Oral submucous fibrosis is a clinically well-established condition. The prevalence rate ranging from 0.2% to 0.5%, with a known malignant potential. Extensive research has been carried out by various researchers in different parts of the country to study various aspects of the disease. However, to the best of our knowledge no such study has so far been carried out in Marathwada Region of Maharashtra. Hence it was decided to carry out a clinical study of oral submucous fibrosis patients reporting at Government Dental College and Hospital, Aurangabad, to find out the clinical pattern of presentation and various associated habits prevailing in this region. The study showed male preponderance affecting individuals in second and third decades of life. All the patients had the habit of chewing betel leaves, betel nuts, tobacco, gutkha, alone or in various combinations. The associated causative factors were high chilli intake, nutritional deficiencies, and the clinical features were varied such as burning sensation, intolerance to spicy food, restricted mouth opening and difficulty in speech and deglutition. Histopathology was the characteristic of OSMF and was consistent with clinical grades of the disease but could not be corelated to the degree of mouth opening. The study of 101 cases of oral submucous fibrosis is reported.

Saliva plays a key role in the maintenance of oral health. Xerostomia or reduced salivary flow is a common clinical complaint that predisposes individuals to oral diseases and considerable discomfort that may manifest as increased incidence of caries, susceptibility to oral Candidiasis, altered taste sensation, glossodynia and numerous other problems. Xerostomia may occur with the use of medication; as a complication of connective tissue and autoimmune diseases; with radiation to the head and neck region; or with a number of other systemic or local conditions. Investigations for xerostomia include a thorough clinical and oral examination; salivary flow rate estimation; radiologic and histopathologic examination of the salivary glands. Clinical laboratory tests are also indicated to help in the diagnosis. Patient education plays a vital role in the management of Xerostomia. The general approach to treatment consists of palliative treatment for the relief of symptoms and prevention of oral complications. Relief of symptoms may be achieved by paying rigorous attention to personal oral hygiene; diet counseling; drug substitution/dose modification. Salivary flow may be enhanced by using medication or by gustatory stimulation. Artificial saliva substitutes may be used for relieving symptoms. Alternative therapy like acupuncture may be sought if conventional treatment has failed to offer relief. Complications like increased incidence of dental caries, candidiasis, difficulty in using dentures, usually associated with Xerostomia can be managed by giving rigorous attention to personal and professional oral hygiene measures; strict adherence to non cariogenic diet; placement of sealants and topical fluorides; and anti-fungal therapy.

Objectives: To assess the haemoglobin level in patients with Oral Submucous Fibrosis and compare it with healthy subjects. Material & Methods: Patients reporting to Dept. of Oral Medicine, Diagnosis and Radiology KLES's Institute of Dental Sciences, Belgaum, who were clinically diagnosed as Oral Submucous Fibrosis were subjected to haemoglobin level estimation by using Sahli's method. This was compared to age and sex matched subjects. Result: Haemoglobin levels were low in patients with Oral Submucous Fibrosis compared to control, suggestive of anemia in these patients.

Tobacco causes a wide spectrum of diseases. Its use is the world's leading cause of death accounting for four million deaths per year. There is a general concept among the younger generation that chewing tobacco (spit tobacco, smokeless tobacco) is safe or less harmful than smoking, which has led to an increase in tobacco chewing habit. Chewable tobacco is a greater health hazard having 24 - 30% higher tobacco content. In addition to oral cancer chewing tobacco leads to impaired functions of heart, nerves, brain and altered hormonal activities. Users of manufactured tobacco products like gutkha, pan parag etc. also present with an increasing incidence of oral submucous fibrosis; of concern is that this is of early onset. In this context patients coming to the OP clinic of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Dental College, Trivandrum were screened for OSF during the period Jan 2003 - Oct 2003. The clinical presentation of OSF in patients using these manufactured smokeless tobacco products or Betel quid spices was documented and were compared with the results of a similar study conducted in the department during the period May 1993 to Feb 1994.

Sialolithiasis is the occurrence of the calcareous deposits in the salivary glands and ducts. Common site of involvement is submandibular and parotid glands and ducts. This prevents the free flow of saliva and stagnation under pressure producing pain and swelling. Many conditions result in salivary duct occlusion such as tumors, foreign bodies, scars, polyps and mucosal plugs. Sialolithiasis is often treated by different modalities. Small stones can be removed by manipulation or use of sialogogues. Larger stones always require surgical removal of the obstruction, sometimes necessitating gland removal. The diagnosis and treatment of obstructions can be problematic because of the limitations of standard imaging technique. With the introduction of salivary gland endoscopy, there has been a major step forward not only in providing an accurate means of diagnosis and locating intraductal obstructions but also in permitting minimally invasive treatment that can successfully manage those blockages not accessible intraorally.

Subacute necrotizing Sialadenitis (SANS) is a recently described non-specific inflammatory condition of unknown etiology affecting oral minor salivary glands. The lesion is most often characterized by a self-limiting localized palatal swelling, accompanied by an abrupt onset of pain. Although SANS has been questioned as an entity by some investigators who prefer to include it within the spectrum of necrotizing sialometaplasia, there are justifications to consider SANS to be separate entity based on the clinical and histopathological parameters. A case of subacute necrotizing sialadenitis in a young man is discussed.

Tumors originating in the parapharyngeal space are rare comprising fewer than 1 % of all head and neck neoplasms. Pleomorphic adenoma is the most common salivary gland neoplasm. Most cases of parotid derived pleomorphic adenoma originate in the superficial lobe. More rarely, the tumour occurs in the deep lobe of the parotid gland. Here, we present a case report of pleomorphic adenoma of the parotid gland involving the parapharyngeal space.

Pleomorphic Adenoma (P A), the most common benign tumor of salivary gland, is common to occur in parotid gland and the submandibular gland. However, as far as minor salivary glands are concerned, the most common site is hard palate and very few cases are reported to occur in soft palate. In the present case report, one case found in soft palate, three cases involving hard palate and one case is found extra orally involving submandibular gland. All the cases were diagnosed on the basis of clinical features. CT Scan report (as in case I) and confirmed by histopathological report. The patient was given palliative radiotherapy due to poor cardiac condition of the patient. Other cases were treated with surgical excision. Follow up examination of all five cases was done for different durations. No re-occurrence was reported.

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma is a malignant epithelial tumour of the salivary glands. It is an unusual type of a tumour in that it varies in its aggressiveness from a low-grade slow growing to high-grade rapidly growing behaviour. Low grade mucoepidermoid carcinomas maybe masqueraded in their clinical presentation, thus need to be looked at with a suspicious eye. We present two intraoral cases of this unique tumour.

Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS) is an unusual disease entity afflicting many body systems. It is a hereditary disorder of the connective tissue. Dental manifestations are described. Attention is drawn to the role of the dentist in diagnosing a generalized disorder.

Sexually transmitted diseases are posing a growing public health problem on a global and national scale. Clinicians are increasingly likely to come across associated oral manifestations. We present a case of oral mucosal lesion caused by syphilis. The purpose of the report is twofold: To focus attention on syphilis as arising problem for the dental profession hence attention should be paid to all suspicious lesions and to stress the seriousness of these illnesses and steps that have to be undertaken immediately and deliberately to prevent a pandemic of STDs in our country.

Pyogenic Granuloma is a common benign reactive lesion of the oral cavity and skin. Precise mechanism of its development is unknown. Multiple factors are being investigated to understand exact etiology of the lesion. Treatment is indicated to alleviate bleeding, discomfort and cosmetic distress. Recurrence rate is low.