Foundation University Journal of Dentistry

Effectiveness of Platelet Rich Fibrin in the Management of Pain and Healing of Dry Socket

Haleema Bibi — 2025-01-22

Alveolar osteitis, also known as dry socket, is a common unwanted complication related to tooth extractions, frequently seen among females, especially in the mandibular teeth. Many treatment options to tackle this post-op complication have been used ranging from a less conservative to a radical surgical option with new developments being made.

One such recent development has been the use of platelet-rich fibrin, which is also used for many other oral surgical procedures with promising and positive results. One such case has been presented and documented with a 50-year-old female who presented with radiating post-op pain following 3 days after the extraction of her mandibular premolar. Segregated platelet-rich fibrin was extracted from the patient’s blood and placed in the socket, secured with sutures. There was a remarkable decrease in her post-op pain by the 7th day with a complete recovery within 10 days.

Smarter Smiles: Revolutionizing Oral Health with Artificial Intelligence (AI) Gadgets

Fizza Sahar Anwar — 2025-01-22

Awareness and Knowledge of Maxillofacial Prostheses Among Dental Practitioners and Students

Hafsa Ijaz — 2025-01-22

Objectives: The aim of the study was to determine the awareness and knowledge of maxillofacial prostheses among dental students and house officers in a Tertiary Dental Healthcare facility in Islamabad, Pakistan.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 300 dental students and dental house officers at a Prosthodontics Department of a private dental college in Islamabad from August 2022 to October 2022 after obtaining approval from the Institutional Review Board. Sampling was done using a non-probability consecutive sampling technique. Data collection involved questioning the participants through a questionnaire designed for this study. SPSS V-25 was used to analyze data.
Results: Out of 300 participants 181 (60.3%) participants were BDS students while 119 (39.7%) were dental house officers in this study. 80.7% of students and house officers were aware of the aspects of maxillofacial prosthodontics including the scope and design. Social media proved a popular aid for the participants to gain insight [200 (66.7%)] followed by information gathered from other dentists which was 52 (17.3%). Participants were not completely aware of the different sources and types of maxillofacial prostheses.
Conclusion: House officers and dental students are not completely aware of various aspects of maxillofacial prostheses which include the types and identification of prostheses, the role of the Prosthodontist, the rehabilitation of the patients, and referring patients to a hospital.

Oral Health Status of Visually Impaired Adolescents in Schools of Karachi

Umeed Jawaid — 2025-01-22

Objectives: The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the oral hygiene condition, gingival index, and DMFT (Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth) among visually impaired adolescents aged 12-18 years, and to explore the factors that influence these parameters.
Materials and Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2022 to April 2023 at four distinct special schools/institutions for visually impaired children located in Karachi, Pakistan. A total of 234 visually impaired children, with ages ranging from 12 to 18 years, were enrolled in this study. To analyze, the data was categorized into binary data. DMFT < 3 and >3, OHI <1.8 and >1.8, GI <1 and >1. The SPSS version 21 was used to perform statistical analysis of the data.
Results: Out of total participants, 55.1% reported brushing their teeth once a day, while 44.9% reported brushing their teeth twice or more. Majority of participants had an OHI-S score of ? 1.8 and an OHI-S score of <1. OHI-S > 1.8 was less frequent in females than in males, GI >1 was more frequent when the year of education in school increases.
Conclusion: Within the limitations of this study, it can be inferred that most of the children displayed inadequate oral hygiene, as observed in their oral health condition. There is a need for regular school-based oral health programs to train teachers, parents, and guardians to improve oral health related quality of life of visually impaired children.

Open v/s Closed Surgical Exposure Technique for Impacted Maxillary Canine Surgical and Orthodontic Perspective

Maimoona Siddiq — 2025-01-22

Objectives: To compare open and closed surgical exposure techniques for impacted maxillary canines in terms of postoperative pain, dislodgement of bonding bracket, food impaction, and overall patient satisfaction

Materials and Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted at Dental College HITEC (IMS) Taxilla Cantt for 18 months, from 1st Aug 2020 to 31st Jan 2022. The sample size for the study was 32, which was calculated using the Open EPI Sample Size Calculator, with a confidence level of 95% and prevalence of impacted canine as 1.2%. A nonprobability (purposive) sampling technique was used and the patients were screened from the OPD of the Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Department, who were candidates for surgical exposure of impacted canine followed by orthodontic traction. They were divided into two groups, group A was surgically exposed with an open surgical technique, and group B patients were exposed via closed surgical technique. The outcome of both techniques was compared in terms of postoperative pain, complaint of food impaction at the surgical site and dislodgment of the bonding device.

Results: A total of 32 patients, and 58 impacted maxillary canines were treated with open and closed surgical exposure technique, postoperative outcome of both techniques were compared. Pain on postoperative day 2, according to Visual Analogue Scale, was moderate in 10 patients and severe in 6 for group A. Group B patients had mild pain in 10 patients while 6 had moderate pain. The orthodontic bonding device was dislodged in 6 patients of Group A and in 1 patient of Group B. 12 patients from Group A and 3 from Group B complained of food impaction at the site of surgical exposure.
Conclusion: The closed surgical exposure technique was found to be more beneficial and superior when compared with the open surgical technique in terms of postoperative pain, food impaction at the exposure site, and dislodgment of the traction device.

