AIM:To compare the abrasive wear of reused rotary cutting diamond instruments and tungsten carbide burs used for tooth preparation, through a scanning electron microscope (SEM) based morphological evaluation. MATERIALS AND METHODS:Thirty teeth samples were divided into five groups, with four groups (Group A, B, C, D) prepared using diamond rotary cutting instruments from different manufacturers and one group (Group AC) prepared with tungsten carbide burs. It was further subdivided into a number of tooth preparations for porcelain-fused-metal restorations. The rotary cutting instruments were reused five times, and each time before reuse, they were evaluated for surface roughness under ×45 magnification SEM. The rotary instruments were evaluated along the length at 2 and 4 mm from the tip under ×45 magnification. The data on abrasive were recorded and statistically analysed with ANOVA One-way and Tukey Honest Significant Difference (HSD) mean differences. RESULTS:The mean abrasive wear varied with the height of the rotary cutting instrument, with values ranging from 0.85 to 1.26 mm at 2 mm height and 1.01 to 1.22 mm at 4 mm height. One-way ANOVA displayed statistically significant differences between groups at both heights of 2 mm (F (5,24) = 8.998, P = 0.001) and 4 mm (F (4,25) = 4.311, P = 0.01). Post hoc analysis expressed that most pairwise comparisons were not significant, except for certain differences involving group AC ( P > 0.05). CONCLUSION:The reused rotary cutting diamond instruments had decreased abrasive wear than tungsten carbide burs.
Introduction: Class II Division 2 malocclusion requires precise torque control due to retroclined maxillary incisors. This study evaluates the biomechanical efficiency of attachment designs in clear aligner therapy using 3D finite element analysis (FEA). Methods: A digital FEM model of the maxilla was reconstructed from CBCT data. Three attachment geometries—labial horizontal attachments (LHA), palatal horizontal attachments with labial power ridges (PHALPR), and labial-palatal reciprocal power ridges (LPRPR)—were analyzed under controlled torque simulations. Results: LPRPR showed the greatest displacement (0.1418 mm) and stress (384.89 MPa), followed by PHALPR and LHA. Lateral incisors exhibited higher stress concentrations than central incisors. Conclusions: Attachment geometry significantly influences torque expression in aligner therapy. The LPRPR design provided superior control, offering enhanced biomechanical performance in Class II Division 2 cases.
Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate and compare salivary Lipoxin A4 (LXA4) levels in periodontally healthy individuals and patients across different stages of periodontitis, and to assess its potential role as a biomarker for disease progression. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving three groups: periodontally healthy individuals (n = 30), patients with stage I–II periodontitis (n = 30), and patients with stage III–IV periodontitis (n = 30). Unstimulated whole saliva samples were collected from all participants. Salivary LXA4 levels were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Intergroup comparisons were performed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by post hoc testing to identify significant differences among groups. Results: Salivary LXA4 levels were significantly higher in periodontally healthy individuals compared to those with periodontitis. A progressive decrease in LXA4 levels was observed with increasing severity of periodontal disease, with the lowest levels detected in stage III–IV periodontitis patients. Conclusions: Salivary Lipoxin A4 levels decrease with the progression of periodontitis, reflecting impaired resolution of inflammation. LXA4 may serve as a promising non-invasive biomarker for distinguishing periodontal health and assessing disease severity, with potential implications for early diagnosis and monitoring.
Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate and compare cytological changes in the periodontal pocket/gingival sulcus epithelium of individuals with and without type II diabetes mellitus for early detection of periodontitis. Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted including three groups: periodontally and systemically healthy individuals, systemically healthy periodontitis patients, and periodontitis patients with type II diabetes mellitus. Pocket epithelium samples were collected from sites with the deepest probing depth and bleeding on probing in periodontitis patients. Samples were stained using the Papanicolaou method and analyzed for nuclear abnormalities including micronucleation, condensed chromatin, nuclear buds, nuclear extensions, pyknotic nuclei, karyolysis, and other apoptotic changes. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 26.0. Results: A significant difference in cells with pyknotic nuclei was observed between diabetic periodontitis and non-diabetic periodontitis groups. Binucleated cells showed significant differences between healthy individuals and diabetic periodontitis patients. Periodontitis groups demonstrated a significant increase in apoptotic markers such as karyorrhexis, pyknosis, and condensed chromatin compared to healthy controls. The presence of diabetes further amplified these cytological alterations. Conclusions: Exfoliative cytology is a simple, non-invasive, and effective technique for detecting cellular changes associated with periodontitis. The presence of diabetes mellitus enhances nuclear abnormalities, indicating its potential role in early detection and prognosis assessment of periodontal disease. This method may serve as a valuable screening tool in both clinical and community settings.
Objectives: This study aimed to compare the antibacterial efficacy of virgin coconut oil (VCO) and 0.2% chlorhexidine (CHX) mouthwash against Porphyromonas gingivalis in vitro. Methods: An in vitro experimental study was conducted over a period of two months. P. gingivalis (ATCC 33277) was cultured, and antibacterial activity was evaluated using the agar well diffusion method and broth microdilution technique to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). Study groups included VCO (experimental), 0.2% CHX (positive control), and a negative control. Optical density was measured at 600 nm. Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA, Mann–Whitney U test, and Spearman’s correlation. Results: Both CHX and VCO exhibited antibacterial activity against P. gingivalis. The MIC values were 2.56 μg/mL for CHX and 1% for VCO. CHX demonstrated slightly higher efficacy; however, VCO showed significant antibacterial activity at 1% concentration. Statistical analysis indicated a dose-dependent inhibition, with no significant difference between groups at individual dilutions (p = 1.0). Conclusions: Virgin coconut oil demonstrated promising antibacterial activity comparable to chlorhexidine against Porphyromonas gingivalis. It may serve as a natural adjunct or alternative in periodontal therapy due to its biocompatibility and minimal side effects. Further in vivo studies are recommended to validate its clinical applicability.
