Background: Dental fluorosis is a major public health problem in 15 states of India. Himachal Pradesh has considerable amount of problem though not an endemic zone for dental fluorosis. Aims: To determine the prevalence and severity of dental fluorosis using Dean's index among school going children of rural and urban areas. Settings and Design: A cross sectional study was conducted among the students in the age group of 5, 9 and 12 years from rural and urban areas of six district of Himachal Pradesh in the year 2009 to 2010. Materials and Methods: A total of 1,800 school children of both sexes from randomly selected schools were examined as per the WHO survey proforma to identify the presence of dental fluorosis and grade it using Dean's index. Statistical Analysis Used: SPSS 15.0 was used. Data expressed as proportions and test applied was Chi-square test. Results: Out of these total 1,800 children, 973 were boys and 827 were girls. Of them, 612, 564 and 624 children belonged to the age groups of 5, 9 and 12 years, respectively. The overall prevalence of dental fluorosis was 4.1%. The prevalence ranged from highest 7% in district Shimla to lowest 1.7% in district Sirmour (P < 0.002). Dental fluorosis was equally distributed in rural and urban areas of six districts but was more common among girls than boys. The trend of increase in prevalence was observed with increase in age (P < 0.00002). Conclusions: A well-designed epidemiological study should be undertaken to evaluate the risk factors associated with the condition in the study region.

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Over the past two decades, there is an increasing number of congenital defects affecting enamel mineralisation referred to as "molar incisor hypomineralisation" (MIH). This defect usually involves one to four permanent first molars and permanent incisors. Clinically, the defect presents as opaque lesions varying in colour from white to yellow or brown, with a sharp demarcation between the affected and sound enamel to posteruptive enamel breakdown. The destruction of enamel is so rapid and clinically, it presents as if the enamel has not formed at all. It has been postulated that MIH is a consequence of a variety of environmental factors acting systemically, which disturb the ameloblasts during amelogenesis. However, the possibility of a genetic component in the development of MIH cannot be excluded. Management of MIH always pose a big problem to the clinicians, as well as for the child due to severe sensitivity caused by the defective enamel.

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Nanotechnology is rapidly developing subdivision of technology that effects on many fields. Medicine is also influenced by nanotechnology. Nanotechnology modified methods can be used in cancer treatment. Nanotechnology can assist to have better diagnosis with less harmful substance. The use of optical nanoparticles provides efficient drug delivery to tumor cells with liposomes and functionalized micelles. Nanotechnology can be also used in molecular imaging with tomography and photoacoustic imaging of tumors and therapy of cancer as photothermal and radiotherapy. Nanotechnology a next generation techniques have many advantages to treat cancer patients from diagnosis to treatment.

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Infections in dental practice may be transmitted by several routes, including direct contact with blood, oral fluids, or other secretions, through indirect contact with contaminated instruments and surgical equipments, through contact with aerobiological contaminants present in either droplet spatter or the aerosols resulting from oral and respiratory fluids. Preventing the spread of air borne infection is gaining importance in dental set ups because a large number of bacteria and viruses are transmitted through this route and prove to be a health hazard for both patients and dental health care personnel. High-efficiency particulate arresting (HEPA) air filters are very effective in reducing bioaerosols, and hence, preventing air borne infection. This paper discusses the role of HEPA filters in controlling air borne infections in dental clinics.

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Historically the function of biomaterials has been to replace diseased or damaged tissues. The first generation biomaterials were selected to be as bio-inert as possible and thereby minimize formation of scar tissue at the interface with host tissues. Bioactive glasses (BAGs) were discovered in 1969 and provided for the first time an alternative; the second generation, interfacial bonding of an implant with host tissues. Tissue regeneration and repair using the gene activation properties of Bioglass® provide a third generation of biomaterials. This article reviews the history of the development of BAGs, with emphasis on the first composition, 45S5 Bioglass®, that has been in clinical use since 1985. A bioactive ceramic is a ceramic that generate a positive reaction in the biological environment of the implants and/or chemical reaction that modify the material in a certain thickness under the surface.

