Ao Arigbede

Nanotechnology and its Application in Dentistry

Nanotechnology influences almost every facet of everyday life from security to medicine. The concept of nanotechnology is that when one goes down to the bottom of things, one can discover unlimited possibilities and potential of the basic particle. In nanotechnology, analysis can be made to the level of manipulating atoms, molecules and chemical bonds between them. The growing interest in the dental applications of nanotechnology is leading to the emergence of a new field called nanodentistry. An electronic database search that included PubMed, MedLine, and Cochrane library was conducted. Key words used in the search are nanotechnology dentistry and applications. Language limitation was set as articles reviewed were only those written and published in English language. We did not search the gray literature. Initially, 52 articles were retrieved from the database, and articles considered were those published from 2008 to 2013. Eight articles that met the selection criteria were eventually selected and reviewed.

Prevalence and Pattern of Pain Presentation among Patients Attending a Tertiary Dental Center in a Southern Region of Nigeria

Background and aims Orofacial pain is one of the most common reasons for attendance at the dental clinic. The prevalence and the sources of orofacial pain vary from place to place and patients’ response to pain also differs. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and pattern of orofacial pain as well as the factors influencing patients’ response to orofacial pain among patients presenting for dental treatment in our center. Materials and methods Consecutive patients presenting with orofacial pain at the Dental Center, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital during the one-year period of the study were recruited into the study. Patients’ demographic data were collected and recorded in special forms. Patients were later examined to confirm the specific cause of pain. This was also recorded. Data generated were analyzed using SPSS for Windows. Results Four hundred and forty-eight patients out of the 2,426 patients seen during the study period had orofacial pain, yielding a prevalence rate of 18.5%. There were 255 females and 193 males with most patients in the 17-27-year age group (49.1%). Lower jaw was commonly affected. Most patients presented after a period of at least one month, with severe and spontaneous pain. Most patients had drug therapy before presentation. Caries was the most common source of orofacial pain. Conclusion Orofacial pain was not uncommon in our center and it accounted for about 20% of patients’ attendance in the center. Dental caries and periodontal diseases were the most common sources of orofacial pain while temporomandibu-lar joint pain and atypical facial pain were not common in our center. Young adults and females were most commonly affected.

A Comparative Study of Palatal Rugae Patterns among Igbo and Ikwerre Ethnic Groups of Nigeria: A University of Port Harcourt Study

Background. Palatal rugae pattern of an individual is species specific and is said to be as unique as finger print. Aims and Objectives. The aim of this study was to identify and compare the rugae pattern of Igbo and Ikwerre populations in Nigeria for human identification purposes. Materials and Methods. The present study was conducted from random sampling of University of Port Harcourt students. A total number of 140 subjects (70 Igbos and 70 Ikwerres) of age bracket of 18–30 were used. Results. The different shapes of rugae were obviously observed with varying degrees of predominance among the two tribes. The most predominant patterns are wavy and curvy followed by straight. The Igbos were predominantly wavy while the Ikwerres were predominantly of curve and straight patterns. The Igbo males and females had more wavy pattern with percentage values of 51.6% and 59.9% which is significantly higher in proportion (P < 0.05) as compared to the Ikwerre males and females with percentage values of 35.6% and 40.6%. On the other hand, Ikwerre males and females proved to be curve dominant with percentage values of 45.2% and 34.4% and this showed significant difference in proportion (P < 0.05) as compared to the Igbo males and females with percentage curve values of 27.9% and 26.1%. Conclusion. The result obtained from this study is clear evidence of ethnic differences in relation to sex; hence the incidence of predominance is population dependent.

Knowledge and Practice of Nigerian Dentists About Shortened Dental Arch Therapy (SDAT)

Objecti ve: To determine the knowledge and practi ce of a cross-secti on of Nigerian denti sts about shortened dental arch therapy (SDAT). Method: A cross-se...

