Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health status among general masses: An in-deep analysis of the worst "hitters" of COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: A plethora of studies have reported the adverse psychiatric outcomes among the general masses during the COVID-19 pandemic; however, not much data is available in relation to the Indian population from this perspective. The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health status among the general masses in the Indian population.

Materials And Methods: The present study was planned in a cross-sectional study design between July 2020 and October 2021 in which a well-structured questionnaire, consisting of questions assessing the sociodemographic profile, while, also, specific questions related to the stress and anxiety-related variables, was used.

Comparative Evaluation of Clinical Outcome Including Neurosensory Deficit and Pain Score Variables Using Rigid Internal Fixation with Three-Dimensional Miniplate Internal Fixation in Simultaneous Angle and Contralateral Body/Parasymphysis Fractures of the Mandible: A Prospective, Randomized Controlled Study.

 There have been numerous advancements in the strategies used for treating mandibular fractures in the present times, while open reduction and internal fixation is still accepted as the most preferred treatment option for such fractures despite numerous drawbacks. The aim of the present prospective, randomized controlled study was to evaluate the clinical outcome including neurosensory deficit and pain score variables in mandibular fractures that were treated using rigid internal fixation with three-dimensional (3D) miniplate internal fixation.  For the present study, a total of 20 patients of either sex in an age range of 18 to 55 years with simultaneous angle and contralateral body/parasymphysis fractures of the mandible were included, while the clinical outcome was compared in relation to the two groups wherein different treatment options were used including using rigid internal fixation in one as against 3D miniplate internal fixation in the other.

Canine retraction and anchorage loss using self-ligating and conventional brackets with sliding mechanics: A split-mouth clinical study.

Objective: Appliance biocompatibility, orthodontic treatment efficiency and patient convenience are the major issues confronting contemporary orthodontic practice. Very few studies have been published till date regarding the efficiency of self-ligating brackets as against conventional brackets. Hence, the present study was planned to compare the rate of canine retraction between self-ligating and conventional brackets and to determine the amount of anchorage loss during canine retraction.

Comparative evaluation of impact strength of mechanically modified heat polymerized polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) resin with addition of 0.5, 1, 2 wt% of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs): An in-vitro study.

Objective: Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) is one of the most widely used denture base material because of favorable esthetics and desirable characteristics such as easy handling. Acrylic resins, although, have some inherent disadvantages such as relatively poor physical and mechanical properties. The objective of the present study was to evaluate and compare the impact strength of unmodified and modified heat cure PMMA-based denture base material with addition of different concentrations of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) (0.

Osseodensification implant site preparation technique and subsequent implant stability: A pilot study.

Objective: The objective of the present study was to evaluate and compare primary and secondary implant stability of conical endosteal implants placed using osseodensification osteotomy and conventional osteotomy techniques.

Materials And Methods: The present study was designed as a prospective, observational study in which a total of 26 endosteal implants were placed in the posterior edentulous regions of upper and lower jaws in 13 patients divided into two groups, Group A and Group B. In Group A, implants were placed using osseodensification osteotomy technique while in Group B, conventional osteotomy technique was used.

Linear Cephalometric Analysis of Pharynx at the Level of Epiglottis among Snorers and Nonsnorers: A Cross-Sectional Study.

 Snoring, which falls within the spectrum of sleep-related breathing disorders, is considered to be one of the common symptoms of airway obstruction. Lateral cephalometric analysis is an effective way of diagnosing airway obstruction by evaluating skeletal and soft tissue abnormalities in patients with sleep-disordered breathing (SDB). The present study was planned to analyze the pharyngeal space among snorers and nonsnorers in the retroglossal region and in the region of hypopharynx at the level of epiglottis.

Accidental Pathological Findings in Asymptomatic Maxillary Sinuses in Patients Referred for Head and Neck Cone-Beam Computed Tomography: A Cross-sectional Study Analysis.

Background: The aim of the present study was to detect the prevalence of accidental pathological findings in asymptomatic maxillary sinuses in patients referred for head and neck cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) examination for varied reasons.

Methods: The present cross-sectional study included a detailed analysis of CBCT scans of 150 patients aged between 18 and 70 years reporting for varied dental complaints for detecting accidental pathological findings in maxillary sinuses while the patients did not have any complaint pertaining to sinuses.

