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Introduction: Verrucous carcinoma shows an analogous biological behaviour to well-differentiated Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC). So, it is a difficult task to differentiate the above two entities based on clinical and pathological behaviour. Immunohistochemical studies can help in investigating the differences between the biological behaviours of these carcinomas. Laminin may be used as a status indicator of intact or degraded basement membrane during tumorigenesis. Thus, the present study aimed to assess the immunohistochemical expression of laminin in different grades histological grades of OSCC and VC. Methods: Laminin expression was evaluated in 31 biopsy-proven cases of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC) and 10 cases of Verrucous Carcinoma (VC). Results: We observed that most cases of VC (90%) were negative or mildly stained for cytoplasmic laminin while the majority of cases of OSCC (74.2%) stained moderately for the same. Further, VC cases showed a total absence of linear laminin staining around the tumour-host interface in contrast to 13% of OSCC cases that were correspondingly stained (p Conclusion: The present study, therefore concludes that the interface expression in Verrucous Carcinoma distinctly differed from that in well-differentiated Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Cytoplasmic laminin expression increased and interface staining decreased with unfavourable clinicopathological outcomes thereby rendering laminin an expedient marker in evaluating the histological differentiation and aggressiveness of oral carcinoma

Willems gender-specific and non-specific maturity scores derive the age of the individual with acceptable error margins in the Belgian Population. This needs to be validated in various subpopulatio...

The soft palate anatomy of individuals can have a range of morphologies. Cephalometric analysis is a low-cost approach to analyze the soft palate in patients with or without developmental abnormalities.The lateral cephalogram of the patients visiting Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Institute of Medicine for various dental treatment purposes was evaluated. The soft palate was delineated on the radiographs by sketching the soft palate's contour along its radiolucent outline using the curve lines and connectors of Microsoft PowerPoint. The soft palate was then categorized according to the study by You M et al. Results: The different types of soft palate morphology observed in the study were rat tail (42.4%), leaf-like (40.8%), butt-like shape (8.9%), straight-line (4.7%), s-shaped (1.9%), and crooked (0.9%). The males had rat-tail (44.4%), leaf-like (41.1%), butt-like shape (8.4%), straight-line (3.9%), s-shaped (1.3%), and crooked (0.6%), whereas the females had rat-tail like (40.6%), leaf-like (40.6%), butt-like shape (9.5%), straight-line (5.6%), s-shaped (2.5%), and crooked (1.2%) types of soft palate.The rat-tail form of the soft palate was the most prevalent, followed by the leaf-like in both sexes. The least common type was the crooked form. This study found no evidence of sexual dimorphism.

Amitha J Lewis,1 Chandni Sreekumar,2 N Srikant,1 Karen Boaz,1 KP Nandita,1 Nidhi Manaktala,1 Shweta Yellapurkar1 1Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Mangalore, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India; 2Department of Periodontics, Srinivas Institute of Dental Sciences, Mangalore, Karnataka, 574 146, IndiaCorrespondence: N SrikantDepartment of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Mangalore, Light House Hill Road, Mangalore, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, IndiaTel +919611144234Email srikant.n@manipal.eduPurpose: Assessment of teeth to estimate age in the living as well as the dead is well documented in the literature. Though applied in conjunction with other parameters in Gustafson’s technique, attrition of teeth solely is an underexplored indicator for age estimation mainly in India. Most of the studies using attrition of teeth have been conducted in bioarchaeology, and in populations where studies are being conducted in forensic contexts, the results are debatable. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of age estimation using the Average Stage of Attrition (ASA) method by Li and Ji in adults of the Dakshina Kannada region.Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study assessed the degree of attrition in both maxillary and mandibular first and second molars of 136 adults of Dakshina Kannada origin (age range: 20– 70 years) according to the 10 stages given by Li and Ji to derive population-specific linear regression equations.Results: Univariate analysis of prediction of age with attrition showed a significant association of attrition score with age, stratified by sex, arch as well as in total (p-value < 0.001) with a standard error of estimate of 9.231 years. The estimated age was within ± 5 years of the actual age in 44.2% of the females and 50.0% of the males. A comparative review of 23 studies done to estimate age from attrition score clinically is documented in the manuscript.Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that evaluation of tooth wear by the Average Stage of Attrition (ASA) method can be used as a non-invasive means to aid in the determination of age in adults of Dakshina Kannada origin. Although the error increases with age, this method provides a measurable means of seriation into older and younger categories.Keywords: tooth attrition, age estimation, forensic odontology, occlusal wear, molars

