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Introduction: Menopause triggers hormonal changes that can manifest in oral symptoms like dysgeusia, xerostomia, and burning sensations, substantially impacting daily life, including chewing, swallowing, and taste perception. Menopausal women are particularly susceptible to nutritional fluctuations, including variations in zinc levels, which are believed to be linked to taste perception. Taste alterations can render food unappetizing, leading to malnutrition and diminished quality of life. The study aims to assess taste alterations, salivary flow rate, and zinc levels in premenopausal and postmenopausal women, investigating the correlation between these factors., Materials and Methods: This research involved 30 premenopausal and 30 postmenopausal women randomly selected from outpatients at the Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Panineeya Institute of Dental Sciences and Research Centre, Hyderabad, India. Saliva samples were collected, unstimulated salivary flow rates were measured, taste perception was evaluated using a whole mouth threshold taste test, and serum zinc levels were assessed., Results: The study revealed that a significantly higher percentage of postmenopausal women could not identify sucrose taste at concentrations 1 (76.7%, p = 0.017) and concentrations 2 (56.7%, p = 0.007) compared to premenopausal women (43.3%, 20%, respectively). A statistically significant number of postmenopausal women also couldn't identify the bitter taste at concentration 1 (43.3%, p=0.047) compared to premenopausal women. No significant difference in taste perception of salt and sour was observed between both groups at all tested concentrations. In both groups, mean taste perception rankings were similar, with salt being most perceived, followed by sour bitter, and at least with sucrose. Salivary flow rates and zinc levels did not significantly differ between premenopausal and postmenopausal women. The correlation between zinc levels and taste perception was weak and non-significant, indicating that zinc levels were not significant predictors of taste perception in either group., Conclusion: Postmenopausal women exhibited reduced perceptions of sucrose and quinine hydrochloride, potentially impacting eating habits, while taste perception of sodium chloride and citric acid remained relatively consistent. Salivary flow rates and zinc levels were within the normal range for postmenopausal women up to 60 years of age included in the study. The study demonstrated that zinc levels did not significantly influence perception among postmenopausal women, suggesting that taste impairment is a multifactorial phenomenon., Competing Interests: Human subjects: Consent was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Institutional Ethics Committee, Panineeya Institute of Dental Sciences and Research Centre issued approval PMVIDS & RC/lEC/OMR/DN/356-20 dated January 9, 2021. Animal subjects: All authors have confirmed that this study did not involve animal subjects or tissue. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work., (Copyright © 2024, Divya Harika et al.)

Background: Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic mucocutaneous disease affecting the general population, with its exact etiology remaining unknown. This condition is characterized by T-cell mediated autoimmunity wherein auto-cytotoxic CD8+ T cells precipitate basal cell apoptosis in the oral epithelium. Conventionally, corticosteroids have been the mainstay of treatment for OLP, necessitating the exploration of alternatives to mitigate long-term corticosteroid-related adverse effects. Amlexanox, a topical anti-inflammatory agent, impedes the synthesis and release of histamine, TNF-alpha, and leukotrienes from mast cells, neutrophils, and mononuclear cells, conceivably implicated in OLP pathogenesis., Aims: The study aims to evaluate and compare the clinical efficacy of topical amlexanox and triamcinolone acetonide in the treatment of OLP., Objectives: The objectives of this study are (i) to evaluate the lesion size following the topical application of 5% amlexanox paste in the treatment of OLP, (ii) to evaluate the burning sensation of the patient based on the VAS score, and (iii) to compare and evaluate the clinical efficacy of 5% amlexanox with 0.1% triamcinolone acetonide in the treatment of OLP., Methodology: Forty patients clinically and histopathologically diagnosed with symptomatic OLP were randomly assigned into two groups, each comprising 20 patients. Group A was prescribed topical 5% amlexanox, while Group B received topical 0.1% triamcinolone acetonide with instructions to apply the drug at the site of the lesion intraorally thrice a day after food. The clinical improvement was evaluated using the Thongprasom scale, and the burning sensation was assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS) score weekly over four weeks., Results: The study showed that there was a statistically significant reduction in the VAS score and size of lesion with each drug individually (p=0.000). There was a statistically significant difference in the mean values of VAS scores and size of the lesion between the first visit and fourth week, indicating a gradual reduction of the burning sensation and size of the lesion in both Group A and Group B, respectively. When both the groups were compared, there was no significant difference (p>0.05) in the reduction of burning sensation between Group A and Group B, indicating that amlexanox was as effective as triamcinolone in reducing the VAS score. However in terms of reduction of lesion size during the second week (p=0.022) and the third week (p=0.013), a statistically significant value was seen with a greater reduction in the size of the lesion in Group B compared to Group A., Conclusion: Given its anti-inflammatory properties and lower incidence of adverse effects relative to corticosteroids, amlexanox acts as a promising first-line therapeutic option for OLP. In cases of inadequate response, adjunctive therapies can be considered., Competing Interests: Human subjects: Consent was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Institutional Ethics Committee, PMVIDS issued approval PMVIDS&RC/IEC/OMR/DN/0315-20 I 9. Animal subjects: All authors have confirmed that this study did not involve animal subjects or tissue. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work., (Copyright © 2024, Chelluri et al.)

