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Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is one of the most common precancerous conditions of the oral mucosa involving any part of the oral cavity resulting in tissue scarring, dysphagia, and trismus. Habits of chewing areca nut, tobacco, and pan masala and smoking have revealed a strong association with the occurrence of OSMF. Due to its high morbidity and high malignant transformation rate (MTR), continuous efforts have been made to develop effective treatment options. Based on the stage of the disease, various treatment modalities such as medical and surgical therapies are available, each with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Photobiomodulation (PBM) is an emerging minimally invasive therapy that can be utilized to treat OSMF through its anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. With the advent of dual-wavelength diode lasers, the current case report focuses on a novel treatment strategy for managing OSMF in combination with pharmacological and oral physiotherapy to achieve optimal results., Competing Interests: Human subjects: Consent was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. 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, Varma et al.)

Introduction Periodontitis is a complex interplay of bacterial infection and host response. Non-surgical periodontal therapy (NSPT) is effective but limited in thoroughly debriding challenging areas, often leading to recurrent bacterial colonization. Photobiomodulation (PBM), involving precise doses of laser photonic energy, has shown potential in modulating inflammation and promoting healing. This study investigates the impact of NSPT alone and NSPT combined with PBM on clinical parameters and salivary macrophage inflammatory protein-1α (MIP-1α) levels in periodontitis patients. Methods Ethical approval was obtained, and informed consent was secured from all participants. Sixty periodontitis patients aged 30-60 were selected and divided into two groups: Group 1 (NSPT alone) and Group 2 (NSPT with PBM). Clinical parameters including the plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), probing pocket depth (PPD), and clinical attachment level (CAL) were assessed at baseline and 21 days post-treatment. Salivary MIP-1α levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results Both groups showed significant improvements in the PI, GI, PPD, and CAL from baseline to 21 days post-treatment. Group 2 exhibited greater reductions in the GI, PPD, and CAL compared to Group 1. Salivary MIP-1α levels post-intervention showed reduction in both groups but were not statistically significant between the groups. Conclusion NSPT combined with PBM demonstrates greater clinical improvements than NSPT alone, highlighting PBM as an effective adjunctive therapy. Both groups showed a reduction in MIP-1α levels post-intervention, suggesting the potential of MIP-1α as a biomarker for periodontal disease activity., Competing Interests: Human subjects: Consent was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Ethics Review Committee of Krishna Vishwa Vidyapeeth issued approval Protocol No. 012/2022-2023. 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, Mujawar et al.)

Introduction Periodontal diseases arise from host-microbial interactions influenced by tobacco products. Salivary antimicrobial peptides such as salivary cathelicidin and prostaglandins such as 8-isoprostane are part of the inflammatory cascade affecting periodontal disease pathogenesis. Methodology A total of 93 patients, 31 in each group that is healthy, periodontitis, and periodontitis with smokeless tobacco habit patients, were enrolled. The case history was recorded, and clinical examination was performed using periodontal parameter analysis of oral hygiene index simplified (OHIS), Russell's index, periodontal pocket depth (PPD), and clinical attachment level (CAL). The saliva samples were collected and subjected to an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to evaluate cathelicidin and 8-isoprostane. The results were analysed and compared statistically. Results The OHIS, Russell's index, pocket probing depth, and CAL were high in patients with periodontitis and tobacco habit (p<0.001). The cathelicidin levels were the highest in patients with periodontitis and the tobacco habit (1.6 g/mL). The level of 8-isoprostane was the highest in patients with periodontitis with tobacco habit (1.8 pg/mL). Smokeless tobacco users showed higher levels of cathelicidin and 8-isoprostane in periodontitis with tobacco than in the healthy group. Conclusion Increased cathelicidin and 8-isoprostane levels in smokeless tobacco users with periodontitis suggest risk biomarkers for tobacco-influenced periodontitis., Competing Interests: Human subjects: Consent was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Krishna Vishwa Vidyapeeth issued approval KIMSDU/IEC/08/2022. Ethical clearance was obtained from the Ethical Committee of Krishna Vishwa Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University), Karad (Ethical number: KIMSDU/IEC/08/2022). 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, Karambelkar et al.)

