An evaluation of dentofacial changes in Angle's class II division 1 patients using AdvanSync 2.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the study is as follows: To evaluate the dental and skeletal changes of the AdvanSync 2 appliance.To evaluate the soft tissue changes of the AdvanSync 2 appliance using photometric analysis. METHODS: The sample size consisted of 15 patients who reported to the Department of Orthodontics, seeking fixed orthodontic treatment. The effects of the AdvanSync 2 appliance were measured at two intervals. RESULTS: After the nine months, P values were observed to be less than 0.5, therefore statistically significant for parameters such as Sella-Nasion-Point A (SNA), Condylion-Point A (CO-A), University of Witwatersrand, Condylion-Gnathion (C0-Gn), point A-Nasion-Point B (ANB), Upper incisor-Point A (UI-A) (degree), LI-B (mm), Lower lip to Esthetic plane (LL-E plane), nasolabial angle, mentolabial angle, facial angle, and L lip to the chin. P values were however observed to be greater than 0.5, therefore statistically insignificant for parameters such as sella-Nasion-Point B (SNB), Condylion -gonion (C0-Go), UI A (mm), LI B (mm), UL-EPL, H LINE, Frankfurt mandibular plane (FMA), nose tip angle, nasofrontal angle, nasomental angle, upper lip angle, and U lip to the chin. CONCLUSIONS: AdvanSync 2 appliance brought about a change in Class II malocclusions through Co-Gn, Co-Go, ANB, FMA, UI-A (degree), UI A (linear) LI B (linear), Upper lip to Esthetic plane, LL-E plane, Holdaway LINE, nose tip angle, nasolabial angle, mentolabial angle, nasofrontal angle, nasomental angle, facial angle, upper lip angle, U lip to chin, L lip to the chin after nine months of appliance delivery. MAIN POINTS: AdvanSync 2 normalized class II by an increase in the length and body of the mandible.AdvanSync 2 has a restraining effect on the growth of the maxilla.AdvanSync 2 brings about positive soft tissue changes.The major disadvantage is the proclination of the lower incisors.

Comparative assessment of changes in pharyngeal airway space in cases of obstructive sleep apnoea with a customized mandibular repositioning appliance - a clinical study.

OBJECTIVES: The present study aims at evaluating the effects of a customized mandibular repositioning appliance on the pharyngeal airway, nocturnal sleep patterns, daytime discomfort and occlusal changes in established cases of adult obstructive sleep apnoea. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ten consecutive patients with a complaint of snoring and disturbed sleep were included in the study. The primary diagnosis was established by the Epworth sleepiness scale, clinical examination, history and subsequently the diagnosis was substantiated through assessment of the pharyngeal airway space on a lateral cephalogram and polysomnography. A customized mandibular repositioning appliance was used to advance the mandible sequentially every 6 months, using 4 sets of the appliance. Pre and post-treatment evaluations were performed to establish, effects and changes in the outcome of obstructive sleep apnoea. RESULTS: The study revealed significant increase in the mean pharyngeal widths of upper airway and velum dimension with antero-superior repositioning of hyoid bone. Epworth sleepiness scale score improved significantly from baseline with clinically evident change in daytime discomforts. Significant decline in the mean apnoea/hypopnea index, oxygen desaturation index, respiratory disturbance index, heart rate, snoring and a significant increase in mean oxygen saturation of arterial blood was observed. No evident change noticed in occlusion except lower incisor inclination. CONCLUSION: The customized mandibular repositioning appliances are effective in the management of adult obstructive sleep apnoea with a significant improvement observed in the airway patency and polysomnography parameters with clinically non-significant effects on dental occlusion..

