Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Telemedicine in Postoperative Follow-Up Care After Dental Implant Surgery. A Pilot Study.

Aim: Telemedicine has emerged as a potential solution to enhance postoperative follow-up care after dental implant surgery, offering the convenience of remote monitoring and reduced need for in-person visits. Materials and Methods: Participants were randomly assigned to either the telemedicine group (n = 15) or the in-person group (n = 15). In the telemedicine group, patients received remote follow-up care through virtual consultations, during which they could communicate their concerns and share images of the surgical site. The in-person group received standard in-person follow-up visits. Patient satisfaction was measured using a standardized survey, with responses collected on a Likert scale. Results: Telemedicine group exhibited comparable levels of patient satisfaction (mean satisfaction score ± standard deviation: 4.6 ± 0.3) to the in-person group (4.7 ± 0.2). Moreover, clinical outcomes, including wound healing assessment, were similar between the two groups. No significant differences were observed in the incidence of postoperative complications or the need for additional interventions. Conclusion: In conclusion, this pilot study demonstrates that telemedicine is an effective alternative to traditional in-person follow-up care for postoperative dental implant surgery patients. It offers comparable patient satisfaction and clinical outcomes while proving to be more cost-effective.

Investigating the Long-Term Success and Complication Rates of Zirconia Dental Implants: A Prospective Clinical Study.

This study addresses the durability and complications of zirconia dental implants through a prospective clinical investigation. Zirconia implants are increasingly utilized in dental implantation, and a comprehensive understanding of their long-term performance is essential. Background: Zirconia dental implants have gained attention due to their biocompatibility and aesthetics. However, research on their extended success and complication rates is limited. Materials and Methods: A prospective clinical study involved the placement of 30 zirconia dental implants in patients requiring tooth replacement. The implants were followed up for five years. Success was defined as the implant remaining stable and functional. Complications, including peri-implant mucositis and peri-implantitis, were monitored. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, and P-values were set at P < 0.05. Results: The long-term success rate of zirconia dental implants was found to be 93.3%. Among the 30 implants, only 2 exhibited failure. The most common complication was peri-implant mucositis, occurring in 16.7% of implants. Notably, the incidence of peri-implantitis was limited, observed in 6.7% of implants. Statistical analysis showed significant associations between implant failure and smoking (P = 0.021). Conclusion: Zirconia dental implants demonstrated a high long-term success rate of 93.3% over five years. Peri-implant mucositis was the predominant complication, with a relatively low occurrence of peri-implantitis. The findings underscore the potential of zirconia implants for reliable dental implantation. Addressing modifiable risk factors, such as smoking, could further enhance implant success. Continued research is recommended to validate and expand upon these outcomes.

Comparison of Different Reconstruction Flap for Maxillofacial Region: An Original Research.

Introduction: Large chunks of the tissue are sacrificed during the surgical procedures for the treatment if oral cancers. Our goal was to assess the viability of "Buccal reconstruction using the anterolateral thigh (ALT) flaps, platysma myocutaneous (PM), and radial forearm free (RFF)". Material and Methods: Sixty subjects were included in this investigation, and they were divided into 3 groups. The follow-up as accompanied for six months. Comparisons were made for the time for the operations, reduction in the width of the mouth opening and the survival rates of the flaps. The data that was collected for the above two parameters and compared for the significance using the ANOVA, keeping P < 0.05 as significant. Results: In the subjects with the PM, the width of the mouth opening reduced comparatively greater than that of the subjects who received other two flaps. The reduction in the mouth opening in the PM was significantly greater compared to that of the ALT and RFF. Survival was greater for the groups ALT and RFF compared to PM. Time of the surgery was the greatest for the ALT and least for the PF. Conclusion: The observations point to the fact that the PF requires more time than that of the other two flaps. The survival was however better for the ALT and RFF. Further research is suggested for suggesting an appropriative flap design.

Assessment of PCL between dental implant prosthesis and natural teeth using a digital force analyzer.

BACKGROUND: The prime concern of an implant-supported prosthesis (ISP) is to maintain an optimal proximal contact tightness, which further maintains arch integrity, improves masticatory effectiveness, and minimizes peri-implantitis. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the loss of proximal contact tightness between single tooth implant-supported prosthesis and the adjacent natural teeth. METHODS: Forty patients treated by a single mandibular first molar ISP, aged between 18-50 years were selected. All were randomly allocated in Group I and Group II. Group I, 20 subjects who have received ISP without an insertion of Essix retainer, and Group II patients received an insertion with Essix retainer. The groups were subdivided into Subgroup A, B, and Subgroup C, D, in which A and C are control groups. To measure the tightness at proximal contact points, a digital force analyzer was used. Proximal contact tightness (PCT) was measured immediately after the placement of the prosthesis, 3 months, 6 months, and 1-year follow-up respectively, and the PCT values at end of 1 year were statistically evaluated. Statistical analysis was done, mean and standard deviation was calculated by independent sample t-test wit p< 0.05 as a statistically significant value. RESULTS: In Group I, towards the end of 1 year, 2.09 N (65.5%) and 1.50 N (53.1%) loss of PCT were found on mesial and distal contact areas respectively. In Group II, loss of PCT at mesial contact area was 0.87 N (28.9%) and at distal contact area was 1.77 N (53.3%), which is significantly less compared with the non-usage of Essix retainer (p< 0.05). CONCLUSION: The usage of Essix retainer, PCT increases especially on the mesial contact area. The frequency of contact loss was decreased. Thus, to minimize the loss of proximal contact the usage of Essix retainer is recommended.

Comparison between Conventional, Game-based, and Self-made Storybook-based Oral Health Education on Children's Oral Hygiene Status: A Prospective Cohort Study.

INTRODUCTION: Dental caries is the most widespread disease affecting children worldwide. The reason for this increased prevalence is the use of more processed foods and beverages with the addition of refined sugars. General health affects oral health and its maintenance is of great importance. Lifestyle modifications and habits are formed at an early age therefore health education plays an important role in educating them about the prevention of problems related to oral health. Hence, the aim of this study was to assess and compare the effectiveness of conventional method, game-based and storybook-based oral health education on the oral hygiene status among 7-12-year-old schoolchildren. PURPOSE: To assess and compare the effectiveness of conventional method, game-based and storybook-based oral health education on the oral hygiene status among 7-12-year-old schoolchildren. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 300 children aged 7-12 years were divided into 3 groups. Each group had 100 children which were randomly assigned to each of the three groups. In group I, oral health education with the help of conventional method using educative posters was given to children once daily for a week. In group II, oral health education was imparted to children through play method (i.e., snakes and ladders game combined with flash cards) followed by group III, in which children were given education through self-made storybooks. The oral hygiene of all the children was estimated through Oral Hygiene Index-Simplified Debris (DI-S) score at day 1 and after 3 months after intervention. RESULTS: In group III, storybooks showed maximum reduction in debris score which was found to be highly statistically significant followed by game based (group II) and conventional method (group I) of oral health education. CONCLUSION: The reduction in debris score was seen maximum in group III (storybooks). Hence, the use of storybooks should be encouraged for educating children regarding basic oral health concepts. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: There is important need to understand differences in the mental cognitive ability of the children at different ages and the need to develop different intervention programs for different age-groups. Rationalizing reading can be an intelligent initiative toward the development of good oral habits and transforming the outlook of oral healthcare system in years to come. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Sharma S, Saxena S, Naik SN, et al. Comparison between Conventional, Game-based, and Self-made Storybook-based Oral Health Education on Children's Oral Hygiene Status: A Prospective Cohort Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2021;14(2):273-277.