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Objectives: To compare satisfaction levels of patients wearing maxillary completes denture fabricated by closed mouth and an open mouth impression techniques. Methods: This Comparative clinical study was conducted at the Department of Prosthodontics, Armed Forces Institute of Dentistry (AFID), Rawalpindi. Eighty-four edentulous patients were included in this study; the patients were randomly allocated into two groups. Group A patients were provided with dentures fabricated by closed mouth impression technique and Group B patients were provided with dentures fabricated by open mouth impression technique. The patient’s satisfaction level was assessed after six weeks of denture insertion with a questionnaire attached as Annex-A. Results: Out of 42 patients in group A, 12 were highly satisfied, 28 moderately satisfied and 2 poorly satisfied. In group B patients, 9 were highly satisfied, 25 moderately satisfied and 8 poorly satisfied. Retention was highest (81.0%) in patients of group A compared to group B (19%). Moderately satisfied patients were more significantly (p=0.04) more (69.0% in group A and 71.4% in group B) comfortable compared to highly satisfied (26.2% in group A and 19.0% in group B) and poorly satisfied (4.8% in group A and 19.5% in group B) in both groups. There was no statistically significant difference among patients in both groups when their satisfaction with their ability to chew with dentures was compared. Regarding satisfaction with speech ability more patients were moderately satisfied (28.6% in group A) compared to the number of patients (21.4%) in group B. Overall, 70.2% of moderately satisfied category showed significantly higher frequency of patients followed by 17.9% patients each lying in highly satisfied and poorly satisfied patients, categories. Clinical implication: Final impression in complete denture (CD) fabrication is very crucial step that can affect overall prognosis of CD treatment and therefore, patient satisfaction with CDs. A simplified closed mouth impression approach to complete denture treatment, omitting the border molding and definitive impression appointment, has been suggested as an alternative to the conventional open mouth approach. Conclusion: Dentures fabricated by closed mouth impression technique are more stable and functionally better compared to those constructed by open mouth impression technique. Keywords: Final impression technique, complete dentures, Retention, Comfort, Speech ability, Patient Satisfaction

Background: Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) has provided the option to fabricate RPDs with aesthetics unlike metal RPDs, but little attention has been paid to its suitability, especially towards the retentive forces and deformation of the clasp. This study aimed to examine the retentive forces and the fitting surface (inner surface) deformation of clasps made from PEEK and compare it with cobalt–chromium (Co-Cr) clasp. Methods: Forty-two circumferential clasps (14 Co-Cr and 28 PEEK) were fabricated and divided into two groups with clasp undercuts (0.25 mm and 0.5 mm) with thicknesses of 1 mm and 1.5 mm. Each was examined for retentive forces after cycle test on its abutment for 360 cycles. Initial and final retentive forces were recorded. The fitting surface deformation was determined using 3-Matic research analysis software. Results: The results revealed that highest mean initial retentive force was of Co-Cr clasps with 0.50 mm undercut 22.26 N (±10.15 N), and the lowest was the 1 mm PEEK clasps with 0.25 mm undercut 3.35 N (±0.72 N) and highest mean final retentive force was the Co-Cr clasps with 0.50 mm undercut 21.40 N (±9.66 N), and the lowest was the 1 mm PEEK clasps with 0.25 mm undercut 2.71 N (±0.47 N). PEEK clasps had a lower retentive force than Co-Cr clasps with 0.50 undercut. PEEK clasps (1.5 mm) at 0.25 mm undercut had the least deformation (35.3 µm). PEEK showed significantly less deformation (p ≤ 0.014) than Co-Cr. Conclusion: The deformation of PEEK clasps fitting surface was lower than Co-Cr clasps and retentive forces were close to the Co-Cr clasps, suggesting the use of PEEK as an aesthetic clasp option for RPD framework.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the causes and patterns of extraction of permanent teeth in the targeted population. METHODS: The study was conducted for a period of 11 months. An especially designed form was used to record the causes for extraction of a permanent tooth. Further, it was analyzed for age, gender, education, occupation, smoking, tooth position, endodontic treatment, chewing, esthetics, needs replacement, type of existing prosthesis, and causes for extraction. The various causes which were considered to determine association with the tooth extraction were dental caries, periodontal problems, trauma, orthodontics, prosthodontic failures, endodontic failures, and others. RESULTS: The percentage of extractions was almost the same in males and females aged. Maximum extractions were noticed in 36–45 years of age group (32.5%). The presence of caries was observed to be the main reason for extraction (68.1%), followed by periodontal problems (17.6%) and orthodontic problems (4.8%). The most frequently extracted posterior teeth were first mandibular molar (22.2%), followed by the third maxillary molar (15.2%). CONCLUSION: Dental caries was found to be the most common reason for the extraction of teeth. Molar teeth were found to be the most frequently extracted, with an increased number of extracted first premolars as a result of orthodontic treatment. Maxillary teeth are extracted more than mandibular, mainly due to caries and periodontal problems.