Variable antifungal activity of curcumin against planktonic and biofilm phase of different candida species.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the in vitro antifungal activity of curcumin against 2 strains of Candida albicans (ATCC 90028 and a clinical isolate - JY strain) and 1 isolate each of 3 nonalbicans - Candida species [Candida parapsilosis (ATCC 22019), C. glabrata (ATCC 90030), and C. dublieniensis (MYA 646)]. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Planktonic MIC of the 4 Candida species was determined using micro broth dilution assay according to CLSI M27-A3 criteria. The biofilm development and sensitivity assay were performed with the 2 C. albicans strains. RESULTS: Curcumin at high concentrations (0.1-2 mg/mL) was effective in inhibiting planktonic organisms of all the 5 tested Candida strains. The planktonic phase and the biofilm phase of C. albicans ATCC 90028 exhibited similar MIC values for curcumin (0.5 mg/mL). Both curcumin and fluconazole were ineffective against the mature biofilms of JY strain. CONCLUSION: Our results reported here for the first time, in particular for the biofilm state of C. albicans, imply that curcumin a natural product could be used as a therapeutic alternative to conventional antifungals although further investigations are required to evaluate its potential.

A Comparison of the Rate of Retraction with Low-level Laser Therapy and Conventional Retraction Technique.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: A major concern of orthodontic patients is treatment time. Reducing the treatment time requires increasing the rate of orthodontic tooth movement. Research has proved that bone resorption is the rate-limiting step in tooth movement. Therefore, any procedure that potentiates osteoclastic activity is capable of increasing the rate of orthodontic tooth movement. Low-level laser has been indicated to have the capability to facilitate the differentiation of the osteoclastic and osteoblastic cells, which are responsible for the bone remodeling process. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the low-level laser therapy can accelerate orthodontic tooth movement during en masse retraction. METHOD: The study was a split-mouth design. The experimental side was exposed to biostimulation using 810 nm gallium-aluminium-arsenide diode laser. A total of 10 irradiations for 10 s per site were given 5 on the buccal side and 5 on the palatal side of the tooth. The total energy density at each application was 10 J with an interappointment gap of 3 weeks. The retraction was carried using a constant force of 150 gm. A digital vernier caliper measurement was used to measure the distance between the contact points of the maxillary canine and second premolar on 1st and 84th day. RESULTS: The rate of orthodontic tooth movement was faster on the experimental side, and the difference between the two sides was statistically significant (P < 0.014). INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSION: It was concluded that biostimulation carried out using an 810 nm diode laser is capable of increasing the rate of extraction space closure. Hence, it is capable of increasing the rate of orthodontic tooth movement.

A Comparative Evaluation of Interleukin 1 Beta and Prostaglandin E2 with and without Low-level Laser Therapy during En masse Retraction.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Orthodontic forces are known to produce mechanical damage and inflammatory mediators such as prostaglandins (PGs) and interleukin (IL)-1, in the periodontium and dental pulp. Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is a stimulator of the on-going biological process in tissue and found to be effective in modulating cell activity, which is involved in orthodontic tooth movement. Here, a humble effort has been made to study two such cytokines, namely IL-1 ß and PG E2 (PGE2) which are partially responsible for bone turnover. The purpose of this study was to compare the changes occurring in the values of IL-1 ß and PGE2 in the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) during en masse retraction with and without LLLT. METHODOLOGY: GCF was collected using micropipettes from the distal ends of upper canines. The experimental side was exposed to biostimulation using 810 nm gallium-aluminum-arsenide diode laser and the contralateral side taken as control. A total of 10 irradiations for 10 s per site were given, five on the buccal side and five on the palatal side, to cover the entire periodontal fibers and the alveolar process around the tooth. After 7 days and 21 days of retraction, GCF sample was collected. Quantitative analysis of IL-1 ß and PGE2 in the GCF samples was assessed using a commercially available Raybiotech® IL-1 ß and Human PGE2. RESULTS: (1) IL-1 ß and PGE2 levels showed significant results from baseline to 21 days after LLLT irradiation. (2) LLLT-assisted retraction was significantly faster than conventional retraction. INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSION: It was concluded from the study that IL-1 ß and PGE2 levels peaked after LLLT. The difference in the levels of both cytokines was statistically significant.

In vitro antifungal activity of different components of Centratherum anthelminticum and Ocimum sanctum seed oils and their synergism against oral pathogenic fungi.