Relative Biocompatibility of Micro-hybrid and Nano-hybrid Light Activated Composite Resins

Background. In vitro studies have revealed a direct association between resin content and cytotoxicity of composite resins; however, implantation studies in this regard are sparse. This study investigates the relationship between filler content of composite resins and biocompatibility. Methods. This research employed twelve 180‒200-gr male Wistar rats, 1 nano-hybrid (Prime-Dent Inc.) and 1 micro-hybrid (Medental Inc.) composite resins containing 74% and 80‒90% filler content, respectively. The samples were assessed on the 2nd, 14th and 90th day of implantation. Four rats were allocated to each day in this experimental study. A section of 1.5mm long cured nano-hybrid and micro-hybrid materials were implanted into the right and left upper and lower limbs of the rats, respectively. Eight samples were generated on each day of observation. Inflammation was graded according to the criteria suggested by Orstavik and Major. Pearson’s chi-squared test was employed to determine the relationship between the tissue responses of the two materials. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. Results. The average grade of inflammation for the nano-hybrid on the 2nd day of implantation was 3.3. The micro-hybrid resin had a score of 3.0 for cellular inflammation. On the 14th day, the micro-hybrid resin also exhibited a lower average grade for cellular inflammation. On the 90th day, the micro-hybrid resin had a higher grade of inflammation (0.9) compared to 0.3 recorded for nano-hybrid. The composite resins with higher filler content elicited a significantly lower grade of inflammation irrespective of the duration (χ=20.000, df=8, P=0.010) while the composite resins with lower filler content elicited a significantly lower inflammatory response on the 90th day (χ=4.000, df=1, P=0.046). Conclusion. The composite resins with higher filler content generally elicited significantly lower grades of inflammation, and the composite resins with lower filler content exhibited significantly lower inflammatory response on the 90th day of implantation.

Use of simulators in operative dental education: experience in southern Nigeria.

BACKGROUND Though the use of simulators in operative dentistry is not new, the teaching and learning practices that take place during clinical sessions in skills laboratories are rarely reported. This study was designed to determine the current practices relating to teaching and learning of dental clinical skills in southern Nigeria. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted among the final year dental students in southern Nigeria using anonymous structured questionnaire as instrument for data collection. The questionnaire items included statements relating to existing teaching and learning practices. A five-point Likert scale response option was provided and descriptive summary statistics was computed. RESULTS There were 56 (34.8%) females and 105 (65.2%) males. Most of the students (41.0%) agreed that the theoretical concept behind clinical skills is taught prior to clinical sessions and most agreed that the objectives of each clinical session are stated and that the procedures are usually demonstrated. Most of the respondents (39.8%) agreed that feedback was sometimes embarrassing and given at the end of clinical sessions (76.6%). Equipment breakdown was a major challenge to learning. CONCLUSION Dental education in the skills labs within the region appeared standard. However, feedback should be continuous and constructive. Equipment breakdown was the major constraint to learning.

Ozone therapy and restorative dentistry: a literature review

Objective: Over the recent years, restorative dentistry has shifted towards practicing preventive dentistry and adopting more conservative and tooth-preserving procedures. This approach is being further reinforced with the emergence of ozone therapy in the management of tooth decay. Ozone therapy is the treatment of the tooth with a mixture of oxygen and ozone. The aim of this review was to provide a comprehensive literature on ozone therapy and on the different areas of restorative dental specialty where this emerging treatment alternative has been found applicable. Method: The Medline and Google databases were searched for relevant literature using the following terms “ozone therapy and dentistry”, “ozone”, “atraumatic tooth restoration”, “tooth decay and remineralization”. Manual library search and review of bibliographies of published literature were also conducted. Publications that discussed what ozone therapy is all about, the history, mechanism of action, production of ozone, toxicity and clinical applications particularly in Restorative Dentistry were extracted. Result: Ozone therapy causes remineralization of incipient pit and fissure caries as well as incipient root caries. Its usefulness in open lesions has also being demonstrated. Dental decay may sometimes be managed without the conventional anaesthetic, drill and filling. It is also used in Restorative Dentistry for sterilization of removable dentures and avulsed tooth, tooth bleaching and desensitization. There is conflicting evidence regarding its application in endodontics at the moment. Conclusion: There is some demonstrable emerging evidence to suggest that ozone therapy is useful in restorative dentistry and it could turn around for good the practice of the discipline in the near future. Its mode of application in dentistry ensures its safety. Key words: Ozone therapy, caries, remineralization, atraumatic restoration

