Fullerene molecules are composed entirely of carbon, in the form of a hollow sphere, ellipsoid, or tube. Fullerenes in the cylindrical form are called carbon nanotubes (CNTs) or buckytubes and fullerenes in the spherical form are referred to as buckyballs. The CNT represents one of the unique inventions in nanotechnology. CNTs have been studied closely over the last two decades by many researchers around the world for their great potential in different fields. Fullerenes have attracted considerable attention in different fields of science since their discovery in 1985. Their unique carbon cage structure coupled with immense scope for derivatization makes them a potential therapeutic agent. The fullerenes can be utilized in organic photovoltaic (OPV), portable power, medical purpose, antioxidants, and biopharmaceuticals and dentistry.

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Background and Objective: Dermatoglyphics are the dermal ridge configuration on the digits, palms and soles. They are genetically determined and influenced by environmental forces that are operating before birth. Several studies have shown association between dermatoglyphics and different types of cancer. Hence this study was undertaken to determine whether specific dermatoglyphic patterns exists which help in predicting the occurrence of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and oral leukoplakia. Materials and Methods: Finger and palm prints were collected using Ink method from 30 subjects with OSCC, 30 subjects with oral leukoplakia and 30 healthy controls and were evaluated qualitatively and quantitatively. Results: Arches and loops were more frequent in cases than in controls whereas whorls were more frequent in control group ( P < 0.01). Conclusion: Our study concluded that dermatoglyphic patterns may have a role in identifying individuals either with or at risk for developing oral leukoplakia and OSCC. Hence can be used to identify high risk group, so that early primary and secondary preventive measures can be instituted in order to prevent the occurrence of these lesions.

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For maintenance of the health of an individual, taste sensation is very important. It is an important sensation that serves to assess the nutritious content of food, support oral intake, and prevent ingestion of potentially toxic substances. Disturbances in the perception of taste can lead to loss of appetite, causing malnutrition and thus distressing both the physical and psychological well-being of the patient. Oral physicians are often the first clinicians who hear complaints about alteration in taste from the patients. In spite of the effect of taste changes on health, literature on the diagnosis, pathogenesis, and precise treatment of taste disorders are less. Taste changes may lead patients to seek inappropriate dental treatments. Proper diagnosis of the etiology is the foremost step in the treatment of taste disorders. Thus, it is important that dental clinicians to be familiar with the various causes and proper management of taste changes. In this article, we have reviewed related articles focusing on taste disorders and their management, to provide a quick sketch for the clinicians. A detailed search was performed to identify the systematic reviews and research articles on taste disorders, using PUBMED and Cochrane. All the authors independently extracted data for analysis and review. Ultimately, 26 articles underwent a full text review. In conclusion, the research to date certainly offers us valid management strategies for taste disorders. Meanwhile, practical strategies with the highest success are needed for further intervention.

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Aims and Objectives: This study was conducted to determine the efficacy of lycopene in the management of oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) and to compare its efficacy with intralesional betamethasone injections. Materials and Methods: Forty-four patients were divided randomly into two groups. Group I subjects were treated with 10,000 mcg of lycopene (Lyconex) daily, in two equally divided doses, for two months. Group II subjects were given intralesional injections of betamethasone. Both the groups were assessed in terms of mouth opening and burning sensation. Results: A significant improvement in mouth opening was seen in both the groups and the improvement was better in Group I. The mean improvement in mouth opening in Group I was 37.62% (12 mm) at the end of the study, which was statistically highly significant and weekly evaluation revealed that this high significance was from the third week onward, and Group II patients (only intralesional steroids) showed an average improvement of 13% (3.9 mm) at the final follow-up visit. Conclusion: Lycopene (Lyconex) is better than intralesional betamethasone injections in improving mouth opening and decreasing burning sensation.

