Clinical and Radiographic Examination of Endoscopically Controlled Indirect Sinus Lift: An In vivo Study.

It was the aim of this study to quantify the gain in height of bone at implant sites by endoscopically controlled osteotome sinus floor elevations (ECOSFE) with simultaneous implant placement and to report the number of sinus membrane perforations. An indirect sinus lift was done in 10 patients under endoscopic control with an osteotome technique. The average residual height of the alveolar crest in the posterior maxilla was 5.625 mm. Elevation of the sinus floor was done using conventional sinus floor elevation instruments. A mean elevation of 5.205 mm was achieved. Twenty implants ranging in length from 10 mm to 13 mm (mean implant length 10.65 mm) were placed. As augmentation material, platelet-rich fibrin and autogenous bone were used. The sinus membrane could be visualized throughout the procedure and revealed no perforation. This technique is a safe and well-controlled procedure that allows immediate implant placement following sinus augmentation. It is more acceptable to patients, and can be applied to any implant system.

Marginal Adaptation Evaluation of Biodentine and MTA Plus in "Open Sandwich" Class II Restorations.

PURPOSES: This study aimed at evaluation of two different commercially available calcium silicate materials (Biodentine and mineral trioxide aggregate [MTA] Plus) used as dentin substitute. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty Class II cavities were prepared in extracted mandibular third molars, with margins extending 1 mm below the cementum-enamel junction. The samples were divided into three groups on the basis of dentin substitute used: resin modified glass ionomer cement, Biodentine, and MTA Plus. Cavities were restored with composite resins in an "open sandwich" technique. The samples were subjected to alternate aging in phosphate buffered saline and cyclic loading. Marginal adaptation was evaluated in terms of "continuous margin" at the gingival margin, using a low vacuum scanning electron microscope. Statistical analysis was done with two-way analysis of variance with Holm-Sidak's correction for multiple comparisons. RESULTS: The glass ionomer group and Biodentine group presented an overall 83% and 91% of continuous margins, with no difference between them. MTA Plus showed least values of continuous margins. Granular deposits were seen over the surface of Biodentine and MTA Plus. CONCLUSIONS: Biodentine and resin-modified glass ionomer cement, when used as a dentin substitute under composite restorations in open sandwich technique, gave satisfactory marginal adaptation values. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Contemporary calcium silicate materials can be used as dentin substitute materials in "open sandwich" Class II restorations. This study evaluates the marginal adaptation of Biodentine, MTA Plus, and resin modified glass ionomer cement used as dentin substitutes and reports better adaptation obtained with Biodentine and glass ionomer cement.

Post-recovery experience among COVID-19 patients: A population-based online survey in India.

INTRODUCTION: Patients who recovered from the acute phase of COVID-19 experience several post-COVID-19 health and social problems. This study was therefore done to explore the living experiences and the various health problems experienced by people and their determinants during the post-recovery phase of COVID-19. METHODOLOGY: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Mangalore in March 2022. Data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire designed as a Google Doc. Post-COVID-19 conditions were defined as adverse health consequences returning, new, or persistent beyond 1 month after SARS-CoV-2 infection. The experiences in the post-recovery phase of COVID-19 were assessed based on a scoring system for the related items in the questionnaire. RESULTS: Out of 235 participants, 204 (86.8%) reported post-COVID-19 health problems between 1 and 6 months following SARS-CoV-2 infection. The majority of them reported fatigue [114 (55.9%)]. Self-perceived health status and social relationships were significantly poorer among participants in the post-COVID-19 phase than before infection. In the multivariable analysis, unmarried/divorced/widow status, staying within city limits, and history of being admitted to the hospital due to various COVID-19-related emergencies were independently associated with the presence of post-COVID-19 conditions among the participants. The living experience in the post-recovery phase was positive only among 22 (9.4%) participants and was found to be significantly associated with the severe status of COVID-19 at the time of disease presentation. CONCLUSIONS: Post-COVID-19 health problems were present among several participants. Those identified to be at risk of developing these conditions need to be periodically screened and managed with a multi-disciplinary care and rehabilitation program. There is also a need to address social problems and encourage positive living experiences among COVID-19 patients during the post-recovery phase of the disease.

Ascertaining Framingham heart failure phenotype from inpatient electronic health record data using natural language processing: a multicentre Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) validation study.