Results: The findings of the present study revealed 58% patients to have pathological findings in maxillary sinuses while they were asymptomatic for sinuses.

Prevalence of Color Vision Anomalies among Dental Professionals.

Purpose: Color blindness is one of the potential disabilities affecting the ability of color perception by the eye. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of color blindness among dental professionals.

Methods: For the present study, a total of 198 dental professionals were randomly selected as subjects who were asked to fill the required questionnaire followed by which their color vision status was evaluated using the Ishihara test.

Linear Cephalometric Analysis of Pharynx at the Level of Epiglottis among Snorers and Nonsnorers: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background And Aim: Snoring, which falls within the spectrum of sleep-related breathing disorders, is considered to be one of the common symptoms of airway obstruction. Lateral cephalometric analysis is an effective way of diagnosing airway obstruction by evaluating skeletal and soft-tissue abnormalities in patients with sleep-disordered breathing. The present study was planned to analyze the pharyngeal space among snorers and nonsnorers in retroglossal region and in the region of the hypopharynx at the level of epiglottis.

Efficacy of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation on Salivary Flow Rates in Normal Healthy Adults According to Gender and Age Groups.

Introduction: Salivary gland hypofunction might be associated with various local and systemic conditions and is managed with a plethora of therapeutic options with associated side effects. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is one such option with no known systemic side effects for dealing with this crippling condition. The present study was planned with a similar intent of assessing impact of TENS on salivary flow rates in normal healthy adults according to gender and age groups.

Variations in Canal Morphology, Shapes, and Positions of Major Foramen in Maxillary and Mandibular Teeth.

Context And Aim: A plethora of studies have revealed that there is a lack of general consensus in the precise anatomic detailing of the canals and the major foramen in both the maxillary and mandibular teeth while emphasizing the significance of the same for a successful endodontic treatment. The aim of the present study was to determine the variations in canal morphology, shapes, and positions of major foramen in maxillary and mandibular teeth.

Materials And Methods: In the present study, 420 extracted human maxillary and mandibular teeth with completely formed apices were included.

Sensitivity and Specificity of Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Prediction of Cervical Lymph Node Metastasis in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinomas.

Background: The inaccuracies in clinical examination have been well-documented while advanced imaging modalities including computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have been shown to have superior diagnostic accuracy in detecting occult and nodal metastasis. The aim of the present study was to identify as well as evaluate the inaccuracies in clinical examination and of clinical diagnostic criteria in known cases of oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCCs) with the help of MRI.

Methodology: A total of 24 patients attending as outpatients were included in the study while clinically diagnosed and histopathologically proven cases of OSCC were examined clinically and then, subjected to advanced imaging with the help of MRI.

Calcifying Epithelial Odontogenic Cyst of Maxilla: A Clinical and Histological Rarity with Literature Review.

A cyst is defined as a pathological cavity which may or may not have an epithelial lining and which has a fluid, semi-fluid, or gaseous contents and is not formed by the accumulation of pus. The calcifying epithelial odontogenic cyst (CEOC) was first reported by Gorlin et al. in 1962.

Serum ceruloplasmin as cancer marker in oral pre-cancers and cancers.

Background And Aim: Oxidative stress leads to a compensatory increase in levels of serum ceruloplasmin in patients with such imbalances. Greater than normal serum ceruloplasmin levels are noticed in numerous cancers including the leukemias and Hodgkin's lymphoma. The purpose of the present study was to estimate and evaluate the efficacy of serum ceruloplasmin levels as a potential biomarker in the early detection of oral potentially malignant epithelial lesions (PMELs) including leukoplakia, oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF), and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients.

Pulp Stones: Diagnostic Significance in Early Diagnosis and Radiographic Correlation with Ischemic Heart Diseases.

Sufficient evidence exists in the literature which indicates that patients with ischemic heart diseases (IHDs) show higher degree of pulp calcifications. The present study was, therefore, planned to estimate the prevalence of pulp stones in patients diagnosed with/or undergoing treatment for IHDs. The present study, which consisted of 300 subjects within the age range of 25 to 65 years, was divided into two groups: study group comprising 150 patients (113 males and 37 females) and 150 age- and sex-matched healthy controls.

