A Comparison of Pre- and Postbreakfast Tooth Brushing in Caries Prevention through the Estimation of Streptococcus mutans Counts: A Prospective Clinical and Microbiological Study.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of prebreakfast tooth brushing (PrBTB) and postbreakfast tooth brushing (PoBTB) with or without a prebrushing rinse in caries prevention through the estimation of Streptococcus mutans count. Materials and Methods: Sixty consenting dental students were divided into three age-matched groups of 20 each and instructed to follow prebreakfast, postbreakfast tooth brushing, and prebreakfast rinsing plus PoBTB using the Bass technique. Plaque samples were collected at the start and at the end of every quarter for a total of 6 quarters (18 months) for the evaluation of S. mutans colony-forming unit (CFU) counts. The decayed missing filled surface (DMFS) index of participants was also recorded and compared at the beginning and end of the study period. Results: The post-breakfast tooth brushing group with pre-breakfast rinse (RPoBTB) and without pre-breakfast rinse (PoBTB) showed a highly significant reduction in total S. mutans CFU counts per ml (38% and 29% respectively) at the end of the study. The changes in DMFS value were not significant and did not show any correlation with the S. mutans counts. Conclusion: Our study revealed that PoBTB with or without a prebreakfast rinse reduces the total counts of the cariogenic bacteria S. mutans more efficiently than PrBTB. Although further proof in the form of clinical trials is essential, this study provides the proof of concept for a minor change in the tooth brushing habit, which can significantly enhance caries prevention.

Cheiloscopy and dermatoglyphics in normal and obese individuals: A study in Indian subpopulation.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of obesity has been steadily increasing worldwide. Reliable and noninvasive tools that can be used to diagnose such conditions may help us in mass screening and prevention. Finger prints and lip prints have been used as the genetic markers in some diseases such as diabetes mellitus. Studies to correlate a possible association of such markers among obese individuals have not been reported in India to date. The present study was conducted to determine and compare the lip print and finger print patterns in normal and obese individuals and also to evaluate any possible correlation between the lip prints and finger prints in both the study groups. METHODOLOGY: Lip and finger print patterns of 100 obese and equal number of age- and sex-matched healthy individuals were analyzed. Right thumb, right index, left thumb and left index finger prints were evaluated. Gender-wise comparison was also made. RESULTS: Lip prints revealed no significant difference between obese and nonobese individuals. Predominant Type I lip print was observed in both the study groups. Comparison of finger prints between obese and nonobese individuals revealed a highly significant results for all the fingers. Predominant finger print patterns in the right thumb, right index, left thumb and left index among obese individuals were whorl (51%), loop (83%), whorl (79%) and arch (74%), respectively. No correlation between the lip prints and finger prints was noted. CONCLUSION: Finger prints in the obese individuals showed significant differences when compared to the normal controls while lip prints failed to reveal any significant difference. Lip prints did not correlate with the finger prints. Right thumb revealed a significant gender difference among obese individuals.

Telepathology: An update on applications, latest advances, and current status in Indian scenario.

Pathologists have been using their tool of trade, "the microscope," since the early 17th century, but now diagnostic pathology or tissue-based diagnosis is characterized by its high specificity and sensitivity. Technological telecommunication advances have revolutionized the face of medicine, and in pursuit of better health-care delivery, telepathology has emerged. Telepathology is the practice of diagnostic pathology performed at a distance, with images viewed on a video monitor rather than directly through the (light) microscope. This article aims to provide an overview of the field, including specific applications, practice, benefits, limitations, regulatory issues, latest advances, and a perspective on the current status of telepathology in Indian scenario based on literature review.

Oral microbial profile in oral cancer patients before and after radiation therapy in a cancer care center - A prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Head and neck cancer is the sixth most common cancer reported worldwide. In many cases, the level of aggressiveness of therapy adopted in cancer patients may cause the alteration in oral microbiota; the emergence of potential pathogens may cause opportunistic infections in already immune-compromised individuals leading to increases in morbidity and mortality. Hence, this study was conducted to assess the oral microbial profile in oral cancer patients before and after radiotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 145 oral swabs were collected before radiotherapy (n = 96), 3 months postradiotherapy (n = 25), 6 months postradiotherapy (n = 12) and controls (n = 12). The samples were inoculated into brain-heart infusion broth and later in different media for bacterial isolation. The isolates were subjected to phenotypic characterization by automatic identification system. RESULTS: Among the 96 samples studied from the preradiotherapy patient samples, Streptococcus species (n = 28) were the predominant isolate, followed by Staphylococcus species (n = 16), Enterobacter species (n = 6) and Enterococcus species (n = 6). Of the 25 samples studied 3 months after radiotherapy, Klebsiella pneumoniae (n = 4) was isolated and 12 samples studied after 6 months of radiotherapy Candida species (n = 4) and Pediococcus species (n = 3) were isolated. Among the control group (n = 12) screened, Streptococcus acidominimus (n = 3) is the predominant bacteria isolated. CONCLUSION: High prevalence of Streptococcus sp. was found in patients of oral cancer before radiotherapy, while Candida albicans and Klebsiella species and Pediococcus species are the significant pathogens isolated in postradiotherapy cancer patients.

