Fluorosis Mitigation Programmes and its Impact on Health - The Indian Scenario

In India, the availability of safe potable water remains a challenge in rural settings, where 72% of Indian population reside with high reliance on alternative water sources. In our country, the states having some circumscribed areas of high fluoride levels (endemic fluoride belts with F content in ground water above 4 ppm). Fluorosis mitigation is therefore necessary. Thus, the objective of this narrative review is to discuss various fluorosis mitigation programmes in India.Medline was the primary database used in the literature search. Other databases were also searched for relevant publications. Since the late 1980s, government and non-governmental agencies launched efforts to control fluorosis. However, most of attempts were mainly on defluoridation of water, so it cannot be proposed as the only or most effective solution to mitigate fluorosis.

A comparative study on effectiveness of mucosal vibration and topical anaesthetic gel in reducing pain during administration of local anaesthetic in paediatric patients.

Title : A comparative study on effectiveness of mucosal vibration and topical anaesthetic gel in reducing pain during administration of local anaesthetic in paediatric patients. Introduction: Anxiety related to dentistryis not uncommon in paediatric patients. Poor pain control alongside the fear and anxiety might interfere with appropriate dental management. In this study a modified mucosal vibration device is used to modify the pain perception during LA administration. Aim: To compare the effectiveness of topical anaesthetic gel and mucosal vibration during local anaestheticadministration in children in the age group8-11 years using both subjective and objective scalescales for measuring anxiety and pain. Methodology: Thirty children who required inferior alveolar nerve blockanaesthesia for routine dental procedures were included and divided equally into 3 groups Group I- control Group II- topical anaesthetic gel Group III - Mucosal vibrator Pain perception was compared, assessed and analysed during injection using Sound, Eye, Motor (SEM) scale, Doremon cartoon modified Wong Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale, MotuPatlu cartoon modified Venham scale Results: The scores of SEM scale and Doremon pain scale when subjected to statistical analysis gave a p value <0.001. Conclusion: Mucosal vibrator is an easily availablehandyand effective chair sidedevice for pain reduction during administration of local anaesthesia for paediatric patients

Knowledge has a beginning but no end.

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Perio Millennium The journey of periodontology from then to now

Since the beginning of the civilisation, humans have been in a constant process of development. Along with lifestyle, healthcare developments have also been embraced in a remarkable journey through ages. With evolving lifestyle, the survival of disease-causing pathogens has also parallelly developed by sudden mutations and gradual evolution of species for their survival, demanding an improvement in healthcare facilities which include physical, mental and social well-being. The physical health care has seen an interesting journey in terms of both systemic and oral health. While we speak of health, the contribution of periodontal health is an appreciable factor determining the health of the oral cavity. Periodontal healthcare has existed, evolved and advanced with every passing day. This manuscript aimed at reviewing the history of periodontology from its earliest evidence up to the impending future of periodontology, exploring its existence from an era of prehistoric civilisation to an era which is yet to present itself.

Comparative Evaluation of 0.1% Octenidine Mouthwash with 0.2% Chlorhexidine Mouthwash in Prevention of Plaque and Gingivitis – A Clinicomicrobiological Study

Background: Our study aimed to assess the efficacy of 0.1% Octenidine mouthwash as an anti-plaque agent and to assess its effect on gingival inflammation and staining of teeth when compared to 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate by evaluating the impact on plaque and gingival inflammation as well as on microbial load. Materials and Methods: A three week double blind study was conducted on 69 subjects, aged 20-50 years, with moderate to severe gingivitis. The study population was divided into three groups with 23 subjects in each group: Group A - control subjects received only scaling, Group B received 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate in addition to scaling and Group C received 0.1% Octenidine mouthwash along with scaling. Clinical and microbiological parameters were recorded at baseline, on 14th day and on 21st day. Subjective and objective criteria were assessed on the 14th day and 21st day. Results: There was a statistically significant reduction in all the tested parameters within all the three groups and between the groups from baseline to 21st day. The highest mean reduction in all the parameters was seen in subjects using 0.1% Octenidine. On comparison with the control group, subjects using the mouthwashes (Group B and Group C) had better improvement in clinical and microbiological parameters from baseline to 21st day. On comparison with chlorhexidine, Octenidine mouthwash significantly reduced plaque (p<0.05) and showed better patient acceptability. However, it was comparable to chlorhexidine in other two tested parameters. Conclusion: Owing to Octenidine’s pronounced and comparable antibacterial properties, it can be a promising candidate for the use in antiseptic mouthwashes.

