Cissus Extracts in Dentistry: A Comprehensive Review on its Untapped Potential.

Natural products have received a lot of attention in a variety of medical sectors, including dentistry. Cissus, a flowering plant genus, has long been used for its therapeutic benefits. The purpose of this review is to thoroughly investigate the possibilities of Cissus extracts in dentistry. To that end, we used specific selection criteria for the selection of pertinent scientific articles published in the scientific information databases of PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Scopus, and ProQuest. We found that the diverse array of bioactive compounds found in varied species of Cissus holds promise for applications ranging from oral wound healing to periodontal health. This review summarizes known studies on antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and tissue-regenerative characteristics of Cissus extracts, shedding light on their potential significance in modernizing modern dental practices. It exerts that Cissus extracts have the potential to supplement established dentistry therapies by providing all-natural remedies for a variety of oral health conditions.

Behavioral Patterns Toward Preventive Dental Care at School Dental Camps: An Observational Study in Bengaluru.

Background Dental behavior management problems of children towards preventive dental care at school dental camps in India remain largely undocumented. This study aimed to assess such behavior patterns in preschool and school-age children at a school dental health camp. Materials and methods The cross-sectional study included 462 children, with 261 children each in the preschool (three to five years old) and school (six to 12 years old) age groups in Bengaluru. On the school dental camp day, their behavior and anxiety were gauged using the Frankl Behavior Rating Scale and the Raghavendra, Madhuri, and Sujata Pictorial Scale, respectively. The Chi-square test was used to uncover predictive variables for children's behavior patterns toward preventive dental procedures at the dental school camps. Results A high prevalence of definitely negative Frankl Behavior Rating Scale ratings (59%, n=272) and dental anxiety (53%, n=245) were noted among the participants. Age, sex, the area of residence of the child, and the previous history of dental visits and treatment were predictors of their behavior at a school dental camp setup. Conclusion The present study gives an insight into the behavior of children towards preventive dental care at a school dental camp in a mobile dental van, stressing the need for behavior assessment before the treatment.

Can coffee combat caries? An in vitro study.

BACKGROUND: Dental caries is a multifactorial disease caused by oral microflora, diet and oral environment. Oral microflora is crucial in initiation and progression of caries. An important strategy in the prevention of dental caries is to inhibit Streptococcus mutans, a caries causing bacteria. Use of natural products in the disease prevention has been increasing recently. One among such products is coffee which has anticariogenic properties against S. mutans. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the anticariogenic efficacy of coffee against S. mutans. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study is carried out using saliva samples collected from 120 healthy individuals of 18-25 years' age group divided into two groups (carious and noncarious). S. mutans is isolated from the saliva samples, cultured on mitis salivarius-bacitracin agar plates and used for checking the inhibitory activity of coffee in different formulations on these bacteria. RESULTS: Our study results showed that coffee, when used alone, has highest antibacterial activity against S. mutans and its anticaries activity reduces when it is mixed with milk and sugar (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Our study proved that coffee has anticariogenic activity against S. mutans.

Gingival metastasis of adenocarcinoma with an unknown occult primary.

Metastatic dissemination to the oral cavity is extremely rare and constitutes about 1%-2.1% of all oral malignancies. The very first sign of the metastasis into the oral cavity indicates an occult malignancy in the distant site. It gives the evidence of widespread disease with an average survival rate of less than 7 months. Adenocarcinomas account for up to 60% of all metastatic neoplasms of unknown primary origin. Here, we report a case of metastatic adenocarcinoma of unknown primary origin in a 60-year-old male patient in the upper and lower gingiva without involvement of the underlying bone which is a very rare case reported in the literature till date.

Effectiveness of crystallization test in screening of potentially malignant oral disorders and oral cancer.