The Influence of Vertical Canine Position on Smile Esthetics: A Comparative Perception Based Study Among Orthodontists and Laypersons

Nasira Adnan — 2025-01-22

Objective: The research investigates the unique effect of altering vertical canine positions on smile esthetics, focusing on a comparative analysis of perceptions between orthodontic professionals and laypersons.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional comparative study was conducted in Armed Forces Institute of Dentistry, Rawalpindi from September 2020 till August 2023. Hundred respondents were chosen to evaluate five smile photographs. Each photo, derived from a standard close-up, digitally modified to adjust the vertical position of canine tooth in 0.5mm increments. Respondents were tasked with rating the attractiveness of each image on a visual analog scale, ranging from one to five.
Results: Orthodontist rated image A at 2 out of 5 (42%) and rating of 4 out of 5 by laypeople (36%) (P<0.000). Image B was rated 4 out of 5 by both orthodontist (48%) and laypeople (34%) (P=0.002). Image C received the highest score of 5 out of 5 from both orthodontist (66%) and laypeople (42%) (P=0.031). Image D garnered rating of 2 out of 5 from orthodontist (48%) and 3 out of 5 from laypeople (32%) (P<0.001). Image E rated 1 by 37 orthodontists and 15 laypersons. Most orthodontist (74%) rated image E as 1 and layperson 2 (32%) out of 5 respectively (P<0.001).
Conclusion: Orthodontists exhibited higher sensitivity in evaluating smile esthetics compared to laypersons. The 0.5mm vertical intrusion of canine was perceived to be most attractive.

Have We Learned from The Past and Are We Ready for The Future? Online Teaching and Learning in Clinical Dental Education

Amna Farrukh — 2025-01-22

Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic compelled global educational institutions to shift to online teaching. In developing countries like Pakistan, this transition presented unique challenges. This research aims to explore the perceptions and challenges faced by faculty members engaged in online teaching, particularly in the context of clinical education, in Pakistan.
Materials and Methods: This is a qualitative, exploratory study. It seeks to analyze the experiences of medical institution that implemented online instruction for the first time during the COVID-19 pandemic. The lack of information prompted the use of descriptive phenomenology. The descriptive phenomenology assisted the participants in articulating their relevant observations, perspectives, and “lived experience”. Each of the four groups consisted of six participants with online teaching experience and included both faculty members of basic sciences and clinicals. The acquisition of data consisted of semi-structured, open-ended interviews lasting approximately 60 to 90 minutes until data saturation was reached.
Results: The data analysis revealed significant themes related to online teaching. Faculty members identified challenges that affected the academic credibility of students and highlighted the need for adapting teaching methodologies for cognitive and skill-based learning outcomes. The absence of divergent perspectives among faculty members was evident.
Conclusion: The research concludes that faculty encountered diverse challenges while adapting to online teaching in a developing country. Tailored strategies for active student engagement, learning from developed countries, and adopting blended learning can facilitate successful integration. Continuous improvement and understanding unique challenges enable educators and policymakers to enhance online education quality in developing nations, promoting effective knowledge dissemination during future crises.

Predatory Journals and Publishers: Understanding Researchers’ Knowledge and Perception Towards Predatory Publishing

Aisha Wali — 2025-01-22

Objectives: This study aimed to understand the researchers’ Knowledge and Motivation Towards Predatory Publishing.
Materials and Methods: The convenience sampling method was selected and all the faculty members and research scholars from Medical, Dental, and Allied Health Sciences Departments of the University . Participants who were absent on the day of data collection were excluded from the study. A pre-validated questionnaire prepared by Cobey et al was used and it was then peer-reviewed by the subject specialists for content validity and relevance. The questionnaire consists of participants’ demographics, participants’ perceptions, and experience in publishing in predatory journals.
Results: Out of the 150 survey respondents, 39 individuals (26%) indicated the existence of a formal policy regarding publication in predatory journals. Additionally, 29 participants (19.3%) acknowledged that they were aware the journal to which they submitted their work was predatory. Furthermore, 72 respondents (48%) indicated that they used the online submission platform to submit their manuscripts to the journal.
Conclusion: The study’s findings suggested that most of the participants lacked awareness of predatory journals and exhibited a challenge distinguishing between predatory and reputable scholarly publications.

Regenerative Endodontics in Pakistan: A Survey of Dental Specialists’ Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices

Sheraz Muhammad Khan — 2025-01-22

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the awareness, attitudes, and practices regarding regenerative endodontic procedures (REPs) among dental clinicians in Pakistan. The focus was on understanding clinicians’ knowledge of REPs, their perceptions of its efficacy compared to traditional methods, and their practical approaches to managing immature necrotic permanent teeth.
Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional survey involved 178 dental clinicians from various specialties, including endodontics, Pediatric dentistry, Orthodontics, Prosthodontics, Periodontics, Oral Surgeons and general practice. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire covering demographics, knowledge, attitudes, and clinical practices related to REPs. Statistical analysis was performed to identify trends and significant associations.
Results: The survey revealed that 66.3% of participants believed there is sufficient evidence supporting REPs, and 83.1% considered REPs superior to apexification. Most clinicians (73.6%) preferred REPs over Osseo-integrated implants for managing immature necrotic permanent teeth, though 58.4% would refer these cases to endodontists. For disinfection, 41% favoured a combination of antibiotics and calcium hydroxide, while 48.3% relied on clinical guidelines from the American Association of Endodontists (AAE) and published literature for their protocols. Despite high levels of knowledge and positive attitudes towards REPs, practical gaps were identified, indicating a need for further training and standardized clinical guidelines.
Conclusion: Dental clinicians in Pakistan exhibit good knowledge and positive attitudes towards REPs. However, practical implementation shows variability, underscoring the need for enhanced education and standardized protocols to ensure optimal clinical outcomes in regenerative endodontics.