Introduction Periodontitis is a multifactorial oral disease causing destruction of the periodontium. Systemic diseases can exacerbate periodontal inflammation through immune dysregulation. N-terminal-probrain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) a prohormone, released by myocardial cells is a known biomarker for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Existing literature discloses a bidirectional relationship between periodontitis and CVD. NT-proBNP release can be regulated by mediators of the systemic inflammation. Cardiocyte NT-proBNP release might get stimulated through proinflammatory cytokines. NT-proBNP levels can also be influenced by systemic inflammation in the absence of cardiac dysfunction. Accordingly, we postulated that the inflammation of periodontium could aid in increased levels of NT-proBNP in serum and saliva in participants without cardiovascular disorders. Saliva is said to be the mirror of the body. Assessing NT-pro BNP in saliva allows for a non-invasive method. The present research evaluated the salivary and serum concentrations of NT-proBNP in a healthy group, patients suffering from periodontal disease and periodontal disease along with myocardial infarction (MI). Material and method A total of 90 patients, 30 in each group i.e., healthy group, periodontitis patients and patients suffering from periodontitis with myocardial infarction, were enrolled. The periodontitis patients were selected according to the Classification of Periodontal and Peri-implant Diseases and Conditions 2017. Patients clinically diagnosed with MI by the physician were selected following World Health Organization criteria for detection of MI. Case history was recorded and periodontal parameter analysis like plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), probing pocket depth (PPD) and clinical attachment loss (CAL) were measured. Salivary and serum samples were collected from the participants after obtaining informed consent. The samples were subjected to human NT-proBNP sandwich type enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for quantitative evaluation. The obtained data was analysed and compared using ANOVA, Tukey's post hoc test and Pearson's correlation. The p-value<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Result PI and GI were highest in subjects with periodontitis only (p<0.05). Patients suffering from periodontitis with MI exhibited significantly higher PPD and CAL values (p<0.05). Salivary and serum concentrations of NT-proBNP were significantly higher with p-value=0.000 in subjects suffering from periodontitis with MI. The salivary NT-proBNP levels were significantly higher than serum NT-proBNP levels in periodontitis and periodontitis with MI patients. The levels of NT-proBNP in periodontitis along with MI patients were 1.570 pg/mL in serum and 1.694 pg/mL in saliva. Conclusion Salivary NT-proBNP levels were highest in subjects affected from periodontitis along with MI. Elevated salivary NT-proBNP levels can be due to systemic inflammation and cardiovascular stress linking periodontitis to MI. The positive correlation between periodontal parameters and NT-proBNP levels validates the biomarker's role in reflecting the extent of periodontal destruction and its association with cardiovascular stress. Salivary NT-proBNP can be used as a non-invasive diagnostic marker for diagnosing periodontitis and MI. Future research could explore targeted therapies for the shared inflammatory pathways between periodontitis and MI., Competing Interests: Human subjects: Consent was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Krishna Vishwa Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University) issued approval 014/2022-2023. This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Periodontology, School of Dental Sciences, Karad, following approval from the Ethical Committee of Krishna Vishwa Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University), Karad (Protocol number: 014/2022-2023, dated: 09/08/2022). Informed consent was obtained from all the subjects before commencing the study. 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, Mohite et al.)

Introduction Periodontal diseases, encompassing gingivitis and periodontitis, are prevalent and complex conditions with significant implications for overall health, particularly in India. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding periodontal diseases among first-year undergraduate students across various faculties at Krishna Vishwa Vidyapeeth Deemed to be University, Karad. Methods A cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey was conducted among 200 students from the medical, dental, physiotherapy, pharmacy, and nursing faculties. Descriptive statistics and Pearson's chi-squared test were utilized for data analysis. Results They revealed suboptimal oral hygiene practices among participants, with only 30% reporting twice-daily tooth cleaning. Additionally, less than half of the participants used soft toothbrushes and fluoridated toothpaste. Notably, 40% had never visited a dentist. While 86% recognized the correlation between gum and systemic health, significant proportions had experienced symptoms of gum disease. Dental first-year undergraduate students have a better understanding, attitude, and practices toward periodontal diseases, while nursing first-year undergraduate students displayed the lowest KAP scores compared to other faculties. Conclusion The first-year dental students demonstrated a better understanding, attitude, and behavior towards periodontal diseases compared to students in other faculties. Our study emphasizes the necessity of incorporating oral and periodontal health education into both healthcare professional curricula and those of higher secondary school students. Such educational programs will empower individuals to enhance their oral and systemic health. Moreover, equipping medical and paramedical practitioners with proper knowledge of periodontal health will ultimately lead to improved oral health outcomes for the general population., Competing Interests: Human subjects: Consent was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Krishna Vishwa Vidyapeeth issued approval 200/2022-2023. 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, Jadhav et al.)

Introduction Ultrasonic bone surgery, or piezosurgery, is a novel technique utilizing ultrasonic vibrations to cut bone while minimizing damage to adjacent soft tissues. This study aims to evaluate the knowledge and awareness of ultrasonic bone surgery among periodontology and oral surgery postgraduate students in Maharashtra, India. Methods A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted among 180 postgraduate students (84 in periodontology and 96 in oral surgery). A Google Form questionnaire (Google LLC, Mountain View, CA, United States) with 15 close-ended questions was distributed via email. Data were analyzed using SPSS Statistics version 25 (IBM Corp. Released 2017. IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 25.0. Armonk, NY: IBM Corp.) employing frequency percentages and Pearson Chi-square tests for intergroup comparisons. Results Of the participants, 80 (95.3%) of periodontology and 91 (94.7%) of oral surgery postgraduates were aware of ultrasonic bone surgery. Significant differences were found in the knowledge of critical bone damage temperature (p=0.009) and postoperative complications (p=0.037), with periodontology postgraduates showing higher awareness. Both groups recognized ultrasonic bone surgery's precision, safety, and reduced trauma advantages. Overall knowledge and awareness were higher among periodontology postgraduates (n=84, 87.5%) than oral surgery postgraduates (n=96, 78.3%). Conclusion Both groups demonstrated a good understanding of ultrasonic bone surgery, with periodontology postgraduates showing notably higher awareness. These findings underscore the importance of integrating ultrasonic bone surgical techniques into dental education to enhance patient care and keep pace with technological advancements. Further studies with larger sample sizes across India are recommended., Competing Interests: Human subjects: Consent was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Ethics Review Committee of Krishna Vishwa Vidyapeeth issued approval 201/2022-202. 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, Dongare et al.)