Introduction: Gender determination of deceased individuals may become necessary in scenarios involving sudden and unforeseen fatalities like explosions, fires, transportation accidents, or instances of mutilation or decomposition, which frequently require medicolegal expertise. Forensic radiology is instrumental in identifying gender. The shape of the frontal sinus is considered distinct for every person, differing even among identical twins, much like individual fingerprints and establishing personal identity., Aims and Objectives: This study was designed to validate and determine gender identification by evaluating frontal sinus measurements using digital posteroanterior cephalograms with reference to Yoshino's classification and to determine gender based on measurements of frontal sinus size, bilateral asymmetry, the outline of the upper border of the frontal sinus, partial septa, and supraorbital cells of the frontal sinus., Materials and Methods: A total of 300 digital posteroanterior cephalograms (150 males and 150 females) of age groups ranging from 18 to 30 years were collected from the records of the Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Panineeya Institute of Dental Sciences & Research Centre, Hyderabad. The parameters that were assessed in a digital radiograph are Yoshino's frontal sinus pattern of the individual, which includes frontal sinus size, bilateral asymmetry, superiority of the side, outline of the upper border, partial septa, and supraorbital cells. The measurements were taken, tabulated, and compared with the standard values of the gender measurement. The values were subjected to statistical analysis., Results: Results showed a statistically significant difference in the mean height (p=0.000), width (p=0.000), area (p=0.000), partial septa (p=0.002), and outline of the upper border on the right side (p=0.011) of the frontal sinus for both males and females. The mean values for length, width, and area of the frontal sinus were higher in males than females. No statistical difference is found on the outline of the upper border on the left side, superiority of the side, and supraorbital cells. The application of discriminative analysis to the data accurately identified gender in 65.3% of the cases., Conclusion: Thus, from the above study, the forensic application of frontal sinus morphology can be recommended as an adjunctive tool for gender determination., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2024, Rajini et al.)

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. Laboratory investigations have great importance in detecting, confirming and analyzing the severity, and predicting the prognosis of the autoimmune disease. This article aims to list out the diagnostic methods to diagnose autoimmune conditions and focuses on various diagnostic methods to effectively evaluate autoimmune disease of orofacial region.

Introduction: 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. Materials and methods: A meta-analysis of case-control studies was conducted on pharmacological management of xerostomia in patients with Sjogren's Syndrome and the collected data are subjected to exclusion and inclusion criteria and standard mean difference (SMD), ODD's ratio and confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated by Review Manager software using fixed and random effects model from the data of five studies. Results: Both objective response and subjective response evaluation favored experimental group suggesting an increase in unstimulated salivary flow rate using pharmacological agents. Interferon alpha 150 IU three times daily had a good effect in increasing the unstimulated whole saliva flow rate with SMD 2.72 at 95% CI [2.43, 3.00] p  < .00001. Cevimeline vs placebo showed good response with ODDS ratio 2.74 at 95% CI [1.58, 4.76] p  = .0003. Conclusion: Interferon - α 150 IU thrice daily was proven to be effective in increasing salivary flow rate and also has an advantage of disease modification in SS patients attributing to its immunomodulatory action. Cevimeline 30 mg thrice daily also had a considerable therapeutic effect in SS patients compared to Pilocarpine.

