Root Canal Morphology of Primary Molars – A Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) Study

Objectives: To evaluate the root and canal morphology of primary maxillary and mandibular molars in an Indian population using cone?beam computed tomography (CBCT). Methods: A retrospective cross?sectional study was performed, where CBCT scans of children less than 10 years of age taken for valid diagnostic purposes previously were considered and images were analyzed. The number of roots, root canals, and variations in morphology were recorded. Left–right symmetry was also noted. Results: A total of 433 deciduous maxillary and mandibular primary molars were studied. It was observed that two separate roots with three separate canals were common in primary mandibular first molars, whereas two separate roots with two canals in each root were common in mandibular second primary molars. In primary maxillary molars, three separate roots with one canal each were the most common. Maxillary first molars (17.21%) and 17.35% second molars had fused distobuccal and palatal roots. It was observed that primary maxillary molars showed more left–right symmetry (86.7% in first molars and 82.7% in second molars) compared to primary mandibular molars (54.05% in first molars and 68% in second molars). Conclusions: It was concluded that in both primary maxillary first and second molars, three separate roots, a mesiobuccal root, a distobuccal root, and a palatal root with one canal in each root, were the most common. Two separate roots with three separate canals were the most common in primary mandibular first molars, whereas two separate roots with two canals each in both roots were more common in mandibular second primary molars.

Psammomatoid Type Juvenile Ossifying Fibroma of Mandible: A Rare Entity.

Juvenile ossifying fibroma (JOF) is a rare fibro-osseous neoplasm that arises within the craniofacial bones. Two distinct histopathological variants have been described; trabecular JOF and psammomatoid JOF (PsJOF). The later occurs predominantly in craniofacial skeleton and rarely in jaws and more so in mandible (50% of the times than that in maxilla). Here we report a rare case of PsJOF in mandible body ramus region with its unique radiographic characteristics to help the diagnostician approach the diagnosis very closely for this rare entity. The tumor has been present since 1 year with unilocular radiographic appearance; having homogeneous ground-glass appearance with higher imaging, without any focal radio-opacity and inferior alveolar canal was displaced but still intact. Thus these lesions can expand to large sizes even without maturing to its radiopaque stages and without destruction of adjacent vital structures although displacing them.

Serum vitamin-D predicts insulin resistance in individuals with prediabetes.

Background & objectives: Patients with diabetes and vitamin-D insufficiency have increased insulin resistance. Similar observations among individuals with prediabetes are not well documented. The aim of this study was to find the occurrence of vitamin-D insufficiency/deficiency among individuals with prediabetes and to evaluate the relationship between vitamin-D status and insulin resistance. Methods: One hundred fifty seven individuals with prediabetes who fulfilled all the inclusion and exclusion criteria underwent clinical examination, anthropometric measurements (waist circumference, waist-hip ratio, waist-height ratio) and blood sampling after overnight fast for estimation of fasting blood glucose, fasting insulin, 25(OH)vitamin-D, intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) and lipid profile. One hour post 75 g glucose (1hPG) blood glucose during oral glucose tolerance test was measured. Results: Vitamin-D deficiency/insufficiency was found in 115 (73.25%) individuals with prediabetes. Severe vitamin-D deficiency (<10 ng/ml) was seen in 14.65 per cent individuals. Individuals with the lowest vitamin-D levels (<10 ng/ml) had the highest insulin resistance (HOMA2-IR: 2.04 ± 0.67). Serum 25(OH)D had a statistically significant inverse correlation with insulin resistance (HOMA2-IR; r=-0.33; P=0.008), and positive correlation with insulin sensitivity (QUICKI; r=0.39; P=0.002), after adjusting for BMI and HbA1c. There was no correlation between vitamin-D status and estimated beta cell mass (HOMA-β). The mean waist-height ratio among individuals with prediabetes was 0.57 (normal<0.5) indicating a high risk of cardiovascular morbidity. Individuals with elevated 1hPG>155 mg/dl had significantly higher BMI and worse insulin resistance, and 1hPG correlated well with 2 hour post glucose blood glucose (r=0.57; P<0.001). Interpretations & conclusions: Vitamin-D deficiency/insufficiency may have some role in the development/worsening of insulin resistance in individuals with prediabetes in our country who have a high cardiovascular risk. Prospective studies on a large group of individuals need to be done to confirm the findings.