Background Manufacturers of the extended-pour alginates claimed their dimensional stability through prolonged storage. No data confirmed the ability of these materials to maintain their dimensions and the reproduced oral details following their chemical disinfection. Therefore, this study evaluated the dimensional stability and surface detail reproduction of gypsum casts obtained from disinfected extended-pour alginate impressions through different storage time intervals. Methods Two hundred and forty three hydrocolloid impressions were made from one conventional (Tropicalgin) and two extended-pour (Hydrogum 5 and Chromaprint premium) alginates. These impressions were subjected to none, spray and immersion disinfection before their storage in 100% humidity for 0, 72 and 120 h. The dimensional stability and the surface detail reproduction were indirectly evaluated under low angle illumination on the resulted gypsum casts. At α = 0.05, the parametric dimensional stability data were analyzed using One-Way ANOVA and Tukey’s comparisons, while the nonparametric detail reproduction data were analyzed using KrusKal Wallis and Mann–Whitney's tests. Results All gypsum casts exhibited a degree of expansion; however, the recorded expansion values did not differ between test categories (P > 0.05). Generally, casts obtained from spray-disinfected impressions showed lower detail accuracy (P < 0.05). Immersion-disinfected extended-pour alginates produced casts with better detail accuracy following 120 h of storage (P < 0.05). Conclusion All alginates materials offer comparable cast dimensions under different testing circumstances. Extended-pour alginates offer casts with superior surface details following their immersion disinfection and 120 h of storage. Spray-disinfection using 5.25% sodium hypochlorite affects the surface details of casts obtained from conventional and extended-pour alginates adversely.

Purpose Dental implant (DI) therapy is in high demand and can only be rendered efficiently to graduating dentists by effective teaching methodologies. This study aimed to assess the perceptions and attitudes of dental graduates towards predoctoral DI education techniques and rehabilitation by DI. Methods A total of 26 well‐structured questionnaires were distributed to 120 final‐year students. Modified advanced teaching methodologies such as e‐learning, small‐group teaching–problem‐based learning (SGT–PBL), and team‐based learning were implemented for teaching DI. Its effects were assessed using a questionnaire set: the first section (DI Rehabilitation) with 12 questions and the second (DI teaching methods) with 14 questions. Statistical analysis was done using the Chi‐square test, and a P‐value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results The response rate was 95.83%. Seventy‐five percent of the students recommended DI for patients, and 78% of them agreed to it themselves. On comparing teaching methods for DI, on and before level 12, small‐group teaching (PBL) was significantly at a higher proportion (P = 0.002), followed by seminars (P < 0.001). Students preferred small‐group teaching PBL (60%), followed by e‐learning (15%) and demonstration (10%). Ninety‐two percent of the students agreed that DI is an important subject in the “bachelor of dental surgery” (BDS) program, but 78% of them felt that time was insufficient to complete the DI syllabus. Conclusions The modified teaching methodologies used at level 12 for teaching DI enhanced students’ interest and knowledge. The SGT–PBL teaching method was the most preferred. It is recommended that dental implantology topics should be started early in the undergraduate curriculum, and the topics should be widely divided throughout BDS.

The data on how lifestyle factors of school-going children affect their oral health are not sufficient; therefore, there is a need to analyze the adverse effects of poor lifestyle habits and the role of mothers’ education on oral health. The aim of this study was to analyze the association of socioeconomic and lifestyle factors with the oral health status of school-going children through a structured questionnaire and oral examination. Ninety-five (26.5%) children were from class 1. One hundred eighty-seven (52.1%) mothers were educated while 172 (47.9%) were uneducated. Two hundred seventy-six (76.9%) children had never visited the dentist. The results indicate that dental health behavior is associated with lifestyle factors as well as socio-demographic variables. Parent education and awareness regarding oral health plays a major role in determining the oral health of children.

Background: Many new extended-pour irreversible hydrocolloid impression materials have been marketed with claims that they demonstrate enhanced surface details accuracy and dimensional stability for up to 120 hours of storage. However, no data in the literature about the effect of storage time on surface details and dimensional stability of extended-pour impression materials upon disinfection. In this study we aimed to evaluate the effect of two chemical disinfection methods and three storage times on dimensional stability and surface details reproduction of 2 extended-pour alginates in comparison with a conventional one.Methods: A total of 243 alginate impressions were recorded from a custom metal die using Tropicalgin (conventional), Hydrogum5 and Chroma print (extended-pour) alginates. Impressions were categorized into 9 groups according to disinfection method (non-disinfected, sprayed or immersed) and storage time (0, 72, 120 hours). After storage in sealed plastic bag with a damp cotton roll, all impressions were poured with type IV dental stone. The stone models were then examined for surface details and dimensions using a magnifier (×10) and digital caliper to assess whether a 25 µm-line on the metal die was completely reproduced over the full 25 mm length and its dimensions compared to the original die. Data were analyzed using one-way (ANOVA) and Tuckey’s post-hoc test, and KrusKal Wallis test and Mann-Whitney's test.Results: With immediate pouring all alginates showed accurate surface details regardless of the disinfection condition, except for immersed Tropicalgin (P<0.05). The extended storage affected surface details of all materials. After 72h, only non-disinfected extended-pour alginates showed dimensional stability. However, after 120h of storage all materials regained dimensional stability except sprayed Tropicalgin.ConclusionsExtended-pour alginates hardly proved to be more advantageous than traditional alginate in terms of surface details accuracy. Disinfection methods had some adverse effects on surface details and dimensional accuracy of both extended-pour and conventional alginate. Extended-pour alginate proved dimensional stability after 120h. It is recommended to immediately pour all alginates whether conventional or extended-pour. Further studies are needed to evaluate impression materials directly to control the confounding variable like gypsum expansion and storage environment in terms of humidity and temperature.

BACKGROUND: Phonetics with mechanics and aesthetics are considered cardinal factors contributing to the success of complete dentures. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the current study was to evaluate the changes in speech in complete denture patients with and without palatal surface changes. METHODS: The data collected for the study involved completely edentulous Patients (n= 80). Patients were divided into two groups. Group A: Up to 50 years (n= 40); Group B: Above 50 years (n= 40) (including male and female). Each group was further divided into four subgroups for speech analysis-without dentures (A1/B1); with conventional dentures (A2/B2); dentures with a palatogram (A3/B3) and dentures with palate sandblasted (A4/B4). The speech sounds of all patients were evaluated for pitch and intensity using a spectrophotogram (Praat software) and Likert scale. The data so obtained from the quantitative and qualitative analysis were statistically analysed through one-way ANOVA, unpaired student’s t-test, and Pearson correlation coefficient. Qualitative analysis was done with the Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: The maximum mean value of the pitch and intensity in Groups A and B was subgroup A3 (Palatogram) 190.37 ± 21.50 and 77.07 ± 7.58, B3 (Palatogram) 190.87 ± 24.36 and 75.33 ± 8.12. When comparing Groups A [A1, A2, A3, A4] and B [B1, B2, B3, B4] on the basis of pitch and intensity, a statistically insignificant value was found. No changes in speech sounds (pitch and intensity) were observed in terms of age. Both quantitative and qualitative analysis results showed that speech sounds in the patients with palatogram, had the highest pitch and intensity and were most clear to the listener and there were statistically significant differences from other groups. CONCLUSION: Speech was better in palatogram-based dentures in comparison to a sandblasted denture, conventional denture and without denture in terms of qualitative and quantitative analysis. The physiologic nature of the palatogram fabrication technique produces the palatal part of the denture more compatible with the tongue, thus producing better speech.