AIM: This study aims to determine the effectiveness of crystallization test in screening of oral potentially malignant disorders (PMDs) and oral cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty patients of oral PMD, 30 patients of oral cancer and 40 normal healthy people were selected. One drop of blood was collected and added to 1 cc of double-distilled water at room temperature to get a final dilution of 6% hemolyzed blood. 0.1-0.2 cc of this blood sample is added to 10 cc of 20% cupric chloride solution and further is subjected to crystallization test. RESULTS: In the normal healthy group, the pattern was typical with an eccentrically placed center of gravity with needles arranged in radiating fashion. Whereas in oral PMD and cancer groups, there was "transverse form" formation. This test had sensitivity and specificity of about 83.33% and 86.84% for PMDs group and 96.30% and 86.84% for oral cancer group respectively. CONCLUSION: Crystallization test was found to be sensitive, reliable, economical and less-invasive procedure for screening of oral PMDs and oral cancer.

Comparative analysis of lip with thumbprints: An identification tool in personal authentication.

CONTEXT: Identification of person living or dead using diverse characteristics is the basis in forensic science. The uniqueness of lip and fingerprints and further, association between them can be useful in establishing facts in legal issues. AIMS: The present study was carried out to determine the distribution of different lip print patterns among subjects having different thumbprint patterns and to determine the correlation between lip print patterns and thumbprint patterns. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study sample comprised 100 students randomly selected from Bapuji Dental College Hospital, Davangere, Karnataka, 50 males and 50 females aged between 18 and 20 years. Red colored lipstick was applied on the lips by a lipstick applicator brush. Lip and thumb impressions were made on No. 1 Whatman filter paper and visualized using magnifying lens. Three main types of fingerprints (loop, whorl and arch) were identified; Tsuchihashi Y classification of lip print patterns was followed in the study. Chi-square test was used to see the association between lip and thumbprints. RESULTS: The correlation between lip and left thumb print patterns for gender identification was statistically significant. In both males and females, Type II lip pattern associated with loop finger pattern were most significant and in males, Type III lip pattern with whorl type of finger pattern showed statistical significance. CONCLUSION: We conclude that the correlation found between lip print and thumbprint can be utilized in the field of forensic science for gender identification.

Metastatic small cell carcinoma of the cervix to the oral cavity: A rare case report and an insight into pathogenesis of metastasis.

The oral cavity is an uncommon site for metastatic tumor cell colonization and is usually evidence of a widespread disease, with an incidence of about 1% of all oral cancers. The jawbones, particularly the mandible, are more frequently affected than the oral soft tissues (2:1). Small cell carcinoma (SCC) of the uterine cervix is a rare tumor characterized by a highly aggressive clinical course and poor prognosis. The purpose of this report is two-fold: To present a case of metastatic SCC of the uterine cervix to post extraction site in oral cavity, which is the first reported case in the literature, as per our knowledge and to analyze the possible mechanism of metastasis from the lower part of the abdomen to the post-extraction site and to gain additional knowledge in this phenomenon.

Contaminated tooth brushes-potential threat to oral and general health.

BACKGROUND: Tooth brushing is most common method of maintaining oral hygiene. In removing plaque and other soft debris from the teeth, tooth brushes become contaminated with bacteria, blood, saliva and oral debris. These contaminated tooth brushes can be a source of infection. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the presence of microorganisms in the tooth brushes and to investigate the effect of disinfectants such as chlorhexidine gluconate, sodium hypochlorite and water to decontaminate them. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-one children were asked to brush their teeth for 5 days with a tooth brush. The tooth brushes were put in Robertson's Cooked Meat broth and were observed for growth of Streptococcal microorganisms. These tooth brushes were then placed in disinfectants such as 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate (Group I), 1% sodium hypochlorite (Group II) and water (Group III) for 24 hrs and then cultured again. Reduction of growth of microorganisms was seen in Group I, Group II and remnants of growth seen in Group III. CONCLUSION: We conclude that the use of disinfectant for a tooth brush is a must for every individual at least at regular intervals.

The master switch: Comparative study of mast cell in oral epithelial dysplasia, oral submucous fibrosis and oral squamous cells carcinoma and their association with inflammation and angiogenesis.

