Aim: The aim of this study is to compare paraffin wax that is used as routine embedding media and beeswax in impregnation and embedding of oral tissues. Materials and Methods: Ten biopsy specimens were impregnated and embedded in paraffin wax, ten biopsy specimens were impregnated and embedded in beeswax. After manual processing, all sections were stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin to compare the effect of beeswax and paraffin wax based on the features of the integrity of the section, uniformity of the stain, staining which includes nuclear details, cytoplasmic details, and background staining. Results: Beeswax showed well impregnation and embedding of the tissues as well as the preservation of the nuclear details, good cytoplasmic appearance, good tissue architecture and no bad effect on staining characteristics of the tissue. In addition, beeswax reduced the time needed for wax cooling. Conclusion: Beeswax can be used as an alternative to paraffin wax. Thus, we recommended using beeswax in our laboratories as they are widely available.

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The aim of this study is to understand the factors that influence the color stability of composite restorations. we live in a world of esthetic dentistry where esthetic tooth-colored restorations are the trend today. Composite restoration which satisfies this need of esthetic tooth-colored restorations has evolved tremendously. Although the material holds good promise in the field of esthetic dentistry, it also possesses certain disadvantages such as discoloration in the long run. This article reviews the various factors that affect the color stability of composite restorations. since patients seek better esthetic restorations, the proper color matching is important not only in the first period of service but also over a long period. Thus, awareness of the various factors that influence the color stability of composite restorations is beneficial.

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Background: Taste, gustatory perception or gustation is one of the five traditional senses that belongs to the gustatory system. Taste is the sensation produced when a substance in the mouth reacts chemically with taste receptor cells located on taste buds in the oral cavity, mostly on the tongue. The different kinds of taste include sweetness, sourness, bitterness and so on. It has been noted that the intensities depreciate with age. Objective: To observe and analyse how the taste intensities differ with respect to age in the Indian Population. Materials and Methods: 20 candidates in the age group of 18-25, 26-40, 40-50, 50 years and above where given different substsnaces to taste and asked to score the substance based on the intensity of taste. Results and Conclusion: The perception of sweet taste was higher in the 18-25 age group. The perception of bitter sensation was more above 40 years. There is a change in the perception of taste with age although the results were not found to be statistically significant. (P = 0.0892).

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Background: Pure Castor oil has been used in the medical field for its healing properties. Its non medicinal uses include it as a food additive, flavoring agent, mold inhibitor, ingredient in skin care products and cosmetics. Its used in manufacturing of lubricants, dyes,resins and paints.Castor oil is a clear colorless viscid oil and has excellent keeping quality and good refractive index. So it was tried as an alternative to DPX as mounting media. Aim: To compare and evaluate the efficacy of Castor oil with DPX as a mounting medium. Materials and Methods: Two sections from each block of 5 histopathologically confirmed cases of mucocele were taken from the archives of the department.Sections were stained with routine H&E protocol. All the processing parameters were the same and done by the same person except for the choice of mounting media.Evaluation was done by two observers who were blinded to the choice of mounting media. Result: The results were tabulated. Student unpaired t test was used for comparing the results.Even though the results were not statistically significant,castor oil showed better details of cellular architecture than DPX. Conclusion: Castor oil showed superior quality and characteristics as a mounting media on basis of clarity of cellular characteristics.But it did not adhere to the slide.It can be used as an excellent alternative if some adhesive agents can be added to it which will help in its adherence and hence help in the preservation of the slides from mechanical damage

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Context: Since the introduction of preadjusted edgewise appliances, they are being extensively used all over the world including India. There is a need to establish the tip and torque values for Angle's Class II Division 2 patients to find whether they are comparable or, in variance with those established by Andrews which forms the basis of the orthodontic treatment with most of the most preadjusted edgewise appliance systems. The present study was carried out to study tip, torque, and tooth size discrepancies in patients exhibiting Angle's Class II Division 2 malocclusion with no previous history of orthodontic treatment. Materials and Methods: Thirty patients were selected from the outpatient department who were diagnosed as having Angle's Class II Division 2 malocclusion. Alginate impressions of all the thirty patients were made for both maxillary and mandibular arches, and the study models prepared and crown angulation/tip, crown inclination/torque, and tooth size discrepancies using Bolton's analysis were measured. Results: The upper incisor torque obtained in the present study was considerably lower than all the other studies compared. The torque value of the second mandibular molar obtained in the present study differed from all the previous studies in being much higher and following the progressively increasing negative inclination seen in all other studies from canine to second molar. The lower incisors in the present study were found to be more upright than all other studies with a higher negative torque. The other studies either showed positive torque for central incisors or mild negative torque for both lower incisors. Conclusion: The results of the present study showed some similarities with that of the Andrew's and other studies in the overall pattern of tip and torque values, for example, the positive tip of all maxillary teeth except second molars. The torque values showed a pattern of positive torque for maxillary lateral incisors while negative torque for all the other teeth. However, the values for individual teeth showed many variations.