Introduction Cancer is a major health problem and a devastating disease. People living with cancer experience a variety of signs and symptoms. Cancer patients undergo physical, psychological, social, and financial implications due to the disease and its treatment. Cancer harshly affects the individual's health and deteriorates the quality of life (QoL). This study assesses the QoL determinants among various cancer patient groups in western Maharashtra, India. Materials and methods This hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted in the oncology center, Krishna Vishwa Vidyapeeth, Karad, India. The study consisted of 270 cancer patients selected by purposive sampling technique. The data regarding the QoL was collected using a structured and validated questionnaire consisting of 50 questions elicited through one-to-one interviews. Data were analyzed using statistical software. Results Of 270 cancer patients, 135 (50%) were males and 135 (50%) were females aged between 22 and 66 years. Maximum patients (N = 89, 32.9%) were in the age group of 41-50 years, and the majority of patients (N = 34, 12.6%) suffered from breast cancer. The QoL among our patients was very low in 104 (38.5%) and 127 (47.0%), average in 36 (13.3%), and high only in 3 (1.1%) patients. Conclusion QoL among cancer patients was influenced by their symptoms, treatment, and the financial strain they experienced. There is a need to develop interventions to effectively manage symptoms that will help patients gain a greater sense of control over their illness and treatment, thereby improving their QoL., Competing Interests: Human subjects: Consent was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Krishna Vishwa Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University) issued approval 202/2022-2023 dated: 17.1.2023. The study was carried out according to the Modified Helsinki Declaration (2000). 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, Patil et al.)

Bell's palsy is an idiopathic and uncommon peripheral nerve palsy that affects the facial nerve, leading to an inability to control the muscles of facial expression on the affected side. This paper presents two cases of unilateral Bell's palsy in female patients treated with systemic steroids, antiviral drugs, and artificial tear substitutes. The treatment outcomes, clinical course, and recovery timelines are discussed in detail. A review of the current literature on the etiology, diagnosis, and management of Bell's palsy is also provided to contextualize these cases within broader clinical practice., Competing Interests: Human subjects: Consent was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. 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, Suragimath et al.)

Introduction: In developing countries, oral cancer (OC) is estimated to be the third most common malignancy after cancer of the cervix and stomach. The aim of this study was to report the prevalence of OC for 3 years and its association with age, gender, type, and duration of habits along with the site of OC., Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in the Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology from January 2019 to December 2021. All the patients were examined after recording their demographic data using a mouth mirror and probe. The diagnosis of OC was arrived based on the clinical features of the lesions. The type and duration of habits and site were recorded in clinical pro forma. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 21.0 was used for the statistical analysis, the Chi-square test was applied, and the significance level was set at P < 0.05., Results: The prevalence of OC was 0.22% in our study. Of 317 cases, the majority of the patients were males ( n = 204), and females ( n = 113) accounted for a male: female ratio of 2:1. The most common age affected was 51-70 years with a history of tobacco chewing, followed by patients with multiple habits (smokers, tobacco chewers, and alcoholic). The buccal mucosa was the most common site followed by malignancies of multiple sites., Conclusion: Regular camps regarding tobacco cessation and counseling should be taken care of by dentists. Male patients aged above 40 years are routinely recommended for dental visits., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2023 Journal of Mid-life Health.)

Introduction: Menopause in women is a physiological state that gives rise to adaptive changes at both the systemic and oral levels. The oral manifestations of postmenopausal women may vary for each patient. It occurs in the form of burning mouth syndrome, xerostomia, periodontitis, etc., We aimed to assess the prevalence of oral manifestations in the postmenopausal population, to know the nature and severity of oral manifestations occurring in postmenopausal women, and to assess the systemic conditions of these postmenopausal women with oral manifestations. The study was designed to assess the oral manifestation in postmenopausal women of Maharashtra, Western region., Materials and Methods: The study was conducted in the department of oral medicine and radiology. A total of 90 patients were included. A detailed clinical examination was done using a mouth mirror and probe. The clinical pro forma recorded demographic data, including the duration of menopause and different oral manifestations like xerostomia, periodontitis, lichen planus, oral candidiasis, etc., Collected data were entered into MS Excel and subjected to statistical analysis., Results: In the study, there were a total of 90 patients. These patients were distributed into three groups based on their age groups. The majority of the oral manifestations were reported in patients belonging to Group 2 (60-70 years age group)., Conclusion: Overall, 76.6% of patients reported oral mucosal changes; of which 20.2% of patients reported xerostomia, 15.9% reported periodontitis, 13% showed altered taste, 8.6% of patients had lichen planus, and 7.2% patients reported oral candidiasis and space infections., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2023 Journal of Mid-life Health.)

