Comparative Evaluation of Various Lens and Ring Flash Combination for Intraoral Photography.

BACKGROUND: Extraoral and intraoral dental photographs serve as preoperative records and document the entire treatment. Correctly composed orthodontic photographs are crucial for remote diagnosis and may serve as a bulwark against medicolegal challenges. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective study, intraoral frontal photographs of patients with ideal occlusion were taken using two types of lenses (EF-S 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens (Canon, Tokyo, JP), SP 90 mm F/2.8 MACRO VC lens (Model F017 Tamron, NY, USA)) and two different ring flash systems (Meike FC-100 Macro Ring LED Light (Meike, China), Macro Ring flash Lite YN-14EX (Yongnuo digital, China)). The combination of lens and flash used was grouped into four groups. Twenty-eight intraoral photographs of patients were taken. An image quality assessment survey was distributed among two groups - 50 orthodontists and 50 other dental specialists. RESULTS: The participants were asked to assess all the intraoral images and subjectively score them on a scale of one to ten, with one being very poor and ten being excellent, considering the sharpness, color, brightness, contrast, and overall quality of the image. The general dentists rated the images taken with a 90-mm macro lens and ring flash as the best quality photographs. Images obtained using an 18-55 mm lens and ring LED received significantly lesser scores and were graded good by dentists. CONCLUSION: This combination of lens and flash may prove a valuable investment in the long-term aiding in excellent dental images for diagnosis and treatment monitoring.

Evaluation of scanning accuracy for two commercially available intraoral scanners in reproducing orthodontic bracket dimensions.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the scanning accuracy of two different intra-oral scanners- MEDIT i500 and TRIOS 3 shape in reproducing orthodontic bracket dimensions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This in vivo cross-sectional study comprised seven subjects with a full complement of permanent dentition without third molars. Complete arch scanning was carried out with two intraoral scanners, such as MEDIT i500, TRIOS 3 shape, after bonding with brackets. The control group consisted of bracket dimensions measured directly by using Vernier calipers before bonding. Bracket dimensions of three-dimensional (3D) images were measured by using OrthoAnalyzer software. The accuracy of intraoral scanning was investigated by comparing bracket dimensions among the three groups using One-way ANOVA and Post-Hoc Tukey HSD test, and by evaluating outcomes for each quadrant and an individual tooth in complete-arch scans. RESULTS: When comparing bracket dimensions of 3D images with manual measurements using a traditional Vernier caliper, MEDIT i500 showed no significant difference when compared to the control group (p>0.05) in full arch scanning as well as the quadrant and single tooth scans in complete arch scanning. TRIOS 3 shape showed a significant difference when compared to the control and MEDIT i500 group (p<0.05) for all parameters. CONCLUSIONS: MEDIT i500 showed higher accuracy and better reproduction of orthodontic bracket dimensions than TRIOS 3 shape.

Antimicrobial Efficacy of Blended Essential Oil and Chlorhexidine against Periodontal Pathogen (P.gingivalis)-An In Vitro Study.

Background: Essential oils (EOs) have a considerable amount of therapeutic and preventive effect in treating dental diseases due to their wider potential as antibacterial and anti-inflammatory agents. EOs like virgin coconut oil, eucalyptus oil, peppermint oil thyme oil, and clove oil, when used in combination, may further have enhanced antimicrobial effects. However, limited information exists on the synergistic effect of these oils when used in combination, especially on the primary periodontal pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis. Aim: The current study aims to compare the antimicrobial efficacy of commercially available EO on the periodontal pathogen, P. gingivalis, in comparison to chlorhexidine (CHX). Materials and Methods: Antimicrobial efficacy of EO and CHX was assessed at various concentrations against the periodontal pathogen P. gingivalis, by evaluating the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC). Results: P. gingivalis was seen to be sensitive at a MIC of 100 µg/ml and 50 µg/ml concentration of the EO, which is regarded as the MIC of EO against P. gingivalis and CHX effectively inhibited microbial growth at 0.4 µg/ml. Conclusion: A combination of EOs possesses a potent antibacterial activity against P. gingivalis, and the antibacterial efficacy increases with increasing concentration of EOs.