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Aim and Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the number, types, and locations of oral mucosal lesions in patients who attended our outpatient department. Materials and Methods: The patients were divided into four groups based on age: 17–24 years, 25–34 years, 35–44 years and >44 years old. Clinical oral examination was done with diagnostic instruments using the Color Atlas of Common Oral Diseases as a guide for diagnosis. When clinical features were not diagnostic, a biopsy was undertaken. The lesions were divided into 7 major groups – normal variants, tobacco related, tongue lesions, potentially malignant disorders and oral malignancies, reactive lesions, inflammatory and pigmented lesions. Results: Among 1500 outpatients, of the 587 (39.1%) patients diagnosed with oral mucosal lesions, males were 416 (70.8%) and females 171 (29.1%). The age range of the patients was between 17 and 80 years. The overall prevalence of oral mucosal changes or lesions was 39.1%. The most commonly affected age group was >44 years. Overall, tobacco-related lesions (35.9%) were the most frequently detected conditions, followed by tongue lesions (16.1%), premalignant and malignant lesions (13.9%), inflammatory lesions (12.6%), normal variants (9.5%), reactive lesions (7.6%), and pigmented lesions (4.0%). Conclusion: The results of the present study provide important information about the prevalence of oral mucosal lesions among patients seeking dental care. The study provides baseline data for future studies about the prevalence of oral lesions in the general population.

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Here we report an unusual case of peripheral ossifying fibroma in a 57-year-old woman, who reported to the KLES Institute of Dental Sciences, Belgaum. Clinically, the lesion appeared as a nodular swelling on the gingiva. Though the possibility exists that the lesion is reactive, it appears to be true neoplastic growth and a purely soft tissue process arising from the gingiva. Thus, we proposed the term peripheral ossifying fibroma for this distinct lesion.

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Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of turmeric in oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) patients. Objectives: To check the treatment efficacy of turmeric in terms of burning sensation on Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and mouth opening, and to evaluate the group which showed the maximum improvement. Materials and Methods: 30 subjects diagnosed with OSMF were included in this study. The patients were administered commercially available turmeric; their mouth opening and burning sensation on VAS scale were evaluated at regular intervals, and the data was then compared. Results: The improvement in mouth opening was not significant; however, the change in burning sensation on VAS was significant. Conclusion: Treatment of OSMF with turmeric is an affordable and effective treatment methodology; however, further research needs to be done.

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Introduction: Estimation of age is an important aspect of forensic science. The assessment of age is useful in forensic odontology and in treatments plans of orthodontic and pedodontic patients. Aims and Objectives: The aim of the study was to determine dental age from orthopantomograph using Demirjian's method and Nolla's method. It was also to evaluate the interrelationship between chronological and dental age according to both these methods and to evaluate which technique was better. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted in the Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology of Babu Banarasi Das College of Dental Sciences (UP, Northern India). A total of 300 subjects (150 girls and 150 boys) of age group from 6 years to 15 years were enrolled. These subjects were grouped by a difference of 1 year into 10 groups (each group comprised of 30 subjects: 15 males and 15 females). For every individual included in the study a panoramic radiograph was taken, with standard parameters and adequate protective measures. Results: The results imply that Demirjian's method is applicable to all age groups and for both genders with better accuracy than Nolla's method, which had a limited utility in younger age group. Thus Demirjian's method is a better method when compared to Nolla's method in Northern Indian population.

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Aims and Objectives: To determine the prevalence of visible calcifications in soft tissues of the orofacial region in digital panoramic radiographs. Materials and Methods: Panoramic radiographs of 1615 adult male and female dental outpatients who had visited the dental college for various dental treatments were scrutinized for calcifications. Soft tissue calcifications were recorded according to gender, age, and site. Results: Patients identified with soft tissue calcifications comprised 63.41% arteriosclerosis, 45.29% calcified atherosclerotic plaques, phlebolith in 11.7%, sialolith of submandibular salivary gland in 4.3%, calcified stylomandibular and stylohyoid ligament in 4.2%, tonsillolith in 3.2% and lymph node calcification in 2.1% of the radiographs. The association of presence of calcification with age was analyzed with the Chi-square test (P<0.05). Women showed an increased prevalence of soft tissue calcifications (P<0.001). Mean age of participants with calcification and without calcification was assessed (P<0.05) using Mann-Whitney U test. Conclusion: Carotid artery calcifications were found to be high among the soft tissue calcifications and women after menopause showed an increase in the carotid artery calcifications.

