 and 2) or 20 s (groups 3 and 4) in which the Er:YAG laser of 2940 nm was used. The laser operating parameters were 15 Hz and 50 µs pulse duration. The samples were then split longitudinally and subjected to scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results: The remaining smear layer at the apical part of the root canals was statistically significant between the control group and the laser groups 1 (p = 0.040) and 2 (p = 0.000). Within the laser groups, the exposed tubules count was greater in the laser with the flat tip as compared with the tapered tip (Laser 1 > Laser 2 and Laser 3 > Laser 4). Finally, no significant differences in the count of debris between the laser groups and control group were observed, except for laser 4 (p < 0.05), which had the highest count of debris. Conclusion: LAI to remove debris and smear layer at the apical third of the root canal is inferior to the current ultrasonic technique. However, when using the Er:YAG LAI, it is recommended to use a flat tip design for 10 s for two cycles to ensure maximum debridement of the apical dentin surface.

Fluoride Release From Glass Ionomer Cement Containing Fluoroapatite And Hydroxyapatite.

BACKGROUND: Many investigators reported the amount of fluoride release from glass ionomer cement. However, the work on fluoride release from GIC containing fluoroapatite and hydroxyapatite is scarce. Therefore, this study was conducted to find out the amount of fluoride release from Glass ionomer cement containing fluoroapatite and hydroxyapatite. METHODS: The study was conducted in the Department of Materials, Queen Marry University of London. A total of 108 samples equally divided in to three groups namely fluoroapatite added GIC, Hydroxyapatite added GIC as an experimental group and unmodified GIC as a control group. The specimens were prepared by mixing powder and liquid in the ratio of 1:1. Amount of fluoride released was measured by Ion electrode method at 1, 3, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days. RESULTS: On day 1, the combination of FA +GIC showed the highest amount of fluoride release followed by the control group (GIC) whereas the combination of HA+GIC released the least amount of fluoride. On day 7, the amount of fluoride release started declining in all three groups. The amount of fluoride release continued decreasing on day 21 in which combination of FA +GIC and the control group are shown to release equal amount of fluoride whereas the combination of HA+GIC gave the least activity the amount of fluoride release fall to a minimum level in all three group by day 28. CONCLUSIONS: It is concluded that addition of fluoroapatite into GIC has significant effect on the amount of fluoride release as compared to GIC alone; however, addition of hydroxyapatite into GIC has no additive effect on the amount of fluoride release.

Perceptions Of Health Professional Students Regarding Waterpipe Smoking And Its Effects On Oral Health.

BACKGROUND: Globally approximately 100 million people are waterpipe smokers and this trend also prevails in Pakistan. It has detrimental effects on general health and oral health. The objective of the study was to determine the perception of health professional students regarding waterpipe smoking (WPS) and to assess their awareness about adverse effects of WPS on oral health. METHODS: A selfadministered questionnaire based cross-sectional study was conducted among health professional students in three medical and dental institutes of Karachi from December 2015 to February 2016. RESULTS: Study sample comprised 342 students with mean age of 21.36±1.609 years. About 40% of participants ever had shisha and 10% were current smokers; 237 (69.3%) claimed that waterpipe smoking had detrimental effects on oral and general health. A proportion of 33.6% of the total respondents were unaware that waterpipe smoking was the reason for stained teeth, whereas 51.5% did not know that waterpipe smoking was related to dental caries, and 52% and 48% were unaware that waterpipe smoking was the reason for bad taste and halitosis respectively. Approximately 10% of the respondents did not know that waterpipe smoking was a risk factor for the development of oral diseases and oral cancer. CONCLUSIONS: There was a scarce knowledge about the hazardous effects of waterpipe smoking on general and especially on oral health. Health professionals need to be aware of hazardous effects of waterpipe smoking so they may play a role in reducing this habit in masses.

Evaluation Of Loosely Bound Water Loss From Different Compositions Of Glass Ionomer Cement.

BACKGROUND: Water is an essential component of glass ionomer cement. Water balance is probably the most important and least understood mechanism with the glass ionomer cement. Excessive water in glass ionomer produce weak cement while less amount of water produce cement which is relatively stronger initially but later results in the weakening of the cement. Water present in glass ionomer cement is classified according to its nature of being held in to the cement as tightly bound and loosely bound. The amount of loosely bound water loss from various composition of glass ionomer cement remains unknown. METHODS: The study was conducted at the Department of Materials, Queen Mary University of London. Two different composition of glass ionomer cements were used in this experiment in which the amount of water absorbed by the different compositions of cement on 1, 3, 7 and 14 days were evaluated and the loss of water was measured after that period until the loss became constant. A total of 25 samples of each GIC composition, 5 samples were immersed in water for 24 hours, 5 in water for 3 days, 5 for 7 days and 5 for 14 days. The remaining 5 samples were directly placed into the desiccator without immersing it in the water. The total water content of both glass ionomer cements was calculated from its chemical composition. The samples were weighed every hour for first 3 hours and then every 24 hours until the weight of the sample became constant. Samples placed in water for 1, 3, 7 and 14 days were dried before weighing with a tissue. RESULTS: The amount of water uptake in all the compositions was not that significant in relation to time. In case of Fuji IX, amount of water loss percentage did not vary with increasing time interval. The water loss was rapid in the first 24 hours but it slowed down with time and became constant after 3 days however in Ketac molar water loss slightly varied with time interval. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that the amount of water uptake in both glass ionomer cement is not significant in relation to time. The loss of loosely bound water becomes constant with time after 24 hours for both compositions of glass ionomer cements.