OBJECTIVES: Using free-text clinical notes and reports from hospitalised patients, determine the performance of natural language processing (NLP) ascertainment of Framingham heart failure (HF) criteria and phenotype. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective observational study design of patients hospitalised in 2015 from four hospitals participating in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study was used to determine NLP performance in the ascertainment of Framingham HF criteria and phenotype. SETTING: Four ARIC study hospitals, each representing an ARIC study region in the USA. PARTICIPANTS: A stratified random sample of hospitalisations identified using a broad range of International Classification of Disease, ninth revision, diagnostic codes indicative of an HF event and occurring during 2015 was drawn for this study. A randomly selected set of 394 hospitalisations was used as the derivation dataset and 406 hospitalisations was used as the validation dataset. INTERVENTION: Use of NLP on free-text clinical notes and reports to ascertain Framingham HF criteria and phenotype. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: NLP performance as measured by sensitivity, specificity, positive-predictive value (PPV) and agreement in ascertainment of Framingham HF criteria and phenotype. Manual medical record review by trained ARIC abstractors was used as the reference standard. RESULTS: Overall, performance of NLP ascertainment of Framingham HF phenotype in the validation dataset was good, with 78.8%, 81.7%, 84.4% and 80.0% for sensitivity, specificity, PPV and agreement, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: By decreasing the need for manual chart review, our results on the use of NLP to ascertain Framingham HF phenotype from free-text electronic health record data suggest that validated NLP technology holds the potential for significantly improving the feasibility and efficiency of conducting large-scale epidemiologic surveillance of HF prevalence and incidence.

Trace level monitoring of Cu(II) ion using CuS particles based membrane electrochemical sensor.

Cu(II) monitoring is a matter of great interest to researchers due to its toxicity and adverse environmental effects. Among different methods for detecting Cu(II), ion-selective electrode (ISE) is more advantageous as they are low-cost, easy to fabricate, and highly selective. Here, we report a simple, inexpensive, and reproducible procedure for the fabrication of Cu(II) ion-selective electrodes using CuS particles and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) as a matrix. CuS particles, obtained by chemical precipitation, were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-Ray spectroscopy (EDX). Optimization of the membrane compositions was done to get a well-behaved sensor by varying amounts of CuS, PVC, and acetophenone (AP). A membrane composition of 0.4 g CuS, 0.5 g PVC, and 1.0 mL AP in 5.0 mL tetrahydrofuran (THF) gave a Nernstian slope of 27.31 mV per decade change of Cu(II) ion over a wide range of concentration down to 64 ppb (1 × 10-6 M). The sensor gave a fast response time of 25 s, and it indicated the endpoint in a potentiometric titration of Cu(II) with standard EDTA solution. A pH-independent potential response was obtained in the pH 4.0-6.0.

Effect of flowable composite liner and glass ionomer liner on class II gingival marginal adaptation of direct composite restorations with different bonding strategies.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the present study was to comparatively evaluate the effect of flowable composite resin liner and resin modified glass ionomer liner on gingival marginal adaptation of class II cavities restored using three bonding agents (Single Bond 3M ESPE, One Coat Self Etching Bond Coltene Whaledent; Adper Easy Bond Self-Etch Adhesive 3M ESPE) and respective composite resins, under cyclic loading. The marginal adaptation was evaluated in terms of 'continuous margin' (CM) at the gingival margin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety class II cavities with margins extending 1mm below the cement-enamel junction were prepared in extracted mandibular third molars. The samples were divided into three groups: no liner placement; 0.5-1mm thick flowable resin liner placement (Filtek Z350 XT flowable resin) on gingival floor and; light cure glass ionomer (Ketac N100) liner. The groups were further subdivided into three sub-groups on the basis of the bonding agents used. Cavities were restored with composite resins (Z350 for Single Bond and Adper Easy Bond; and Synergy D6 Universal, for One Coat Self Etching Bond) in 2mm increments and the samples were mechanically loaded (60N, 1,50,000 cycles). Marginal adaptation was evaluated using a low vacuum scanning electron microscope. Statistical analysis was done with two way ANOVA with Holm-Sidak's correction for multiple comparisons. RESULTS: Placement of flowable composite liner significantly improved the CM values of Single Bond (78±11%) and One Coat Self Etching Bond (77±9%) compared with no liner group, but the values of CM of Adper Easy Bond were not improved (61±12%). Placement of glass ionomer liner significantly improved the values of CM in all the sub-groups (78±9%, 72±10% and 77±10% for Single Bond, One Coat Self Etching Bond & Adper Easy Bond respectively) compared with no liner group. CONCLUSIONS: Placement of liners improved the values of 'continuous margin' in the gingival floor of the proximal cavities restored with composite resins using different bonding agent. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Placement of flowable composite liner or glass ionomer liner will improve the marginal integrity of composite restorations using etch-and-rinse and two bottle-two step self etch adhesives. To improve the marginal integrity of a single bottle adhesive, glass ionomer liner should be applied.

Comparison of different final impression techniques for management of resorbed mandibular ridge: a case report.

