Evaluation of surface roughness of enamel after various bonding and clean-up procedures on enamel bonded with three different bonding agents : an in-vitro study

The purpose of this study was to analyze and compare the enamel surface roughness before bonding and after debonding, to find correlation between the adhesive remnant index and its effect on enamel surface roughness and to evaluate which clean-up method is most efficient to provide a smoother enamel surface. 135 premolars were divided into 3 groups containing 45 premolars in each group. Group I was bonded by using moisture insensitive primer, Group II by using conventional orthodontic adhesive and Group III by using self-etching primer. Each group was divided into 3 sub-groups on the basis of type of clean-up method applied i,e scaling followed by polishing, tungsten carbide bur and Sof-Lex disc. Enamel surface roughness was measured and compared before bonding and after clean-up. Evaluation of pre bonding and post clean-up enamel surface roughness (Ra value) with the t test showed that Post clean-up Ra values were greater than Pre bonding Ra values in all the groups except in teeth bonded with self-etching primer cleaned with Sof-Lex disc. Reliability of ARI score taken at different time interval tested with Kruskal Wallis test suggested that all the readings were reliable. No clean-up procedure was able to restore the enamel to its original smoothness. Self-etching primer and Sof-Lex disc clean-up method combination restored the enamel surface roughness (Ra value) closest to its pre-treatment value

MRI: an update and review on bio-effects and safety considerations

Diagnostic imaging technologies such as magnetic resonance (MR) are vital to catching signs of disease early and high quality diagnosis for treatment planning. However, some patients are unable to take advantage of its life saving capabilities. The procedures can be claustrophobic and the contraindications of MRI in patients having implants, pacemakers and also the risks associated with the use of cryogens, contrast agents etc. So this article provides an update on review on the bio effects and safety considerations for both patient and health practitioner with respect to the use of clinical MRI

Comparison of the effect of different medicaments on surface reproduction of two commercially available Polyvinyl Siloxane impression materials: an Invitro Study

Objective:To determine the effect of different retraction cord medicaments on surface detail reproduction of polyvinyl siloxane impression materials and compare this effect on any two brands of commercially available polyvinyl siloxane impression materials. Material and methods: Four stainless steel dies were made according to ADA specification no.19. Three dies were treated with aluminium chloride (5%), ferric sulphate (13.3%) and epinephrine (0.1%) while the fourth one was left untreated to serve as control. Two impression materials (Dentsply and 3M ESPE) were used. Results: All the three medicaments adversely affected the surface detail reproduction of both the brands of the polyvinyl siloxane impression materials. These effects were statistically significant as compared to untreated control. The impressions of 3M ESPE brand have shown better surface detail reproduction as compared to Dentsply impression material. Conclusion: Surface detail reproduction of the polyvinyl siloxane impression materials is adversely affected by the retraction cord medicaments. The presence of moisture or any traces of the medicaments should be removed from the tooth surface to provide a dry field for the correct reproduction of the surface detail of these material

Noise levels in a dental teaching institute: a matter of concern!

Objective: To measure and assess the noise levels produced by various dental equipments in different areas of a dental institution and to recommend improvements if noise levels are not within permissible limits. Materials and methods: Sound levels were measured at three different areas of a dental institution where learning and teaching activities are organized. The sound level was measured using a sound level meter known as 'decibulolmeter'. In each area the noise level was assessed at two positions-one, at 6 inches from the operators ear and second, at the chairside instrument trolley. Noise levels were also assessed from a central location of the clinic area when multiple equipments were in operation simultaneously. Results: Dental laboratory machine, dental hand-piece, ultrasonic scalers, amalgamators, high speed evacuation, and other items produce noise at different sound levels which is appreciable. The noise levels generated varied between 72.6 dB in pre-clinics and 87.2 dB in prosthesis laboratory. The results are comparable to the results of other studies which are conducted elsewhere. Although the risk to the dentists is lesser, but damage to the hearing is possible over prolonged periods. Conclusion: Higher noise levels are potentially hazardous to the persons working in such environments especially in the laboratory areas where noise levels are exceeding the permissible limits

Knowledge and awareness regarding biomedical waste management in dental teaching institutions in India: a systematic review

Objectives: Proper handling, treatment and disposal of biomedical wastes are important elements in any health care setting. Not much attention has been paid to the management of Biomedical Waste (BMW) in recent years, in dental colleges and hospitals in India. The present systematic review was conducted to assess knowledge and awareness regarding BMW management among staff and students of dental teaching institutions in India. Material and Methods: A systematic review of relevant cross-sectional studies was conducted regarding BMW management in India in dental teaching institutions in India. Six studies were finally included in the present review after conducting both electronic and manual search like Pubmed, EMBASE etc. and after making necessary exclu - sions. Potential biases were addressed and relevant data was extracted by the concerned investigators. Results: Six studies were finally included in the review. Colour coding of wastes was not done by 67% of the sub - jects in one of the studies conducted in Haryana. Almost all the subjects agreed to the fact that exposure to hazar - dous health care waste can result in disease or infection in another study. According to another study reports, none of the respondents was able to list the legislative act regarding BMW when asked. Conclusions: The results of the present review showed that knowledge and awareness level of subjects was ina - dequate and there is considerable variation in practice and management regarding BMW. There is a great need for continuing education and training programmes to be conducted in dental teaching institutions in India