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Introduction: The greatest burden of oral diseases is on the disadvantaged and socially marginalized populations. In developing countries like India, the availability and accessibility of oral health services in rural areas are limited, and the provision of oral health care is also very limited. Aims and Objectives: To assess the factors affecting the utilization of oral health services among the rural population of western Rajasthan, India. Materials and Methods: A structured self-administered questionnaire was employed as the instrument for data collection. Study was carried out for a period of 1 year in the rural areas of western Rajasthan, India. A total of 5476 people were selected. The questionnaire was explained to all the participants before the distribution, and the participants returned questionnaires after it was completed. Results: Among the total study group of 5476 subjects, 3934 were males and 1542 females. The study group was divided into five equal age groups from 20 to 60 years and above. It was found that 31.57% were illiterate and only 1.53% were graduates. One thousand, four hundred and thirty-six participants (26.22%) stated that cost of dental treatment was the major factor, followed by 1386 (25.31%) who believed in myths associated with dental treatment. Conclusion: Utilization of oral health services among the rural population has been found to be influenced by socio-demographic factors. Improving access to oral health care is a critical and very important first step to improving oral health outcomes and reducing disparities.

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Introduction: Haller cells, an anatomical variation in paranasal sinuses, have also been suggested as a causative factor in maxillary sinus disease because of their ability to cause narrowing of the infundibulum because of their complex positioning. Research in the past had suggested the probable etiology for maxillary pathology from the obstruction at the osteomeatal complex leading to localized infection and inflammation. These further proceed to the sequel of another sinus pathology. Aim and Objective: The purpose of this study was to calculate the prevalence of Haller cells and to evaluate the association of the presence of Haller cells with maxillary sinus diseases. Materials and Methods: Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) image volumes of 200 patients were retrieved from Planmeca ProMax 3D Mid machine and evaluated using Romex 3.1 software, in coronal section and keeping slice thickness of 4 mm. In total, 400 sites were analyzed for Haller cells and maxillary sinus disease. Haller cells were identified using criteria given by Mathew et al. Data obtained were subjected to the Chi-square test and Cohen' kappa test for statistical analysis and P values of <0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: Out of 400 sites, Haller cells were noted at 129 sites and reported with the prevalence of 49%. Maxillary sinus pathology was noted at a total of 144 sites out of which 68 were associated with Haller cells. Maxillary sinusitis in association with Haller cells was reported at 50 sites where as benign mucosal cyst was reported at 18 sites. Conclusion: Haller cells should be used as an important anatomical variation in maxillary sinus pathologies.

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Background and Objectives: The importance of saliva for oral health is well known. Diabetes mellitus affects the salivary gland functioning and thus alters the salivary constituents. For many years the question of the presence of glucose in saliva has been a subject of debate and only few people found correlation between serum glucose and salivary glucose in diabetics. Hence, the purpose of this study was to estimate and correlate salivary glucose concentration and serum glucose concentration in diabetics and healthy controls. Materials and Methods: 60 newly diagnosed diabetic patients and 60 age and sex matched control subjects were included in the study. Blood and saliva samples from both the groups were collected at least two hours after the breakfast. The samples were centrifuged and subjected to glucose analysis using Semiautoanalyzer (BioSystems BTS-310 Photometer). For experimental group, the samples were collected again after the control of diabetes mellitus. The statistical comparisons were performed using paired and unpaired t -test. Results: A highly significant correlation was found between salivary glucose and serum glucose before the treatment and also after the control of diabetes. The correlation between salivary glucose and serum glucose was also highly significant in controls. The levels of salivary glucose did not vary with age and sex. Conclusion and Interpretation: As there was significant correlation between salivary glucose and serum glucose, salivary glucose holds the potential of being a marker in diabetes. Further, it has an added advantage of being non-invasive procedure with no need of special equipments and with fewer compliance problems as compared with collection of blood.

