The preservation of bone volume immediately after tooth removal is necessary to optimize the success of implant placement in terms of esthetics and function. The objectives of this study were to compare the ability of Choukroun's platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) versus CollaPlug (Zimmer) in maintaining the buccal bone height of sockets following extractions in patients.

Twenty patients who required tooth extraction and implant placement were enrolled in this study. The patients were randomly divided into two groups. They are group I PRF group and group II CollaPlug group. The vertical buccal crestal bone heights were measured immediately after extraction and 4 months postextraction and implants were placed.

The buccal crestal bone level in the CollaPlug group had a baseline mean of 4.67 ± 0.54 and a postmean of 6.98 ± 0.60, whereas in the PRF group baseline mean was 5.43 ± 0.47 and postmean was 6.93 ± 0.55. The bone resorption was found in both the groups (2.31 mm for CollaPlug and 1.5 mm for PRF), in agreement with previous studies. However, there was increased bone loss in CollaPlug group compared with PRF group, which was found statistically significant.

In conclusion, within the limits of the present study, the two tested socket preservation materials seem to be effective in the treatment of extraction sockets, even though the design of the study did not allow us to evaluate to what extent the clinical improvement could be attributed to the PRF per se, since a negative control was not included in this investigation. However, preparation of PRF is not very cumbersome and inexpensive, which makes it a better socket preservation material than CollaPlug.

Madhan G, Singh M. Comparison of Ability of Platelet-rich Fibrin vs CollaPlug in maintaining the Buccal Bone Height of Sockets following Extractions in 20 Patients. J Health Sci Res 2017;8(1):1-6.

To compare the desensitizing efficacy of two commercially available dentifrices, one containing Novamin technology (calcium sodium phosphosilicate, a bioactive glass) and the other containing Pro-Argin technology (arginine and calcium carbonate) when applied after scaling and root planing.

About 30 subjects having at least two sensitive teeth (total 60 sites) after scaling and root planing were included in this study and randomly divided into two groups, each containing 15 patients: Group I received Pro-Argin technology (arginine and calcium carbonate) and group II received Novamin technology (calcium sodium phosphosilicate, a bioactive glass) containing desensitizing toothpaste. The sensitive teeth were selected on the basis of Schiff cold air sensitivity scale (SCASS) with an air blast hypersensitivity score of 2 or 3 and cold water test with visual analog scale (VAS) score of 4 to 10 responses. The subjects’ response was recorded at baseline (i.e., immediately after treatment) and after 1, 2, and 4 weeks respectively, using the SCASS and VAS scale.

Using Mann–Whitney test, we found no statistically significant differences in the score between the two desensitizing toothpastes. But, there was a statistically significant difference between the baseline and follow-up scores done consecutively for individual toothpastes.

Therefore, within the limitations of the study, we found no statistically significant difference in the efficacy of the two desensitizing toothpastes.

Vazhakkat PR, Shobha KS. Comparative Evaluation of the Effect of Two Desensitizing Dentifrices containing Novamin Technology and Pro-Argin Technology following Scaling and Root Planing. J Health Sci Res 2017;8(1):7-14.

To investigate the effect of variation in temperature and time intervals on the flexural strength of two brands of autopolymerizing resins polymerized at constant pressure.

Two autopolymerizing resins RR Cold Cure resin (DPI) and RR-Rapid Repair Powder (Dentsply) were used. A total of 20 samples were fabricated for each group. Samples were polymerized at temperature ranges of 40°, 50°, 60°, and 70°C and at time intervals of 5, 10, and 15 minutes in the customized curing pot, maintaining pressure of 30 psi.

Flexural strength was verified using universal testing machine using three-point bending test and was then compared with all samples and also with the samples cured in open air (control group). The samples cured at higher temperature, i.e., 60° and 70°C, have shown increased strength than those at 40° and 50°C as well as control group. Time interval of 10 minutes is considered sufficient to increase the strength of the resin, as per the results of this study.

The samples cured under varied condition of time and temperature but under constant pressure showed increased strength than those cured in open air.

The effect of pressure and temperature has been demonstrated, which could be utilized for enhancing the durability of the prosthesis fabricated from autopolymerized resins.

Singh S, Hussain AZ, Thombare RU, Motwani BK, Singh S, Mangalekar SB. An in vitro Study to evaluate the Effects of Various Polymerizing Conditions on the Flexural Strength of Autopolymerizing Resins. J Health Sci Res 2017;8(1):15-19.

The emphasis on caries prevention and early detection has led to a paradigm shift toward the concept of minimal intervention dentistry (MID). Despite the benefits of MID in the preservation of dental components and significant reliability, the clinical application is still limited. This study was, therefore, aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, practices, and clinical decision behaviors of dental professionals of Bengaluru city, Karnataka, India.

A cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey was conducted in Bengaluru city, Karnataka, India, in the year 2016 for a period of 1 month among dental professionals. Data were collected using 25 questions focused on knowledge, attitude, practice, and behavior toward MID. The descriptive data were analyzed; statistical evaluation was done by chi-square test.

Among 100 respondents, the mean scores for knowledge, attitude, and clinical decision were 3.57 ± 0.685, 0 to 4; 18.84 ± 2.21, 5 to 25; and 4.69 ± 0.78, 0 to 6 respectively. Data showed that dental professionals had adequate knowledge and a positive attitude toward MID. A weak positive correlation was seen between knowledge and attitude (r = –0.059, p = 0.55) and knowledge and clinical decision (r = –0.050, p = 0.62).

