An In Vitro Evaluation of the Smear Layer Removal Efficacy of Three Different Chemical Decalcifying Agents on Periodontally Compromised Root Surfaces: A Scanning Electron Microscopy Study.

AIM: Aim of the current research was to assess the smear layer removal efficacy of SofScale, Carisolv gel, and QMix chemical decalcifying substances on periodontally weakened radicular surfaces. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The sample size constituted 60 recently extracted periodontally compromised teeth having a poor prognosis. The samples were allocated at random to one of the following three groups (20 in each): Group I: Scaling and root planing (SRP) with SofScale, Group II: SRP with Carisolv gel, and group III: SRP with QMix. The surfaces thus subjected to treatment were washed with 20 mL of saline and the crown portion was detached at the cementoenamel junction (CEJ). Following this, samples were horizontally and vertically segmented employing a diamond circular disk with 150-200 µm thickness. Every sample segment was subjected to rinsing in normal saline and positioned in 2.5% glutaraldehyde solution in 0.1 M phosphate buffer at a pH of 7.4 for at least 24 hours. Samples were evaluated in a scanning electron microscopy (SEM) at a magnification of 2000×, and photomicrographs were assessed to establish the degree of radicular biomodification by eliminating the smear layer. RESULTS: QMix group showed the highest smear layer elimination at 3.56 ± 0.13 in pursuit by Carisolv gel at 3.64 ± 0.11 and SofScale group with 4.68 ± 0.08. The differences amid the groups were statistically significant with p <0.001. On multiple contrast assessments of smear layer elimination effectiveness of the dissimilar chemical decalcifying substances employing Tukey's HSD, statistically significant differences were noted between group I and group II, as well as group I and group III (p <0.001). However, there were no significant differences between group II and group III (p >0.001). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, QMix was noted to have a superior smear layer elimination capacity in comparison with the radicular surfaces conditioned with Carisolv and SofScale. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Modifying the surface of teeth by radicular conditioning causes the enhanced attachment of connective tissues coupled with progression in the final aim of reconstructive periodontal therapy. The utility of chemical substances along with physical management characterizes the probability of reduced trauma during treatment, avoiding the sacrifice of radicular portions of teeth.

Occurrence of micronuclei in exfoliated buccal mucosal cells in mobile phone users: A case-control study.

INTRODUCTION: The use of mobile phones has increased enormously all over the world especially among young people. This technology is based upon electromagnetic radiation in the microwave frequency range [radiofrequency (RF) waves and microwaves]. The radiation frequency and modulation standards vary in the range of 300-2100 MHz, depending on the region in the world. AIM AND OBJECTIVES: To detect the presence of micronuclei in exfoliated buccal mucosal cells of mobile phone users as well as to carry out a quantitative analysis of micronuclei in exfoliated buccal mucosal cells of mobile phone users. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out in 100 individuals, out of which 50 were included under the test group and 50 under the control group. Buccal mucosal smears were obtained from each subject. Staining was done using papanicuolau (PAP) stain and the slides were examined for the presence of micronuclei. RESULTS: The mean duration of mobile phone usage in years was 5.32 years for the exposed and 2.42 years for the control. Mean duration of mobile phone usage per day in the test group was 94.8 min and 12.4 min in the control group. The frequency of micronucleated cells (MNC) in test and control groups ranged from 0 to 16 and 0 to 2 respectively. The data obtained were statistically analyzed using Student t-test and significant results were obtained at 0.0001 level. CONCLUSION: Our study concluded that there is an increased frequency of micronuclei in mobile phone users which is related to carcinogenesis.

