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Ectodermal Dysplasia (ED) is a rare congenital syndrome that exhibits defects in two or more ectodermal tissues. Dental manifestations include delayed eruption of permanent dentition, complete absence of teeth or absence of a few teeth, and peg-shaped teeth. This condition is typically diagnosed by a dentist when parents bring their child with complaints of absent/delayed eruption of primary teeth. Hypohidrotic ED with true anodontia is an extremely rare condition, particularly in females. Over the past 50 years, only 11 cases have been reported involving anodontia of primary and permanent dentition in ED. The current report describes a case of a three-year-old female child diagnosed with hypohidrotic ED with anodontia, successfully treated by fabricating complete dentures with proper retention to restore function and aesthetics.

Introduction: Gingival, periodontal diseases and dental caries are the most prevalent diseases of the oral cavity. Plaque is the main cause of these dental diseases. Plaque control is of prime importance for the maintenance of oral and dental health. The toothbrush is used very commonly for plaque control. A variety of toothbrushes are available, which are used for plaque removal. Toothbrushes cause abrasion and are significant in the development of tooth wear. This study aimed to compare the abrasion caused by a commercially available nylon bristle toothbrush to a biobased carbon-based bristle toothbrush. Materials and Methods: Acrylic plates were used to assess the abrasion caused by the nylon bristles and biobased carbon bristles. The surface roughness (Ra) was evaluated on a device, and the values were compared to each other. Results: Brushing with the biobased carbon bristle toothbrush was less abrasive than when nylon bristles were used. The nylon bristles showed a higher Ra value as compared to biobased carbon bristles. Conclusion: The biobased carbon bristles are less abrasive, but studies are required to compare the plaque removal capacity of such biobased carbon bristle toothbrushes.

Introduction: Toothbrushes are one of the most essential tools to maintain oral health. It has gone through several developmental phases. In ancient times, the brushes were made up of bamboo, but currently, we use nylon brushes. Bamboo brushes were thought to harbour more microorganisms. Hence, we undertook this study to evaluate and compare microbial contamination between plastic and bamboo toothbrush heads under different storage environments (room and washroom with attached toilet). Materials and Methods: Plastic and bamboo toothbrushes were divided into two equal groups (26 each), which were further subdivided equally (13 each) and placed in a room and a washroom with an attached toilet. All the toothbrushes were washed twice a day for 1 min and placed back. A toothbrush from each subgroup was then transported to a laboratory in a sterile condition. Microbiological evaluation of the toothbrush heads was carried out every week for up to 12 weeks. Results: The maximum bacterial growth was observed in bamboo-headed toothbrushes stored in the washroom with an attached toilet. This may be attributed to the build-up of water from bristles to the toothbrush head and the moist environment of the washroom, promoting microbial growth. The most common microorganisms observed in the samples included Escherichia coli, Klebsiella species, Pseudomonas species, Enterobacter species, Enterococcus species and Staphylococcus aureus. Conclusion: Microbial contamination of toothbrushes holds relevance not only for oral health but also for general health, especially in immunocompromised patients. This study demonstrates the need for improving toothbrush storage practices, as open storage either in washrooms with attached toilets harbours microorganisms.

Introduction: Several journals are launched every month. The authors need to stay updated regarding selecting and publishing their research work in the right journal, considering the number of predatory journals present now. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted amongst academicians, clinicians and post-graduate students from the speciality of periodontology in India by using a valid questionnaire to understand the knowledge regarding the choice, publisher details, peer review system, indexing, archiving and publication fee guidelines. Inferential statistics and descriptive statistics were performed for the analysis. Results: The survey included academicians (n = 1832), clinicians (n = 370) and post-graduate students (n = 969) who consented to take part in the survey. Overall, the results showed that the post-graduate students had better knowledge regarding the selection and publication of articles in journals. Conclusion: The present findings suggest that the participants have an understanding of publication in niche speciality journals with a little ambiguity in the names of the journals.