Adequate knowledge and positive attitude neither influenced their clinical decision-making behavior nor their practical application of MID. A nationwide awareness campaign has to be done to alarm the authorities in making and implementing a course of action for updating the practice and clinical decisions behaviors of dental professionals in the country.

Suma G, Salman Y. Knowledge, Attitude, Behavior, and Practice toward Minimal Intervention Dentistry among Dental Professionals in Bengaluru City, India. J Health Sci Res 2017;8(1):20-24.

Tooth brushing plays a vital role in effective plaque control, which depends on the effectiveness of the particular method and the ease with which the procedure is carried out. Hence, the aim of this study was to assess the effect of different teaching methods of tooth brushing on oral hygiene status in adults.

Eighty subjects were divided into four groups, each with 20 and assigned to different training methods. Twenty subjects were in control group and the rest in the experimental group. Each experimental group was further subdivided into two groups, namely reinforcers and nonreinforcers, with 10 subjects in each group. The plaque scores of these subjects were measured before and 1 week after the training sessions. The data analysis was carried out using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) 20.0 and two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA).

There was significant reduction in the plaque scores due to different training methods (f = 12.218, p < 0.05). Maximum reduction was seen in the instruction on cast method. There was significant difference in the plaque scores in the reinforcers and nonreinforcers (f = 4.897, p < 0.05). A small survey conducted among participants revealed that individual as a model was an easy method to learn brushing.

The instruction on cast method was effective in reducing the plaque scores compared with the other methods.

Asif M, Shobha KS, Chatterjee A. Assessment of Efficacy of Different Teaching Methods of Tooth Brushing on Oral Hygiene Status in Adults. J Health Sci Res 2017;8(1):25-30.

The purpose of this clinical trial was to compare the outcome of gingival recession technique using the coronally advanced flap (CAF) with platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) and amniotic membrane.

About 15 patients with bilateral Miller class I buccal gingival recessions (4–5 mm) in maxillary and mandibular canines were selected. The recessions were randomly assigned to receive either the CAF with PRF or the CAF with amniotic membrane. Recession height (RH), recession width (RW), width of keratinized tissue (WKT), thickness of keratinized tissue (TKT), probing depth (PD), and clinical attachment level (CAL) were measured at baseline as well as 6 months postsurgery. Patient satisfaction with esthetics, root sensitivity, and postoperative pain was also evaluated.

The average percentages of root coverage for CAF with PRF and CAF with amniotic membrane were 92.95% and 97.40% (p < 0.05) respectively, and the complete root coverage observed was 56.94% and 76.47% respectively. The CAF with amniotic membrane showed a statistically significant increase in TKT (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences between the two groups with regard to RH, RW, WKT, PD, and CAL. The esthetic condition after both treatments was considered satisfactory by the patients.

The outcome of this study reflects that CAF with PRF and amniotic membrane can be successfully used to treat class I gingival recession.

Gautam A. Comparative Evaluation of Coronally Advanced Flap with Platelet-rich Fibrin vs Amniotic Membrane for the Treatment of Gingival Recession. J Health Sci Res 2017;8(1):31-37.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the most common endocrine metabolic disorders and its prevalence has been increasing worldwide. It is a third leading cause of mortality and morbidity in the world. Diabetes affects several organs including the oral cavity. The oral complications of uncontrolled DM can include xerostomia, infection, poor healing, increased incidence and severity of caries, candidiasis, gingivitis, periodontal disease, periapical abscesses, and burning mouth syndrome. Early diagnosis of the DM is an important aspect of health care. Exfoliative cytology is considered a moderate, straightforward, and noninvasive diagnostic marker for DM. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate cytologic changes of the exfoliated oral mucosal cells of diabetic patients using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining technique to establish its role as diagnostic criteria.

The frequency of micronuclei, enlarged nucleus, perinuclear halo, binucleation, cytoplasmic streaks, Candida, and inflammation were found to be statistically significant.

Clinical observations and results suggested morphologic and functional alterations in oral epithelial cells in diabetic patients, detectable by microscopic and cytomorphometric analysis using exfoliative cytology and can be used in diagnosis.

The purpose of this study is to demonstrate cytologic changes of the exfoliated oral mucosal cells of diabetic patients using H&E staining technique to establish its role as diagnostic criteria.

Srinivasan S, Priya NS, Rao K, Umadevi HS, Smitha T, Sheethal HS. Cytomorphological Study of Oral Exfoliated Cells in Type II Diabetes Mellitus Patients. J Health Sci Res 2017;8(1):38-41.

Devadoss P, Ramesh S, Christopher P, Velusamy A. A Case of Hand-Foot-Mouth Disease observed during Routine Dental Checkup in an Immunocompetent Healthy Adult Patient. J Health Sci Res 2017;8(1):42-45.

Kamala KA, Sankethguddad S, Sujith SG. Ludwig’s Angina: Emergency Treatment. J Health Sci Res 2017;8(1):46-48.

The objective of this article is to highlight the importance of having a thorough knowledge about the root canal anatomy and the possibility of extra root/root canal.

This case report presents the endodontic management of a left mandibular second molar with four roots and five canals.

The clinical and radiographic diagnosis shows the existence of four roots and five canals (two in distobuccal root, one in distolingual root, one in mesiobuccal root, and one in mesiolingual root) in mandibular second molar.

Anatomic variation in the number of roots and root canals can occur in any tooth. Close examination of radiographs taken from different angles and careful evaluation of the internal anatomy of teeth is essential or else root canal treatment is likely to fail if extra roots or root canals are not detected.

Bhardwaj A, Tarun GS. Mandibular Second Molar having Four Roots and Unusual Root Canal Morphology. J Health Sci Res 2017;8(1):49-52.