ABSTRACT
Herpes zoster is an uncommon acute viral infection caused by reactivation of varicella zoster virus. During the prodromal stage, the only presenting symptom may be odontalgia, which may prove to be a diagnostic challenge for the dentist. Practicing dentist may carry out emergency treatment that might result in irreversible damage or may delay the appropriate treatment. With an ever-increasing number of elderly and immunocompromised patients reporting to the dentist, the dental profession can expect to encounter an increased number of herpes zoster patients. Dentist must be familiar with the presenting signs and symptoms of patients experiencing the prodromal manifestations of herpes zoster of the trigeminal nerve. This article focuses on the difficulties in management of such cases, and one such case is reported here.
ABSTRACT
Saliva contains a variety of host defense factors. It influences calculus formation and periodontal disease. This study was conducted to estimate the role of salivary factors such as calcium, phosphorus, protein and pH in progression of periodontal disease. Depending upon severity of periodontal diseases subjects were divided into IV groups of 25 subjects in each group. Results obtained were subjected to statistical analysis by application of ‘t’ test. The findings suggested that salivary calcium values in all groups were statistically significant. The salivary pH in group IV was found to be statistically significant in the present study. A positive correlation between the level of calcium and the severity of disease was observed. It is therefore, suggested that monitoring for change in salivary composition might be useful tool to establish periodontal health status.