“The beginning of knowledge is the discovery of something we do not understand” -Frank Herbert

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Floating Denture – A Solution for Heavy Maxillary Prosthesis: A Case Report

Aim: To describe an ingenious technique for the fabrication of light-weight complete denture in severely resorbed ridges. Background: Prosthetic rehabilitation of severely atrophic ridges has always been an ordeal for the clinician. The restorative space between the maxillary and mandibular residual ridges is increased due to severe resorption. The prosthesis overloads the underlying hard and soft tissues exacerbating ridge resorption. Retention, stability, and support are the essential principles on which the success of an entire denture is based. To prevent further resorption of the ridges, the weight of the prosthesis needs to be reduced which can be achieved by making a hollow prosthesis. This case report describes an innovative technique to fabricate a hollow denture-incorporating catheter. Conclusion: The prosthesis developed through the technique was light in weight and eliminated the need for a spacer

Significance of Recording Dental Morphological Features: An Aid in Personal Identification

Aims: To record selected dental morphological features among students of our medical campus, to correlate type of dental features in males and females and to maintain records of these dental features among the study population as database for personal identification. Methodology: The present cross-sectional survey was carried out among students of Bharati Vidyapeeth Medical Campus, Sangli aged between 18-25 years. The detailed clinical examination was done to record various dental morphological features. Descriptive statistics were employed. Results: Overall, 720 students from the medical, dental and nursing colleges of our medical campus took part in the survey, consisting of 309 (42.91%) males and 411 (57.08%) females. The selected dental features were observed in 13.7% (n=97) of subjects. The most frequent features detected were talon’s cusp & cusp of Carabelli and the least being parastyle, protostylid and fusion. Cusp of Carabelli showed frequent bilateral presence than unilateral. Conclusion: The study findings stipulate an evolutionary reduction in the size of human dentition. The study highlighted the necessity for understanding the forensic value of these dental morphological features and maintenance of dental records as an adjuvant in person identification.

Influence of Salivary PH and Urea Level on Calculus Formation – A Clinico – Biochemical Study

BACKGROUND: Studies have documented the importance of alkaline pH for deposition of calcium phosphate, thereby aiding plaque mineralization. The ureolytic pH response promotes calculus formation by increasing the saturation level of calcium phosphate in plaque fluid. Therefore, AIM - A study was conducted to assess the effect of salivary pH and urea level in mild moderate and heavy calculus formers. METHODS: Group A- Mild calculus formers Group B- Moderate calculus formers Group C- Heavy calculus formers 10 subjects were assigned to each group. Salivary pH was recorded by using pH indicator strips as soon as saliva was collected in a sterile container. Thereafter, biochemical estimation of salivary urea was performed. RESULT-: There was no statistically significant difference in pH levels between Group A and Group B (p=0.97) but significant difference between Group A and Group C (p= 0.01).There was a highly significant difference between Group A and Group C in urea levels .(p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Salivary urea has a major influence on calculus formation, and though evidence suggests that pH has a role in calculus formation, the present study did not show any significant relation between pH and calculus formation.

Failure and Management of Direct Restorations

The clinical assessment of a failing restoration plays an imperative role in recognising the cause of failure and helps in decision making for replacement or repair of the restoration. This paper describes about how to appropriately diagnose a failing restoration and either replace or repair the restoration as soon as possible without causing more damage to the natural tooth.