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Introduction: Tobacco is the single most important avoidable cause of premature morbidity and mortality in the world. Tobacco dependence is a chronic condition that often requires repeated interventions. Since oral medicine experts are the first to note any changes that can occur in the oral cavity, they can play a major role in its prevention and intervention. There are well-tried and cost-effective methods for interventions. An oral medicine expert can play an effective role in tailoring a special and specific cessation programme for every individual to improve quit rate and prevent relapse. Objective: This review is prepared with the objective to help Oral Medicine Experts to guide differential prescribing practices and tailoring pharmacotherapy for tobacco cessation. Conclusion: Interventions by Oral Medicine Experts have been found to be effective in helping people to quit tobacco. Keywords: Tobacco dependence, tobacco cessation, oral medicine expert, nicotine replacement therapy.

Dentistry has witnessed tremendous advances in all its branches over the past three decades. With these advances, the need for more precise diagnostic tools, especially imaging modalities, has become mandatory. Many advanced imaging modalities like CT, MRI, CBCT, PET imaging are available which has made diagnostic imaging very accurate. Some of these modalities give a very good anatomic location and extent of the pathology, while others are able to image the pathology when the organ is in function. But, when both ie the precise anatomic location and functional imaging are required, than fusion of images made by more than one advanced imaging modality is required. This is where fusion imaging plays a significant role. “Fusion Imaging is the process of registering and combining multiple images from single or multiple imaging modalities to improve the imaging quality and reduce randomness and redundancy to increase the clinical applicability of medical images for diagnosis and assessment of medical problems”. It was designed to overcome the disadvantages of anatomic and functional imaging modalities and attempts to provide inputs that improve the image quality by combining the advantages of anatomic and functional imaging modalities for improvising treatment plans. The fusion imaging information is ultimate and it allows not only better understanding of various physiological and disease process but also helps in monitoring & predicting the course of the treatment and predicting the prognosis. Keywords:Fusion Imaging, PET-CT, PET-MRI, F18-FDG

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.

Enlargements of soft tissue of the oral mucosa often present a diagnostic challenge because a diverse group of pathologic processes can produce such lesions. Lobulated capillary hemangioma of oral mucosa is a well-known benign lesion occurring most commonly on gingiva. Diagnosis of such lesions becomes difficult many times as an enlargement may represent a variation of normal anatomic structures, inflammation, cysts, developmental anomalies, and neoplasm. Some of these lesions are reactive in nature. This article focuses on a series of three similar cases on gingiva, clinically diagnosed as “pyogenic granuloma” and histopathologically as “lobulated capillary hemangioma.”

The aim of the study is to evaluate the prognostic value of β2-m as a biochemical parameter for the diagnosis and prognosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The study included 60 patients (15 oral SCC, 15 leukoplakia, 15 individuals exposed to various carcinogens and without oral cancerous or precancerous lesions, 15 healthy individuals). The levels of β2-m were estimated using chemi-luminescent immunometric assay on Immulite fully automated machine. Statistical analysis of the data was done using Tuckey’s test, ANOVA and independent sample t test. Results showed that β2-m was increased in individuals exposed to carcinogens without precancerous and cancerous lesion. Serum β2-m can be used as a better indicator and can give an early indication of malignant change and therefore malignancy can be detected at an early and treatable stage.

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.

Introduction Evaluation of the position of mental foramen aids in forensic, surgical, endodontic, as well as diagnostic procedures. Thus, in view of this, the present study was conducted among the population of Pune, a central part of India, to determine the most regular location of the mental foramen and to estimate difference in position of mental foramen based on gender. Materials and methods The present retrospective study was commenced on 200 digital panoramic radiographs of dentate patients. The location of the representation of the mental foramen was traced. Measurements for evaluating distance of superior and inferior borders of the foramen in relation to the lower border of the mandible were made using the reference lines drawn from anatomical landmarks. The data so obtained were statistically analyzed using chi-square test. Results The most common position of mental foramen among Pune population in horizontal plane in both male and female patients was in line with second premolar followed by position in between first and second premolar, whereas in the vertical plane, most common position was at or in line with apex of second premolar followed by in between apex of first and second premolar. The variation in length of superior and inferior border of the foramen in relation to lower border of the mandible with respect to gender was found to be significant, with p-value Conclusion There was no difference in position of mental foramen in horizontal and vertical planes based on gender. Clinical significance The stability of location of mental foramen and significant difference in length of superior and inferior border of the foramen in relation to lower border of the mandible with respect to gender offer its application in forensic identification of gender. How to cite this article Thakare S, Mhapuskar A, Hiremutt D, Giroh VR, Kalyanpur K, Alpana KR. Evaluation of the Position of Mental Foramen for Clinical and Forensic Significance in terms of Gender in Dentate Subjects by Digital Panoramic Radiographs. J Contemp Dent Pract 2016;17(9):762-768.

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.

Dental caries, periodontitis, tooth loss, and bone resorption are considered prevalent health problems that have a direct effect on the quality of life. Unlike other tissues in the body, dental tissues are unique in their development, function, and even in their maintenance throughout life. Tissue engineering is a novel and exciting field that aims to recreate functionally healthy tissues and organs to replace diseased, dying, or dead tissues. To accomplish pulpal regeneration after tooth injury is not easy because the infected pulp requires either root canal therapy or tooth extraction. Currently, an ideal form of therapy might consist of regenerative approaches in which diseased or necrotic pulp tissues are removed and replaced with healthy pulp tissue to revitalize teeth. This article describes various components of tissue engineering, its applications, challenges, and future directions that can be integrated into clinical dental therapies to restore and regenerate oral tissues which will allow regenerative dentistry to become a reality in near future.