The problem of adjusting to old age in our modern society is becoming extremely difficult owing to the high values placed on youth, beauty and virility. For the aged themselves, these are frustrating years. They realize that they are beyond their productive peak and many of their ideas, goals, ambitions, hopes can never be attained. It is unfortunate that the geriatric patient generally needs most of the necessary dental and medical services at an age when he is least able to tolerate and afford them. The dental problems of geriatric patients present in the prosthodontic clinic differ because of the psychological factors always associated with them. The clinician should understand the psychological part of a dental problem of a geriatric patient because it always influences the decision making and treatment plan. An attempt has been made in this article to review these psychological factors and critically analyze their influence in dental treatment plan.

Polished dentures obtained from the laboratory require adjustment during insertion. A smooth surface on acrylic resin can be obtained using a chairside protocol for polishing using silicone polishing agents and polishing media. The aim of this paper is to study the effect of three different polishing agents-pumice, universal polishing paste and Brite-O on the surface finish and hardness of two types of denture base acrylic resins-auto polymerizing and heat-activated acrylic resin materials.

This study investigated the effect of two welding methods on the mechanical properties of a cobalt-chromium (Co-Cr) alloy for metal base framework.

Fifty-four plates were cast for TIG and laser welding. Cobalt-chromium for plates were prepared and divided into three groups of 18 samples. Group 1 and 2 were cut at the center of the plate. Eighteen specimens were joint by using TIG (Primotec Phaser Mx1), and other 18 by laser (Nd:YAG laser). Specimens in the as-cast condition were used as control group (group 3). After joining, each specimen was microscopic analyzed and tested to flexural and dynamic failure. Failure loads were recorded and fracture strength calculated.

The changes in microstructure and micro-hardness were studied in the heat-affected zones (HAZ) and unaffected zones. Micro- hardness values increased in the heat-affected zone (HAZ) and in welded material compared to the parent material. The ANOVA test showed a highly significant difference (α = 0.05) between the joint strengths of the as-cast control specimens and, TIG and laser-welded joints. The flexural and dynamic strength of the joints were higher than those for the TIG-welded joints, and both were higher than the laser-welded joint strengths for the tested Co-Cr alloy.

Although laser is more popular, in our research TIG showed better results for flexural and dynamic strength.

This work was undertaken to investigate the effect of adding sapphire (aluminium oxide) or silver filler particles on the flexural strength, thermal diffusivity and water sorption of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) resin.

A total of 90 samples were fabricated and divided into three groups (n = 30): Group I-PMMA (control), group II- PMMA with sapphire fillers and group III-PMMA with silver fillers. Each group samples were divided into three subgroups (n=10) according to the properties evaluated. Sub group I: Flexural strength samples (rectangular bars of 65 ⨯ 10 ⨯ 2.5 mm dimensions), sub group II: Thermal diffusivity samples (cylindrical shaped of 9 ⨯ 9 mm dimensions) and sub group III: Water sorption samples (disk shaped of dimensions 50 ⨯ 0.5 mm). Results were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and Bonferroni correction tests (p < 0.05).

The mean flexural strength of group II (116.5 MPa) was significantly higher while that of group III (77.91 MPa) significantly lower than the control group (88.63 MPa). The mean thermal diffusivities of both group II (0.079 mm/sec) and III (0.123 mm/sec) were found to be significantly higher than the control group (0.062 mm/sec). Both group II (0.59 mg/cm) and group III (0.53 mg/cm) showed significantly less mean water sorption than the control group (0.65 mg/cm).

As compared to silver fillers, sapphire fillers are purported to be better fillers for the reinforcement of polymethylmethacrylate resin. This is because they have potential as added components in denture bases to provide increased flexural strength, thermal diffusivity and decreased water sorption.

Fluorides are probably the most commonly used anticaries agents. Due to this property they are incorporated into various restorative materials. The rate and amount of fluoride release, however, vary for different materials, which in turn determines the effectiveness of the restorative material in preventing demineralization around the restoration. To evaluate the fluoride release and area of demineralization of resin modified glass ionomers and compomers, and compare them with conventional glass ionomer cement and also to evaluate the relationship between the fluoride release and demineralization.

A total of 32 human incisors were chosen and sectioned horizontally at CEJ, and the middle 2 mm of facial enamel isolated and restored with the test materials: Conventional glass ionomer cement (GIC), resin modified glass ionomer cement (RMGIC), compomer and resin composite. The specimens were observed under polarized light microscope with image analyzer to measure the area and depth of demineralization.

For fluoride release study, disks of test materials were suspended in deionized water and fluoride release was measured till a period of 4 days.

The area and depth of demineralization were least around the GIC, followed by RMGIC, compomer and composite (p < 0.05). A negative correlation was found between fluoride release and demineralization which was, however, not statistically significant.

The 4-day fluoride release was also higher for GIC as compared to RMGIC and Compomer.

