Preliminary analysis testing the accuracy of radiographic visibility of root pulp in the mandibular first molars as a maturity marker at age threshold of 18 years.

Forensic age estimation, after completion of third molar mineralization, regressive features such as apposition of secondary dentin, which is seen as narrowing of the pulp space in the radiographs, can be used as an alternative. In the present study, we explored the radiographic visibility of the root pulp of mandibular first molars using stage classification of Olze et al. (Int J Legal Med 124(3):183-186, 2010) in a sample of 901 orthopantomograms (404 males and 497 females) of south Indian origin with age ranging from 14 to 22 years.

Evaluation of Microneedling Therapy in Management of Facial Scars.

Background: Appearance and beauty always have been playing a major aspect of human's lives, regardless of the era. The desire for man to look better had led to various treatment modalities. One among them is microneedling therapy, also called as percutaneous collagen induction therapy or dermaroller therapy.

Does smartphone addiction affect social interaction: a study among dental students in Hyderabad.

Objective: Technology has revolutionized the way people communicate and changed communication in many ways. The evolution of the smartphone may shed some light on this. Though smartphones are user friendly, they can be detrimental to a user's health if they are used in an addictive manner.

Effect of reflective thinking on academic performance among undergraduate dental students.

Introduction: Self-directed learning is a vital principle promoted in health profession's education, particularly with the increasing use of online learning methods. Likewise, reflection has been recognized as an indispensable and formidable concept for learning which plays a positive role in fostering students' self-reflection, critical thinking, and development of professional values and skill. Hence, the present study was undertaken to identify the effect of reflective thinking on academic performance among undergraduate dental students.

Comparison of efficacy of probiotics versus tetracycline fibers as adjuvants to scaling and root planing.

Context: Both gingivitis and periodontitis are due to the detrimental effects of the microbe-laden biofilm. The mainstay of periodontal treatment is, therefore, the disruption of this biofilm by scaling and root planing (SRP). Other treatment protocols such as systemic antimicrobials have been administered as adjuvants after scaling and root planning.

A Meta-analysis on efficacy of auto fluorescence in detecting the early dysplastic changes of oral cavity.

Background: Light-based detection agents using autofluorescence may be helpful in the detection of early dysplasia, which would otherwise be misdiagnosed as nondysplastic by conventional oral examination (COE) with white light. Visually-enhanced lesion scope (VELscope) is one of such an aid used for the purpose. A meta-analysis was carried out on the sensitivity and specificity of VELscope that would enable in providing evidence of its usage in oral dysplasia.

An update on investigations of autoimmune diseases affecting orofacial region.

Autoimmune diseases are better diagnosed currently with advances in cellular immunology, molecular biology, and genetics. Clinical diagnosis of systemic and organ specific autoimmune diseases is a challenging task for the Oral physicians and the development of chairside investigation methods has not only saved the time but also cost factor. To understand patient's immune status, the clinical chair side diagnostic aids along with laboratory testing methods are necessary.

ANALGESIC EFFECT OF INTRAVENOUS ASCORBIC ACID VERSUS ACELCOFENAC POST-TRANSALVEOLAR EXTRACTION: A CASE-CONTROL STUDY.

One of the most important aspects of postsurgical care is finding an efficient way for the management of pain. Third molar extractions/surgical impaction is one of the most frequent surgical procedures in dental hospitals, and it is most often associated with postoperative complications like severe pain, oedema and reduced mouth opening. This study was aimed to evaluate the efficacy of 2 g intravenous (IV) vitamin C compared to 100 mg aceclofenac on postsurgical pain, swelling and trismus after the surgical removal of third molars.

Efficacy of an herbal antioxidant as an adjunct to nonsurgical periodontal therapy on procalcitonin levels in smokers with chronic periodontitis.

Context: Smokers are at a higher risk of contracting periodontitis. This association is established and reported in many studies. Periodontitis is a polymicrobial disease, wherein smoking is an environmental factor which aggravates the damage caused to the tissues.

