MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten experimental materials were prepared using PEMA polymer powder with 95% plasticizer (BPBG and ATBC) and 5% ethanol by volume, using powder to liquid ratio of 1.67:1, and the thickness was controlled at 3 mm. Shore A hardness value was measured after immersion in distilled water, artificial saliva, 25% ethanol/water mix, 3% citric acid, and coconut oil at 37°C. Measurements were taken at 2 hours and 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 10, 14, 21, 28, 42, 56, and 84 days. Six readings were taken for each sample and hardness change was calculated and statistically analyzed using Wilcoxon signed-rank test.
RESULTS: Increase in hardness value was noted for both plasticizers over time with the highest increase was when immersed in coconut oil. Shore A hardness value was significantly higher in ATBC after 84 days of immersion in all food-simulating liquids. The increase in hardness is due to plasticizer/ethanol leaching; however, as ethanol content was the same (5%), the hardness change is attributed to the leaching of plasticizers.
CONCLUSION: Leaching of both plasticizers was highest in coconut oil indicating that tissue conditioners may have a shorter intraoral lifetime in patients eating high-fat diet.
Materials and Methods: It was a cross-sectional study involving a two-stage sampling to select the district and villages. A total of 325 participants were selected based on convenience sampling.
Results: Almost half of the participants rated their oral health as poor or average. The mean GOHAI score was 52.96 (±7.749), ranging from 29 to 60. The GOHAI score was statistically significantly lower for female gender (P = 0.025), lower education level (P = 0.001), and elderly (P = 0.001). The GSROH score was also statistically significant with GOHAI score (P = 0.001).
Conclusions: A limited number of studies were conducted in this area, particularly in the vulnerable population of OA. Our study found that half of the OA living in the fringe had a poor GOHAI score. It is, therefore, suggested that potential study and intervention programs concentrate on the low GOHAI score group; the male, lower educational context, and the elderly.