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Hypercementosis is a non-neoplastic condition in which excessive cementum is deposited in continuation with the normal radicular cementum. Although some cases of hypercementosis are idiopathic, this condition is associated with several local and systemic factors such as supra-eruption of a tooth, inflammation at the apex of a tooth, traumatic occlusion, Paget′s disease, etc. Hypercementosis may be isolated, involve multiple teeth, or appear as a generalized process. Posterior teeth are more commonly involved. The radiographic appearance of hypercementosis is an altered shape of the root with maintenance of normal relationship of the shadows of the periodontal membrane and lamina dura. The histologic study of teeth with hypercementosis shows that the cementum formed is usually osteocementum (acellular cementum). The differential diagnosis may include any radiopaque structure that is seen in the vicinity of the root, such as a dense bone island or mature cemento-osseous dysplasia. Patients with hypercementosis require no treatment. Because of a thickened root, occasional problems have been reported during the extraction of an affected tooth. Herein, an interesting case of a mammoth, dumbbell shaped hypercementosis associated with maxillary third molar is reported.

Verrucous carcinoma (VC) is a variant of squamous cell carcinoma. It most commonly affects the oral cavity with buccal mucosa being the most common site affected. Clinically it has proliferative finger-like projections or a cauliflower-like appearance which is a significant factor in its diagnosis. It is more common in tobacco user males. The histopathological diagnosis of VC is difficult and requires immense experience to report a case of VC. Though VC is described as a benign lesion with minimum aggressive potential but long-standing cases have shown transformation into squamous cell carcinoma. Therefore, early diagnosis and surgical excision of the lesion are the most appropriate treatment modality of VC.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine whether localization is achievable with a single panoramic radiograph. Materials and Methods: A total of 40 patients were studied, in varying age groups and were assessed clinically for impacted or erupted malpositioned maxillary canines. In 20 patients with erupted malposed canines, a panoramic radiograph was compared with the clinical visual method; and in the remaining 20 patients with impacted maxillary canines, a panoramic radiograph was compared with the buccal object rule, for localizing the canine. Results: In our study, the patients were in the age group of 11-52 years, with a mean age of 23.47 ± 8.63 years (SD). Kappa statistics revealed good agreement for localization by using panoramic radiographs when compared to the visual method (value-0.684), and they revealed moderate agreement for localization when using panoramic radiographs, as compared to the buccal object rule (value-0.630). A coefficient correlation for reliability of a panoramic radiograph gave a predictive value of P < 0.0001, thus proving that using panoramic radiography for localizing the object is highly significant. Conclusion: Our study suggested that panoramic radiography is a moderately reliable tool for localizing maxillary impacted canines.

Introduction: One of the important components responsible for the maintenance of cell integrity is lipids, which are also required for various biological functions like cell division and growth of normal and malignant tissues. It has been proposed that malignancies are associated with changes in lipid profile. Aims and Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the alterations in lipid profile in untreated patients of oral submucous fibrosis (OSF), leukoplakia, oral lichen planus (OLP) and control group. Materials and Methods: In this hospital-based study, 20 clinically diagnosed patients of OSF, 20 biopsy-proven cases of leukoplakia, 20 biopsy-proven cases of lichen planus and 20 subjects in the control groups were studied. In the samples collected, serum lipids including the following were analyzed: (i) serum cholesterol, (ii) serum triglyceride, (iii) low-density lipoprotein (LDL), (iv) high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and (v) very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL). Results: Serum lipid profile had inverse relationship with oral precancerous conditions/lesions. Serum triglycerides and VLDL levels showed significant reduction in patients with leukoplakia and lichen planus as compared with controls. No significant correlation of the lipid profile has been found in the OSF patients. Conclusion: The above findings strongly warrant a large sample size keeping in mind the types of lichen planus, leukoplakia staging and OSF staging, and their correlation with tobacco habits is required to make it effective as a prognostic tool in life-threatening conditions.

Bisphosphonates are used to treat osteoporosis. Paget disease of bone and other metabolic bone diseases, multiple myeloma, and skeletal events associated with metastatic neoplasms- In 2003, the first reports describing osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) in patients receiving bisphosphonates were published. About 95% of these cases occurred among cancer patients receiving high-dose intravenous bisphosphonates. Approximately 5% of the reported cases have been in osteoporosis patients receiving low dose bisphosphonate therapy. The mandible is more commonly affected than the maxilla (2:1 ratio), and 60% of cases are preceded by a dental surgical procedure. Oversuppression of bone turnover is probably the primary mechanism for the development of this condition, although there may be contributing comorbid factors. All sites of potential jaw infection should be eliminated before bisphosphonates therapy is initiated in these patients to reduce the necessity of subsequent dentoalveolar surgery. Conservative debridement of necrotic bone, pain control, infection management, use of antimicrobial oral rinses, and withdrawal of bisphosphonates are preferable to aggressive surgical measures for treating this condition. The purpose of the present article is to enlighten the dental fraternity about this frequently prescribed class of drugs with regard to its types and mode of action, and the implication of bisphosphonates-induced ONJ.

Transmigration of teeth is a relatively less well known phenomenon. Its etiology is not so well understood. We present a case of bilateral transmigration of mandibular canines with a type 5 classification pattern (Muparappu) in a 21 year old male patient with emphasis on its etiology and complications accompanying its management.

Lymphangiomas are benign, hemartomatous tumors of lymphatic vessels. They most likely represent developmental malformations that apse from sequestrations of lymphatic tissues that do not communicate normally with rest of lymphatic system. Our present knowledge of lymphangioma indicates that it has a predilection for the head and neck, which accounts for 50 to 75% of all cases. About half of all lesions are noticed at birth and around 90% develop by 2 years of age. Lymphangioma is a rare medical condition and not many cases are reported in scientific literature. A case of lymphangioma of tongue in a 17-year-old male is reported.