Comparison between the effect of commercially available chemical teeth whitening paste and teeth whitening paste containing ingredients of herbal origin on human enamel.

BACKGROUND: Dentistry plays a crucial role in shaping the esthetics of a person and thus boosts the self-esteem of an individual. Whitening of the teeth is the most popular procedure where surface and deep stain removal whitens the teeth. Teeth whitening is achieved by professional application of chemicals and can also be self-administered by numerous products available. The most popular product is teeth whitening paste which is simple in application and easily available. Recently, teeth whitening tooth paste is commercially available where natural ingredients or their derivatives are used instead of chemicals for teeth whitening. AIMS: To investigate and compare the effect of commercially available chemical teeth whitening toothpaste and teeth whitening toothpaste containing ingredients of herbal origin on human enamel (at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Royal Dental College, Kerala, India). MATERIALS AND METHODS: An in vitro study with a duration of 14 days was conducted. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: An in vitro study was conducted twenty samples were taken and assembled in to two groups of 10 each. Group A for teeth treated with conventional chemical toothpaste and group B for teeth treated with toothpaste containing ingredients of herbal origin. Premolars extracted for orthodontic purpose were checked for shade with Vita 3D shade guide and were observed under a stereomicroscope for surface morphology before the procedure. Each section was cleansed twice daily for 1 min with specified toothpaste and soft bristle toothbrush according to their groups and then cleansed with tap water and stored again in the same solution. After 14 days, the teeth were tested for the shade using vita 3D shade guide and surface morphology using stereomicroscope. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Student's unpaired t-test. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: In this 14-day in vitro study, the chemical whitening toothpaste showed better whitening of teeth than toothpaste containing ingredient of herbal origin, whereas the surface irregularities was increased on the surface of the enamel with chemical whitening toothpaste when compared with toothpaste containing ingrtedients of herbal origin.

Accelerated staining technique using kitchen microwave oven.

INTRODUCTION: Histopathological diagnosis of specimens is greatly dependent on good sample preparation and staining. Both of these processes is governed by diffusion of fluids and dyes in and out of the tissue, which is the key to staining. Diffusion of fluids can be accelerated by the application of heat that reduces the time of staining from hours to the minute. We modified an inexpensive model of kitchen microwave oven for staining. This study is an attempt to compare the reliability of this modified technique against the tested technique of routine staining so as to establish the kitchen microwave oven as a valuable diagnostic tool. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty different tissue blocks were used to prepare 20 pairs of slides for 4 different stains namely hematoxylin and eosin, Van Gieson's, 0.1% toluidine blue and periodic acid-Schiff. From each tissue block, two bits of tissues were mounted on two different slides. One slide was stained routinely, and the other stained inside a microwave. A pathologist evaluated the stained slides and the results so obtained were analyzed statistically. RESULTS: Microwave staining considerably cut down the staining time from hours to seconds. Microwave staining showed no loss of cellular and nuclear details, uniform-staining characteristics and was of excellent quality. INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSION: The cellular details, nuclear details and staining characteristics of microwave stained tissues were better than or equal to the routine stained tissue. The overall quality of microwave-stained sections was found to be better than the routine stained tissue in majority of cases.

Enigma of myoepithelioma at the base of tongue: A rare case report and review of literature.

Myoepithelioma, once considered to be a type of pleomorphic adenoma, is a rare benign tumor of the salivary glands. This uncommon tumor is most commonly diagnosed in the parotid gland and in the minor salivary glands of the palate. We report a case of myoepithelioma located at the base of tongue, a rare site, in a 48-year-old male, composed of spindle shaped myoepithelial cells.

Clear cell hidradenoma: An unusual tumor of the oral cavity.

Clear cell hidradenoma (CCH) is a benign tumor of skin appendage. This lesion is commonly seen on the head, face, extremities and rarely in the oral cavity. The clinical appearance of this lesion is not specific and differential diagnosis from other lesions, both benign and malignant, can only be made after complete removal of the lesion. Histopathology of these lesions is often confused with tumors of salivary glands because of their striking resemblance. In this case of oral CCH, histopathology was an important aid in the diagnosis and hence, CCH should be considered in the differential diagnosis of lesions of the oral cavity.

Metastatic follicular thyroid carcinoma to the body of the mandible mimicking an odontogenic tumor.

Metastatic tumors to the jawbones are uncommon. Metastatic lesions to the oro-facial region may be the first evidence of dissemination of an unknown tumor from its primary site. Follicular thyroid carcinoma rarely presents initially as a distant metastatic lesion within the mandible. This case of metastatic follicular thyroid carcinoma is presented to emphasize its unusual initial presentation within the body of the mandible, which mimicked an odontogenic tumor. It's important to detect the carcinoma early so that it can be treated successfully and also improves the prognosis of the patient. The histopathological features and immunohistochemical findings are also discussed.

Oral biopsy: oral pathologist's perspective.

Many oral lesions may need to be diagnosed by removing a sample of tissue from the oral cavity. Biopsy is widely used in the medical field, but the practice is not quite widespread in dental practice. As oral pathologists, we have found many artifacts in the tissue specimen because of poor biopsy technique or handling, which has led to diagnostic pitfalls and misery to both the patient and the clinician. This article aims at alerting the clinicians about the clinical faults arising preoperatively, intraoperatively and postoperatively while dealing with oral biopsy that may affect the histological assessment of the tissue and, therefore, the diagnosis. It also reviews the different techniques, precautions and special considerations necessary for specific lesions.