Mandakini Mohan

Management of supernumerary teeth

Supernumerary paramolars are the rare anomalies of the maxillofacial complex. These are more common in the maxilla than in the mandible. This article reviews the etiology, frequency, classification, complications, diagnosis and management of supernumerary teeth (bilateral maxillary paramolars)

Use of a natural tooth crown as a pontic following cervical root fracture: a case report

The loss of anterior teeth can be psychologically and socially damaging to the patient. Despite a wide range of treatment options available, traumatised teeth may be inevitably lost on certain occasions. This paper describes the immediate replacement of a right central incisor using a fibre-composite resin with the natural tooth crown as a pontic. The abutment teeth can be conserved with minimal or no preparation, thus keeping the technique reversible, and can be completed at chair side thereby avoiding laboratory costs. It can be used as an interim measure or a definitive prosthesis.

Pharmacological Agents in Dentistry: A Review.

All clinicians should be fully aware of the recent trends in their speciality to enable them to provide effective and successful treatment to their patients. One vital aspect of the treatment is that the clinician should constantly update his knowledge on the drugs being administered during the course of treatment and their interactions. The purpose of this article is to review the current pharmacological agents being used in Prosthodontics along with their interactions and indications. The paper mainly focuses on Therapeutic drugs and drugs that aid in prosthodontics treatment. Therapeutic drugs include local anesthetics, antiseptics, steroids, analgesics, antimicrobials, antifungals, antianxity drugs, centrally acting muscle relaxants. Drugs that aid in prosthodontics treatment include astringents, vasoconstrictors, hemostatic agents, sialogogues, anti-sialogogues, denture cleansers, gum paints, denture cleansers, denture adhesives, ORAL protective agents and demulcents. An odontologist should have sound knowledge of the benefits and drawbacks of all these agents. This will enable the clinician to provide a safe and predictable treatment to the patients.

Comparative evaluation of the curve of Spee in two age groups and its relation to posterior teeth disclusion

OBJECTIVES This study aims to compare the curve of Spee in human permanent healthy dentitions in two age groups to the disclusion in the premolar and molar region during protrusion. MATERIALS AND METHODS Sixty subjects were chosen and equally divided into two age groups of 18-25 years and 35-44 years. The left side of the mandibular dental casts was photographed using a digital camera to measure the curve of Spee. The canine cusp, mesiobuccal cusp of the first molar and the distal cusp of the second molar were marked and joined to form an arc. Using AUTOCAD software, the radius for this arc was obtained. A protrusive interocclusal record was made using rigid bite registration material to measure the amount of posterior disclusion during edge to edge protrusion. A dial gauge with an accuracy of 1/100 of a millimeter was used to measure the distance between the cusp tip indentations at the region of the buccal cusp of the mandibular 2nd premolar and distobuccal cusp of mandibular 1st molar. The results obtained were statistically analyzed. RESULTS The radius of curve of Spee increased nonsignificantly with age. The mean disclusion values measured in premolar and molar region showed a nonsignificant decrease with age. CONCLUSION As age advances, there is a flattening of the curve of Spee and a concurrent reduction in the disclusion values during protrusion.

A comparative effect of various surface chemical treatments on the resin composite-composite repair bond strength

Aim: The aim of this in vitro study was an attempt to investigate the effect of different surface treatments on the bond strength between pre-existing composite and repair composite resin. Materials and Methods: Forty acrylic blocks were prepared in a cuboidal mould. In each block, a well of 5 mm diameter and 5 mm depth was prepared to retain the composite resin (Filtek™ Z350, 3M/ESPE). Aging of the composite discs was achieved by storing them in water at 37°C for 1 week, and after that were divided into 5 groups (n = 8) according to surface treatment: Group I- 37% phosphoric acid, Group II-10% hydrofluoric acid, Group III-30% citric acid, Group IV-7% maleic acid and Group V- Adhesive (no etchant). The etched surfaces were rinsed and dried followed by application of bonding agent (Adper™ Single Bond 2. 3M/ESPE). The repair composite was placed on aged composite, light-cured for 40 seconds and stored in water at 37°C for 1 week. Shear bond strength between the aged and the new composite resin was determined with a universal testing machine (crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/min). Statistical Analysis: The compressive shear strengths were compared for differences using ANOVA test followed by Tamhane′s T2 post hoc analysis. Results: The surface treatment with 10% hydrofluoric acid showed the maximum bond strength followed by 30% citric acid, 7% maleic acid and 37% phosphoric acid in decreasing order. Conclusion: The use of 10% hydrofluoric acid can be a good alternative for surface treatment in repair of composite resin restoration as compared to commonly used 37% orthophosphoric acid.

Dental students' compliance with antibiotic prescribing guidelines for dental infections in children

Context: To investigate the antibiotic prescribing training received by dental students, clinical experience in treating child patients, awareness of antibiotic prescribing guidelines, preparedness in antibiotic prescribing, and compliance with antibiotic prescribing guidelines for the management of dental infections in children. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study involving final year dentals students from Malaysian and Asian dental schools. A self-administered questionnaire consisting of five clinical case scenarios was e-mailed to all final year students at selected dental schools. Students′ responses were compared for each clinical case scenario with the prescribing guidelines of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Dental Association. Compliance in each scenario was tested for association with their preparedness in antibiotic prescribing, previous training on antibiotic prescribing and awareness of antibiotic prescribing guidelines using Chi-square test. Data collected were analyzed using SPSS statistics version 20. Results: A total of 108 completed responses were received. About 74 (69%) students were from Malaysian dental schools. The compliance rate with prescribing guidelines ranged from 15.7% to 43.5%. Those attending Malaysian dental schools (47.3%) and those who had treated child patient more often (46.3%) were more likely (P < 0.05) to be aware of the guidelines. Those who had received antibiotic prescribing training (21.3%) were more likely to think they were well prepared in antibiotic prescribing (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Final year dental students had low awareness and compliance with antibiotic prescribing guidelines. Further research is needed to investigate how compliance with the guidelines may be enhanced.