Background: Association of tooth loss and nutritional status has been widely researched with conflicting results. This overview aimed to analyse and summarize findings from systematic reviews on association of tooth loss with nutritional status, in view of their quality assessment and methodological characteristics. Methods: Overview was conducted as per Cochrane Overviews of Reviews guidelines. 5 databases (PubMed, Dentistry and Oral Sciences Source, Scopus, Cochrane Register of Systematic Reviews, Epistemonikos.org) and one online source (Google Scholar) were searched for systematic reviews published between 2010 - July 2022, with inclusion criteria; population: participants aged 18 years or above, intervention/exposure: loss of teeth, comparison: not applicable, outcome: nutritional status, study: systematic reviews and meta-analysis. Reviews on association of prosthetic interventions with nutritional status were not included. Data were extracted for study characteristics, details of primary studies, and main findings. Narrative synthesis of data, overlap of primary studies and quality assessment of studies were done using AMSTAR 2 tool (A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews). Result: Of 1525 articles found, seven systematic reviews were selected (four were systematic reviews, three were systematic reviews with meta-analysis). Five studies showed some or positive association, one found weak association and for one study the association was unclear. Overlap of primary studies was ‘very slight’. Meta-analysis of two studies concluded fully or partially edentulous individuals were more likely to be malnourished or at risk of malnutrition, (RR = 1.095, 95% CI 1.007 to 1.190, p = 0.033. RR = 1.22; 95% CI 1.11 to 1.32 p < 0.01), but one found that edentulism was not associated with malnutrition. (RR = 1.072, 95% CI 0.9657-1.200). Quality assessment revealed four studies were ‘high’, one was ‘low’ and two were ‘critically low.’ Conclusion: This overview confirms the association between tooth loss and nutritional status specially in elderly. It is evident that tooth loss increases the likelihood of poor nutritional status. Overall, studies show high heterogeneity in the methodology and quality assessment reveals low confidence in the available evidence. Future studies should use standard assessment tools for tooth loss and nutritional status.

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Aim: The current research aimed to gauge the sealing ability using dye penetration and stereomicroscope and marginal adaptation under a scanning electron microscope (SEM) for various furcation repair materials, namely Bio-C Repair, MTA Angelus, GC Fuji VII, and TheraCal LC. Objective: The objective of this study was to compare and evaluate four furcation repair materials for their sealing ability and marginal adaptation. Materials and Methods: Seventy mandibular molars with nonfused and well-developed roots were selected, and a comparison between four furcation repair materials, namely MTA Angelus, Bio-C Repair, GC Fiji VII, and TheraCal LC, was done. In the first group, 50 samples were tested for sealing ability using the dye penetration method and stereomicroscope, and in the second group, 20 samples were studied for marginal adaptation using SEM. Results: The mean value of microleakage for the Bio-C Repair was the lowest, whereas the mean value for the control group was found to be highest among all materials used. MTA Angelus had a mean value between the Bio-C Repair and GC Fuji VII. The multiple intergroup comparisons showed significant differences between all the subgroups in terms of marginal adaptation. Furthermore, the highest marginal gap values were found in the TheraCal group among all the experimental groups. Bio-C Repair showed the lowest gap formation as compared to all other tested materials. Conclusion: Bio-C Repair and MTA Angelus are good furcation repair materials. Clinical Significance: Furcation perforations from endodontic treatment can jeopardize prognosis by damaging periodontal fibers and potentially causing tooth loss. Opting for a biocompatible furcation repair material enhances the effectiveness of treatment and promotes better healing.