Background: Newer drug delivery systems such as transdermal patches using pain relieving or modifying agents emerged as a mainstream treatment protocol for management of pain on the outpatient basis. The administration of diclofenac 100 mg in the transdermal patch in the patients having dental pain due to periapical/periodontal infections was evaluated., Materials and Methods: Ninety patients of either gender, between 18 and 80 years were divided into 3 groups (Group A - oral medication, Group B - transdermal patch, Group C - intramuscular group). Patients at the Dental Department with pain from periapical/periodontal pathologies were explained about the procedure of analgesia. With written consent, 100 mg diclofenac sodium transdermal patches were prescribed to patients who opted their use in pain control for 2 consecutive days. A visual analog scale was provided for all patients assessing the pain intensity during the study., Results: Significant difference in the mean percentage reduction in visual analog scale (VAS) score among the three groups at day 1 and 2 ( P < 0.001). Post hoc test showed that intramuscular (IM) and oral groups had significantly higher mean VAS score than patch group., Conclusion: Diclofenac administered through oral and IM routes showed significant improvement in pain relief when compared to the transdermal route. However, diclofenac transdermal patches have shown significant improvement in VAS score between the baseline and consecutive days and can be used in mild pain with lower adverse events., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest.

Background: Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) has become a reliable adjunctive tool for both diagnosis and treatment planning in the field of dentistry. There are numerous advantages of CBCT over 2D imaging techniques (OPG). There is a need to evaluate the changing trend of preference and purpose of utilisation of these imaging modalities by dental practitioners. This study was carried out to evaluate and compare the purpose and preference of utilisation of CBCT and OPG by various dental practitioners in their clinical practice., Material/methods: A retrospective, cross-sectional study was carried out on CBCT and OPG data of 620 different cases treated by different dental practitioners from imaging centres in the twin cities of Telangana (Hyderabad & Secunderabad). For comparisons, we used the Mann-Whitney U test (Z test)., Results: The analysis of data showed that among the dental practitioners OPG was more commonly ordered by general dentists (31%) followed by prosthodontists (30%), whereas CBCT was more advocated by general dental practitioners (25%) followed by OMFS (23%). OPG preference was greater for fixed partial denture planning (FPD) 59%, whereas CBCT was highly preferred for implant planning 61%., Conclusions: The present study showed that general dentists preferred OPG and CBCT compared to other dental practitioners, and OPG was advocated for FPD planning, whereas CBCT was advocated for implant planning. Moreover, and it was found that there had been a drastic increase in the preference of CBCT over OPG in recent times.

The word "autopsy" denotes "to see with own eyes." Autopsy (postmortem) is a process that includes a thorough examination of a corpse noting everything related to anatomization, surface wounds, histological and culture studies. Virtopsy is a term extracted from two words "virtual" and "autopsy." It employs imaging methods that are routinely used in clinical medicine such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging in the field of autopsy, to find the reason for death. Virtopsy is a multi-disciplinary technology that combines forensic medicine and pathology, roentgenology, computer graphics, biomechanics, and physics. It is rapidly gaining importance in the field of forensics. This approach has been recently used by forensic odontologists, but yet to make its own mark in the field. This article mainly deals with "virtopsy" where in various articles were web searched, relevant data was selected, extracted, and summarized here., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest.

Introduction: Oral mucositis is an unavoidable complication occurring during the treatment of cancer by radiotherapy, concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT), or chemotherapy. This is a painful sequelae, significantly affecting the nutritional intake and quality of life., Materials and Methods: A multicentric cross-sectional study was done at four cancer centers in Hyderabad. About 455 subjects of both genders between 20 and 80 years undergoing cancer treatment such as chemotherapy (Group I), CCRT (Group II), radiotherapy within 14 days of initiation (Group III), and radiotherapy after 14 days of initiation of therapy (Group IV) who had oral mucositis were included in the study. A self-addressed Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale questionnaire was used to assess the anxiety/depression in cancer therapy-induced oral mucositis patients., Results: Group III had established anxiety (58.82%) followed by Group IV (47.5%) of patients showing severe oral mucositis. In Group I, 47.17% and in Group II, 40% patients with borderline anxiety had mild mucositis, which was statistically significant ( P = 0.01). Group III had established depression in 56.36%, followed by Group IV with 39.62% patients showed severe oral mucositis. Group I and II had mild to moderate mucositis, which was associated with established depression at statistically significant result ( P = 0.02)., Conclusion: Group IV had maximum participants with anxiety and depression, closely followed by Group II, Group III, and least in Group I. Thus appropriate intervention in the form of nonpharmacological and pharmacological treatment is warranted.