Background. Opportunistic fungal infections like candidiasis are common in the oral cavity. In recent years Candida species have shown resistance against a number of synthetic drugs. This study assessed the antifungal activity of Centratherum anthelminticum and Ocimum sanctum seed oils against six common pathogenic Candida strains. Synergistic activity of the major oil components was also studied. Methods. Antifungal activity of Centratherum anthelminticum and Ocimum sanctum seed oils were tested against six oral fungal pathogens, Candida albicans ATCC 90028, Candida krusei 6258, Candida tropicalis 13803, Candida parapsilosis22019, Candida glabrata 90030 and Candida dubliniensis MYA 646, by disc diffusion and broth microdilution methods to determine the diameter of inhibition zone (DIZ) and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), respectively. The oil was extracted using Soxhlet apparatus from seeds subjected to columnchromatography (CC) and thin layer chromatography (TLC) and major components were separated and quantified. Results. All the six Candida strains showed growth inhibition to a variable degree when tested with both seed oils. Both seed oils showed antifungal activity. For Centratherum anthelminticum seed oil maximum DIZ at 7 µL was recorded at 75.7 mm for Candida albicans ATCC 90028, and the least DIZ was 45.7 mm for Candida dubliniensis MYA 646. For Ocimum sanctum seed oil maximum DIZ at 7 µL was 61.0 mm for Candida krusei ATCC 6258 and the least DIZ was 46.7 mm for Candida tropicalis ATCC 13803. The mixtures of phospholipids and unsaponifiable matter exhibitedMIC values at 1.25 µL for both oils, whereas neutral lipids fraction and unsaponifiable matter exhibited similar MIC at 2.5 µL against Candida albicans and Candida krusei. Conclusion. Centratherum anthelminticum and Ocimum sanctumseed oils exhibited strong antifungal activity against six different species of Candida and this may be attributed to various active components in the oil and their synergistic activity.

Comparison between efficacy of four different types of orthodontic separators.

AIM: To evaluate the rapidity and amount of separation of four different types of separators (i.e. Elastomeric separators, Dumbbell separators, Kesling springs and NEET springs) and also the percentage of loss of these separators. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The separating effect of 4 different types of separators (i.e. Elastomeric separators, Dumbbell separators, Kesling springs and NEET springs) were assessed for 3 days, and the separated space between molars and premolars were noted separately for three consecutive days. The number and types of lost separators were recorded at the same time. The amount of separation between molars and 2(nd) premolar in each quadrant was measured separately with a leaf gauge (sensitivity 5/100mm) and noted on each day. RESULTS: Dumbbell separators proved to be the fastest in producing separation and they produced consistently greater amount of separation on all three days. CONCLUSIONS: The Dumbbell separator would be ideal for situations where in rapid separation is needed, and also in cases where in the patient comes with the loss of separators.

Interferon stimulated gene-ISG15 is a potential diagnostic biomarker in oral squamous cell carcinomas.

BACKGROUND: Cancer diagnostic biomarkers have a wide range of applications that include early detection of oral precancerous lesions and oral squamous cell carcinomas, and assessing the metastatic status of lesions. The interferon stimulated ISG15 gene encodes an ubiquitin-like protein, which conjugates to stabilize activation status of associated proteins. Hence a deregulated expression of ISG15 may promote carcinogenesis. Indeed overexpression of ISG15 has been observed in several cancers and hence it has been proposed as a strong candidate cancer diagnostic biomarker. Given the emerging relationship between malignant transformation and ISG15, we sought to examine the expression pattern of this gene in tumor biopsies of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) tissues collected from Indian patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Total RNA isolated from thirty oral squamous cell carcinoma tissue biopsy samples were subjected to semi-quantitative RT-PCR with ISG15 specific primers to elucidate the expression level. RESULTS: Of the thirty oral squamous cell carcinomas that were analyzed, ISG15 expression was found in twenty four samples (80%). Twelve samples expressed low level of ISG15, six of them expressed moderately, while the rest of them expressed very high level of ISG15. CONCLUSIONS: To the best of our knowledge, the results show for the first time an overexpression of ISG15 in up to 80% of oral squamous cell carcinoma tissues collected from Indian patients. Hence ISG15 may be explored for the possibility of use as a high confidence diagnostic biomarker in oral cancers.