Comparative evaluation of diametral tensile strength of phosphate-bonded investment (ringless) material by using air-drying method, conventional hot air oven, microwave oven, and combination of microwave and conventional oven: An in vitro study.

AIM: This study evaluated and compared the diametral tensile strength (DTS) of phosphate-bonded investment (PBI) material (ringless) used in removable cast partial denture fabrication. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Comparative - Invitro study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The PBI material, Wirovest used in this study was subjected to four different drying methods. A total of 80 specimens were prepared in a cylindrical form; 20 specimens were air dried for 2 h, 20 specimens were dried in a conventional oven at 230°C for 1 h, 20 specimens were dried in microwave oven at 600 W for 10 min, and remaining 20 specimens were dried first in microwave oven and then in conventional oven. The dried specimens were tested at 2-h interval for diametral compression at a crosshead speed of 0.5 cm/min. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Pairwise analysis. RESULTS: The microwave drying technique and drying by combination method resulted in greater DTS, respectively. CONCLUSION: Within the limitation of this study, PBI specimens dried in microwave oven at 600W for 10 min increased the diametral strength and are also a time-saving procedure.

Knowledge and attitude about relining of complete dentures in clinical practice: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Residual ridge resorption is crucial sequelae of tooth loss. Complete dentures are the most common way of rehabilitating edentulous patients. However, with continuing residual ridge resorption, dentures tend to become loose and unstable causing discomfort, chewing disability, and speech problems. Denture relining is an economical means of improving a denture's stability and retention. An understanding of the clinical indications and limitations of these materials and procedures is crucial for clinical success. AIM AND OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this survey was to assess knowledge, attitude, and practice in relining dentures among dental practitioners. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The cross-sectional survey was conducted using a validated questionnaire on 200 (n = 200) dental practitioners in Nagpur city, Maharashtra. Data analysis was done using proportion test with SPSS EPI INFO software. RESULTS: Although all 200 practitioners were aware of the relining procedure and were routinely carrying out the procedure in their dental clinics, 50% of the practitioners were unaware of the correct relining step by step procedure and were also not sure about the antimicrobial properties of the relining material available in the market. CONCLUSION: Awareness and scientific knowledge about the relining materials and procedure should be enhanced within general dental practitioners through CDE program and workshops. Steps should be taken to include relining procedure as a part of undergraduate clinical curriculum as well as internship program.

Mobile learning app: A novel method to teach clinical decision making in prosthodontics.

BACKGROUND: Prosthodontics involves replacing lost dentofacial structures using artificial substitutes. Due to availability of many materials and techniques, clinician's clinical decision-making regarding appropriate selection of prosthesis requires critical thinking abilities and is demanding. Especially during graduate training years, learners do not receive the exposure to a variety of cases, thus their clinical reasoning skills are not developed optimally. Therefore, using the trend of incorporating technology in education, we developed a mobile learning app for this purpose. The aim of this study was to evaluate learners' perceptions of this app's utility and impact on their clinical decision-making skills. METHODS: After taking informed consent, interns of the Department of Prosthodontics of VSPM Dental College, Nagpur, India, during the academic year May 2015-May 2016 were sent the link for the app to be installed in their Android smartphones. Their perceptions were recorded on a feedback questionnaire using 5-point Likert scale. The script concordance test (SCT) was used to check for changes in clinical reasoning abilities. RESULTS: Out of 120 students who were sent the link, 102 downloaded the link and 92 completed the feedback questionnaire and appeared for the SCT (response rate: 76%). The overall response to the app was positive for more than two-thirds of interns, who reported a greater confidence in their clinical decision-making around prostheses through this app and 94% of the students felt that this app should be regularly used along with conventional teaching techniques. Mean SCT scores were pretest 41.5 (±1.7) and posttest 63 (±2.4) (P < 0.005). DISCUSSION: Clinical decision-making in prosthodontics, a mobile learning app, is an effective way to improve clinical reasoning skills for planning prosthodontic rehabilitation. It is well received by students.

Stabilizing the Carbon Marker During Surveying: An Innovative Technique.

Dental surveyor has been defined as an instrument used to determine the relative parallelism of two or more surfaces of the teeth or other parts of the cast of a dental arch. Therefore the primary purpose of surveying is to identify the modifications of oral structures that are necessary to fabricate a removable partial denture that will have a successful prognosis. It is the modification of tooth surfaces to accommodate placement of the component parts of the partial denture in their designated ideal position on abutment teeth that facilitates this prognosis. Routinely, during marking the survey line, the carbon marker breaks many a times, as it is somehow brittle in structure, even after holding it in the metal sheath. This unnecessarily lengthens the working time of the operator as well as laboratory personnel. In the above mentioned new technique, the plastic refill sheath holds the carbon marker easily and securely. This serves the marking on the cast without breakage of carbon marker, thus saves the operator's time. The plastic refill sheath is easily available and economical.

An In Vitro Study to Evaluate and Compare the Flow Property of Different Commercially Available Zinc Oxide Eugenol Impression Materials.

INTRODUCTION: Impression making is one of the most important steps in prosthodontic rehabilitation of edentulous patients. Zinc oxide eugenol (ZOE) impression paste is the most commonly used material for complete denture wash impression due to its cost-effectiveness and ease of manipulation, while providing the advantage of ability to record fine minute tissue details. Rheological property like flow is a critical factor influencing the success of any impression material, especially in intraoral conditions. Therefore, with so many brands of commercially available impression materials flooding the markets, the aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the flow property of four commercially available ZOE impression materials under simulated intraoral condition. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The testing method used was according to the American Dental Association (ADA) specification no. 16 for ZOE impression pastes. RESULTS: At room temperature, maximum flow was seen with Denzomix followed by Dental Product of India (DPI), Neogenate, and Cavex in descending order, respectively, at 30 s, 1 min, and 10 min of load application. At 37°C in saliva, maximum flow was seen with Denzomix followed by Neogenate, DPI, and Cavex in descending order, respectively, at 30 s, 1 min, and 10 min of load application. Of the four ZOE impression pastes, only the flow of Cavex was considerably less than ADA specified value. INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSION: Results obtained from this study showed that there is considerable variation in the flow values of different commercially available ZOE impression materials. Change in temperature and presence of saliva had a significant influence on the flow of ZOE impression materials.