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Objective To determine the association between periodontal disease and low birth weight among pregnant women. Methods Data for this case-control study was collected from June 2019 till February 2020. All women in the Gynecology Department of Lady Willingdon Hospital, Lahore, who had delivered a baby within the last 24 h were invited to participate. Women who delivered babies less than 2.5 kg were considered as 'cases' (having low birth weight - LBW - infants) and those having babies of 2.5 kg or more were categorized as 'controls' (normal birth weight infants). The selected sample was matched for age, general health (indicated by mean upper arm circumference) and Hemoglobin levels. Intraoral examination was conducted and gingival color and appearance; calculus, bleeding on probing, CPITN (Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs) and CAL (clinical attachment loss) were recorded. A binary logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine the predictors of LBW infants. The predictors were further confirmed by applying chi-squared test for categorical variables and independent sample T test for quantitative variables. Results A total of 60 cases and 120 controls were recruited. The logistic regression model suggested that CPITN score (OR 14.893, 95% CI 4.896, 45.301); CAL (OR 2.148, 95% CI 1.271, 3.631); calculus (OR 25.099, 95% CI 1.916, 328.771); mode of delivery (OR 0.175 95% CI 0.060, 0.514); and gingival recession (OR 0.237, 95% CI 0.078, 0.715) were significant predictors of LBW. Conclusion Periodontal disease was found to be a significant predictor of LBW infants., Author(s): Varda Hussain [sup.1] , Anoosha Waseem [sup.1] , Irtaza Husain [sup.2] , Uzma Waseem [sup.3] , Maliha Shahbaz [sup.4] , Fauzia Qureshi [sup.5] Author Affiliations: (1) de' Montmorency College [...]

Objective: The aim was to gain insight on patient factors and administrative shortcomings in the dental health department that prevent patients from seeking timely dental care. Study Design: Cross Sectional Survey. Setting: Punjab Dental Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan. Period: 7 January 2020 to 28 February 2020. Material & Methods: A structured close ended questionnaire was filled by information obtained from 400 patients that presented in the Exodontia OPD requiring extractions due to irreversible tooth damage. The data was collected from 244 (61%) females and 156 (39%) males. It was analyzed using SPSS version 20.0 and post stratification chi-square test was applied to see the significance of all comparative statistics. P value of <0.05 was taken as significant. Results: Out of 400 patients, 350 had not visited a dentist when the symptoms first appeared. Of these n=213 (60.86%) were females and n=137 (39.14%) were males. Majority of the patients were in the age range of 40-65 years and belonged to the low socioeconomic class n=213 (60.9%). The main causes of patients presenting now were pain and swelling. The major reasons reported for delayed visit were: “Self-medication” n=113 (24.57%),” Symptoms will resolve on their own” n=79 (17.17%),” No awareness” n=64 (13.91%),” Non serious and lazy attitude” n=39 (8.48%) and “Busy schedule” n=36 (7.83%). Conclusion: Our findings suggested that only a small proportion of people visited the dentist when the symptoms first appeared. Most of the patients ignored their symptoms to such an extent that the only possible treatment that could be offered was extraction of the concerned tooth. There was a general misconception that dental diseases are not very serious and can be resolved by over the counter medications. Thus, more dental awareness programs should be incorporated in the government health policy to increase focus on oral health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of tooth loss on oral health related quality of life in adults. METHODOLOGY: The survey was conducted during March - June 2019 at Rashid Latif Dental Hospital. A sample size of 373 adults aged 18-80 years was randomly selected from the out-patient department. Number of missing teeth was the main exposure, and it was clinically assessed. OHRQoL was evaluated through "Oral Impacts on Daily performance (OIDP) questionnaire". RESULTS: From total patients presented in OPD 44% had one or more missing teeth. Top reported impacts of missing teeth included difficulty eating and relaxing/sleeping problems. Adults with missing teeth showed 1.28 (95%CI 1.04-4.55) (P=0.01) times higher odds for reporting higher oral impacts compared to those without missing teeth. CONCLUSION: Individuals with missing teeth likely had frequent difficulties in their daily lives due to missing teeth including trouble with eating, speaking, and oral infection, which could spread to the rest of your body. