The COVID-19 pandemic has generated turmoil at all levels. The patients, in particular, are facing a tough time due to the non-availability of physical health care. As everyone is worried about their lives, oral health has taken a back seat. Patients who suffer from dental issues are in a dilemma over available options to address their oral health issues. This is where Teledentistry comes into the picture. Teledentistry is a mode to improve access to oral health services in areas with inadequate availability of general and specialty dental care and is emerging as a practical solution in emergency aid, initial consultation, and expert opinion. In India, several parts of the country lack a sufficient bandwidth or uninterrupted access to the internet facilities, which is also a huge barrier for practicing teledentistry during these pandemic times. Although teledentistry is yet to become an integral part of the oral health-care system in India, nonetheless, COVID times have at least pushed dental practitioners across the country into accepting and using it as an alternative method of dental care. This current pandemic can serve as an opportunity to develop teledentistry on a larger scale, making sure that no individual lacks oral health care, irrespective of the scenarios in the world.

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Mandibular complete dentures frequently lack retention and stability and offer less denture-supporting area than maxillary dentures. In case of severely resorbed ridges retention is highly compromised. Extending the anterior lingual flange of the lower denture sublingually makes it possible to achieve satisfactory retention in severely resorbed ridges. This clinical report describes a simpler method to achieve retention during impression making and thus help to maintain the retention and stability of lower dentures during the function.

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The authors analyzed the clinical, histopathological, and immunohistochemical findings of a slowly growing palatal gland tumor in a 34-year-old female. The cut surface of the excised mass showed multilocular cystic spaces with grayish brown solid areas. Histological findings demonstrated a benign tumor with multicystic spaces and focal solid epithelial cells lined by benign squamous epithelial cells. The overlying epithelium was parakeratinized and without a granular layer. The cystic spaces were filled with keratin material. On immunohistochemistry examination, the tumor cells were found positive for HMWCK, focally for CK7, CK19 and p63 and Mib-1 labeling was approximately 1%. There was no evidence of recurrence after 8 months of resection. The data from this case and previously published studies suggest that keratocystoma of both major and minor salivary glands is a benign neoplasm and that surgical resection is apparently a sufficient treatment modality.

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Background: Avulsion is defined as complete displacement of a tooth from its socket after trauma. The most accepted treatment for an avulsed permanent tooth is immediate replantation. Children spend a considerable amount of waking hours in school where teachers are the primary caregivers. Hence, this study was carried out to evaluate knowledge and attitudes of school teachers regarding the emergency management of an avulsed tooth in the district of Patiala, Punjab. Materials and Methods: A two-stage sampling process was used which involved the sampling of schools within the educational district followed by sampling of teachers in the selected schools. A self-structured pretested questionnaire was personally administered to 500 school teachers of district Patiala. Statistical analysis was done using frequency and percentages and descriptive statistics like Student's t-test. Results : Almost half of respondents were aware of mouth guards. 82.8% felt that treatment should be carried out immediately after injury. Approximately, one-fourth of respondents (25.6%) believed that knocked out tooth cannot be saved so no attempt should be made at cleaning it. There was a statistically significant association of knowledge regarding replantation of tooth with education level and training in first aid. Conclusion: The present study revealed that overall knowledge regarding the emergency management of avulsed tooth was low in teachers. There is a need of first aid training to all the teachers along with emergency management of dental trauma.

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Objective: The aim of the present study was to compare autologous platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) combined with a porous hydroxyapatite bone graft to porous hydroxyapatite bone graft alone in the treatment of periodontal intrabony defects clinically and radiographically using Dentascan. Materials and Methods: In a split-mouth study design, 10 patients suffering from generalized chronic periodontitis, having two almost identical intrabony defects with probing pocket depth of at least 5 mm were selected for the study and randomly divided into two groups. In Group I periodontal flap surgery followed by placement of porous hydroxyapatite bone graft was done and in Group II, periodontal flap surgery followed by placement of a homogenous mixture of PRF and porous hydroxyapatite bone graft was done. All the clinical parameters were recorded at baseline, 3 and 6 months postoperatively and radiographic parameters were recorded at baseline and 6 months postoperatively. Results: There was statistically significant reduction in probing pocket depth and gain in clinical attachment level in both groups. On comparison Group II showed statistically significant more probing pocket depth reduction than Group I at all-time intervals. There was statistically significant mean defect fill and mean defect resolution observed in both groups at all-time intervals. However, the intergroup comparison was statistically nonsignificant. Conclusion : Within limits of the study it may be concluded that a combination of PRF with porous hydroxyapatite bone graft demonstrated better results as compared to porous hydroxyapatite bone graft alone in the treatment of periodontal intrabony defects. Spiral multislice computed tomography equipped Dentascan provides three-dimensional images of excellent quality for evaluating the morphology of the periodontal bone defects. Its use in ascertaining the various defect parameters in the periodontal treatment of intrabony defects is promising.