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Background: Natural teeth are the most durable organs in human body. It helps in the identification of people in mass disasters, accidents, or where the victim's bodies cannot be recognized by visual methods. Forensic odontology is the proper handling, examination and evaluation of dental evidence, which will be then presented in the interest of justice. Through forensic odontology, a dentist plays a very important role in crime investigation of any type. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and practice of forensic odontology among undergraduate dental students. Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional, institution-based survey conducted among 154 undergraduate dental students of age group 19–21 years. Simple random sampling was done. Each participant was given a questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of a set of 15 questions. Both yes or no and multiple choice questions were present. The answers received were tabulated and statistically analyzed. Results: All the participants were aware of the branch in dentistry called forensic odontology. Eighty-two percent of the participants pointed their source of knowledge about forensic odontology to be from lecture and workshops in college. More than 80% of students had good knowledge about forensic odontology. Eighty-three percent of the participants were interested to undergo a formal training in forensic odontology. 89.6% of participants said that there is a good scope for forensic odontology as a profession. Conclusion: Forensic odontologist plays a major role in medicolegal cases, there is an urgent need to promote this specialty. The dental undergraduates need to be sensitized toward this specialty and encouraged to be part of investigation and identification teams. This can help establish forensic odontology as a separate specialty under dental sciences.

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Objective: The aim is to assess the prevalence of knowledge of patients' dental radiography and safety measures of radiation. Background: Dental radiographs are being used frequently in dental practice. They are being used excessively. There exists a panic among dental patients about the safety issues about dental radiography. The knowledge and behavior of patients toward radiographic examination can affect the patient's exposure to radiation. This study gathers information about the knowledge of patients have toward dental radiographs. Materials and Methods: A questionnaire with 16 questions regarding dental radiography and radiation protection were asked to the patients. Results: There was 100% response rate. Although most of them (82%) said it was for tooth decay, 54% of the patients believed it was for gum diseases and only 19% of the patients said it was for routine checkup and 22% said they were taken for impacted teeth. A small percentage of the patients mentioned it was for all the reasons (16%). 80% felt radiography should be avoided for pregnant ladies. 37%of the patients felt radiographs should be avoided for children. Conclusion: The results shows the patients do not have a clear understanding why x-rays are taken or their benefits. There is also a definite lack of knowledge regarding the safety of dental radiographs.

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Aim and Objectives: The aim is to assess the quality of life (QOL) (any functional limitations, psychological limitations, and pre- and post-treatment anxiety levels) in patients with chronic oral mucosal disease (COMD). Background: Numerous studies have pointed out the incidence and prevalence of chronic oral mucosal lesions, though only a few have explained about QOL of these patients. The occurrence of oral mucosal diseases has a limitation on the QOL of the individual. Studies focusing on the QOL assessment in the Indian population are scanty. Hence, we carried out a study focusing on the QOL assessment. This study focuses on the assessment of QOL in patients with chronic oral mucosal lesions to make dentists aware and improve the holistic care for the patient. Materials and Methods: This study was administered as a closed-ended questionnaire survey to patients with various types of mucosal diseases. The responses collected were analyzed for specific associations between the diseases and the QOL. Results: We observed that COMDs affected a wide range of ages, majority being 51–60 years (28%). Recurrent aphthous ulcers and oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) adversely affected the QOL more than the other COMDs subgroups did. Among different disease groups, patients with recurrent aphthae had the worst QOL: 73.67 ± 5.68. Significant differences were observed between various groups: leukoplakia and OSMF, leukoplakia and recurrent aphthae, lichen planus and OSMF, and lichen planus and recurrent aphthae. Conclusion: Even after treatment, COMDs negatively affect the patients' QOL. Use of the Chronic Oral Mucosal Diseases Questionnaire may allow physicians to more effectively care for their patients with these diseases.

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Background: Oral health is an important component of general health and should be maintained during pregnancy. Physiologic changes during pregnancy may result in noticeable changes in the oral cavity. Objective: To evaluate the oral hygiene and educate the pregnant women on its importance to the developing fetus. Materials and Methods: 30 pregnant women were with no other systemic diseases were examined to assess Dental caries, gingivitis, periodontitis and any other lesion. Results: 23.3% of them had dental caries, 60% gingivitis, 10% had pregnancy associated gingival growth. Conclusion: There is a lack of dental knowledge and practices among pregnant women. Educating women to maintain good oral health is fundamental in reducing dental disease.

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Background: Oral health contributes significantly for the well-being and systemic health of human beings. Lack of oral hygiene can lead to several ailments that can impair the quality of life. Oral hygiene maintenance can be severely challenged in children with mental disorders. Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the oral hygiene status of mentally challenged adolescents in Chennai. Materials and Methods: Four residential schools housing mentally challenged children were selected for the study, and fifty children were chosen randomly from each school. Informed consent was obtained from the school authorities, local authorities, and parents. The oral hygiene status was evaluated by estimating decayed, missing, filled teeth (DMFT) index, and oral hygiene index (OHI)-simplified. Results: The mean age of the children included in the study was 15.3 ± 2.7. Out of the 200 children, 128 were male and 72 were female. The mean DMFT for the males was 2.03 ± 0.45 and 1.96 ± 0.34 for females. The mean OHI value for males was 2.41 ± 1.2 and 2.22 ± 0.96 for females. Conclusion: The oral hygiene status is poor and inadequate among the mentally challenged adolescents, and hence, meticulous training and awareness programs need to be initiated to address this concern.

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