Masticatory efficiency of shortened dental arch subjects with removable partial denture: A comparative study.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to compare the masticatory efficiency in subjects with shortened dental arch (SDA) before and after restoration with removable partial denture (RPD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a prospective study carried out on 36 consecutive patients. The subjects were asked to chew 5 g of a measured portion of fresh raw carrot for 20 specified numbers of strokes. The raw carrot was recovered into a cup and strained through a standard mesh sieve of 5 mm by 1 mm, it was air dried for 30 min and weighed with FEM digital series weighing scale. The masticatory performance ratio was then determined. RESULT: The age range of the subjects was 34-64 years with the mean age being 52.2 ± 8.2 years. The difference between the total masticatory performance score at the post- and pre-treatment phases was statistically significant (P = 0.001). The improvement in masticatory performance was marked among the younger age groups (P = 0.001), unilateral free end saddle subjects (P = 0.001), and among the male gender (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Masticatory performance improved with the provision of RPD. However, the improvement was marked among the younger age groups, unilateral free end saddle subjects, and the male gender; thereby supporting the need for RPDs in patients with SDA.

An analysis of treatment outcome in traumatised anterior teeth with delayed presentation.

Introduction: This study was designed to analyse the treatment outcome of traumatized anterior teeth with delayed presentation among adult patients. Method: A longitudinal study carried out among adult patients with traumatized anterior teeth. Data was obtained by means of a pre-tested questionnaire consisting of history taking, clinical examination and record of treatment. Data collected was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Science 21.0. Results: Out of 163 patients who sought treatment for traumatized anterior teeth, 102 presented a month or more after the traumatic incident giving a prevalence rate of 62.3% for delayed presentation. The main reason for seeking treatment was disfigured teeth. More than half (57.8%) of the participants presented with one or more complications. Evaluation revealed that 3 (2.7%) of the participants had failed restoration at 1-month recall and this was statistically significant. Conclusion: Delayed treatment has an implication on the type, complexity and cost of treatment. Evaluation after treatment for traumatized anterior teeth has to be done for a minimum of 3 months to ascertain optimal result. Oral health education should focus on the need to visit a dentist immediately after a traumatic episode with or without loss of dental hard tissue.

Ameloblastomatous Change in Radicular Cyst of The Jaw in a Nigerian Population.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence, age, gender, jaw-sites and subtypes of radicular cyst, and to determine the incidence of ameloblastomatous change in radicular cyst in a Nigerian population. METHOD: A 10-year retrospective analysis of all diagnosed orofacial lesions in the Department of Oral Pathology and Medicine, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria. RESULTS: From the 785 diagnosed orofacial lesions within the study period; there were 54 (6.9%) cases of radicular cysts of the jaws. The peak age group was the 3(rd) decade (n=23, 42.6%) with a mean age of 31 ± 1.7 years. There were 29 (53.7%) males and 25 (46.3%) females, giving a ratio of 1.2:1. The mandible was the commonest jaw-site (n=32, 59.3%). There were 12 (22.2%) cases of periapical cyst which were significantly associated with anterior maxillary site (n=8, 14.8%) [p=0.001]. Seven (13.0%) cases of cystic ameloblastoma were diagnosed among the radicular cysts, with a predilection of the lesions for 3(rd) and 4(th) decades of life (n=6, 11.1%), and posterior mandible (n=5, 9.3%). CONCLUSION: This study showed a low incidence of radicular cyst of the jaw among orofacial lesions and a relatively higher incidence of ameloblastomatous change in radicular cyst compared to previous reports. Immuno-histochemical examination is recommended to differentiate radicular cyst with ameloblastomatous-like change from cystic ameloblastoma arising from radicular cyst.

