Evaluation and Comparison of Nutritional Status According to Area of Residence and Type of Institute, its Effect on Plaque and Gingival Status: A Comparative Longitudinal Study.

Need of the study: Schoolchildren constitute about 113.8 million (2000-2001 census) population of India and around 11,413,000 comprises schoolchildren in Rajasthan (2000-2001 census), with overall 2.4% children suffering from dietary inadequacies. In the causation of nutritional deficiency diseases, dietary inadequacies have been considered a predominant etiological factor. To overcome such dietary problems and initiate any programs for improvement in general and oral health status, the present study was undertaken in the form of a dietary record of five consecutive days among schoolchildren belonging to different geographical areas. Aim: To evaluate and compare nutritional status according to area of residence and type of institution and its possible effect on plaque and gingival status among 12-15-year-old schoolchildren of Jaipur. Materials and methods: The list of schools was collected using simple random technique in both rural and urban areas of Jaipur city. Overall, four schools were drawn randomly from the selected area (two from government and two from private). Results: In the urban area, nutrient scores (NS) were higher compared to rural areas, irrespective of the season. In contrast to this, plaque and gingival scores were higher in private schools of rural areas. Conclusion: There is a need for awareness regarding applied nutrition among schoolchildren, irrespective of the area. How to cite this article: Gaur AG, Sharma M, Sharma R, et al. Evaluation and Comparison of Nutritional Status According to Area of Residence and Type of Institute, its Effect on Plaque and Gingival Status: A Comparative Longitudinal Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2023;16(S-3):S233-S239.

A Comparative Evaluation of Marginal Accuracy of Co-Cr Metal Copings Fabricated Using Traditional Casting Techniques and Metal Laser Sintering.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The aim and objective of the study were to determine the amount of marginal discrepancy produced by cobalt-chromium (Co-Cr) copings fabricated using two different fabrication methods, i.e., traditional casting and direct metal laser-sintering (DMLS), and compare the values obtained between each fabrication technique and to evaluate if the fabrication technique can produce prosthesis that is within the standards of clinical acceptance of marginal discrepancy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty metal copings each were fabricated by laser sintering and traditional casting method. The marginal gap at the buccal, lingual, mesial, and distal areas was measured using the silicone replica technique. The stereomicroscope and optical microscope were used to measure the marginal discrepancy between the working die and the copings. Statistical analysis was done using a t-test using Open-epi calculator software. RESULTS: The values indicate that the marginal gap was less for the copings fabricated using Co-Cr alloy crowns that were fabricated with direct metal laser-sintered technique than Co-Cr alloy crowns fabricated with conventional casting technique. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Gautam N, Khajuria RR, Ahmed R, et al. A Comparative Evaluation of Marginal Accuracy of Co-Cr Metal Copings Fabricated Using Traditional Casting Techniques and Metal Laser Sintering. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2021;14(1):128-132.

Retinal Involvement in COVID-19: Results From a Prospective Retina Screening Program in the Acute and Convalescent Phase.

Objective: To detect retinal involvement in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients in acute and convalescent phase by their fundus screening. Methods: In a prospective, cross-sectional, observational study (July-November 2020), 235 patients (142 acute and 93 convalescent phase) underwent fundus screening in a tertiary care center in North India. For convalescent phase, "hospitalized" patients (73) were screened at least 2 weeks after hospital discharge, and "home-isolated" patients (20) were screened 17 days after symptom onset/COVID-19 testing. Results: None in acute phase showed any retinal lesion that could be attributed exclusively to COVID-19. Five patients (5.38%) in convalescent phase had cotton wool spots (CWSs) with/without retinal hemorrhage, with no other retinal finding, and no visual symptoms, seen at a median of 30 days from COVID-19 diagnosis. Conclusions: CWSs (and retinal hemorrhages) were an incidental finding in COVID-19, detected only in the convalescent phase. These patients were much older (median age = 69 years) than the average age of our sample and had systemic comorbidities (diabetes mellitus, hypertension, etc.). We propose the term "COVID-19 retinopathy" to denote the presence of CWSs at the posterior pole, occasionally associated with intraretinal hemorrhages, in the absence of ocular inflammation in patients with a history of COVID-19 disease.

