The demand for esthetic restorations has resulted in an increased use of dental ceramics for anterior and posterior restorations. A few decades ago, all-ceramic restorations were restricted to treatment in the anterior region, but now all-ceramic restorations can be made anywhere in the dentition. The properties of traditional ceramic materials, however, have limited their use to single crowns; larger restorations have been inadvisable because of insufficient strength. In attempts to meet the requirements for dental materials and improve strength and toughness, several new ceramic materials and techniques have been developed during the past few decades The paper reviews the current literature on dental zirconia with respect to survival, properties, marginal fit, cementation, esthetics and suggests clinical recommendations for their use.

Purpose: Variation of dimensions of the nasopalatine canal and anterior maxillary bone thickness vary in relation to age, gender, edentulism, and ethnicity; thorough knowledge with regard to these landmarks is of vital importance prior to surgical procedures such as implant placement and local anesthesia in the anterior maxilla. Cone beam computerized tomography (CBCT) aids in accurate treatment planning in such situations. Subjects and Methods: A total of 300 participants were selected by the inclusion and exclusion criteria. CBCT was performed with Hyperion X9 CBCT Scanner. Images were reconstructed from the CBCT data using NNT image reconstruction software and visualized using multi-planar resolution screen. The dimensions of the nasopalatine foramen (NPF), the incisive canal (IC) and foramen, and anterior maxillary bone thickness were measured. Results: The mean diameter of NPF was found to be 3.27 mm, incisive foramen (IF) was 3.62 mm, IC was 2.12 mm. The average length of the IC was 10.66 mm. The IF was located at a mean distance of 13.81 mm away from the most anteroinferior point of the cortical plate of the labial bone of the maxilla. The anterior maxillary bone was the thickest at the nasal spine level (10.94 mm), and was the narrowest at lower labial alveolus (7.16 mm). The average anterior maxillary bone thickness was found to be 8.36 mm. Conclusion: Within the limitations of the study, it was found that found that gender and age are important factors that affected the characteristics of the IC and the amount of bone anterior to it.

Flexural strength of Brecrystal was significantly higher than the control group. Brecrystal showed a higher mean transverse strength value of 82.08 ± 1.27 MPa and a more homogenous pattern at microscopic level. Based on flexural strength properties and handling characteristics, Brecrystal may prove to be an useful alternative to conventional denture base resins.

The problem of adjusting to old age in our modern society is becoming extremely difficult owing to the high values placed on youth, beauty and virility. For the aged themselves, these are frustrating years. They realize that they are beyond their productive peak and many of their ideas, goals, ambitions, hopes can never be attained. It is unfortunate that the geriatric patient generally needs most of the necessary dental and medical services at an age when he is least able to tolerate and afford them. The dental problems of geriatric patients present in the prosthodontic clinic differ because of the psychological factors always associated with them. The clinician should understand the psychological part of a dental problem of a geriatric patient because it always influences the decision making and treatment plan. An attempt has been made in this article to review these psychological factors and critically analyze their influence in dental treatment plan.