Dental Lasers: A Review of Safety Essentials

The laser technology offers a wide range of uses in dentistry with certain advantages to the general dental practitioner like bloodless surgery, minimal post-operative pain, reduction of operative time and high patient acceptance. Patient acceptance has also been demonstrated in various studies. Apart of these major advantages, safety regarding the use of lasers cannot be neglected and has become an important concern in this modern era of dentistry, as application of this technology is growing day by day. Potential hazards can be encountered while using lasers like ocular hazards, tissue injury, inhaling the vapor emitted by the laser procedure, fire and explosion hazards etc. The safe use of lasers includes all the individuals who might be exposed either deliberately or accidently while using lasers and effective measures that can be undertaken by clinicians and health professionals to minimize the injuries caused due to laser accidents. The present article serves to explore the risks involved in the use of lasers in dentistry and suggest some of the laser safety protocols/measures that can be established in the dental office for prevention of laser injuries

Oral hygiene practices and dental caries prevalence among 12 & 15 years school children in Ambala, Haryana -A cross-sectional study

Background: Dental caries and gum disease are a major public health problem predominantly affecting children worldwide. Therefore the present study was conducted to assess oral hygiene practices, prevalence of dental caries and periodontal diseases among 12 and 15 years old high school children in public and government schools of Ambala district, Haryana and to provide data for planning and evaluation of oral health care promotion programs. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive survey of 12 and 15 years old children in government and private schools was conducted in Ambala, Haryana. A sample of 992 school children was selected by a two-stage cluster sampling method. Dental caries and periodontal health was examined using WHO standard criteria. The student’s t-test and one way ANOVA were used for statistical analysis. Results: The prevalence of dental caries was 34.3% and 46.5% at 12 and 15 years respectively. Mean DMFT in 12 years was 0.82 and in 15 years it was 1.26. More than 90% of subjects in both the age groups were using tooth brush to clean their teeth. Toothpaste was used by 96.7% (228) of subjects belonging to 12 year age group and 93% (703) of subjects who were of 15 years of age. Gingival bleeding was found in majority of subjects. Conclusions: The overall prevalence of dental caries was low but the prevalence of gingivitis was quite high. The observations indicate the need for a school oral health promotion programme to sustain the healthy practices in this growing populatio

The prevalence of oral mucosal lesions in the patients visiting a dental school in Northern India in relation to sex, site and distribution: A retrospective study.

Objective: To determine the distribution of oro-mucosal lesions in patients of Maharishi Markendeshwer College of Dental Sciences and Research, (MMCDSR), Mullana. Further to identify sex predilection and different sites which are more susceptible to different oro-mucosal lesions. Materials and methods: A hospital based retrospective study was carried out from 1st January 2007 till 31st December 2009 at (MMCDSR), Mullana. A total of 451 biopsy reports were studied. Distribution and prevalence of oro-mucosal lesions among the data were analyzed using SPSS software package version 13. Results: There was no mention of habits in the biopsy reports of 85.4 % (385 patients) of the subjects. Out of the 66 subjects whose habits were mentioned, 71.2 % (47 patients) used to smoke tobacco in one form or the other. 21.2 % (14 patients) used to chew tobacco, 4.5 % (3 patients) of the subjects were in the habit of both smoking and chewing tobacco. More percentage of females 53.1 % were present in the age-group of 11-20 years as compared to males 46.9 % whereas in all other age-groups males were more in number. Regarding the distribution of oral lesions in the oral cavity, buccal mucosa was the common site for the presence of potentially malignant disorders in 16.8 % of the subjects and it was also the most common site for all the lesions. Conclusion: Lesion prevalence differed significantly by age, sex, and tobacco use. Individual demographic details such as age, gender, occupation, food habits, other deleterious oral habits, religion and oral hygiene measures should have a provision in biopsy request sheet and should be duly filled which will help in identifying risk-groups. Community programmes should be taken for public health to get them screened for any oral-mucosal lesions by availing pathological lab facilities

Correlation between mutans streptococci counts of parents and their children residing in Chandigarh, India

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of Mutans Streptococci (MS) in children and to evaluate the relationship between the salivary levels of MS in children and their parents. Material and Methods: 100 children aged 3-6 years along with their parents (100 mothers and fathers each) were included in the study. The children were segregated depending upon their age and level of caries experience. The children were examined clinically on an ordinary chair in natural daylight using the Møller's index criteria. Assays for Mutans Streptococci (MS) were done for both the children and their parents using the Dentocult SM strip mu - tans test. Collected data was assessed using SPSS software. Results: The overall prevalence of MS in the children was 83%. A statistically significant correlation (p<0.05) was observed between salivary MS counts of children and their mothers. No significant correlation was seen with the fathers. Conclusions: The findings conclude that if primary caregivers harbour high levels of MS in their saliva, it is likely that their children will have the same

Primary care in dentistry - An untapped potential

Dentistry is neither an allied health profession nor a paramedical profession. It is the only anatomically focused health care profession that is university-based and for which primary care responsibility is maintained by the profession. Dentists must have a reliable knowledge of basic clinical medicine for safely and effectively treating individuals with chronic and other diseases, which make them biologically and pharmacologically compromised. With changes in the life expectancy of people and lifestyles, as well as rapid advancement in biomedical sciences, dentists should have similar knowledge like a physician in any other fields of medicine. There are number of primary care activities that can be conducted in the dental office like screening of diabetics, managing hypertension etc., The present review was conducted after doing extensive literature search of peer-reviewed journals. The review throws a spotlight on these activities and also suggests some the measures that can be adopted to modify dental education to turn dentists to oral physicians