Pakistan Heart Journal

Patient Confidence, Convincement & Positive Attitude Influencing the Quality Radio Visuographic Images

2025-09-10

Introduction: Patient motivation and counseling play a key role in obtaining high-quality radiographs, as patient cooperation directly affects diagnostic accuracy. Age, education, and occupation are important factors that may influence the quality of radiographic outcomes. Materials and Methods: A total of 150 patients were included in the study and divided into three age groups: 18–29 years, 30–44 years, and above 45 years. Information regarding their education and occupation was also collected. All patients underwent radiographic procedures, and the quality of the radiographs was carefully assessed. Procedure: Patients were given proper instructions and counseling prior to radiographic exposure to improve their understanding and cooperation. Radiographs were then evaluated for clarity, positioning, and overall diagnostic value, and findings were compared across different groups. Results: The study showed that patients above 45 years had radiographs of comparatively lower quality when compared with the younger age groups. Education and occupation were also observed to influence patient cooperation and the resulting radiographic quality. Conclusion: Patient age, education, and occupation significantly affect the quality of radiographs. Older patients demonstrated more difficulty in producing good-quality radiographs. This highlights the importance of patient motivation and counseling as effective measures to enhance cooperation and achieve reliable diagnostic imaging.

Keywords: Patient Confidence, Positive Attitude, Radio Visuographic Images, Motivation, Counseling, Diagnostic Imaging

A Study To Evaluate The Effect Of Sterilization And Disinfection On Tensile Strength Of Orthodontic Elastomers

2025-09-01

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Sterilization refers to a process that eliminates all living organisms, including both pathogenic and non-pathogenic entities, in their vegetative state or as spores found the exterior of the material intended for sterilization. Throughout the years, the predominant methods of physical heat sterilization utilized practices in dentistry have included saturated steam, dry heat and chemical vapour. The processes of sterilization and disinfections are fundamental elements of any infection control program within a healthcare environment. Although elastomeric chains and intraoral elastics are widely accepted and utilized, there remains a degree of uncertainty regarding their mechanical and biological characteristics following sterilization and disinfection procedures.

Material and methods: A sample of 60 orthodontic elastomers were collected. These samples were further divided into two groups, as elastomeric chain and intraoral elastics. Each group will be further subdivided into 6 sub-groups depending upon the different sterilization and disinfectant methods - Control Group; 2% Glutaraldehyde; 70% Alcohol; 1% Peracetic acid; Hot Water (70°); and Autoclave. The samples were tested for evaluation of tensile strength in a Universal Testing Machine. The data collected underwent statistical analysis.

Results:The study showed that in Elastomeric Chain group, there was a statistically meaningful difference in Control Group versus 1% Peracetic Acid and Autoclave with respect to tensile strength. In Intraoral Elastics group, there was a statistically meaningful difference in tensile strength between the control group versus 2% glutaraldehyde, 1% peracetic acid and hot water.

Conclusion:The statistically significant differences observed in study regarding the disinfection and sterilization of orthodontic elastomers lead us to conclude that alcohol, 2% glutaraldehyde and hot water were suitable for the sterilization of Elastomeric Chains, while alcohol and autoclaving were appropriate for Intraoral Elastics.

Keywords: Elastomeric Chain; Intraoral elastics; Sterilization; Disinfection; Orthodontic elastomers.

Comparative Evaluation Of Effect Of Curing Lights On Shear Bond Strength And Ari Of Different Adhesive Materials: An In Vitro Study

2025-09-01

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Orthodontists initially used bands to straighten teeth, but banding was intensive and prone to obstacles. With the advent of adhesives, the ideal adhesive should have optimal bond strength that can withstand orthodontic forces and leaving minimal residual after debonding.

Material and methods: This study comprised of 60 non-carious human premolars using three adhesive materials and six subgroups of LED curing lights (Low Intensity and High Intensity). Each subgroup had 10 samples bonded with metal brackets on the buccal surface using different adhesives at varying intensities and times. The specimens were tested for SBS using a UTM machine at 1mm/min, and the maximum load required to debond the bracket was recorded. Fracture modes were evaluated using a stereomicroscope.

Results:SBS was significantly higher in groups using high-intensity LED curing light, with Enlight having the highest, followed by Transbond XT and Heliosit. Low-intensity LED curing light showed a similar pattern, resulting in low ARI scores while high-intensity LED curing light increased them.

Conclusion:Both high-intensity and low-intensity LED curing lights bonded effectively, with no significant difference in SBS and ARI. High-intensity LED curing lights are recommended for time savings, patient, and orthodontist comfort.

Keywords: Bonding, Banding, SBS, LED and ARI.

A Study Comparing The Reliability And Accuracy Of Various Cephalometric Softwares To Hand Tracings

2025-09-01

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Cephalometry is extensively used indiagnosis, planning & evaluation of craniofacial development and growth. Both manual and digital techniques can be used to perform cephalometric tracings.

Material and methods: A sample of 40 pre-treatment lateral cephalograms of the individuals were traced manually on the lead acetate sheets and 23 cephalometric measurements were obtained. The soft copies of the same 40 lateral cephalogramswere imported to three computer-aided softwares i.e. NemoCeph, AutoCEPH, UniCeph; the same landmarks used in manual tracing were marked in the digital tracing softwares and the measurements were computed. The collected data was then tabulated, analyzed and subjected to statistical tests.

Results: All the 23 parameters tested using NemoCeph tracing software showed significant correlation with manual tracings while 22 out of 23 parameters tested using AutoCEPH tracing software showed significant correlationexcept linear measurement i.e. LI to A-Pog line. 22 out of 23 parameters tested using UniCeph tracing software showed significant correlation with manual tracing except angular measurement i.e. UI to SN Angle.

Conclusion: The digital cephalometric tracings using all three cephalometric softwares were as reliable and accurate as manual tracings.

Keywords: Lateral cephalogram, manual cephalometric tracings, digital cephalometric tracings, NemoCeph, AutoCEPH, UniCeph