The impact of epilepsy is multidimensional, ranging from socioeconomic to medical to psychological problems. The additional burden on quality of life is not only due to disease but also to the antiepileptic medication-related adverse effects. Though the majority of epileptics dwell in developing countries, studies have found a lack of knowledge, attitude, and practice towards epilepsy and its management, leading to a large treatment gap. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of epilepsy and antiepileptic medication among the general population, including epileptics or caregivers. A 6 month (August 2022 to February 2023) prospective, cross-sectional online questionnaire-based study utilizing Google Forms as a data collection tool was conducted among the general population at a tertiary care hospital in Coimbatore employing convenient sampling. Descriptive and inferential statistics (paired t-test, chi-square test) were used. The results were presented as numbers and percentages. The data obtained was analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, version 27. We received 123 responses. 87.8% and 85.4% linked epilepsy to insanity and spiritual possession/trance, respectively. More than 90% opined that epilepsy was contagious, due to patient or ancestral sins, and treatable by faith healers. The mean knowledge, attitude, and practice scores (%) were found to be 78.04 ± 1.32, 71.23 ± 1.23, and 53.15 ± 1.38, respectively. Even though the urban population had satisfactory knowledge, the same was not translated into attitude and practice. There was a wide gap between knowledge, attitude, and practice. Considering the significant disparities in awareness, attitude, and practice even after decades in urban regions, policymakers and public health professionals must incorporate health education programs and healthcare services for the masses to bring about changes in a country like India. Keywords Knowledge, Attitude, Practice, Stigma, Quality of life, People living with epilepsy

COVID-19 caused by a novel agent SARS-CoV-2 progressed to a pandemic condition and resulted in a major public health concern worldwide, leading to social and economic issues at the same time. Vaccinated people getting infected with SARS-COV2 brings a dilemma among the population whether to get vaccinated or not. The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of vaccination by comparing the lung involvement in vaccinated and un vaccinated Covid – 19 patients. Retrospective anonymised data of COVID-19 inpatients who underwent HRCT scan during the second wave of pandemic were collected through a validated data collection form, from the medical records of tertiary care private medical college hospital. Vaccinated and non-vaccinated COVID-19 positive participants of 33 each were included in the study. CT severity score (CTS), D-dimer, IL-6 level, oxygen requirement and duration of hospital stay were statistically analysed using appropriate methods. The mean age of the study participants were 56.93 ± 16.01 years. There was no statistical significance between both the groups with respect to gender distribution in vaccinated and unvaccinated groups. There was a statistically significant difference in mean CTS score(p

Objective: Evaluating the level of knowledge and applicative knowledge regarding Cone Beam Computer Tomography (CBCT) among interns from various dental institutes in the country. Materials and Methods: A Questionnaire with 15 close-ended questions was circulated to 2000 interns from various dental institutes across India. 1154 interns participated in the study. The response rate was 94.8%. Results: The majority of the interns (48.6%) gained knowledge regarding CBCT from lectures and faculty seminars while 15.3% through conferences. The maximum knowledge mean score was noted from the central zone (7.66 ± 3.8). Demographic variables did not show any signs of the impact of technical knowledge on the applicative knowledge of the study population. Conclusion: This study suggests CBCT be a definitive 3D imaging technology in the maxilla-facial region and awareness regarding the same needs to be increased. There is a need to include CBCT-based information in the undergraduate curriculum to improve knowledge levels.

Introduction: A styloid process (SP) is considered extended if it is longer than 30 millimeters (mm), which falls between the typical range of 20 and 30 mm. Eagle's syndrome (ES), a disease associated with the styloid process elongation (SPE), was originally recognized by otorhinolaryngologist “Watt Weems Eagle” in 1937. Aims: The calcification pattern, prevalence, and morphology of the SPE in a hospital-based population in Bhubaneswar were all objectively assessed in the study using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Methods and Material: Radiographic records of 1027 patients have been recovered arbitrarily from the authentic records and assessed. The length of the SP was estimated and characterized by their morphology and calcification design. The collected data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 25 software. It was deemed statistically significant if the P value ≤ 0.05. Results: It was seen that 25.8% of the males had the presence of elongation as compared to 30.1% of females, which is 153 males out of 440, and 131 females out of 304 showed elongated SP. Conclusion: The SPE could be a coincidental radiography perception without symptoms. In this study, a substitute for CT or all panoramic radiographs for the estimation and assessment of the SP is the CBCT approach.

Anthropometry, fingerprints, age estimation, gender determination, blood types, DNA, and dental features are examples of traditional techniques for identifying a person. The present study aimed toward observing the patterns of fingerprints and their reliability toward human identification. A retrospective study was conducted in a tertiary care unit in Bhubaneswar city. Fingerprints were recorded, and the individual identification mark was noted for each individual. Reporting of the patterns was done. Sir Henry Galton's classification was used to study the fingerprint patterns. IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences was used for the statistical analysis. Type A was the most common type seen for the right-hand little finger. Type A was the most common type seen for the left-hand little finger; Type C was the most common type seen for the left-hand ring finger. Statistically significant correlations between gender and dermatoglyphics were found, supporting their usage as trustworthy forensic evidence.