A comparative study of efficacy of single rooted and double rooted teeth in age estimation using dentin translucency.

BACKGROUND: Among various methods of age estimation using dental tissues, measurement of root dentin translucency (RDT) is said to be the most accurate. Numerous studies have estimated age by measuring RDT in single and double rooted teeth and have shown conflicting results. Only few studies have compared efficacy of using single and double rooted teeth for RDT measurement in age estimation. AIM: To analyze the efficacy of single rooted teeth (SRT) and double rooted teeth (DRT) for measurement of sclerotic dentin (SD) and age estimation. METHOD: Study was conducted on 120 freshly extracted SR and DR teeth with 60 teeth in each group. Ground sections of 150 µ thickness were observed under stereomicroscope and photographed. The sclerotic dentin length was measured on the images captured using image analysis software. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The present study did not reveal significant difference (p = 0.012) between SRT and DRT when RDT was used for age estimation. However DRT provided more accurate age estimation than SRT with less mean age difference.

Halitosis - An overview: Part-I - Classification, etiology, and pathophysiology of halitosis.

Halitosis is a condition where the breath is altered in an unpleasant manner for the affected individuals and impairs them socially as well as psychologically. Halitosis can be clinically classified as real halitosis, pseudohalitosis, and halitophobia. Real halitosis has oral and extra-oral etiologies and the pathophysiology involves interaction of anaerobic microbes (mainly) with the proteins present in the oral cavity fluids and contents, resulting in production of volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs). These VSCs, beyond responsible for halitosis, can also initiate and accelerate periodontal disease progression. Thus, this review is about the pathophysiology and various etiologies of halitosis, the knowledge of which can help in the betterment of treatment options.

Prevalence of oral squamous cell carcinoma of tongue in and around Davangere, Karnataka, India: A retrospective study over 13 years.

AIM: The aim was to determine the frequency and distribution of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) involving tongue among patients by studying biopsy specimens obtained from the archives of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, College of Dental Sciences, Davangere, Karnataka, India, during the past 13 years. METHODOLOGY: Data for the study were retrieved from the case records of patients. Analyzed clinical variables included age, sex, anatomical site, and histological diagnosis. RESULTS: Of the 369 squamous cell carcinoma involving head and neck region, we found 52 biopsies reported exclusively involving tongue. Lateral border of the tongue was most commonly involved (43 cases, 82.7%), followed by base of tongue and posterior part of tongue. The patient were affected over a wide range of 27-80 years with mean age of 55.75 years and peak incidence was seen in the fourth and fifth decades of life, with the male: female ratio of 1.7:1. CONCLUSION: The prevalence rate of OSCC involving tongue showed a definite geographic variation when compared with a study done in other parts of the world.

Clinical evaluation of nonsyndromic dental anomalies in Dravidian population: A cluster sample analysis.

AIM: To record the prevalence rate of dental anomalies in Dravidian population and analyze the percentage of individual anomalies in the population. METHODOLOGY: A cluster sample analysis was done, where 244 subjects studying in a dental institution were all included and analyzed for occurrence of dental anomalies by clinical examination, excluding third molars from analysis. RESULTS: 31.55% of the study subjects had dental anomalies and shape anomalies were more prevalent (22.1%), followed by size (8.6%), number (3.2%) and position anomalies (0.4%). Retained deciduous was seen in 1.63%. Among the individual anomalies, Talon's cusp (TC) was seen predominantly (14.34%), followed by microdontia (6.6%) and supernumerary cusps (5.73%). CONCLUSION: Prevalence rate of dental anomalies in the Dravidian population is 31.55% in the present study, exclusive of third molars. Shape anomalies are more common, and TC is the most commonly noted anomaly. Varying prevalence rate is reported in different geographical regions of the world.

Osseous choristoma of the labial mucosa: A rare case report.

Osseous choristoma is a normal bone tissue in an ectopic position. These are slow growing lesions that are usually completely asymptomatic and only present when there is a disruption in the function of the organ due to its large size as it grows. Definitive diagnosis is obtained only after the histopathological examination. The etiology remains still questionable. The treatment of choice is surgical excision. Here we report a case of choristoma in the lower labial mucosa in a 47-year-old female.

Habit-associated salivary pH changes in oral submucous fibrosis-A controlled cross-sectional study.

