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Background: During fixed orthodontic treatment, the presence of various fixed appliances like brackets in the oral cavity for a long period leads to various changes in the oral microflora, ultimately affecting the periodontal health of the teeth. Hence, the current study was performed to clinically assess the periodontal status of the subjects undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment and to evaluate the role of age and gender during the first 6 months of treatment. Materials and Methods: Forty-one subjects (26 females and 15 males) in the age range of 12–28 years scheduled for fixed orthodontic treatment were included in the study. Twenty-eight subjects were adolescents with a mean age of 13.96 years and 13 were adults with a mean age of 22.38 years. Plaque index (PI) and gingival index (GI) were recorded at the beginning and the end of 1, 2, 3, and 6 months of the treatment, and pocket probing depth (PPD) was evaluated at the start and after 6 months of fixed orthodontic treatment. Results: The study showed a statistically significant increase in the mean values of PI (1.10 ± 0.264) and GI (0.929 ± 0.220) over a period of 6 months when compared with the baseline mean values, i.e., 0.557 ± 0.224 and 0.423 ± 0.329, respectively (P < 0.001). The mean PPD values exhibited no significant change. Effect of orthodontic treatment on adolescents/adults and between genders did not statistically differ. Conclusions: Fixed orthodontic treatment with multibracket appliances significantly increases plaque accumulation leading to significant inflammatory changes in the gingival tissues without any significant changes in the clinical probing depths of the pockets regardless of age and gender.

Background and Aims: Acute loss of smell or anosmia is a common and sometimes the only symptom observed in patients with coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence, time of onset, and duration of anosmia in patients with COVID-19 infection and the association of anosmia with other symptoms and eosinophil count. Material and Methods: Two hundred patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 infection, who were asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic were assessed for olfaction with a nonirritant odor. The presence of anosmia was recorded, and a questionnaire integrating the anosmia reporting tool was filled. Patients with anosmia/hyposmia were followed telephonically at 7 and 14 days for resolution of anosmia and other symptoms. The presence of anosmia was correlated with eosinophil count. Results: Of the 200 COVID-19 patients, 87% were symptomatic. More than half of the patients had fever (56%). Anosmia was observed in 30% of the patients and hyposmia in 4% of patients. In 41% of the patients, olfactory loss was reported before diagnosis. The mean duration of anosmia was 7.8 (± 5) days; 97% of patients recovered with a resolution of symptoms within 2 weeks. Ageusia was the most commonly and significantly associated symptom with anosmia (66%, n = 45) followed by sore throat (41%), and rhinorrhea (28%). The symptoms in both the sexes were comparable. Absolute eosinophil count of

Objective: This investigation was undertaken with the primary aim of evaluating the effects of reverse headgear therapy in patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) using lateral cephalograms and to compare the results of the reverse headgear treatment in these patients with other patients with UCLP who did not receive any orthopedic/orthodontic treatment. Materials and Methods: The treated group comprised 17 patients (13 male, 4 female; mean age 9.28 ± 2.78 years) with repaired complete UCLP and untreated group consisted of 5 subjects (4 male, 1 female; mean age 8.25 ± 2.25 years) with repaired complete UCLP. All patients in treated group received maxillary protraction with a Delaire type reverse headgear along with a customized intraoral splint worn for 16–18 h daily with force in the range of 420–480 g. Subjects in the untreated group did not receive any orthopedic/orthodontic treatment. Average treatment/observation period was 11.62 months for the treated and 12.40 months for the untreated group. Changes were evaluated at the end of the treatment and observation period by comparing pre- and post-lateral cephalograms. Results: Treatment effects of reverse headgear therapy were significant for anterior positioning of maxilla, clockwise rotation of mandible, proclination of upper incisors, and forward movement of upper molars as shown by cephalometric analysis. The untreated group did not show any significant changes, for the same measurements. Conclusions: Reverse headgear treatment is an effective method of improving the maxillomandibular relationship in patients with UCLP.

Cleft lip and palate is a common congenital malformation. Individuals born with this type of deformity, face number of challenges such as facial esthetics, hearing impairment, anatomical deformities to name a few. These patients require various treatments involving a multidisciplinary team such as prosthodontists, orthodontists, cosmetic dentists and surgeons. This report describes a case of orthodontic and prosthetic rehabitilation of an adult patient with unilateral cleft lip and palate.

Malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) usually presents in the extremities or retroperitoneum. MFH arising from renal parenchyma or renal capsule is extremely rare, only few cases have been reported in literature and portend a poor prognosis. Renal MFH is differentiated from renal cell carcinoma, renal sarcoma, and sarcomatoid renal tumor only by histological and immunohistochemical studies. Since the therapeutic options for MFH are different, its early diagnosis is imperative. Herein, we report a case of a primary renal MFH in a 35-year-old male.