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Introduction: Cross infection refers to the transfer of harmful microorganisms from one person to another. Dental impressions are considered semi-critical as it directly comes in contact with patient's saliva and oral mucosa. Improper handling of these dental impressions can potentially have the risk of transmitting infections especially to the dentist. The role of herbal preparation in disinfecting the dental impressions is sparse in the literature. Aim: To evaluate and compare the disinfection ability of a commercially available herbal formulation (HiOra®) with chlorhexidine digluconate solution (0.2%) and 1% sodium hypochlorite on dental impressions made using condensation silicone. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Outpatient Department of Periodontology and Implantology at Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, between June 2019 and November 2019. A total of 60 maxillary and mandibular dental impressions using condensation silicone material were obtained from 30 systemically healthy volunteers. The impressions were divided into three groups and were subjected to three antimicrobial agents for 10 minutes: 1% Sodium Hypochlorite (group 1); 0.2% chlorhexidine digluconate (group 2); HiOra® (group 3), respectively. Following this, microbial culturing was performed to detect the presence of Streptococcal and Staphylococcus species in samples obtained both prior and after impression disinfection. One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was performed to assess the significance of the difference in microbial reduction between the groups. Results: Antimicrobial efficacy was similar against both Streptococcus spp., and Staphylococcus spp., for the three disinfectants tested. No statistically significant difference in the microbial colony count reduction between the three disinfectants tested was observed (Streptococcus spp, p-value=0.064, Staphylococcus spp., p-value=0.337). Conclusion: The herbal mouthwash was found to have an equivalent efficacy as chlorhexidine, sodium hypochlorite for disinfection of impressions made from condensation silicone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dental impressions play a major role in the process of prosthesis fabrication. Quality of the final prosthesis mostly depends on the accuracy of impression. In conventional impression techniques elastic impression materials are widely used for recording the intraoral features and to transfer this information to the dental laboratory for fabrication of prosthesis and indirect dental restorations. Digital impressions are receiving popularity and acceptance from the clinicians when compared to conventional impressions. Digital impressions give three dimensional pre-visualisation of the preparation, cost-effective and reduced working time. Aim of the study is to know about the knowledge, attitude and practice on digital impressions among dental students. A cross-sectional questionnaire study was conducted among the dental students of Chennai. The sample size of 200 students were selected. A close ended questionnaire was used to assess the dental students perspective about the digital impressions A survey software was used to reduce sampling bias. Repeated answers or questioning were avoided. Chi-square tests are applied to find the association between the parameters and the level of significance. Out of 200 students 72.4% of the students were aware about digital impressions used in dentistry for fabricating prosthesis and the other 27.5% were not aware. And 82.6% of the students responded that digital impressions are more advantageous than conventional impressions. However 82.55 % of the students responded that they use the conventional impression method than digital impression methods (17.3%) in their current dental practice. Within the limitations of the study, we can conclude that dental students were aware about digital impressions as an emerging technology in dentistry. However many don't have knowledge about the process involved in digital impressions. CDE and workshop programmes can be conducted to educate the students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Removable partial dentures (RPD) still form a significant part of treatment modalities in prosthodontics. Most distal extension RPD is constructed from single reversible or irreversible hydrocolloid impressions. Aim: The aim of this study was to check the awareness and utilization of different impression techniques used for RPD. Materials and Methodology: A self-structured questionnaire was designed consisting of 18 questions regarding various impression techniques used for RPD and dentists were also asked about the most common technique used by them. The survey was made on Google forms and distributed to dentists through electronic media. Results: The response rate was 93%. 97.8% dentists used alginate for the diagnostic impression of which 61.3% used medium setting alginate and 92.5% used perforated full tray for making the impression. 94.6% were aware about anatomic and functional impressions. 2% glutaraldehyde is most commonly used for disinfecting impressions by the dentists. Conclusion: Although dentists are aware of various impression techniques, maximum of them use selective pressure technique in their clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Few studies have been done in Chennai to assess the trends of fixed partial denture practice done by private dental practitioners. According to many studies conducted, most of the dentists using commercial dental laboratories performed very unsatisfying tooth preparation and sent impressions that are unusable in nature. Aim: This study aims to integrate and evaluate the knowledge on impression techniques and materials used in fixed partial dentures among dental practitioners in Chennai. Materials and Methods: A total of 150 questionnaires each consisting of 21 questions were sent to various practitioners in Chennai, out of which 100 questionnaires were filled. Results: The results showed that 93% dental practitioners use irreversible hydrocolloid for diagnostic impression and 7% use other materials with 90.7% using gingival retraction cord plainly and 9.3% using other methods like electrocautery, laser methods to accurately record the final impression followed by which is 88% addition silicone in 66% putty reline/dual mix technique without spacer followed by 14% using monophase technique with 86% providing provisional prosthesis before the final prosthesis. Furthermore, the reason of shortcomings was noted as 73% for laboratory error, clinical error, patients' mental attitude, and oral hygiene practice were also noted. Conclusion: From the study results, the following conclusions were drawn. 93% of dental practitioners use irreversible hydrocolloid, 88% of them use addition silicone for final impressions in 66% putty reline/dual mix technique without spacer with almost 86% providing the provisional prosthesis. Thus, the appropriate technique, material, and armamentarium are required for long-term success for fixed partial denture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]