Quantitative analysis of tumor-associated tissue eosinophilia in different histological grades of oral squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the 8 th most common aggressive epithelial malignant neoplasm worldwide today. The eosinophil may be a "multifaceted cell" that can be associated with wound-healing processes, as well as to tissue damage which has increased the speculations around tumor-associated tissue eosinophilia in malignant tumors. The aim of this study was to detect the role and quantitative analysis of tumor-associated tissue eosinophils in different histological grades of OSCC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was carried out in sixty cases of histopathologically graded OSCCs. Tissue sections of 4 µ thickness were made from paraffin-embedded tissue blocks and were stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Eosinophils were counted under randomly selected twenty high-power (×40) fields. Data were subjected to statistical analysis using ANOVA test. RESULTS: Higher mean eosinophils were recorded in well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma (WDSCC) followed by moderately differentiated squamous cell carcinoma (MDSCC) and poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma (PDSCC) groups, respectively. The difference in mean eosinophils was found to be statistically significant between WDSCC and MDSCC (P < 0.001), as well as between WDSCC and PDSCC (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Tumor-associated tissue eosinophil count is higher in WDSCC as compared to moderate and PDSCC.

Evaluation of variation in the palatal gingival biotypes using an ultrasound device.

BACKGROUND: The dimensions of gingiva and different parts of the masticatory mucosa have become a subject of considerable interest in Periodontics. Studies assessing the thickness of the facial gingiva are often seen in the literature. The thickness of the palatal gingiva is a subject still less researched in periodontal therapy and implantology. OBJECTIVES: To measure the thickness of the palatal gingiva using an ultrasound device 'Biometric A- Scan' and to evaluate the variation in the thickness of the palatal gingiva at the sites examined. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the 50 subjects examined, the thickness of the palatal gingiva was assessed at the maxillary anteriors, premolars and molars by an ultrasound device 'Biometric A-Scan'. The results were subjected to statistical analysis using one-way ANOVA test and Newman-Keuls multiple post hoc procedure. RESULTS: Statistically significant variations existed in the palatal gingival thickness. The thickness was highest at the lateral incisor region, followed by canine, premolars, molars and central incisor. INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSION: In the subjects assessed, the thickness of the palatal gingiva at the lateral-canine area was the highest followed by the premolar area. In periodontal root coverage procedures and during implant therapy, we suggest the inclusion of the lateral incisor area, apart from the canine and premolar area, as a potential donor site for harvesting soft tissue grafts from the palatal area. However, the effect of several factors like age and sex of the patient, the anatomy of the palatal area, the influence of rugae patterns and racial and geographical differences should be taken into consideration prior to harvesting a graft from these sites. Apart from this, the study suggests that, the ultrasonographic measurements provide an elegant means of obtaining the measurements of gingival and mucosal tissues rapidly, accurately and non-invasively. Our endeavour in this research project attempts to open more avenues for studies in the field of advanced periodontal diagnosis, with the use of ultrasound, and expand the horizons of periodontal plastic surgery and implant therapy as well.

Comparison of culture and polymerase chain reaction techniques in the identification of Tannerella forsythia in periodontal health and disease, an in vitro study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Various bacterial species from subgingival biofilm have demonstrated aetiological relevance in the initiation and progression of periodontitis. The aim of this study was to detect the presence of Tannerella forsythia (Tf) in subgingival plaque of periodontally healthy subjects and chronic periodontitis patients by using both culture and PCR technique and compare the two techniques. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Pooled subgingival plaque samples were taken using sterile curettes from predetermined sites in 50 periodontally healthy subjects and from 50 periodontitis subjects. Samples were analyzed for the presence of T. forsythia using both techniques. Statistical analysis of the results was done using Chi-square test, sensitivity, and specificity tests. RESULTS: Both techniques could detect T. forsythia in subgingival plaque samples from healthy and periodontitis subjects. Periodontally healthy individuals and individuals with chronic periodontitis using the culture technique showed the presence of T. forsythia in 14 and 34%, respectively. PCR technique showed the presence of T. forsythia in 20% healthy and 40% chronic periodontitis patients. T. forsythia detection in the periodontitis group was statistically significantly higher when compared to the healthy group by both culture and PCR technique (P = 0.019 and P = 0.029). PCR demonstrated high sensitivity and low specificity when compared to the culture technique. CONCLUSION: The results indicated that T. forsythia was more prevalent in periodontitis patients when compared with healthy subjects. The PCR was found to be more sensitive than culture technique for detection of T. forsythia from the subgingival plaque samples.