A Comparative Study to Evaluate the Accuracy of Various Spacer Thickness for Polyvinyl Siloxane Putty-wash Impression Techniques: An In Vitro Study.

INTRODUCTION: An accurate impression is one of the prime factors for success of any restoration, more so in field of fixed prosthodontics. The critical aspect is to reproduce fine surface details along with ease of use. Knowledge of impression materials and the techniques to which each is best suited is essential in achieving consistent results. OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the accuracy of various putty-wash techniques in a laboratory model that simulated the clinical practice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A metal master model, containing three full crowns fixed partial denture (FPD) abutment preparations, was fabricated. A perforated custom tray was fabricated that can be placed in the same position on the master model for each impression. For each technique, 10 impressions of the master model were made and poured using a die stone. The measurements were made of the models using a measuroscope and the accuracy of the impressions was recorded. RESULTS: The statistical comparison between groups I, II, III, and IV casts measurements by using the Mann-Whitney test showed highly significant statistical difference between the various groups from each other (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The accuracy of the working casts obtained from group III impression (two-step using 1 mm coping) was the best, whereas it was least with group II impression (two-step using polyethylene spacer). HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Gautam N, Ahmed R, Sharma S, et al. A Comparative Study to Evaluate the Accuracy of Various Spacer Thickness for Polyvinyl Siloxane Putty-wash Impression Techniques: An In Vitro Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2020;13(5):536-542.

Effect of Different Dentifrices on the Surface Roughness of Acrylic Resins: An in vitro Study.

AIM: This study was undertaken to study the effect of three most commonly used dentifrices for denture cleaning and to find out any positive association between number of strokes by toothbrush and surface roughness of acrylic resin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: About 40 acrylic rectangular blocks with high finish were polished until surface roughness was calculated as 0 pirn. The materials tested were distilled water as a control group, Patanjali Dant Kanti, Colgate Total Cream, and Cleansodent as dentifrices. Stroking was done with dentifrices, and surface roughness readings were recorded at 1,000, 9,000, and 18,000 strokes. RESULTS: Patanjali Dant Kanti was found to have maximum abrasive potential followed by Colgate Total Cream, followed by Cleansodent and least by distilled water. CONCLUSION: Surface roughness was found to be directly proportional to the type, size, and fineness of the abrasive component used; the professional denture cleanser (Cleansodent) has less abrasive potential than the regular toothpastes. Among those tested, the highest abrasive potential was found in Patanjali Dant Kanti and lowest by Cleansodent (denture cleanser). CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The patient as well as dentist should choose the dentifrice with utmost care noting the size and type of abrasives used. Washing the dentures normally with water without toothbrush daily and cleaning of dentures once in 10 to 15 days with a soft toothbrush and professional denture cleanser should be the line of maintenance of dentures.

Association of Palatal Rugae Pattern in Gender Identification: An Exploratory Study.

AIM: The present study's aim was to assess the pattern of palatine ridges/rugae to identify gender. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study consists of a total of 50 participants (25 males and 25 females). Participants of the age range of 20 to 50 years were selected from the outpatient department. According to the shape and size of the patient's arches, maxillary impression trays were selected using alginate, and casts were poured subsequently. With the help of a sharp graphite pencil, the palatine ridges were delineated to make it prominent, and on either side of the midline, the number of rugae was counted and the length measured. Using these parameters, the pattern of rugae was determined. Data were analyzed using independent sample t-test. The level of significance was set at 5%. RESULTS: Males had more number of palatal rugae (mean 5.96 ± 0.88) compared with females (5.24 ± 0.77), and there was a statistically significant association between them. The mean length of palatal rugae was more in males (6.25 ± 1.15 mm) than females (5.16 ± 1.40 mm), and it was found to be a statistically significant association. The straight pattern was more common in both males and females (2.56 ± 1.08, 2.32 ± 0.85 respectively) than other patterns. CONCLUSION: This study concluded that straight rugae pattern has been found to be the most common pattern in both genders. However, the mean number of straight rugae pattern and length is slightly more in males than females. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The most challenging tasks in forensic medicine is human identification. Dental records, dactylogram, and comparing deoxyribonucleic acid are the widely used techniques in mass disasters, but these techniques have their own drawbacks and hence cannot be applied always. In such cases, less known techniques like rugoscopy will be helpful.