Mastication is a highly coordinated neuromuscular function involving fast effective movements of the jaw and continuous modulation of force. In older subjects these mechanisms act with marked differences. They have a reduced capacity in various functions of stomatognathic system.

To evaluate the elevator and depressor muscle activity with and without complete denture prosthesis.

For the purpose of the study 12 patients between the age of 40 and 70 years were selected. Surface electrodes from the electromyographic unit were placed in the region of right and left anterior temporal muscles, Masseter muscle and depressor muscle at the region of anterior belly of digastric and the electromyographic activity was recorded.

The obtained values were subjected to statistical analysis. A paired t- test was performed to determine the difference between the subjects with and without denture prosthesis.

The elevator muscles showed higher activity in subjects wearing the denture prosthesis when compared to those without denture prosthesis. No significant change in muscle activity was seen on maximal opening of the depressor muscle between the subjects with and without denture prosthesis.

Anhydrotic ectodermal dysplasia is a rare congenital disease that can affect several ectodermal structures, such as hair, teeth, skin, nails, sweat and sebaceous glands. It is commonly a difficult condition to manage with prosthodontics because of the typical oral deficiencies and also patients are quite young when they are evaluated for treatment. This clinical report describes the management of two brothers affected by ectodermal dysplasia, prosthodontically. It is important that these patients should get dental treatment at an early stage for physiologic and psychosocial reasons. Dental treatment can vary depending upon the severity of the disease. This case report describes the use of removable partial dentures to replace congenitally missing teeth, and composite resin material to restore the conical maxillary central incisors to achieve a favorable esthetic result. This approach rehabilitates patients without sacrificing healthy dental tissues.

Acquired facial defects may cause functional and psychological impairments that adversely affect a patient's quality of life. Restoration of facial defects can be accomplished surgically, prosthetically or by using a combination of both the methods. The choice depends on many factors, like size, location of the defect and the age of the patient. Reduced vascularity, increased fibrosis and scarring of tissues bordering the defect increase the risk of complications associated with reconstruction. Maxillofacial prostheses have the advantage of not only improving the patient's appearance but also enabling early rehabilitation. This unusual case report details an attempt to rehabilitate a patient who has undergone total maxillectomy and orbital exenteration with the aid of intraoral obturator prosthesis and an extraoral orbital and cheek prosthesis.

The use of overdenture abutments under removable partial dentures to preserve alveolar bone and provide support is well established, but there is little evidence of their use under fixed partial dentures. There exist a variety of clinical situations in which teeth or roots with questionable prognosis cannot be utilized as abutments for fixed partial dentures. In such situations these teeth/roots can be preserved under fixed prosthesis to provide vertical support and delay bone loss. The following report describes technical considerations, advantages and limitations of this treatment modality.

Denture stomatitis is a relatively common oral mycotic infection occurring in partial or complete denture wearers. Candida albicans is one of the principal etiological factors, with number of local or systemic co-factors influencing the occurrence. While an array of agents are involved in the occurrence and progression of the lesion, one could not expect monotony in the treatment modality. Spectrum of treatment modes have been practised to manage denture stomatitis, which include proper maintenance of oral and denture hygiene to systemic antifungal medication. Here we present a case of denture stomatitis, successfully treated with diode laser with 6 months follow-up.

Planning and executing the restorative rehabilitation of a severely worn dentition is probably one of the most intellectually and technically demanding tasks faced by the restorative dentist. This article describes the rehabilitation of a 55-year-old male patient with severe loss of tooth structure. The maxillary arch was restored using fixed restorations and the mandibular arch using the integration of fixed and removable prosthodontics. The integration of fixed and removable prosthodontics in a partially dentate patient poses a challenge as well as an opportunity for the use of a partial overdenture.

Cranial defects can be broadly classified as congenital and acquired defects. Among the congenital defects, encephalocele is the most common cause while trauma, infections and tumors form the bulk of the acquired skull defects. There has been large number of cranial injuries occurring in this modern age requiring the skull reconstruction not only for rehabilitating the skull cosmesis but also improving the neurological status of the patient. The reconstruction of the cranial defects using alloplastic materials opens a new field for the prosthodontist, in which he can render a worth-while health service to the society. This article illustrates a case report of neuroprosthetic rehabilitation of a patient who had a road traffic accident sustaining multiple bone fractures, including skull followed by decompressive craniectomy and cranioplasty using a Titanium cranial prosthesis with prosthodontists and neurosurgeons working as a team, thereby improving his neurological status and cosmesis.

Over the last three decades orthognathic surgery has become a routine procedure for the correction of facial deformation. People have become aware and more concerned about the maxillofacial deformation. Surgery of the facial skeleton involves complex three-dimensional movements based on a series of nonsurgical procedures. Bimaxillary osteotomies, which change the occlusal level to improve function and enhance physical appearance, requires to be planned preoperatively with the help of model surgery. This paper explains the procedure of model surgery using an semiadjustable articulator, along with fabrication of the wafer.