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Introduction: The aerosols produced by an ultrasonic scaler contain bacteria that may enter the respiratory systems of both dental surgeons and patients. Lemongrass oil is one of the essential oils with enormous antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic effects. Aim: To evaluate and compare the efficacy of commercially available preprocedural mouth rinses, containing 0.2% lemongrass oil mouthwash and a 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate solution, in reducing the levels of viable bacteria in aerosols. Materials and Methods: This single-centre double-blinded randomised controlled parallel design split-mouth clinical trial was planned among patients in the Department of Periodontics attending Vishnu Dental College and Hospital in Bhimavaram, Andhra Pradesh, India. The study was conducted for 40 days, from August 2022 to October 2022. Two distinct types of preprocedural mouth rinses (lemongrass oil and chlorhexidine) were used on 56 participants with Stage II or III and Grade B periodontitis. A total of 56 subjects were randomly assigned to two groups: Group A (0.2% lemongrass oil) and Group B (0.2% chlorhexidine), using a simple coin toss method. Colony-forming units (CFUs) with and without rinsing in each group were assessed and studied. CFUs collected on blood agar plates were counted during ultrasonic scaling both with and without rinsing. International Business Machine (IBM) Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0 was used for data analysis. Paired t-tests and independent t-tests were used for intragroup and intergroup comparisons for both groups. Results: The mean CFU count in the chlorhexidine group without rinsing was 259.6±26.6, and with rinsing, it was 140.7±22.6, which was statistically significant (p-value < 0.001). In the lemongrass oil group, the CFU count without rinsing was 263.5±26.9, and with rinsing, it was 147.18±33.82, which was also statistically significant (p-value

Introduction: The disruptions in the ectodermal layer during intrauterine growth in the process of the formation of epidermal ridges can be linked to the association between dermatoglyphics and abnormalities of the tooth and periodontium. Given the genetic linkage of periodontal disease this study was hypothesized at observing the association of chronic periodontitis, aggressive periodontitis, and individuals with healthy periodontium as per the 1999 AAP classification of periodontitis with their fingerprint patterns and ridge count. Materials and Methods: Patients belonging to an age cohort of 18–50 who visited the department of periodontics and implantology were included in the study. Patients’ periodontal status was determined and was enrolled in the study. A total of 114 subjects were compared, where 38 subjects belonged to the individual group of periodontal condition that are designated as Group A (healthy), Group B (chronic periodontitis), and Group C (aggressive periodontitis). A total of 1140 fingerprints were collected. They were analyzed and classified according to their patterns and also the ridges were counted. Results: The comparison between three groups showed a statistically significant difference between increased percentage frequency of radial loops (28%) in chronic periodontitis and plain whorls (26.3%) in aggressive periodontitis. There was a significant difference between ridge count among all the three groups, the highest being in healthy and the least between aggressive periodontal conditions. Conclusion: Observations of the study show that there was a difference in fingerprint pattern between patients of all the three periodontal conditions indicating a link between epidermal ridges and condition of periodontium.

Background: Teledentistry which is similar to telemedicine has emerged as a new tool for various dental disciplines. Teleperiodontics is a branch of telehealth which focuses on the application of digital communication technology into the field of periodontics without demanding a specialist presence. An early detection and diagnosis of periodontal conditions can not only treat the disease in its early stage but also prolong the health of the periodontium, thereby improving the overall quality of life of an individual. However, teledentistry has not penetrated into the field of periodontics to a level it has to in providing periodontal care. Hence, the aim of this questionnaire study was to assess the knowledge, attitude, and application of teleperiodontics into everyday practice among the dental surgeons at various levels. Materials and Methods: An electronic questionnaire consisting of 29 close-ended questions including sections assessing the knowledge, attitude, and practice of teledentistry and teleperiodontics was sent to dental colleges present in East and West Godavari districts of Andhra Pradesh. Results: A total of 350 responses were received and 80.57% dental surgeons were aware about teledentistry, and a total of 74% dental surgeons were likely to prescribe oral hygiene aids and medication for temporary management of periodontal conditions. Conclusion: Teleperiodontics is an emerging science whose knowledge, attitude, and application are yet to be explored.

Introduction: Non surgical periodontal therapy by scaling is done by using different sets of hand and motor driven instruments. The best instrument for non surgical periodontal therapy has to be identified, so that, it will benefit the clinicians in point of ergonomics and for patients in terms of less discomfort caused during scaling. Aim: To compare the effectiveness of Linear Monolithic (LM) instruments to Hu-Friedy instruments in non surgical periodontal treatment. Materials and Methods: The split-mouth randomised clinical trial study comprised 50 patients, who were selected from those attending the Department of Periodontics and Implantology, Vishnu Dental College, Bhimavaram, Andhra Pradesh, India, and who were classified with gingivitis or moderate to severe periodontitis according to American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) standards from 1999 and had not undergone any periodontal therapy in the previous six months to one year. The study was conducted from September 2021 to February 2022. Periodontal treatment outcomes were evaluated by plaque index, bleeding index, probing pocket depths, gingival index, and clinical attachment level. Clinicians comfort levels and handling characteristics of two sets of hand instruments (Test: LM instruments to control: Hu-Friedy instruments) were assessed by questionnaire consisting of 10 closed ended questions immediately after the non surgical therapy. The unpaired t-test was used for intergroup analysis and one-way ANOVA was used for intragroup analysis. Results: The mean gingival index scores for test and control sites at baseline were (1.65 and 1.72), at one week were (0.89 and 0.64) and at one month were (0.46 and 0.31). The mean periodontal pocket depth for test and control sites at baseline were (3.93 and 3.79), at one week were (3.40 and 3.25) and at one month were (3.18 and 2.42). A statistically significant difference seen in gingival index (p=0.001), sulcus bleeding index (p