Relationship between obesity and oral diseases.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between obesity and periodontal status and dental caries experience of a group of Nigerian dental patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Participants were selected from patients attending dental outpatient clinics of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria. Their weight and height were measured and body mass index (BMI) estimated in kg/m 2 , gingival health assessed using bleeding on probing index, oral hygiene estimated using the simplified oral hygiene index (OHI-S), periodontal health estimated using the basic periodontal examination (BPE) and caries experience was estimated with the decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) index. RESULTS: A few participants (3.8%) were underweight, 52.6% fell within the normal BMI range, 28.2% preobese, 12.2% obese class I and 3.2% obese class II. The mean OHI-S score was 2.16 ± 1.13 among the overweight participants and 2.05 ± 1.13 among those who are not (P = 0.543). The mean DMFT score was 3.03 ± 4.25 among the overweight participants and 2.32 ± 3.01 among those who are not (P = 0.223). Sixty-five percent of participants with BPE score of 0, considered to signify periodontal health, had normal BMI while all the participants with the worst BPE score recorded belong to the obese 1 group (P = 0.070). The binary logistic regression revealed that the likely predictor of gingival bleeding in the study is BMI between 35.0 and 39.9 (obese class 2) (P = 0.046, odds ratio = 0.07, 95% confidence interval = 0.01-0.96). CONCLUSION: It can be concluded from this study that there is no statistically significant relationship between obesity and periodontal status and dental caries experience in the studied group of dental patients. Increased BMI may however be a predictor of gingival bleeding.

Endodontic working length of permanent maxillary central incisors in Nigerians.

BACKGROUND: The permanent maxillary central incisors are critical to dento-facial aesthetics in humans. Their restoration in the event of periapical infection or traumatic injury to the pulp requires an accurate determination of the root canal working length; an important outcome predictor in endodontic treatments. AIM: To determine the standard working length of permanent maxillary central incisor in a Nigerian population. METHODS: This study was carried out between March 2008 and June 2010. The study involved Nigerian patients of both gender, receiving endodontic treatment of the permanent maxillary central incisor. The study participants were selected based on a predetermined exclusion and inclusion criteria. The working lengths of the patient's teeth were determined using the radiographic method and Electronic apex locator. RESULTS: The average working length of the permanent maxillary central incisor of the patient's was 25.0 ± 1.7 mm while the values in males and females were 25.4 ± 1.2mm and 24.4 ± 2.2mm respectively. The male patients had longer working length than the females (P<0.05). The study also revealed that the most common indication for endodontic treatment in permanent maxillary central incisors in the studied population was trauma. CONCLUSION: The endodontic working length of permanent maxillary central incisors in adult Nigerian population was greater than that reported in Caucasians and Asians. This variation should serve as an important reference for endodontic procedures in the maxillary central incisors of adult Nigerians and perhaps others nationals from the West Africa sub region.

Reasons and pattern of tooth mortality in a Nigerian Urban teaching hospital.

BACKGROUND: Studies from Nigeria have documented different reasons for tooth mortality and regular follow-up studies to determine any changes in reasons and pattern among Nigerians appears not to be common. The purpose of this study was to determine the reasons and pattern of tooth mortality among Nigerians and the changes that might have occurred after 38 years of the first report. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The case records of patients seen at the Oral Surgery clinic of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital between March 2007 and February 2008 were retrieved from the Medical Records Department and analyzed for age, gender, reasons for extraction, tooth extracted, frequency of extraction, and mode of extraction. RESULTS: A total of 990 patients were referred for exodontia and 1050 teeth were extracted from 397 (40.1%) males and 593 (59.9%) females of age 14--89 years. The reasons for extraction include caries and its sequelae (n = 905, 86.2%), periodontal disease (n = 69, 6.6%), trauma (n = 41, 3.9%), orthodontics (n = 24, 2.3%), failed endodontics (n = 5, 0.5%), prosthetics (n = 4, 0.4%), pericoronitis (n = 2, 0.2%). The most frequently extracted teeth were the lower right first molars (n = 109, 10.4%) and the lower left first molars (n = 95, 9.0%), respectively. Molar teeth (n = 830, 79.0%) were more frequently extracted while canines (n = 13, 1.2%) were the least. The lower molars were more commonly extracted (n = 479, 45.6%) followed by upper molars (n = 351, 33.4%). The age range of 21-30 years was more commonly referred for extraction with the most frequently extracted teeth being the lower left first molars (n = 32, 3.0%) in females and (n = 27, 2.7%) in males, respectively. CONCLUSION: Tooth mortality in Nigerians is significantly associated with dental caries and its sequelae especially in younger patients.

