Computer printed denture labeling: A simplified technique

Importance and benefits of denture labeling have been widely described in forensic and dental community. It helps in identification and prevents the probability of losing dentures in geriatric edentulous patient. Several methods have been described in literature for the purpose of labeling denture. The article fully describes an inclusive method which is simple, economical, permanent and is done with equipment readily available in a laboratory.

Position of parotid papilla and commissure of lip in relation to maxillary occlusal plane among patients visiting a tertiary care centre of Nepal

Introduction: The exact position of the Parotid papilla and commissure of the lip plays a crucial role in determining the maxillary occlusal plane which directly facilitates rehabilitating edentulous patients with a removable complete denture. Since the beginning, many authors have conducted different studies regarding its position but multiple variations in its location have been noted. Also, this type of study has not been conducted in the Nepalese population which drags the urge to determine the position of these soft-tissue landmarks in context to the Nepalese population. Objective: To determine the position of parotid papilla and commissure of lip in relation to the maxillary occlusal plane. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in the 45 dentate subjects visiting Nobel medical college from November 2019 to April 2020. A vestibular impression was made, stone index fabricated and vernier caliper was used to locate position of parotid papilla & commissure of lip. All the data were collected and statistically analyzed. Results: The mean measurement of distances between maxillary occlusal plane and parotid papilla was 3.69 ± 1.19 mm and between maxillary occlusal plane and commissure of lip was 0.41 ± 0.83 mm respectively. Conclusion: This study showed that the position of the parotid papilla was superior to the position of the maxillary occlusal plane with a mean distance of 3.69mm. The commissure of lip was found to be at the level of maxillary occlusion plane in highest number of cases followed by a superior position with least at the inferior position with respect to the maxillary occlusal plane.

Gingival mask for conservative management of gingival recession: A case report

Smile is the jewel of the face, which not only enhances the beauty of the person but also influences self-confidence. Dental esthetic is composed of white and pink component. The long-term periodontal disease results in the destruction of the pink component leading to gingival recession in some cases, which results in elongated tooth with black triangle and unesthetic smile. When severe destruction is present in the maxillary anterior region surgical reconstruction is unpredictable. This destruction can be masked with a prosthesis like gingival mask after the control of periodontal disease. This case report describes the use of the gingival mask as a conservative treatment modality for recession, achieving optimum esthetics and patient satisfaction.

Conventional tooth supported overdenture: A case report

The present prime concern in dentistry is on preservation of remaining natural teeth. Presence of few teeth in oral cavity help in preserving alveolar ridge integrity, maintain the proprioception, and gives psychological benefit to the patient. Overdenture has proven to be the mainstay of conservative prosthodontic treatment when proper diagnosis, treatment planning, and most importantly, patient compliance are achieved. This paper presents a case report of rehabilitation of a 65 year old patient with multiple missing teeth with tooth supported overdenture in both maxilla and mandible.

Current trends in dental implant practice among dentists in Nepal

Introduction: Implant dentistry is one of the fastest growing specialty in the field in dentistry. Yet there is a paucity of literature regarding the prevalence and the current trends of implant dentistry practice among dentists working in Nepal. Thus, the objective of this study was to assess the prevalence and current trends of dental implants practice among the dentists working in Nepal. Method: A cross sectional, online study was done among 267 Nepalese dentists from October, 2020 to December, 2020 by convenience sampling method. Data collection was done with the help of a proforma that included socio-demographic details and predesigned questionnaire adopted from a study done in Mumbai, India.13 The questions were developed in google form and shared to the study participants through various social media for the study duration of 3 months. Results: Out of 267 participants, 142 (53.2%) were BDS, 107 (40.1%) were MDS and remaining had other degrees. Of the total participants, only 83 (31.1%) placed dental implants in their practice. Those who did not place dental implants referred the case mostly to periodontist (51.1%), followed by prosthodontist (34.8%). Only 72 (26.9%) had undergone formal implant training program. All the study participants prescribed radiograph as CBCT alone or in combination with the other radiographs. Most of the participants, who placed dental implant, did both the surgical and the prosthodontic phases. Bone level implants (74.7%), Screw retained (50.6%) and extra oral fixation (50.6%) type prosthetics were used by most of the participants. Most frequently used implant systems were Bredent (46.9%), Nobel Biocare (46.9%) and Straumann (46.9%) followed by Adin (44.5%). Conclusion: The current study showed that dental implants practice is adopted by less than one third of the dentists in Nepal, that suggests the need for implementation of Continuing Professional Development in dental implants in Nepal to increase the knowledge and skills among dental professionals.

