Magnetic Resonance Imaging Assessment of Articular Disc Position in Temporomandibular Disorder Subjects with various Bite Registrations

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the validity and reliability of three bite registrations on articular disc position in temporomandibular disorder patients using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Materials and Methods: Fifteen clinically symptomatic and orthodontically untreated temporomandibular disorder patients within the age range of 17–40 years (mean age: 28.5 years) were examined. Each patient was subjected to three bite registrations, namely maximum intercuspation, initial contact bite and Roth power centric bite, and evaluated with MRI. Results: On the right side, the mean vertical and horizontal measurement values of the point in the most posterior aspect of the posterior band of the articular disc in relation to horizontal reference line (HRL) and vertical reference line (VRL) in the sagittal view in the Roth power centric bite were lesser (2.720 ± 1.239 mm and 2.380 ± 1.185 mm, respectively), in comparison with the other two bites, and on the left side too, it was lesser in the Roth power centric bite (2.293 ± 0.979 mm and 2.360 ± 1.078 mm, respectively), when compared to the other two bites. Statistical analysis also showed the significance of Roth power centric bite over the other two bites. Conclusions: Favourable articular disc positional changes were observed in the Roth power centric bite followed by the initial contact bite and that maximum disc recapture was observed in most patients with the Roth power centric bite rather than in initial contact bite and maximum intercuspation positions. The Roth power centric bite could be assumed to be the ideal method for articulation and fabrication of gnathological splints for treating patients with temporomandibular disorders.

Serum lactate dehydrogenase in the prognostic assessment of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma

Background: Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) has been proven to be a diagnostic marker in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). However, the prognostic value of serum LDH in OSCC is yet to be explored. The purpose of this study is to correlate the level of serum LDH with the degree of OSCC and to evaluate the role of serum LDH as a prognostic marker in OSCC. Methods: The investigators designed and implemented a prospective cohort study composed of patients with OSCC (n = 66) sub?grouped as follows: 2A—well?differentiated (n = 22), 2B—moderately differentiated (n = 22), 2C—poorly differentiated OSCC (n = 22), and normal healthy controls (n = 40). The primary outcome variable was the serum LDH measured at baseline (pre?treatment) and 2 and 12 months post?treatment in OSCC patients. The statistical analysis was performed using the student t?test and analysis of variance, and the P value was set at 0.05. Results: The habit of alcohol consumption alone as a single habit was found only in males (17.5%) (P = 0.3343), whereas betel quid chewing was more common among females (P = 0.0182). A significant difference was observed in the mean serum LDH between OSCC subjects (pre?treatment) (831.56 ± 93.43 IU/L) and controls (188.82 ± 25.53 IU/L), P < 0.00001. The baseline serum LDH was significantly higher in subgroup 2C (933.41 ± 46.1969 IU/L) than in the 2A (742.59 ± 46.5676 IU/L) and 2B (818.68 ± 58.1643 IU/L) subgroups (P = 0). There was a significant decline in the serum LDH within 2 months after treatment, and a further decrement was observed during a 12?month follow?up among the survivors of all three subgroups; P < 0.00001. Conclusion: Serum LDH can play a dual role as a reliable indicator of the degree of OSCC for decision?making in treatment modalities and as a prognostic marker of response to therapy.

Bactericidal and Smear Layer Removal Efficacy of Herbal Alternatives Against Enterococcus Faecalis Dentinal Biofilm - An ex-vivo Study

Abstract Objective: To assess the antibacterial and smear layer removal ability of Trigonella foenum, Syzygium cumini, Terminalia chebula seed extracts against E. faecalis dentinal biofilm. Material and Methods: Agar well diffusion, micro broth dilution assay and time-kill curve assay were performed to determine the antibacterial activity. The ability of the herbal extracts to remove the smear layer on the root canal surface was assessed by scanning electron microscopy. Results: Antibacterial activity was observed for the extracts of S. cumini and T. chebula on E. faecalis dentinal biofilm and its planktonic counterparts. The smear layer was efficiently removed by the seed extracts of T. chebula alone. Seed extracts of T. foenum neither possessed antibacterial effect nor smear layer removal ability. Conclusion: The extracts of T. chebula seeds may replace conventional irrigant due to its antibacterial properties and smear layer removing the ability. The extracts of S. cumini may be used as an intracanal medicament as it exhibited a bactericidal effect against the E. faecalis dentinal biofilm following 18 hours of incubation.

An Herbal Alternative to Control Nosocomial Pathogens in Aerosols and Splatter During Ultrasonic Scaling

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of herbal mouthwash (Himalaya Hiora Regular) against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Acinetobacter baumanni during ultrasonic scaling. Material and Methods: Group B (n=25) received herbal mouthwash and Group A (n=25) received 0.12% chlorhexidine mouthwash respectively as a preprocedural rinse. The aerosols produced by the ultrasonic unit were collected on MeReSa and Leeds Acinetobacter Agar plates. The experimental setting included eight different locations covering all areas of the operatory. The plates exposed to aerosols for a period of 30 minutes were incubated aerobically at 37ºC for 48hrs and the colony forming units (CFU) were statistically analyzed Results: Herbal mouthwash (Himalaya Hiora Regular) showed a significant reduction in mean CFU of MRSA compared to 0.12% chlorhexidine. While herbal mouthwash was on par with 0.12% chlorhexidine in the reduction of A. baumannii Conclusion: Herbal mouthwash was found to be more effective against MRSA than 0.12% Chlorhexidine mouthwash as a pre-procedural rinse. Both herbal mouthwash and chlorhexidine mouthwash was found to be effective against A. baumannii. Herbal mouthwash may be a safe alternative to chlorhexidine against nosocomial pathogens like MRSA and A. baumannii.

Evaluation of periodontal status and detection of Dialister pneumosintes in cerebral palsy individuals: A Case–Control study

The worldwide prevalence of cerebral palsy among live births is estimated to be between 1.9 and 3.6/1000. The presence of periodontal disease in cerebral palsy children typically is due to bacterial plaque accumulation caused by their inability to correctly clean their own teeth, difficulties in chewing and swallowing food, and improper movements of masticatory muscles and tongue muscles. Objectives: The objective of this study is to estimate the periodontal status in cerebral palsy individuals and evaluate the presence of Dialister pneumosintes. Materials and Methods: Thirty cerebral palsy children from the Spastics Society of Tamilnadu with signs of periodontitis were compared with the same number of age- and gender-matched controls for oral hygiene and periodontal parameters. Subgingival plaque samples were screened for the presence of respiratory pathogen D. pneumosintes by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results: A variation was noted between types of cerebral palsy individuals with a mean probing pocket depth value of 6 in spastic type, 4.86 in the ataxic, and 4.3 in the dyskinetic. Clinical attachment level varied from 6.71 in spastic to 5.43 in ataxic and 3.50 in dyskinetic. Oral hygiene index-simplified ranged from 2.764 in spastic to 2.25 in ataxic and 1.41 in dyskinetic. PCR results indicated 25% and 21.7% positivity for D. pneumosintes among cerebral palsy and control group, respectively. The odds ratio calculated to estimate the risk of periodontitis due to D. pneumosintes was 0.765. Conclusion: It was concluded that oral hygiene status and severity of periodontitis worsens as the rigidity and muscle tone limiting limb movement increases in cerebral palsy individuals.