Fabrication of a Customized Ocular Prosthesis: A Case Report.

Orbital defects due to congenital causes, cancer, and trauma can compromise appearance and function, creating a deep psychological impact on an individual's life. The prosthetic rehabilitation of such patients is challenging. The objective of prosthetic treatment of an ocular defect is to provide a well-fitting ocular prosthesis that closely resembles the original eye, restoring the patient's self-confidence and social acceptance. Ocular prostheses can be customized or prefabricated. The challenge encountered with prefabricated eye prostheses is a poor fit. Customized prostheses exhibit better fit, aesthetic outcome, and comfort to the patient in the long term. The article describes a technique to fabricate an ocular prosthesis with a stock iris and customized sclera that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

Comparative Evaluation of Microhardness and Polymerization Shrinkage in Residual Zirconia Reinforced Provisional Restorations: An In Vitro Study.

Aim The aim of this study is to evaluate and compare the microhardness and polymerization shrinkage of polymethyl methacrylate reinforced with residual zirconia. Materials and methods A total of 360 resin samples were fabricated, with dimensions of 12 mm × 12 mm × 3 mm and 12 mm × 8 mm × 6 mm. Zirconia dust (40% by weight) was added to 180 of these samples. The study included four groups: Group A (autopolymerizing acrylic resin), Group H (heat-polymerizing acrylic resin), Group ZA (autopolymerizing acrylic resin with zirconia dust), and Group ZH (heat-polymerizing acrylic resin with zirconia dust). Each group consisted of 90 samples, with 45 samples used for evaluating microhardness and 45 samples for assessing polymerization shrinkage. Results Group ZH exhibited the highest microhardness at 6.06 ± 0.31 GPa. It also recorded the lowest shrinkage values, measuring 52.11 ± 3.21 mm³. Tukey's honestly significant difference test revealed that microhardness was significantly higher in Group ZA (4.53 ± 0.29 GPa) compared to Group A (3.51 ± 0.25 GPa). However, Group H (5.42 ± 0.26 GPa) demonstrated greater hardness than Group ZA. Regarding shrinkage, the addition of zirconia dust resulted in reduced values, with Group ZA (73.93 ± 3.55 mm³) showing less shrinkage compared to Group A (91.9 ± 6.38 mm³). Similarly, Group ZH (52.11 ± 3.21 mm³) had lower shrinkage than Group H (66.71 ± 5.97 mm³). Group A exhibited the highest shrinkage among all the groups. Conclusion Within the limitations of this study, it can be concluded that there is an increase in hardness and a decrease in shrinkage values of the resin with the addition of zirconia dust in heat and autopolymerizing acrylic resin used for the fabrication of provisional restorations. Zirconia-incorporated heat-activated resin showed superior microhardness and decreased shrinkage values. Although the addition of residual zirconia to autopolymerized samples demonstrated better hardness, it was observed that pure heat-polymerized samples showed greater hardness. Reusing computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing powder waste can cut down on economic losses and aid in environmental sustainability.

Evaluation of the Surface Roughness and Color Stability of Two Types of Milled Zirconia Before and After Immersion in Alcoholic Beverages: An In Vitro Study.

Objective This study aims to evaluate the effects of immersion in alcoholic beverages on the surface roughness and color stability of two types of milled zirconia. Materials and methods The sample size included 60 cuboid-shaped samples of two types of zirconia (Z1 and Z2), 30 in each group. Zirconia was milled and sintered at 1,500°C for eight hours. The samples were immersed in artificial saliva (control), red wine, and whiskey three times a day over a 30-day period. After each post-immersion cycle, samples were cleaned ultrasonically. Surface roughness and color parameters were measured using an atomic force microscope (AFM) and spectrophotometer before and after immersion. The collected data was organized into tables, and statistical analysis was conducted using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 27 software (IBM SPSS Statistics, Armonk, NY). For surface roughness, a paired t-test was conducted, while for color change, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's honestly significant difference (HSD) tests were done. Results The mean values of pre- and post-immersion values reveal that whiskey causes the highest difference in surface roughness for Z1 (137.09 nm) and Z2 (86.15 nm) groups, while red wine causes maximum discoloration in both Z1 (2.41) and Z2 (1.94) groups. The paired t-test revealed significant surface roughness changes in Z1 with artificial saliva and red wine, while whiskey (p<0.05), although showing changes, lacked statistical significance (p>0.05). The whiskey group demonstrated a moderate linear association (0.599) between pre- and post-immersion values. For Z2, artificial saliva, red wine, and whiskey (p<0.05) induced statistically significant surface roughness alterations. ANOVA tests indicated significant color changes post-immersion in all three subgroups of Z1 and Z2 (p<0.05 for both). Tukey's HSD test showed significant differences between artificial saliva and red wine (p<0.05), as well as artificial saliva and whiskey (p<0.05) in Z1 and Z2. However, no significant difference was found between red wine and whiskey in both Z1 and Z2 groups (p>0.05). Conclusion Whiskey, red wine, and artificial saliva increased zirconia's surface roughness. Alcoholic solutions altered zirconia's colorimetric parameters, with no significant differences among them.

