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Background: This study was aimed to evaluate the changes in salivary output and its effect on dental caries among Indian troops after 6 months of stay at high-altitude area (HAA)., Methods: All troops undergo mandatory dental checkup during acclimatization phase before deployment at HAA. Two thousand troops who fulfilled inclusion and exclusion criteria were selected, and consent for the study was obtained. Stimulated and unstimulated salivary samples were collected, the decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) index was evaluated, and required dental treatment was completed. The same salivary samples were collected after 6 months (on deinduction) to evaluate the salivary output. The DMFT index was re-evaluated to check the initiation of caries., Results: The mean values of unstimulated and stimulated saliva at the initial visit were 4.105 and 17.03 gm, respectively, whereas the mean values of unstimulated and stimulated saliva after 180 days were 3.034 and 15.831 gm, respectively. Salivary flow was found to be significantly decreased after 6 months both in unstimulated and stimulated saliva. The mean DMFT at the time of induction of the study was 6.18 ± 3.03, and on deinduction, it was 7.22 ± 3.45 with p < 0.001, which was highly statistically significant., Conclusion: A decrease in body fluids and changed sympathetic and parasympathetic at HAA lead to decreased salivary secretions. Low water intake, high carbohydrate solid diet, negligible supply of fresh food, difficulty in maintenance of oral hygiene, and overall stress due to loneliness are all contributory factors for an increase in dental caries. It clearly demonstrates that prolonged stay at HAA affects salivary volume outflow, both stimulated and unstimulated, which has a corresponding effect on new caries.

Background: Numerous studies regarding the immediate loading of splinted implants retaining/supporting mandibular dentures have reported promising results, but studies comparing splinted and unsplinted attachments for supporting overdentures with immediate loading are limited. Scientific literature is sparse comparing various attachment systems and patient satisfaction in response to immediately loaded implant supported overdentures., Methods: A total of 30 completely edentulous patients male or female, in the age group of 54-78 years (mean age 65 years), wearing conventional complete dentures were selected and randomly divided in to two groups. A total of 60 implants were placed in the interforaminal area of the mental symphysis (two implants per patients) in 30 patients. Two types of attachment systems namely Ball for group-A and Bar for group-B were used and immediate loading done. Implants were evaluated clinically and radiographically at baseline, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months and 9 months. All clinical and radiographic parameters were subjected to statistical analysis., Result: The implant survival rate for group-A (ball attachment) was 93.3% and implant survival rate for group-B (bar attachment) was 93.3%. The overall implant survival rate was not dependent on the attachment system. There was no significant difference in the crestal bone loss in mesial, and distal side in implants with respect to ball and bar attachment for different period of observation (F = 0.25; P = 0.910; F = 0.07; P = 0.992 respectively)., Conclusion: Overdenture supported by two implants should be the minimum gold standard in the rehabilitation of completely edentulous patients.

Background: Prosthodontic Rehabilitation of Treated Maxillofacial Trauma Cases by Evaluating Occlusal Force Distribution Using Computerized Occlusal Analysis., Method: 30 patients were selected for the study. 15 normal and 15 treated trauma patients were subjected to T Scan analysis and evaluated for the occlusal force distribution., Results: The results take into consideration the two parameters. Firstly the largest articulating paper mark (photographed) and secondly the T scan of the same patient. Comparison was made between the largest articulating paper mark and highest force tooth in the quadrant using T Scan. The matches and no matches were then tabulated for statistical analysis assessing the frequency of the matches to the no matches., Conclusion: The ultimate advantage of a T Scan III analysis is that it can detect the amount of force as well as location of the highest intensity contacts of a single tooth which is very specific.