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Free radicals and antioxidant therapy have attracted a great deal of attention in recent years. Antioxidants are compounds that destroy the free radicals in the body, thereby preventing harmful oxidation-reduction reactions. Antioxidants are critical for maintaining optimum health and well-being. The best sources of antioxidants are fruits and vegetables, which provide a variety of antioxidants such as Vitamins A, C, E, and carotenoids. Currently available data are compatible with the notion that these vitamins act as chemopreventives against some important cancers, e.g., carotenoids for lung cancer, ascorbic acid for salivary gland cancer, tocopherols for head and neck cancers, etc. Thus, a greater consumption of fruits and vegetables should be encouraged as they are the natural sources of these chemopreventive antioxidants along with other protective factors packaged by nature.

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Oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) is the chronic debilitating and crippling condition of oral mucosa. It is well recognised as potentially malignant disorder which is associated mainly with the use of arecanut in various forms. It is characterised by inflammation and progressive fibrosis of the submucosal tissue. The pathogenesis of the disease includes various factors like arecanut chewing, chillies, nutritional deficiencies and genetic processes. The management of OSF has been the subject of controversy ever since Schwartz first described the condition in 1952. Through this article, an attempt is made to update the knowledge regarding aetiology and its therapeutic and surgical management which improves the life expectancy of patients suffering from OSF.

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Background and Objectives: Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is a chronic condition of the oral cavity which results in permanent disability. The pathogenesis is poorly understood and the disease is difficult to treat. OSMF is associated with immunological changes (altered levels of serum immunoglobulins) and the effect of treatment (especially antioxidants and levamisole) on serum immunoglobulins (Ig) is not known. This study was carried out to evaluate the clinical effects of levamisole (VERMISOL), and antioxidants (ANTOXID) and its effect on serum immunoglobulins IgG, IgA and IgM. Meterials and Methods: Forty-five study subjects were included in the study. Patients were randomly assigned into three groups. There were 15 patients in each group; group I patients received levamisole, 50 mg three times daily for three alternate weeks, group II patients received 2 capsules of antoxid daily for six weeks, group III patients received levamisole and antoxid. The results were analyzed with paired 't' test and unpaired 't' test. Results: The results indicated that levamisole, antoxid and the combination of levamisole and antoxid showed significant improvement in mouth opening and reduction in burning sensation. Significant reduction of serum IgG, IgA and IgM was seen in the levamisole group and combination group whereas in the antoxid group significant reduction was observed only in serum IgA and IgM. Interpretation and Conclusion: Levamisole can bring about clinical improvement and is better than antoxid and the combination regimen. The addition of antoxid to the treatment regimen does not seem to have an added advantage over levamisole alone.

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Trismus is defined as a limitation in the mouth- or jaw-opening ability due to reduced mandibular mobility. Limited mouth opening can be caused by several disorders affecting the masticatory system. Most of them involve the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and the masticatory muscles. Ankylosis of the TMJ is a common cause for the occurrence of trismus. Ankylosis of the TMJ may be extra- or intra-articular. Zygomatico coronoid ankylosis is a rare type of extra-articular ankylosis. In case of limitation of mouth opening, coronoid process locking may be overlooked, because attention is generally focused on the TMJ. The union between the coronoid process and zygomatic arch may be due to bony ankylosis or fibrous ankylosis. It may follow facial fractures caused by gunshots, treated and untreated fractures of the zygomatic complex, with or without a concomitant fracture of the coronoid process, mandibular fractures, extension of the intracapsular ankylosis or due to the enlargement of the coronoid process. A review of literature has disclosed 15 reported cases of this disorder. The true incidence of this condition may be even higher. Zygomatico coronoid ankylosis may have been encountered by many clinicians, and yet may have been misdiagnosed or overlooked. The present article reports a rare entity of a post-traumatic case of trismus, for a duration of 18 years, diagnosed as right zygomatico coronoid ankylosis.

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Ossifying fibroma (OF) is a benign, non-odontogenic tumor of the jaw, a type of fibro-osseous lesion. Traditionally, this type of lesion was subclassified histologically into ossifying fibroma and cementifying fibroma according to the hard tissues formed, but both types are now known by the unified term, ossifying fibroma. It is generally accepted that the histological subclassification of these two lesions is of academic interest only since differential diagnosis is often arbitrary and their biological behaviour seems to be identical. The present article discusses the case of central ossifying fibroma in a 35-year-old female patient who presented with a swelling in premolar-molar region of left mandible which was symptom-free and present since last 6 months. The diagnosis was confirmed by histopathology.