Evaluation of Physical Properties of Denture Base Resins Containing Silver Nanoparticles of Aloe barbadensis Miller, Morinda citrifolia, and Boesenbergia rotunda and Its Anti-microbial Effect: An In Vitro Study.

Introduction The denture bases fabricated from polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) have some disadvantages, such as surface prone to microbial growth and biofilm accumulation, which contributes to the onset and dissemination of infections among denture wearers. Therefore, the purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the flexural strength, hardness, and antimicrobial effect of denture base resin incorporated with 0.05% and 0.1% silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) of Aloe barbadensis miller (aloe vera), Morinda citrifolia (noni), and Boesenbergia rotunda (finger root). Materials and methods A total of 84 PMMA samples were used and were divided into three groups. Flexural strength tests were performed on Group 1 PMMA blocks. Group 2 involved hardness testing of PMMA blocks, whereas Group 3 involved antimicrobial activity. Each group was subsequently split into seven subgroups with differing concentrations of AgNPs: Sub Group 1: control (no AgNPs), Sub Group 2: 0.05% aloe vera AgNPs, Sub Group 3: 0.1% aloe vera AgNPs, Sub Group 4: 0.05% noni AgNPs, Sub Group 5: 0.1% of noni AgNPs, Sub Group 6: 0.05% finger root AgNPs, and Sub Group 7: 0.1% finger root AgNPs. The flexural strength was evaluated using a universal testing machine (Instron 8801). Surface hardness was measured using a Vickers tester (Tukon 1102). For the antimicrobial activity analysis, the samples were incubated in a suitable culture broth containing Candida albicans for 24 hours. Microbial colony count (colony-forming unit (CFU)/mL) was estimated to evaluate the microbial adhesion to the surface of the denture base materials. Statistical analysis The flexural strength, hardness, and CFU between the groups were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by multiple comparisons with Tukey's honest significant difference (HSD) test (α=0.05). The level of statistical significance was determined at p<0.05. Results It was observed that the mean flexural strength was maximum in PMMA incorporated with 0.05% of aloe vera AgNPs and least in PMMA incorporated with 0.1% noni AgNPs. It was seen that a steady loss in flexural strength is observed from 0.05% to 0.1%. The mean hardness was maximum in PMMA incorporated with 0.1% of noni AgNPs and least in PMMA incorporated with 0.05% aloe vera AgNPs. It was also found that the hardness was directly proportional to the number of nanoparticles. With an increase in the weight percentage of nanoparticles, a steady increase in hardness was seen in all the test groups. In our study, the results showed that finger root 0.1% showed the least CFU with a significant reduction of C. albicans adherence; therefore, it indicates higher anti-fungal activity. Aloe vera 0.05% showed the lowest inhibition of C. albicans, suggesting the least anti-fungal activity. Conclusion Within the limitations of this study, It can thus be concluded that the addition of AgNPs incorporated with plant extracts of Aloe barbadensis miller (aloe vera), Morinda citrifolia (noni), and Boesenbergia rotunda (finger root) can alter the flexural strength, hardness, and microbial adhesion of PMMA. In our study, it can be concluded that flexural strength increases with the addition of AgNPs of 0.5% concentration after which a steady loss is seen. However, the hardness and antimicrobial activity increased with an increase in the concentration of AgNPs in all three plant extracts.