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Dental caries in adults is a public health problem. A comprehensive assessment of the association between caries and Oral Health Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) measures is essential for understanding how it impacts the daily life of people and for assessing their oral health needs. Methods: The survey was conducted at Rashid Latif Dental Hospital, from March-June 2019. A total of 373 adults aged 18-80 years were randomly enrolled in the study. Dental caries was the main exposure, measured clinically. The OHRQoL was measured through Oral Impacts on Daily Performance (OIDP) questionnaire. Caries was dichotomized and the relationship to OHRQoL was determined. Results: The results showed that 87.6% of the people presenting to the hospital had one or more carious teeth. Difficulty eating, and relaxing/sleeping were among the top reported impacts. Adults with caries showed higher odds for reporting higher oral impacts compared to those without caries. For every added carious tooth, there is 1.38 times increase in OIDP score. Conclusion: Individuals with caries were more likely to report more frequent and severe oral impacts that manifested into their daily lives through difficulty eating or relaxing. OIDP score increased linearly with increased exposure to caries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The purpose of the study was to establish the preventive effects of green tea extract against nicotine-induced damage in buccal mucosa. Study Design: This experimental study was conducted on 52 albino rats divided into four groups of 13 rats each, including control (A), nicotine-induced (B), nicotine-induced and treated with green tea extract (C) and only green tea extract (D) treated groups. Methodology: Subjects in the group A were given normal water, while group B was injected with nicotine (0.25 mg/100 gm), group C was injected with nicotine and subsequently treated with green tea (40 mg/kg) extract while group D was just given green tea extract. Histological examination was conducted using heamotoxylin and eosin staining and observation under light microscope in order to compare the inflammatory cell infiltrate and changes in the epithelial thickness between four groups. Results: A statistically significant difference (p-value < 0.001) was observed amongst all four respective groups, indicating a substantial preventive effect of green tea extract against nicotine induced damage in terms of inflammatory cell infiltrate. Similarly significant statistical difference (p-value < 0.001) was observed for changes in epithelial thickness. Conclusion: The present study was able to provide evidence indicating green tea extract prevents nicotine induced damage to buccal mucosa in albino rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The objective of present study was to assess the preventive effects of green tea extract against nicotine-induced damage in buccal mucosa of albino rats. Design: The present experimental study used 52 albino rats divided into four groups of 13 each; including, control (A), nicotine-induced (B), nicotine-induced and treated with green tea extract (C) and only green tea extract treated (D) groups. Methodology: Subjects in the group A were administered normal water, while group B was injected with nicotine (0.25 mg/100 gm), group C was injected with nicotine (0.25 mg/100 gm) and subsequently treated with green tea (40 mg/kg) extract while group D was only administered green tea extract (40 mg/kg). Histological examination was conducted using heamotoxylin and eosin staining and observation under light microscope was carried out in order to compare the vascular changes including hyalinization, congestion and vessel wall thickness amongst the four groups. Results: A statistically significant difference (p-value < 0.001) was observed amongst all four respective groups, indicating a substantial preventive effect of green tea extract against nicotine-induced damage in terms of hyalinization. Similarly significant statistical differences (p-value < 0.001) were observed for vascular congestion and vessel wall thickness between the four groups. Conclusion: The present study was able to bring forth evidence that green tea extract prevents the nicotine-induced vascular damage within the buccal mucosa in albino rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The purpose of the study was to establish the preventive effects of green tea extract against nicotine-induced collagenous damage in buccal mucosa. Design: This experimental study was conducted on 52 albino rats divided into four groups of 13 rats each, including control (A), nicotine-induced (B), nicotine-induced and treated with green tea extract (C) and only green tea extract (D) treated groups. Methodology: Subjects in the group A were given normal water, while group B was injected with nicotine (0.25 mg/100 gm), group C was injected with nicotine and subsequently treated with green tea (40 mg/kg) extract while group D was just given green tea extract. Hyalinization and fibrosis brought about due to nicotine exposure were compared against normal tissue by means of histological examination through haematoxylin and eosin staining and subsequent observation under light microscope. Results: A statistically significant difference (p-value < 0.001) was observed amongst all four respective groups, indicating a substantial preventive effect of green tea extract against nicotine-induced damage in terms of hyalinization. Similarly significant statistical differences (p-value < 0.001) were observed for fibrosis between