Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma of Buccal Mucosa: A Rare Case Report.

Adenoid cystic carcinoma is a malignant neoplasm most commonly originating in salivary glands of head and neck region. Among intra oral adenoid cystic carcinoma, buccal mucosa is among the rarest sites. We report a case of adenoid cystic of buccal mucosa in a 40-year old female. We have discussed the clinical features, histopathology, diagnosis and treatment along with a brief review of the relevant literature. Although the buccal mucosa is an uncommon site for adenoid cystic carcinoma, the relatively indolent growth pattern of this case and its location which is rather atypical for this type of salivary gland malignancy primarily warrants the necessity behind reporting of this case. Secondly, adenoid cystic carcinoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of mass of buccal mucosa. It is important to identify such cases rather early and surgical removal with adequate margins is the treatment of choice .

Efficacy of Sex Determination from Human Dental Pulp Tissue and its Reliability as a Tool in Forensic Dentistry.

BACKGROUND: Sex determination is one of the primary steps in forensics. Barr body can be used as a histological method for identification of sex as it is found to be specific to female somatic cells and rare in male cells. To demarcate human dental pulp as an important identification tool of sex in forensic odontology (FO) and to evaluate the time period till which sex can be determined from pulp tissue using three stains H and E, Feulgen, and acridine - orange under fluorescence so as. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 90 pulp samples (45 males and 45 females) were subjected to Barr body analysis for determination of sex using light and fluorescent microscopy. RESULTS: Barr body was found to be positive for female samples and negative or rare in the male sample (<3%). CONCLUSION: Barr body from human dental pulp tissue can be used as a successful determinant of sex identification in FO.

Exfoliative cytology: A possible tool in age estimation in forensic odontology.

INTRODUCTION: Age determination of unknown human bodies is important in the setting of a crime investigation or a mass disaster because the age at death, birth date, and year of death as well as gender can guide investigators to the correct identity among a large number of possible matches. OBJECTIVE: The study was undertaken with an aim to estimate the age of an individual from their buccal smears by comparing the average cell size using image analysis morphometric software. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Buccal smears were collected from 100 apparently healthy individuals. After fixation in 95% alcohol, the smears were stained using standard Papanicolaou laboratory procedure. The average cell size was measured using Dewinter's image analysis software version 4.3. Statistical analysis of the data was done using one-way ANOVA, Bonferroni procedures. RESULTS: The results showed significant decrease in average cell size of individual with increase in age. The difference was highly significant in age group of above 60 years. CONCLUSION: Age-related alterations are observed in buccal smears.

A call for a new speciality: Forensic odontology as a subject.

BACKGROUND: Forensic science is defined as a discipline concerned with the application of science and technology to the detection and investigation of crime and administration of justice, requiring the coordinated efforts of a multidisciplinary team. Dental identification remains one of the most reliable and frequently applied methods of identification. Hence, it can be defined as the science that deals with evidence from the dental and oral structures and is a specialty in itself. OBJECTIVES: To analyze the level of awareness of Forensic Odontology amongst the individuals from the field of dentistry with the help of a survey. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A questionnaire was prepared and a survey was conducted with a sample size of 200 divided in four groups. RESULTS: Revealed inadequate knowledge, poor attitude, and lack of practice of forensic odontology prevailing among the dentists. CONCLUSION: Our study reflects the current situation of our country in the field of forensic odontology, which could be improved by introducing forensic odontology as a subject in the dental curriculum at both the undergraduate and the post-graduate levels.

Stature and gender determination and their correlation using odontometry and skull anthropometry.

BACKGROUND: When the body has been mutilated, it is common to have the extremities or head amputated from the trunk. In concern with forensic odontology, an estimate must have been made based on the correlation of osteometry along with odontometry in determining sex, race and stature. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to investigate and correlate height and gender from odontometry and anthropometric data of the skull. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology and Microbiology, I.T.S Center for Dental studies and Research, Muradnagar, Ghaziabad (UP) with the representative study subjects of 60 patients as 30 males and 30 females in the age group of 15-25 years. The selected parameters were measured and then correlated to investigate stature and gender from odontometry and anthropometric data of the skull. RESULTS: On linear regression analysis, the selected parameters were found to be statistically significant predictor of height. It was also established by Karl Pearson's coefficient correlation that the left mandibular canine index for female was statistically significant to show sexual dimorphism. CONCLUSION: In the emerging field of forensic odontology, skull anthropometry, odontometry exhibits stature determination and strong sexual dimorphism.

Assessment of palatal rugae pattern and their reproducibility for application in forensic analysis.

BACKGROUND: Rugae are the anatomical folds that are located on the anterior third of palate behind the incisive papillae. They are also known as "Plica palatine," and the study of these patterns is called palatoscopy. It can be used in various fields such as sex determination, orthodontics and forensic odontology. OBJECTIVE: To investigate palatal rugae patterns in females and males and to evaluate the stability of these patterns in pre- and post-operative orthodontic cases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty patients were selected for this study (25 males and 25 females). From the above sample, 10 males and 10 females had undergone orthodontic treatment and their casts were retrieved for sex determination analysis and stability of rugae patterns pre- and post-treatment. RESULTS: Changes occur in bony structures during fixed orthodontic treatment but rugae patterns remain stable. Kappa stats and Chi square test were used to analyze agreement between the two evaluators, and 95% correct matches were achieved. CONCLUSION: Palatal rugae are unique to every individual and can be used as an indicator in forensic odontology.