Association of Wnt9B rs1530364 and Wnt5A rs566926 Gene Polymorphisms with Nonsyndromic Cleft lip and Palate in South Indian Population using Deoxyribonucleic Acid Sequencing.

CONTEXT: Nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CL/CP) is a common congenital facial malformation without any other structural or developmental abnormalities. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To test the association of Wnt9B rs1530364 and Wnt5A rs566926 gene variants with the nonsyndromic CL/CP patients in South Indian population. METHODS: Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) samples of 25 subjects with nonsyndromic cleft lip and palate (NSCLP) and 25 unrelated controls collected from the department were used for the study. Group A: DNA samples of 25 subjects NSCLP (P1-P25). Group B: DNA samples of 25 unrelated controls (C1-C25). The extracted DNA samples were subjected to polymerase chain reaction, and later, these amplified products were subjected to DNA sequencing. Results were documented in the form of electropherograms. RESULTS: The results indicated that there is a strong association between the presence of Wnt9B rs1530364 gene with the incidence of NSCLP. This study also suggests that the likelihood of NSCLP is higher in subjects having CC (P = 0.02) genotype for Wnt9B gene variant rs1530364. CONCLUSION: We can conclude that Wnt9B gene variant rs1530364 can be considered as genetic marker for NSCLP for our population.

In vitro evaluation of microbial contamination and the disinfecting efficacy of chlorhexidine on orthodontic brackets.

BACKGROUND: Contamination of orthodontic appliances is due to the unhygienic practices followed during manufacturing and packaging processes, which may lead to cross-contamination. Although literature has indicated the need for sterilization or disinfection of orthodontic appliances before using in the oral cavity, this is still not employed in routine clinical practice. In this view, the current study evaluates the bacterial load on orthodontic brackets along with the disinfecting efficacy of chlorhexidine. METHODS: A total of 140 brackets were obtained from four different manufacturers and divided into six groups: group 1 (American Orthodontics; n = 30), group 2 (3M Unitek; n = 30), group 3 (Ortho Organizers; n = 30), group 4 (China Dental Orthodontic; n = 30), group 5 (negative control; n = 10), and group 6 (positive control; n = 10). Various microbiological and biochemical tests were conducted on the brackets to detect the type and growth of bacteria. Brackets that showed microbial contamination were then subjected to disinfection using 0.01% and 2% chlorhexidine solutions. RESULTS: Microbial contamination was detected on brackets of all the four groups. Bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermidis, Lactobacilli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Bacillus licheniformis, and B. cereus, were identified in these groups. Upon disinfection with 0.01% chlorhexidine solution, brackets in group 2 displayed complete decontamination, while all brackets in the other groups containing gram-negative bacteria exhibited complete decontamination with 2% chlorhexidine. CONCLUSION: Orthodontic brackets received from four manufacturers showed high bacterial contamination. Disinfecting ability of 2% chlorhexidine proved highly effective in destroying both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Therefore, use of 2% chlorhexidine in clinical practice for the disinfection of orthodontic brackets is suggested, before placement in the oral cavity.

Integration of the Herbst and Begg appliance in the management of severe Class II malocclusion.

The efficacy of the Herbst appliance in a normalizing sagittal relationship in patients with a Class II malocclusion is well-documented. This case report describes the treatment of a 14-year-old male patient with severe Class II Division 1 malocclusion due to retrognathic mandible and mildly prognathic maxilla, convex profile, and lip trap. He had severely proclined maxillary incisors and retroclined mandibular incisors, overjet of 13 mm and overbite of 7 mm. Since the patient was in the peak pubertal growth phase, growth modulation was carried out with the Herbst appliance for 8 months, followed by fixed appliance therapy with the Begg appliance for 11 months. Combination of Herbst and Begg appliance led to a very favorable treatment outcome and greatly improved the patient's appearance.

Association of Transforming Growth Factor Alpha and Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene variants with nonsyndromic cleft lip and palate in the Indian population.

OBJECTIVES: The aim was to evaluate the relationship of the K-primer variant of the transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-α) gene and C677T variant of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene with nonsyndromic cleft lip and palate (CL/P) in the Indian population. SETTING AND SAMPLE POPULATION: The study group consisted of DNA samples of 25 subjects with nonsyndromic CL with or without cleft palate and 25 unrelated controls, already existing in the Department of Orthodontics, D.A.P.M.R.V. Dental College, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: THE DNA SAMPLES WERE DIVIDED INTO TWO CATEGORIES: Group A which included the 25 subjects with nonsyndromic CL/P; and Group B, which consisted of the 25 unrelated controls. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test was done for amplification of the region of interest from the DNA samples. Restriction digestion was then performed on the amplified product using the restriction enzyme HinfI, separately for each of the variants. The digested PCR products were separated into channels on a 1.5% agarose gel containing ethidium bromide in an electrophoretic chamber. A U.V. transilluminator was used to see the specific bands of base pairs of the digested PCR products. RESULTS: In Group A, the TGF-α gene variant was present in 16 subjects (P = 0.001) and MTHFR gene variant was present in 8 subjects (P = 0.185). A combination of both gene variants were present in seven subjects, which was an interesting finding. In Group B, four subjects tested positive for the TGF-α and MTHFR gene variants. CONCLUSIONS: The TGF-α gene variant and a combination of TGF-α + MTHFR gene variants significantly contribute to the development of nonsyndromic CL/P and can be considered as genetic markers for Indian population. The MTHFR gene variant, though a minor risk factor, cannot be considered as a genetic marker.

Van der Woude syndrome: Management in the mixed dentition.

This article presents the case of a patient with Van der Woude syndrome treated with orthodontic and orthopedic intervention in the mixed dentition stage. The patient had a bilateral cleft of the lip and alveolus accompanied by lip pits on the lower lip. Intra-orally, there was bilateral anterior and posterior cross-bite with a collapsed maxilla. The maxillary transverse deficiency was managed with orthopedic expansion and the second phase of treatment involved secondary alveolar bone grafting followed by retention with functional regulator-3. The mild maxillary retrognathia and deficient lip support was managed with dental compensation.

Applicability of two methods of mixed dentition analysis in a contemporary Indian population sample.

AIM: More than 10 years experience in implementing the Tanaka Johnston and Moyers methods has shown that they overestimate the sizes of unerupted canines and premolars when used in populations other than the Caucasian. This study was designed to assess the applicability of the two most commonly used methods of mixed dentition analysis and to attempt to derive a more accurate and precise formula to predict the sizes of the unerupted premolars and canines in a sample of Indian population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The sample included 200 study models (100 male, 100 female). Tanaka Johnston's and Moyer's equations were applied to this sample and the mean differences between the actual and estimated tooth widths were determined. New regression equations were derived using lower first molars and incisors as the predictors. RESULTS: The mean difference between the actual and estimated values of canines and premolars using Tanaka Johnston's and Moyers methods were clinically and statistically significant. Therefore new regression equations were derived taking lower first molars and incisors as the predictors for both sexes. On validation, these equations were found to be accurate and precise for this population. CONCLUSION: It is recommended to use these equations as a method of mixed dentition analysis for the Indian population.