Background: Drilling speed during osteotomy in implant site preparation is an important factor that affects heat generation, cell vitality and primary stability and consequently Osseointegration of the implant. A thorough understanding of this impact is important for taking suitable precautions for successful dental rehabilitation. Aim: The objective of this study is to review the available literature regarding the impact of drilling speed on heat generation and other related parameters that influence the success of dental implants. Material and Methods: Suitable research papers relevant for study were identified through electronic database of available dental literature in PubMed and MEDLINE for all articles published till February, 2021. Peer-reviewed dental and PubMed indexed journals were selected. Search was done using certain relevant key words and terms. Results: The initial search revealed a total of 281 articles which were then screened and a total of 61 articles were selected based on the inclusion criteria. Focus was laid on the studies related to drilling speed and its impact on osseointegration, heat generation during osteotomy, drilling speed and bone viability, drilling speed and primary stability of implant and particle size of the bone collected. Heat generation during implant placement is affected by multiple factors with drilling speed being one of them. Conclusion: Researchers have reached contradictory conclusions regarding the impact of drilling speed on heat generation during osteotomy and other parameters. However, studies in the recent past are favoring low speed drilling owing to the advantage of perfect control of the drilling depth and the possibility of collection of a considerable amount of viable granular bone grafts during the procedure.

Aim: To evaluate and compare stress distribution patterns in mandibular implant-supported overdenture retained with bar and ball attachment systems at two attachment heights (1 mm and 3 mm) using three-dimensional finite element analysis (FEA). Settings and Design: An in silico comparative three-dimensional finite element analysis study. Materials and Methods: Four three-dimensional finite element models of an edentulous mandible restored with two interforaminal bone-level implants (3.5 × 10 mm) were developed. The models incorporated bar attachments with heights of 1 mm (A1) and 3 mm (A2), and ball attachments with heights of 1 mm (B1) and 3 mm (B2). All materials were assumed to be homogeneous, isotropic, and linearly elastic. Complete osseointegration was simulated using bonded contact conditions. A mesh convergence test was performed, and mesh refinement continued until the change in peak von Mises stress between successive mesh refinements was <5%. A static vertical load of 100 N was applied at the central occlusal fossa of the first molar under unilateral and bilateral loading conditions. Stress distribution was evaluated qualitatively and quantitatively using von Mises stress analysis. Statistical Analysis Used: No statistical analysis was performed. Stress distribution was compared descriptively using qualitative stress distribution patterns and quantitative von Mises stress values generated by the finite element models. Results: Under unilateral loading, stresses were concentrated predominantly on the working side, with the implant neck serving as the principal site of stress concentration. Increasing attachment height increased stress magnitudes in both bar and ball attachment systems under unilateral and bilateral loading conditions. Overall, stress concentrations were greatest at the implant neck, followed by the implant body and apical region. Cortical bone consistently exhibited higher stress values than cancellous bone across all models. Conclusion: Within the limitations of this finite element study, attachment height and splinting configuration influenced peri-implant stress distribution. Increased attachment height was associated with greater stress magnitudes in both attachment systems.

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the impact and challenges of emergency remote teaching faced by the dental faculty during the first and the second wave of COVID-19 in India. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive questionnaire study was carried out consisting of two surveys. Data for the first questionnaire was recruited from 135 faculty members engaged in online teaching and comprised details about sociodemographic, designation, teaching experience, online teaching practices, perceptions, and challenges faced by the faculty members during online teaching during the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic in India. Categorical variables were reported as counts and percentages. Group comparisons were made with the Chi-square test. The same participants were given the second questionnaire to access their efficacy in overcoming the challenges faced by them during the second wave. Results: 54.8% of the participants were female. 46.7% of respondents were Professors by designation. Variation was evident for the personal, technical, financial barriers and challenges caused by students' attitude with designation as a variable. 67.4% of the participants devoted extra time to prepare their lectures. 62.2% of the faculty faced network issues. 53.3% of the faculty reported increased expenditure on data. Maximum challenges were seen in the category based on students' attitude which deteriorated the quality of the lectures. 74.1% of the teachers agreed that online teaching was better for theoretical learning. There was not much difference observed in the response regarding personal barriers among faculty members with gender as a variable in the first wave, but notable differences were seen for technical barriers, especially lack of formal training. During second-wave study, Internet connectivity still remained a barrier. Conclusion: Challenges faced by the faculty members regarding online learning decreased in the second wave as compared to the first wave, but network connectivity and students' attitude remained an issue. Scope of theoretical online teaching was perceived to be better as compared to practical teaching.