Nigerian Journal of Restorative Dentistry

Diagnodent in Diagnosis of Early Dental Caries - A Systematic Review

2026-10-02T18:18:01+00:00

Background
Dental caries is a chronic disease which requires early diagnosis. Numerous advanced diagnostic methods have been reported better than the conventional methods. In this systematic review, an attempt was made to evaluate the accuracy of diagnodent in diagnosis of early dental caries compared to other diagnostic methods.

Methods: A literature review was carried out by searching for all articles on the use of diagnodent in detection of early dental caries on the occlusal and interproximal surfaces of premolar and molars from year 2007 to 2024 in PubMed and Cochrane databases. Seven (7) articles that met the inclusion criteria were selected for the systematic review.

Results: Results showed that the sensitivity of diagnodent ranged from 61-92.24% while that of specificity was within the range of 51-96.8%. Hence diagnodent was found to be more accurate in early dental caries detection.

Conclusion: The review showed that laser fluorescence (diagnodent) is an accurate method in detecting early dental caries on the occlusal and interproximal surfaces of premolars and molars. However, to arrive at an adequate diagnosis, the diagnodent should be used as an adjunct to visual method and bitewing radiography.

Aesthetics in implantology: The pursuit of beauty and function

2026-10-03T06:48:27+00:00

Objectives: The pursuit of beauty and function in dental implantology has become increasingly important, with a shift in focus from solely achieving osseointegration to creating implant-borne restorations that harmonize with surrounding hard and soft tissues. This article highlights the significance of aesthetics in implantology, emphasizing the importance of precise implant placement, optimal restoration design, and comprehensive treatment planning. Various factors influence aesthetic outcomes, including tooth shape, root position, periodontal biotype, and bony anatomy. There is need for a team-oriented approach, involving collaboration between specialists from various disciplines.

Conclusion: A comprehensive evaluation of patient needs, integrated treatment planning, precise implant placement, and optimized restoration design are essential for predictable aesthetic outcomes. By embracing this paradigm shift and adopting a team-oriented philosophy, clinicians can elevate the standards of implant placement, ensuring that patients receive not only functional but also aesthetically pleasing restorations that enhance their overall quality of life.

Endodontic working length determination techniques: a survey of Nigerian dentists in residency training

2026-10-03T07:09:13+00:00

Objectives: Precise working length determination is crucial for successful endodontic treatment. Variations in techniques among dentists can lead to inconsistent outcomes, emphasizing the need to investigate methods used by Nigerian dentists. To determine the preferred endodontic working length determination technique among Nigerian resident dentists and factors associated with electronic apex locator use.

Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study targeted dentists in residency training in Nigeria. Data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire. All collected data collected were analysed using IBM SPSS 26.0.

Results: The majority of participants (62.2%) use both radiographic and non-radiographic methods for working length determination. Digital tactile sensation (72.1%) and various radiographic techniques, including the Grossman formula method (34.2%) and Ingle's method (24.3%), are commonly used. However, only 27.0% use endodontic apex locators, primarily in combination with radiographic techniques. Factors influencing technique choice include gender, with males less likely to use non-radiographic techniques, and age of practice, which mainly predicts technical selection. Barriers to apex locator adoption include lack of experience (63.3%) and high cost (36.7%). Notably, all participants recognized apex locators' benefits, including reduced X-ray exposure and enhanced patient safety.

Conclusion: Nigerian resident dentists use diverse techniques for working length determination, preferring a combination of radiographic and non-radiographic methods. Endodontic apex locator use is limited due to cost and lack of experience. The benefits of apex locators are widely recognized, and clinician characteristics, such as gender and experience, influence technique choice. Understanding these factors can inform educational initiatives and improve endodontic practice in Nigeria.

A Case of herpes zoster infection following composite Resin restoration: Any Relationship?

2026-10-03T07:36:54+00:00

Objectives: Reactions to dental materials is well documented in the literatures, this includes cases of allergic reactions to composite resin. However, these are more of localized hypersensitivity reactions. In this case however, there were interplay of many other factors cumulating to the outbreak of herpes zoster. It was the case of a 56year old known hypertensive and diabetic patient who had composite restorations done in two of her teeth, but eventually developed herpes zoster infection 1 week post resin restoration failure. The ability to recognize the clinical presentation of herpes zoster and differentiate it from a localized allergic reaction was key in this case. Prompt response in utilizing the appropriate drugs, resulted in early resolution of the lesions and avoidance of post herpetic neuralgia as a complication.

Awareness and perception towards children with cleft lip and/or palate (clp) among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in the primary health centres in suburban region

2026-10-03T07:58:36+00:00

Objectives: The sight of orofacial cleft lip/palate (CLP) can dampen the joy of expectant mothers at baby's delivery. Worse still, the cultural bias and psychosocial effect on mothers can mitigate against baby's care and possibility of surgical correction. Health seeking behavior is determined by health education, therefore a well-informed mother would seek help. Consequently, it is pertinent to assess knowledge and perception of pregnant women about CLP and its association with their sociodemographic profile.

Methods: This was a prospective cross-sectional descriptive study that was conducted at three randomized primary health centres (PHCs) in a suburban location. A total of 211 pregnant women attending PHCs antenatal clinic were recruited over a 4-month period (April-July, 2023). A validated structured questionnaire was used to collect data on sociodemographic, level of awareness and perception of CLP. Categorical variables were presented as frequency and percentages, and summary statistics (mean, standard deviations and range) for continuous variables as appropriate. Associations between continuous (dependent) and categorical (independent) variables were analyzed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Statistical significance was inferred at P < 0.05.

Result: The age range of the 211 pregnant women studied was 18-42 years with a mean age of 27.70±5.31. One hundred and five (49.8%) of them had secondary school education while 130 (61.6%) were of middle socio-economic class. The majority of pregnant women (185 (87.7%)) had poor awareness of CLP (? 50% score). In contrast, 149 (70.6%) pregnant women had higher perception score (?50%) indicating better perception of CLP. Level of education (p-value < 0.001) and socio-economic status (p-value 0.002) of pregnant women have a statistically significant effect on both awareness and perception about CLP. Only age was found to have a statistically significant (p-value 0.041) effect on perception of pregnant women about CLP.

Conclusion: The level awareness is low among pregnant women in suburban PHC with indices showing low awareness score. However, the level of perception and perception score was high in contrast to awareness. There was a significant association between the socio-economic status and education level on the awareness and perception of pregnant women towards CLP. We found age to be the only significant associated factor for perception.

Rehabilitation of an elderly patient with the use of flexible overdenture: a case report

2026-10-03T08:07:42+00:00

Background: To rehabilitate an elderly patient who was unwilling to have her teeth extracted.

Methods: This study reported the management of a 72 year old female with reversed anterior cross bite, reduced occlusal vertical dimension and some anterior teeth that could not be restored coronally. Endodontic treatment was done on her anterior teeth, teeth preparation were done for the fitting of an overdenture on the upper arch. A flexible removable partial overdenture was fitted on the upper arch and a flexible removable partial denture on the lower arch.

Results: An elderly female with an improved occlusion without loss of several of her anterior teeth and an ability to smile showing her teeth. The patient was comfortable with the flexible removable partial overdenture on the upper arch and flexible removable partial denture on the lower arch with improved self-confidence.

Conclusion: Flexible overdentures are effective in rehabilitating elderly patients who are unwilling to loose their teeth, restoring general wellness.