Ashu Bhardwaj

Enhanced power factor and reduced thermal conductivity of a half-Heusler derivative Ti9Ni7Sn8: A bulk nanocomposite thermoelectric material

We report a half-Heusler (HH) derivative Ti9Ni7Sn8 with VEC = 17.25 to investigate the structural changes for the optimization of high thermoelectric performance. The structural analysis reveals that the resulting material is a nanocomposite of HH and full-Heusler with traces of Ti6Sn5 type-phase. Interestingly, present nanocomposite exhibits a significant decrease in thermal conductivity due to phonon scattering and improvement in the power factor due to combined effect of nanoinclusion-induced electron injection and electron scattering at interfaces, leading to a boost in the ZT value to 0.32 at 773 K, which is 60% higher than its bulk counterpart HH TiNiSn.

Influence of female sex hormones on periodontium: A case series.

Dental plaque is the primary etiologic factor for the periodontal diseases. Although pathogenic bacteria in dental plaque are necessary for the incidence of periodontal disease, but a susceptible host is as important. The susceptibility of the host can be modified by various systemic factors with hormones level being one. The periodontium shows an exaggerated inflammatory response to plaque modified by female sex hormone during puberty, pregnancy, in women taking oral contraceptives and at the postmenopausal stage. This paper presents such few cases where periodontium is influenced by variation in sex steroid hormones of female during different phases of their life time and to discuss how much a same hormone at different age and stage shows an exaggerated gingival response to plaque.

Effect of hydrogen peroxide mouthwash as an adjunct to chlorhexidine on stains and plaque

Aim: To investigate whether the use of an oxidizing mouth rinse as an adjunct to chlorhexidine is efficacious in reducing stains and plaque. Materials and Methods: This study had a single-blind, three-group (n = 35 each) parallel design, including a 21 days experimental period during which group I rinsed with chlorhexidine (CHX) 0.2% alone, group II used chlorhexidine (CHX) followed by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) 1.5%. Group III rinsed with the same mouthwashes in reverse order. Patients were randomly assigned to one of the three groups. The examination for plaque, and stains was done after 1, 2, and 3 weeks of rinsing. Results: Group II showed significantly less stain intensity in comparison with group I after 14 and 21 days (P values 0.025 and 0.005, respectively). The proportion of stained surfaces was less in the group II than in the group I and was significant at the end of 1 week. The plaque formation was significantly less in groups II and III than group I at 7, 14, and 21 days. Conclusion: The adjunctive use of hydrogen peroxide to chlorhexidine proved to be superior to chlorhexidine alone with regard to the inhibition of plaque and development of stains.

Management of recalcitrant oral pemphigus vulgaris with CO(2) laser - Report of two cases.

Laser has been used efficiently for treatment of oral lichen planus, leukoplakia, aphthous ulcers and oral manifestations of HIV. Two cases of recalcitrant oral pemphigus vulgaris that were successfully treated with CO2 laser are described. The patients had been treated by a dermatologist with pulse therapy of methyl prednisolone and cyclophosphamide over a period of 6 to 8 months, but the clinical course was characterized by episodes of painful flare-ups and nonresponsiveness. The patients were extremely uncomfortable with recurrent oral lesions. CO2 laser at low power was used to irradiate the lesions. It was shown to be effective in relieving pain and healing of lesions, with nonrecurrence. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report of such a treatment of oral pemphigus vulgaris. Further clinical studies are warranted to confirm efficacy and to optimize the treatment protocol.

Tooth polishing: The current status

Healthy teeth and gums make a person feel confident and fit. As people go about their daily routines and with different eating and drinking habits, the tooth enamel turns yellowish or gets stained. Polishing traditionally has been associated with the prophylaxis procedure in most dental practices, which patients know and expect. However, with overzealous use of polishing procedure, there is wearing of the superficial tooth structure. This would lead to more accumulation of local deposits. Also, it takes a long time for the formation of the fluoride-rich layer of the tooth again. Hence, now-a-days, polishing is not advised as a part of routine oral prophylaxis procedure but is done selectively based on the patients′ need. The article here, gives an insight on the different aspects of the polishing process along with the different methods and agents used for the same.

Periodontal flap surgery along with vestibular deepening with diode laser to increase attached gingiva in lower anterior teeth: A prospective clinical study

Background: Chronic periodontitis in lower anterior teeth results in rapidly progressive gingival recession (GR), loss of alveolar bone, decreased vestibular depth (VD) with consequential tooth mobility, and tooth loss. Treatment option for such cases in this esthetically important area of the oral cavity includes extraction followed by implants for which sufficient bone height and mucogingival complex are a prerequisite. Henceforth, an attempt was made to prolong the life of lower anterior teeth and postpone the need for implants by the treatment of chronic periodontitis with periodontal flap surgery followed by vestibular deepening in single surgical procedure. Materials and Methods: In this clinical, prospective study, conventional periodontal flap surgery was done on 74 sites in lower anterior teeth in 16 patients with attachment loss >5 mm due to chronic periodontitis. Vestibular deepening with diode laser at (wavelength - 810 nm, output power: 0.5–7 W, continuous wave, contact mode) was done after suturing the flap. All the clinical parameters: GR, pocket depth (PD), clinical attachment loss (CAL), width of keratinized gingiva, width of attached gingiva, and VD were assessed preoperatively after Phase I therapy and 6 months postoperatively. Results: At all the 74 sites, there was highly significant gain in attached gingiva, keratinized gingiva, and VD (P ≤ 0.001). Highly significant reduction in PD (P ≤ 00.001), significant reduction in attachment loss (P ≤ 0.01) but no significant reduction in GR (P = 0.897) was observed. Conclusions: The combination of periodontal flap surgery with vestibular deepening with diode laser may be a suitable cost-effective treatment option to prolong the life of periodontally involved lower anterior teeth. The surgical technique can postpone the need for extraction of teeth along with all the intangible benefits of periodontal therapy.

