Barotrauma: Tooth Under Pressure.

With the growing number of air passengers, flight attendants, leisure pilots, as well as military and airline pilots, dentists may encounter physiological and pathological phenomena precipitated by high altitude. With the introduction of the self-contained breathing apparatus (SCUBA), many of these manifestations caused by changes in atmospheric pressure were reported in association with diving as well. Limited literature exists on this subject. Hence, this article aims to review literature concerning the classification, etiology and manifestations of barodontalgia, as well as important clinical considerations for its management.

Barotrauma: Tooth under Pressure.

With the growing number of air passengers, flight attendants, leisure pilots, as well as military and airline pilots, dentists may encounter physiological and pathological phenomena precipitated by high altitude. With the introduction of the self-contained breathing apparatus (SCUBA), many of these manifestations caused by changes in atmospheric pressure were reported in association with diving as well. Limited literature exists on this subject. Hence, this article aims to review literature concerning the classification, etiology and manifestations of barodontalgia, as well as important clinical considerations for its management.

Force transfer and stress distribution in an implant-supported overdenture retained with a hader bar attachment: a finite element analysis.

Background and Objectives. A key factor for the long-term function of a dental implant is the manner in which stresses are transferred to the surrounding bone. The effect of adding a stiffener to the tissue side of the Hader bar helps to reduce the transmission of the stresses to the alveolar bone. But the ideal thickness of the stiffener to be attached to the bar is a subject of much debate. This study aims to analyze the force transfer and stress distribution of an implant-supported overdenture with a Hader bar attachment. The stiffener of the bar attachments was varied and the stress distribution to the bone around the implant was studied. Methods. A CT scan of edentulous mandible was used and three models with 1, 2, and 3 mm thick stiffeners were created and subjected to loads of emulating the masticatory forces. These different models were analyzed by the Finite Element Software (Ansys, Version 8.0) using von Mises stress analysis. Results. The results showed that the maximum stress concentration was seen in the neck of the implant for models A and B. In model C the maximum stress concentration was in the bar attachment making it the model with the best stress distribution, as far as implant failures are concerned. Conclusion. The implant with Hader bar attachment with a 3 mm stiffener is the best in terms of stress distribution, where the stress is concentrated at the bar and stiffener regions.

A finite element analysis of stress distribution in the bone, around the implant supporting a mandibular overdenture with ball/o ring and magnetic attachment.

Today implant dentistry has made great inroads into the treatment modalities that are available in treating an edentulous patient. Popularity of a two implant retained overdenture has created a necessity to examine the various attachment systems being used and the stresses that are transmitted to the alveolar bone. Hence a Three dimensional Finite Element Analysis was done to analyze the stress distribution in the mandibular bone with implant-supported overdenture having Ball/O-ring and Magnet attachments of different diameters. A segment of the anterior region of the mandible was modeled with implant and the overdenture. Four different models were generated having Ball/O-Ring and Magnet Attachments. Forces of 10 N, 35 N and 70 N were applied from the horizontal, vertical and oblique directions respectively and the stress distribution studied. It was concluded that the greatest stress concentrations were seen at the crest of the cortical bone and could be reduced by using smaller sized attachments for implant supported-overdenture.

Nanodentistry: A Paradigm Shift-from Fiction to Reality.

Nanodentistry is an emerging field with significant potential to yield new generation of technologically advanced clinical tools and devices for oral healthcare. Nanoscale topology and quantitative biomechanical or biophysical analysis of dental surfaces are of significant interest. In particular, using Atomic force microscopy techniques-diseases such as dental caries, tooth hypersensitivity, and oral cancer can be quantified based on morphological, biophysical and biochemical nanoscale properties of tooth surface itself and dental materials or oral fluids such as saliva. An outlook on future "nanodentistry" developments such as saliva exosomes based diagnostics, designing biocompatible, antimicrobial dental implants and personalized dental healthcare is presented. This article examines current applications of nanotechnology alongside proposed applications in the future and aims to demonstrate that, as well as a good deal of science fiction, there is some tangible science fact emerging from this novel multidisciplinary science.

Gingival biotype - Prosthodontic perspective.

During treatment planning it is important to recognize different gingival biotypes and forms, because they can affect the esthetic outcome of the treatment. This review provides an insight into the different gingival biotypes, their response to inflammation and trauma; significance in different prosthodontic modalities like esthetic rehabilitation and implant therapy.