Background: Recurrent herpes labialis (RHL) is a disorder with serious health and social consequences and which affects most of the adults. However, high degree of research paucity pertaining to its prevalence was observed, especially from India., Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of RHL in western Maharashtra., Materials and Methods: In this prospective study, 1368 patients of either sex, satisfying the inclusion criteria, were included in the study after screening 34,560 patients for RHL lesions. Demographic data such as age, gender and risk factors, namely stress, menstruation and common cold, were recorded. Further, data regarding history of itching, fever, malaise and burning on lips followed by vesicles and frequency of lesions and duration were also recorded. After clinical examination site, size and nature of lesion were noted on a clinical pro forma. Results were compared statistically, and P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant., Results: The majority of the patients were in the age group of 30-39 years, with a female predominance (63.89%) (male:female = 0.33:0.59). Stress (43%) was the most common risk factor in the occurrence of RHL, followed by disturbed menstruation cycle (21%). Most of the patients had two episodes of RHL (42.4%), whereas some had just one episode of recurrence (25.4%) in the past 1 year. The most commonly occurring location for RHL was upper lip (47%), especially the left side (19.1%) and right side (18.2%) of the upper lip. The overall prevalence rate of RHL in our study was 3.9%., Conclusion: An established prevalence (3.9%) of RHL occurs among patients in western Maharashtra., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2021 Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology.)

Objectives: Oral health is an integral component of general health. Periodontal disease is one of the most prevalent dental diseases among the population. Researchers have identified an association of various risk factors with periodontal disease. The study aimed to assess the periodontal status among the sugar factory workers of Karad taluka., Materials and Methods: The study was conducted among 1200 subjects in the age group of 25-54 years. Personal and sociodemographic data were recorded in the proforma based on the WHO oral health survey form (1997). Periodontal status was assessed using community periodontal index (CPI). For statistical analyses, Chi-square test and Multiple Logistic Regression analyses was performed., Results: The sociodemographic characteristics (age, sex, and socioeconomic status) and deleterious habits like tobacco chewing and smoking were found to be significantly associated with the CPI and LoA scores for the population ( P < 0.00001)., Conclusion: The analysis of the results obtained in this epidemiological study evidenced that periodontitis is prevalent among the sugar factory workers of Karad taluka. There is a need for emphasis on the preventive care., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2020 Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care.)

Introduction: Periodontitis is associated with many chronic health conditions including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). RA and periodontitis have similarities in inflammatory mechanism, morphology, and histopathology. Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic, multifactorial degenerative disease characterized by the deterioration of cartilage in joints., Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and severity of periodontal disease in patients with established RA and OA., Materials and Methods: A total of 200 patients reporting to the Department of Orthopaedics, KIMSDU, Karad were included in the study. Patients were divided into two groups: Group 1 that included 100 patients with established RA diagnosed according to American College of Rheumatology (ACR) classification 1987 criteria and Group 2 that comprised 100 patients diagnosed with OA. Demographic profile, medical and dental history, oral hygiene practices, and smoking status of study participants were recorded. Periodontal status of the patients were evaluated using the simplified oral hygiene index (OHI-S), Loe and Silness gingival index (GI), probing pocket depth (PPD), and clinical attachment level (CAL). On the basis of the CAL score periodontitis severity was defined as slight, moderate, and severe. Rheumatoid Factor (RF) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were considered as a serological marker in RA. Serological tests were performed to measure RF and CRP. Periodontal parameters and serological tests were correlated., Results: This study reported 45% severe periodontitis prevalence in RA compared to OA group, which was 33%. Severity of periodontitis is significantly greater in RF positive RA group with mean CAL 5.38 mm compared to RF negative RA group with mean CAL 2.81 mm ( P = 0.001). There was moderate positive correlation found between RF titer and severity of periodontitis (r = 0.311)., Conclusion: The severity of periodontitis was significantly higher among the patients with established RA as compared to patients with OA. RF positive patients had higher periodontal disease compared to RF negative patients. There was an increase in the mean clinical attachment loss with increase in RF titer., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2020 Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care.)

