PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine whether complete dentures improve the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of edentulous patients, and to assess any associations related to age, gender, and OHRQoL. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Hundred edentulous patients who required conventional complete denture treatment were selected for this study. The following inclusion criteria were established: edentulous in both jaws with no previous history of denture treatment and no significant medical history. The patients were selected who satisfied the criteria associated with the class I prosthodoctic diagnostic index. OHRQoL of the patients were assessed twice, once pre treatment (at the first visit) and once post treatment (8 weeks post insertion of dentures) using an instrument called OHIP-EDENT-N. Significant differences in the OHIP-EDENT-N scores between pre treatment and post treatment were calculated using the Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test. Gender differences were assessed using the Mann-Whitney test. RESULTS: After provision of new complete dentures, all domains of the OHIP-EDENT-N showed significant improvements except physical pain and social disability. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicated that conventional complete denture improved the OHRQoL of edentulous patients.BDJ Open (2020) 6:3; https://doi.

BackgroundEstablishment of proper occlusal vertical dimension (OVD) is one of the important tasks for successful prosthodontic therapy. An ideal method for determining OVD in terms of cost, time, and instrument requirements has been sought in prosthodontics by various investigators. However, no such single method has been formulated. In the current anthropometric study, the relationship of the length of the thumb to the OVD was tested in two ethnic groups of Nepal, Aryans, and Mongoloids. The result of this study can be useful in determining proper OVD in edentulous patients.Aims and objectivesThe primary aim of the present study was to evaluate the correlation between the length of the thumb and OVD in Aryan and Mongoloid ethnic groups. The secondary aim was to compare the correlation between OVD and other anatomic measurements (eye–ear distance and pupil-to-rima oris distance) in these ethnicities.Materials and methodsThe OVD, thumb length, eye–ear distance and distance between pupil of eye and rima oris were measured in a total of 500 adult dentulous volunteers. The correlation between OVD and thumb length as well as other anatomic measurements was checked with Pearson’s product moment correlation coefficient. Linear regression analysis was performed to determine the relationship of OVD to the length of the thumb.ResultsThe thumb length was significantly (P≤0.05) correlated with strong and positive values (Pearson’s coefficient =0.874 in the whole population, 0.826 in Aryans, and 0.944 in Mongoloids). Regression analysis showed that thumb length was significantly related to OVD in both ethnic groups.ConclusionWithin the limitations of the present study, the result implies that thumb length can be used as an adjunct for establishing OVD in the edentulous patients.

Establishment of proper occlusal vertical dimension is the important yet daunting task for successful prosthodontic therapy for function, esthetics and comfort to the edentulous patients. In the current study the relationship of various distances between facial landmarks to the OVD was tested in two ethnic groups of Nepal, viz. Aryans and Mongoloids. The result of this study can be useful in determining proper OVD in the patients who have lost the OVD. The aim of the study was to find the correlation between facial landmarks and OVD. Materials and methods: The OVD was measured using a Boley gauge from the prominent part of chin and nose. Other facial landmarks were also measured using the calipers in 200 adult volunteers. Results: The Pearson's product moment correlation coefficient was determined. OVD was significantly (p≤0.05) correlated with rima oris to pupil distance (r = 0.557 in whole population, r = 0.577 in Aryans and 0.466 in Mongoloids). Conclusions: The distance between rima oris to pupil distance has higher correlation to OVD than other facial measurements.

Along with clinical training, encouraging practice of Evidence Based Medicine (EBM) plays a crucial role in training tomorrow’s doctors. Involvement of medical students in research activities is crucial in developing critical thinking, efficient literature-searching, and application of formal rules of evidence in evaluating the clinical literature, and publishing research to contribute to medicine. Though significant progress has been made in the recent years, the concept of student research is relatively new and less implemented in Nepal. Mandatory research in the medical curriculum, electives or dual degree programs can not only promote student research but also enhance better EBM practices among medical professionals. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/hren.v11i3.9660 Health Renaissance 2013;11(3):297-300

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