Aim: To search for mutations on the MSX1 gene and to present a genetic basis for non-syndromic tooth agenesis in conjunction with dental anomalies in a Turkish population. Materials and Methods: The patients included in this study were otherwise healthy, with ages ranging from seven to eighteen years. Eighty-two of them had one to six teeth missing (Group I) and 26 had more than six teeth missing (Group II), except for the third molars,. The missing teeth and dental anomalies were examined clinically and radiographically. The MSX1 gene was sequenced from the blood samples of patients who consented to the study. Results: Mutations or polymorphisms on the MSX1 gene were identified in six patients. Taurodontism was seen in patients from both groups I and II. The nucleotide changes were identified by mutation screening. Conclusions: Performing family studies, screening other candidate genes, and investigation of interactions between genes will provide a basis for better analysis of tooth agenesis models and their association with other dental anomalies.

Objective: To assess and compare the efficacy of 3% garlic extract, 0.2% tea tree oil, 0.2% chlorhexidine, 0.05% cetylpyridinium chloride, and ultravoilet (UV) toothbrush sanitizing device as toothbrush disinfectants against Streptococcus mutans. Materials and Methods: A double blind randomized controlled parallel study was done on 210 dental students. The subjects were divided into one control group using distilled water and five study groups representing 0.2% tea tree oil, 3% garlic extract, 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate, 0.05% cetylpyridinium chloride and UV toothbrush sanitizing device. Participants were provided with new toothbrushes and toothpastes for both baseline and intervention phases. The toothbrushes were collected after two weeks for microbial analysis in both phases. The data were analysed and compared using appropriate statistical analysis. Results: On comparing pre- and post-intervention, S. mutans colony counts, a highly significant (P < 0.001) difference was observed in all the groups. Differences of 77.74 colony forming units (CFU) in tea tree oil group, 102.87 CFU in garlic group, 68.13 CFU in chlorhexidine group, 82.47 CFU in cetylpyridinium group and 42.67 CFU in UV toothbrush sanitizer group were observed. Garlic group showed the highest reduction (100%) whereas UV toothbrush sanitizer group showed the least reduction (47.4%) in S. mutans colonies. Conclusions: The antimicrobial agents used in this study effectively reduced the S. mutans counts and hence can be considered as toothbrush disinfectants to prevent dental caries. The 3% garlic was the most effective among the antimicrobial agents.

Background: The aim of this study is to compare and evaluate the clinical outcome of the envelope-type of coronally advanced flap (CAF) alone versus envelope type of coronally advanced flap plus type I collagen membrane (NEOMEM) in the treatment of multiple buccal gingival recessions, using the split mouth study. Materials and Methods: Ten patients in the age group of 20-50 years showing bilateral gingival recessions were treated. The defects in each patient were randomly assigned as Group A, which were treated with the envelope type of CAF, and those in Group B were treated with envelope type of CAF along with the Type I collagen membrane (NEOMEM). The recession depth (RD), probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), and width of the keratinized tissue (KT) were measured at baseline, at three and six month intervals. Results: Forty-six Miller's class I and II gingival recessions were treated. In the CAF + Type I collagen membrane (NEOMEM)-treated (Group B) sites the baseline gingival recession was 2.34 ± 0.48 mm, while in the CAFtreated (Group A) sites it was 2.52 ± 0.84 mm. Both the treatments resulted in significant recession depth reduction (P < 0.001), but the reduction was significantly greater (P < 0.01) for Group B than Group A. The probing depth changes were significant (P < 0.01) for both groups, but the difference was nonsignificant. Similarly, a significant gain of CAL was seen in Group B (2.23 ± 0.75 mm, P < 0.001) as well as in group A (1.60 ± 0.86 mm, P < 0.001) showing a significant difference (P < 0.01) between the two groups. The width of keratinized tissue was also significantly (P < 0.001) increased in both groups, but the increase was significantly greater (P < 0.001) in group B (2.30 ± 1.06 mm) than in group A (1.21 ± 0.67 mm). Conclusion: The envelope type of CAF along with Type I collagen membrane (NEOMEM) was more effective than envelope type of CAF alone, in producing root coverage in multiple gingival recession defects, associated with gain in CAL as also in the width of KT.

