Osteoporosis risk group: Screening for osteoporosis in dental clinics using panoramic radiographs.

Osteoporosis is a specific condition which is characterized by low bone mineral density (BMD) and deterioration of bone structure resulting in an increased susceptibility to fractures. It contributes to a great deal of morbidity and mortality, and is a large burden to the healthcare system, especially in the case of the elderly population. In the last four decades, a plethora of studies have reported characteristic oral radiographic findings in the early stages of osteoporosis, suggesting the possible use of oral radiographic signs for the early detection of the condition. Digital orthopantomographs (OPGs) are usually taken for the screening of dental patients during routine dental evaluations. These radiographs and the characteristic changes seen on them may have a significant role in the screening for initial osteoporotic changes. A number of precise radiomorphometric indices of the mandible have also been developed to allow quantification of the mandibular bone mass for identification of the initial signs of osteoporosis. The present review focuses on the possible role of panoramic radiographs in the initial screening for osteoporosis in dental clinics in high-risk groups.

Comparative evaluation of alteration in taste perception among Gutkha chewers with and without OSMF and healthy subjects: A prospective case-control study.

Context and Aim: The major afflictions such as odynophagia (painful swallowing) and trismus that occur in patients with oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) are well documented, but the impairment of gustatory functions has not received much consideration in the past. The present study was planned with a similar intent to assess and compare the alteration in taste perception among gutkha chewers with and without OSMF and healthy subjects. Materials and Methods: The present study was designed as a prospective case-control study comprising 90 individuals within an age range of 15-50 years who were divided into three groups with Group A consisting of 30 patients who were gutkha chewers with OSMF, Group B consisting of 30 individuals who were gutkha chewers but without OSMF and Group C consisting of 30 healthy subjects who were included as normal controls. The taste intensity response scores for the four basic tastes were recorded and the results obtained were, then, subjected to statistical analysis. Statistical Analysis Used: The data were analyzed using SPSS version 16.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Comparison of the said parameters was done using Chi-square test, analysis of variance and Tukey's post-hoc test. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The findings of the present study suggested that all taste sensations were affected more in Group A patients than the Group B and Group C individuals. Conclusion: The results obtained in the present study were found to be encouraging as it was demonstrated that taste perception varied significantly among the patients with OSMF as against those having habit of betel nut/gutkha chewing but those who did not develop OSMF and the normal healthy controls and this data, though, initial, might be used on a scientific basis to improve the quality of life in the affected patients as well as to prevent the further progression of the disease process.

Accidental Pathological Findings in Asymptomatic Maxillary Sinuses in Patients Referred for Head and Neck Cone-Beam Computed Tomography: A Cross-sectional Study Analysis.

Background: The aim of the present study was to detect the prevalence of accidental pathological findings in asymptomatic maxillary sinuses in patients referred for head and neck cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) examination for varied reasons. Methods: The present cross-sectional study included a detailed analysis of CBCT scans of 150 patients aged between 18 and 70 years reporting for varied dental complaints for detecting accidental pathological findings in maxillary sinuses while the patients did not have any complaint pertaining to sinuses. Results: The findings of the present study revealed 58% patients to have pathological findings in maxillary sinuses while they were asymptomatic for sinuses. Furthermore, the prevalence of mucosal thickening was found in 29.3% of the patients while 36.7% patients presented with polypoidal mucosal thickening. Conclusion: Higher prevalence of pathologies in asymptomatic maxillary sinuses found in the present study emphasized significance of a thorough examination of routine dental patients by dento-maxillofacial radiologists with necessary investigations to be advised in the form of higher imaging modalities like CBCT, if necessary.

Lípidos anormales y síndrome de inmunodeficiencia adquirida: asociación de lípidos séricos con el estado del VIH / Abnormal Lipids and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome: Association of Serum Lipids with HIV Status