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Nanotechnology, the term currently revolutionized the research field associated to particles at nanometer scale (1–100 nm). Nanoparticles (NPs) can occur naturally be industrially engineered or exist as byproducts. With their greater surface to volume ratio, these materials are more reactive as compared to non nanoscale particles. This unique property makes these materials as fillers/modifier of choice in different products and materials, whereby they play a vital role in improving the properties. Silver NPs find use in many devices that are used in medical procedures, in therapies and molecular diagnostics, including dentistry. However, the recent studies showed concern about environmental and health associated risks with their use.

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Chemical burns on the gingiva can be caused by the use of certain pharmaceutical and nonpharmaceutical products by patients or by injudicious use of caustics by the dental clinician. These lesions in the oral cavity, however, are rarely reported. Hence, information about the product and needful instructions is necessary to be given to the patients for prevention of the same. These burns can be caused by the way of self-infliction, allergic tendency toward certain products, or it may be iatrogenic. A detailed history is the key to diagnosing and managing these cases. Chemical burns are usually treated by eliminating the etiology and managed by palliative therapy.

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Aims: To compare the temperature rise in the pulp chamber with light-emitting diode (LED) and Quartz-Tungsten-Halogen (QTH) light curing units by infrared thermography. Materials and Methods: Class V cavity was prepared in 20 freshly extracted maxillary first premolars measuring 2 mm depth, 4 mm width, and 1 mm above the cement enamel junction. The samples were divided into two groups (n = 10). Cavity was etched with 37% phosphoric acid, rinsed and bonding agent was applied over the etched cavity surface on both the groups. In group I the samples were cured with LED curing unit, whereas group II were cured with QTH unit, which was followed by two incremental curing of composite. Thermal emission for QTH and LED (fast mode) light curing units were noted by Fluke Ti32 infrared thermography after 20 s bonding agent curing and first and second increment composite curing for 40 s each. Statistical Analysis: Data were analyzed with Student t-test and Friedman test using SPSS version 11.5 software. Results: The statistical analysis revealed that the temperature rise was significantly minimal with LED fast mode (Group I) in all stages of curing compared with QTH unit (Group II). There is significant rise of temperature during first incremental curing of composite, whereas insignificant increase of temperature during curing of second increment of composite (P < 0.001%). Conclusions: Temperature rise caused due to both QTH and LED light curing units does not result in irreversible pulpal damage and thermography is a viable means of quantifying the temperature changes during photo polymerization.

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Aim: p53 and p63 are the important genes associated with oral cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the immunohistochemical expression of p53 and p63 in oral epithelial dysplasia and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Materials and Methods: Immunohistochemical expression of p53 and p63 was graded in total of 60 archival cases, which included 30 cases of oral epithelial dysplasia (10 cases each of mild, moderate, and severe dysplasia) and 30 cases of oral SCC (10 cases each of well-differentiated, moderately differentiated, and poorly differentiated SCC). Results: Our study showed statistical significant difference on comparison of p53 and p63 expression in oral epithelial dysplasia. In oral SCC cases, p53 and p63 did not show significant correlation in expression. Conclusions: Our study demonstrated a progression in expression of p53 and p63 along the grades of oral epithelial dysplasia to SCC, suggesting their role in stages of carcinogenesis. However, p53 and p63 may have independent role in oral tumorigenesis.

