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Children are seen as beings who exist from birth through puberty, while teenagers are regarded as existing from puberty until around the age of 20 years. For a number of legal processes, including child labor, employment, the age of majority, rape, adoption, marriage eligibility, and situations where the birth certificate is unavailable, age estimation in children and adolescents is crucial. Despite the wide range of methods available, dental age estimation techniques that take into account tooth maturation are thought to be the most reliable predictors of chronological age in subadults. This is because genetic factors predominate and environmental factors, particularly between birth and age ten, tend to have little impact on tooth maturation. The eruption of teeth holds greater significance in the deciduous dentition, where genetic factors predominantly govern the process, compared to the permanent dentition. Conversely, tooth calcification serves as a viable indicator for estimating dental age in both primary and permanent dentitions. Current dental age estimation methods are based on age-related changes in teeth, such as tooth growth and development, changes that occur after teeth form, and biochemical changes. Therefore, in this review article, we will explore the several methodologies used for dental age assessment in children and adolescents.

This comprehensive review delves into the forefront of research on the human oral microbiome, exploring recent advancements that span microbial colonization, state-of-the-art detection methodologies, and the complex interplay involved in disease progression. Through an exhaustive analysis of the contemporary literature, we illuminate the dynamic orchestration of microbial communities within the oral cavity, underscoring their pivotal role in health and disease. Cutting-edge detection techniques, including metagenomics and high-throughput sequencing, are discussed regarding their transformative impact on understanding the intricacies of oral microbial ecosystems. As we stand on the cusp of a new decade, this review anticipates a paradigm shift in the field, emphasizing the potential for rapid identification and targeted management of detrimental oral microorganisms. Insights gained from this exploration not only contribute to our fundamental understanding of the oral microbiome but also hold promise for the development of innovative therapeutic strategies to maintain oral health. This article aims to serve as a valuable resource for researchers, clinicians, and public health professionals engaged in unraveling the mysteries of the microbial symphony within the human oral cavity.

Oral fungal infections are frequently encountered in clinical practice, and with the advent of the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, their incidence has quite increased. Increased emergence of oral candidal and non candidal infections is evident in patients with uncontrolled diabetes, patients on steroids or antibiotic therapies, and immunocompromised and immunosuppressed individuals. Also, habits of smoking and alcohol consumption, intake of carbohydrate-rich food, and salivary dysfunction have many times influenced the colonisation of fungal infections in the oral cavity. Aspergillosis once considered exotic is now more prevalent than before and presents itself in two forms: non invasive or invasive form, which has led to the rapid dissemination of the disease. Hence, a timely diagnosis of such lesions is important to prevent their invasion into other parts of the body. This article discusses a rare case report of Aspergillosis occurring in the oral cavity at the site of the extraction socket in a 50-year-old woman, who is a known diabetic without any history of COVID-19 infection. Aspergillosis unlike other fungal infections of the oral cavity has been reported more in immunocompetent individuals. Here, we report a unique case limited to the oral cavity in an immunocompromised patient.

Tuberculosis is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis and is an ancient disease causing major morbidity and mortality worldwide. Though tuberculosis affects lungs in the majority of the cases but can affect other organs including the oral cavity as a primary site. Oral lesions can be seen in both primary and secondary forms of tuberculosis. The present article reports a case of a primary oral tubercular ulcer of buccal mucosa in a 36-year-old female, which based on clinical features was provisionally diagnosed as squamous cell carcinoma. The diagnosis of oral tuberculosis was confirmed by histopathology, blood and immunological investigations. The patient then was kept on Antitubercular Therapy (ATT) and the lesion showed healing markedly. Thus, oral tubercular lesions are rare and are difficult to diagnose, so every chronic, abnormal looking lesion should be examined cautiously for early diagnosis and prompt treatment.

The Glandular Odontogenic Cyst (GOC) is thought to be a developmental cyst arising from the remnants of dental lamina. This cyst has an unpredictable and a potentially aggressive behaviour, with a worldwide prevalence of 0.17%. It occurs in patients aged 40- 70 years, occurring exclusively in the anterior mandibular jaw. Here, authors presents a case of 42-year-old male patient reported to the Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology with a chief complaint of pain in the upper right back tooth region since five days. Two radiolucencies were observed in the maxillary anterior and posterior regions, as an incidental finding in the radiographic examination. Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) revealed two separate unilocular homogeneously hypodense regions with radiopaque sclerotic borders in the maxillary arch, located in the anterior and posterior regions of the maxilla, crossing the midline, which is quite rare. A final diagnosis of GOC was made based on the histopathological examination of the specimen after complete enucleation. Diagnosis of this cyst is challenging clinically and radiographically, as it can be confused with other cysts or malignancies of the jaws. Hence, diagnosis of GOC can only be based on characteristic histopathological findings.

Pyogenic Granulomas (PG) are reactive hyperplastic lesions that are formed in relation to some chronic irritation, physical trauma or hormonal factors. The PG may present in various clinical and histological forms. These often present as a smooth lobulated exophytic lesions and at times may show a marked resemblance to Peripheral Ossifying Fibroma (POF). However, the characteristic histologic presentation helps in differentiating both the lesions. Microscopically, presence of ossification in pyogenic granuloma is not common and could possibly indicate an altered response of the connective tissue stroma. The present case report shows occurrence of pyogenic granuloma in a 12-year-old female which on histological examination not only exhibited proliferating blood vessels, endothelial cells and inflammatory cells which are typical features of pyogenic granuloma but also exhibited areas of ossifications which are not frequently encountered in PG. It is important to explore the underlying aetiological factors that could lead to formation of such ossifications. It has been suggested that pyogenic granuloma and peripheral ossifying fibroma could represent part of same spectrum of focal reactive lesions. However, it is still considered that these two lesions are separate clinical entities and the histologic presentations are different and unique to both of them.