Perceived Visual Deterioration among a Selected Group of Dental Surgeons in Nigeria

To assess the perceived visual deterioration and the determinants among selected dental surgeons in Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey of Resident doctors attending the Revision course of Faculty of Dental Surgery of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria in Lagos University Teaching Hospital; Lagos; Nigeria was conducted in October; 2008. The 21-item self-administered questionnaire was used to obtain demographic information; medicated eyeglass use; self-rating of vision on start of dental practice; self-rating of vision presently; self-rating of illumination in dental operatory; procedure that can be done without adequate illumination and procedures that need light enhancers. Majority of the respondents were male; in the 31-35 year age group; had less than 10 years post-graduation experience and are specializing in oral and maxillofacial surgery. Perceived visual deterioration was reported by 22 (36.1) of the respondents. Respondents who are 46-50 years; male; with _ 10 years of experience; using medicated eyeglass and specializing in Restorative dentistry reported higher perceived visual deterioration. The prevalence of use of medicated eyeglass was 22 (36.1). The illumination of dental operatory was good by 35 (57.4) of the respondents using a self-rating scale.The predominant procedures performed under limited illumination were oral surgical 16 (26.2) and orthodontic 16 (26.2). Light enhancers were advocated by respondents mostly during restorative procedures. Perceived visual deterioration in this study was high. This justifies the need for assessment of vision at employment and longitudinal assessment of vision annually inorder to objectively ascertain the level of visual deterioration

Prevalence and Analysis of Factors Related to Occurrence of Pulp Stone in Adult Restorative Patients

Background: Pulp stone; though of an unclear aetiology; is clinically common. It potentially poses procedural difficulty to the endodontist and may also be a marker of an underlying systemic condition. Objectives: The study investigated pulp stone occurrence in adult restorative patients. It also highlighted the relationship between pulp stone and pristine posterior teeth; chronic periodontitis and posterior teeth with abrasion; as well as the effect of age and gender on pulp stone occurrence. Method: Three hundred subjects; aged 18-60 years participated in the cross sectional study. Pristine teeth; teeth with chronic periodontitis and those with abrasion were recruited. Result: Pulp stone was seen more often in the 41-50 years age band; in molars and in teeth with chronic periodontitis but less often in teeth with abrasion. In addition; coronal and free form of pulp stone were more popular. Conclusion: It is recommended that researchers should pay special care in case selections; and during biomechanical coronal instrumentation

Perception of HIV/AIDS among preclinical dental students.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the knowledge, attitude and willingness of preclinical dental students to treat HIV/AIDS patients in the future. METHOD: The sample comprised 150 students of both genders drawn from the third and fourth year dental students of the University of Benin, Benin City. One hundred and fifty questionnaires were self-administered, with 139 (92.6%) retrieval. The parameters measured were knowledge, status, immunization against hepatitis B virus, willingness to treat, knowledge of post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) and its protocol in the of University of Benin Teaching hospital (UBTH). RESULTS: Data analysis showed that 100 (71.9%) students rated their knowledge of HIV/AIDS as high and very high. Sixty-three (45.3%) students thought that HIV was a contagious disease while 46 (33.1%) felt HIV was more infectious than tuberculosis or any of the strains of hepatitis virus. Only 59 (42.4%) students knew their HIV status. One hundred and twenty seven (91.4%) students felt that professional oral health care will be beneficial to HIV/AIDS patients; while fifty-one students (36.7%) are not prepared to administer dental care to HIV/AIDS patients in future. Majority of respondents adjudged health workers to be more at risk than sex workers. Forty students comprising 28.8% of the study population had been immunized against Hepatitis B. Ninety- four (67.7%) students had no knowledge of PEP while 122 (87.8%) students did not know the PEP protocol in UBTH. CONCLUSION: Although a large number of these students claim to be knowledgeable about HIV/AIDS. It is obvious that a true understanding is lacking. Concerted effort should be made to change their perception by implementing a curriculum designed to enhance the knowledge of dental students; if we hope to save HIV/AIDS patients from the discrimination of future healthcare givers.