Background: Surface roughness of nickel titanium orthodontic arch wires poses several clinical challenges. Surface modification with aesthetic/metallic/non metallic materials is therefore a recent innovation, with clinical efficacy yet to be comprehensively evaluated., Methods: One conventional and five types of surface modified nickel titanium arch wires were surface characterized with scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive analysis, Raman spectroscopy, Atomic force microscopy and 3D profilometry. Root mean square roughness values were analyzed by one way analysis of variance and post hoc Duncan's multiple range tests., Results: Study groups demonstrated considerable reduction in roughness values from conventional in a material specific pattern: Group I; conventional (578.56 nm) > Group V; Teflon (365.33 nm) > Group III; nitride (301.51 nm) > Group VI (i); rhodium (290.64 nm) > Group VI (ii); silver (252.22 nm) > Group IV; titanium (229.51 nm) > Group II; resin (158.60 nm). It also showed the defects with aesthetic (resin/Teflon) and nitride surfaces and smooth topography achieved with metals; titanium/silver/rhodium., Conclusions: Resin, Teflon, titanium, silver, rhodium and nitrides were effective in decreasing surface roughness of nickel titanium arch wires albeit; certain flaws. Findings have clinical implications, considering their potential in lessening biofilm adhesion, reducing friction, improving corrosion resistance and preventing nickel leach and allergic reactions.

Background: The continuous resorption of the alveolar ridge after extraction of all the teeth can eventually result in a jaw anatomy which offers inadequate support for the dentures. This resorption can render the prosthesis inadequate in terms of both function and esthetics., Methods: A study was conducted where 50 edentulous, denture-wearing patients, of either sex, were given mandibular implant overdentures, using their existing denture. The implants used were one piece implants with an integrated ball and socket joint for retention. A healing time of 3-4 months was given before loading., Results: Implant failure was seen in 11 cases during the healing phase. A success rate of 78% was seen in this study during an observation period of 6 months. This success rate is significantly low as compared to global records where a success rate of 87-98% is documented. The patients were asked to grade the overdenture as poor, satisfactory, good and excellent in categories of masticatory efficiency, speech and overall comfort. 71.79% patients rated the overall comfort as excellent and the same percentage of patients rated the speech as good., Conclusion: Implant retained overdentures help in improving the masticatory efficiency, speech and overall comfort of the patient as compared to conventional dentures.

Background: The immediate placement of implants into fresh extraction socket has proven to be a safe and predictable procedure. However, there is lack of scientific evidence regarding the healing pattern and osseointegration associated with immediate implants especially with different grafting materials., Methods: A total of 30 patients male or female, with a mean age of 23.1 years ± 6.0 in the age group of 18-38 years, each having at least one tooth indicated for extraction (either maxillary or mandibular anterior teeth) were selected and randomly divided in to two groups. 30 Implants (Xive(®) friadent, Germany) were placed into fresh extraction sockets during this study. Two types of graft materials namely Dembone(®) (freeze-dried bone allograft) for group A and G-Bone(®) (modified hydroxyapatite) for group B were used. After implant placement all implants were evaluated clinically and radiographically at baseline, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months and 12 months. All clinical and radiographic parameters were subjected to statistical analysis. Intragroup comparisons were made with paired 't' test and intergroup comparisons with unpaired 't' test (P > 0.05 NS, ≤0.05 S, ≤0.01 HS)., Result: During the 1-year interval, no implant was lost and the mean bone level at the implants was maintained or even improved., Conclusion: Immediate restoration of single tooth implants placed in fresh extraction sockets could be considered a valuable option to replace a missing tooth. The graft materials used in both groups have been found to be equally effective.

Background: Little consensus exist in suitable tooth preparation design and alloy pre-treatment methods for improving the retention of resin bonded fixed partial dentures (RBFPDs)., Methods: An in-vitro experiment was done with four designs. Group A: standard form, B: wings and proximal slices, C: wings, proximal slice and grooves, D: wings, proximal slice, grooves and occlusal coverage. Alloys were subjected to pre-treatment procedures like Group I: control, II: sand blasting, III: electro etching, IV: tin plating. Debonding forces of the castings were recorded in a universal testing machine and results were analyzed by student's 't' test., Results: Group B, C and D showed higher debonding forces compared to A. However, there were no significant differences in mean force values among Groups B, C and D. Group II, III and IV with different alloy pre-treatment methods demonstrated higher values against control. Inter group variations among Group II, III and IV were not significant., Conclusion: Tooth preparation with adequate surface extensions and pre-treatment procedures of casting alloys are two parameters that play important role in determining the retentive features of RBFPDs. Different types of tooth preparation designs and alloy pre-treatment methods exert almost similar influence in increasing the retention of acid etched RBFPDs.