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The term unicystic ameloblastoma (UA) refers to those cystic lesions that show clinical, radiographic, or gross features of a jaw cyst, but on histologic examination show a typical ameloblastomatous epithelium lining part of the cyst cavity, with or without luminal and/or mural tumor growth. Even though the lesion is not as aggressive as the solid ameloblastoma, an accurate histopathologic diagnosis is essential for the treatment and prognosis. Here we present 3 cases of UA showing different histologic features and coming under histologic variants of UA. These cases re-establish the fact that thorough microscopic examination of the surgical specimen is necessary for the final diagnosis of UA. Also the complexity of the diagnostic process of bone pathologies increases when the lesions are present at uncommon locations. The most important aspect governing treatment modalities in these three cases are individual considerations rather than theoretical factors.

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Keratocystic odontogenic tumor (KCOT) has been identified as a "tumor" after observation of its biological behavior and genetic abnormalities consistent with neoplastic progression. In 2005, the World Health Organization (WHO) working group considered odontogenic keratocyst (OKC) to be a tumor and recommended the term KCOT, distinguishing the lesion from the orthokeratinizing variant, which is now considered an OKC or orthokeratinized odontogenic cyst. Very rarely, KCOTs can transform into more aggressive lesions such as ameloblastoma and primary intraosseous carcinoma (PIOSCC). In this paper, we present a case of KCOT involving the angle and ramus of the mandible, with histopathologic evidence of ameloblastomatous changes. We also discuss about the evolution of this lesion from a cyst to a tumor along with the latest updates of the entity.

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Introduction: Saliva is an important diagnostic biofluid and the salivary composition is affected by various systemic conditions including pregnancy. Aims: The study was conducted to evaluate the salivary flow rate and pH in pregnant and non-pregnant Indian women and, consequently, to compare and correlate the salivary flow rate, pH, and prevalence of dental caries in both groups. Settings and Design: A cross-sectional study was conducted in our institute on a sample of 30 pregnant and 30 non-pregnant women. Materials and Methods: The clinical findings for Decayed-Missing-Filled Teeth (DMFT) index were recorded. Unstimulated whole saliva was collected to determine the salivary flow rate and pH. Statistical Analysis Used: Data were statistically analyzed using Student's t-test. Results: Salivary flow rate was lower in pregnant women (0.63 ml/min) as compared to that in non-pregnant women (0.81 ml/min) (P < 0.05) and the pH was also lesser in pregnant women (6.56) than in non-pregnant women (6.86) (P < 0.05). DMFT index showed a strong negative correlation with pH in pregnant women and non-pregnant women (P < 0.05). Conclusion: A difference was observed between the salivary parameters of pregnant and non-pregnant women in this sample. However, all the values were within the normal range. A significant inverse relation was found between salivary pH and dental caries for both the groups.

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Introduction: Panoramic radiograph is frequently prescribed by dentists for implant planning and, hence, accurate assessment of anatomical structures in panoramic radiograph is of utmost importance. Aims: The aim of the present study is to know the accuracy of panoramic radiograph in assessment of relationship between maxillary sinus floor and posterior teeth roots, and the distance from alveolar crest to nasal floor by comparing it with that of cone-beam computed tomographic (CBCT) image. Materials and Methods: Panoramic and CBCT images of 30 patients were analyzed. The topographic relationship of each root of posterior teeth to the maxillary sinus floor was evaluated and classified into three classes. The distance from the peak point on maxillary alveolar crest to nasal floor was measured in panoramic radiograph as well as in CBCT image. All the measurements were made by built-in measurement tools. Results: Class 1 roots in panoramic radiograph showed high agreement (86%) with CBCT image, followed by class 0 (76%). There was a significant difference in the measurements of alveolar bone height (ABH) in the nasal floor region with a P value of 0.018. Conclusion: Panoramic radiograph is reliable in assessment of nasal floor and maxillary sinus, provided position of the patient, distortion, and the inherent magnification factor are taken into consideration.