PURPOSE Dental implant (DI) therapy is in high demand and can only be rendered efficiently to graduating dentists by effective teaching methodologies. This study aimed to assess the perceptions and attitudes of dental graduates towards predoctoral DI education techniques and rehabilitation by DI. METHODS A total of 26 well-structured questionnaires were distributed to 120 final-year students. Modified advanced teaching methodologies such as e-learning, small-group teaching-problem-based learning (SGT-PBL), and team-based learning were implemented for teaching DI. Its effects were assessed using a questionnaire set: the first section (DI Rehabilitation) with 12 questions and the second (DI teaching methods) with 14 questions. Statistical analysis was done using the Chi-square test, and a P-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS The response rate was 95.83%. Seventy-five percent of the students recommended DI for patients, and 78% of them agreed to it themselves. On comparing teaching methods for DI, on and before level 12, small-group teaching (PBL) was significantly at a higher proportion (P = 0.002), followed by seminars (P

Background: In today’s world of digital dentistry, dental photography plays an important role as multilevel significance and represents the synonym of contemporary dentistry. Thus, we aimed at evaluating the acquaintance of practice, opportunity and morals of dental photography in everyday practice among undergraduate dental students. Design and Methods: The current research was an observational cross-sectional study. Total 233 students participated; each was given questionnaire consisted of three parts covering the following aspects: questions 1 to 3 on the practice of dental photography, questions 4 to 7 on morals in dental photography and question 8 to 11 on opportunities of dental photography. The answers were tabulated and statistically analysed and association with the factors were tested for significance using Chi-square tests, and P

AIM: The rehabilitation of a complete dental arch is a traditional concept to maintain proper functional occlusion, but it is neither compulsory nor always attainable in many patients. Nevertheless, it is always important to provide a minimum number of teeth for efficient function. This study aimed to assess the dentist’s attitude to a shortened dental arch (SDA) concept and to assess their perception and application of it in their clinical practice in the Aseer region, Saudi Arabia. DESIGN OF STUDY: A questionnaire with 17 questions was used to reveal the views of 204 dentists from the area of study about SDA. The questionnaire set basically consists of two parts. The first part included the dentists’ demographic data, and the second one consisted of the questions regarding the SDA concept. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Descriptive analysis and associations with the factors were tested for significance using Chi-square tests, and p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Among the respondents, 43.7% were aware of the SDA concept. Thus, the expected awareness about the SDA concept among the dentists was in the range of 36.31–51.05 with 95% confidence. A highly significant difference in awareness of SDA was observed between graduates and postgraduates. Among the respondents having more than 10 years of experience, the awareness level of SDA was 66.0%. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of participants alleged that the SDA concept is useful in clinical practice and is a useful treatment modality for older adults with limitations preventing complex restorative care. However, the application of the SDA varied significantly among dentists.