the four groups. Conclusion: The present study was able to provide evidence in favor of green tea extract preventing nicotine-induced collagenous damage to buccal mucosa in albino rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a lack of knowledge of healthy oral habits that are vital in preventing caries and periodontal diseases. These problems are prevalent worldwide, despite advances in oral health awareness programs. The objective of this study was to record perception of school going students from public and private sector regarding their oral hygiene practices and knowledge about oral health conditions. A questionnaire-based survey was conducted on students from two public and two private sector schools of Lahore Cantt, randomly selected. Among the 255 participants, aged 6 to 15 years, 50.59% were from public schools and 49.41% from private schools. Statistically significant difference was noted (p-value =0.00) as 61.2% of the public schools students brushed twice daily compared to 34.9% of private school students. Tooth brush and toothpaste were the preferred oral hygiene regime, from both the public (92.2%) and private (86.5%) schools with no statistical difference. 68.2% of the students had no awareness about dental plaque among these significantly higher percentage of participants were from public schools (p-value = 0.01). Majority of the students had no knowledge about protection from bleeding gums, 70.5% belonging to public schools compared to 57.9% from private schools (p value = 0.011). Regular dental check-up every six months was lacking in both public and private school students, 4.6% and 12.7% respectively (p-value = 0.000). The basic knowledge about recommended oral hygiene practices and understanding of common terms was lacking in both public and private school students. Overall public school students had comparatively better knowledge and practices compared to private school students of Cantt Lahore. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which focuses on the inflammatory changes during healing process of buccal wound in Albino rats following treatment with different doses of cocoa powder extract. An overview on the biological effect of cocoa due to high content of antioxidant polyphenols, is provided. Also emphasized are the healing benefits of cocoa powder extract.

The field of orthodontics has improved many folds since its advent in 1900 century. Orthodontic bonding to enamel surface has massively improved the control of clinician in an effort to settle teeth in an ideal occlusion. Amalgam fillings have been in use since the development of the field of dentistry. Orthodontist more often than not comes across amalgam as a surface to bond bracket in term of fixed orthodontic therapy. The strength of bond between orthodontic bracket and amalgam has to improve, in order to insure the most important phase of orthodontic treatment that is orthodontic bonding. The aim of this study was to compare mean shear bond strength of orthodontic brackets on sandblasted versus diamond bur roughened amalgam surfaces. This randomized control trial was performed in the Department of Orthodontics, FMH College of Medicine and Dentistry Lahore. Sixty extracted human maxillary premolars and molars were used. They were randomly divided into two study groups of 30 teeth. In group-I, brackets were bonded to amalgam using sandblasting with 50 um alumina particles. In group-II, brackets were bonded after amalgam surface was roughened with a diamond bur. Brackets were debonded using AGS-J SHIMADZU 5 KN universal testing machine with cross head speed of 1mm/min and shear bond strength was measured along with it. Shear bond strength of sandblasted group was higher than the diamond roughened group. In this in vitro study, it was concluded that the shear bond strength of sandblasted group on bonding stainless steel brackets to amalgam surface was significantly higher than that obtained with diamond bur roughening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cocoa powder has been used widely as a soothing rich chocolate drink, in baking and medical purposes for centuries. It is a rich source of polyphenols. The study was conducted on 48 Albino rats, randomly allocated into 4 groups. The control group was considered as group I in which rats were given normal saline along with standard diet while rats in the experimental group II, III and IV were given low, medium and high dosage of cocoa extract respectively dissolved in water by oral gavage daily along with standard rat chow diet. A 3mm surgical excisional wound was created on both left and right buccal mucosa of rats of all four groups with the help of punch-biopsy procedure. Tissue samples were obtained by sacrificing the rats on 3rd, 7th and 14th day after the surgical procedure. Gene expression of Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) was evaluated through Real Time PCR (qPCR) and levels were measured quantitatively. The study concluded that cocoa powder extract in high dosage did have a positive effect in modulating the pro-inflammatory cytokines by decreasing gene expression of TNF-α and reducing the inflammatory process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]