Introduction: The planning of effective orthodontic therapy greatly benefits from an understanding of the skeletal maturation and stage of growth of the patients seeking orthodontic treatment. However, the patient's various craniofacial structures have varying levels of growth potential. The patient is exposed to additional radiation when hand-wrist radiographs are regularly used to forecast growth. As an alternative, cervical vertebrae in the lateral cephalograph have been suggested. When arranging orthodontic treatment for growing children, it is important to take into account the pubertal growth spurt, which is a crucial time in therapy. Conclusion: Finding out how much growth a patient with skeletal discrepancy would experience during adolescence is one of the key goals of conducting a hand and wrist radiograph.

Context: Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is a chronic debilitating disease with significant malignant potential. The most common symptoms of the condition include burning sensation, trismus, swallowing, and speech impairment as well as gustatory alteration. Aims: The aim of the study was to evaluate and compare the efficacy of gustatory functions in oral submucous fibrosis patients, gutka chewers, chronic smokers and healthy individuals. Methods and Material: A total of 112 individuals were selected for the study and divided into four groups of 28 participants, each comprising OSMF patients, gutka chewers, chronic smokers with gutka-chewing habits, and healthy individuals. Each participant was assessed for gustatory function using four different tastants for sweet, sour, salty, and bitter, and the taste perception was recorded as hypogeusia, hypergeusia, dysgeusia, and ageusia. Statistical Analysis Used: Data obtained were analyzed with SPSS software version 26. A comparison between the four groups was made separately for the four different tastes and the five parameters. A P value of ≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: For OSMF patients, gutka chewers, and chronic smokers with gutka-chewing habits, salty taste showed normal perception, sweet taste showed hypogeusia, and bitter taste reported ageusia. The healthy individuals mostly showed normal perception for almost all tastes. Conclusions: It can be concluded that OSMF and habitual consumption of areca nut and tobacco appear to have a significant impact on the alteration of the gustatory function, although the type of taste sensation that is affected may vary from person to person.

Context: Lichen planus is an idiopathic chronic inflammatory mucocutaneous disease that frequently involves the oral mucosa and skin. It has been proposed that psychological factors like high stress and anxiety levels have a strong association with lichen planus. Estimation of the stress level in patients with oral lichen planus. Aims: To estimate the stress in patients with Oral Lichen Planus by Hospital Anxiety and Depression Questionnaire, Depression Anxiety Stress Scale 21, and State-trait anxiety inventory and compare these with normal healthy individuals. Methods and Material: Twenty oral lichen planus patients and twenty normal subjects were included in the study. Every individual gave the hospital Anxiety and Depression Questionnaire, Depression Anxiety Stress Scale 21, and State-trait anxiety inventory. Statistical Analysis Used: Data obtained were analyzed with SPSS software 26. The findings of various parameters were evaluated and analyzed statistically using Mann Whitney U test. Results: Hospital Anxiety and Depression Questionnaire, State-trait anxiety inventory, Depression Anxiety Stress Scale 21 scores were significantly higher in the oral lichen planus group than in normal individuals. Conclusions: Psychological factors like anxiety and depression play a major role in the pathogenesis of OLP, and non-invasive procedures like the Hospital Anxiety, and Depression Questionnaire, Depression Anxiety Stress Scale 21, and State-trait anxiety inventory scores can be used as a useful indicator to estimate stress levels in OLP patients.

Examining epithelial cells in the mouth cavity is simple and non-invasive with exfoliative cytology. Liquid-based cytology is an additional diagnostic technique that can improve the specificity and sensitivity of conventional cytology. The purpose of our study was to describe the consistency of normal oral mucosa samples obtained with three different tools: the Cytobrush®, dermatological curette, and OralCDx® for liquid-based cytology. Literature review was done, and reporting of the improvements in the field of investigation and diagnosis has been reported. The present communication aims toward comparing three different sampling instruments such as Cytobrush, curette, and OralCDx for liquid-based cytology of the oral mucosa.

