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Objectives: Oral cancer is major health threat; with 90% mortality and ranks sixth among worldwide cancers. So to overcome this mortality; newer bio-markers are explored and one of such biomarker is D-dimer, which is end product of fibrinogen formed by plasmin. The raised levels of D-dimer play significant role in proliferation and progress of cancer cells. In cancers D-dimer is formed by dual action, where UPA (Urokinase type Plasminogen Activator) and Tissue factor play important role simultaneously. To understand correlation between D- dimer and oral cancers, by immunoturbidimetry; quantitative assay. Material and Methods: After obtaining consents of patients and Institutional ethical clearance, we randomly selected; age and sex matched; 216 samples. Further these samples were subdivides as oral cancer group and control group, consisting 108 samples in each group respectively. Results: Statistical analysis was done; using SPSS version 20, unpaired -T test, and one way ANOVA were applied. Plasma D-dimer levels were; 497.32±872.28μl/ml and 165.30±150.43 28μl/ml, among cancer and control groups respectively, (P≤ 0.0001), which was statistically highly significant. Conclusion: D-dimer is altered during carcinogenesis by activation of UPA and Tissue factors, and this distinguishes form routine levels of D-dimer. This suggests that, cancer cell biology is greatly affected by D-dimer levels during growth and spread of cancers. So raised levels of D-dimer can be considered during interventions of cancers, and incorporated as a biomarker. However for its scientific applications; there is need of further study, with collaborative approach and larger samples, to restrict cancer related mortalities.

The current trial aimed to assess and compare the efficacy of neem chip and diode laser as a local drug delivery (LDD) agent as a supplement to phase I periodontal therapy in treatment of localized chronic moderate periodontitis.Statistically significant improvements were observed in all clinical parameters at one month as compared to baseline for both treatment groups.Neem chip supplemented with phase I therapy showed best improvement in clinical parameters followed by laser supplemented with phase I therapy in comparison to phase I therapy alone at one month follow-up.

Lymphangiomas are benign malformations that represent hamartoma of malformed lymphatics and are composed of cystically dilated lymphatic channels which do not communicate or drain into other lymphatic channels or veins leading to accumulation of lymph. They are congenital malformations with rare occurrence in oral cavity within which tongue dorsum is the most affected site. Venous malformations are often difficult to differentiate from lymphatic malformations leading to the development of several lymphatic markers like D2-40 which seems to be useful for distinguishing vascular from lymphatic vessels. The most effective treatment is surgery having good prognosis for most of the patients but depending on their location (neck/tongue) and size (large size) they may cause airway obstruction causing death. Herewith, we present the rare cases of oral lymphangiomas of tongue, palate and buccal mucosa with varied and characteristic clinical presentations.

The epithelial lining of both the developmental and inflammatory cysts of odontogenic origin are primarily composed of squamous epithelium. Various forms of metaplasia and degenerations are observed in these epithelial linings e.g. mucous cells, ciliated cells, para and/or orthokeratinization and formation of hyaline bodies. The present study was designed to investigate the incidences of mucous cells in the epithelial lining of dentigerous cyst. Mucous cells were observed in 35% of the cysts examined. Moreover, the incidence of mucous cell was higher in maxilla than in

Tissues of oral cavity, when invaded by the parasitic larvae of houseflies, the condition is called as oral myiasis. It is a rare disease that is most common in developing countries and is associated with conditions leading to persistent mouth opening along with poor oral hygiene, suppurative lesions, severe halitosis and maxillofacial trauma. A case of exuberant oral myiasis in a 42-year-old female patient is described here. She reported with swelling, pain, mobility of teeth and foul odor. Diagnosis was based primarily on history and clinical features. Management included use of turpentine oil, mechanical removal of larvae followed by extraction of mobile teeth and curettage along with supportive antibiotic and analgesic therapy. Supportive nutritional supplements and timely institution of treatment encompassing removal of the offending larvae and carious teeth with proper education and motivation of the patient including oral hygiene instructions led to the resolution of these lesions.

Nasolabial cysts are painless, submucosal, non-odontogenic jaw cysts presenting as soft tissue swellings in the maxillary anterior mucolabial fold lateral to midline, leading to elevation of nasal ala. Present case documents bilateral nasolabial cysts in a 69-year-old Asian female patient. In the present case, extraoral swelling of maxillary lip and elevation of nasal ala was observed on right side of the face. Intraorally, soft and fluctuant bilateral cysts were observed. Straw-colored fluid was aspirated from the right cyst. Radiographically, erosion of bone in a "cupping" fashion was observed in the region of left cyst. The cysts were enucleated using intraoral approach. Histopathology of the right-sided cyst revealed a cystic cavity lined by stratified squamous cells along with a few mucosal cells. At few places, stratified squamous and pseudostratified columnar epithelia with many cilia and goblet cells were also evident. Capsule was loosely arranged with fibrous tissue and chronic inflammatory infiltrate. Left-sided cystic specimen showed two or more layered stratified squamous lining epithelium with thin capsule. Diagnosis of bilateral nasolabial/nasoalveolar cysts was confirmed.