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of tobacco and its association with oral precancers and cancers. Materials and methods: Medical records of 1,007 individuals were assessed for the patterns of tobacco abuse and the presence of tobaccorelated oral mucosal alterations. Results: This study comprised 1,007 individuals (M:F: 95.4%:4.6%). In the cohort, 60.1% had smoking habit and 56.1% had smokeless habit. Of the bidi smokers, 18.2% developed carcinoma, 14.3% developed leukoplakia, which is statistically significant (p < 0.001). A logistic regression analysis of the development of oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) shows that habit of smokeless forms of tobacco has an odds ratio (OR) of 18+ when compared with smoking. Combination of bidi and gutkha had 12.3 times higher risk of developing oral cancer and 4.4 times risk of developing leukoplakia. A total of 33.3% betel quid and gutkha chewers presented with tobacco pouch keratosis, which is statistically significant. Conclusion: Smoked and smokeless forms of tobacco were equally popular among the study population. The packeted form of smokeless tobacco (gutkha) was more prevalent. Oral submucous fibrosis was more common than leukoplakia, and oral cancer developed more frequently in elderly men smoking bidis. Clinical significance: This study throws light on the fact that the use of both smoke and smokeless forms of tobacco is still prevalent, and the use of gutkha was most prevalent. These findings will help tobacco cessation and counseling centers to focus their effort in motivating people to stop gutkha chewing habit. This also brings to the forefront the need to create better treatment strategies to manage OSMF.

Objectives: To evaluate the time taken and the mechanism through which the occlusion settles following the placement of a preformed metal crown (PMC) using the Hall technique. The secondary objective was to assess any temporo mandibular joint dysfunction (TMD) resulting from the Hall technique through a questionnaire. Study Design: 44 children fulfilling the inclusion criteria were evaluated for changes in overbite and occlusal vertical dimension (OVD) following the placement of preformed metal crowns (PMCs) using the Hall technique. The overbite and OVD measurements were taken before treatment, immediately post treatment, then at one, two, three and four weeks post treatment. After four weeks, a questionnaire recorded the occurrence of any signs or symptoms of TMD. Results: At the fourth week, the overbite measurement did not show a statistically significant difference (p value= 0.58) compared to baseline values indicating that the occlusion settled by the fourth week. By the third week the OVD values obtained did not show a significant difference compared to the baseline (p value= 0.42) indicating that the OVD had been restored. The questionnaire provided at the end of four weeks showed negative response for signs and symptoms of TMD in all the children. Conclusion: Any changes in occlusion following the placement of a Hall crown settles in four weeks. The OVD settles three weeks post placement implying that extrusion of teeth do not play a role in settling of the occlusion. The children do not develop any signs or symptoms of TMD post a Hall crown.