Aim: This in vitro study was done to evaluate and compare the frictional forces produced by a passive self-ligating bracket (SLB) and two types of elastomeric ligatures (unconventional elastomeric ligatures [UELs] and conventional elastomeric ligatures [CELs]) on a conventional bracket used with four types of wires. Materials: In this in vitro study, 8 numbers of conventional preadjusted edgewise appliance stainless steel brackets and 4 numbers of passive SLBs were tested. Four types of archwires and two types of ligatures were tested. Brackets were divided into three groups – Group I, Group II, and Group III. All the three groups were further divided into four subgroups based on different archwires. Methods: Custom-made mounting jig was specially constructed for this study – upper member and lower member. After the samples were mounted, traction test was conducted using universal testing machine and readings were tabulated for all specimens. The variables in each group were subjected to one-way analysis of variance. Results: All the three groups were tested for its total friction, static friction, and kinetic friction. SLBs showed a static mean little lower and had kinetic mean little greater than conventional bracket with unconventional module. Conclusion: UELs on conventional brackets and SLBs are able to produce lower frictional force when compared with CELs on conventional brackets.

Background: The forensic osteologist is usually asked to provide information that may confirm, or assist in determining, the identity of an individual from their skeletal remain. Mandibular ramus can differentiate between the two genders as the stages of mandibular development, growth rates, and duration are distinctly different in both sexes. Aim: To measure and evaluate the various dimensions of the mandibular ramus and the angle of the mandible as observed on orthopantomogram (OPG) and compare it with both sexes. Setting and Design: It is a retrospective study where OPG of 900 mandibles were studied on each side and analyzed to evaluate gender variations. Materials and Methods: KODAK 8000C Digital Panoramic and Cephalometric System and Masterview 4.5.4 software was used for data tabulation. Statistical Analysis: Descriptive analysis was used to analyze the results. Result and Conclusion: Mandibular ramus breadth and gonial angle have been found to be the most reliable parameters in gender determination

Adenomatoid odontogenic tumor (AOT) is benign tumor of the oral cavity characterized by its slow growth accounting to 3%–7% of the odontogenic tumors. AOTs mostly occur in the maxillary anterior region and most often than not associated with impacted anterior teeth. It affects the younger age group, especially below 20 years and is commonly seen in females. It occurs as two main variants – (a) central/intraosseous which is more common and (b) peripheral which is rare. The location of the lesion, its association with the impacted tooth, is the basis for the classification of AOT. The intraosseous type may be related to unerupted tooth (follicular variant) or may not be related to unerupted tooth (extra-follicular variant). Radiologically, AOT presents predominantly as a unilocular cystic lesion enclosing the unerupted tooth. The lesion presents rarely with a cystic component. Radiopacities on the intraoral periapical radiograph are seen as discrete foci having a flocculent pattern within radiolucency even with the presence of minimal calcified deposits. AOT being benign in nature is enucleated with least chances of recurrence. Here, we present a rare case of extra-follicular variant of adenomatoid odontogenic tumor in a 19-year-old female patient.

Introduction: Dentists are encountering a growing number of geriatric and medically compromised patients and at the same time are performing more invasive and possibly painful dental treatments. Medical emergencies are 5.8 times more likely to occur in dental offices than in medical offices. So, it is essential for the dentists to be adequately prepared and equipped to manage the common medical emergencies that may occur during their work. Aims and Objectives: To observe the knowledge, experience, and perceptions of the interns and post-graduate students regarding emergency medical care and its practical application. Materials and Method: A cross-sectional study was carried out among post-graduate students and interns (with or without medical emergency training) of a dental college and hospital through a self-administered structured closed-ended questionnaire. Results: The participants lacked the knowledge to handle medical emergencies and were unconfident to face them. Conclusion: Undergraduate health courses should develop strategies to teach appropriate management of life-threatening emergencies in dental clinics to ensure safer dental healthcare services for the population. The available medical emergency training is alarmingly inadequate.

Ossifying fibroma is a rareentity among the other type of fibro-osseous lesions. It is a non-odontogenic, benign tumor of the jaw, which arises from the multipotential cells of the periodontal ligament. Previously in 1992, WHO classified this type of lesion into ossifying fibroma and cemento-ossifying fibroma. Now the term- “cemento-ossifying fibroma” is replaced with “ossifying fibroma” in recent WHO classification (2005). These tumors are slow growing, painless and occur more commonly in the mandible and in the third and fourth decades of life with slight female predilection. Hereby, in this article, an unusual case of central ossifying fibroma in an 80-year-old female patient with expansile swelling of the right side of mandible since 2 months is repotred. The diagnosis was further confirmed by Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and histopathological evaluation. The main objective of this article is to enlighten about the diagnostic dilemma of mandibular swellings and atypical clinical behavior of central ossifying fibroma.