A novel single-step surgical technique for vestibular deepening using laser in conjunction with periodontal flap surgery

Moderate-to-severe chronic periodontitis results in clinical loss of attachment, reduced width of attached gingiva (AG), periodontal pockets beyond mucogingival junction (MGJ), gingival recession, loss of alveolar bone, and decreased vestibular depth (VD). The encroachment of frenal and muscle attachments on marginal gingiva increases the rate of progression of periodontal pockets, prevents healing, and causes their recurrence after therapy. Loss of VD and AG associated with continuous progression of pocket formation and bone loss requires two-stage surgical procedures. In this article, one-stage surgical procedure is being described for the first time, to treat the periodontal pockets extending beyond the MGJ by periodontal flap surgery along with vestibular deepening with diode laser to increase the AG. One-step surgical technique is illustrated whereby pocket therapy with reconstruction of lost periodontal tissues can be done along with gingival augmentation by vestibular deepening.

Association of chronic periodontitis with metabolic syndrome: A cross-sectional study

Background: Prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MeS) is high among Asians, including Indians and is rising, particularly with the adoption of modernized lifestyle. Various studies have reported a significant relationship between periodontal status and MeS. The objective of this study is to investigate the association between periodontitis and MeS. Materials and Methods: The study included 259 subjects (130 cases with chronic periodontitis, 129 controls without chronic periodontitis) who underwent medical and periodontal checkup. Five components (obesity, high blood pressure, low- and high-density lipoproteins, cholesterol, hypertriglyceridemia, and high plasma glucose) of MeS were evaluated, and individuals with ≥3 positive components were defined as having MeS. The periodontal parameter was clinical attachment level (CAL) on the basis of which cases were selected with moderate (CAL loss 3–4 mm) and severe (CAL loss ≥5 mm) generalized chronic periodontitis. The association between chronic periodontitis and MeS components was investigated using odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: The association of MeS and chronic periodontitis was strong and significant with OR: 2.64, 95% CI: 1.36–5.18, and P< 0.003. Comparison of mean values of components of MeS between cases and controls reveals that the mean waist circumference (mean difference: −4.8 [95% CI: 7.75–−1.84], P< 0.002) and mean triglycerides level (mean difference: −25.75 [95% CI: −49.22–−2.28], P< 0.032) were significantly higher in cases than in control groups. Although mean systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and fasting blood sugar level were higher in cases (125.77, 82.99 and 86.38, respectively) compared with control (122.81, 81.3 and 83.68, respectively), it was statistically insignificant. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that there is a strong association between chronic periodontitis and MeS. The association was independent of the various potential confounding risk factors affecting the chronic periodontitis such as age, sex, residential background, and tobacco consumption.

Mechanical Non Surgical Therapy: An Indispensable Tool

Purpose: Traditional approaches to mechanical debridement of the tooth surface to remove tooth accretions continue to be an integral part of periodontal therapy. The purpose of the present study was to test the effectiveness of mechanical non-surgical therapy in subjects with moderate to severe gingivitis and periodontitis. Methods: Ten subjects of moderate to severe gingivitis/periodontits were selected for the study. Gingival inflammation, pocket depth and CAL were evaluated from baseline over a period of 8 weeks. Results: In four subjects with gingivitis the mean gingival inflammation at the base line was 2.15±0.131mm and after 8 weeks of phase-1 periodontal therapy was 1.12±0.087mm with highly statistically significant difference (p-value=0.000). In six periodontitis patients, the mean CAL at the base line was 4.555±1.461mm and after 8 weeks of phase-1 periodontal therapy was 4.302±1.726mm. Gain in CAL was 0.254±0.361mm with statistically non-significant difference between the means of CAL at baseline and after 8 weeks (p-value=0.146). In all subjects, the mean pocket depth at the base line was 3.608±0.738mm and after 8 weeks of phase-1 periodontal therapy was 2.795±1.159mm with mean reduction of pocket depth 0.892±594mm. The difference was statistically significant (p-value=0.002). Conclusions: Non-surgical periodontal therapy induces beneficial changes to periodontal tissues, as expressed by reduction of gingival inflammation, reduction of pocket depth, and gain in clinical attachment level. However, in two subjects with severe periodontitis (mean pocket depth being 5.231mm and 4.05mm) the

An enigmatic clinical presentation of plasma cell granuloma of the oral cavity

Plasma cell granuloma is a rare benign lesion characterized by the infiltration of plasma cells; primarily occurring in the lungs. It is also seen to occur in the brain, kidney stomach, heart, and so on but its intraoral occurrence is a rarity. This case report represents one of the uncommon locations in the oral cavity affected by plasma cell granuloma, its clinical and histological features, and establishes the differential diagnosis with other malignant or benign disease entities and planning the treatment accordingly. This report discusses the diagnostic enigma and the associated terminology of plasma cell granulomas and reinforces the need for performing biopsy and a histopathological or immune histochemical study, irrespective of the clinical features and clinical diagnosis of the lesion. In this case a 52-year-old female, presented with gingival enlargement in the mandibular anterior region, treated by excisional biopsy. Histological evaluation revealed plasma cell infiltrates in the connective tissue. The immune-histochemistry revealed kappa and lambda light chains with a polyclonal staining pattern, which confirmed the diagnosis of plasma cell granuloma.