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Introduction: Aloe vera has various pharmacological actions due to which it has been selected as an alternative treatment modality in treating various oral diseases. It has antibacterial, antifungal, antiinflammatory, antioxidant, antitumor, and immune boosting. It has been used for the management of oral lesions such as oral lichen planus, oral submucous fibrosis, radiation-induced mucositis, burning mouth syndrome, xerostomia, recurrent aphthous ulcers. Aim: The aim of this study is to the compare the effects of the topical aloe vera gel and triamcinolone acetonide 0.1% in patients with minor ulcers of aphthous stomatitis. Materials and Methods: Thirty-four patients presenting with clinical signs and symptoms of aphthous stomatitis were included for the randomized single blinded study after informed consent. Group A patients received topical aloe vera gel (Forever Bright Aloe vera Gel), and Group B patients received topical triamcinolone acetonide 0.1% (kenacort oral paste) three times a day for 7 days or till the ulcer heals completely. The parameters such as the size of the ulcer, burning sensation, and pain were recorded at each visit. Results: In this study, kenacort oral paste was found to be effective than aloe vera in wound healing (measured by the diameter of ulcer). In contrast, aloe vera gel had a better response in terms of pain and burning sensation. Conclusion: Aloe vera has a wide spectrum of unique properties and uses. It is a promising agent in treating oral lesion in the field of oral medicine. It can be used as an alternative medicine and in patients who are allergic to steroid medication.

Aim: To compare the efficacy of combination therapy (low level laser therapy [LLLT] and topical steroids) with topical steroid therapy alone in individuals with symptomatic oral lichen planus. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on 30 patients who reported to our department with clinically and histologically proven symptomatic oral lichen planus (OLP). All the patients were assessed for the criteria of outcome—pain, burning sensation, size of the lesion, clinical resolution, and recurrence. The patients were randomly assigned into two groups each comprising of 15 patients. Group I (study group) patients received a combination of topical steroid and LLLT while Group II (control group) patients received only topical steroid therapy. Results: A significant pain and burning sensation reduction were found in the patients who were given LLLT (P: 0.05). There was a decrease in the size of the lesion which was statistically significant. A complete clinical resolution was achieved and only 11% recurrence occurred in the study group. This therapy appears to be effective in patients with symptomatic OLP. Conclusion: The LLLT therapy appears to be useful in relieving pain and burning sensation, reduction in the size of the lesion, with complete clinical resolution and minimal recurrence, and hence, can be considered as a valuable aid in managing symptomatic OLP. Thus, the LLLT therapy serves as a potent and independent therapeutic modality in symptomatic OLP.

The COVID-19 pandemic has spread across the globe and is the greatest challenge faced by world nations today. The first outbreak of this disease occurred in a seafood market of Wuhan City, China. The community pattern of spread was alarming and has gripped the entire international society. The dentists and other health care professionals should take stringent measures to prevent the spread of infection while providing care. In this article, we discuss the etiology, clinical manifestations, route of transmission, general and specific infection control protocols to protect the dental health care professionals as well as patients from COVID 19 disease while providing emergency dental care.

Context: Gender determination of skeletal remains is part of archeological and medicolegal examination. In forensic investigations mandibular canines provide excellent material to identify gender as they are more likely to survive in disaster. Dimorphism in mandibular canines is of immense use in forensic investigation. Aim: The aim of study was to establish mandibular canine index (MCI) for gender determination in general population for age group of 18--30 years and to find out efficiency of MCI in establishing gender identity of individual. Setting and Study Design: Patients reporting to Department Of Oral Medicine and Radiology are selected for study after applying inclusion and exclusion criteria. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on 200 subjects in general population; (100 males and 100 females). Following parameters were considered in study; mesiodistal width of right and left mandibular canine, intercanine arch width and right and left MCI. All measurements were taken intraorally and then on dental casts of same individuals followed by MCI calculation. Statistical Analysis Used: In the entire study the P –value less than 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. The entire data were statistically analyzed by using (SPSS ver 16, IBM corporation, USA). Results: Using the MCI value, gender can be correctly predicted up to 81% in females and 85% in males. Overall, percentage accuracy of MCI in prediction of gender was 83%. The standard MCI value was 0.2661. Also, right canine was found to exhibit more dimorphism than left canine. Conclusion: It was evident from this study that MCI is a good tool for determining gender. It is quick, reliable, and inexpensive method. Along with other parameters it increases percentage accuracy of predicting gender.

Central giant cell granuloma (CGCG) of the maxillofacial region is generally present as an asymptomatic slowly growing localised disease to aggressive neoplasm-like rapid expansive progression typically present with localised disease. It is an uncommon benign lesion with a low incidence that occurs in the craniofacial region especially in jaw bones. It is a localised osteolytic lesion with varied biologic behavior of aggression which affects the jaw bones. There is much controversy regarding it arising as a result of trauma and its connection with the giant cell lesion seen in the long bones. As it is uncommon, it does not possess any characteristic clinical or radiologic features and resembles neoplasms; the diagnosis is initially some odontogenic or non-odontogenic neoplasm till a definitive histologic diagnosis of CGCG is made. We report five cases of an aggressive form of CGCG at different sites of involvement in the jaw bones.