Does platelet-rich fibrin increase bone regeneration in mandibular third molar extraction sockets?

Objectives: This study determined the effect of platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) on extraction socket bone regeneration and assessed the patterns and determinants of bone regeneration after the surgical extraction of impacted mandibular third molars. Materials and Methods: This prospective study randomly allocated 90 patients into two treatment groups: A PRF group (intervention group) and a non-PRF group (control group). After surgical extractions, the PRF group had PRF placed in the extraction socket and the socket was sutured, while the socket was only sutured in the non-PRF group. At postoperative weeks 1, 4, 8, and 12, periapical radiographs were obtained and HLImage software was used to determine the region of newly formed bone (RNFB) and the pattern of bone formation. The determinants of bone regeneration were assessed. Statistical significance was set at P<0.05. Results: The percentage RNFB (RNFB%) was not significantly higher in the PRF group when compared with the non-PRF group at postoperative weeks 1, 4, 8, and 12 (P=0.188, 0.155, 0.132, and 0.219, respectively). Within the non-PRF group, the middle third consistently exhibited the highest bone formation while the least amount of bone formation was consistently observed in the cervical third. In the PRF group, the middle third had the highest bone formation, while bone formation at the apical third was smaller compared to the cervical third at the 8th week with this difference widening at the 12th week. The sex of the patient, type of impaction, and duration of surgery was significantly associated with percentage bone formation (P=0.041, 0.043, and 0.018, respectively). Conclusion: Placement of PRF in extraction sockets increased socket bone regeneration. However, this finding was not statistically significant. The patient's sex, type of impaction, and duration of surgery significantly influenced the percentage of bone formation.

Does social vulnerability for caries predict caries status of children in sub-urban Nigeria?

It is important to identify groups of people vulnerable to a disease condition. Aim: To determine theassociation between social vulnerability to caries and caries status of children in Ile-Ife, Nigeria.Methods: A composite vulnerability index for caries was developed using data generated for 992children. Wilks’ Lambda test to verify relationship between vulnerability and its variables. Logisticregression analysis was conducted to determine if the social vulnerability for caries index was agood predictor for caries status. Results: The social vulnerability to caries index could not predictcaries status. The study found that sex, age and number of siblings were the significant predictorsof caries status in the study population. Females (AOR: 1.63; 95%CI: 1.08 – 2.46; p=0.02) andchildren with more than two siblings had higher odds of having caries (AOR: 2.61; 95%CI: 1.61 –4.24; p<0.001) while children below 5 years had lower odds of having caries (AOR: 0.62; 95%CI:0.39 – 1.00; p=0.05) Conclusions: The social vulnerability index for caries could not predict thecaries status of children in the study population. Sensitive tools to identify children with caries inthe study population should be developed.

Prevalence and modes of complementary and alternative medicine use among peasant farmers with musculoskeletal pain in a rural community in South-Western Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Anecdotally, use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) for Musculoskeletal Pain (MSP) is common in Nigeria; however, there seems to be a dearth of empirical data on its prevalence and mode of use. This study investigated the prevalence and modes of use of CAM for MSP among farmers in a rural community in South-western Nigeria. METHODS: This cross-sectional survey employed multistage sampling technique guidelines for conducting community survey by the World Health Organization among rural community farmers in Gudugbu village, Oyo State, Nigeria. A questionnaire developed from previous studies and validated by expert reviews was used to assess prevalence and modes of CAM use. Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Alpha level was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: A total of 230 consenting rural farmers volunteered for this study with a valid response rate of 93.9 % (n = 216). The lifetime, 12-month and point prevalence of CAM for MSP was 96.8 % respectively. Herbal therapy and massage were the predominant types of CAM therapies among previous (83.8 and 80.1 %) and current CAM users (37.5 and 37.5 %). CAM was largely used as sole therapy for MSP (75.5 %) and also in combination with orthodox medicine (23.6 %), and it is consumed on daily basis (21.8 %). CAM was perceived to be very good in maintaining a healthy life (87.1 %) and has less side effects (74 %) and more healthy than taking doctors' prescriptions (63.4 %). CONCLUSION: There is a high prevalence of CAM among Nigerian rural farmers. The most commonly employed CAM for MSP were herbal remedies and massage which are attributable to beliefs on their perceived efficacy.