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Background: Although several studies have been done on lip prints for human identification in forensic science, there is a doubt about their use in gender determination. Aims: The present study was designed to study the lip groove patterns in all the quadrants of both male and female subjects to identify the sex, based on the patterns of the grooves of the lip prints. Study Design: 300 lip prints were collected from volunteers of D. J. College of Dental Sciences and Research, Modinagar (UP). Materials and Methods: Lip prints were recorded with lip stick and transferred on to a glass slide. Statistical Analysis: Pearson chi-square test was adopted for statistical analysis and probability value (P value) was calculated. Conclusion: In our study, none of the lip prints were identical, thus confirming the role of lip prints in individual identification. According to Suzuki's classification, Type I, II, III and IV patterns were significant in gender determination.

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Background: In recent times, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) therapy and placebo drug therapy have been studied widely in the management of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain; but at the individual level. Thus, it was required to compare the efficacy of TENS and placebo drug therapy in patients with TMJ pain disorders. Aims: To determine the effectiveness of TENS therapy and placebo drug therapy in the treatment of TMJ pain disorders and to compare the efficacy of both. Settings and Design: A comparative study was done with 40 subjects reporting with the chief complaint of TMJ pain by dividing them into two groups through randomization. Materials and Methods: Subjects of either sex in the age group of 18-60 years and diagnosed with TMJ pain disorders were considered and divided into two equal groups of 20 patients each as Group I and Group II. Group I patients were advised TENS therapy once in a week for 4 weeks and were followed up in the fifth week. In Group II, placebo was given once daily for 4 weeks and follow-up was done in the fifth week. TMJ pain before, during, and at the completion of the treatment was measured in terms of Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Statistical Analysis: Z-test for proportion and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used. Results: A significant improvement in the tenderness of muscles and TMJ and for maximum mouth opening bilaterally was observed in Group I during different visits. It was also observed that the average values for pain and tenderness of the muscles and TMJ in TENS therapy for the different visits including follow-up were less compared to the values in placebo drug therapy. Conclusion: TENS therapy proved to be one of the widely and most effectively used treatment modalities with its multifaceted approach toward the treatment of the TMJ pain disorders as compared to placebo therapy.

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Introduction: The evolving state of art digital technology currently available is opening new avenues in forensic odontology for age estimation methods which are subject to debate in terms of accuracy and precision. A study was carried to analyze efficacy and practical application for age estimation using digital panoramic radiographs on South Indian population. Aims and Objectives: 1. To study reduction of coronal pulp chamber using Tooth Coronal Index (TCI) on panoramic radiographs and correlate with chronologic age. 2. To establish accuracy of digital panoramic radiographs as a simple, non-invasive tool. Materials and Methods: The study illustrates the potential value of a little known aging method. The study groups comprised a total of 100 subjects of both sexes in age range of 20 and 60 years each who were subjected to panoramic radiography. A panoramic radiographic examination using digital panoramic machine was conducted on selected individuals. The TCI was calibrated using AGFA computer software for accuracy and precision. The values obtained were subjected to regression analysis, results calculated and correlated with chronologic age. In the present study a population of known age was studied and subjected to digital panoramic radiographic examination. The correlation between reduction of coronal pulp cavity and chronological age was examined. TCI was computed for each tooth and regressed on real age. Statistical Analysis Used: Pearson correlation co-efficient was used to find the significance of relationship between age and TCI. Regression analysis has been used for predicting age using TCI for premolar and molar. Inaccuracy and bias have been determined to assess the precision of prediction equations. Results and Conclusion: Prediction potential of TCI comes down for ages above 50 years and is comfortably good below 50 years without much difference between premolars and molars. This study demonstrates the potential value of TCI for age estimation.

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Every healthcare professional should be aware of Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen's discovery of X-rays over 100 years ago, which had an interesting, eventful, and dramatic history. The physicist from Germany won the first Nobel Prize in physics in 1901 for this discovery. Röntgen was one of the outstanding physicists of the nineteenth century, even without considering his best-known discovery, which opened up new vistas in research. In addition to the discovery of X-rays, Röntgen is credited with three standard components that are currently used in X-ray analysis: The fluorescent screen, the photographic plate, and a prototype of the ionization chamber method. This paper is a wordy tribute to a great scientist and presents a simplified picture of Röntgen's great discovery of X-rays.

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