The history of complete denture impression procedures has been influenced largely by the development of impression materials from which new techniques and ideas arose. The purpose of this study was to compare the retention of complete dentures made by using different impression techniques like conventional, admixed, all green, and functional techniques. The results showed that there was significant difference in retention between the six techniques where functional technique showed the highest mean value of retention followed by elastomeric, all green, and admixed, while cocktail and green stick compound showed the lowest mean value. However, on clinical examination, the retention produced by the six techniques was satisfactory.

The effect of ferrule presence and type of dowel on fracture resistance of endodontically treated teeth restored with metal-ceramic crowns.

AIM: The purpose of the present study was to comparatively evaluate the effect of presence of a 2 mm ferrule and different type of dowels on fracture resistance of mandibular premolars. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty uniradicular mandibular premolars were divided into five groups (n = 10). Ten teeth received no treatment (group I). Samples in group II & III were decoronated 2 mm above cemento-enamel junction and received custom cast dowel-core and fiber dowel-composite core respectively, with 2 mm ferrule. Samples in group IV & V were decoronated at CEJ and were restored using cast dowels and fiber dowel-composite cores, without any ferrule. The restored teeth received metal ceramic crowns and were mechanically loaded. The specimens were subjected to a static load, until fracture, to determine the fracture resistance and fracture mode. RESULTS: The samples with 2 mm ferrule had a higher fracture resistance than non ferrule groups. Within non ferrule groups, there were no significant differences in the fracture resistance. Specimen restored with cast dowel had more incidence of non-repairable fracture. CONCLUSIONS: Presence of ferrule increased the fracture resistance of endodontically treated teeth. In case of absence of ferrule, fiber dowels had similar fracture resistance as that of cast dowels and showed increased incidence of repairable fracture.

Ionizing irradiation affects the microtensile resin dentin bond strength under simulated clinical conditions.

OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the effect of ionizing radiations on resin-dentin interface in terms of marginal adaptation and micro-tensile bond strength under thermocycling and mechanical loading. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty extracted human mandibular third molars were divided into four groups. GR I: No Irradiation and Class II MO cavities were prepared that were restored with composite restorations; GR II: Teeth were irradiated and restored; GR III: Teeth were restored and irradiated; GR IV: Teeth were restored during irradiation dosage fractions. All samples were thermal and mechanical loaded with 5000 cycles, 5 ± 2-55 ± 2°C, dwell time 30 s and 150,000 cycles at 60N. Resin-dentin slabs were trimmed into dumbbell-shaped slabs and microtensile bond strength was measured. The bond strength data was analyzed by one-way analysis of variance test. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Irradiation before tooth preparation deteriorated the microtensile bond strength.

The split denture: managing xerostomia in denture patients: a case report.

Wearing complete dentures can be an extremely uncomfortable experience for the people with Xerostomia. Various treatment modalities have been suggested in the literature to overcome the problem of xerostomia in complete denture patients. Incorporating reservoirs containing salivary substitutes, into dentures, is one of these treatment modalities. This paper presents case report of a patient suffering from xerostomia who was successfully treated with a new form of reservoir dentures. This new split denture technique resulted in a reservoir denture that provided good lubrication of the oral tissues, was easily cleaned by the wearer and was produced from routine denture materials. Details of its design, construction and other potential applications are also presented.

A study to evaluate the retentive ability of different denture adhesive materials: an in vitro study.

Denture Adhesives are commonly used by denture wearers to enhance the retentive ability of their dentures however, little is known about the efficacy of these materials. To compare the retentive ability of three different commercially available denture adhesives. To find out the best available denture adhesive material. An in vitro investigation to evaluate the retentive ability of three commercially available denture adhesive powders and two adhesive pastes was conducted. The adhesion and cohesion that developed between the glass surface and acrylic resin samples when the various materials were interposed between them was evaluated by means of a testing apparatus. Denture adhesives increase the adhesion of resin samples to the glass surface. Fixon powder showed the highest resistance to dislodgement. The paste forms were found to be more retentive. Denture adhesives when used in combination with synthetic saliva showed the maximum value.

Low frequency Raman scattering from acoustic phonons confined in ZnO nanoparticles.

We report here the first observation of the low frequency Raman scattering from acoustic phonons in semiconducting zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles without embedding in any solid matrix. ZnO nanoparticles (size 5-10 nm) with nearly spherical shape have been synthesized using a chemical route. A shift in the phonon peaks toward higher frequencies along with broadening was observed with a decrease in particle size. The size dependence of the acoustic phonons in ZnO nanoparticles is explained using Lamb's theory that predicts the vibrational frequencies of a homogeneous elastic body of spherical shape. Our results show that the observed low frequency Raman scattering originates from the spherical (l = 0) and quadrupolar vibrations (l = 2) of the spheroidal mode due to the confinement of acoustic vibrations in ZnO nanoparticles.