BACKGROUND Oro-antral communication is a complication associated with extraction of maxillary posterior teeth, surgeries of the maxillary sinus or pathologies associated with the sinus or the posterior maxilla. Such abnormal communications need to be repaired at the earliest, to maintain oral and nasal complex harmony and to prevent undue complications thereafter. These communications can be repaired by various methods, one of those being buccal fat pad pedicled graft technique which will be clinically evaluated and critically discussed in this paper. The pre-operative, immediate and post-operative measures followed, the eligibility criteria chosen, and the duration of follow up period, will formulate the outline for the study. A careful assessment of the criteria, clinical signs and healing is noted, to establish the outcome of the technique. METHODS An observational study was undertaken to evaluate the effectiveness of a surgical technique to repair oro-antral communications wherein the pedicled buccal fat pad is used as a graft material. 20 patients with OAC, who were presented to the

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A B S T R A C T BACKGROUNDDental implants are one of the most sought-after choice of treatment for restoration and rehabilitation of missing teeth. However, the accuracy of removable or fixed superstructures over the dental implants is influenced for a major proportion by the impression techniques and materials. This paper discusses the comparison of the accuracy of different conventional impression materials and techniques and the intra oral scanners, used in the second stage of the dental implant treatment. The objective of the paper is to compare the accuracy of impressions obtained using conventional impression and intra oral scanners, in the second stage of the dental implant treatment. METHODSIn order to perform the study, a PICO framework was formulated, and the topic of the paper was rephrased accordingly. The PICO framework for the topic of interest chosen is outlined. The keywords were thoroughly searched in scientific databases including the Cochrane Library of Databases, PubMed Central, Wiley Online Library and Google Scholar. The key terms used for the search were dental implants, impression materials, impression techniques, digital impression, intra oral scanners, accuracy and success. RESULTSAmong the different impression materials taken into the comparative study for the conventional impressions, it was observed that polyvinyl siloxane exhibited a dimensional accuracy slightly greater than polyether. However, light body putty exhibited greater accuracy than medium body putty. Various impression techniques were compared to evaluate the dimensional accuracy of the impression. It was observed that the open tray technique and splinted impression technique produced a more dimensionally stable impression than the other techniques. Among conventional and digital impressions, it was observed that intra oral scanners exhibited a greater degree of accuracy. CONCLUSIONSThis study is to comparatively assess the accuracy of conventional and digital impression of dental implants in the second stage of treatment. Although accuracy is greater in digital impressions since there is no likelihood of distortions or dimensional changes or any delay in pouring of models; however, incomplete capture of sub-gingival details, image obscured due to bleeding are possible with intra-oral scanners. Hence, between conventional and digital impressions, the dentist may gradually need to upgrade to the technology and advancements.

Background of the study: Dental implants are one of the most sought-after choice of treatment for restoration and rehabilitation of missing teeth. However, the accuracy of the removable or fixed superstructures over the dental implants is influenced for a major proportion by the impression techniques and materials. This paper discusses the comparison of the accuracy of different impression materials and techniques used in the second stage of the dental implant treatment in vivo. Objective: The objective of the paper is to study the comparison of the accuracy of different impression materials and techniques used in the second stage of the dental implant’s treatment in vivo. Search methodology: Electronically key searched in scientific literature databases. Selection criteria: Based on the set inclusion and exclusion criteria such as studies conducted in partial edentulous arches, in the age group of 30 to 55 years. Data collection and analysis: A total of 248 literatures were found to be relevant to the framed topic and were scrutinised based on the dejected criteria and 18 kinds of literature obtained were taken into consideration. Main Result: Among the different impression materials taken into the comparative study, it was observed that polyvinyl siloxane exhibited a dimensional accuracy slightly greater than polyether. However, light body putty exhibited greater accuracy than medium body putty. Various impression techniques were compared to evaluate the dimensional accuracy of the impression. It was observed that the open tray technique and splinted impression technique produced a more dimensionally stable impression than the other techniques. Authors Conclusion: this study to assess the accuracy of various impression material and methods has concluded that while impression techniques influence the accuracy of the impression, the impression materials namely the Polyvinyl siloxane and polyether exhibit no significant difference with a slight preference to the polyvinyl siloxane. Hence the choice of impression material is at the discretion of the dentist performing the treatment and also this area requires further studies to establish conclusive evidence.

Background of the study: Oro-antral communication is a complication associated with extraction of maxillary posterior teeth, surgeries of the maxillary sinus or pathologies associated with the sinus or the posterior maxilla. Such abnormal communications need to be repaired at the earliest, to maintain oral and nasal complex harmony and to prevent undue complications thereafter. These communications can be repaired by various methods, one of those being buccal fat pad pedicled graft technique which will be clinically evaluated and critically discussed in this paper. The pre-operative, immediate and post-operative measures followed, the eligibility criteria chosen and the duration of follow up period will formulate the outline for the study. A careful assessment of the criteria, clinical signs and healing is noted, to establish the outcome of the technique. Aim: The aim of this clinical study is to evaluate the effectiveness of buccal fat pad pedicled graft technique for closure of Oro-antral communications. The purpose of choosing this method is easy availability of the graft near to the recipient site, ease of technique for the surgeon, reliable technique and predictable outcome of the treatment. The effectiveness of the procedure and its predictability, in comparison to other methods is dealt in detail below. Methods: An observational study to evaluate the effectiveness of a surgical technique to repair oro-antral communications wherein the pedicled buccal fat pad is used as a graft material. 20 patients with OAC, who were presented to the department of Oral & Maxillofacial surgery, VS Dental College & Hospital, Bangalore were recruited for the study. The clinical study was conducted in accordance with the protocol and the results were evaluated on the basis of patient’s comfort towards the procedure, ease of the technique, healing time, post-operative complications and recurrence rate of the communication. The details of the technique and a review of the previous studies published were discussed in detail, to form a relevant summary. Results: The technique was found to be more effective and convenient to both the patient and operator, owing to its ease of performing, minimal risk of complications from the grafted site and the harvest site and predictable healing. Conclusions: The technique is easiest among the various methods recommended so far, pertaining to the procedure and predictability. Although, the training and experience of a skilled operator is equally important in achieving the best results.