Evaluation of vertical facial height reduction and severity of temporomandibular joint disorders using Shimbashi number and cephalometric analysis.

Objective: This study was designed to evaluate the correlation between vertical dimension at occlusion (VDO) and various grades of temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) versus controls.Methods: Clinically measured Shimbashi number and radiographic cemento-enamel junction (CEJ-CEJ) measurements on 120 TMD patients and 40 controls were evaluated. Radiographic lateral cephalometric skull images of the patients were subjected to cephalometric analysis. The relationship between Shimbashi number, the cephalometric values, and its correlation with the degree of TMD were evaluated and statistically analyzed.Results: Shimbashi number and radiographic CEJ-CEJ values in the TMD patients were significantly lower than those in the controls. TMD severity appeared to increase with the increase in interincisal angle and the decrease in both Shimbashi number and radiographic CEJ-CEJ value.Conclusion: These findings indicate that radiographic evaluation of cephalograms is a reliable indicator of presence and degree of TMD, and the severity of TMD increases with the degree of reduction in VDO.

Systemic and Topical Steroids in the Management of Oral Mucosal Lesions.

From the time of its introduction in the 1040s, glucocorticoids have provided a panacea for many diseases. The therapeutic benefit of corticosteroids lies in their anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties which makes them highly effective in the management of oral mucosal lesions. This article aims to present to the clinician, the plethora of options available as steroid therapy and enables one to choose based on the underlying disease and the properties of the drug.

Virtopsy: An integration of forensic science and imageology.

In an era where noninvasive and minimally invasive techniques are heralding medical innovations and health science technology, necrological analysis is not bereft of this wave. Virtopsy is virtual autopsy. It is a new-age complimentary documentation approach to identify and analyze the details of demise. Utilizing virtual autopsy for orofacial forensic examination is an emerging specialty which holds a plethora of potential for future trends in forensic science. Being a noninvasive technique, it is a rapid method which facilitates the medicolegal process and aids in the delivery of justice. The present article is an overview of this emerging methodology.

Attitude and awareness of general dental practitioners toward radiation hazards and safety.

AIM AND OBJECTIVE: The aim and objective is to evaluate the level of awareness and attitude about radiation hazards and safety practices among general dental practitioners in Trivandrum District, Kerala, India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 300 general dental practitioners in Trivandrum District, Kerala, India. Postanswering the questions, a handout regarding radiation safety and related preventive measures was distributed to encourage radiation understanding and protection. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Statistical analysis were done by assessing the results using Chi-square statistical test, t-test, and other software (Microsoft excel + SPSS 20.0 trail version). RESULTS: Among 300 general practitioners (247 females and 53 males), 80.3% of the practitioners were found to have a separate section for radiographic examination in their clinics. Intraoral radiographic machines were found to be the most commonly (63.3%) used radiographic equipment while osteoprotegerin was the least (2%). Regarding the practitioner's safety measures, only 11.7% of them were following all the necessary steps while 6.7% clinicians were not using any safety measure in their clinic, and with respect to patient safety, only 9.7% of practitioners were following the protocol. CONCLUSION: The level of awareness of practitioners regarding radiation hazards and safety was found to be acceptable. However, implementation of their knowledge with respect to patient and personnel safety was found wanting. Insisting that they follow the protocols and take necessary safety measures by means of continuing medical education programs, pamphlets, articles, and workshops is strongly recommended.

Correlation of serum levo-fucose levels as a biomarker with tumor node metastasis staging in oral cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: oral cancer is a result of disordered cellular behavior initiated by various stimuli which is characterized by the alteration of serum glycoproteins consisting of different monosaccharides. One of these is levo-fucose (L-fucose), a methyl pentose. Elevated levels of protein-bound fucose have been reported in various malignancies. AIM: The present study attempted to correlate levels of serum L-fucose as a biomarker with the various tumor node metastasis (TNM) stages of oral cancer. METHODOLOGY: The study was carried out on 90 subjects consisting of 30 healthy controls and 60 histopathologically proven oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cases. The serum fucose level estimation was done based on the method adopted by Winzler. Statistical analysis included independent sample's t-test, one-way ANOVA test, Karl-Pearson correlation test, and Tukey's HSD post hoc test to evaluate the significance and variability of values between groups. RESULTS: Significant elevation in serum fucose levels was noticed among OSCC patients when compared with the controls and a progressive ascent of L-fucose levels were noted as the stage of severity increased. Serum fucose levels were independent of histopathological grading, age, and sex. CONCLUSION: Serum L-fucose levels were increased in OSCC patients, and a positive correlation was observed between serum L-fucose levels and TNM staging of OSCC. Thus, serum L-fucose can be used as an effective diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in OSCC patients.

A rare presentation of a simple bone cyst.

Simple bone cyst is an oft-described entity, which goes by many sobriquets and has been presented in the literature as early as 1926. It is a lesion of unclear etiology with many proposed hypothesis for its pathogenesis and nonspecific histopathological presentation. We present a case of a solitary bone cyst, which clinically presented as a solitary lesion, but radiological examination revealed multiple lesions peppering the maxilla and the mandible, thereby highlighting the importance of atypical presentation and "surprise" lesions that may show up on radiological examination.

Orthodontic cements and demineralization: an in vitro comparative scanning electron microscope study.

BACKGROUND: Comparison of the demineralization potential of four luting cements, i.e. zinc phosphate, conventional glass ionomer cement (GIC), resin-modified GIC and acid modified composite resin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted on 75 extracted premolar teeth, which were grouped into five, each group containing 15 teeth. Groups were non-banded control, teeth cemented with the above-mentioned cements. These were incubated at 37°C for 30 days in sealable plastic containers, after which the teeth were debanded, cleaned and placed in acid gelatin solution at 37°C for 4 weeks to simulate the cariogenic solution. Then, the teeth were sectioned and examined under scanning electron microscope. The depth of the carious lesions was measured using image analysis with Digimizer software. RESULTS: The depth of the carious lesions was maximum with non-banded group, followed by zinc phosphate, acid modified composite resin, resin-modified GIC and conventional GIC. CONCLUSIONS: Among the four orthodontic banding cements compared, the enamel demineralization potential is least with conventional GIC, followed by resin-modified GIC, acid modified composite resin and zinc phosphate.