Journal of Dental Sciences

1-6

Authors: Prathibha Prasad

This study was carried out to know the different micro-organisms harboring the cell phones of health care persons working in the dental centre of our hospital and to determine what are the potential pathogenic organisms transmitted via mobile phones. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Two samples were collected by rotating the swabs over all the surfaces of cell phones; one without any sterilization and second sample after decontaminating the cell phone using isopropyl alcohol in the morning. The swabs were inoculated and streaked onto five per cent sheep blood agar, Mac-Conkey agar and chocolate agar. Isolated organisms were processed according to colony morphology and gram stain. Tests for identification of gram positive cocci included catalase, Oxidative/ Fermentative test, anaerobic mannitol fermentation and coagulase production. Tests for identification of gram negative bacilli included catalase, oxidase and other relevant biochemical tests (API 20E). In the samples taken without prior decontamination, 40% of the samples did not show any growth. Staphylococcus species dominated the growth in the remaining specimens. Gram positive bacilli, Pantoe species and Enterobacter Cloacae were also found. In the samples taken with prior decontamination at the beginning of the day, 36% of the samples did not show any growth. Staphylococcus species dominated the growth in the remaining specimens. Gram positive bacilli, Micrococci and Citrobacter Freundii were also found. Since dental aerosols are proven risk factor; any method of reducing aerosols and airborne contamination should be employed along with regular decontamination of cell phones.

1-5

Authors: Rao Lakshmana B

Osteo-Odonto-Keratoprosthesis (OOKP) or ‘Tooth-in-eye surgery’, the original technique was described by Benedetto Strampelli nearly fifty years ago, using the patient’s own tooth root and alveolar bone as vital support to an optical cylinder, for patients with the most severe type of corneal and ocular surface diseases, for whom other treatments would not be useful. The cornea is replaced by a polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) optical cylinder glued to a biological support (haptic) made by human living tissue.Prof.Giancarlo Falcinelli has refined and improved this procedure, in a step wise manner. OOKP surgery requires multidisciplinary team approach. Possible complications of this procedure include ulceration of the implant buccal mucosa, ocular infection andsecondary glaucoma. This review article describes the Osteo-Odonto-Keratoprosthesis (OOKP) indications, surgical procedures, advantages and limitations.

1-4

Authors: Cecil Williams

Today lasers technology is influencing our life in many ways. Its advancements in the field of medicine and dentistry are playing a major role in patient care and wellbeing. Lasers are being used for general surgical procedures since long time. It was introduced in dental treatment primarily to overcome the problems due to conventional procedures. Interaction of lasers to soft tissue allow bloodless surgery, least post-operative pain and scarring; since the laser incision is more broad and irregular so it blends better with the surrounding tissue while healing. Lasers for hard tissues encourage efficient diagnosis of caries and improve the resistance of dental enamel to caries, etching of enamel, cavity preparations, photopolymerization of composite resin and sterilization of the root canal system. Lasers are not so effective for removing old restorations and while removing enamel or crown preparation, laser is not as fast as rotary bur. Research has shown thatnear infrared (NIR) wavelengths are ideally suited for numerous soft tissue procedures due to their high absorption in hemoglobin. This fact gives NIR laser the ability to precisely and efficiently cut, coagulate, ablate or vaporize the target tissue. This review article focuses on the application of laser in dental hard and soft tissue procedures

1-5

Authors: Jay Pate

PRF, which belongs to a new second generation of platelet concentrates, with simplified processing, and not requiring biochemical blood handling, has several advantages over traditionally prepared PRP, which hasbeen widely used for accelerating soft tissue and hard tissue healing. However, the preparation being strictly autologous, the amount of PRF obtained is limited. Choukroun’s platelet-Rich Fibrin (PRF) incorporates leucocytes, platelets and a wide range ofhealing proteins within a dense fibrin matrix. It has a strong fibrin architecture and slow releasing growth factors and glycoproteins over several days. It is a natural bioactive membrane, which can enhance soft/hard tissue healing, at the same time, canalso protect surgical sites,grafted materials from external aggressions. This article describes the evolution of this second generation platelet concentrate and its multipleuses in various surgical procedures.we have attempted to give an overview of PRF including its uses, advantages, its preparation & its microscopic structures.