Evaluation of Comfort Levels of Patient and Ergonomics of the Dental Surgeon during Manual Scaling under Both Proprioceptive Derivative Concept and Conventional Approach: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: The important components that contribute to successful dental care are maximum accessibility, visibility, comfort, and control over clinical processes. Dental practitioners are more prone to developing musculoskeletal disorders due to awkward working postures. To minimise all these risk factors, a new concept called Proprioceptive Derivative (PD) has come into existence. Aim: The main aim of this study was to evaluate the comfort levels of the patient and ergonomics of the dental professional in the PD approach and conventional approach. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in which manual scaling was performed by 20 dentists on 120 patients using the PD concept and conventional concept. A 13-item questionnaire was distributed among the patients and clinicians to record their perceptions of comfort levels, clinicians’ treatment satisfaction levels, and the time needed to complete the procedure after mastering the PD concept. In indepedent sample t-test was use to compare the responses among the two groups. p≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The comfort levels of the clinician (q1) during treatment in the conventional approach, with a mean value of 2.96±0.69, were significantly lower than in the PD approach, with a mean value of 3.46±0.85 (p<0.001). However, from the perspective of the patients, the mean comfort levels using the conventional strategy were 2.61±1.03, while using the PD approach, it was 2.85±1.11, which was not statistically significant (p>0.05). Conclusion: The clinicians had more ergonomic benefits and improved time factors under the PD concept. By following the work postures according to the PD concept, clinicians can avoid musculoskeletal discomfort, which is beneficial to all clinicians and can increase the longevity of their clinical practice

Gingival Depigmentation by Application of Diode Laser at 810 nm (Denlase) and 470 nm (Bluelase) Wavelengths: A Split-mouth Randomised Clinical Trial

Introduction: Gingival hyperpigmentation is a common aesthetic concern that often requires treatment to achieve a pleasing smile. While various methods for depigmentation have been described in the literature, the scalpel method is widely advocated. Laser technology, particularly diode lasers, has emerged as a preferred treatment option due to their unique properties. Aim: To compare the efficacy of two different diode wavelengths, namely Denlase and Bluelase lasers, in terms of pain intensity, aesthetic appraisal, and the rate of repigmentation. Materials and Methods: This split-mouth randomised clinical trial was conducted in the Department of Periodontics at Vishnu Dental College, Bhimavarm, Andhra Pradesh, India. over a period of one year with follow-up. A total of 16 patients were included, and the right and left quadrants (both maxilla and mandible) were randomly assigned to either the Denlase or Bluelase group using the coin toss method. Depigmentation using diode lasers at 810 nm and 470 nm wavelengths was carried out in the respective groups. Pain perception, aesthetic appraisal, and recurrence of pigmentation were evaluated at 1, 3, 6, 9 months, and one year. The data were analysed using Friedman’s analysis and the Mann-Whitney U-test. Results: A total of 16 subjects, with a mean age of 27.64±7.64 years and of both genders, were included in the study. Statistically significant differences (p=0.001) were reported in pain perception, aesthetic appraisal, and the rate of repigmentation at 1, 3, 6, 9 months, and one year, respectively. Intergroup comparison revealed an increase in the mean amount of repigmentation at three months in the Denlase group, indicating a recurrence of pigmentation after three months. Conclusion: The Bluelase diode laser (470 nm) demonstrated superior results compared to the Denlase diode laser (810 nm) in terms of pain intensity, aesthetic appraisal, and repigmentation