The New Beginning

No abstract available.</jats:p

Prevention is Always Better than Cure

Preventive dentistry is what every dentist and periodontist aims for. A hospital-based study in Nepal showed that staggering 52.5% suffered from gingivitis and 47.5% suffered from periodontitis (28.3% localised, 18% generalised).1 The two major risk factors for various periodontal diseases that can easily be prevented are: tobacco smoking and dental plaque.</jats:p

Five-Year Follow-up of an Immediate Implant Placement in the Aesthetic Zone

Immediate implants are placed in the site of surgical extraction of the tooth to be replaced. The percentage success of such procedures varies among authors from 94-100%. Immediate implant placement is most commonly indicated when tooth extraction is done with pathologies not amenable to treatment. The advantages include reduced post-extraction alveolar bone resorption, shortened treatment time, and the avoidance of a second surgical intervention with regard to delayed implantation. This report describes a case of immediate implant placed in a maxillary central incisor followed by evaluation of soft and hard tissue changes occurring during post-operative period with a follow-up at five years.</jats:p

Immediate Implant Placement in Anterior Maxilla

This case report describes extraction of a fractured right maxillary lateral incisor tooth which was previously treated endodontically, followed by immediate placement of a dental implant in the prepared socket and temporisation by a removable partial denture. The tooth was extracted with minimal hard and soft tissue trauma. The socket was prepared to the required depth and implant was inserted. An impression was made after four months, and a definitive restoration was placed. The atraumatic operating technique and the immediate insertion of the implant resulted in the preservation of the hard and soft tissues at the extraction site. The patient exhibited no clinical or radiologic complications after loading.</jats:p

Combined Periodontal and Endodontic Management of Palatal Radicular Groove with Platelet-Rich Fibrin and Biodentine®

Palatal radicular groove (PRG) is developmental anomaly of root, which when present is associated with periodontal and endodontic problems. Different treatment modalities are available for its management, such as periodontal flap surgery, endodontic management, sealing of PRG with various cements, bone graft procedure for intrabony defect, extraction with intentional replantation after sealing or removal of a PRG, and endodontic treatment as well as the use of various growth factors. Success of the therapy depends on the type, depth, and extent of PRG, presence or absence of intrabony defect, vitality of involved tooth, and types of materials used to seal PRG. This study reports management of PRG with Biodentine® and platelet-rich fibrin in a 44-year-old systemically healthy female patient

ESTHETIC MANAGEMENT OF GINGIVAL HYPERPIGMENTATION WITH ELECTROSURGERY TECHNIQUE: A CASE REPORT

The colour of gingiva is usually considered as “coral pink” which is determined by thickness and degree of keratinization, vascular supply, pigmentation like melanin, and various exogenous substances like tobacco, colouring agents in foods, etc. Gingival hyperpigmentation may be a pathological condition but it is usually a physiological condition that is a major esthetic problem for a patient with a high smile line. Gingival depigmentation is a periodontal plastic surgical procedure that reduces or eliminates the degree of pigmentation. Different treatment modalities for gingival depigmentation have been documented, such as scalpel, electrosurgery, diamond burs, chemical methods, cryosurgery, lasers, and micro-needling with ascorbic acid. This article reports the depigmentation procedure of hyperpigmented gingiva with electrocautery in 25 years old male patient.</jats:p

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DENTAL ANXIETY AND PAIN PERCEPTION DURING SCALING IN PERIODONTALLY HEALTHY SUBJECTS