Aim : To evaluate the substantivity of different concentrations of Chlorhexidine (CHX) to dentin disks prepared in-vitro Materials and Methods : Sixty dentin disks were prepared from extracted human third molars and divided into three groups (each containing 20 disks). All the disks were partially demineralized, as per standard procedure. Group A specimens were then treated with 10 microliters of 0.02% Chlorhexidine, Group B specimens with 10 microliters of 0.2% Chlorhexidine, and Group C specimens were treated with 10 microliters of 2% Chlorhexidine. They were then incubated in 1 ml of Phosphatebufferedsaline PBS (pH 7.4). The substantivity was evaluated after 24 hours and one week of incubation. CHX concentration in the eluates was spectrophotometrically analyzed. Results : A significant amount of CHX was found retained on the dentin disks in Group B as compared to Group C. Also, Group A performed significantly better than group C. However, no statistically significant difference was observed between Group A and Group B. Conclusion: Both 0.02% and 0.2% Chlorhexidine can be clinically recommended when being used for prolonging the durability of resin-dentin bond.

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the perceptions toward the profession, the level of explicit self-esteem (ESE) of Indian students pursuing the course of dental hygienists, to evaluate the relationship between the two and to develop educational strategies to positively influence students' perceptions. We also wished to evaluate the level of satisfaction of the students to the current status of professional employment in the country. Materials and Methods: Students in the second year of the dental hygienist 2-year course were asked to participate in a cross-sectional survey study. An instrument was used to obtain students' perceptions about the profession by estimating the dimensions of "Motivation," "Expectation" and "Environment." Their self-esteem was evaluated using the Rosenberg self-esteem scale. Relationship of self esteem scores with perceptions towards profession was then evaluated. Results: Scores for dimensions including "Motivation," "Expectation" and "Environment" were significantly high, as were the self-esteem scores. The level of ESE was positively correlated with their perceptions of the profession. Conclusions: The perception of the Indian dental hygienist students was significantly high and positively correlated to the ESE scores. We also conclude that environmental factors may be more influential than innate cultural factors for the development of self-esteem.

Oral squamous papillomas are benign proliferating lesions induced by human papilloma virus. These lesions are painless and slowly growing masses. As an oral lesion, it raises concern because of its clinical appearance. These lesions commonly occur between age 30 and 50 years, and sometimes can occur before the age of 10 years. Oral squamous papilloma accounts for 8% of all oral tumors in children. Common site predilection for the lesion is the tongue and soft palate, and may occur on any other surface of the oral cavity such as the uvula and vermilion of the lip. Here, we are presenting a case of squamous papilloma on the palate.

Odontogenic myxoma (OM) is a relatively rare benign odontogenic tumor of mesenchymal origin. OM is more common in the mandible than in the maxilla. It is an asymptomatic lesion that shows an infiltrative growth pattern. When the maxillary sinus is involved, it often fills the entire antrum. Odontogenic tumors are uncommon in the maxillary molar area, which often leads to diagnostic dilemma as this region of the maxilla is in the vicinity of vital structures, and radiographic overlapping of structures is always present. We present a similar case of a 17-year-old male patient who reported with a swelling in the left maxilla that infiltrated the maxillary sinus in a short duration of time.

Pycnodysostosis, a sclerosing bone dysplasia, is a rare autosomal recessive disorder with an estimated prevalence rate of one in one million. Patients with pycnodyostosis usually have normal intelligence, sexual development and life span. This condition is characterized by increased bone density and fragility along with oral manifestations like malposition teeth, hypoplastic maxilla, receded chin and delayed eruption of permanent teeth with discharging sinuses in the jaws because of poor blood supply. This is one such rare case report of a 47-year-old patient presenting with a complaint of fractured jaw and reviewing the clinical and radiographic characteristics of pycnodysostosis.

Hyperpigmentation of gingiva becomes more pronounced if it is associated with "gummy smile." Correction of gummy smile and depigmentation together are key to complete patient satisfaction. An 810 nm (1.5 W, pulsed) GaAlAs diode laser was used to achieve the desired results in a 22-year-old female patient. The 6-month follow-up results showed excellent color and contour of the gingiva. Mere depigmentation without correcting gummy smile may look cosmetically good but esthetically unacceptable. Diode laser was used as it is known to be an excellent tool as compared with other conventional surgical procedures in terms of patient and operator comfort.

Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas belong to a group of neoplasm originating from the cells of the lymphoreticular system that show diversity in their manner of presentation, response to therapy and prognosis. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma accounts for 80-90% of all lymphomas. Although primary intraoral lesions in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma are uncommon, it is important to be aware of them as intraoral manifestations are a presenting symptom in these patients. A 72-year-old Indian male presented with a complaint of asymptomatic swelling in the left side of the face since 1.5 months. A careful clinical evaluation supported by radiologic, histopathologic and immunohistochemical investigations will help in identifying the disease at an early stage, which will result in better prognosis.