To study the effect of Cocos nucifera oil when incorporated into tissue conditioner on its tensile strength and antifungal activity: An in vitro study.

AIM: This study aims to test the tensile strength and growth of Candida albicans on Viscogel tissue conditioner when incorporated with coconut oil (CCO) and to compare its efficacy with other antifungal agents. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Evaluative - In-vitro study design. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty dumbbell-shaped samples (n = 10) of Viscogel tissue conditioner were fabricated according to ASTM standard and were classified into 5 groups (10% CCO, 30% w/w tea tree oil, 5% w/w fluconazole, 0.03% w/w silver nanoparticles, and plain tissue conditioner). These samples were compared and evaluated for their tensile strength. Further to test the antifungal activity, a total of 60 samples (n = 15) were fabricated, each group (n = 15) was further divided into three subgroups (n = 5), namely 24-h, 3-day, and 5-day period, which were inoculated in sabouraud dextrose agar plate to test for the growth of C. albicans. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Oneway ANOVA and post hoc Tukey honestly significant difference test. RESULTS: 10% w/w CCO yielded a mean tensile strength of 20.06 as compared to the plain tissue conditioner which showed a mean tensile strength of 17.81. Similarly, 10% w/w CCO incorporated into Viscogel tissue conditioner showed a significant reduction in the colonization of C. albicans on the 5th day. CONCLUSIONS: 10% w/w of CCO when mixed with Viscogel tissue conditioner showed a significant reduction in the growth of C. albicans, and addition of the same increased the tensile strength of the tissue conditioner.

Prosthetic Lip with the Retentive Attachment for a Unilateral Cleft Lip Patient: A Clinical Report.

Patients afflicted with congenital cleft lip defect experience disfigured facial esthetics and lack of oral competency that could reduce the speech intelligibility. Rehabilitation of such cosmetic deformities condition often encountered with dental abnormalities becomes the challenge. When surgical treatment is not desired, prosthetic reconstruction turns out to be an economical option. This clinical treatment describes the fabrication of a maxillary lip prosthesis supported by a cast partial denture retained with magnetic attachment in a cleft lip patient. The use of intraoral magnets placed labially on the cast partial denture and on the counterpart of the prosthesis improved the retention. Moreover, the biomedical-grade silicone prosthesis used to blend closely with the patient's skin shade fulfilled the esthetic needs.

Mastication as a tool to prevent cognitive dysfunctions.

Mastication as we all know has always been related to its primary function of digestion, but little do we know that it produces an enhancing effect on general health, especially the cognitive performance related aspects of memory. Recent studies have shown its association with activation of various brain regions, however little is known about its effects on neuronal activity in these specified regions. According to the enormous evidences collected so far, mastication has proved to be effective in conducting huge amount of sensory information to the brain, and maintaining learning and memory functions of hippocampus. Therefore it is essential that we maintain normal occlusion and preserve the masticatory function as long as possible to prevent the attenuation of hippocampus, caused by occlusal disharmony and reduced mastication. We provide an overview on how mastication activates various cortical areas of the brain and how an increase in the cerebral blood oxygen level of hippocampus and prefrontal cortex (PFC) accentuates the learning and memory process. We also justify why maintaining and establishing a normal occlusion is important from neurological point of view.

Recreating an esthetically and functionally acceptable dentition: a multidisciplinary approach.

Patients today demand a youthful, attractive smile with comfortable functional acceptance. The complete oral rehabilitation of patients with a functionally compromised dentition frequently involves a multidisciplinary approach and presents a considerable clinical challenge. To a great extent, proper patient selection and careful interdisciplinary treatment planning, including acknowledgment of the patient's perceived needs, reasons for seeking services, financial ability, and socioeconomic profile, can govern the predictability of successful restorations. This clinical report describes a successful interdisciplinary approach for the management of a severely worn dentition with reduced vertical dimension of occlusion. Treatment modalities included periodontal crown lengthening procedures, endodontic treatment followed by post and core restorations, and prosthetic rehabilitation for severe tooth surface loss and reduced vertical dimension of occlusion comprising metal-ceramic restorations in esthetic zones and full-metal restorations in posterior regions.