BACKGROUND: Dental and medical practitioners encounter wide spectrum of oral lesions in their day-to-day practice. Many of the lesions such as leukoplakia, oral submucous fibrosis (OSF), etc., are associated with tobacco and betel nut chewing. Oral leukoplakia, OSF, oral lichen planus and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) are the most commonly occurring oral diseases associated with characteristic clinical and histological features and are associated with chronic inflammation at some stage of the disease process. AIMS: To study and compare the number, morphology and topographical distribution of mast cells in oral epithelial dysplasia (OED), OSF and OSCC and to correlate different types of mast cells with the inflammatory infiltrate and vascularity of the lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Total number of subjects was 120 and equally divided into four groups of 30 as controls, OED, OSF and OSCC cases. Two sections of from each tissue embedded in paraffin wax block were made which were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and toluidine blue stain. Mast cells were counted in five different zones. RESULTS: In the present study, increased numbers of mast cells were seen in all lesions. The cases with mild, moderate and severe inflammation showed increased number of typical (TMCs), atypical (AMCs) and granular mast cells (GMCs), respectively. CONCLUSION: The result of the present study concludes that the mast cells play a key role in mediating the cross links between external angiogenic agent and local immunologic factors.

Assessing oral candidal carriage with mixed salivary glucose levels as non-invasive diagnostic tool in type-2 diabetics of davangere, karnataka, India.

BACKGROUND: The health of oral tissues is known to be related to salivary flow and its composition which may be altered in diabetic patients. The purpose of this study is to correlate mixed salivary glucose levels and oral candidal carriage and to assess the prevalence of candidal carriage in diabetics and controls. METHODS: Thirty adults with type-2 diabetes and 30 without diabetes (control subjects), aged 30-60 yr, participated in the study. Unstimulated saliva was collected and investigated for glucose levels (using glucose oxidase method) and colony-forming units (CFU) of Candida, this was stained with two stains, periodic acid-schiff stain and Grocott Gomori stain. RESULTS: In the present study mixed salivary glucose concentration in diabetics was significantly higher (p<0.01) compared to the controls. Diabetics with intraoral candidal carriage had higher salivary glucose levels (mean = 12.76±5.85 mg/dl) compared to cases where Candida was not isolated. The diabetics without intraoral candidal carriage had lower salivary glucose levels (mean = 5.36±2.24 mg/dl). This relationship could be seen in controls (non-diabetics) also. Diabetics showed an oral candidal carriage rate of 80% which was significantly higher compared to nondiabetics who showed an oral candidal carriage rate of 40%. CONCLUSION: Mixed salivary glucose levels were significantly higher in diabetics. The possible high salivary glucose level could predispose to oral candidal infection. So saliva can be used as a quick, non-invasive tool to assess the oral candidal status and possible infection.

Cheiloscopy and its patterns in comparison with ABO blood groups.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to determine the distribution of different lip print patterns among subjects having different ABO and Rh blood groups and to determine the correlation between their characters and blood groups. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study was done on 150 individuals who were randomly selected and blood groups of these subjects were analyzed. RESULTS: The results revealed no association between distribution of lip print (cheiloscopy) pattern and blood groups. CONCLUSION: Lip print pattern does not show any correlation between blood groups.

Adaptogenic effect of Morus alba on chronic footshock-induced stress in rats.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the present study was to evaluate the adaptogenic property of the ethyl acetate-soluble fraction of methanol extract of Morus alba roots against a rat model of chronic stress (CS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Rats were exposed to stress procedure for 21 days. The stress procedure was mild, unpredictable footshock, administered for 1 h once daily for 21 days. Rats were administered with the ethyl acetate soluble fraction of methanol extract of M. alba roots (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg p.o) 1 h before footshock for 21 days and behavioral parameters were evaluated for cognitive dysfunction and depression using elevated plus maze and despair swim test, respectively. On day 21, rats were sacrificed immediately after stress and blood was collected for biochemical estimation. The adrenal gland and spleen were dissected for organ weight and the stomach was dissected for ulcer score. RESULTS: CS significantly induced cognitive deficit, mental depression and hyperglycemia and increased blood corticosterone levels, gastric ulcerations and adrenal gland weight, but decreased the splenic weight. Pre-treatments with the ethyl acetate soluble fraction of methanol extract of M. alba roots (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly attenuated the CS-induced perturbations. Diazepam (1 mg/kg, p.o.) was used as the standard antistress drug. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that M. alba possesses significant adaptogenic activity, indicating its possible clinical utility as an antistress agent.