A comparative evaluation of the variations on the shades of pressable ceramic system with the layering technique after different number of firing cycles: An in vitro study.

AIM: The main aim of the present study was to compare and evaluate the effect of repetitive firings on different shades of a pressable all ceramic system layered with veneering porcelain. SETTING AND DESIGN: In-vitro comparative study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An in vitro comparative study was conducted, and a total of 60 disc shaped specimens (15 mm in diameter and 0.8 mm in thickness) were made of heat pressed ceramic of shades A2, A3, and B2 (20 discs of each shade) grouped as Group I, II, and III, respectively, using the lost wax technique. The discs were subsequently layered with veneering porcelain followed by glazing and overglazing and underwent a firing cycle at each step until six times combined. CIE L*a*b* measurements were noted on each sample after the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth firing using VITA Easyshade Advance 4.0 spectrophotometer. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Statistical Analysis was done by SPSS 17.0 software. One way analysis of variance, multiple comparisons using the Tukey test, and descriptive statistical analysis were done for all the groups in the study. P <0.05 was statistically significant. RESULTS: The mean color differences for the repeated firings were imperceptible (ΔE <1.67) to the human eye for all ceramic samples tested except between the fourth and fifth firing of Group II (shade A3). CONCLUSION: The analysis revealed that although repeated firings lead to changes in L*, a*, and b* values, the mean color difference was below the clinically acceptable color change (ΔE <3.7).

Exploratory analysis of demographic data, tobacco habits, and oral health-related quality of life among complete denture patients.

Aim: The present study assessed the impact of demographics and tobacco habits on oral health related quality of life (OHRQoL) among complete denture patients. Setting and Design: Prospective cohort study design. Materials and Methods: Two hundred and eighty four edentulous patients, aged above 30 years, were chosen as the sample for the study after taking informed consent. Information regarding demographic data and smoking status was obtained from each participant. OHRQoL was evaluated using the Oral Health Impact Profile Edentulousness (OHIP EDENT) quantifying various domains, namely functional limitation, physical pain, psychological discomfort, physical disability, psychological disability, social disability, and handicap. Statistical Analysis Used: Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 23.0 (IBM; Chicago, Illinois, USA). Mann-Whitney U test was applied to find significant differences in OHRQoL between gender, age, and smoking status. P < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results: It was seen that complete denture wearers above 65 years had higher OHIP EDENT scores as compared to younger counterparts suggesting the compromised quality of life in the functional domain which was statistically significant. Psychological discomfort was greater in females while physical disability seemed higher in males. Smoking was found to be a factor associated with decreased OHRQoL. Conclusion: Older age groups, female gender, and smoking were factors associated with decreased OHRQoL among complete denture patients.

Effect of physical and psychological status on oral health quality of life of geriatric patients undergoing complete denture treatment.

Aim: The present study was conducted to evaluate differences in Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) in denture wearers based on psychological classification and patient satisfaction. Settings and Design: A prospective study. Materials and Methods: 284 patients, aged 30 years and above who fulfilled the eligibility criteria were recruited. Participants answered the OHIP - EDENT questionnaire at the time of denture insertion and 6 months later. Psychological categorization was based on MM House classification. Patient satisfaction was graded from totally satisfied to not very satisfied. Statistical Analysis Used: SPSS 23 version was used for analyzing descriptive and inferential statistics. ANOVA was used to find significant differences for OHRQoL based on psychological classification and patient satisfaction. Before and after intervention analysis was assessed using student 't' test. Results: Philosophical and exacting patients had better adaptation to dentures than the hysterical and indifferent class of denture wearers. Totally satisfied and very satisfied patients with dentures had lesser mean scores as against the other categories which was significant in all domains suggesting better. Overall, OHIP - EDENT score decreased from 20.253 ± 12.466 to 17.168 ± 14.143, which were significant at P =0.043, thus showing an improvement after a 6 month follow up. Conclusions: Psychological attitude of denture wearers must be considered by the prosthetic specialist for effective adaptation and acceptance by the edentulous patient.

A Clinical Evaluation of Difference in Shades among Maxillary Central Incisor, Canine, and First Molar in a Young Age-group Using Digital Spectrophotometer: An In Vivo Study.

AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the most common shades of maxillary central incisor, canine and first molar and to confirm the shade difference between maxillary central incisor and canine in a young population of 18-25 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The shade of the maxillary central incisor, canine, and first molar of 100 study participants in a young population between 18 and 25 years were measured by digital spectrophotometer (VITA Easyshade). The shade of each tooth was assessed thrice with a digital spectrophotometer at the center of the tooth. Statistical analysis was performed; Chi-squared test was applied to assess the difference in shades. RESULTS: For the age-group of 18-25 years, the most common shade of maxillary central incisor is A1 and for canine and first molar the most common shade is B3. A highly statistically significant difference (p < 0.001) was observed between teeth, suggesting a definitive shade difference between teeth. CONCLUSION: A definitive shade difference exists between the maxillary central incisor and the canine, with the canine being darker in shade than the central incisor. This result can be implied clinically while restoring maxillary anterior teeth to yield a better esthetic outcome. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: This study reveals that there is a definitive shade difference between the Anterior teeth which should be considered while smile designing to replicate the natural appearance in a patient. Using a digital spectrometer makes the process of shade selection objective thereby eliminating any subjective variations.

Root Caries Experience and its Association with Risk Indicators among Middle-Aged Adults.

INTRODUCTION: With an increasing number of retained teeth, there is an enhanced susceptibility to periodontal problems with gingival recession, which led root surface exposure to the oral environment and develops the root caries later stages among adults. AIM: Evaluate the root caries experience and its association with risk indicators among middle-aged South Indian adult dental patients using root caries index (RCI; Katz RV - 1979). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted among middle-aged (35 to 44 year) adults in the Outpatient Department of Private Dental Institute. Root caries experience was evaluated using the Katz RCI on a full mouth basis. Statistical analysis was done by using SPSS software. RESULTS: The prevalence of root caries among study population was 8.9% with a mean RCI score of 1.04 ± 5.10. As age increased mean number of teeth with gingival recession (45.25 ± 27.09), decayed root surfaces (0.34 ± 1.11), filled root surfaces (0.39 ± 2.99), mean number of teeth missing (3.78 ± 6.42), and RCI (1.68 ± 6.93) also increased. CONCLUSION: Age, gender and higher number of retained teeth were concluded as a significant risk indicators for root caries.