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Introduction: Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is a chronic debilitating disease and a premalignant condition of the oral cavity characterized by generalized submucosal fibrosis with a multifactorial etiology. Myofibroblasts are a unique group of cells phenotypically intermediate between smooth muscle cells and fibroblast exhibiting contractile properties, expressing α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and are considered primary producers of extracellular matrix after injury. Their accumulation has been established as a marker of progressive fibrosis in various organs. The aim of the present study is to evaluate and compare the myofibroblasts in various histological grades of OSMF. Materials and Method: Fifteen cases of OSMF, which were further categorized histologically into early (5 cases), moderately advanced (5 cases) and advanced (5 cases), were subjected to immunohistochemical evaluation using α-SMA antibody for detection of myofibroblasts. Fifteen benign mucosal proliferation specimens were also stained for comparison. Results: The number of myofibroblasts in OSMF was significantly increased when compared to that of benign mucosal proliferations (P < 0.05). Additionally, a statistically significant increase in the myofibroblasts population between early and advanced stages was observed (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The results of the present study showed that expression of myofibroblasts within the OSMF group showed a progressive increase from the early OSMF through moderate OSMF and the advanced OSMF group indicating that myofibroblasts could serve as effective prognostic marker for disease progression in oral submucous fibrosis.

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Background: Oral cancer is one of the ten most common cancers in the world. In India, it is the most common cancer among male and the third most common among female population. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate retrospectively the epidemiologic profile of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Method: The study sample comprised of ninety eight biopsies diagnosed as OSCC. The clinical and histopathological features were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Student's t test and chi-square test. Results: Male to female ratio was 3.26:1. Mean age was 51.35 ± 14.39 years and 55.35 ± 8.87 years in males and females, respectively. The most common site of occurrence was buccal mucosa and gingivo-buccal sulcus (GBS). Most of the cases (66.32%) were well-differentiated OSCC. In most of the cases (66.32%) the diagnosis was made within 2-6 months of onset of symptoms. Conclusion: In India, OSCC is a major health problem. Strategies must be made to improve the present scenario of health care service, where Government-run health care centers are burdened with ever-increasing patient pool and to avail treatment in such centers is always a compromise with time and health. Effective oral health programs for spread of knowledge and awareness, prevention, early diagnosis and management, and follow up of oral cancer must be implemented.

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Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-fungal activity of Aloe vera extract on Candida albicans. Materials and Methods: Extract from A. vera fruit was tested for anti-fungal activity via in vitro study at various concentrations using the disc diffusion method. Results: A. vera extract at 1000 μg/ml concentration effectively inhibited the growth of C. albicans (14 mm) compared with the positive control-amphotericin B (15 mm). It was found to be a dose-dependent reaction. Conclusion: A. vera displayed good anti-fungal effect on C. albicans and the inhibitory effect varied with concentration.

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Cytokines are nonstructural proteins, which act as molecular messengers in the movement of various inflammatory cells, as well as in inducing growth and regeneration in the surrounding microenvironment. The inflammatory cytokine network, which influences growth, proliferation, and differentiation of cells in normal health and healing has also been found to induce tumorigenesis and tumor progression. A detailed study of the role of cytokines in various cancers has brought out many facts regarding the mechanisms and sequence of events that has eventually led to cancer. A study of these cytokines in tumorigenesis will throw further light on its usefulness in early detection of oral cancer and its potential as a therapeutic target in cancer therapy.

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Alcohol is considered to be a major cause of morbidity and mortality in adults in most parts of the world. Ethanol, the most common hepatotoxin, can injure the liver cells directly or through its toxic metabolites i.e., acetaldehyde and free radicals. Its effect begins on its exposure to oral mucosa, but liver is the main site for its metabolism and not surprisingly its toxicity. Besides promoting the formation of reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species, long-term ethanol ingestion might deplete the hepatocyte of some important secondary component of the antioxidant defense system. Thus, alcohol and its metabolites tip the balance between the oxidative stress and the antioxidant defense system toward the net oxidant excess, which seems to be one of the contributing factors in the pathophysiology of periodontitis, oral cancer besides alcohol-induced liver disease.