Globally, arecanut and tobacco are among the most common addictions. Tobacco and arecanut alone or in combination are practiced in different regions in various forms. Subsequently, oral mucosal lesions also show marked variations in their clinical as well as histopathological appearance. However, it has been found that there is no uniformity and awareness while reporting these habits. Various terminologies used by investigators like 'betel chewing','betel quid chewing','betel nut chewing','betel nut habit','tobacco chewing'and 'paan chewing' clearly indicate that there is lack of knowledge and lots of confusion about the exact terminology and content of the habit. If the health promotion initiatives are to be considered, a thorough knowledge of composition and way of practicing the habit is essential. In this article we reviewed composition and various terminologies associated with areca nut and tobacco habits in an effort to clearly delineate various habits.

Background: A dental survey was conducted among the school going children of age group 6-13 yrs, focused to find out incidence of malocclusion so as to predict the probable time at which preventive measures can be taken. Materials and Methods: A survey was carried on 985 unrelated healthy subject, including of 575 boys and 410 girls and the population was divided into three economic group of upper, middle and lower class. Results: 1)In the study 57% of sample is found with normal occlusion.2)The proportion of malocclusion was higher in males.3)Lower income group sample showed highest proportion of malocclusion. Conclusion: In this study on school going children, it was found out that 57% of population showed normal occlusion and that malocclusion was higher in males and in lower income group population.

Papillary cystadenocarcinoma (PCC) is an uncommon malignant tumour of the salivary gland, sometimes involving the minor salivary gland. Previously this entity was classified as an atypical type of adenocarcinoma, malignant papillary cystadenoma, low-grade papillary adenocarcinoma or mucus producing adenopapillary carcinoma. PCC is a glandular tumour with an indolent biological behaviour characterised by cysts and papillary endophytic projections. We report two cases of PCC involving the minor salivary gland of the hard palate. Both the patients presented with a swelling in the palate with difficulty in chewing. MRI revealed an extensively destructive lesion involving hard palate, alveolar ridge and maxillary antrum. Clinical and radiological features suggested the malignant nature of the lesion. Histopathology of incisional biopsy revealed tumour proliferation in a multicystic pattern, with extensive papillary proliferation. Diverse and cellular cytomorphology, and cellular and nuclear pleomorphism with few mitotic figures were the prominent features. Both the lesions were confirmed as PCC.

Background: Chlorhexidine gluconate mouthwash has earned eponym of gold standard to treat and/or prevent periodontal disease. However, it has been reported to have local side-effects on long-term use. To explore a herbal alternative, the present study was carried out with an aim to compare the anti-plaque efficacy of a herbal mouthwash with 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate mouthwash and normal saline. Materials and Methods: It was an examiner-blinded, parallel designed clinical trial, in which 90 pre-clinical dental students with gingival index (GI) ≤1 were enrolled. To begin with, GI and plaque index (PI) were recorded. Then, baseline plaque scores were brought to zero by professionally cleaning the teeth with scaling and polishing. After that, randomized 3 groups were made (of 30 subjects each - after excluding the drop-outs) who were refrained from regular mechanical oral hygiene measures. Subjects were asked to swish with respective mouthwash (0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate mouthwash, herbal mouthwash, or normal saline) as per therapeutic dose for 4 days. Then, GI and PI scores were re-evaluated on 5 th day by the same investigator, and the differences were compared statistically by ANOVA and Student's 't'- test. Results and Observations: Least post-rinsing GI and PI scores were demonstrated with 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate mouthwash, followed by herbal mouthwash and highest scores with normal saline. The difference of post-rinsing PI scores between the chlorhexidine and herbal mouthwash groups was statistically non-significant, whereas this difference was significant between chlorhexidine and saline groups, and the difference between herbal and saline groups was non-significant. It was concluded that 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate mouthwash remains the best anti-plaque agent. However, when socio-economic factor and/or side-effects of chlorhexidine need consideration, presently tested herbal mouthwash may be considered as a good alternative.

Background: Cancer, a disorder of cellular behavior is characterized by the alteration of serum glycoproteins, which are composed of different monosaccharides. One of the monosaccharides is l-fucose, a methyl pentose, which is the terminal sugar in most of the plasma glycoproteins. Elevated levels of protein-bound fucose have been reported in various disease states as well as in malignancies. Aim: To ascertain the role of serum fucose as a biomarker and to correlate with other studies for its effective clinical application. Materials and Method: T0 he study was carried out on 67 subjects, including 14 healthy individuals and 53 oral squamous cell carcinoma cases. The serum fucose level estimation was done based on the method as adopted by Winzler using cysteine reagent. Statistical analysis included Chi-square test, Karl Pearson correlation test and Student's t test to evaluate the significance and variability of values between groups. Results: Serum fucose levels were independent of age and sex. However, there was significant increase in mean serum fucose level of oral squamous cell carcinoma patients compared with healthy controls. The results correlated well with other studies. Conclusion: Serum fucose can be used as an effective diagnostic biomarker in oral squamous cell carcinoma patients.