Evaluating the effect of poly (amidoamine) treated bioactive glass nanoparticle incorporated in universal adhesive on bonding to artificially induced caries affected dentin.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate remineralisation and its effect on microtensile bond-strength of artificially induced caries affected dentin (CAD) when treated with a commercial universal adhesive modified with poly(amidoamine) dendrimer (PAMAM) loaded mesoporous bioactive glass nanoparticles (A-PMBG). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Mesoporous bioactive glass nanoparticles (MBG) were synthesised using sol-gel process, where PAMAM was loaded (P-MBG) and added to commercial adhesive at different weight percentages (0.2, 0.5, 1 and 2 wt%). First, rheological properties of commercial and modified adhesives were evaluated. The effect of remineralization/hardness and microtensile bond-strength (MTBs) of those samples that mimicked the rheological properties of commercial adhesives were evaluated using Vickers hardness tester and universal testing machine respectively. Scanning-Electron microscope was used to visualize failed samples of MTBs and remineralization samples. Both evaluations were carried out at 1-,3 and 6-month intervals, samples being stored in stimulated salivary fluid during each time interval. RESULTS: Addition of nanoparticles altered the rheological properties. With increase in the weight percentage of nanoparticles in commercial adhesive, there was significant increase in degree of conversion, viscosity and sedimentation rate (p < 0.05). The 0.2 and 0.5 wgt% groups closely mimicked the properties of commercial adhesive and were evaluated for remineralization and MTBs. After 6 months, 0.2wgt% group showed increased MTBs (p < 0.05) and 0.5wgt% group increased remineralization/hardness (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The complex of PAMAM-MBG-Universal adhesive can remineralize the demineralised CAD thereby improving its bond-strength when evaluated for up to 6-months.

An In Vitro Comparison of Microbial Adhesion on Three Different Denture Base Materials and Its Relation to Surface Roughness.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this in vitro study is to compare and evaluate the surface roughness and microbial adhesion of Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans after the finishing and polishing of three different denture base materials. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 84 samples of three different denture materials were used. The samples were divided into three groups: Group I (conventional poly methyl methacrylate), Group II (injection-molded polymethyl methacrylate), and Group III (injection-molded polyamide). Fourteen samples from each group were tested for surface roughness using an optical profilometer. Seven samples from each group were incubated in a suitable culture broth containing Candida albicans and Staphylococcus aureus separately for 48 hours. Microbial colony forming unit (cfu/ml2) was estimated in order to evaluate the microbial adhesion to the surface of the denture base materials. Confocal laser scanning microscopy was done to visualize the microorganisms. RESULTS:  The mean surface roughness of Group I was 0.1176± 0.04 µm, Group II was 0.0669±0.02 µm, Group III was 0.1971±0.02 µm. One-way ANOVA revealed statistically significant differences in the mean surface roughness values among the three groups (p < 0.05). Tukey HSD (honestly significant difference) test confirmed the specific differences within the groups. The results of colony forming unit showed maximum adherence in Group III samples among both the species followed by Group I samples and least in Group II samples. Confocal laser scanning microscopy revealed significant differences in microbial adhesion among both Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans in the three groups (p <0.05). One-way multivariate ANOVA was performed to analyze the data obtained from confocal laser scanning microscopy. Microbial adhesion was least observed in Group II samples followed by Group I samples and the highest microbial adhesion was observed in Group III samples. CONCLUSION: Microbial adhesion was proved to have a direct correlation with the surface roughness of denture base materials. An increase in surface roughness (Ra) increases microbial adhesion.

A Clinical Study to Assess the Severity of Periodontal Disease in Relation to Glycemic Status of Type II Diabetic Individuals.

Background: The study is done to find out the association between the glycemic status of Type II diabetic patients and the severity of periodontal disease (PD). Materials and Methods: Study groups included a total of 90 Type II diabetic individuals and were divided as Group I with well-controlled diabetics and Group II with poorly controlled diabetics based on glycosylated hemoglobin levels. The periodontal parameters of all patients, namely probing pocket depth, clinical attachment level, and bleeding on probing oral hygiene index-debris index score, were assessed. The collected data were subjected to statistical analysis. Results: The periodontal parameters of all patients with poor glycemic control were significantly higher than well-controlled group. There was a significant difference between all clinical parameters between groups with P < 0.001 indicating severe PD in poor glycemic status group. Conclusion: The severity of PD is related to glycemic status. The poorly controlled diabetic patients had severe periodontitis than well-controlled diabetic patients. Local factors such as dental plaque seem to have a major influence in disease progression.

Aesthetic Perception of Patients and Dentists on Conventional and Characterized Complete Dentures.

