Study to assess Activity and Concentration of Gammaglutamyl Transpeptidase in Precancerous and Cancer Patients and Its Comparison with Controls.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study is to highlight the use of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) as salivary enzyme tumor marker and assess the activity and concentration of GGT in precancerous and cancer patients and compare it with the normal control. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Individuals in the age group of above 20 years were included in the study. In this study, salivary GGT was analyzed in 75 cases. The selected patients were divided into three main groups as group I (controls with normal health), group II (patients with precancerous lesions and conditions), and group III (patients with oral cancer lesions). All the selected individuals were analyzed for salivary GGT. RESULTS: A significant difference was observed between control and precancerous groups with GGT values at 5% level of significance. The mean GGT value is significantly higher in precancerous group as compared with control group (p < 0.05). A significant difference was observed between control and cancerous groups with GGT values at 5% level of significance. The mean GGT value is significantly higher in cancerous group as compared with control group (p < 0.05). A significant difference was observed between precancerous and cancerous groups with GGT values at 5% level of significance. The mean GGT value is significantly higher in cancerous group as compared with precancerous group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: There is a remarkable increase in salivary GGT activity in both precancerous and cancerous conditions. The increased activity was more marked in cancerous conditions than in precancerous conditions. The GGT levels were two- to threefold increased in precancerous conditions as compared with control group. This finding was statistically significant and also suggested the strong correlation between GGT levels and presence of precancerous conditions. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Integration of all these observation strengthens our thinking that elevation of salivary GTT in pre-cancerous and cancerous conditions can be a reliable biomarker in early detection and prevention of oral malignancy.

Knowledge, awareness, and practices of complementary and alternative medicine for oral health-care management among dental students.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to assess the awareness and practices of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for oral health-care management among dental students. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 200 dental students of final year and internship selected by simple random sampling using a close-ended questionnaire. RESULTS: Among the total respondents, 52% were females and 48% were males. Nearly, 14% of the students were not aware of the different categories of the CAM and 12% of them were not aware of its implication in oral health-care management. CONCLUSION: Majority of the students was aware of CAM, yet they do not follow the use of the same for their patient's oral health-care management. Hence, a small provision regarding the knowledge of CAM should be imposed under the undergraduate curriculum for the dental students so that it should be implemented in their practice in future.

Facial Palsy, a Disorder Belonging to Influential Neurological Dynasty: Review of Literature.

Facial paralysis is one of the common problem leading to facial deformation. Bell's palsy (BP) is defined as a lower motor neuron palsy of acute onset and idiopathic origin. BP is regarded as a benign common neurological disorder of unknown cause. It has an acute onset and is almost always a mononeuritis. The facial nerve is a mixed cranial nerve with a predominant motor component, which supplies all muscles concerned with unilateral facial expression. Knowledge of its course is vital for anatomic localization and clinical correlation. BP accounts for approximately 72% of facial palsies. Almost a century later, the management and etiology of BP is still a subject of controversy. Here, we present a review of literature on this neurologically significant entity.

Myths and misconceptions in general public toward ocular complications followed by the removal of upper teeth.

INTRODUCTION: The upper jaw forms the floor of the maxillary sinus and the upper teeth are continuous with the whole midface and cranium, therefore while treating these teeth, it is important for the practitioner to consider the possibility of ocular complications. Ocular disturbances such as blurring of vision, mydriasis, ptosis, diplopia, enophthalmos, miosis, and blindness are rare complications due to intraoral local anesthesia. So far at present, the general population is having myths and misconceptions regarding the extraction of teeth and vision loss; hence, we evaluated the same. METHODS: A cross-sectional prospective survey targeting the general public was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire. A total of 300 standardized self-administered questionnaires were given and the data were analyzed. RESULTS: Out of 300 patients, 148 were educated and 152 were uneducated. The study population was analyzed based on their age, sex, and literacy, i.e. the level of education. Seventy-six percent of uneducated and 48% of educated groups had false belief of ocular complications followed by the removal of upper teeth and among them uneducated females of older age group showed higher prevalence. CONCLUSION: The general public's knowledge about ocular complications due to tooth extraction in our study group is not adequate and needs improvement. Although the practice of informing by dentists is satisfactory, there is a need for creating awareness in the general public against such complications.

Comparison of Self-Etch Primers with Conventional Acid Etching System on Orthodontic Brackets.

INTRODUCTION: The self-etching primer system consists of etchant and primer dispersed in a single unit. The etching and priming are merged as a single step leading to fewer stages in bonding procedure and reduction in the number of steps that also reduces the chance of introduction of error, resulting in saving time for the clinician. It also results in smaller extent of enamel decalcification. AIM: To compare the Shear Bond Strength (SBS) of orthodontic bracket bonded with Self-Etch Primers (SEP) and conventional acid etching system and to study the surface appearance of teeth after debonding; etching with conventional acid etch and self-etch priming, using stereomicroscope. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five Groups (n=20) were created randomly from a total of 100 extracted premolars. In a control Group A, etching of enamel was done with 37% phosphoric acid and bonding of stainless steel brackets with Transbond XT (3M Unitek, Monrovia, California). Enamel conditioning in left over four Groups was done with self-etching primers and adhesives as follows: Group B-Transbond Plus (3M Unitek), Group C Xeno V+ (Dentsply), Group D-G-Bond (GC), Group E-One-Coat (Coltene). The Adhesive Remnant Index (ARI) score was also evaluated. Additionally, the surface roughness using profilometer were observed. RESULTS: Mean SBS of Group A was 18.26±7.5MPa, Group B was 10.93±4.02MPa, Group C was 6.88±2.91MPa while of Group D was 7.78±4.13MPa and Group E was 10.39±5.22MPa respectively. In conventional group ARI scores shows that over half of the adhesive was remaining on the surface of tooth (score 1 to 3). In self-etching primer groups ARI scores show that there was no or minor amount of adhesive remaining on the surface of tooth (score 4 and 5). SEP produces a lesser surface roughness on the enamel than conventional etching. However, statistical analysis shows significant correlation (p<0.001) of bond strength with surface roughness of enamel. CONCLUSION: All groups might show clinically useful SBS values and Transbond XT can be successfully used for bracket bonding after enamel conditioning with any of the SEPs tested. The SEPs used in Groups C (Xeno V+) and D (G-Bond) have significantly lowered SBS. Although, the values might still be clinically acceptable.