Background: The use of technology in the form of smart phones and other electronic media in day to day life has become an integral part of life today. Technology today is seeing a paradigm shift towards better inter-professional communications which can help doctors, patients and the masses as a whole. Putting these technological advancements to good use evolves as a major milestone in medicine/ dentistry in the form of telemedicine/teledentistry., Aim: The present study was aimed at knowing the knowledge and awareness of teledentistry among dental professionals of a dental college in India., Settings and Design: The study was conducted in a dental college in India and was circulated among dental professionals., Materials and Methods: A questionnaire was prepared to assess the knowledge and awareness of teledentistry and was circulated among dental professionals in a dental college. The data thus collected was statistically analysed and results obtained., Statistical Analysis: The data collected was statistically analysed using SPSS software., Results: A total of 406 persons responded to the questionnaire. In the present study it was found that the knowledge and awareness about teledentistry was very low among post graduates (7.23%) and interns (9.38%) when compared to I & II BDS while most of them agreed that teledentistry is a practice of dentistry through various media options with limited application in dentistry without a legal issue., Conclusion: In the present study, it was apparent that most of the respondents were lacking adequate knowledge and awareness on teledentistry. Hence, there is an immense need to create awareness among dental professionals on teledentistry as the future lies in technological advancement. Tele dentistry can mark the beginning of a new era in dentistry. This can be achieved by conducting CDE programs and awareness campaigns/programs which helps in various levels.

Background: Chronic inflammation causes disturbances in the lipid metabolism. When this dyslipidemia becomes prolonged it increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. Recent literature reveals similar dyslipidemia in patients with lichen planus. However, the results were not compared with lichenoid reactions., Objective: The aim of this study was to profile the lipid levels and metabolic syndrome status in patients with oral lichen planus (OLP), oral lichenoid reactions (OLR) and healthy individuals in order to evaluate their respective cardiovascular risk., Materials and Methods: This case-control descriptive study included 32 adults from the OPD visiting the Department of Oral Medicine, 18 with either oral lichen planus or oral lichenoid reactions and 14 age and sex matched healthy controls. Ethical clearance and informed consent were obtained. Their lipid levels, body mass index and metabolic syndrome status were evaluated. Statistical analyses were performed with the SPSS version 16.0 software.P≥0.05 was considered significant., Results: The key findings of this study were a) increased levels of S.cholesterol and LDL-C in OLP and OLR patients when compared to normal healthy individuals b) significantly higher S.triglyceride and VLDL in OLP when compared to OLR and c) lower HDL-C levels in OLP when compared to OLR. 2(18%) patients with OLP and 3(50%) with OLR were found to have high BMI suggestive of obesity whereas none of the normal individuals were obese., Conclusion: There may be an association between chronic inflammation and dyslipidemia that increases the risk for cardiovascular disease. OLP and OLR patients have increased serum cholesterol and LDL-C when compared to normal adults. Further research on lipid levels in OLR are required to establish the findings of this study.

Mucormycosis is an opportunistic fulminant fungal infection, which has the ability to cause significant morbidity and frequently mortality in the susceptible patient. Common predisposing factors include diabetes mellitus and immunosuppression. The infection begins in the nose and paranasal sinuses due to inhalation of fungal spores. The fungus invades the arteries leading to thrombosis that subsequently causes necrosis of the tissue. The infection can spread to orbital and intracranial structures either by direct invasion or through the blood vessels. Here we describe a case of mucormycosis of maxillary antrum extending to ethmoidal and frontal sinus and also causing necrosis of left maxilla in an uncontrolled diabetic individual to emphasize early diagnosis and treatment of this fatal fungal infection.

We recently evaluated a mentally retarded 48 year old man found to have a cytogenetic deletion of chromosome 10 [46,XY,del(10) (q25. 1q25.3)]. Of interest, he shares many clinical findings with those described in Coffin-Lowry syndrome (CLS). These include severe mental retardation, short stature and a coarse facial appearance with widely spaced eyes, and patulous lips. He also had an extra transverse hypothenar crease, a finding that is seen in CLS. Furthermore, he has characteristic radiographic hand findings described in 95% of patients with CLS. The CLS gene, located at Xp22. 2, has recently been identified, and mutations in the Rsk-2 gene have been identified in several CLS patients. Rsk2 is part of a gene family implicated in cell cycle regulation through the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase cascade. None of the currently recognized components of this pathway maps to the region deleted in our patient, nor are we able to identify any likely candidate genes in the deleted region, although several G protein coupled receptors have been cloned from the region. This patient's findings have some overlap with those seen in CLS, suggesting that a gene involved in MAP kinase signaling may be present in the deleted region of chromosome 10q25.1-25.3. Patients with a phenotype consistent with CLS, but lacking a family history suggestive of an X-linked disorder, should be evaluated with chromosome analysis paying particular attention to the region 10q25., (Copyright 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.)