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Swine flu or influenza A (H1N1) flu, which was officially declared as a pandemic is causing havoc all over the world, with the large number of people constantly getting infected and where the government is helpless about a situation, we have to protect ourselves. Apart, we as health care providers should feel responsible for reducing the transmission of influenza. During a pandemic, reducing transmission of influenza to health care workers may not only help support the health care workforce, but may also prevent influenza transmission to patients. This is possible by proper infection control measures during patient assessment as well as during treatment. Apart there are specific recommendations for Dental Health Care Personnel which are summarized here. Hence we as dental health care professionals should try to fight that all the dental health care professionals should try to fight the barriers like fear and use all the necessary precautions to prevent the H1NI infection. It is the duty of every health care professional to follow the preventive procedures so that there would be no infections that spreads through the dental operatory.

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Statins, the lipid-lowering drugs, provide an important and effective approach for the treatment of hyperlipidemia and arteriosclerosis. They function by reducing the blood cholesterol levels which came as a marked discovery to intervene in cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases related to increased lipid levels. Their long-term systemic administration in humans has been shown to result in increased bone mineral density. In recent scenario, statins thus modulate bone metabolism exhibiting antibone resorbing properties by upregulating the bone morphogenic proteins and blocking the intermediate metabolites of the mevalonate pathway, made evident by various in vivo and in vitro studies thus providing a new direction in the field of periodontal regeneration. Statins also offered the added advantage of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Thus, the use of statins both systemically and locally gained wide acceptance by the periodontists as they have shown to increase the bone mineral density and may be effective for periodontal regeneration by stimulation of regenerative factors. This article reviews the beneficial effect of statins and examines their potential role in regenerative periodontal therapy.

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In this era of advanced technology, cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) has gained popularity in the field of oral radiology due to its advantages over conventional radiography. The use of CBCT is profoundly increasing for diagnosis and treatment planning in different specialties of dentistry. The incorporation of cone-beam technology into clinical practice is taking place because of the progress in image acquisition and three-dimensional (3D) imaging. The equipment design is easier to use, image distortion is minimal, and the images are compatible with other planning and simulation software. The 3D imaging has made the complex craniofacial structures more accessible for examination. Early and accurate diagnosis of deep-seated lesions is possible. CBCT provides a high-spatial resolution of bone and teeth which allows accurate understanding of the relationship of the adjacent structures. CBCT has helped in detecting a variety of cysts, tumors, infections, developmental anomalies, and traumatic injuries involving the maxillofacial structures. It has been used extensively for evaluating dental and osseous disease in the jaws. This paper reviews current advances in CBCT and their uses in dentistry.

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Space infection in the Oral and Maxillofacial region is common from odontogenic origin especially in the immunocompromised patients. Ludwig's angina which is relatively uncommon remains a potentially life-threatening condition due to the risk of impending airway obstruction. Thus, because of its invasive nature, early identification and management of Ludwig's angina is extremely important.

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Hemifacial microsomia, a developmental anomaly involving the first and second branchial arches, is one of the most common craniofacial anomalies. This disorder affects orofacial structures with varying clinical features. It is also associated with underdevelopment of the temporomandibular joint, mandibular ramus, masticatory muscles, ears, and occasionally defects in facial nerve and muscles. Physical deformities affecting face, ears, eyes, and oral cavity can pose esthetic and functional problems. The rehabilitation of these patients should be multidisciplinary including prosthodontic management as these patients present with complex clinical features. Treatment approach depends on patient's age, extent of physical and psychological deformity. The fabrication of auricular prosthesis is considered to be one of the most difficult replacements in maxillofacial rehabilitation. The severe undercuts and pronounced convolutions of the ear's surface present a challenge in simulating a natural proportioned prosthesis. This paper presents an outline in basic fabrication of prosthetic ear by conventional technique where the wax pattern is fabricated from the impression of an individual with a similarly proportioned ear.

