Correlation of periodontal parameters to various types of smokeless tobacco in tobacco pouch keratosis patients: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Tobacco practice in relation with oral diseases is a foremost cause for the global oral disease burden and is accountable for up to 50% of all periodontitis cases among adults. The present cross-sectional study was undertaken to evaluate the local effects of various types of smokeless tobacco on periodontal health in tobacco pouch keratosis (TPK) patients in Mangalore city in the state of Karnataka. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 345 TPK patients were evaluated of which all were smokeless tobacco users. All the patients were clinically examined for different clinical periodontal parameters such as stains, gingival recession (GR), periodontal pocket, furcation involvement, and mobility and local effects of various types of smokeless tobacco on periodontal health in TPK sites were recorded. RESULTS: The prevalence of GR was of 87.5%. Haathichaap was the most common smokeless tobacco used (35.9%) closely followed by nonpackaged type (loose tobacco) (19.4%). This was followed by Madhu (14.2%). Likewise, periodontal parameters were observed more in these patients in decreasing order. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study agree strongly with other smokeless tobacco user studies in terms of the strong association between GR and smokeless tobacco placement. The present cross-sectional study indicates that TPK lesions are positively associated with periodontal diseases. It is important to raise awareness of both oral cancer and periodontal risks and inform about its possible health consequences thereby working towards an improvement of oral and general health and related quality of life in these patients.

Intramandibular plexiform schwannoma presenting as a nonspecific benign lesion: How specific can we be? A case report with a review of the literature.

Schwannoma, a benign nerve sheath tumor, is quite rare and more so in jawbones. We report a rare case of a plexiform variant of mandibular schwannoma in a 12-year-old female with a swelling in the left mandible. Clinical features were suggestive of dentigerous cyst as a result of missing premolars and canine. Occlusal and panoramic radiography revealed an osteolytic lesion with scalloping margins, bicortical plate expansion, and agenesis of several teeth. Odontogenic keratocyst, central giant cell granuloma, odontogenic myxoma, and ameloblastic fibroma were given as radiological differential diagnoses. Histopathological examination revealed features of plexiform schwannoma which was given as the final diagnosis. The lesion was treated with surgical excision. Although odontogenic cysts/tumors are often thought of in differential diagnosis whenever well-defined radiolucencies in the jaw are encountered, it is prudent to include schwannoma. This exceptional case adds light to the fact that schwannoma should not be overlooked though it is a rare possibility and must be included in differential diagnosis of odontogenic cysts/tumors.

A mixed radiopaque - radiolucent lesion in the anterior mandible associated with multiple impacted teeth: A radiodiagnostic challenge?

Desmoplastic ameloblastoma (DA) exhibits important differences in gender, anatomic distribution, radiographic findings, and histologic appearance compared to other types of ameloblastoma. Radiologically, DA is seen either as ill-defined mass containing osteolytic and sclerotic areas or as multifocal radiodense flecks within radiolucent background resembling a honeycomb. The radiographic differential diagnosis includes fibro-osseous lesions such as cemento-ossifying fibroma, fibrous dysplasia, calcifying odontogenic cyst, and chronic sclerosing osteomyelitis. Thus, DA should primarily be included in the differential diagnosis of a mixed radiopaque-radiolucent lesion with diffuse borders in the anterior premolar region of the jaws. This report adds to the literature of mixed radiolucent-radiopaque lesions which may not always be histopathologically diagnosed as a fibro-osseous lesion but could turn out to be a DA. This report also benefits the dental community by cautioning them to be aware of DA that can be associated with multiple unerupted teeth which is quite a rare finding.

Differential diagnoses of elevated lesions of the upper lip: An overview.

This paper comes with a purpose to help the clinician as how to arrive at a logical differential diagnosis when an upper lip mass is encountered in day-to-day practice. The labial mucosa is commonly traumatized. One must be aware of the type of structures contained in the mucosa of the area of a lesion as well as the patients habits since they may relate to a lesion presented for diagnosis. It also helps them to procure a sound knowledge of the lesions by describing the lesions according to their clinical appearance and to aid the clinician in arriving at a differential diagnosis by considering that certain lesions have a predilection for the upper lip. All clinically similar appearing lesions are discussed according to their relative frequency of occurrence. This paper covers only a minority of plethora of elevated lesions that may appear on the upper lip since almost any soft tissue lesion or neoplasm (benign and malignant) may occur here.