Background Erosion of the teeth is a chronic irreversible process leading to loss of surface enamel and even the dentin, in turn causing sensitivity and pain. Increased consumption of carbonated beverages remains a major cause for dental erosion. However, many of the so called safe beverages that are consumed may also have sufficiently low pH to cause dental erosion. One of the parameters to measure the dental erosion is estimation of hardness and surface roughness. Thus, this study aims to evaluate the difference in hardness and surface roughness of enamel and cementum using three beverages namely (carbonated drink, lime soda, lime juice) in deciduous and permanent teeth. Material and Methods Ten permanent and three deciduous teeth samples each were kept in lime juice, lime soda, carbonated beverage and tap water. The VHN using Vickers hardness tester and Ra value using surface profilometer were assessed at baseline, 1 day and 10 days. Results At the end of 10 days the decrease in hardness of enamel of permanent teeth was maximum for teeth immersed in carbonated beverage followed by lime soda and lime juice. However, in the deciduous teeth it was observed that the VHN drop was maximum at 1 day in relation to teeth immersed in carbonated beverage followed by lime juice and lime soda. The hardness of cementum decreased significantly at the end of ten days both in deciduous as well as permanent teeth. Conclusions The present study shows that many of the most commonly used beverages like lime juice and lime soda have a sufficiently low pH to cause erosion of the enamel surface as well as that of cementum of both deciduous and permanent teeth. Though protective mechanisms do exist in the oral cavity to neutralize the acids present in these beverages, continuous usage of these beverages leads to irreversible damage to the tooth structure. Key words:Dental erosion, hardness, surface roughness, permanent teeth, deciduous teeth.

Background The practice of young adults smoking e-cigarette may have been adopted as a way of smoking cessation or just to follow a trend. Most people still remain unaware of the detrimental effects of e-cigarette. This study was carried out to assess the prevalence of the habit of smoking e-cigarette and the awareness of its harmful effects among adults aged 18–23 years. Methods A questionnaire adopted from a study conducted in Italy was used in the study following due permission. After taking their consent, participants were requested to fill the survey irrespective of their smoking status. Results In total the study comprised 710 participants aged 20.7 ± 1.7 years (females = 412 and males = 298) from six countries. Most respondents were from India followed by the USA and then the UK. The most common mode of information for the participants on the existence of e-cigarette was from the family members, friends followed by Internet search engines and TV/newspaper advertisements. Among the participants, e-cigarette had a prevalence of 5.63%. Among these, 26 participants were using e-cigarette for less than 1 year and 2 participants for more than 5 years. E-cigarette smokers also experienced sore throat, cough, headache, dizziness and sleeplessness. Conclusion Majority of the young population was unaware about the use and harmful effects of e-cigarette.

Background: The early enamel lesions are reversible as it is a process involving mineral transactions between the teeth and saliva. Aim: To evaluate the efficiency of three different tooth pastes on remineralization potential of initial enamel lesions using Vickers Micro hardness Test and Scanning electron microscopy. Materials and Methods: Artificial carious lesions were prepared in human enamel with demineralizing solution. The treatment agents included were Colgate sensitive plus® toothpaste, Regenerate enamel science™ toothpaste, BioRepair® toothpaste and control as Deionized water. All the samples were subjected to treatment solutions as per the pH cycling model for 12 days to simulate the daily oral environment's acid challenge. The remineralization parameters-surface hardness and surface roughness of enamel blocks were evaluated with Vickers indenter and Scanning electron microscope respectively. Statistical Analysis: ANOVA test was used to check mean differences between the groups. Post hoc analysis was done using Tukey's post hoc test. SEM images were graded according to Bonetti et al grading criteria. Results: As per statistical analysis, maximum remineralization of enamel blocks occurred after applying Colgate Sensitive Plus® tooth paste followed by BioRepair® tooth paste and Regenerate enamel Science™ toothpaste. Least remineralization potential was shown by control group. Conclusion: Colgate sensitive plus tooth paste with Pro Argin™ formula can be regarded as a potential remineralising agent. It can be concluded as a noninvasive means of managing early enamel carious lesions.