Contexto y objetivo: las anomalías hematológicas se encuentran entre las complicaciones más comunes de la infección por el VIH. También se han realizado bastantes estudios sobre las alteraciones en el perfil de lípidos, aunque los resultados en gran medida no han sido concluyentes. El presente estudio se llevó a cabo para evaluar el recuento de células CD4 y el perfil de lípidos en los pacientes infectados por el VIH y el SIDA en la población india y los correlaciona con los controles sero-negativos. Materiales y métodos: El presente estudio fue diseñado como un estudio transversal, con base en un hospital, para evaluar el recuento de células CD4 y el perfil de lípidos en los pacientes infectados por VIH y SIDA en la población india y los correlaciona con los controles sero-negativos. La evaluación del perfil de lípidos se realizó utilizando Erba EM 360, un analizador automático impulsado por un fotómetro de rejilla de difracción, mientras que los recuentos de células CD4 se evaluaron utilizando el Contador de ciclo de Partec. Análisis estadístico utilizado: Los datos se analizaron con SPSS versión 15.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, EE. UU.). La comparación de dichos parámetros se realizó mediante el análisis de varianza (ANOVA) y la prueba post-hoc de Games-Howell. Se consideró estadísticamente significativo un valor de p <0,05. Resultados: Los niveles de colesterol total y lipoproteínas de baja densidad (LDL) disminuyeron significativamente, mientras que los triglicéridos y las lipoproteínas de muy baja densidad (VLDL) aumentaron significativamente en los pacientes infectados por VIH y SIDA en comparación con los controles sero-negativos. Conclusión: El colesterol total, las LDL, los triglicéridos y las VLDL se alteraron significativamente en los pacientes infectados por VIH y con SIDA en comparación con los controles sero-negativos

Context and Aim: Hematological abnormalities are amongst the most common complications of infection with HIV.There have been quite a few studies on the alterations in lipid profile, too, though the results have largely been inconclusive. The present study was carried-out to assess CD4 cell counts and lipid profile in the HIV infected and AIDS patients in the Indian population and correlates them with the sero-negative controls. Materials and Methods: The present study was designed as a cross-sectional, hospital-based study to assess CD4 cell counts and lipid profile in the HIV infected and AIDS patients in the Indian population and correlates them with the sero-negative controls. Evaluation of lipid profile was done using Erba EM 360, an automated analyzer powered by a diffraction grating photometer while CD4 cell counts were evaluated using Partec Cyflow Counter. Statistical analysis used: The data was analyzed using SPSS version 15.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Comparison of the said parameters was done using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and post-hoc Games-Howell test. p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The levels of total cholesterol and low-density lipoproteins (LDLs) were significantly decreased while triglycerides and very low density lipoproteins (VLDLs) were significantly increased in the HIV infected and AIDS patients when compared with the sero-negative controls. Conclusion: Total cholesterol, LDLs, triglycerides and VLDLs were significantly altered in the HIV infected and AIDS patients when compared with the sero-negative controls

Pulp Stones: Diagnostic Significance in Early Diagnosis and Radiographic Correlation with Ischemic Heart Diseases.

Context and Aim Sufficient evidence exists in the literature which indicates that patients with ischemic heart diseases (IHDs) show higher degree of pulp calcifications. The present study was, therefore, planned to estimate the prevalence of pulp stones in patients diagnosed with/or undergoing treatment for IHDs. Materials and Methods The present study, which consisted of 300 subjects within the age range of 25 to 65 years, was divided into two groups: study group comprising 150 patients (113 males and 37 females) and 150 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Pulp stones were imaged using bitewing radiographs and paralleling technique under standard conditions. Statistical Analysis Used Statistical analysis was done using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows version 21 (IBM Corp, Armonk, USA), while independent t -test and Chi-square test were done to check the prevalence of pulp stones in the study and control groups, based on gender-, arch-, region- and side-wise distribution. p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results The patients with IHDs exhibited 100% prevalence of pulp stones and the difference was found to be statistically significant, although there was a significant difference in the mean number of pulp stones observed in the study and control groups, with the study group revealing 2217 pulp stones as against 639 pulp stones observed in the control group ( p < 0.001). Furthermore, maxillary arch and posterior teeth were predominantly affected in both the groups, although the difference was not found to be statistically significant. Conclusions The findings of the present study suggested a positive correlation between pulp stones and IHDs, highlighting the significance of dental radiographic examination, which may have a possibility for an early detection of IHDs.

Calcifying Epithelial Odontogenic Cyst of Maxilla: Report of A Case and Review and Discussion on the Terminology and Classification.