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Introduction: Plants have been used for health disorders and to prevent diseases including epidemics since times immemorial. The knowledge of their healing properties has been transmitted over the centuries within and among human communities. Aims and Objectives: To evaluate and compare the antimicrobial potential of herbal extracts, namely neem (Azadirachta indica), tulsi (Ocimum sanctum), bitter gourd (Momordia charantia), and arka (Calotropis procera) as endodontic irrigants against Enterococcus faecalis and Candida albicans in vitro. Materials and Methods: Agar well diffusion test was performed. The inoculums of E. faecalis and C. albicans were streaked on the blood agar plate, and wells were made using cork borers. The prepared herbal extracts of the test samples were loaded onto agar plate. The plates were incubated at 37°C for 24 h. The inhibition zones indicating the antimicrobial potential were measured using a millimeter scale and results were analyzed statistically. Results: Bitter gourd showed the maximum zones of inhibition followed by neem, tulsi, and calotropis for both E. faecalis and C. albicans. Conclusion: The tested irrigants showed significant antimicrobial efficacy against E. faecalis and C. albicans. Thus, the use of herbal alternatives as root canal irrigants might prove advantageous considering the undesirable characteristics of presently used irrigants.

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Numeric disturbances in the human dentition are quite a common occurrence in the general population. When less than the normal complement of teeth develops, it is termed as hypodontia, whereas hyperdontia is a condition with an excess number of teeth developing. Therefore, though both conditions manifest as changes in the number of teeth, they represent the opposite ends of the spectrum in the development of the dentition. The literature contains numerous reports of the exclusive occurrence of these anomalies; however coexistent oligodontia, hypodontia, and supernumerary teeth or hyperdontia is a rare manifestation of the human dentition.

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Usage of betel quid with areca nut is commonly seen in South Asian population. Most important premalignant condition, oral submucous fibrosis, arises due to this habit. The pathognomonic feature is characterized by higher intensity of submucosal collagen, inflammatory process, and palpable fibrotic bands intraorally, restricting the mouth opening. Management of this condition is of either medical or surgical means. Various grafts in surgical method are palatal island flaps, temporalis muscle flap graft, split-thickness skin graft, buccal fat pad graft, bilateral nasolabial flap, and tongue flap. Most serious complication of oral submucous fibrosis is oral carcinoma. Common site of involvement is of buccal mucosa which sometimes might extend up to pharynx. In our case report, we present a 35-year-old male with oral submucous fibrosis, previously treated by buccal fat pad and coronoidectomy, which recurred due to habits, currently managed by split-thickness graft from thigh. Postoperative outcome was good.

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In certain clinical scenarios, using an intact natural tooth which is in good clinical condition as pontic for interim duration could offer benefits such as excellent color, shape, and size match, positive psychological value, minimal cost, and minimum chairside time with no laboratory procedure involved. Natural tooth pontic suitably modified and bonded to adjacent teeth enables proper healing in the area without compromising the anterior esthetic demands of the patient. In the present study, a clinical technique for immediate interim tooth replacement is being presented, utilizing the clinical crown to assist the clinician in providing an esthetically acceptable treatment option.

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Gagging is a common problem encountered in clinical prosthodontic practice. In many cases gagging is of psychologic nature and should be treated before denture procedures are completed, so that the patient will be comfortable with well-constructed prostheses. Effective management of gag reflex includes a wide array of techniques ranging from use of common salt on the tip of tongue, acupressure, distraction, relaxation, pharmacotherapy and desensitization. This case report discusses how a holistic approach for gagging prevention and use of training denture base can facilitate denture wearing for a known potential gagger and also highlights how palateless denture helped overcome gagging in a patient with thick ropy saliva in another case.

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Objective: The objective is to analyze most popularized xylocaine and to compare the adequacy of analgesia achieved and the effects of xylocaine hydrochloride 2% without adrenaline and xylocaine hydrochloride 2% with adrenaline (1:200,000), used as local anesthetics in dentistry for extraction of tooth. Materials and Methods: Two hundred and fifty patients of varying age and sex, requiring at least extraction of two teeth, were picked from the outpatient department of oral and maxillofacial surgery. In each patient, two teeth were extracted under local anesthesia, one under xylocaine plain and other under xylocaine with adrenaline. Time of onset, depth, and duration of analgesia were recorded. Conclusion: Lidocaine with epinephrine (1:200,000) local anesthesia efficacy in dental extractions is more effective than lidocaine without adrenaline in extraction of tooth, and the onset, duration, and depth of analgesia of xylocaine hydrochloride with adrenaline were good as compared to plain xylocaine (xylocaine without adrenaline). Thus, lignocaine as a local anesthetic may be an effective drug in dental extractions with the higher safety margin.

