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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.

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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim of this study was to clinically evaluate the use of biodegradable chlorhexidine chip when used as an adjunct to scaling and root planing (SRP) in the treatment of moderate to severe periodontitis patients. The study also intended to compare the combined therapy (SRP and Chlorhexidine chip) with chlorhexidine chip alone in individuals with periodontitis. Materials and Methods: Fifteen patients with three sites having a probing depth of 5-8mm were considered for the study. Sites were numbered 1, 2, 3 randomly. The clinical parameters assessed were the Plaque Index (PI), gingival index (GI), Bleeding on probing (BOP), Clinical attachment level (CAL) and Probing pocket depth (PPD). Following baseline evaluation, on two sites scaling and root planing (SRP) was performed, no treatment was carried out in the third site. Chlorhexidine chips were placed on one site with SRP and another without SRP. A periodontal pack was placed on the site to prevent dislodgement of the CHX chip. Clinical parameters were recorded at baseline, one month and three months. Duration of the study was for three months. Statistical Analysis: T-test and Analysis of variance (ANOVA) has been carried out in the present study. Results: All three groups presented with an improvement in the clinical parameters compared to baseline. There was no statistically significant difference between the SRP and SRP + CHIP group in all parameters. There was a significant difference when these two groups were compared to the chip alone group. The mean reductions in PPD were 2.8mm (SRP group), 2.6 (SRP+CHIP group), 0.8 (chip alone group) The mean gain in CAL were 2.8mm (SRP group), 2.5 (SRP+CHIP group), 0.7 (chip alone group). Reduction in bleeding on probing were significant for the SRP and SRP +CHIP group but not for the chip alone group. Conclusion: The CHX chip did not provide any clinical benefit beyond that achieved with conventional scaling and rootplaning after a three month period.

Periodontitis involves an inflammatory process of bacterial origin, affecting the periodontal tissues. The achievement and maintenance of healthy periodontium is a primary goal of periodontal therapy. Today, Bone replacement grafts are widely used to promote new bone formation and periodontal regeneration in periodontal therapy especially in intrabony defects. Bone, a functional unit of the healthy periodontium is affected in most of the periodontal disorders and can be managed either by mechanically recontouring it or by grafting techniques, which stimulates regeneration where it has been lost. Bone grafting is a dynamic phenomenon. A successful bone graft when applied, it gets incorporated, revascularized and eventually assume the form desired and survives afterwards as a functioning part of the periodontium. Today bone grafts are viewed as biologic structures. Currently, bone grafting is the only therapy for which there is significant histological evidence in humans for true regeneration of periodontium. This review provides overview on changing trends in using bone grafts and its substitutes intended for periodontal reconstruction and regeneration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Several studies have reported poor awareness and knowledge of dental problems among the medical students. There is lack of literature assessing the knowledge and attitude of medical students about dental consultation. Hence there is need to explore the knowledge of medical students towards dentistry and dental consultation. Aim: The aim of the study was to assess knowledge and attitude of final year medical students towards dentistry and dental consultation Material and Method: This cross-sectional study was carried out among 130 final-year medical undergraduate students studying in Krishna Institute of Medical sciences. A self-administered, close ended structured questionnaire was used to assess the knowledge and attitude of medical students towards dentistry and dental consultation. Results: The knowledge of final year medical students about dentistry was found to be average. The majority of the students responded positively for dental consultation. The attitude of students towards dentistry showed somewhat negative response. Conclusion: Based on the findings of our study, medical curriculum should include dental health and disease related topics to improve the knowledge and attitude of undergraduate medical students. Interdisciplinary collaboration among medical and dental fraternity will benefit the patients at large. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim of the study was to evaluate and correlate the effect of non surgical periodontal therapy on homocysteine levels in patients with chronic periodontitis. Methods: Fifty participants were enrolled in the study (n=50) in the age range of 20-45 yrs. Each patient was examined using a mouth mirror and UNC-15 graduated periodontal probe. After recording the clinical parameters & indices (CAL, OHI-S, GI), venous blood was drawn from the antecubital vein and transferred to a vial and centrifuged to isolate the plasma, which was then sent for evaluation of plasma homocysteine level. Non-surgical therapy was performed which consisted of scaling and root planing (SRP). After 90 days, the patient was re-evaluated for clinical parameters and the readings were recorded again. Blood samples were sent for analysis of post treatment plasma homocysteine levels. Results: The plasma Hcy level in periodontitis subjects during pre treatment was 20.7± 3.4 µmol/L which was significantly higher. Post therapy levels reduced to 14.7± 2.2 µmol/L. The OHI's and GI were also significantly reduced after post therapy. Conclusion: An inflammatory condition like chronic periodontitis is significantly associated with elevated plasma homocysteine levels. However, no significant change was seen in the plasma homocysteine levels between males and females. Periodontal intervention shows statistically significant improvement in plasma homocysteine values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]