Knowledge, beliefs and experiences of a cross section of mothers in Port Harcourt about teething

Background: Throughout history, teething has been held responsible by parents and health professionals alike for a wide range of childhood illnesses like high fever and convulsion even though research suggests otherwise. Aim: The study is designed to determine the current knowledge, beliefs and experiences of a cross-section of mothers in Port Harcourt about teething. Methods: The study was conducted using a structured, anonymous open and close-ended questionnaire distributed among randomly selected female staff of University of Port Harcourt as instrument for data collection. The data was analyzed using SPSS 11.0 version. Results: The respondents do not have a good knowledge of the number of Primary (deciduous) teeth and the period teething is usually completed, but they are aware that lower central incisors usually erupt first. Most of the respondents believed that teething period is a tasking period for mothers. Fever and diarrhoea were the commonest complaints ascribed to teething. Conclusion: This initial report shows that mothers in Port Harcourt believed that the teething period is a tasking period for mothers and it is associated with major illnesses like fever and diarrhoea. Keywords : Knowledge, Beliefs, Experiences, Mothers, Teething PHMJ Vol. 2 (2) 2008: pp. 130-135

Acceptability and Interest of Nigerian Dental Resident Doctors in Prosthetic Dentistry: Problems and Suggestions for a Positive Change

Background: Communication and use of medical information is an important factor in the delivery of quality health services in a timely fashion. This is of great importance to the researchers since they are faced with several millions of medical information packages and locating the precised or the core ones becomes Herculean tasks on their part. Hence, the need to explore or investigate sources which the users consulted in the course of their research activities and ascertaining the degree of their relevance and satisfaction. Therefore, health information service should form an integral part of the national health system. Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate the information sources (formal/Informal) used by health care professional in Lagos – Nigeria. Method: Structured questionnaire, interview and observation were the methods used to collect data for this study. The study adopts a stratified random sampling method to select three hundred (300) out of four hundred and eighty (480) users using the resources in the three selected medical libraries in Lagos. The sampled fraction was 62.5%, while 240 users responded. Results: Of the 300 sampled, 240 responded (80%). Ranked in order of priorities or decreasing of frequency were: patient care (72.9%), studying for exams (59.1%) teaching (51.2%). Reference (43.7%). Research (42.9%), Studying course work (37.9%), current awareness (33.7%) and pleasure reading (18.3%).- The study discovered that photocopying services, current awareness, E-mail, MEDLINE and internet services were available. The findings further showed that printed textbooks and journals were the principal sources of information which were heavily used and slightly followed by audio-visual resources and reference materials. Conclusion/Recommendation: Some useful conclusions that can be drawn from the study is that information is a critical factor input in the provision of health care services, conduct research and educate health professionals. Unfortunately the information resources and services were inadequate and the researcher called for urgent attention as raised by WEITZEL in the WORLD HEALTH FORUM, that the neglect of health science libraries was as a result of wrong placement in the ministries where they are being attached. It was recommended that libraries must embark on an internal fund generating drives so as to bail themselves out of the economic doldrums. Secondly, libraries should intensify their efforts in soliciting for donations of current printed and non-printed information materials from alumnus and philanthropists alike. And finally, there should be strict adherence to the 10% budgetary allocation recommended by the federal government to university libraries, so as to be able to procure up-to-date information materials needed by their clientele Keywords : Information Resources, Utility, Medical Library Services, Productivity, Qualitative Information NQJHM Vol. 16 (4) 2006: pp. 109-113