Introduction: One of the most common aesthetic concerns associated with the periodontal tissue is gingival recession. Covering the root surface exposed during the disease process with soft and hard tissue surgeries may decrease these problems. The aim of the study was to compare the clinical outcome of coronally advanced flap (CAF) procedure in root coverage with platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) or subepithelial connective tissue graft (SCTG) for the treatment of Miller's Class-I gingival recession., Materials and Methods: The split mouth design consisted of 15 patients with a total of 30 sites with bilateral Miller's Class-I recession on anterior teeth. They were randomly assigned into PRF group (test) or SCTG group (control)., Statistical Analysis: The values obtained were tabulated and analyzed using Mann--Whitney U-test and repeated measure ANOVA test. All the statistical tests were carried out using SPSS software., Results: It was observed that both the autogenous grafts healed without any complications and at the end of 6 months the grafts were stable and recession coverage between 88-100% was achieved., Conclusion: CAF procedure with either PRF or SCTG were both effective in the treatment of Miller's Class-I gingival recessions. CAF with SCTG showed better root coverage than CAF with PRF. Use of PRF offered additional benefit of avoiding second surgical site. Therefore, PRF can be considered as a viable alternative to SCTG in certain cases., Competing Interests: None

Ayurvedic drugs have been used since ancient times to treat diseases including periodontal diseases. Oral rinses made from ayurvedic medicines are used in periodontal therapy to control bleeding and reduce inflammation. To evaluate the efficacy of herbal preparation (Irimedadi taila) on reduction of plaque induced gingivitis. A total of 100 volunteers with clinical signs of mild to moderate gingivitis were selected and assigned to Group A (only scaling done) and Group B (scaling along with the use of Irimedadi taila). After recording the clinical parameters, the patients were instructed to use 2-3 drops of Irimedadi taila and gently massage the gums twice daily in Group B and oral hygiene instructions were given to all patients. Plaque and gingivitis assessment were carried out using the plaque index (Silness and Loe, 1964), Gingival index (Loe and Silness, 1963), and modified sulcular bleeding index (Mombelli et al.) at baseline and at 21 days post treatment. Statistically analysis was carried out using the student's paired t test for intra group comparison and unpaired t test for inter group comparison. Results showed that Irimedadi taila is effective in reducing gingival index and gingival bleeding index scores in comparison to scaling alone and the values are statistically significant with p < 0.0001. Irimedadi taila is effective in treatment of plaque induced gingivitis and can be effectively used as an adjunct to mechanical therapy., (Copyright © 2017 Transdisciplinary University, Bangalore and World Ayurveda Foundation. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Periodontitis and osteoporosis are two diseases found worldwide and increase in intensity with increasing age of the patients. The severity of osteoporosis and periodontitis are found to be more in women during menopause. The aim of this study was to assess and correlate osteoporosis and periodontal disease among post-menopausal women., Materials and Methods: The study consisted of 94 postmenopausal women in the age range of 45-65 years. All the women underwent dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan to measure bone mineral density (BMD) and were graded as normal, osteopenic, and osteoporotic based on the T score obtained. Data regarding patient's educational level, socioeconomic status (SES), and body mass index (BMI) was recorded. A detailed periodontal examination was carried out using clinical parameters such as oral hygiene index (OHI), plaque Index (PI), probing pocket depth , and clinical attachment loss to check the level of periodontitis. The level of osteoporosis was correlated with the level of periodontitis., Results: The DXA scan revealed that four women were normal, 44 were osteopenic and 46 were osteoporotic. There was no association found between BMD and OHI, PI, educational status, SES, and BMI. Slight periodontitis was observed in eight women, moderate periodontitis in 62, and severe periodontitis in 24 women. Result suggests that there was a statistical correlation between periodontitis and osteoporosis ( P = 0.045)., Conclusion: There is a definite correlation found between the severity of periodontitis and osteoporosis among postmenopausal women. A close cooperation between general practitioners and dentists in early diagnosis and treatment of both the diseases will reduce the risk and morbidity among postmenopausal women., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest.

Introduction: Clinical and aesthetic outcomes after periodontal or implant surgical procedures are determined by anatomical and morphological characteristics of the gingiva like width of keratinized gingiva, thickness of gingiva and alveolar bone. Therefore, the knowledge of gingival biotype plays an important role in modifying the dental therapeutic procedures for the desired outcome and predictability., Aim: The aim of the present study was to assess and compare the gingival biotype among genders by clinical, photographic and radiographic parameters., Materials and Methods: A total of 800 subjects (400 males and 400 females) were considered for the study. Width of keratinized gingiva (GW), transparency of the periodontal probe through the sulcus (TRAN) were assessed clinically; Crown Width/Crown Length ratio (CW/CL) and Papillary Height (PH) were assessed photographically; Gingival Thickness (GT1, GT2, GT3) and Alveolar bone Thickness (AT1, AT2, AT3) were assessed radiographically. The obtained data was correlated to compare the gingival biotype between males and females. The collected data was statistically analysed using Pearson correlation coefficient (r) with the corresponding 95% confidence interval., Results: The TRAN at GT1, GT2 and GT3 as well as at AT1, AT2 and AT3 showed a very strong positive correlation in males (r>0.8) as compared to females (r<0.8). A very strong positive correlation was observed between GT1, GT2, GT3 and AT1, AT2, AT3 in males (r>0.9) as compared to females (r<0.7)., Conclusion: There are definite differences in the gingival biotype among different genders with predominance of a thin gingival biotype with reduced alveolar bone thickness in females as compared to males.

