Dentin degradonomics ? The potential role of salivary MMP-8 in dentin caries

Dentin caries involves dissolution of minerals which eventually leads to degradation of organic matrix. This degradation which was thought to be by bacterial proteases is now considered to be orchestrated by endogenous collagenases such as Matrix Metalloproteinases (MMPs). This paper aims to estimate the salivary levels of MMP-8 in dental caries and also to asses the various risk factors that contribute to the formation of dental caries. A random sample of 75 adults aged 18-35 were included and categorized based on the number of caries lesions (MCL). Standard clinical examinations were performed, and stimulated saliva was collected and analyzed for concentrations of MMP-8 using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Caries risk factors were assessed using a chair-side kit. Correlation of MMP-8 in varying MCL using Spearman?s correlation was done. Multiple linear regression analysis was done to asses the relationship between various caries risk factors with MMP-8 and MCL as dependent variable. The study results showed a statistically significant higher concentration of MMP-8 in carious group (MCL 1-2) and MCL ?3 compared to non-carious group. On correlating, the levels of MMP-8 were seen to be higher in MCL ?3 than in MCL = 0 and MCL 1-2. The mean MMP-8 of controls, MCL 1-2, and MCL ?3 were 131.34ng/ml, 230.14ng/ml, and 391.91ng/ml respectively. Multiple linear regression analysis with MMP-8 as the dependent variable revealed caries, buffer capacity and S. mutans count as significant variables. Using MCL as the dependent variable the only significant variable was MMP-8 levels. The study suggests that subjects with caries have elevated MMP-8 levels compared with subjects with no carious lesions. There is also a positive correlation between the number of carious lesions and MMP-8 levels suggesting that MMP-8 plays an important role in the degradation of dentin and causes progression of caries

Primary Ewing's sarcoma of the orofacial region: A narrative review

Ewing's sarcoma is the second most common bone tumor of the jaw, frequently occurring in patients aged between 5-25 years. Presentation in the jaw facilitates an early diagnosis. The objective of this review was to summarize the clinical findings, histopathology, management, and prognosis of Ewing's sarcoma of the orofacial region based on the available literature. We searched in Google Scholar, Scopus, and PubMed databases using various medical subject headings terms such as “Ewing's sarcoma” or “Ewing's tumor” and keywords such as “oral” or “jaw” or “maxilla” or “mandible” to identify the case reports and case series published in the English language between January 2011 and November 2022. We included 14 case reports for this review, with one interesting report of a patient with Ewing's sarcoma involving the masseter muscle and two case reports of tumors arising in the maxillary sinus. The most common locations were the mandible and the maxilla. Many of the clinical, radiographic, and histopathologic features were similar between the cases. Our review suggests that early diagnosis and a multidisciplinary approach may improve survival in these patients

Chondroblastic and fibroblastic osteosarcoma of the jaws: Report of two cases and review of literature

This study aims to report of two variants of gnathic osteosarcoma with highlights on the varied histopathological presentation of osteosarcomas (OS). OS present with diverse histological appearances. Despite significant advances in molecular pathogenesis and biomarkers, clinicopathologic correlation is still considered as the important criteria in diagnosis. Chondroblastic osteosarcoma in a 52-year-old female and fibroblastic osteosarcoma in a 35-year-old female. Osteosarcoma is a relatively rare disease of the oral and maxillofacial region. Regular screening and follow-up is highly recommended, as recurrence rates are higher. Thorough understanding of the histologic spectrum of osteosarcoma reduces the diagnostic difficulties in categorizing the OS and separating these neoplasms from benign bone diseases

Dental fluorosis: A histological study using Light and Confocal microscopy

Aims: To observe and characterize the histological features of fluorosed teeth under light and confocal microscope (CFM). Materials and Methods: A total of 25 fluorosed teeth and 5 normal teeth were collected from dentists across Dindigul, a known endemic area of fluorosis in South India. Ground sections of respective teeth were observed under light microscope and the sections were subsequently stained with acridine orange and studied under CFM. Results: Histological changes were observed in the ground sections of fluorosed teeth as compared with the normal teeth. Depending on the degree of fluorosis, the affected teeth showed various features of hypomineralization in enamel and dentin. Conclusions: Fluoride interacts with both mineral phases and organic macromolecules by strong ionic and hydrogen bonds resulting in incomplete crystal growth at prism peripheries. This presents as hypomineralization of enamel and dentin

Evaluating the efficacy of Centella asiatica on enhancement of oral health status in hyperglycemic patients - A randomized clinical trial

Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate the oral secretagogue, anti-microbial and immunomodulatory properties of Centella asiatica in patients with type II diabetes mellitus. Materials and methods: In-vivo and In- vitro assessment was conducted for a period of 3 months. A before and after trial for a period of 3 months of intervention was performed involving 20 participants. Unstimulated Saliva and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) samples was collected from all the participants before and after the intervention period. The effectiveness of Centella asiatica was estimated by evaluating the pre and post intervention values of salivary flow rate, salivary pH, S.mutans count, GCF flow rate, neutrophils count and alpha 1 defensin levels. Results: This clinico-interventional study inferred that after the usage of aqueous extract of Centella asiatica mouth wash, there was a high statistically significant improvement in the GCF flow rate, GCF neutrophil count and alpha 1 defensin levels from baseline to 90thday (after 3 months) (P = 0.001). The salivary flow rate, salivary pH and S.mutans colony count showed no statistically significant difference. Conclusion: The outcome of the current study enlightens the utility of ethnomedicinal plants and their usage, it is also helpful in enhancement of oral health status in hyperglycemic conditions. The current study concluded that rinsing twice with aqueous extract of Centella asiatica as mouth rinse for a period of 3 months has an immunomodulatory action. Clinical significance: Centella asiatica mouthwash can be used as an immunomodulatory agent