Evaluation of the Clinical Efficacy of Potassium nitrate Desensitizing Mouthwash and a Toothpaste in the Treatment of Dentinal Hypersensitivity

Potassium Nitrate has been used as a desensitizing agent to treat dentinal hypersensitivity. The effectiveness of a potassium nitrate is evaluated both in the form of a toothpaste and a mouthwash in a clinical study. Thirty patients were assessed using evaporative stimuli and thermal stimuli and response was evaluated using Visual Analogue Scale at baseline, at 2 weeks and 4 weeks. The patients were divided into group I: fifteen patients who used toothpaste containing 5% potassium nitrate, sodium fluoride, xylitol and triclosan, group II: Fifteen patients who used mouthwash containing 3% potassium nitrate, sodium fluoride, xylitol and triclosan . The results of both the assessment methods indicated that potassium nitrate toothpaste as well as mouthwash showed statistically significant decrease in the sensitivity score on a Visual Analogue Scale. This was effective in reducing the symptoms of dentinal hypersensitivity when used either as toothpaste or as a mouthwash. But, there were no statistically significant differences between the groups, although both were effective in the treatment of hypersensitivity

Management of Multiple Adjacent Mandibular Recession Defects using Multiple Lateral Pedicle Flap Autografts—A Case Report

Background. Gingival recession in the aesthetic zone hampers the appearance of the patient’s smile and is cause for hypersensitivity in the teeth affected. Usually, the more the number of teeth affected, the more surgical procedures may be required to provide root coverage adequately. Methods. Five anterior teeth in the mandibular aesthetic zone were treated using multiple separate Laterally Displaced Pedicle Autografts (LPAs). Results. 90 days’ follow-up reveals adequate increase of keratinized tissue and root coverage. Patient was highly satisfied with the aesthetic outcome. Conclusion. The surgical technique employed here may be a possible approach for single-sitting root coverage procedures of multiple adjacent anterior recessions, provided adequate thickness of biotype exists. This also limits discomfort due to elimination of grafting and provides aesthetic results

Flap versus flapless immediate implants with bone augmentation: A novel study

Background: This study aimed to equate implants placed using a traditional flap elevation technique with implants placed using a flapless process regarding bone healing and success in clinical conditions. Materials and Methods: Sixty subjects were included in this research work. The participants were randomly divided into two groups. Patients in group A underwent implant placement with the flap elevation technique. Similarly, group B patients underwent implant placement without flap reflection. Parameters such as plaque index, wound healing index, crestal bone loss, and radiograph were considered to estimate the effectiveness of the two techniques. Results: Plaque indexes were improved in both groups. The modified gingival index also improved in all the phases of healing. The flapless method showed a better crestal bone. Conclusion: It can be concluded that this study showed that with the right augmentation techniques, implants could be successfully performed immediate extraction sockets, both with and without elevation of the mucoperiosteal flap

Proximity of the mandibular anterior root apices to the buccal bone surface: A cone-beam computed tomographic study

Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate the distance from the buccal cortical bone surface to the root apex in the anterior mandibular teeth using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and to correlate it to various associated factors (tooth type, gender, and age). Materials and Methods: CBCT images of mandibular anterior teeth from 120 patient records with a sample size of 360 teeth were analyzed. The distance from the buccal bone surface to root apex and 3 mm above the root apex in the sagittal view was reconstructed using the Romexis software version 3.2.1. Results: Distances from the buccal cortical bone surface to the apices of the root and 3 mm from the apex of the root were greater at the mandibular canine region than the central and lateral incisor (P < 0.001). The buccal bone was significantly thicker corresponding to the apices of the teeth compared to the region 3 mm from the apex (P < 0.001) The mean distance value from the cortical buccal bone surface to the lateral incisor apex (4.03 mm) was significant more among females (P = 0.006). Furthermore, the measured distance at the root apex and 3 mm above the of the root apex of the mandibular anterior roots were significantly more in patients below the age of 40 years (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The distance from the buccal bone's surface to the apex and 3 mm from the apex in the mandibular anterior region is significantly affected by the tooth type and patients' age. CBCT is a reliable tool for presurgical evaluation for both these parameters during endodontic surgeries and implant placement

Cancer related fatigue measurement scales: A systematic review

Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is a common symptom experienced by all the cancer patients at all stages of the disease and in survivors. Fatigue from cancer is one of the understated, underestimated, and least managed. Several scales have been developed to measure CRF, but they vary in the quality of psychometric properties, ease of administration, and dimensions of CRF. This systematic review explores the validity and reliability of the different CRF measurement scales. A systematic review methodology was followed to identify the scales that have been validated to measure CRF. Three separate databases PubMed, CINAHL, and Google Scholar searches were performed using different medical subject heading terms. Articles were analyzed for validity and reliability. A total of 1294 articles from three different searches identified 15 scales (unidimensional and multidimensional). Each scale varied by its psychometric properties, items, scale type, dimension, site of cancer, and population in which it is validated. Most of the scales had been validated in mixed cancer populations. Some scales are insensitive to differences in fatigue to cancer stages. Few scales are burdensome for the advanced cancer patients. In this study, 15 CRF scales were identified. Validity and reliability are varied by each questionnaire. The ideal and accepted item numbers, scale, and domains are not established. The psychometric properties of each measure require further consideration. More studies are needed to explore fatigue scales with many populations

ORTHO-ENDO-PERIO: AN INTERPROFESSIONAL CASE REVIEW

The interdisciplinary approach is necessary to enhance the synergy between the three disciplines while improving the treatment outcomes and eliminating the existing barriers. Orthodontic treatment focuses on functional and aesthetic occlusion while endodontic therapy deals with the viability of dental pulp and root resorption, whereas, periodontal therapy aims to achieve healthy attachment of teeth with supporting structures. The orthodontic therapy has been used as an adjunct therapy to facilitate functional occlusion and tissue support, most of the periodontal and endodontic problems can be resolved by the correction of periapical pathology, traumatic injuries, pathological tooth migration, crowding, closure of midline diastema and many more. Need of the hour is to have a cross-disciplinary approach which helps the specialist in diagnosis and treatment planning, with accomplishment of planned treatment and solving any complications related to it. This mini review highlights the relevance of few cases and their systematic approach where orthodontic tooth movement is assisted by endodontic and periodontal therapy contributing to optimize treatment outcome of combined orthodontic-endodontic- periodontal problems

Career in dentistry: By choice or chance-reasons for choosing dentistry among the first-year dental students of a college in India

Objective: To determine the factors that lead to the choice of dentistry as an occupation among the first-year dental students in a private dental college in Mangalore, Karnataka, India. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 100 first year Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) students was carried out using a self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of total eight close-ended questions, which included demographic (age and gender) and career choice-related items. Data was collected, analyzed, and was represented as numbers and percentage. Results: The response rate was 100%. Majority of the students (80%) chose dentistry as a professional career as compared to the 20% who got in by chance. About 72% of them chose dentistry because of their interest, 13% because they were unable to procure a seat in medicine and 10% due to family influence. Majority of them (85%) had undergone career guidance courses in school and were told about various career options. On completion of their undergraduate course in dentistry, 73% preferred to pursue post-graduation and 23% desired to establish private practice. Conclusions: The first years of A. B. Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences, Mangalore have chosen dentistry as a professional career mostly due to their personal interest and influence of family and friends