Introduction: Dentinal Hypersensitivity (DH) is one of the most commonly encountered clinical problems. Literature reveals no specific therapy to satisfactorily eliminate dentinal hypersensitivity., Aim: The aim of this study was to assess and compare the efficacy of iontophoresis with 0.33% Sodium Fluoride (NaF) gel and diode laser alone in dentinal tubule occlusion., Materials and Methods: This in vitro study included 20 teeth with intact root surfaces unaltered by extraction procedure for specimen preparation. Each tooth was cleaned, air dried and cut into three sections. Total 60 sections were prepared (30 longitudinal and 30 transverse sections), which were acid etched. In control group, no treatment was carried. In iontophoresis treatment group, samples were inserted into a foam tray containing 0.33 % NaF Gel and subjected to 1.5 mA output current for three minutes. In laser treatment group, specimens were lased with 980 nm diode laser at 0.5 W/PW (62.2J /cm 2 ) in a noncontact mode for 30 seconds. Specimens were evaluated under Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) at 10KV to 20KV under x 2000, x5000 magnification for surface characteristics and patency of dentinal tubules. Total number of tubules visible, open, completely and partially occluded were recorded in each microphotograph and compared., Results: On comparison, laser group showed the least number of open tubules i.e., 130 (31.1%) followed by iontophoresis group, 155 (51.32%) and control group 417 (100%)., Conclusion: Diode laser application provided better results as compared to iontophoresis on occlusion of dentinal tubules. Hence, it can be used to treat the patients with DH.

Context: Identification of gender is of primary importance in forensic investigations when only fragment of skull remains. Mandible is a hard bone and exhibits a high degree of sexual dimorphism. Gender differences were observed in the height of mandible, gonial angle, bigonial breadth, bicondylar breadth, and position of mental foramen (MF)., Aims of the Study: The purpose of this study is to evaluate gender differences in distances from superior border of MF (SMF) and inferior border of MF (IMF) to the lower border of mandible (LBM) and height of mandible in the Maharashtra population., Materials and Methods: A total of 400 patients (200 males and 200 females) were considered for the study. The panoramic radiographs of patients were captured using Xtropan 2000 system and Carestream (T-Mat GIRA) films. The distance from SMF and IMF to the LBM and the height of mandible was measured., Statistical Analysis Used: Unpaired t -test was applied to calculate the differences between the genders., Results: The distance from SMF and IMF to LBM and height of mandible was more in males when compared to females, which was statistically significant., Conclusion: The distances from SMF and IMF to the LBM and height of the mandible showed sexual dimorphism in the Maharashtra population of India., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest.

Introduction: Dark or black coloured gingiva is an esthetic concern especially in subjects with high lip line or gummy smile. Gingival depigmentation procedure is a type of perioplastic surgery where the gingival epithelium is excised with various techniques to lighten the colour of the gingiva. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical efficacy of gingival depigmentation procedure with conventional scalpel technique and diode laser application. Methods: This split mouth randomized study was conducted on 12 subjects (18-40 years of age), exhibiting melanin hyperpigmentation of gingiva. The anterior labial sextant of maxilla and mandible were divided into two halves involving three anterior teeth i.e. central incisor, lateral incisor and canine on each side. The divided areas were randomly allotted for depigmentation procedure either with scalpel technique or diode laser operating at 980 nm wavelength. Various parameters such as bleeding, pain, difficulty of procedure and wound healing were assessed and compared between the two techniques. The level of melanin pigment was assessed with Dummette Gupta index and photographic analysis with the help of adobe software. The subjects were followed up to one year to see for recurrence of melanin pigmentation. Results: Bleeding during surgery, pain score and difficulty of procedure assessed by the operator were statistically higher for scalpel technique as compared to laser technique. Wound healing did not show any statistical significant difference between both techniques. Gingival depigmentation procedures with scalpel as well as laser technique were effective when compared preoperatively and at consecutive postoperative visits, and this was statistically significant. Comparison of melanin depigmentation procedure between scalpel and laser technique did not show any significant differences at all postoperative intervals. Conclusion: The findings of the present study suggest that gingival depigmentation was effective with both scalpel and laser techniques. However, the laser treated sites showed reduced pain experienced by the patient and better operator comfort. Slight melanin repigmentation was observed in three subjects treated with scalpel depigmentation procedure at the end of one year.