Background: Dentin hypersensitivity is primarily caused due to patent or exposed dentinal tubules. Nonfluoridated-desensitizing agents deposit hydroxycarbonate apatite (HCA), within the dentinal tubules, thereby relieving hypersensitivity. Fluoride-containing bioactive glass-based agents form fluorapatite which is less soluble when compared to hydroxyapatite and HCA. Materials and Methods: In this in vitro study forty dentin specimens obtained from extracted human premolars were divided randomly into four groups (n = 10): Group 1 – fluoridated bioactive glass (FBaG); Group 2 – bioactive glass (BaG); Group 3 – arginine calcium carbonate; Group 4 – saline. 37.5% phosphoric acid was used to ensure patent dentinal tubules. Test agents from each group were applied using a rubber cup. Half the treated samples were then subjected to 6% citric acid treatment. The degree of occlusion was evaluated using the scanning electron microscope, and the microscopic images were scored before and after the citric acid challenge by two blinded endodontists. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS, one-way ANOVA, and post hoc Tukey test (P = 0.05). Results: Group 1 demonstrated better tubule occlusion in comparison with Group 2 and a statistically significant difference when compared to Group 3 (P = 0.001). Following acid challenge, Group 2 showed significantly more occluded tubules when compared with Group 3 (P = 0.001) and comparable difference with Group 1. Conclusion: All desensitizing agents showed satisfactory dentinal tubule occlusion. While fluoridated bioactive glass demonstrated better occlusion immediately after application, Bioactive glass showed better resistance to acid treatment.

Introduction: Rapid palatal expansion was initially done during circumpubertal age. However, the correct evidence suggests visualizing the patency of midpalatal suture (MPS) radiologically at different chronological age as there can be early or late fusion of suture in some cases. Objective: This study was aimed at assessing the fusion of MPS at different stages of cervical vertebrae maturation and to find any correlation between them from the patients of two South Indian districts. Design and Setting: A total of 144 subjects aged 10–20 years were included in our study. Materials and Methods: Skeletal age based on cervical vertebrae was assessed from lateral cephalograms. MPS staging was done by two observers using cone-beam computed tomography at 2-time intervals. Inter- and intra- examiner reliability for suture staging was analyzed by kappa statistics. Correlation of skeletal age to sutural maturation was done using Kendall’s tau-b test. Results: A fair agreement was obtained by kappa test for inter (0.313) and intraexaminer reliability (0.219 for first and 0.451 for the second observer) for 144 subjects. Kendall’s tau-b test showed a significant correlation between skeletal age and suture maturation, with the maximum association between CS 4 skeletal age and Stage C of MPS, with P < 0.001. Conclusion: A strong correlation was found between skeletal age and sutural fusion. Predominantly, Stage C coincided with CS 4 with greater gender predilection toward females.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the quality of obturation between the two tested methods for root canal filling with a newer system in primary teeth. Study design: A total of 104 canals were prepared and obturated using zinc oxide eugenol paste. The three delivery systems compared were: Rotary lentulospiral and Navitip® withNavitip® Double Sideport. Radiographs were used to evaluate the canals for length of obturation and presence of voids. Results: The data were analyzed using chi-square tests. Significant differences was seen between the three groups for the presence of voids (p value =0.042) with less voids in Navitip® Double Sideport. There were no difference between the three groups for the extent of filling (p value=0.170). Conclusion- Navitip® Double Sideport showed the better results in terms of extent of obturation and absence of voids when compared to the Rotary lentulospiral and Navitip®.

The study was performed to understand the impact of heat in plasma coating and ceramic firing of titanium (Ti) and titanium alloy (Ti-6Al-4V) on their mechanical properties, and microstructure. Standard specimens were prepared to measure tensile strength before and after simulated heating cycles using Instron machine of model 4206 at a crosshead speed of 1 mm/min. Yield strength, ultimate strength, and elongation were recorded. The microstructure was studied using an optical microscope. The mechanical properties, microstructure, and grain size remained the same as that of as-received samples at temperatures of 600 and 700 °C for both Ti and Ti-6Al-4V. At temperature 800 and 900 °C decrease in yield strength, and ultimate tensile strength with a change in microstructure was observed. The temperature of plasma coating and ceramic firing that Ti and Ti-6Al-4V metal substrates encounter during the fabrication of coated implants and metal-ceramic restorations do not affect the mechanical properties and microstructure. Above 800 °C, a significant change in mechanical properties and microstructure is observed. Keywords: Heat treatment, Microstructure, Tensile strength, Titanium, Ti-6Al-4V