Objective: The objective of the study was to compare the perception of patients and dentists regarding the esthetics achieved with conventional and characterized complete dentures. Materials and Methods: Twenty completely edentulous participants were selected and given both conventional and characterized complete dentures. Participants including patients wearing the dentures and dentists subsequently evaluated both types of dentures by giving scores using 0-10 cm Visual Analog Scale on denture esthetics. The esthetic scores were statistically analyzed using paired t-test (P = 0.05 as significant). Results: Patients' satisfaction with conventional and characterized complete dentures were statistically similar except for the fact that patients were more satisfied with ideal arrangement of teeth in conventional denture (standard deviation [SD]-7.0 ± 2,0) compared to the characterized (SD-4.8 ± 2.7) arrangement of the teeth (P = 0.038). Conclusions: Aesthetic satisfaction with complete dentures was influenced by the patients' socioeconomic status. Patients could not see any significant difference between conventional and characterized complete denture.

Comparison of Retention of Two Different Attachment Systems Used in Implant-Supported Overdentures.

Aim: This study aims to compare the retentive capacity of two attachment systems after manual thermocycling. Settings and Design: In vitro study and Comparative trail. Materials and Methods: An edentulous mandibular Polymethyl Methacrylate model was fabricated to receive the overdentures with the two attachment systems to be compared. Two dental implants were placed in the predetermined right and left mandibular canine regions of the model. A total number of eight overdentures, four per group, were fabricated over the two implants with two attachment systems to be compared; Bar and clip attachment system (Group-1) and Locator attachment system (Group-2). All the overdentures were subjected to 5000 alternating thermal cycles using manual thermocycling. Then the samples were subjected to 100 vertical pulls each in the anterior and posterior regions using a universal testing machine and the mean retentive forces were calculated for each sample in the anterior and posterior regions, respectively. Results: The mean retentive forces after 100 vertical pulls, were calculated and tabulated for each sample in the anterior and posterior regions separately. Then, the cumulative mean of the anterior and the posterior regions were calculated for each group. The cumulative mean retentive forces of both the attachment groups were-Group-1 (Bar and clip attachment system) = 27.87 N ± 4.01 and Group-2 (locator attachment system) = 18.85 N ± 2.50 with a P value of 0.021. This difference was found to be statistically significant. Conclusion: Within the limitations of the present in vitro study, the bar and clip attachment system offered better retention than the locator attachment system.

Evaluating the Effect of Tideglusib-Loaded Bioactive Glass Nanoparticles as a Potential Dentine Regenerative Material.

Dental pulp treatment is the least intrusive procedure currently available for preserving the vitality of the pulp. Several studies are underway to improve the bioactivity of pulp capping materials. Tideglusib isa potent anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and a regenerative drug developed against Alzheimer's disease and has been shown to be effective in the treatment of dental cavities. However, its bioactive properties encapsulated within the nanoparticles as a component of pulp capping material are largely unknown. In this study, tideglusib-loaded bioactive glass nanoparticles were synthesized (tideglusib-BgNPs) and mixed at various concentrations into the calcium silicate cement to testits physiomechanical and bioactivitiescompared with biodentine (control). The calcium silicate cement with 10wgt% tideglusib-BgNPs showed comparable physiomechanical properties to that of biodentine. Additionally, the assessment of cytotoxicity and bioactivity (cell proliferation, wound healing, and cell migration assays) showed increased bioactivity in terms of better wound healing, increased proliferation, and better migration of human dental pulp stem cells than biodentine. These findings suggest new opportunities to use tideglusib-BgNPs in pulp therapy.

Influence of Titania Nanotubes Diameter on Its Antibacterial Efficacy against Periodontal Pathogens: An In vitro Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Peri implant infection in dental implantology is a frequently encountered clinical problem. Titania nanotubes (TNTs) are recent improvement in surface characterization, showing promising results. AIM: The nanosurface parameter tweaking has been implicated with profound change in the microbiological and biological response. Hence, it was proposed that alteration in the nanotube diameter could have positive influence in its antibacterial activity against salient periodontal pathogens. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Commercially, pure titanium discs of 8-mm diameter and 1.5-mm thickness were prepared. Polished titanium discs were used as control (Group A). Vertically oriented, structured TNTs were fabricated by anodization technique and grouped as B and C, having nanotube diameter, 40 and 80 nm subsequently. The surface characterizations of the samples were done by scanning electron microscope analysis. The antibacterial activity was evaluated with the bacterial colony counting method, at 24 h, 72 h, and 1-week intervals. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The one-way analysis of variance and Tukey's honest significance post hoc test were employed to assess the statistical significance. RESULTS: The 80 nm nanotubes showed better antibacterial activity comparatively, at all three-time intervals investigated. CONCLUSION: The optimal TNT diameter of 80 nm was the most effective from an antimicrobial stand point of view.