Analyses of the Erosive Potential of Various Soft Drinks and Packaged Fruit Juices on Teeth.

AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the erosive potential of twenty beverages (8 carbonated drinks and 12 packaged fruit juices). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-one sound permanent freshly extracted teeth were segmented into small enamel slices and stored in normal saline. The titratable acidity of each experimental drink was measured as the amount of 0.1 N sodium hydroxide (NaOH) required to raise pH to 5.5 and 7. The enamel specimens were incubated in freshly collected human saliva for 3 hours. One enamel slice was immersed in each beverage and percentage weight loss in the enamel slice was calculated after 6 and 24 hours intervals. RESULTS: The titratable acidity values of the experimental drinks ranged from 0.2 to 5.6. The mean titratable acidity values of the packaged fruit juices were higher than carbonated drinks. A significant difference (p < 0.0 5) was found in the percentage weight loss of enamel specimens after 6 and 24 hours immersion in the carbonated drinks than packaged fruit juices. Apple juice followed by thumps up were found to be the most erosive drinks with the least effects of Miranda and Guava juice. CONCLUSION: Most of the beverages tested in this study showed erosive potential. The carbonated drinks caused significant dental erosion. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Individuals at risk for beverages-associated erosion, particularly those with high intakes or decreased salivary flow, should be provided preventive guidance regarding habits of beverages intake. Specific dietary recommendations for the prevention of dental erosion may now be developed based on the patient's history of beverage consumption.

Clear Cell Variant of Calcifying Epithelial Odontogenic Tumor: A Rare Clinical Entity.

Calcifying epithelial odontogenic tumor (CEOT) is a rare benign odontogenic neoplasm of the jaws. Although clear cells have been reported in approximately 8% of cases of CEOT, the exact nature of these cells in clear cell calcifying epithelial odontogenic tumor (CCEOT) has not been elucidated. Presence of clear cells in CEOT may confer a more aggressive behavior to the lesion and a tendency for recurrence and metastatic spread. We report of a case of CCEOT in a 63 year old female patient which was first treated with enucleation; however recurrence prompted a segmental resection along with coronoid and condyle.

Scientific misconduct: a perspective from India.

Misconduct in medical science research is an unfortunate reality. Science, for the most part, operates on the basis of trust. Researchers are expected to carry out their work and report their findings honestly. But, sadly, that is not how science always gets done. Reports keep surfacing from various countries about work being plagiarised, results which were doctored and data fabricated. Scientific misconduct is scourge afflicting the field of science, unfortunately with little impact in developing countries like India especially in health care services. A recent survey and a meta-analysis suggest that the few cases that do float up represents only tip of a large iceberg. This paper therefore highlights reasons for misconduct with steps that can be taken to reduce misconduct. Also the paper throws light on Indian scenario in relation to misconduct.

Evaluation of ponticulus posticus on digital lateral cephalograms and cone beam computed tomography in patients with migraine and healthy individuals: a comparative study.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of ponticulus posticus (PP) in patients with migraine. STUDY DESIGN: The presence and types of PP were investigated in 100 patients with migraine and 100 healthy controls on digital lateral cephalograms and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans. RESULTS: PP was found in 42% of the patients with migraine and in 19% of the healthy controls on digital lateral cephalograms. CBCT scan found PP in 40 patients with migraine and in 18 healthy controls. The agreement between the occurrence of PP seen on digital lateral cephalograms and that seen on CBCT images was "very good" (κ = 0.92). CONCLUSIONS: Significant association was found between PP and migraine. PP is easily visible on lateral cephalograms. For a more accurate diagnosis, CBCT is required. Therefore, radiographic detection of PP must be considered an important task, because this anomaly may be a key indicator of an underlying disease process.