Aim: The aim of this study was to compare the efficiency of conventional and digital radiography in assessing alveolar bone loss. Materials and Methods: The study group comprised 50 participants (25 males and 25 females) between 25 and 45 years of age. The participants were screened for all clinical features of periodontitis. A series of conventional bitewing radiographs of right and left of both maxillary and mandibular posterior region (15,16,17,25,26,27,35,36,37,45,46,47) were taken for each of 50 patients by examiner 1. Similarly, a series of digital bitewing radiographs were taken by examiner 2 for each 50 patients by using RVG of Planmeca Dixi 2 B Series. In digital bitewing radiographs, the measurement was done by examiner 2, using Planmeca Dixi 2 B Digital Software, by dragging the cursor to make a line by joining the linear points. Bone level less than 2 mm from the cementoenamel junction (CEJ) was considered normal while above that was considered bone loss. In case of conventional bitewing radiographs, alveolar bone loss was measured by the same examiner by measuring the distance from the CEJ to the most apical level of crestal bone using a divider and transparent ruler. The above collected data of examiners 1 and 2 were handed over to examiner 3 for statistical evaluation. Results: Comparison of conventional and digital radiographic techniques in left maxilla, left and right mandible, and between maxilla and mandible in the total sample and in females aged 25–35 and 36–45 years yielded a significant correlation while comparison of the two techniques in the right maxilla and between maxilla and mandible in males yielded a nonsignificant correlation. Conclusion: Direct digital radiography provides an edge over conventional radiography in assessing the periodontal bone destruction.

Aims: The aim of this study was to assess oxidative stress (OS) caused by tobacco habits in the initiation and progression of periodontitis by evaluating the salivary uric acid (UA) and albumin (ALB) levels, which are indicators of antioxidant activity, and to compare their values with normal and healthy individuals with no tobacco habits. Settings and Design: A total of 75 subjects were divided into three study groups and were asked to collect unstimulated whole saliva in sterile plastic containers. Subjects and Methods: Groups A, B, and C comprised 25 subjects each, according to their respective inclusion and exclusion criteria. Subjects from all the three groups were asked to collect unstimulated whole saliva in sterile plastic containers, which were then sent for laboratory assessment of UA and ALB levels to determine the levels of OS in the saliva samples of each subject. Statistical Analysis Used: Independent student's t-test was used for statistical evaluation of the results of the present study. Results: Levels of salivary AOs, UA, and ALB were remarkably reduced in subjects having periodontitis, thereby exhibiting higher levels of OS. The levels of these AOs were further reduced with the use of tobacco in subjects already diagnosed with periodontitis. Conclusions: Significant OS occurs in periodontitis with tobacco being a probable risk factor. Thus, saliva can be used as a noninvasive diagnostic fluid with UA and ALB being promising biomarkers in monitoring periodontal disease and OS.

Introduction: Acenocoumarol is an oral-anticoagulant which is commonly used but with narrow therapeutic index and there is no relation between dose and adverse effects. The response of acenocoumarol varies according to individual. Adverse effect like bleeding occurs even when INR is in normal range. Therapeutic drug monitoring of acenocoumarol is essential to prevent life threatening complication. Aim: To study the association between plasma concentration of acenocoumarol at trough and Cmax levels with their corresponding Internalized Normalised Ratio (INR) values in patients who have undergone valve replacement. Materials and Methods: After Human Ethics Committee approval, 56 patients were enrolled for the study. Participants who were taking acenocoumarol 2 mg with low INR, normal INR and high INR was included. Blood samples taken for estimation of trough and Cmax concentrations of acenocoumarol were analysed by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) method. Results: The was no statistically significant correlation between INR of all the three groups and respective plasma concentration of acenocoumarol taken at trough and Cmax by Pearson’s correlation (p-value=0.187). The plasma concentration of acenocoumarol taken at trough and Cmax of all the three groups of participants was not statistically different by ANOVA (p-value=0.164). Conclusion: The present study concludes that measuring INR alone will have limited value for dose adjustment of acenocoumarol as proved by other studies for warfarin. Hence, estimation of plasma concentration of acenocoumarol will be ideal and appropriate for the dose adjustment of acenocoumarol.

Introduction: Hyponatremia, serum sodium

Plasma cell granuloma is a rare benign lesion characterized by the infiltration of plasma cells; primarily occurring in the lungs. It is also seen to occur in the brain, kidney stomach, heart, and so on. In the intraoral region it is seen to involve the tongue, oral mucosa, and gingiva. This case presents a 42-year-old female, with an enlargement in the maxillary anterior region, treated by excisional biopsy. Histological evaluation revealed plasma cell infiltrates in the connective tissue. The immunohistochemistry revealed kappa and lambda light chains with a polyclonal staining pattern, which confirmed the diagnosis of plasma cell granuloma.