Perfect health is a prize that has been the goal of mankind throughout all ages. Nutrition provides substrates essential for expression of genetic heritage. It follows therefore, that nutrition might influence the occurrence and severity of degenerative diseases that are associated with aging. Nutritional problems may result from changes associated with aging process itself, from disease or other medical conditions, from interactions with medications, or from all of these. This review summarizes articles that describe the changes in diet associated with aging.

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Combination syndrome, first identified by Kelly in 1972, is found in patients wearing a complete maxillary denture, opposing a mandibular distal extension prosthesis. The group of complications occurring in these patients are interlinked to one another and collectively represent a syndrome. The manifestations include flabby tissues in the anterior part of the maxillary ridge, tilting of the occlusal plane posteriorly downwards, supraeruption of lower anteriors, fibrous overgrowth of tissues in maxillary tuberosities, resorption in mandibular distal extension area and decreased vertical dimension of occlusion. Treatment modality is determined by the apparent potential of the patient to develop the combination syndrome and the condition of the remaining mandibular anterior teeth. Predictable prognosis is offered by overdentures, especially for patients who already have the syndrome and using fixed mandibular prosthesis over implants placed immediately after dental extractions.

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Determining vertical dimension has remained a matter of clinical judgement. Many methods have been advocated for the same. This study was conducted to assess the reliability of conventional methods in obtaining the vertical dimension. The determined vertical dimension was verified using pre extraction cephalometric radiographs. There was a decrease (-2.5 mm) in vertical dimension, which was statistically very significant. Middle face height showed the maximum reduction. Measurements from base of the nose to chin could be significantly correlated with cephalometric measurements. The conventional methods are not reliable to obtain the vertical dimension, which existed before extraction.

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Silane coupling agents belong to a class of organosilane compounds having at least two reactive groups of different types, bonded to the silicon atom in a molecule. One of the reactive groups (eg. methoxy, ethoxy and silanolic hydroxy groups) reacts with various inorganic materials such as glass, metals, silica, sand and the like, to form a chemical bond with the surface of the inorganic material, while the other of the reactive groups (e.g., vinyl, epoxy, methacryl, amino and mercapto groups) is reactive with various kinds of organic materials or synthetic resins to form a chemical bond. As a result of possessing these two types of reactive groups, silanes are capable of providing chemical bonding between an organic material and an inorganic material. This unique property of silanes is utilized for the surface treatment of glass fiber products, performance improvement of fiber-reinforced plastics by the direct admixture to the synthetic resin, improvement of paints and other coating materials and adhesives, modification of surface properties of inorganic fillers, surface priming of various substrate materials, etc. Dental materials offer a continuously challenging forum for silanes and silanes will play an essential role in material development This overview presents a description of silanes, their chemistry, properties, use and some of the main clinical experiences in dentistry. The majority of clinical results pointed to silanes playing a significant role in the adhesion process.

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Amelogenesis Imperfecta is a dental condition that affects only the enamel, as it is an entirely ectodermal disturbance. A 16-year-old individual presented with discolored natural dentition. Composite restorations were fabricated for the maxillary and mandibular anterior teeth and metal-ceramic crowns were cemented on the posterior teeth. The final treatment result provided the patient with improved dental aesthetics that enhanced his self-image.

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Context: Dental implantology is the state of the art technique to replace missing teeth. Crestal bone loss along implant surface jeopardizes its longevity and success of treatment. Aims: This study evaluates the implant stability and the crestal bone loss along the implant surface six months after the implant placement, but before prosthetically loading it. Materials and Methods: 100 two-stage implants were placed in 56 patients. Digital OPG was taken on the day of implant placement. After six months, at the time of second stage surgery, the implant stability was evaluated by the Periotest instrument. The crestal bone loss on the mesial and distal side of the implant was evaluated on digital OPG. Results: Six months after the implant placement, Periotest evaluation showed a mean of 1.9, which indicated that implants were well osseointegrated and stable. Radiographic evaluation on digital OPG showed a mean crestal bone loss of 0.6mm on the mesial side of implant and 0.9 mm on distal side of implant. Conclusions: Even before prosthetically loading the two-stage implant, crestal bone loss of 0.6 to 0.9mm occurred around the implant. The smooth polished collar design of the implant may have contributed to crestal bone loss.

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A comprehensive oral and dental screening should be part of the pre-treatment workup of patients with cancer, especially those who have head and neck tumors. This screening needs to be performed by a Prosthodontist who is familiar with the pathologic process of disease and the type of treatment being rendered; and who comprehends the morbidities associated with eradicating malignancy. Oftentimes, this is a specially trained prosthodontist. According to WHO statistics, individuals living in the Indian subcontinent have the highest prevalence of oral and upper aero-digestive tract malignancies. The afflicted may develop oral complications of cancer treatment, especially from systemic chemotherapy and head and neck radiation therapy. The trend toward people maintaining their teeth longer, coupled with the rising age of the population, suggest that dentists may frequently be treating patients with cancer and should be informed about the aspects of oncologic care that will affect oral health. Unfortunately however, when the cancer curricula of dental schools was investigated, it was found that deficits in "oncologic dentistry" education included failure to provide practical clinical oncology experience in diagnosis, the decision-making process, referral procedures, management of oral complications of cancer therapy, maxillofacial rehabilitation; and psychosocial training in oncology. This article is intended as a primer for prosthodontists, most of whom undoubtedly will need to deal with cancer patients. It is suggested that the prosthodontic curriculum in India include all aspects of "oncologic dentistry."

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A conventional complete denture can be a successful treatment for many edentulous patients, but situations may arise, particularly in the mandible, where they do not satisfy the patient's need. The problem of denture breakage for one reason or another, is as old as the denture service itself. Midline fracture of the mandibular denture is very common in daily practice. A 58-year-old, completely edentulous, male diabetic patient with repetitive mandibular denture fractures, had been reported to department of Prosthodontics, K.L.E.S Institute of Dental Sciences, Belgaum. On examination, mandibular anterior denture bearing area was flabby. Hence, considering the patient's dental and medical history, an innovative technique was used. Weight, resistance to midline fracture and sufficient available denture thickness for subsequent relining are desirable, which can be achieved with this technique.

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Implants have gained tremendous popularity in modern dental practice and their placement in the edentulous region for the prosthetic reconstruction has become routine. Four essential steps in the use of dental implants, are careful selection of the patient, correct choice of the implant, proper surgical technique and precise prosthetic replacement. The operator's knowledge and skills have a significant role in each of these steps and each step is as important as others. Neglect in any one can result in iatrogenically induced damage. This article describes some of the commonly occurring iatrogenically induced complications during implant surgery and provides some guidelines to prevent the same.

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Maxillofacial prosthodontics is an art and science which provides life- like appearance to the disfigured person. Even if this person is left out and considers himself inferior in the society, a prosthodontist helps him out and provides a better place in the society. Here, we are presenting a case of hemimandibulectomy, where the economical replacement was needed. Cheek prosthesis is fabricated by using a thermoplastic material to provide and improve adhesive qualities to the prosthesis.

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The masticatory system is extremely complex. It is made up primarily of bones, muscles, ligaments and teeth. Normally, the physical examination of the masticatory muscles and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) involves thorough muscle palpation, palpation, auscultation for TMJ sounds and measurement of mandibular range of motion. A trained clinician who uses palpation and a stethoscope, typically performs this assessment. One of the characteristic features of many patients with temporomandibular disorders, is joint sound. A widely used method for joint sound detection, is the clinical examination of the joint with light finger palpation of the TMJ during motion and stethoscope auscultation, as needed.

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