CONTEXT: Oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) is a multi-causal inflammatory reaction to the chemical or mechanical trauma caused due to exposure to arecanut containing products with or without tobacco (ANCP/T). Arecanut and additional components such as lime and chewing tobacco render ANCP/T highly alkaline. Fibrosing repair is a common reaction to an alkaline exposure in the skin. OSF may be related to the alkaline exposure by ANCP/T in a similar manner. AIMS: The study was aimed at establishing the relationship of habit-associated salivary pH changes and OSF. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: The study design was controlled cross-sectional. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Base line salivary pH (BLS pH), salivary pH after chewing the habitual ANCP/T substance, post chew salivary pH (PCSpH) for 2 min and salivary pH recovery time (SpHRT) were compared in 30 OSF patients and 30 sex-matched individuals with ANCP/T habits and apparently healthy oral mucosa. RESULTS: The group's mean BLSpH values were similar and within normal range and representative of the population level values. The average PCSpH was significantly higher (P ˂ 0.0001) than the average BLSpH in both groups. There was no significant difference (P = 0.09) between PCSpH of OSF patients and controls. OSF patients had a significantly longer (P = 0.0076) SpHRT than controls. Factors such as age, daily exposure, cumulative habit years, BLSpH and PCSpH, had varying effects on the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Chewing ANCP/T causes a significant rise in salivary pH of all individuals. SpHRT has a significant association with OSF. The effect of salivary changes in OSF patients differs with those in healthy controls.

Comparative evaluation of microleakage of conventional and modifications of glass ionomer cement in primary teeth: An in vitro study.

AIMS: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the microleakage among conventional, resin modified glass ionomer cements (GIC), and compomer cements in primary teeth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-five over retained non carious primary molars beyond exfoliation time were collected and randomly divided into three groups (n = 15). Group A: GC Fuji II; Group B: Vitremer; Group C: Compoglass F. A standard Class V cavity was prepared on the buccal surface of each tooth with no mechanical retention and restored accordingly. Then all the samples were subjected to thermocycling for 250 cycles at different temperatures and covered with nail varnish. Later, samples were immersed in 0.5% methylene blue dye for 24 h. Teeth were sectioned buccolingually through the center of the restoration and studied under a stereomicroscope for dye penetration. Data obtained were analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA and Mann-Whitney U-test. RESULTS: Samples restored with vitremer showed comparatively higher microleakage than the samples in other groups. However, overall there were no significant difference between the microleakage scores of the samples in all three groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that none of the three GICs was free from microleakage. Hence, further research is required to compare microleakage of the newer material.

Comparison of the validity of two dental age estimation methods: A study on South Indian population.

BACKGROUND: Forensic odontologists are often confronted with the problem of estimating age for the identification of unknown bodies or skeletal remains of accidents, crimes and disaster victims. Teeth have the benefit of being preserved long after other tissues have disintegrated and present the only means for age estimation. Different techniques have been published for dental age estimation with variable accuracy, precision and reliability. The search for optimal method by forensic odontologists has continued over the years until the present day. AIM: The present study was aimed at evaluating and comparing the accuracy of age estimation using translucent dentin and cemental annulations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 150 freshly extracted teeth were obtained and longitudinal ground sections were prepared. The length of the translucent dentin was measured and cemental annulations were counted in each section and the age was calculated separately for both the methods. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The present study suggests that both the methods are reliable in the middle age groups; whereas the large error obtained in the extreme age groups indicate that translucent dentin method should be preferred in older age group and cemental annulations method in the younger age group before the formation of translucent dentin.

Diagnostic dilemma of a double tooth: a rare case report and review.

Gemination or Schizodontism is a developmental anomaly affecting the tooth shape which is often confused with fusion. It affects primary dentition more often than permanent. It is a rare occurrence in the posterior teeth. Its etiology, pathogenesis, prevalence, differential diagnosis and management are discussed and a rare case of gemination of maxillary premolar is reported here.

Microsatellite genotyping of individual abalone larvae: parentage assignment in aquaculture.

In aquaculture, microsatellite DNA markers are used to genotype parental broodstock, to assess fertilization success, and to maintain pedigree information for selective breeding. In this study we genotyped individual Haliotis asinina larvae by analyzing a suit of polymorphic microsatellite loci. At least 10 loci can be analyzed from a single abalone veliger larva. We assayed 5 polymorphic loci to identify the parents of individual larvae produced in 3 separate crosses. In all cases, the parents of an individual veliger could be determined from as few as 3 loci. The microsatellite analysis revealed that, in each of our crosses, a single male fathered most of the veligers, despite efforts to normalize the amount of sperm contributed by competing males. These observations suggest that highly controlled breeding practices may be required to ensure that the genetic diversity of an abalone population produced for aquaculture is maintained at the level of diversity of the original broodstock.