Context: The styloid process (SP) is an anatomical structure, whose clinical importance is not well understood. Proper clinical and radiographic evaluation can detect an elongated styloid process (ESP) and calcification of the stylohyoid ligament. SP is said to be elongated if it is longer than 3 cm in length. Anatomical variations are very common. It has been reported that 2-28% of the general population show radiographic evidence of mineralization of a portion of the stylohyoid chain. SP could be elongated although symptoms are present only in some individuals. Panoramic radiography is most economical and readily available imaging modality to view the SP bilaterally. Aim: The aim of this present study was to assess the SP on digital panoramic radiographs. Subjects and Methods: The study was conducted on 500 digital panoramic radiographs available as a soft copy in our Radiology Department. These radiographs were taken using a digital panoramic system. The radiographic length of the SP was measured on both sides using the measurement toolbars on the accompanying analysis software. Statistical Analysis Used: The collected data was entered in a spreadsheet (Excel 2007, Microsoft, Richmond, USA) and was analyzed using statistical analysis software (SPSS version 17, Chicago, USA). Results: Average length of SP on the left side was 34.54 ± 7.54 mm and 33.02 ± 6.70 mm in male and female population, respectively. The average length of SP on right side was 35.30 ± 7.46 mm and 34.54 ± 7.31 mm in male and female population, respectively. The length of both styloids increased with age and males had longer styloids than females. Elongated styloids were present in 82.2% of the panoramic radiographs. Langlais type I elongated styloids were more common than others. Conclusions: Panoramic radiography is useful for detection of an ESP and/or ossification of the stylohyoid ligament in patients with or without symptoms and helps to avoid a misdiagnosis of tonsillar pain or pain of dental, pharyngeal, or muscular origin.

Objectives: Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is one of the most common premalignant conditions affecting the oral cavity of people consuming arecanut and gutka. According to the available literature, as the disease progresses the morphology of the soft palate changes. So, the objective of present study was to evaluate and compare the morphology of soft palate in individuals with and without OSMF, using digital lateral cephalogram. Materials and Methods: Sixty male individuals were selected and divided into three groups, Group I-20 individuals (habit group), Group II-20 individuals (OSMF group), and Group III-20 individuals (individuals with no habit and/or OSMF group). The morphology of soft palate was assessed using digital lateral cephalogram. Statistical analysis was carried out using Scheffe multiple comparison test. Results: The superoinferior dimension of soft palate was increased with statistically significant difference in the habit and OSMF groups. The anteroposterior dimension was reduced in the habit group as compared to normal individuals, with statistically significant difference in the OSMF group. The type of soft palate more common in normal individuals and habit group was type 1 and 2, while type 6 was seen more commonly in OSMF group. Conclusion: Cephalometry can be efficiently used to assess the morphology of soft palate and the morphology of soft palate is altered in individuals with the habit even before the development of OSMF. So, cephalometry can be beneficial in assessing fibrosis in individuals with the habit at an early stage, which can further help in prognosis.

Background: Patients' satisfaction and complication rates of removable partial dentures (RPDs) can affect patient acceptance and compliance in using RPDs. This study aims to determine complication and satisfaction rates in patients wearing RPDs. Materials and Methods: Patients that were treated with RPDs at the Prosthodontic Department in the last 4 years (2010-2014) were invited for a clinical examination. Demographic information and RPD characteristics (Kennedy classification; edentulous jaw: Upper versus lower; clinician: General dental students or prosthodontic residents; denture type: Cobalt-chromium or full acrylic) were recorded. The patients' satisfaction was measured on the basis of four criteria: Mastication, esthetic appearance, speech, and comfort components by a visual analog scale. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 18 using Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests (P < 0.05). Results: A total of 60 patients (30 men and 30 women, age range, 37-64 years) were evaluated. The most common complications were food impaction (68.3%), ridge resorption (63.3%), loss of support (36.7%), abutment caries (36.7%), loss of retention (35%), and pain and discomfort (30%). The patients reported a moderate level of satisfaction (6.2 out of 10). Higher satisfaction scores were significantly associated with older age, upper RPDs, and RPDs fabricated by prosthodontic residents (P < 0.05). Gender, Kennedy classification, and denture type had no significant effect on patient satisfaction (P > 0.05). Conclusion: The findings of this study revealed that RPD complications were not uncommon. The clinicians' experience can influence postinsertion patient satisfaction and complication rates.

Ischemic stroke refers to a focal neurological deficit attributable to the conditions created by the occlusion of an intracranial artery. We investigated how screening for abnormal glucose metabolism in acute ischemic cerebral apoplexy inpatients might be used to develop a more reasonable treatment plan and improve the prognosis of patients with acute ischemic stroke. A total of 686 patients with acute ischemic stroke, hospitalized from January 2007 to December 2010 in the neurological department of the first affiliated hospital in China Shantou Medical College, was examined in this study. We recorded each patient's sex, age, smoking history, height, weight, blood pressure, waist circumference, random blood glucose, and fasting blood glucose, also noting if the patient had a record of having high blood sugar. In addition, we conducted a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) for undiagnosed diabetes patients in order to determine the status of glucose metabolism. We find that there were 368 (66.1%) cases of hospitalized cerebral vascular disease patients with abnormal glucose metabolism of which 185 (33.2%) cases are diabetes, and 183 cases (32.9%) are with impaired glucose regulation, and 189 cases (33.9%) are with normal glucose tolerance. Totally, 130 cases had been diagnosed as diabetes before their admission, accounting for 23.3% of all patients. Totally, 427 patients are without diabetes history, however, 29 diabetes cases (accounting for 15.7% of all diabetic patients) were found after a non-OGTT. We concluded that patients with acute ischemic stroke are often associated with abnormal glucose metabolism, and so OGTT screening tests will help doctors to recognize acute ischemic stroke patients.