Calcifying Epithelial Odontogenic Cyst of Maxilla: Report of A Case and Review and Discussion on the Terminology and Classification.

A cyst is defined as a pathological cavity which may or may not have an epithelial lining and which has a fluid, semi-fluid, or gaseous contents and is not formed by accumulation of pus. The calcifying epithelial odontogenic cyst (CEOC) was first reported by Gorlin . in 1962.

Clinical diagnostic criteria versus advanced imaging in prediction of cervical lymph node metastasis in oral squamous cell carcinomas: A magnetic resonance imaging based study.

Context And Aim: The inaccuracies in clinical examination have been well documented, while advanced imaging modalities, including computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), have been shown to have superior diagnostic accuracy in detecting occult and nodal metastasis. The aim of the present study was to identify as well as evaluate the inaccuracies in clinical examination and of clinical diagnostic criteria in known cases of oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCCs) with the help of MRI.

Materials And Methods: A total of 24 patients attending as outpatients were included in the study, while clinically diagnosed and histopathologically proven cases of OSCC were examined clinically and then subjected to advanced imaging with the help of MRI.

Comparative Evaluation of Mineral Trioxide Aggregate Pulpotomy and Laser-Assisted Mineral Trioxide Aggregate Pulpotomy: An Original Research Article.

Context And Aim: Formocresol has been used as the material of choice (gold standard) for pulpotomy procedures because of the ease of use but was discouraged due to its potential immune sensitization and mutagenic effects. Laser irradiation was first applied for pulpotomy procedure in the year 1985. Recently, diode lasers have been used for pulpotomy in primary teeth and have shown clinical success rates comparable to formocresol.

A report of a novel approach for the management of paediatric mandibular fracture using a prefabricated adaptable surgical splint.

Paediatric facial fractures are relatively rare. The inherent elasticity of the bones with more of the cartilage than that of the mineralised bone accounts for this. The principles involved in the management of facial fractures are the same irrespective of the age of the patient; however, in children, the techniques used are necessarily modified by certain anatomical, physiological, psychological and feeding factors related to childhood and the parents.

Prevalence of congenitally missing upper lateral incisors in an orthodontic adolescent population.

Objective: To determine the frequency of congenitally missing maxillary lateral incisors (LIs) and to find out its variability in relation to gender.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective study was carried out between January 2017 and December 2017. Orthopantomographs (OPGs) and lateral cephalographs record search of all orthodontic adolescent patients aged 12 to 18 years were taken from the archival records of the department.

Craniofacial morphology of HIV-infected adolescents undergoing highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART): An original research.

Objectives: To analyze the craniofacial morphology in child patients and adolescents by evaluating the skeletal cephalometric profile of the HIV infected patients in this age group and comparing them with the HIV-negative controls.

Materials And Methods: The present study was a planned case-control study which included 25 HIV-positive adolescent patients aged between 10 and 18 years (the study group) who were compared with 25 age- and sex-matched HIV-negative adolescent controls (the control group). All the patients had been HIV infected via a vertical transmission with positive serology confirmed in two different tests and had been kept on HAART since they were born.

CD4 Cell Counts, Lipid Profile, and Oral Manifestations in HIV-Infected and AIDS Patients.

Objectives: The present study aimed to evaluate CD4 cell counts, lipid profile, and oral manifestations in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients and their correlation with seronegative controls.

Materials And Methods: In this cross-sectional, hospital-based study, there were three groups of subjects: group A consisting of 500 healthy patients (controls), group B composed of 500 HIV-infected patients, and group C comprised of 500 AIDS patients based on their CD4 cell counts. CD4 cell counts were assessed using the CyFlow counter.

Pulp Stones as Risk Predictors for Coronary Artery Disease.

Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) has been the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Studies indicate that patients with CAD show higher degree of pulp calcifications. Localized pulp calcifications are microscopically apparent in more than half of the teeth in young adolescents.

Condylar Fractures: Surgical Versus Conservative Management.

Background And Objectives: Condylar fractures can be treated with one of the two methods, including the conservative (closed reduction and immobilization) and/or surgical (open reduction and internal fixation) methods. Both these modalities of treatment have their indications and contraindications and merits and demerits. The present study was designed with the purpose of comparing the outcomes of surgical versus conservative management of moderately displaced subcondylar and condylar neck fractures.