Photodynamic therapy: a distinct therapeutic modality

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an innovative treatment modality that utilizes a combination of a photosensitizing agent, specific wavelengths of light, and molecular oxygen to selectively target and destroy abnormal cells or tissues while sparing healthy surrounding structures. This approach has gained significant attention in the medical field due to its potential to provide effective and less invasive treatment options for various conditions. The development of PDT was driven by the need for treatments that overcome the limitations of conventional modalities such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. PDT offers several benefits over these approaches, including its ability to provide targeted therapy, reduced side effects, minimal damage to healthy tissues, and versatility in treating different diseases. One of the key advantages of PDT is its selectivity. By utilizing photosensitizers that accumulate in diseased or abnormal cells, PDT can precisely target the affected tissue while minimizing damage to healthy tissues. This selectivity allows for focused treatment, reducing the potential for unnecessary harm to surrounding structures. Furthermore, PDT offers faster recovery times and potentially better cosmetic outcomes compared to surgery, as it does not require extensive incisions or removal of tissues. Additionally, the localized nature of PDT minimizes systemic toxicity and long-term complications, making it a well-tolerated treatment option. PDT has demonstrated efficacy in various medical fields, including oncology, dermatology, and ophthalmology. It has been used to treat different types of cancers, including skin, lung, oesophagal, and bladder cancer, as well as manage conditions like age-related macular degeneration and certain dermatological disorders. This article reviewed the development, mechanism, and applications of PDT in the medical field

Clear aligners, the aesthetic solution: a review

In the recent past, the demand for adult orthodontic treatment has increased multiple folds. As a repercussion of this stipulation, invisible orthodontic treatment has expanded its horizon. Efforts of using aesthetic brackets, wires, and lingual techniques to meet the expectations of adult patients have been practised. Though these techniques seemed to be promising in the initial days, soon decreased in popularity due to drawbacks associated with them. Clear aligners were offered as a newer and superior aesthetic alternative to overcome the difficulties associated with prior aesthetic approaches. These aligners are made up of different thermoplastic materials intended to move the malpositioned teeth in the desired corrected position following push mechanics. This article deals with new generation orthodontic treatment using aligners. It deals with history, generations, different materials used, and the distances yet to be travelled to become the benchmark and replace the existing conventional braces. This paper also gives a bird’s eye view of the method of aligner fabrication and the significant differences between the regular braces and aligners used in orthodontics

An overview of dental implant biomaterials

Regardless of stomatognathic system atrophy, illness, or injury, modern dentistry endeavours to restore the patient to normal shape, function, comfort, aesthetics, speech, and health. Predictable success is now a reality for the rehabilitation of many difficult conditions as a result of ongoing research in treatment planning, implant designs, materials, and methodologies. The medical fields have long placed a strong emphasis on the biocompatibility properties of synthetic materials (biomaterials) used to replace biological tissues. In addition, implant biomaterials must be suitable in terms of mechanical strength, biocompatibility, and structural biostability in order to function at their best. In this article, the various implant biomaterials with their properties and applicability to implant dentistry are discussed

Predicting the strength characteristics of alkali activated concrete with environment friendly precursors using statistical methods

Over the recent twenty years, utilization of ordinary Portland cement (OPC) has expanded dramatically, making it the world’s most mass-produced product. OPC manufacture is energy demanding, uses non-renewable naturally available resources, and is a major contributor to global warming (responsible for nearly 8 percent of global CO2 exhalations). A substitute to OPC concrete (OPCC) is Alkali Activated Concrete (AAC), in which precursors (raw materials) such as Blast Furnace Slag (GGBS), Fly Ash (FA) and other residues are activated with an activator solution. Statistical analysis is preferred for concrete related experiments incorporating a large number of samples and data in order to save time, money and work labour. The current work deals with developing statistical models for anticipating the compressive behaviour of AAC. Regression analysis is performed to determine the significant impact of variables on the compression behaviour and also to develop several linear regression models to predict the compressive strength of AAC at the age of 28 days. In the present work, collection of data base regarding mix proportions and mechanical properties of AAC is done through an extensive literature survey. This study identifies JASP as one of the most effective online tools for generating regression models

Synthesis and Anti-Inflammatory Activity of a Novel Series of Diphenyl-1,2,4-triazoles and Related Derivatives

In the present investigation we have synthesized a series of new 1-[3-(4-substitutedphenyl)-5-phenyl-4H-1,2,4-triazol-4-yl]urea and 1-[3-(4-substitutedphenyl)-5-phenyl-4H-1,2,4-triazol-4-yl]thiourea derivatives (4Ia - 4IId). The newly synthesised derivatives were characterized by using the data of IR, 1H NMR and Mass Spectral analysis. Thus synthesised and characterized targetted compounds were further screened for their anti-inflammatory activity by using Carrageenan – induced paw edema rat model. Among all the newly synthesized derivatives, Compounds 4Ia-4Ic and Compounds 4IIa-4IId were reduced the inflammation very significantly (p<0.0001), thus these compounds showed promising anti-inflammatory activity and only one compound (4Id) showed moderate anti-inflammatory activity (p<0.05)

Interrelated Association between Edentulism, Cognitive Decline and Prosthodontic Rehabilitation: A Review

Aim and Objective: To establish a relationship between tooth loss and cognitive decline as well as the influence of removable dental prosthesis on cognitive health. Materials and Methods: Initial electronic search was carried out using the following electronic databases: Scopus, PubMed/Medline and Cochrane Database of case controls, systematic and literature re views using the following keywords: “Alzheimer’s Disease”, “Cognitive decline” “Dental prostheses or “Dementia” and “tooth loss” or “edentulism”. Results: A total of 13 studies were selected according to the selection criteria. Out of 13 studies, 8 studies were included, and 5 studies were excluded from the review. Discussion: Sensory information from the oral cavity is sent to the brain via the trigeminal nerve. Effective chewing increases oxygen levels in key brain areas and hence impaired chewing can lead to cognitive decline. Furthermore, people with more missing teeth were at a higher risk of developing Alzheimer's disease or dementia and those with normal cognitive function had significantly more teeth than those who were cognitively impaired, indicating a link between edentulism and risk of cognitive decline. Prosthodontic rehabilitation through dentures results in significant arousal of the dorsal prefrontal cortex and enhances patients' quality of life by improving their masticatory activity and comfort, thus potentially helping prevent cognitive decline leading to dementia. Conclusion: From this literature review we can gather that edentulism may be used as a marker for cognitive decline and that prosthetic rehabilitation may aid in the preservation of cognitive health. Clinical Significance: Prosthodontic rehabilitation in order to bring about effective mastication and chewing efficiency is imperative in prevention of decline in cognitive function

Calcium Hydroxide Pulp Capping Agent: An Overview on Composition, Properties, and Clinical Applications

Calcium hydroxide is a commonly used material in pulp capping procedures due to its favourable biological properties, including the ability to promote dentin bridge formation and stimulate reparative dentinogenesis. The mechanical properties of calcium hydroxide, including its compressive strength, flexural strength, and wear resistance, are relatively low, but they are not critical properties in pulp capping procedures. However, the composition and formulation of calcium hydroxide can vary depending on the manufacturer, and this can affect the material's physical and chemical properties, as well as its handling characteristics. Despite these variations, calcium hydroxide remains a popular choice for pulp capping due to its favourable biological properties and its long-standing history of use in dental procedures