A cyst is defined as a pathological cavity which may or may not have an epithelial lining and which has a fluid, semi-fluid, or gaseous contents and is not formed by accumulation of pus. The calcifying epithelial odontogenic cyst (CEOC) was first reported by Gorlin et al. in 1962. At that time, it was classified as a cyst related to the odontogenic apparatus. It was later renamed as calcifying cystic odontogenic tumor (CCOT) in the World Health Organization classification devised in 2005 due to its histological complexity, morphological diversity, and aggressive proliferation. CCOT was later recognized by numerous names including Gorlin cyst, calcifying ghost cell odontogenic cyst, and/or dentinogenic ghost cell tumor. It has a peak incidence during the second and third decades of life and does not demonstrate any gender predilection. Radiographically, CEOC may appear as a unilocular or multilocular radiolucent lesion with either well-circumscribed or poorly-defined margins and may also be observed in association with unerupted teeth. Calcification is an important radiographic feature for the interpretation of CEOC/CCOT. The typical histopathological features of CEOC include a fibrous wall and lining of odontogenic epithelium with either columnar or cuboidal basal cells resembling ameloblasts. The treatment of choice for CEOC is conservative surgical enucleation, however, recurrence is also not found to be uncommon. Herein, we are reporting a case of the same in a 21-year-old female which was a great dilemma during the diagnostic work-up.

Lípidos anormales e inmunidad adquirida Síndrome de Deficiencia: Asociación de Suero Lípidos con estatus de VIH / Abnormal Lipids and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome: Association of Serum Lipids with HIV Status

Context and Aim: Hematological abnormalities are amongst the most common complications of infection with HIV.There have been quite a few studies on the alterations in lipid profile, too, though the results have largely been inconclusive. The present study was carried-out to assess CD4 cell counts and lipid profile in the HIV infected and AIDS patients in the Indian population and correlates them with the sero-negative controls. Materials and Methods: The present study was designed as a cross-sectional, hospital-based study to assess CD4 cell counts and lipid profile in the HIV infected and AIDS patients in the Indian population and correlates them with the sero-negative controls. Evaluation of lipid profile was done using Erba EM 360, an automated analyzer powered by a diffraction grating photometer while CD4 cell counts were evaluated using Partec Cyflow Counter. Statistical analysis used: The data was analyzed using SPSS version 15.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Comparison of the said parameters was done using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and posthoc Games-Howell test. p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The levels of total cholesterol and low-density lipoproteins (LDLs) were significantly decreased while triglycerides and very low density lipoproteins (VLDLs) were significantly increased in the HIV infected and AIDS patients when compared with the sero-negative controls. Conclusion: Total cholesterol, LDLs, triglycerides and VLDLs were significantly altered in the HIV infected and AIDS patients when compared with the sero-negative controls.

A study to evaluate cephalometric hard tissue profile of Tamil population for orthognathic surgery.

The primary aim of this study is to compare, the cephalometric hard tissue profile values and analysis between Tamil and Caucasian population. The study also aims to create a better understanding in the facial proportions of Tamil Nadu population and to have better diagnosis and treatment planning for orthognathic surgery for Tamil population in Tamil Nadu.

A Study on the Influence of the Osteotomy Slope on Bony Changes after Advancement Genioplasty.

INTRODUCTION: The slope of the osteotomy used for the genioplasty dictates the vertical change. The horizontal bony changes after advancement genioplasty are not identical to the intercortical bony changes, because the variety of osteotomy slopes result in different vertical changes. MATERIAL AND METHODOLOGY: Ten of these patients had additional osteotomies as follows: five maxillary, three mandibular and two both maxillary and mandibular. Pre-operative and post-operative (at least 6 months) lateral cephalograms were retrospectively analyzed to assess horizontal and vertical movements of the chin. The following landmarks were used, Hard tissue pogonion (Pog), Occlusal plane (OPL), Menton (Me), Menton plane (MePL). The following parameters were calculated: ΔH = H-H, ΔV = V-V, The ratio between ΔH and ΔV equals tangent α, Calculated α = inverse tangent α . RESULTS: The Mean Horizontal bony movements was 3.75 mm (SD 1.4 mm, range -6 to 15 mm). The Mean Vertical bony movements was 1.4 mm (SD 0.8 mm, range 0.5-2 mm). The Mean Measured Osteotomy slope angle was 82.2 (SD 7.4, range 75-91). The Calculated Mean Slope Angle based on the ΔH/ΔV ratio was 82.3 (SD 7.0, range 74-95). DISCUSSION: The slope of the osteotomy used for the genioplasty dictates the vertical change. The osteotomy slope angle was defined as the angle between the osteotomy and a line perpendicular to the occlusal plane. The measured angle was compared with the calculated angle deduced from the horizontal and vertical genial post-operative changes.