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Objective: Repeated efforts in the form of educational programs and surveys have been made time and again to enhance the knowledge, attitude and behavior of pediatricians regarding pediatric dentistry. However, it is unfortunate to conceive that there is still a huge need to bridge the gap. This study is yet another effort to detect the loopholes so that henceforth in future a better rapport and a better consultation program can be established between pediatricians and pedodontists. Need of the hour is to improve the communication between the two fraternities. Aim and Objectives: The aim of the study of the following study is to evaluate the knowledge, attitude and behavior of pediatricians regarding pediatric dentistry in Bhopal city (Madhya Pradesh). Material and Methods: Pediatricians in Bhopal were requested to fill up an open ended questionnaire, which comprised of questions relating to the basic knowledge regarding the scope of pediatric dentistry and how according to them was this specialty beneficial to the young patients. Result: The present study shows that the pediatricians who were surveyed had poor knowledge regarding dental and oral health and treatment needs in children. Most of pediatricians were not aware of many aspects of child oral health care and areas of concerns were identified. Conclusion: Pediatricians have a fair knowledge about oral health and different treatment modalities such as pit and fissures sealants, restoration, root canal treatment, crowns, space maintainers and topical fluorides in children.

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Background: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of odontogenic cysts (OCs) and tumors over a period of 5 years and 5 months and to compare with other national and international studies. Materials and Methods: Data for the study were obtained from the reports of patients diagnosed with OCs and tumors between 2007 and 2012. Case records of the patients that fit the histological classification of the World Health Organization (2005) were included in the study and the following variables were analyzed: Age, sex, anatomical location, and histological type. Results: In a total of 1331 biopsies OCs accounted for 9.6% and odontogenic tumors (OTs) 5.7% among all the lesions. Mean age of occurrence was 41.5 years for OCs and 39.5 years for OTs. Of them 57.6% of the patients were males. Most common OC was dentigerous cyst and tumor was ameloblastoma. Conclusion: This study provides epidemiological information on OCs and tumors at an institutional level. The relative frequency of these cysts and tumors can be analyzed at a global level to understand their prevalence, incidence biological behavior, and distribution.

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Forensic odontology analyzes dental evidence for human identification. Teeth form an excellent material for anthropological, genetic, odontologic and forensic investigations, as their characteristics remain unchanged even after long periods of stay in extreme environments. Determining the sex is one of the most important steps in the process of human identification. Dental remains help in establishing the sex of victims with bodies mutilated beyond recognition. This article reviews the importance of the role of dentition in sex determination using clinical methods like differentiating sex by measuring the mesiodistal and buccolingual dimensions of the teeth, permanent canine teeth and their intercanine distance in sex identification through dimorphism, morphological features of the tooth crown or root which create a difference between men and women and microscopic method like determining sex by the study of X and Y chromosomes in the cells which are not undergoing active division and usefulness of advanced technique like polymerase chain reaction in sex determination has also been discussed.

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Management of the patient with congenital or acquired defect of palate, resulting in communication between oral cavity and nose and/or maxillary sinus, presents challenge to the clinician. The prosthodontic management involves use of obturator prosthesis. This article discusses various aspects of the obturator prosthesis.

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Sensitive and reliable early diagnostic markers for oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remain unavailable. Early identification of recurrence for OSCC is also a challenge. This article reviews the recently identified biomarkers for OSCC such as cytokeratins, p53, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), etc., which are of great utility in early diagnosis. In addition, the biomarkers that have been correlated with OSCC tumor malignancy by molecular pathology analysis are also described. This article speaks about selected reaction monitoring (SRM) which might even be applied to monitor differential expression of tumor proteins in blood, saliva, or fresh frozen tissue materials. SRM technique may complement or possibly replace western blotting for biomarker verification and for selection of potential biomarker candidates. This article may help to identify the potential biomarkers for screening and the molecular pathology analysis for high-risk patients of OSCC. Effective screening to identify high-risk patients will allow clinicians to provide an early and appropriate treatment to patients without delay and also reduce the risk of recurrence of OSCC.

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Increased intake of fluoride in water and diet results in dental and skeletal fluorosis. Many states in India are affected by fluorosis. The optimum level of fluoride in drinking water for anti-cariogenic effect was thought to be 1 ppm. Various effects of fluoride on plants, animals and humans are discussed here. Currently, it is identified that fluoride has significant role in gene polymorphisms and lowered intelligent quotient.

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