Anatomical Insights: Two Case Reports on Protostylid Variants and Literature Synthesis.

Protostylids are an anatomical variant of the paramolar tubercle, which refers to the presence of an additional cusp in the buccal surfaces of maxillary and mandibular bicuspids and molars. This structure, first reported by Dahlberg in 1950, is found in low frequencies and plays a significant role in dental anthropology. This anatomical variant, if present poses a threat to dental caries and periodontal diseases and hence requires early diagnosis and preventive dental care.

Relevance of serum and salivary sialic acid in oral cancer diagnostics.

To review the relevance of sialic acid as a tumour marker in oral cancer. Tumour marker are useful in the screening for early malignancy. Sialic acids are important in determining the surface properties of cells and has been implicated in cellular invasiveness, adhesiveness, and immunogenicity.

Immunofluorescence in oral lesions.

Immunofluorescence is an immunohistochemical method used to demonstrate the presence of antigen and antibodies in the tissues or serum. It is an auxiliary diagnostic tool for the autoimmune bullous and inflammatory disorders. It detects the and circulating immune deposits that are involved in the pathogenesis of immunobullous diseases.

Unicystic ameloblastoma of the mandible- report of two cases with review of literature.

Ameloblastoma is classified into solid/multicystic, extraosseous/peripheral, desmoplastic and unicystic types based on the clinical appearance by WHO (2003). Unicystic ameloblastoma is the 2(nd) and far less frequent growth pattern seen in intra-osseous ameloblastoma. It tends to occur in younger population and constitutes approximately 6% of ameloblastomas with no sexual or racial predilection.

Prevalence, severity and associated factors of dental caries in 3-6 year old children.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence and the severity of dental caries in 3-6 year old children in Chennai and to elucidate the factors which affect the dental caries in 3-6 year old children.

Methods: This study was a cross-sectional survey which was done on 527 children who were in the age group of 3 to 6 years, who were from 6 private and 6 corporation schools in Chennai, India. Two instruments were developed, pre-tested and validated for the study.