Fibroblasts are ubiquitous mesenchymal cells, normally present in the stroma of many tissues of the body. They exhibit spindle shape morphology. There is phenotypic heterogeneity among fibroblasts. Fibroblasts are generally stress shielded by cross-linked extracellular matrix (ECM). This protective structure is lost as it differentiates to myofibroblasts (MFs). MFs are characterized by bundles of actin microfilaments (stress fibers) containing α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). Diverse cell types contribute to the appearance of MF subpopulation. A soluble factor transforming growth factor-β1 is considered a major growth factor that directly promotes MF development by inducing α-SMA expression. Modulation of fibroblast to MF represents a key event in wound healing process. They are also known to be involved in diverse reactive proliferative conditions, pathological remodeling, fibrosis, oral submucous fibrosis and in stroma of invasive and metastatic carcinoma odontogenic cysts/tumors and odontogenic cysts/tumors. This review describes its functions, evolution, multiple origins, and highlights on its role in the pathological state in relation to the oral cavity.

Infections in dental practice may be transmitted by several routes, including direct contact with blood, oral fluids, or other secretions, through indirect contact with contaminated instruments and surgical equipments, through contact with aerobiological contaminants present in either droplet spatter or the aerosols resulting from oral and respiratory fluids. Preventing the spread of air borne infection is gaining importance in dental set ups because a large number of bacteria and viruses are transmitted through this route and prove to be a health hazard for both patients and dental health care personnel. High-efficiency particulate arresting (HEPA) air filters are very effective in reducing bioaerosols, and hence, preventing air borne infection. This paper discusses the role of HEPA filters in controlling air borne infections in dental clinics.

Periodontitis is an inflammatory process causing gradual destruction of the periodontal tissues and alveolar bone loss. Various periodontal therapies have been introduced to lower the destruction, statin being one among them. They are cholesterol-lowering drugs which promote bone formation, hence proven to be effective in periodontal therapy. This article reviews the effects of statin and examines its potential role in periodontal regenerative therapy.

The tooth and its supporting structures should be viewed as one biologic unit. An understanding of the periodontal-restorative relationship is necessary for the proper form, function, and esthetics of restoration and comfort to the patient. The dimension of the space that the healthy gingival tissue occupies above the alveolar crest is known as the biologic width. The concept of biologic width gains importance in the case of extensive caries management, subgingival margin placement, crown/root fractures, orthodontic banding, subgingival perforation and post, and core placement in endodontic therapy. Biologic width is important for the preservation of periodontal health which eventually decides the success of restorative procedures. This article discusses the anatomy, categories, evaluation, violation, and methods to correct the violation of biologic width.

Pyogenic granuloma (PG) is considered a reactive tumor like lesion seen in the oral cavity caused due to low-grade local irritation, traumatic injury, or hormonal factors. It occurs most commonly in the gingiva, and also lips, tongue and buccal mucosa are the other common sites. The present case reports a localized inflammatory hyperplasia of the maxillary gingival of a 49-year-old female patient which was interfering with occlusion. Excisional biopsy of the lesion revealed findings suggestive of PG. The patient showed no sign of recurrence in a 2 years follow-up. This article seeks to give a comprehensive review of oral PG with its etiology, clinical features, treatment, and multiple differential diagnoses.

Pathological migration of anterior teeth is an esthetic and functional problem that may be associated with advanced periodontal disease. It is defined as a change in tooth position resulting from disruption of the forces that maintain teeth in a normal position in relation to their arch. The disruption of the equilibrium in tooth position may be caused by several etiologic factors. These include periodontal attachment loss, pressure from inflamed tissues, occlusal factors, oral habits such as bruxism, tongue thrusting, and the playing of wind instruments, loss of teeth without replacement, a labial frenum, gingival enlargement and iatrogenic factors. However according to the literature, the destruction of tooth-supporting structures is the most relevant factor associated with pathologic migration. Unfortunately, pathologic tooth migration can be associated with esthetic damage of smile line, reducing patient's self-esteem. To solve both issues, therefore, a combination of orthodontic and periodontal treatment is often needed.

Placement of an implant in an edentulous area requires an adequate alveolar architecture that can be conserved by extraction socket preservation technique minimizing the necessity for future augmentation procedures. Use of osteobiologics such as deproteinized bovine bone, assures osteoblastic attachment, and differentiation in socket resulting in reliable bone formation. This article describes the technique utilizing xenograft with a membrane that gave successful regeneration of the deficient ridge's hard and soft tissues after 6 months posttherapy as determined clinically and radiographically. Socket preservation surgery utilizing deproteinized bovine bone with collagen membrane is an effective procedure for posterior socket preservation that aids in providing sound bone quality for successful implant placement.

The presence of multiple supernumerary teeth in nonsyndromic patients is uncommon. In these patients, the prevalence of extra teeth in the molar regions of both jaws is rare. This study aimed to present a rare case of a 27-year-old woman, with nonsyndromic multiple distomolar supernumerary teeth causing vague and diffuse pain in periauricular, temporomandibular joint, and temporal regions. Impacted third molar and distomolar that were in a close contact with inferior alveolar nerve canal were extracted with minimum bone removal.

The loss of all or part of a finger following traumatic amputation may have a negative impact on physical and psychological well being. An esthetic prosthesis can offer psychological, functional, and rehabilitative advantages. The success of a prosthetic restoration primarily depends on its retention. This clinical report portrays a method to fabricate silicone rubber prosthesis for a patient who has a partial finger loss caused due to trauma.The methodology of treatment is also explained. Silicone material was used to provide function and esthetics.