Introduction: In oral diagnostics there is a great challenge to determine biomarkers for screening and evaluating the disease activity. Biomarkers can also serve as a useful tool to measure the efficacy of the therapy., Aim: To evaluate and compare the levels of salivary calcium, phosphorous, alkaline phosphatase and pH levels in periodontally healthy subjects and patients with gingivitis and periodontitis., Materials and Methods: The present study consisted of 150 subjects aged between 20-45 years who were divided into three groups; periodontally healthy, gingivitis and chronic periodontitis. Prior to the clinical examination the demographic details, relevant information of the subject, gingival index, plaque index, Oral Hygiene Index (OHI) and pH were recorded. Biochemical assay of saliva i.e., inorganic calcium, phosphorous and alkaline phosphatase were estimated by colorimetric method. ANOVA and Tukey's test were applied for statistical analysis., Results: The mean levels of biomarkers studied were; inorganic calcium (12.55μg/dl), phosphorous (14.50μg/dl), alkaline phosphatase (49.62μg/dl) and pH (11.65). There was a gradual increase in these levels as the condition progressed from health to gingivitis or periodontitis which was statistically significant at p<0.001., Conclusion: Based on these results, it can be concluded that, the biomarkers like salivary calcium, phosphorous, alkaline phosphatase and pH can be considered for evaluating the diagnosis and prognosis of periodontal tissues in disease and health.

Background: Osteoporosis is a systemic bone disorder characterized by decreased bone mass and increased risk for fracture. It has been proposed as a possible risk factor for periodontal disease progression. Recent literature has shown periodontitis to be a risk indicator for osteoporosis, suggesting a possible two way relationship. However the association between these two diseases still remains unclear leading to a scope of further research in this area., Aim: The aim of the present study was to assess and Correlate the severity of osteoporosis and periodontitis by using variables like probing pocket depth, clinical attachment loss, plaque index, body mass index and bone mineral density., Materials and Methods: A total of 65 subjects aged between 45-75 years suffering from periodontitis were considered. All subjects were assessed for periodontal disease severity by plaque index (PI), probing pocket depth (PPD) and clinical attachment loss (CAL). The bone mineral density (BMD) of patients was assessed using dual energy X- ray absorptiometry (DXA) at lumbar spine (L1 - L4). The severity of periodontal disease was correlated with severity of osteoporosis. Descriptive statistics like frequency and percentage were calculated for all the variables. Chi-square test was performed to assess the association between the study variables., Result: Among the entire group 78.46% had high plaque index score, and the severity of periodontitis increased with increase in plaque index score showing a statistical significance. Osteopenia was observed in 25.33% of the subjects, out of whom 63.15% suffered from severe periodontitis. Osteoporosis was observed in 17.33% of the subjects, and all the subjects (100%) suffered from severe periodontitis., Conclusion: The results of the present study suggest that increasing severity of periodontitis increased the risk of osteoporosis and vice versa. We conclude that there is a definite association between periodontitis and osteoporosis.

Background: Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease of the supporting tissues of the teeth caused by specific microorganisms, resulting in destruction of the periodontal ligament and alveolar bone. Progressive loss of alveolar bone is the salient feature of periodontal disease. Accurate detection of periodontal disease with the use of radiographs helps in diagnosis, treatment and prognosis., Aims: The present study aims to compare the efficacy of conventional intraoral periapical (IOPA) and direct digital radiographs (RVG) in detecting interdental alveolar bone loss using intrasurgical (IS) measurements as the gold standard., Materials and Methods: Thirty patients elected to undergo periodontal flap surgery with periodontitis computing to 60 interdental alveolar defects on mandibular first molars were considered. IOPA and RVG were captured using standardized techniques. Bone loss measurements in IOPA and RVG were compared to the IS measurements., Statistical Analysis: Statistical analysis was carried out using student t test and ANOVA with the help of SPSS software and p-value <0.05 was considered as significant., Results: Both IOPA and RVG underestimated the bone loss measurements when compared to IS measurements which was statistically significant (p<0.0001). Bone loss measurements in RVG were closer to IS measurements than IOPA., Conclusion: Both the radiographic techniques IOPA and RVG underestimated bone loss by 1.5-2.5 mm. RVG was superior to IOPA for the detection of interdental bone loss due to reduced time and radiation exposure to obtain the same diagnostic information.

Background: The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of hyaluronic acid (HA) in root coverage procedures as an adjunct to coronally advanced flap (CAF) procedure., Materials and Methods: This was a randomized clinical trial with split mouth design, where 10 patients with 20 sites of Millers Class I recession were treated and followed-up for a period of 6 months. CAF procedure was performed, HA was applied onto the experimental sites before suturing the flap. Recession depth (RD) was measured regularly at baseline 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 weeks postoperatively. Probing pocket depth (PPD) and clinical attachment level (CAL) were also measured along with RD at baseline and 12 and 24 weeks., Results: There was a significant change in RD, PPD, CAL, and percentage of root coverage in both groups when compared to the baseline values. There was no statistically significant difference between experimental and control group in terms of RD (P = 0.917), PPD (P = 0.917) and CAL (P = 0.761). RD was 3.2 mm ± 0.78 mm in experimental site and control sites 2.9 mm ± 0.73 mm reduced to 1.1 mm ± 0.99 mm in experimental sites and 1.0 mm ± 0.66 mm in control sites. Though, there is no statistically significant difference root coverage in the experimental group appeared to be clinically more stable compared with the control group after 24 weeks., Conclusions: This study suggests that use of HA may improve the clinical outcome of root coverage with CAF procedure.

