To identify the current materials, design, communication and disinfection status followed by the dental laboratories in India regarding fixed prosthodontics.

A prepiloted anonymous questionnaire containing 27 questions related to fixed prosthodontics was send to 472 laboratories in India. Information was obtained regarding procedure and materials for fixed prosthesis, die technique, accuracy of casts, design, communication, shade selection and disinfection practices followed by the laboratories. Questionnaire data were entered into a computer and analyzed using SPSS version 12.0 (SPSS, Inc, Chicago, IL, USA).

Two hundred and sixteen of 472 dental laboratories responded (45.76% response rate). Most common pontic design in both arches was ridge lap. One hundred and fifty-four (71.29%) laboratories presented that most of the casts were not articulated. Majority of impression (66.20%) received are not accurate enough for laboratories to do their best work. One hundred and eighty (82.8%) laboratories have stated that less than 25% casts were disinfected. Most of the dentists (65.74%) were not sending work authorization form and those who were sending are not complete enough (63.42%).

The finding in this study indicated the weakness in technique and design of fixed prosthesis along with poor communication between dentists and laboratories in India.

Singh BP, Singh K, Singh N, Agrawal KK, Kumar L, Kumari R. Current Trends and Practices Followed by Dental Technicians and Dentists in Fixed Crown and Bridges in India: A Cross-sectional Survey. Int J Prosthodont Restor Dent 2013;3(2):43-49.

The retention qualities of acetal resin clasps are questionable.

To asses the initial retention and after cycling for 1,200 cycles of acetal resin clasps as compared to cobalt-chromium clasps.

Extracted maxillary first premolars and molars were collected. Each tooth was embedded in acrylic block up to the cementoenamel junction. On each block, partial denture model consisted of Akers clasp, minor connector, cobalt-chromium horizontal plate representing the denture base, and a vertical arm on the horizontal plate was constructed. Models were divided into four groups (five each). Group I had acetal resin clasps on premolars. Group II had cobalt-chromium clasps on premolars. Group III had acetal resin clasps on molars. Group IV had cobalt-chromium clasps on molars. Akers clasps were designed to utilize 0.01 inch undercut. Each model was connected to the universal testing machine through the vertical arm. The model was placed in artificial saliva and a tensile load was applied to measure the initial retention. Then retention was measured after cycling for 200, 400, 600, 800, 1,000 and 1,200 cycles. One-way analysis of variance followed by Duncan's multiple range test was used to test the effect of groups and cycling on tensile load required for clasp dislodgment.

Groups I and III showed no change in retention on cycling up to 1,200 cycles. Group I showed significantly higher retention than group III. Groups II and IV showed significant reduction in retention upon cycling more than 800 cycles. In spite of this reduction in retention, it is still higher than that in groups I and III.

Cobalt-chromium clasps showed higher retention than acetal resin clasps despite the deformation encountered in the former. Acetal resin clasps showed more retention qualities on premolar teeth than that on molar teeth.

Acetal resin clasps can be used to retain Kennedy's class III partial denture. However, when used on molar teeth, it is recommended to increase the thickness of the retentive clasp arm or to use a deeper undercut.

Mohamed T, Baraka OA, Badawy MM. Comparison between Acetal Resin and Cobalt-Chromium Removable Partial Denture Clasp Retention: An in vitro Study. Int J Prosthodont Restor Dent 2013;3(2):50-56.

Kamble VD. Rehabilitation of Severely Worn Dentition and Partial Edentulism by Fixed and Removable Prostheses: A Clinical Report. Int J Prosthodont Restor Dent 2013;3(2):57-61.

Basavanna JM, Raikhy A. Sectional Denture for Microstomia Patient: A Clinical Report. Int J Prosthodont Restor Dent 2013;3(2):62-67.

Bansal S, Aras M, Chitre V. The Sandwich Denture—A Novel Way to reduce Ridge Resorption. Int J Prosthodont Restor Dent 2013;3(2):68-71.

Lokade J, Wankhade S, Chandak M, Lanjewar A. Guided Tissue Regeneration Principle with Inserts of PerioGlas in Endodontic Surgery: Two Case Reports. Int J Prosthodont Restor Dent 2013;3(2):72-77.

Bulbule NS, Shah J, Kulkarni S, Kakade D. Rehabilitation of a Completely Edentulous Patient using TENS to record Functional Borders and Cheek Plumpers for Esthetics. Int J Prosthodont Restor Dent 2013;3(2):78-82.

A combination of the neutral zone and the polished surface impression techniques is a useful method to reserve the functional and physiological forms of the underlying mandibular residual ridge by enhancing both retention and stability in Malaysian geriatric patients (2-year clinical study).

A total of 25 Malaysian geriatric patients have participated in the current study. Two sets of dentures were served to the patients. The first set was constructed according the conventional method of complete denture construction whereas the second set was constructed by using neutral zone and polished surface impression techniques.

The patients were followed up for 2 years and the obtained results showed that all patients have stopped using the conventional dentures and continued with the test dentures. The comparative analysis exhibited significant difference (p < 0.05) in favor of test dentures.

Combination of the neutral zone and the polished surface techniques can impart a physiological reservation to the underlying residual ridge without changes.

It is common for completely edentulous geriatric patients to have resorbed mandibular residual ridge because of the process of aging. Some surgical interactions are contraindicated for this age group of patients, so, neutral zone technique and/or polished surface impression verified effective in improving stability for lower complete dentures. In spite of the fact that the above mentioned methods often used to enhance stability of complete denture, most of the studies were relying on only one of those methods to improve stability rather than retention. Researcher hypothesis stated that a combination of the neutral zone and the polished surface impression techniques should be performed together to enhance both stability and retention and henceforth reservation of the residual ridge under mandibular complete dentures issued to the patients with a constant follow-up for two consecutive years.

Mustafa AA. Management of Edentulous Resorbed Mandibular Residual Ridge in Malaysian Geriatric Patients: 2-Year Clinical Study. Int J Prosthodont Restor Dent 2013;3(2):83-86.