Hand-held X-ray device: A review

This is an era of digital revolution where the world is shifting from analogue to digital electronics. This revolution has led to the invention miniaturization of devices and one such invention is hand-held X-ray devices. With the introduction of new technology in dental radiology, there is a need to change or update old guidelines that many states use to regulate the use of ionizing radiation. Currently, there are voluntary guidelines promulgated by the NCRP for dental radiation protection. Many states use the Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors Suggested State Regulations for the Control of Radiation to regulate the use of X-ray equipment. Hand-held portable X-ray devices are increasingly used for intraoral radiography. This development introduced new challenges to operator and patient safety, for which new or revised risk assessments must be made and acted upon prior to use

Instruments to measure betel quid dependency among young and adult chewers – A systematic review with meta-analysis

Background: Betel quid (BQ) consumption is prevalent globally, majorly consumed in South-Asia and South-East Asian countries. Among the other country studies done on BQ, the focus has been on its consumption prevalence, its physiological and psychological effects, and aids to discontinue this habit. Systematic literature research on suitability of different instruments (metric or scale) to measure BQ dependency is scarce, hence pointing to the need of more evidence-based studies in this domain. Aim: The aim of the article was to identify the instruments used in the published literature to measure BQ dependency among young and adult chewers and draw a comparison. Methodology: The electronic retrieval systems and databases PubMed (Medline), Cochrane Library, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar were searched independently by two authors from January 2011 to September 2022 for the collection of desired data. Results: Among 1271 articles, 337 were duplicates and removed, 866 did not meet selection criteria. Out of 68 articles, 57 were excluded due to the lack of relevant data. Finally, only 11 articles were included for the analysis in this systematic review. Conclusion: Due to a scarcity of researches in this direction, no scale can be assigned as the best Dependence Scale, thus necessitating more such systematic reviews and meta-analysis for better comprehension and usage of present dependence scales

Unusual yet isolated oral manifestations of persistent thrombocytopenia – A rare case report

Patients with platelet-mediated disorders often present clinical manifestations of bruising and bleeding. Although these changes are detected most frequently on the skin, the oral cavity also may exhibit signs of bleeding. In this report, we describe a patient who presented isolated oral features of hemorrhagic bullae with bleeding, indicative of a bleeding disorder. Results of laboratory tests revealed severe thrombocytopenia and a careful history disclosed dengue fever as the cause. The importance of recognizing the oral manifestations of thrombocytopenia is highlighted here, since the oral cavity is a frequent site of hemorrhage and could be the only manifestation of the disease

A 3 dimensional assessment of the depth of tumor invasion in microinvasive tongue squamous cell carcinoma: a case series analysis

Background: Accurate assessment of the depth of tumor invasion (DI) in microinvasive squamous cell carcinoma (MISCC) of the tongue is critical to prognosis. An arithmetic model is generated to determine a reliable method of measurement of DI and correlate this with the local recurrence. Material and Methods: Tumor thickness (TT) and DI were measured in tissue sections of 14 cases of MISCC of the tongue, by manual ocular micrometer and digital image analysis at four reference points (A, B, C, and D). The comparison of TT and DI with relevant clinicopathologic parameters was assessed using Mann Whitney U test. Reliability of these methods and the values obtained were compared and correlated with the recurrence of tumors by Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test. 3D reconstruction of the lesion was done on a Cartesian coordinate system. X face was on the YZ plane and Z face was on the XY plane of the coordinate system. Results: Computer generated 3D model of oral mucosa in four cases that recurred showed increased DI in the Z coordinate compared to the XY coordinate. The median DI measurements between XY and Z coordinates in these cases showed no significant difference (Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test, p = 0.068). Conclusions: The assessment of DI in 3 dimensions is critical for accurate assessment of MISCC and precise DI allows complete removal of tumor

Logicon: A third eye for caries detection

Objectives: To evaluate and compare the diagnostic value of computer-assisted caries detector Logicon with other diagnostic methods. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted on 300 proximal surfaces corresponding to 150 posterior teeth. The diagnostic techniques employed comprised an ORIx 65 kV intraoral radiodiagnostic apparatus, Trophy RVG system in normal mode, and in combination with a caries diagnosis assisting program by Logicon. The same X-ray source was used for the entire study, followed by comparison with histological sections of the teeth used which were observed under light microscope. The positive and negative predictive values, sensitivity, specificity, and probability ratio were calculated. Results: Application of computer-assisted caries detector Logicon increased sensitivity for the cases where caries was extending into the dentin. In contrast, conventional radiography showed a higher specificity and positive predictive value, whereas the negative predictive values were the same for both techniques. Conclusion: This study has demonstrated that Logicon Caries Detector can enable dentists to find 49% more cases of caries penetrating the dentin than they were able to find without it

A novel treatment modality for recurrent aphthous stomatitis – Single application of doxycycline hyclate

Background and Objectives: Recurrent aphthous ulcers are common painful mucosal conditions affecting the oral cavity. Despite of so many treatment modalities, there is no specific and definitive treatment. Hence a study was carried out to evaluate the clinical effects Single Application of Doxycycline Hyclate 100 mg for Recurrent apthous Stomatitis (RAS). Materials and Methods: Forty study subjects were included in the study. Patients were randomly assigned into two groups. There were 20 patients in each group; Group A patients received Doxycycline Hyclate 100 mg in the first visit, Group B patients received placebo. The results were analyzed with unpaired 't' test. Results: The data indicated a significant reduction in pain in group A (i.e., faster reduction in pain) compared with group B. Interpretation and Conclusion: A single application of doxycycline hyclate decreased pain and speeded recovery

A clinicoradiological evaluation of the interproximal crestal bone loss using two different flap designs around dental implant

Background: The flap designs for implant surgeries have been modified over the years. We evaluated the result of flap design on the underlying bone using two different flap designs in our study. Objectives: To evaluate interproximal crestal bone loss using two different flap designs in dental implants. Materials and Methods: We conducted this study at a dental college in Maharashtra where we used 20 implants in 20 patients. Group I had 10 patients, and they were treated by the Flap A design (conventional flap). Group II had 10 patients, and they were treated by the Flap B design (non-conventional flap). Results: The mean age of group I and II patients was 29.90 ± 8.39 and 32.00 ± 7.84, respectively. A significant difference was seen between the interproximal crestal bone height between the conventional region (M1) for CV2 and the conservative region (M2) for CS2 at 90 days and 180 days (P < 0.05). There was a statistically increased sulcus depth of the adjacent tooth at the conventional region as compared to the conservative region in group II from baseline to subsequent follow-ups (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Conservative regions showed lesser crestal bone loss and a shallower sulcus depth

Unusual yet isolated oral manifestations of persistent thrombocytopenia A rare case report

s with platelet-mediated disorders often present clinical manifestations of bruising and bleeding. Although these changes are detected most frequently on the skin, the oral cavity also may exhibit signs of bleeding. In this report, we describe a patient who presented isolated oral features of hemorrhagic bullae with bleeding, indicative of a bleeding disorder. Results of laboratory tests revealed severe thrombocytopenia and a careful history disclosed dengue fever as the cause. The importance of recognizing the oral manifestations of thrombocytopenia is highlighted here, since the oral cavity is a frequent site of hemorrhage and could be the only manifestation of the disease