Quantification of and Mycobacterium avium complex in human immunodeficiency virus-infected individuals with and without tuberculosis.

Context: For a dental practitioner, HIV-TB co-infection which is a lethal aliment is an occupational hazard by the virtue of abundant aerosol formation in day to day dental practice.

Aim: To assess the prevalence of TB co-infection among HIV patients. To assess the infectivity by culturing Mycobacterium Tuberculosis and Mycobacterium avium complex using Lowenstein Jensen medium and Middlebrook medium.

Forensic age estimation of 85 male child laborers and 31 rescued female commercial sex workers from Hyderabad in South India.

Age estimation in living individuals has attained importance in forensic sciences from legal proceedings and has been a frequent request from concerned authorities to ascertain whether the person in question has reached the age of imputability and legal responsibility. The purpose of age estimation is not just limited to juvenile or sub-adult delinquents but also required in situations like a violation of child rights such as child employment, commercial sexual exploitation involving minor girls. Indian Law strictly forbids any employment of the children under the age of 14 and sexual exploitation of minor girls (<18 years).

Laser Excision of Focal Epithelial Hyperplasia (Heck's Disease): A Rare Case Report.

Unlabelled: Heck's disease or focal epithelial hyperplasia is a rare, benign and asymptomatic lesion of oral mucosa that is characterized by the presence of soft, sessile papules, white to pinkish in colour that occur diffusely in oral cavity. Prevalence rate of this disease greatly varies from one geographic region to another. It is found to be closely associated with human papilloma virus (HPV).

New regression models for dental age estimation in children using third molar maturity index: A preliminary analysis testing its usefulness as reliable age marker.

This paper concerns a method to estimate age in children using third molar maturity index (IM) as independent variable and age as the dependent variable. Total of 1283 digital orthopantomograms (OPTs) of south Indian children aged between 7 and 22 years was included. Training sample of 933 OPTs was used to derive regression formulae, and validation sample of 350 OPTs used to verify accuracy of newly derived regression models.

Ultrastructural Changes of Collagen in Different Histopathological Grades of Oral Submucous Fibrosis.

Background And Objectives: Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is a potentially malignant disorder and a crippling condition of oral mucosa. It is usually seen in adults with areca nut chewing habit, which is characterized by changes in the connective tissue fibers leading to stiffness of the mucosa and restricted mouth opening. Patients with severe cases have distinct difficulties in chewing, swallowing, and speaking.

Evaluation of Sagittal Changes in Class II Div 2 Patients with Decelerating Phase of Growth by PowerScope Appliance: A Retrospective Cephalometric Investigation.

Background: Restricted mandibular growth is observed in Class II Div 2 malocclusions. The fixed functional appliances are used to effect the skeletal changes in patients with end stages of skeletal maturity.

Aim: This cephalometric study aimed to distinguish the skeletal and dental corrections done in the mandible on skeletal Class II Div 2 subjects when treated with PowerScope appliance (American Orthodontics, Sheboygan, WI).

Association of CDKN2BAS gene polymorphism with periodontitis and Coronary Artery Disease from South Indian population.

Background: Periodontal disease (PD), a chronic inflammatory disorder mediated by progressive destruction of the oral cavity is one of the key factors for many systemic disorders including Coronary Artery Disease (CAD). The upregulation of CDKN2BAS, a long noncoding RNA gene expression in gingival epithelial cells and gingival fibroblasts of periodontitis shows a strong correlation between the severity of atherosclerosis and PD. Considering the crucial role of CDKN2BAS gene polymorphisms (rs496892 G > A and rs7865618 A > G) and its expression the present study sought to identify the possible association with the disease predisposition in South Indian population.

Comparison of effectiveness of low-dose aspirin versus omega-3 fatty acids as adjuvants to nonsurgical periodontal therapy in Type II diabetic patients with chronic periodontitis.