Custom made ocular prosthesis: A case report

Physical defects that compromise appearance or function, which prevent an individual from leading a normal life, usually prompt the individual to seek treatment that will reinstate acceptable normalcy. The loss of an eye impairs the patient’s visual function, yet also results in a noticeable deformity. Prosthesis should be provided as soon as possible to raise the spirits and ease the mind of the afflicted. An ocular prosthesis is a maxillofacial prosthesis that artificially replaces an eye missing as a result of trauma, surgery, or congenital absence. A custom ocular prosthesis has advantage of close adaptation to the tissue bed, provides maximum comfort and restores full physiological function to the accessory organs of the eye.

Knowledge and practice of feeding plate obturators among medical doctors in Kanti children’s hospital

Introduction: Cleft lip and cleft palate (CLCP) affects several systems and functions of the child and result in social and psychological problems.Therefore early repair of CLCP is imperative. Every cleft center follows its own surgical treatment protocol. Before closure of palatal defects, babies with cleft palate have great difficulty in feeding. To overcome this feeding difficulties, use of special bottles, nipples, initial palatal obturator therapy are used. The first exposure of those children are primarily the medical doctors including pediatricians from where they are generally referred to the concerned speciality for repair of CLCP. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge and practice of orofacial clefts and feeding plate obturator among medical doctors working in Kanti Children’s Hospital (KCH). Method: This was a questionnaire based survey among medical doctors working in KCH. The pretested questionnaire with 7 questions each on the knowledge and practice of feeding plate obturator was distributed among the medical doctors and data was collected. The data collected were subjected to statistical analysis using frequency of responses and percentages. Results: Of the total 57 study participants, 32 (56.1%) were males and 25 (43.9%) were females. Majority i.e. 61.4% belonged to 31-40 years age group. 91.2% study participants faced the cleft lip/ palate related feeding difficulties 0-5 times/month while 5 (8.8%) faced this condition 6-10 times/ month. Majority of the infants who were less than 28 days (43.9%) attended the OPD due to difficultyin feeding/ swallowing (57.9%) followed by regurgitation/ aspiration (22.8%). 49.1% of the participants thought feeding plate oburator as the best way to feed a cleft patient on discharge from hospital. In their clinical practice, three fourth of paticipants (70.2%) had never seen a patient with feeding plate obturator, half of the participants (50.9%) didn’t advise for feeding plate obturator for patients withcleft palate and 89.5% were not aware of the replacement of feeding plate obturator. Conclusion: There is low exposure regarding the feeding plate obturator among medical doctors in KCH which needs to be reinforced through meaningful continuing education and training programs.

Sometimes conventional removable partial denture is the only remedy!

Management of partially edentulous patients can still be a prosthodontic challenge especially for extensive maxillary Kennedy Class I. Replacing the missing teeth using conventional fixed and removable partial dentures (FPD/RPDs) associated with extracoronal attachments remains sometimes the only remedy for partial edentulism. The use of osseointegrated dental implants turn the possibilities of prosthetic reconstruction endless, but what about patients with absolute contraindication of surgery. It is therefore the objective of this article to describe the treatment sequence and technique for the use of attachments in therapy combining FPD/RPD.

A survey assessing methods of maintaining denture hygiene among denture wearers

Introduction: This study aimed to investigate the denture hygiene habits among old age denture wearers. The purpose of the study was to explain about the methods of maintaining denture hygiene among denture wearers. Methods: The present cross-sectional survey was conducted among denture wearer patients during follow-up appointment, using a self-administered structured questionnaire. Results: The study sample consisted of a total of 324 participants; out of them, 211 (65.1%) were males and 113 (34.9%) were females. Regarding the method of maintaining denture cleanliness, most of the patients cleaned it with water only (57.1%), whereas patients who cleaned with brush and paste were less (35.8%) and very few cleaned it with a combination of water, brush and toothpaste (7.1%). Conclusion: Majority of the patients cleaned their denture at least once daily and were provided with proper instructions from their dentist to maintain denture hygiene.

Pandemic and Prosthodontics

No abstract available.