Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 - A Surge of CoronaVirus Disease-2019: An Epidemiological Study in Coimbatore District.

Context: Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) is an ongoing pneumonia-like cluster syndrome which originated in Wuhan city of China and is still now on escalation, causing severe outbreaks all over the world. Being a ribonucleic acid (RNA) virus which has the low proofreading RNA-dependent RNA polymerase leads to many mutations and that serves as the major cause for the progress of the disease. As per the recent research works done, 99% of COVID-19 severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) are due to pangolin-associated coronavirus which causes the super spreading events of coronavirus. SARS-CoV-2 was identified in the nasopharyngeal swabs received in the viral transport medium at optimum temperature. Materials and Methods: The tests were conducted for a time period of 1 year from July 2020 to June 2021. A total of 77,824 samples were tested in the laboratory as per ICMR guidelines using approved RNA extraction kits and polymerase chain reaction kits. Results: In the total of 77,824 samples tested in our laboratory, 14174 positives were identified. In that, about seven positive cases (0.004%) were identified in the month of July 2020 which increased to the maximum in September 2020 to about 865 positive cases (6%) which is the peak of first wave COVID-19 in Coimbatore district, Tamil Nadu. Out of 77,824 samples tested, the actual cumulative laboratory-confirmed positive cases of about 14174 were identified. In that, 7731 (55%) male positive cases were identified, 6171 (43%) female positive cases were identified, and 270 (2%) children who were below 12 years of age also were tested positive. Conclusions: The findings of the study indicated a high predominance of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the male gender population when compared to females and children below 12 years of age in Coimbatore district as of June 2021. The surge of cases was high in September 2020 as well as in May 2021, indicating the first and second wave of COVID-19.

Spectrophotometric Evaluation of Shade Selection with Digital and Visual Methods.

AIM: The main purpose of the study was to learn the possible shade differences between human eye and the digital method with spectrophotometric methods. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty dental students of age groups 18-25 with maxillary right central incisor after undergoing oral prophylaxis were included in this study. Before undergoing shade selection, standardization protocol was followed. The shade of the right maxillary central incisor was determined by using the following methods: visual, spectrophotometer, and digital photography. The shades obtained by both spectrophotometer and visual methods are compared and similarly L*, a*, and b* values obtained by both spectrophotometer and digital methods are compared. Finally these comparisons are subjected to statistical analysis. RESULTS: Z and P values of digital and spectrophotometric methods were found to be statistically significant. Tooth shade selected between spectrophotometric and visual method was analyzed by using chi-square test, which shows highly significant value. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that the digital photography can be used as one of the reliable methods for shade selection in a clinical setup.

Partial Edentulousness in a Rural Population Based on Kennedy's Classification: Epidemiological Study.

INTRODUCTION: Edentulousness falls in a special category among the various conditions of dental origin. A simple estimation of the partial edentulous condition is a rough indication of the prevalence of dental diseases and success or failure of dental care. METHODOLOGY: In this study a cross sectional survey was carried out among 1000 patients of rural population in JKK Nataraja Dental College, Komarapalayam, Namakkal District, Tamilnadu, India. The aim of this study was to evaluate the epidemiological features of partial edentulous condition in the age group of 30-60 years in a rural Population based on the Kennedy classification. A pre tested questionnaire was Used in this study. RESULT: Chi-square test was conducted and results were obtained and P value <0.05 was considered stastically significant. CONCLUSION: The study revealed Kennedy Class III partially edentulous condition was more common than other conditions. There is significant correlation between lack of awareness, education and socio-economic status in relation to loss of teeth among population.

Evaluation of Efficiency of Different Decontamination Methods of Dental Burs: An In vivo Study.

INTRODUCTION: Infection control is very important in dentistry. Both dentist and patients are at risk of communicating diseases during treatment procedures. Dental burs have been identified as a source of cross-contamination between patient and dental personnel. AIM: The present study was done to quantitatively and qualitatively assess the pathogenic contamination of dental burs used for tooth preparation and to determine the effective method of sterilization(autoclave, glass bead sterilizer, hot air oven and surgical spirit immersion) of burs used for crown preparation. METHODOLOGY: Dental burs were assessed before and after tooth preparation, also after sterilization burs were evaluated. CONCLUSION: Findings of our study revealed that among the experimental groups used in the present study, Autoclave and Hot air oven was found to be the relatively best method to sterilize burs. Proper cleaning and sterilization of burs should be strictly employed to prevent cross contamination in clinical practice.

In vitro comparative evaluation of mechanical properties of temporary restorative materials used in fixed partial denture.

INTRODUCTION: Materials used to fabricate provisional restorations can be classified as acrylics or resin composites. Provisional crows can be either prefabricated or custom made. ACRYLICS: These materials have been used to fabricate provisional restorations since the 1930s and usually available as powder and liquid. They are the most commonly used materials today for both single-unit and multiple-unit restorations. In general, their popularity is due to their low cost, acceptable esthetics, and versatility. COMPOSITES: Composite provisional materials use bis-acryl resin, a hydrophobic material that is similar to bis-GMA. Composites are available as auto-polymerized, dualpolymerized and visible light polymerized. PREFORMED CROWNS: Preformed provisional crowns or matrices usually consist of tooth-shaped shells of plastic, cellulose acetate or metal. They are commercially available in various tooth sizes and are usually selected for a particular tooth anatomy. They are commonly relined with acrylic resin to provide a more custom fit before cementation, but the plastic and metal crown shells can also be cemented directly onto prepared teeth. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to choose a material to serve as a better interim prosthesis and to compare three different properties - flexural strength, compressive strength, and color stability. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The samples were made with three different provisional materials (Revotek LC, Protemp 4, TemSpan). RESULT: It was inferred from the study that no one material was superior in all three tested parameters.