ABSTRACT
Background: Acidic beverages are believed to elevate the risk of enamel surface erosion. In addition to the intake of soft drinks, the increased consumption of salad dressings has been linked to a higher prevalence of dental erosion. Therefore, the current study aimed to investigate the influence of bottled salad dressings on the development of enamel erosion in the presence or absence of pellicle through in vitro experiment. Methods: Preliminary pH and calcium analyses of solutions were performed. Highest pH and calcium content was found for sandwich spread i.e., 4.69 and 55.4 mg/100 g grams, respectively. Eighty tooth specimens (measuring 4 × 4 × 3 mm) were prepared from extracted human premolars and randomly assigned to four groups (group 1: orange juice; group 2: eggless plain mayonnaise; group 3: sandwich spread; and group 4: thousand island dressing) with 20 samples in each group. Ten tooth specimens from each group were immersed in 20 ml of the respective solutions for 5 min (control group). The remaining ten tooth specimens from each group were submerged in 5 mL saliva vials for 3 min to facilitate salivary pellicle formation before being immersed in their respective solutions for 5 min (saliva-covered group). Pre and post-experimental assessments of enamel roughness and hardness were conducted using a surface roughness tester and Knoop Hardness indenter, respectively. Results: Overall, enamel roughness was notably elevated in the control group, with the eggless plain mayonnaise (0.52 ± 0.38) and thousand island dressing groups (0.57 ± 0.29) showing a significant increase in surface roughness post-test (p = 0.05). Nevertheless, there was no significant difference in the enamel roughness between the groups. On the other hand, regardless of the presence/absence of the salivary pellicle, a marked decrease in enamel hardness was observed among all groups except for group 3 (sandwich spread) with a mean score of 311.5 ± 82.6 (p < 0.05). Conclusion: A significant increase in surface roughness and reduction in enamel hardness was observed with salad dressings. However, in vitro formed salivary pellicle showed a protective effect against tooth erosion.
ABSTRACT
Background: An essential molecular occurrence in carcinogenesis that can lead to invasion and migration, predisposing cells to malignant transformation, involves alterations in cell adhesion molecules, such as p120 catenin. The destabilization of E-cadherin, caused by the loss or phosphorylation of p120 catenin (p120), regulates cadherin stability and turnover, impacting cell adhesiveness and migratory capacity. Consequently, p120 is associated with the invasiveness and progression of various human epithelial tumor types, including Oral Squamous Cell Carcinomas (OSCC). The present study aimed to assess and establish a correlation between the expression of p120 antibody in OSCC and Apparently Normal Mucosa Adjacent to OSCC (ANMAOSCC). Material and Methods: The immunoexpression of p120 in 300 selected cases was categorized into two groups: OSCC (n = 150) and ANMAOSCC (n = 150). Two 4µm-thick tissue sections from the selected blocks were prepared. One section was stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin, while the other underwent immunohistochemical (IHC) staining using anti-p120 catenin antibody (clone No. EP66; Catalog No. PR062; PathnSitu, Wayne, PA, USA). The analysis of p120 immunoexpression included parameters such as intensity, percentage, and the location of staining. Results: In OSCC, over 80% of cases expressed p120, with only 16% exhibiting loss of expression. In ANMAOSCC, all cells maintained p120 expression. In OSCC, p120 was predominantly localized to the membrane and cytoplasm in 76%, while in ANMAOSCC, over 90% showed membrane localization. Regarding positivity, only 19% of OSCC cases reported positivity in >50% of cells, compared to 64.7% in ANMAOSCC. The extent of staining in ANMAOSCC was observed up to the granular layer (45%) and corneal layer (19%). Conclusions: The atypical staining pattern of p120 may indicate a loss of adhesion and could serve as a marker for identifying the malignant potential of ANMAOSCC and the aggressiveness of OSCC. Key words:Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma, P120 Catenin, Cell Adhesion Molecules, Gene Expression Regulation.
ABSTRACT
Background: Physical disability results in impaired mobility, leading to increased dependency on others and may also have a negative impact on ones general and oral health. Moreover, such individuals could be at a greater risk of being prone to chronic pain conditions. A person's ability to cope with pain is a consistent and one of the most important predictors of clinical outcome. Catastrophization is known to be a maladaptive coping behaviour that could negatively influence such outcomes. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 229 physically disabled individuals at Home for Disabled, Bansilalpet, Secunderabad. Extent of Physical disability was measured using Barthel index of Activities of Daily Living (ADL), type and severity of dental pain was assessed using the short form McGill Pain Questionnaire and catastrophizing using the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS). Dentition status and periodontal status were assessed using the World Health Organization assessment form. Results: Caries prevalence of the population was 39.7% with a mean DMFT score of 2.8±4.09. Pain catastrophizing showed positive significant (p<0.05) correlation with sensory pain(r=0.182), visual analog scale(r=0.168), pain severity(r=0.161) and DMFT (r=0.4). It had significant negative correlation with ADL and bleeding gums. Conclusions: In this study it was apparent that irrespective of the dependency levels, dentition status had a significant effect on pain catastrophizing level of the individuals. Key words:Disability, Oral Health, Catastrophizing.
ABSTRACT
A solid career plan is crucial as it can provide a roadmap to the future. The motivating factors for selecting any career are complex, and periodontics is no exception. Periodontics is a dynamic profession that includes sophisticated treatment planning and a wide variety of treatment modalities ranging from conventional to advanced therapies. It is a unique branch of dentistry that enables both saving teeth and also replacing them in an effective way with implants. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of various career opportunities for a periodontist. Career options in periodontics are manifold and diverse, enabling a periodontist a professionally gratifying and secure lifestyle. Future of the profession of periodontics appears exciting and rewarding but is not likely to happen without great effort and challenges. However, periodontics is not a static field and continues to evolve leaving a periodontist with no dearth in career opportunities.
