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The role of the prosthodontist in radiation therapy includes fabrication of radiation therapy prosthetic applicators. Brachytherapy is a form of cancer treatment that involves direct insertion of radioactive implants into the tissue. In the case of vaginal cancer, brachytherapy requires the radiation oncologist to use a device called an applicator. Conventional applicators have limitations in terms of the number of radiation tubes that can be inserted, positioning of the tubes, applicator misfit, and pain when inserted. A well-fitted applicator is needed to improve the orientation of the radiation source toward the target area and to reduce the amount of scatter radiation and tissue irritation. Using an appropriate dental material to make an impression can serve to achieve these aims. This article describes a technique for fabricating an acrylic resin custom-made applicator by using techniques used in dentistry., (Copyright © 2020 Editorial Council for the Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Statement of Problem: The importance of implant collar/neck in crestal bone area triggered the need to understand the influence of its design/surface topography on surrounding hard and soft tissues. Purpose: This study analyzed the effect of machined and rough surface of implant collar on bone level at crestal region and surrounding soft tissues in maxillary and mandibular anterior region. Materials and Methods: The clinical study was conducted on 20 participants (15 males and 5 females) based on the inclusion and exclusion parameters. Participants were broadly divided into two groups with 10 dental implants in Group R (implant with rough collar design) and Group M (implant with machined collar design). The participants were evaluated at baseline (within 1 week after implant placement), 3 months, and 6 months for crestal bone level and soft tissue parameters (pink esthetic score [PES]). Results: All implants showed clinically acceptable bone loss at interval of 6 months, i.e., 0.68 and 0.74 on mesial and distal aspect of R group implants, respectively, and 1.15 and 0.83 at mesial and distal aspect of R group implants, respectively. And also, the PES of all implants observed was above the clinical acceptability level, i.e., 6.15 and 6.05 for R and M groups implants, respectively. Conclusion: It can be concluded from the present study that there is no significant difference statistically in bone level at crestal region and soft tissues parameters in two different implant collar designs used in the study although the loss of bone observed was higher in machined group in comparison to rough group of implants and the PES observed was also more in R group in comparison to M group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: During treatment planning for dental implant placement, there is a need for assessment of alveolar bone. Bone evaluation limited to the use of panoramic and or periapical radiographs may be insufficient, as it provides only two-dimensional information about the implant sites. Computed tomography (CT) provides three-dimensional information. The measurement of alveolar ridge dimensions can be accomplished using ridge-mapping technique. This technique involves penetrating the buccal and lingual mucosa down to the alveolar bone (following the administration of local anesthetic) with calipers and measures the bucco-lingual width of the underlying bone. Purpose: The aim of the study is to compare the techniques, i.e. ridge mapping, direct surgical exposure, and CT scan, which are used to measure the alveolar ridge bone width, and determine their accuracy in the clinical application. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on 20 patients who reported to the Out-patient Department (OPD) of Prosthodontics and Crown and Bridge, PGIDS, Rohtak (Haryana) for replacement of edentulous span with dental implant. Width of alveolar ridge was studied by three techniques, i.e. CT scan procedure, ridge mapping, and direct surgical exposure at two points (3 mm from the crest of ridge and 6 mm from the crest of ridge), and then taking measurements of surgical exposure as the control group, the measurements obtained from the other two techniques were compared and then accuracy of these methods was assessed. The mean, standard deviation, standard error of mean, and degree of freedom were calculated and subjected to statistical analysis using Student's unpaired "t" test. Results: Results suggested that there is no significant difference in the measurements obtained by direct surgical exposure technique, ridge-mapping technique, and CT technique. Conclusion: Use of ridge-mapping technique along with panoramic and intraoral radiograph is adequate in cases where the pattern of resorption appears more regular and where mucosa is of more even thickness. It is suggested to use CT scan technique in situations where the alveolar ridges are resorbed, there is presence of maxillary anterior ridge concavities, vestibular depth is inadequate, and ridge mapping is not feasible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]