Comparative Evaluation of Two Different Flap Designs and Postoperative Outcome in the Surgical Removal of Impacted Mandibular Third Molar.

AIM: The aim of this study is to compare triangular and envelope flap designs and the postoperative outcome in the surgical removal of impacted mandibular third molar. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 50 participants were assessed clinically and were divided randomly into two groups. Group I (participants operated by triangular flap) and group II (participants operated by envelope flap), with 25 participants each between the age group of 20 and 30 years. Patient satisfaction was assessed subjectively using a graded scale from very satisfied to very unsatisfied. The degree of pain was recorded for 7 days with reference to predefined values on visual analog scale (VAS). Trismus was evaluated on the day 3, day 5, and day 7 of the postoperative period in millimeters. Quantitative data were analyzed by unpaired t-test and qualitative data were by Fischer's exact test. RESULTS: The mean overall age is 25.5 years. There was no statistically significant difference between the study groups with respect to age. There was no significant association between the patient satisfaction and flap type (p = 0.684). A significant difference between the study groups on 4th, 5th, and 6th days with respect to pain was observed, wherein fewer subjects operated with triangular flap reported pain. A highly significant difference in mouth opening was observed, with triangular flap group participants having a higher mouth opening than envelope flap subjects on day 7. CONCLUSION: The present study indicated that participants operated by triangular flap had a better mouth opening postoperatively compared with envelope flap participants, whereas there were no significant differences in patient satisfaction and pain scores at the end of the 7th day after third molar surgery. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Flap design is a significant factor in the surgical removal of impacted third molar, and it influences the severity of complications. Furthermore, it is important for allowing optimal visibility and access to the impacted tooth and also for subsequent healing of the surgically created defect.

Oral Myiasis Affecting Gingiva in a Child Patient: An Uncommon Case Report.

Certain dipteran flies larvae causing invasion of the tissues and organs of the humans or other vertebrates are called as myiasis, which feed on hosts dead or living tissues. It is well documented in the skin and hot climate regions; underdeveloped countries are affected more commonly. Oral cavity is affected rarely and it can be secondary to serious medical conditions. Poor oral hygiene, alcoholism, senility, or suppurating lesions can be associated with the oral myiasis. Inflammatory and allergic reactions are the commonest clinical manifestations of the disease. In the present case, gingiva of maxillary anterior region was affected by larval infection in a 13-year-old mentally retarded patient.

Evaluation of the Oral Health Knowledge, Attitude and Behavior of the Preclinical and Clinical Dental Students.

BACKGROUND: Dentists play very important role in the oral health education of the community. Thus it is important to know the status of knowledge, attitude, and behavior toward the maintenance of oral health at the student level. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the oral health knowledge, attitude, and behavior among preclinical and clinical dental students. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 147 dental students from 1(st) to 4(th) year of Malabar Dental College, Kerala, in the year of March-June 2010 and was carried out with the help of 30 questionnaires. Age, gender and academic year data were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed with the help of SPSS version 20 using the Student's t-test and one-way ANOVA tests. RESULTS: The difference in scores of oral health knowledge, attitude and behavior between preclinical and clinical dental students was found statistically highly significant (Student's t-test, P < 0.001). The variation of scores of knowledge, attitude, and behavior also showed highly significant increase with the year of study (one-way ANOVA, P < 0.001). While the difference in scores between males and females showed that females have better oral health knowledge than males, but the difference was not statistically significant (Student's t-test, P > 0.01). The present study thus showed improvement of knowledge, attitude and behavior with the academic years and there was no bias of gender with reference to oral health. CONCLUSIONS: Although oral health knowledge, attitude and behavior showed improved results from 1(st) to 4(th) year dental students, it should be improved in order to serve better for the community in the future.

The use of controlled release locally delivered 10% doxycycline hyclate gel as an adjunct to scaling and root planing in the treatment of chronic periodontitis: clinical and microbiological results.

BACKGROUND: Local delivery of antimicrobial agents provides higher concentration of the drug in the periodontal site for longer periods than systemically delivered methods. In the present study an attempt is made to know the efficacy of controlled local drug delivery of doxycycline as an adjunctive treatment in the management of chronic periodontitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 12 patients, diagnosed as Chronic Periodontitis in the age of 25 to 55 years, were selected of both the sexes in this study. They were divided into Experimental group consisted of 30 sites who received complete scaling and root planing (SRP) followed by placement of Atridox gel and control group consisted of 30 sites who received only SRP. Clinical parameters were recorded at, baseline, days 30, 90 and 180. Parameters were plaque index, gingival index, gingival bleeding index and microbial analysis, probing pocket depth and Clinical attachment level (CAL). The microbiological analysis was done at baseline visit and at 90th day. Probing pocket depth and CAL were recorded only on day 0 and 180th day. RESULTS: In 180 days study, both the groups exhibited a significant improvement in periodontal status. Significant gain in attachment level was observed in both the group. Between both the groups the clinical parameters in the experimental groups exhibited better results as compared to the control group. Both the groups exhibited significant reduction in the number of spirochetes. CONCLUSION: Combination therapy of SRP and 10% DH gel demonstrated better results at all levels suggesting that this therapy can play a significant role as an adjunct to SRP in the management of chronic periodontitis.