Context: Periodontitis and diabetes are universally prevalent diseases which are interlinked with each other. Inflammatory products released both by the microorganisms, and the host plays a pivotal role in causing both the diseases. Pentraxins are acute-phase proteins which are often found to be elevated in inflammatory states.

A cut-off value of third molar maturity index for indicating a minimum age of criminal responsibility: Older or younger than 16 years?

Providing appropriate legal mechanisms, that evaluate the progression of development from the age of childhood innocence to maturity and full responsibility, considered one of the difficult areas of criminal justice policy. The minimum age of criminal responsibility (MACR) in children varies among countries and differs widely owing to history and culture. Due to rising and brutality of criminal offenses, particularly by juveniles, few countries have lowered the minimum age of criminal responsibility, and many have considered/considering to do the same.

A Meta-Analysis on the Efficacy of Zinc in Oral Mucositis during Cancer Chemo and/or Radiotherapy-An Evidence-Based Approach.

Zinc in various therapeutic doses was used on patients suffering from oral mucositis during cancer treatment. A meta-analysis was conducted to probe the role of oral zinc as a possible treatment option for oral mucositis. A literature search was done using PubMed, EBSCO, Cochrane, MedLine, ScienceDirect, ResearchGate and Google Scholar with key words.

Evaluation of the Efficacy of Various Topical Fluorides on Enamel Demineralization Adjacent to Orthodontic Brackets: An Study.

Aim: White spot lesions (WSLs) occur frequently after fixed orthodontic treatment. This study was undertaken to compare the efficacy of 2.26% fluoride varnish, 1.

Zinc Therapy in Treatment of Symptomatic Oral Lichen Planus.

Lichen planus is a chronic inflammatory disease, which involves skin, mucous membrane, and nails. Prevalence of oral lichen planus varies between 0.5% and 2.

Insight into verruciform xanthoma with oral submucous fibrosis: Case report and review of literature.

Verruciform xanthoma (VX) is a rare benign mucocutaneous verrucopapillary lesion, which mainly involves masticatory mucosa and gingiva. Clinically, it presents as a solitary, sessile or pedunculated, white- or yellow-white-colored growth with a pebbled surface, hence often misdiagnosed as papilloma. The hallmark of histological diagnosis is the presence of foam cells or xanthoma cells confined to the connective tissue papillae.

Meta-analysis on pharmacological therapies in the management of xerostomia in patients with Sjogren's syndrome.

Sjogren's syndrome is an immunologic disorder, characterized by symptoms of dry mouth and dry eyes. Management of xerostomia is more difficult and challenging, various pharmacologic agents have been tried and evaluated in the management of xerostomia in these patients, but the results were inconsistent and variable. Hence, the present study is aimed at evaluation and comparison of different pharmacological agents in the management of xerostomia in patients with Sjogren's syndrome.

A Comparative Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Chitosan-Based Dressing and Conventional Method of Hemostasis in Patients on Oral Antithrombotic Therapy without Therapy Interruption.

Aims And Objectives: To assess the effectiveness of chitosan-based dressing after extraction in individuals on antithrombotics, without modification of their treatment schedule.

Materials And Methods: A randomized comparative study was carried out on 40 subjects who had two extraction sites, in dissimilar quadrants. The surgical site was chosen at random and post-extraction hemostasis was achieved by a custom-cut chitosan dressing (study site) and sterile cotton gauze dressing (suturing if required) at control site.

Effect of motivation on oral hygiene and caries status among young adults in Hyderabad City.

Background: Motivation is a theoretical construct used to explain behavior, it gives the reasons for people's action, desires, and needs, and it drives an individual to a certain action and determines human behavior.

Aim: To determine the effect of motivation on oral hygiene and caries status among young adults in Hyderabad city.

Settings And Design: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 18-20-year-old engineering college students of Nagole Institute of Technology and Sciences.