Amelogenesis imperfecta: a clinician's challenge.

Defective enamel formation can be explained as defects occurring at the stages of enamel formation. Quantitative defects in matrix formation leads to hypoplastic form of amelogenesis imperfecta. Inadequate mineralization of matrix leads to hypocalcification and hypomaturation variants. The demarcation of matrix formation and mineralization is not so distinct. This paper describes a case of a 7-year-old boy with amelogenesis imperfecta - Type IA i.e., hypoplastic pitted autosomal dominant.

Evaluation of efficacy of Sofscale. A clinical and SEM study.

Efficacy of Sofscale in the case of removal of calculus from the root surface as claimed by manufacturers was evaluated in the present study. 32 patients suffering from chronic periodontitis, having calculus deposits in the lower incisors were selected for the study. A double blind study was conducted to evaluate the ease with which calculus could be removed. In the second part of study, a SEM study of the root surface subjected to root planing alone and root planing after application of Sofscale was done to see whether any remnants of calculus was left behind. In the double blind study conducted on 32 patients, it was found in 21 patients, calculus could be removed with greater ease and less time in experimental area compared to the control. 17 patients were able to correctly identify the product side as easier to Sofscale. Patients did not complain of increased sensitivity of teeth or discomfort following application of Sofscale. Under SEM the root surface after root planing showed the presence of smear layer whereas after Sofscale application root surface appeared devoid of smear layer. No other significant difference were noticed between the root surfaces.

Efficacy of minocycline as a root conditioner in comparison to citric acid and tetracycline. An in vitro evaluation.

This study compared the root surface characteristics produced by Minocycline HCl, Citric acid and Tetracycline HCl. when used as a root conditioner. This study included 5 groups of 10 extracted teeth each with advanced periodontal disease. Diseased root surfaces of group B,C,D and E were planed with Gracy curets and solutions of Citric acid, Tetracycline HCl, Monocycline Hcl and Tween 80 of PH 2.5, were applied to the surface in respective groups with cotton pellets for 5 mts. Group A was not subjected to root planning or application of any root conditioner and was used as a control. The teeth in all five groups were then washed, sectioned processed and examined under scanning electron microscope. These results revealed that the surfaces of acid treated sites differed from each other and with specimens treated sites differed from each other and with specimens treated with root panning alone. The efficacy of Minocycline and tetracycline in the removal of smear layer and exposure of dentinal tubules were comparable and Minocycline HCl though not as effective as Citric acid can probably be recommended in view of its antibactrial activity, anti collagense and substantivity properties.

Biodegradable dental implants of ciprofloxacin beta-cyclodextrin inclusion complex in the treatment of periodontitis.

Dental implants of ciprofloxacin beta-cyclodextrin inclusion complex were formulated using poly (epsilon-caprolactone), a biodegradable polymer and evaluated. Clinical evaluation was carried out in ten patients with acute peridontitis. Various clinical parameters, viz. gingival index, plaque score, attachment gain, reduction in pocket depth were evaluated at 10, 20, 30, 40 days of treatment and compared with placebo as control. A significant (P < 0.0001) improvement in the healing of periodontal pockets treated with ciprofloxacin beta-cyclodextrin implant was observed in most of the clinical parameters. Estimation of gingival crevicular fluids (GCF) for the drug content revealed that drug levels above the minimum inhibitory concentration (10.2 micrograms/mg) for many of the periodontal pathogens were maintained throughout the period of study (40 days). This confirms the clinical efficacy of the dose and the duration of the study. It was found that biodegradable carrier was better accepted than the non-biodegradable carriers reported earlier.

CLINICAL EFFICACY OF BIODEGRADABLE DENTAL IMPLANTS OF TINIDAZOLE IN PERIODONTITIS.

