Analysis of Tooth Extraction Causes and Patterns

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the causes and patterns of extraction of permanent teeth in the targeted population. METHODS: The study was conducted for a period of 11 months. An especially designed form was used to record the causes for extraction of a permanent tooth. Further, it was analyzed for age, gender, education, occupation, smoking, tooth position, endodontic treatment, chewing, esthetics, needs replacement, type of existing prosthesis, and causes for extraction. The various causes which were considered to determine association with the tooth extraction were dental caries, periodontal problems, trauma, orthodontics, prosthodontic failures, endodontic failures, and others. RESULTS: The percentage of extractions was almost the same in males and females aged. Maximum extractions were noticed in 36–45 years of age group (32.5%). The presence of caries was observed to be the main reason for extraction (68.1%), followed by periodontal problems (17.6%) and orthodontic problems (4.8%). The most frequently extracted posterior teeth were first mandibular molar (22.2%), followed by the third maxillary molar (15.2%). CONCLUSION: Dental caries was found to be the most common reason for the extraction of teeth. Molar teeth were found to be the most frequently extracted, with an increased number of extracted first premolars as a result of orthodontic treatment. Maxillary teeth are extracted more than mandibular, mainly due to caries and periodontal problems

An Assessment of Dentist’s Attitudes to the Shortened Dental Arch Concept

AIM: The rehabilitation of a complete dental arch is a traditional concept to maintain proper functional occlusion, but it is neither compulsory nor always attainable in many patients. Nevertheless, it is always important to provide a minimum number of teeth for efficient function. This study aimed to assess the dentist’s attitude to a shortened dental arch (SDA) concept and to assess their perception and application of it in their clinical practice in the Aseer region, Saudi Arabia. DESIGN OF STUDY: A questionnaire with 17 questions was used to reveal the views of 204 dentists from the area of study about SDA. The questionnaire set basically consists of two parts. The first part included the dentists’ demographic data, and the second one consisted of the questions regarding the SDA concept. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Descriptive analysis and associations with the factors were tested for significance using Chi-square tests, and p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Among the respondents, 43.7% were aware of the SDA concept. Thus, the expected awareness about the SDA concept among the dentists was in the range of 36.31–51.05 with 95% confidence. A highly significant difference in awareness of SDA was observed between graduates and postgraduates. Among the respondents having more than 10 years of experience, the awareness level of SDA was 66.0%. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of participants alleged that the SDA concept is useful in clinical practice and is a useful treatment modality for older adults with limitations preventing complex restorative care. However, the application of the SDA varied significantly among dentists

A cross-sectional survey to evaluate acquaintance about dental photography among dental students in daily clinical practice

Background: In today’s world of digital dentistry, dental photography plays an important role as multilevel significance and represents the synonym of contemporary dentistry. Thus, we aimed at evaluating the acquaintance of practice, opportunity and morals of dental photography in everyday practice among undergraduate dental students. Design and Methods: The current research was an observational cross-sectional study. Total 233 students participated; each was given questionnaire consisted of three parts covering the following aspects: questions 1 to 3 on the practice of dental photography, questions 4 to 7 on morals in dental photography and question 8 to 11 on opportunities of dental photography. The answers were tabulated and statistically analysed and association with the factors were tested for significance using Chi-square tests, and P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The total response rate was 86%. Among the 201 respondents, 100 were males and 101 females; 96% male students were taking photographs and 93% females were taking photographs, on regular basis. Phone cameras (41.3%) were the most commonly used device followed by DSLR cameras. Surveyed students mentioned patient education (53.2%) as most needed requirement for taking photographs, followed by treatment planning (49.8%) and monitoring of the treatment outcome (34.3%). Ninety-one percent of students feel that there is an opportunity for advancement in dental photography techniques. Conclusions: The participants aware of dental photography, but they require detail insight on proper capturing of photographs and morals, with regards to confidentiality of the patient and patient consent

Retentive Forces and Deformation of Fitting Surface in RPD Clasp Made of Polyether-Ether-Ketone (PEEK)

Background: Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) has provided the option to fabricate RPDs with aesthetics unlike metal RPDs, but little attention has been paid to its suitability, especially towards the retentive forces and deformation of the clasp. This study aimed to examine the retentive forces and the fitting surface (inner surface) deformation of clasps made from PEEK and compare it with cobalt–chromium (Co-Cr) clasp. Methods: Forty-two circumferential clasps (14 Co-Cr and 28 PEEK) were fabricated and divided into two groups with clasp undercuts (0.25 mm and 0.5 mm) with thicknesses of 1 mm and 1.5 mm. Each was examined for retentive forces after cycle test on its abutment for 360 cycles. Initial and final retentive forces were recorded. The fitting surface deformation was determined using 3-Matic research analysis software. Results: The results revealed that highest mean initial retentive force was of Co-Cr clasps with 0.50 mm undercut 22.26 N (±10.15 N), and the lowest was the 1 mm PEEK clasps with 0.25 mm undercut 3.35 N (±0.72 N) and highest mean final retentive force was the Co-Cr clasps with 0.50 mm undercut 21.40 N (±9.66 N), and the lowest was the 1 mm PEEK clasps with 0.25 mm undercut 2.71 N (±0.47 N). PEEK clasps had a lower retentive force than Co-Cr clasps with 0.50 undercut. PEEK clasps (1.5 mm) at 0.25 mm undercut had the least deformation (35.3 µm). PEEK showed significantly less deformation (p ≤ 0.014) than Co-Cr. Conclusion: The deformation of PEEK clasps fitting surface was lower than Co-Cr clasps and retentive forces were close to the Co-Cr clasps, suggesting the use of PEEK as an aesthetic clasp option for RPD framework