on to a glass plate. The glass plate is inverted and superimposed on to the cast of the defective side and is used as an aid in molding the wax pattern.Non-contact 3-Dimensional (3-D) models of the facial region are made possible with advances in the digital imaging technology. The various steps involved in the fabrication of such prosthesis are:1. Acquisition of 3-D data using scanning.

Microstomia presents a unique challenge to the dentist as well as the patient. Microstomia patients often face difficulty in inserting or removing removable dental prostheses due to constricted opening of the oral cavity. Dentists often face difficulty in inserting impression trays in these patients because of the limited mouth opening. Standard impression procedures need to be modified in such patients. This article describes a simple design for the fabrication of a sectional handle for a definitive impression in microstomia patients. The sectional handle could be sterilized and reused.

Gagging presents a clinical challenge to the dentist in all aspects of treatment starting from diagnostic procedures to active treatment. There is no single cause associated with gagging. For successful management, it is very important to find the cause and plan the treatment accordingly. This article describes a simple step-by-step technique for eliminating the gag reflex in an edentulous patient. This simple approach helped the patient to relax and eliminate the phobia of dental treatment. It also enhanced the patient’s ability to continue the dental procedure.

Background:Dental implant therapy is a treatment of choice in missing teeth. However, certain conditions such as smoking, hypertension, and diabetes have negative influence on success of dental implants. Nicotine is found to cause osteoclastic changes. The present study was conducted to assess the relationship between nicotine and implant failure.Materials and Methods:The present retrospective study included 2570 patients of both genders. They were divided into two groups. Group I consisted of 1250 patients with a history of smoking and Group II were nonsmokers and comprised 1320 patients. The presence of pain, mobility, and inflammation was considered positive signs for implant failure.Results:The results showed that in Group I, males had 6.13% and females had 5% dental implant failure. Overall failure rate in Group I was 5.56%. In Group II, males had 2.98% and females had 0.9% failure. Overall failure rate in Group II was 2.35%. The difference between both groups was statistically significant (P < 0.05). In Group I, maximum (56), and in Group II, 18 patients had habit of >10 years of smoking. Maximum patients had habit of consumption of >20 cigarettes/day (Group I) and Group II had only 10 patients with this frequency. Maximum dental implant failures were observed in maxillary arch (70) than in mandibular arch (32). The difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05).Conclusion:Smoking influences the survival rate of dental implants. Thus, patient should be educated to discontinue the habit before implant placement.