Introduction: There are numerous gingival retraction systems available on the market. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of four gingival retraction systems, namely, impregnated retraction cord, gingival retraction capsule, retraction paste, and polyvinyl acetate strips.Methods: A total of 20 people were chosen for the study, and 100 specimens were collected. The specimens were classified into five groups based on the materials used for gingival displacement. On the first day, a baseline impression without gingival displacement was made. Afterward, impressions were made with any of the following four gingival retraction systems: impregnated retraction cord (SURE-Cord® Plus; Sure Dent Corporation, Jungwon-gu, South Korea), retraction capsule (3M ESPE astringent retraction paste capsule; 3M Corporation, St. Paul, MN), retraction paste (Traxodent® Hemodent® Paste Retraction System; Premier Dental Co., Plymouth Meeting, PA) and polyvinylacetate strips (Merocel; Merocel Co., Mystic, CT), with a 14-day interval between each system. The amount of gingival displacement was measured using an optical microscope as the distance from the tooth to the gingiva crest in a horizontal plane.Results: All experimental groups had higher gingival displacement than the control group (P < 0.01). Among the experimental groups, polyvinyl acetate strips had the highest gingival displacement value (541.65 μm), followed by impregnated retraction cord (505.37 μm), retraction capsule (333.57 μm), and retraction paste (230.63 μm). Conclusion:Within the limits of this in vivo study, significant differences in horizontal gingival displacement were discovered among the four evaluated systems. The horizontal displacement requirements of 200 μm were exceeded by all four systems. The maximum value for gingival displacement was found in polyvinyl acetate strips (Merocel), followed by impregnated retraction cord (SURE-Cord), and retraction capsule (3M ESPE), and the lowest value was found in retraction paste (Traxodent).

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 has infected and caused the death of an alarming number of individuals worldwide. No specific treatment has been internationally standardized for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19); however, in some cases, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) has been used as adjuvant treatment in critically ill patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. We report a case of a 50-year-old man with severe COVID-19 pneumonia who received 5 days course of IVIG as adjuvant therapy. Invasive respiratory support was avoided. The patient had a successful recovery and was discharged without supplemental oxygen. A high dose of IVIG may improve survival in patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia. In the current report, we reviewed literature on how IVIG use may improve the early stages of the disease.

The importance of disocclusion in maintaining the health of the stomatognathic system is well established. However, the quantification of the same is limited. This study aimed to determine the amount of posterior teeth disocclusion in protrusive and laterotrusive movements to establish the desired disocclusion in occlusal treatments. Materials and methodsTwenty dentate subjects with Angles Class I occlusion, 18-30 years, were included in the study. Direct and indirect techniques measured disocclusion at the mesiobuccal cusp tip of the mandibular first molar. In the direct technique, the protrusive and working and nonworking records were made intraorally at the edge-toedge position of maxillary and mandibular central incisors and canines, respectively. For the indirect technique, putty indices were made on a semi-adjustable articulator at 2 millimeters (mm) eccentric movements and the disocclusion records were then made intraorally using indices at the predetermined excursions. The records were trimmed, and the disocclusion was measured using an optical microscope (ZEISS Axio Imager 2; Carl Zeiss Microscopy Deutschland GmbH, Oberkochen, Germany). The comparison of disocclusion by both techniques was done by paired t-test. The Pearson correlation coefficient was used to analyze the statistical correlation between the disocclusion obtained during different excursive movements. ResultsThe mean disocclusion obtained by direct technique was 1.72 ± .49 mm in protrusion, 1.19 ± .50 mm for the working side, and 2.54 ± .70 mm for the nonworking side. For the indirect technique, the disocclusion obtained was 1.22 ± .37 mm in protrusion, 8.57 ± .33 mm for the working side, and 1.71 ± .61 mm for the nonworking side. On comparison, there was a statistically significant difference (p<0.05) seen for the values between the groups for direct and indirect subgroups except for the left working subgroup (p>0.05) with higher values in the direct group. ConclusionsThe disocclusion obtained by the direct technique was higher than that obtained by the indirect technique. For both techniques, as the working side disocclusion increased, the nonworking side disocclusion also increased.

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