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To assess papilla level using different techniques in a second stage dental implant surgery.Thirty patients who received 45 dental implants were equally divided into 3 groups of 10 each. Group I patients were operated with a scalpel with mid-crestal incision. In group II, dental implants were exposed with a gallium-aluminum-arsenide diode laser. In group III, dental implants were exposed with I shaped incision using a scalpel. Assessment of modified gingival index (mGI), modified plaque index (mPI), and Jemt index were performed at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months. The measurement of FAJI, FAJAdj, ST height, and CP Bone crest was performed.A significant difference in crestal bone level of FAJ- I, FAJ- adj, ST height, and CP Bone crest was recorded at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months among groups I, II, and III (Diode laser offers maximum papillary fill and resulted in less crestal bone loss as compared to mid-crestal and I shaped incision during a second stage surgery.

Aim: This in vitro study was done to evaluate and compare the frictional forces produced by a passive self-ligating bracket (SLB) and two types of elastomeric ligatures (unconventional elastomeric ligatures [UELs] and conventional elastomeric ligatures [CELs]) on a conventional bracket used with four types of wires. Materials: In this in vitro study, 8 numbers of conventional preadjusted edgewise appliance stainless steel brackets and 4 numbers of passive SLBs were tested. Four types of archwires and two types of ligatures were tested. Brackets were divided into three groups – Group I, Group II, and Group III. All the three groups were further divided into four subgroups based on different archwires. Methods: Custom-made mounting jig was specially constructed for this study – upper member and lower member. After the samples were mounted, traction test was conducted using universal testing machine and readings were tabulated for all specimens. The variables in each group were subjected to one-way analysis of variance. Results: All the three groups were tested for its total friction, static friction, and kinetic friction. SLBs showed a static mean little lower and had kinetic mean little greater than conventional bracket with unconventional module. Conclusion: UELs on conventional brackets and SLBs are able to produce lower frictional force when compared with CELs on conventional brackets.

Introduction: Dentists are encountering a growing number of geriatric and medically compromised patients and at the same time are performing more invasive and possibly painful dental treatments. Medical emergencies are 5.8 times more likely to occur in dental offices than in medical offices. So, it is essential for the dentists to be adequately prepared and equipped to manage the common medical emergencies that may occur during their work. Aims and Objectives: To observe the knowledge, experience, and perceptions of the interns and post-graduate students regarding emergency medical care and its practical application. Materials and Method: A cross-sectional study was carried out among post-graduate students and interns (with or without medical emergency training) of a dental college and hospital through a self-administered structured closed-ended questionnaire. Results: The participants lacked the knowledge to handle medical emergencies and were unconfident to face them. Conclusion: Undergraduate health courses should develop strategies to teach appropriate management of life-threatening emergencies in dental clinics to ensure safer dental healthcare services for the population. The available medical emergency training is alarmingly inadequate.

Aims: The aim of this study was to assess oxidative stress (OS) caused by tobacco habits in the initiation and progression of periodontitis by evaluating the salivary uric acid (UA) and albumin (ALB) levels, which are indicators of antioxidant activity, and to compare their values with normal and healthy individuals with no tobacco habits. Settings and Design: A total of 75 subjects were divided into three study groups and were asked to collect unstimulated whole saliva in sterile plastic containers. Subjects and Methods: Groups A, B, and C comprised 25 subjects each, according to their respective inclusion and exclusion criteria. Subjects from all the three groups were asked to collect unstimulated whole saliva in sterile plastic containers, which were then sent for laboratory assessment of UA and ALB levels to determine the levels of OS in the saliva samples of each subject. Statistical Analysis Used: Independent student's t-test was used for statistical evaluation of the results of the present study. Results: Levels of salivary AOs, UA, and ALB were remarkably reduced in subjects having periodontitis, thereby exhibiting higher levels of OS. The levels of these AOs were further reduced with the use of tobacco in subjects already diagnosed with periodontitis. Conclusions: Significant OS occurs in periodontitis with tobacco being a probable risk factor. Thus, saliva can be used as a noninvasive diagnostic fluid with UA and ALB being promising biomarkers in monitoring periodontal disease and OS.

Aim: The aim of this study was to compare the efficiency of conventional and digital radiography in assessing alveolar bone loss. Materials and Methods: The study group comprised 50 participants (25 males and 25 females) between 25 and 45 years of age. The participants were screened for all clinical features of periodontitis. A series of conventional bitewing radiographs of right and left of both maxillary and mandibular posterior region (15,16,17,25,26,27,35,36,37,45,46,47) were taken for each of 50 patients by examiner 1. Similarly, a series of digital bitewing radiographs were taken by examiner 2 for each 50 patients by using RVG of Planmeca Dixi 2 B Series. In digital bitewing radiographs, the measurement was done by examiner 2, using Planmeca Dixi 2 B Digital Software, by dragging the cursor to make a line by joining the linear points. Bone level less than 2 mm from the cementoenamel junction (CEJ) was considered normal while above that was considered bone loss. In case of conventional bitewing radiographs, alveolar bone loss was measured by the same examiner by measuring the distance from the CEJ to the most apical level of crestal bone using a divider and transparent ruler. The above collected data of examiners 1 and 2 were handed over to examiner 3 for statistical evaluation. Results: Comparison of conventional and digital radiographic techniques in left maxilla, left and right mandible, and between maxilla and mandible in the total sample and in females aged 25–35 and 36–45 years yielded a significant correlation while comparison of the two techniques in the right maxilla and between maxilla and mandible in males yielded a nonsignificant correlation. Conclusion: Direct digital radiography provides an edge over conventional radiography in assessing the periodontal bone destruction.