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Introduction: Furcation regions present some of the most significant challenges to the successful outcome of periodontal therapy. Due to their anatomical complexities, the areas become inaccessible, and instrumentation is generally tricky and often incomplete. Hence, it is essential to have a thorough knowledge of molar anatomy to assess the case difficulty, appropriate diagnosis, and treatment planning. Aim: To radiographically evaluate and classify the furcation anatomy of mandibular first and second molars based on root trunk length and root divergence angle. Materials and Methods: This retrospective observational study was carried out in AB Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental sciences, Mangalore between February and March 2020. Orthopantomograms (OPG) with permanent healthy first (25 right and 25 left) and second mandibular molars (25 right and 25 left) with no alveolar bone loss obtained from systemically healthy individuals were selected for the study. They were screened for root divergence angle and root length to root trunk length ratio. According to the root divergence angle, the total sample was classified as Group I (with angle <30°), Group II (with angle 30°to 60°), Group III (with angle >60°). They were classified into Type A, B, and C based on Hou and Tsai classification. Type A root trunks involving the cervical third or less, Type B involves upto cervical half of the length of the root and Type C involves cervical two-thirds of the root, respectively. The data were collected and entered in the Microsoft Excel sheet. Mean and standard deviation was calculated for root divergence. Statistical analysis was performed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23.0. Student t-test was used to compare intragroup variations in root divergence in the left and right molars. The p<0.05 was considered to be significant. Results: Total 100 teeth (50 mandibular first molar (25 left and 25 right) and 50 mandibular second molars (25 left and 25 right)) were included in the study and analysed. In terms of Furcation Angle (FA), mandibular left first molar showed an increased frequency of Group II (48%) and Group III (48%), while mandibular left second molar showed an increased frequency of Group II (68%). Among mandibular right first molar Group III (56%) showed an increased frequency, while Group II (92%) was commonly seen in right second molar. Intergroup comparison revealed a statistically significant difference in divergence between mandibular left first and second molars (36 and 37) p<0.01, mandibular right first and second molars (46 and 47) (p<0.01). Divergence of furcation was more significant in 36 and 46 than 37 and 47, respectively. The current study results showed a higher frequency of Type A in all the four involved teeth, i.e., left first (96%) and second (68%) molars, right first (92%) and second (88%) molars. Conclusion: The study results showed an increased frequency of Group II FA and Type A root trunks. The divergence of furcation was greater in first molars compared to the second molars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Periodontal diseases are a group of inflammatory conditions resulting from interaction between a pathogenic bacterial biofilm and susceptible host's inflammatory response eventually leading to the destruction of periodontal structures and subsequent tooth loss. Hence, investigation of salivary proteins in individuals with periodontal diseases may be useful to enhance the knowledge of their roles in these diseases. Materials and Methods: This case-control study was conducted at A.B. Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences, Mangalore. The study comprised of 90 patients of age between 25-60 years who were clinically examined and divided into three groups of 30 each: namely clinically healthy, gingivitis and chronic periodontitis. These were classified according to the values of gingival index score, clinical attachment loss and probing pocket depth. Unstimulated saliva was collected and salivary mucin, amylase and total protein levels were determined. Statistical analysis: Results obtained were tabulated and statistically analyzed using ANOVA test and Karl pearson's correlation test. Results: The results of the study showed an increased concentration of salivary mucin, amylase and total protein in gingivitis patients and increased levels of amylase and total protein in saliva of chronic periodontitis patients compared to healthy individuals which were statistically significant. Adecrease in mucin concentration was observed in the periodontitis group compared to gingivitis group. A positive correlation was present between salivary mucin, amylase and total protein levels in the three groups. Conclusion: Salivary mucin, amylase and total protein may serve as an important biochemical parameter of inflammation of the periodontium. Also, it can be hypothesized that various enzyme inhibitors might be useful as a part of host modulation therapy in the treatment of periodontal diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]