Background: The study of lip-print pattern (cheiloscopy) is a scientific method for personal identification and plays a major role in forensic and criminal investigations., Objective: To compare the lip print patterns in Kerala and Maharashtra population and correlate between ABO blood groups., Materials and Methods: Two hundred subjects, 100 from Maharashtra and 100 from Kerala were considered for the study. Lip prints were recorded, analyzed according to Tsuchihashi classification. The lip print patterns were compared in the two populations, correlated in ABO blood groups. The data obtained was statistically analyzed with SPSS software using chi-square test., Results: In our study, predominant lip print pattern observed in Kerala population was type IV (53%) and Maharashtra population was type II (42%). The difference between the two population was statistically significant (p<0.001). Subjects with A+ and O- blood groups had type II lip print predominance. Subjects with B+, AB+ and O+ blood groups had type IV predominance. The lip print patterns do not show any correlation in ABO blood groups., Conclusion: Lip prints are unique to each individual and are different even in two persons. Lip print patterns were different in the two sub populations studied, and they showed no correlation in ABO blood groups.

Background: The purpose of this study was to clinically evaluate the benefits of sub gingival chlorhexidine (CHX) varnish and biodegradable CHX chip application used as an adjunct to scaling and root planning (SRP) as combined therapy and also to compare the effect of combined therapy with SRP alone., Materials and Methods: Fifteen patients with at least three sites with a probing pocket depth (PPD) of 5-8 mm were considered. Following baseline evaluation, all three sites were subjected for SRP. After completing SRP, each site was randomly subjected for CHX varnish, CHX chip application and the 3(rd) site was left without any medication as a control. Clinical parameters such as sulcus bleeding index, plaque index, bleeding on probing (BOP), PPD, and clinical attachment level (CAL) were recorded at baseline, 1 month and 3 months post-operatively., Results: All three groups presented with an improvement in clinical parameters compared to baseline. The mean reduction in PPD was 2.4 mm in SRP sites, 2.5 mm in SRP + CHX varnish sites and 2.8 mm in SRP + CHX chip sites. The mean gain in CAL was 2.4 mm in SRP sites, 2.3 mm in SRP + CHX varnish sites and 2.8 mm SRP + CHX chip sites., Interpretation and Conclusion: The present study indicated that application of CHX varnish and placement of CHX chip as an adjunct to SRP produced a clinically significant reduction in the PPD, BOP and a gain in CAL at 30(th) day and 90(th) day from baseline when compared to SRP alone. The results though were not statistically significant.

Background: Chronic periodontitis is the inflammation within the supporting tissues of the teeth resulting in attachment loss and bone loss. There are certain environmental factors such as smoking that can modify the host response to plaque organisms; hence can account for the aggressive progression of the disease. Smokers show a decreased expression of clinical inflammation even in the presence of abundant plaque accumulation. Neutrophils are the predominant host defense cells which protect the periodontal tissues from plaque organisms, deficiencies of neutrophil function, such as chemotaxis and phagocytosis, often result in increased susceptibility to periodontitis. Smoking can induce alteration in the neutrophil function; therefore, it is of importance to know the changes caused by smoking on neutrophil chemotaxis. This study will provide an essential basis for evaluating the role of nicotine in pathogenesis of periodontal disease by assessing the neutrophil activity., Materials and Methods: A total of 60 smokers and 60 non smokers were examined for this study. Both the groups included 20 subjects with gingivitis, periodontitis, and healthy periodontium. The periodontal status of the study subjects were assessed by gingival index, Russels periodontal index, sulcus bleeding index, and clinical attachment level. The blood sample was taken from each individual for the chemotactic analysis using agarose method., Results: In this study, there was a significant decrease in the neutrophil chemotaxis in smokers with gingivitis, periodontitis, and healthy periodontium, compared to non smokers with similar findings., Conclusion: Delayed neutrophil chemotaxis was found in smokers compared to non smokers with same periodontal status.

Background: Millions of people worldwide consume carbonated drinks every day. The effects of these drinks on hard tissues in the mouth have been proved beyond doubt. Only a little has been done so far to assess the effects of carbonated drinks on oral soft tissues. This study was an attempt to assess the effect of carbonated drinks on oral wound healing., Materials and Methods: Twenty female Wistar rats were considered for the study. A circular wound was created on the palate and the animals were divided into two groups (experimental and control group). The experimental group animals were fed with a commercially available carbonated drink instead of water, and two animals from each group were euthanized at 3, 7, 14 and 21 days. Wound site was assessed morphometrically and histologically., Results: There was a marked difference in the healing pattern between the experimental group and control group animals. Control group animals showed a normal healing pattern with formation of a fibrous connective tissue at the end of 21 days. In the experimental group, healing was delayed and disrupted. The wound site showed a definite palatal perforation in experimental group animals after 14 days, but osteoclasts were not noticed in the histological sections., Conclusion: Consumption of carbonated drinks can disrupt oral wound healing. Results suggest that the bone changes seen in experimental group samples are not mediated by osteoclasts, and acidity of the carbonated drinks could be one of the reasons for these changes.