Dental implants of tinidazole were formulated using poly (ε-caprolactone), a biodegradable polymer and evaluated. Clinical evaluation was carried out in ten patients with acute peridontitis. Various clinical parameters viz., gingival index, plaque score, attachment gain, reduction in pocket depth were evaluated after 10, 20, 30 and 40 days of treatment and compared with placebo as control. There was significant improvement in the healing of periodontal pockets treated with tinidazole implants as compared to the control sites. Estimation of tinidazole in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) revealed that the drug levels above the minimum inhibitory concentration (5.9 µg/mg) for many of the periodontal pathogens was maintained throughout the period of study (40 days). This confirms the clinical efficacy of the dose and the duration of the study. It was found that biodegradable carrier was better accepted than the non-biodegradable carriers reported earlier.

Metastasis to maxillary gingiva from carcinoma of breast. A case report.

A rare case of metastatic infiltrating duct carcinoma involving gingiva in relation to maxillary left canine-premolar of a 40 year old female is presented. The unilateral gingival enlargement in canine-premolar region was quite unusual. Pertinent history and histological examination revealed that the tumor was a metastatic carcinoma, the primary lesion of which was in the breast. The differential diagnosis of gingival enlargements is discussed in this paper. The resemblance of this mass to an inflammatory hyperplastic condition reflects the need for a detailed case history and examination.

Efficacy of Chitra granule and powder (hydroxyapatite) in alveolar bone regeneration in rabbits. A histological evaluation.

The reconstruction or restoration of osseous defects caused by inflammatory periodontal disease is a continuing challenge in periodontal therapy. Great strides are being made to this effect using alloplasts such as hydroxyapatite. The present study was designed in Newzealand dwarf rabbits to observe the biologic response of periodontal tissues to synthetically prepared hydroxyapatite in both powder and granule forms by Srichitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences & Technology, Trivandrum and to compare it with that of a commercially available, pure resorbable hydroxyapatite, OsteoGen (HA Resorb). The test materials were implanted in the artificially created bonydefects in the mandible via an intraoral approach. The wounds were allowed to heal upto 26 weeks postimplantation. The clinical evaluation at 12 weeks and 26 weeks postimplantation revealed neither any evidence of inflammation, infection or abscess formation nor any exposure or exfoliation of test materials. The histological examination of the implant sites at 12 and 26 weeks postimplantation revealed varying extent of formation of new osseous tissue and periodontal fibers. A comparison between test materials and control suggested that Chitra granules exhibit a relatively greater potential for newbone and periodontal fibre formation.

Clinical significance of furcation anatomy of the maxillary first premolar: a biometric study on extracted teeth.

Multirooted teeth in which chronic periodontitis has progressed to involve the furcation present special problems in treatment. The apical placement of furcation, narrow furcation entrance, concavities on the root surface, and the undesirable root configuration make instrumentation and plaque control difficult. Furcation involvement, when present in maxillary first premolars in particular, presents a poor prognosis as the furcation opens mesiodistally. This study on 100 extracted maxillary first premolars is an attempt to determine the frequency of bifurcation, the proximity of bifurcation to cemento-enamel junction, the depth of concavities on the root trunk and the furcal aspect of root, the diameter of furcation entrance, and the extent of root divergence.

Periodontal implications of Class II restorations. Clinical and SEM evaluation.

30 subjects with class II silver amalgam restorations were studied to evaluate the influence of these restorations on periodontal health of the adjacent region. The incidence of overhangings were noted. The periodontal changes were recorded with the help of indices. The surface of the restoration and the interface between the restoration and the cavity margin were observed on extracted teeth under SEM. The gingival and periodontal status at the site of the restoration were affected by the restoration and the restoration showed a rough surface as compared to the enamel on SEM examination.

Antibacterial activity of ciprofloxacin-beta-cyclodextrin complex and its efficacy in dental implants.

Ciprofloxacin forms an inclusion complex with beta-cyclodextrin. The in vitro antibacterial activity of ciprofloxacin on E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus was found better on complexation. The complex was found very effective as a local antibacterial agent when used in dental implants. Significant reduction in the gingival index, probing pocket depth and microbial growth coupled with gain in attachment at the test site compared to control on the 14th day was observed when the implants containing 2.0 mg of the complex equivalent to 0.4 mg of ciprofloxacin was used in clinical trials.