Background: Dental pain, anxiety and fear experience are the factors that discourage the demand for treatment. Dental treatment influences patients by causing stress and reminding them of unpleasant memories which often leads to the postponement of dental treatment deteriorating the periodontal health.Research showed that dental anxiety, fear and apprehensive anticipation of potential threats cause patients to cancel, miss, or arrive late for dental appointments. The aim of the study was to evaluate patients’ pain perception during scaling and its relationship with dental anxiety. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in 200 dental patients from March 2021 to June 2021 at Kist Medical College and Hospital.Pain levels after scaling were assessed with a visual analog scale (VAS) and an anxiety questionnaire consisting of seven questions, each with five possible answers. Data analysis was done with SPSS 21 using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: The mean VAS score for the entire group was 26.70±17.73 and for women and men were 28.68±17.70 and 24.75±17.64, respectively. The difference in mean VAS scores between women and men was statistically significant (p= 0.000). The mean anxiety score for the whole study population was 12.21±4.32.The questionnaire score was similar in women 13.46±4.55 and 10.99±3.71 in men (p =0.117). Conclusions: An understanding of the presence of the anxiety and fear helps dentists to grasp what patients feel about dental treatment procedures and aid dentist efforts to enhance patients care.</jats:p

Immediate Implant Placement: Current Concepts

Immediate implants following extraction has become an increasingly popular strategy to preserve bone and reduce treatment duration. This technique also improves aesthetics by preserving the soft tissues. Immediate implant placement is technically challenging and should only be undertaken by clinicians with considerable experience in implant dentistry, both surgically and prosthetically. The purpose of this article is to provide a general review about immediate implant placements and to summarise various aspects in which this technique can be indicated.</jats:p

Periodontal Status and Oral Health-Related Quality of Life among Elderly attending Kantipur Dental College, Kathmandu, Nepal

Background: In elderly, poor oral health in the form of tooth loss, dental caries, periodontal disease and oral cancer affects physical and psychological aspect of life. Health is not only absence of disease but also psychological and social well-being. Thus, the assessment of disease by clinical examination as well as measurement of psychosocial impacts associated with disease are equally important.&#x0D; Aim: To find the association between periodontal status and oral health-related quality of life among elderly attending Kantipur Dental College.&#x0D; Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 184 elderly patients attending Kantipur Dental College by convenient sampling method. Oral health-related quality of life was assessed by GOHAI. Periodontal status was assessed by using CPI modified and Loss of attachment. Data was analysed with SPSS version 20.&#x0D; Results: Among 184 total participants (74 men, 110 women), the mean GOHAI score was 46.59+8.70. Of the total, 13% had high GOHAI score whereas 27% had moderate and 60% had low GOHAI score. Periodontal status of elderly population was found to be significantly associated with oral health-related quality of life (p&lt;0.05).&#x0D; Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest a need to improve oral health care and knowledge for elderly group through preventive and curative public health measures.  </jats:p

Prevalence of Gingival Pigmentation and its Association with Gingival Biotype and Skin Colour

Introduction: The facial appearance depends on several oral and extraoral factors including colour of facial skin and pigmentation of gingival epithelium. The colour of the gingiva varies among individuals and is thought to be associated with cutaneous pigmentation which ranges from light to dark brown or black colour.&#x0D; Objective: To assess the prevalence of physiological gingival pigmentation, gingival biotype and their association with skin colur in Nepalese subjects visiting Kantipur Dental College and Hospital (KDCH).&#x0D; Methods: This was an analytical cross-sectional study which was carried out from February 2020 to June 2020 in all patients of age-group 16 to 80 years visiting the Department of Periodontics at KDCH after ethical approval. Patients were recruited by convenience sampling and examined thoroughly to find out gingival biotype and extent of gingival pigmentation intraorally as well as skin colour extraorally.&#x0D; Results: In this study, 210 patients were examined among which, 105 (50%) were males and 105 (50%) were females. Out of 210, 33 (15.7%) had pink tissue without pigmentation, 84 (40%) had pigmentation only in attached gingiva, 58 (27.6%) in attached gingiva and interdental papilla, 32 (15.2%) had diffuse pigmentation involving all parts of gingiva, 2 (1%) had in marginal gingiva only, and 1 (0.5%) in marginal gingiva and interdental papilla.&#x0D; Conclusion: A strong association was found between gingival pigmentation and facial skin colour in present study (P &lt;0.001). Establishing the pattern of gingival pigmentation in Nepalese population will help to choose a specific depigmentation therapy that will harmonise with skin colour.  </jats:p