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Context: Herbal products are the recent advancement in the field of alternative medicines for the management of chronic periodontitis. They can be used as local drug delivery (LDD) agents over conventional antibiotics because of their extensive natural activity, advanced safety margin, and inferior costs. The present study evaluates the efficacy of one such indigenously prepared herbal gel containing extracts of Coriandrum sativum and curcumin in chronic periodontitis patients. Subjects and Methods: A total of 18 patients diagnosed with chronic periodontitis were included in this randomized clinical trial. The selected 72 pockets were equally divided into experimental and control groups. Full mouth scaling and root planing (SRP) was done. The experimental site received indigenously prepared herbal LDD gel containing combined extracts of C. sativum and curcumin, and the other side received a placebo gel. The periodontal parameters assessed were plaque index, papillary bleeding index, periodontal pocket depth (PPD), and clinical attachment level (CAL) at baseline, 1 month, and 3 months. Microbiological parameters for anaerobic analysis were assessed by colony-forming units at baseline and 3 months. Results: SPSS software analyzed all the data by repeated measure analysis of variance, paired t-test, and sample t-test with the difference of P < 0.05. Both clinical parameters and microbiological parameters showed a statistical reduction in the experimental group at 1 month and 3 months of evaluation. Significant better improvement was observed in the experimental group from 1 month to 3 months after the assessment in PPD and CAL. Conclusion: Locally delivered combined extracts of C. sativum and curcumin gel was more effective in reducing periodontal clinical parameter when used as an adjunct to SRP in the treatment of chronic periodontitis.

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Dentistry has witnessed some major discoveries during the past two decades, to the extent that many routine procedures in modern dental practice vary considerably from the way in which they were practiced for over half a century. The purpose of this article is to provide an insight to the latest techniques of crown preparation. A sound tooth preparation is the foundation stone for the longevity of a restoration. This can only be achieved if the dentist has an adequate knowledge and understanding of the various factors, which enable one to achieve this goal.

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Three-dimensional cleaning, shaping, and obturation of root canal system can be considered as foundations for a predictable endodontic success. One guiding strategy that has emerged as a critical part of endodontic success is the creation and maintenance of a glide path. Without it, cleaning and shaping become unpredictable because there is no guide for endodontic mechanics. Thus, a smooth glide path is the secret to safe and successful rotary shaping. However, this subject of glide path has no formal training in the endodontic curricula in most of the dental schools worldwide. The purpose of this review article is to serve as a reference guide for endodontic glide path preparation. Knowing what to do is only half of the job, implementing different skills in day-to-day clinical practice will accomplish the job fully, ensuring successful endodontic treatment outcomes.

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Osseointegration, i.e., structural and functional union of the surface of dental implant with surrounding bone is paramount for the success of device. In recent years, osteogenesis at the bone-implant interface has been induced by structural modifications of the implant surface, particularly at the nanoscale level. This has been achieved through modulation of osteoblast adhesion. There is strong belief that nanoscale features in materials processing is truly a new frontier. This paper reviews recent advances in fabrication of novel coatings and nanopatterning of dental implants and their subsequent cellular interactions, leading to an improvement in osseointegration and hence the long-term clinical success of the "third dentition" i.e., dental implants.

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In dentistry, ceramics are often referred to as nonmetallic, inorganic structures primarily containing compounds of oxygen with one or more metallic or semimetallic elements. They are composed of sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, aluminum, silicon, phosphorus, zirconium, and titanium. Structurally, dental ceramics contain a crystal phase and a glass phase based on the silica structure, characterized by silica tetrahedra, containing central Si4+ ion with four O− ions. Biocompatibility, esthetics, durability, and easier customization properties have led to the increased usage of ceramics. The specialty of ceramic teeth is its ability to mimic the natural tooth in color and translucency along with its strength. Ceramics have excellent intraoral stability and wear resistance adding to their durability. Basically, the inorganic composition of teeth and bones are ceramics which is hydroxyapatite. Over the past few years, the technological evolution of ceramics for dental applications has been incredible, as new materials and processing techniques are being introduced. The improvement in strength, as well as toughness, has made it possible to expand the range of indications to long-span fixed partial prostheses, implant abutments, and implants. While porcelain-based materials are still a major component in dental science, there have been moves to replace metal ceramics systems with all-ceramic systems. Numerous all-ceramics are being developed which is highly esthetic, biocompatible to tissue, and long-lasting in nature. Advances in computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing technologies have led to immense popularity of high-strength ceramic materials. These materials are highly esthetic, biocompatible to tissue, and long-lasting in nature. In this review, we will discuss all-ceramic materials which are used in dentistry.

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