PALATAL RUGOSCOPY AS A METHOD OF SEX DETERMINATION IN FORENSIC SCIENCE

 Objective: The role of forensic science in establishing the personal identity is based on DNA analysis, finger print and dental analysis. When theforensic remains are decomposed making all these sources, unavailable palatal rugae served as an important aid as it is resistant to heat and placeddeep inside the oral cavity in a secure environment. Thus, palatal rugae can be used as an adjunct in the gender determination. This study wasperformed to determine the length, number and the patterns of palatal rugae in males and females on right and left side and thereby determine thegender difference.Methods: A total of 50 subjects were included in the study comprising of 25 males and 25 females. An impression of the maxillary arch was madeusing the hydrocolloid impression material (alginate). The palatal rugae were highlighted using a graphite pencil and the length, number and patternof the rugae were determined using Thomas and Kotze classification. Statistical analysis was performed to determine the two-tailed significance testto determine the significance between the two genders.Results: The wavy pattern was found to highest, followed by curved, straight, circular and unification pattern. The females showed a statisticallysignificant rise in the unification pattern, whereas males demonstrated higher amount of wavy and straight pattern based on descriptive statistics.There was no statistical difference in the length and number of the rugae in males and females.Conclusion: No two palatal rugae are alike and this forms the basis of rugoscopy. The uniqueness, overall stability and feasibility make palatal rugaean ideal forensic identification marker.Keywords: Rugoscopy, Personal identification, Gender, Marker

Antibiofilm efficacy of photoactivated curcumin, triple and double antibiotic paste, 2% chlorhexidine and calcium hydroxide against Enterococcus fecalis in vitro

Root canal disinfection is one of the most important factors governing success of root canal treatment, especially when regenerative strategies are used. This study evaluated the efficacy of 5 intracanal medicaments against mature biofilms of Enterococcus fecalis in vitro: Light activated curcumin, triple antibiotic paste (TAP), double antibiotic paste (DAP), chlorhexidine, calcium hydroxide. Untreated teeth with biofilms served as controls. Confocal microscopy was used to analyse the biofilm mass and percentage of live/dead bacteria within the root canal as well as dentinal tubules. Dentinal shavings obtained from the root canal walls (at 200 and 400 microns depth) were used to quantify the colony forming units/mL. The results showed that light activated curcumin and triple antibiotic paste brought about complete disruption of the biofilm structure (P 0.05). Light activated curcumin brought about the highest percentage of dead cells at both depths, but this was not significantly different from triple antibiotic paste (P > 0.05). Curcumin, TAP and DAP brought about a significant reduction of CFU/mL at both depths compared to the control and other groups (P < 0.05). Light activated curcumin brought about a 7 log reduction of bacteria at both depths.Link_to_subscribed_fulltex

Non vital bleaching - A non invasive post endodontic treatment option: A case report

The dental practitioner is provided with a variety of post endodontic treatment options which range from invasive methods like full veneer crowns to least invasive and aesthetic procedures like bleaching.The most important parameter in non-vital bleaching is the placement of a barrier to prevent the resorption of the tooth which has a poor prognosis. The aim of this paper was to report a case of successful non-vital bleaching by using mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) as a barrier, with follow up reports of two years. This article describes a one year follow up of a case of non vital bleaching which was performed on a root canal treated, discoloured, maxillary central incisor. By using mineral trioxide aggregate as a barrier, a mixture of sodium perborate and distilled water was used as the bleaching agent. The follow up visits showed significant improvement in the shade of the bleached teeth even after 24 months, with no evidence of resorption. This is the first paper to report on the use of MTA as a barrier for non-vital bleaching. The placement of a proper bleach barrier is the most important factor for successful intracoronal bleaching. Non vital bleaching can be considered as a safe, effective and non invasive treatment option in the management of endodontically treated, discoloured teeth.Link_to_subscribed_fulltex

Ethnopharmacological approach in Endodontic Treatment: A focused review

Endodontic or root canal treatment involved removal of infected tissue and microorganisms from within the root canal space to prevent further infection of the periradicular tissues as well as to allow healing of these tissues. This critical process involves the use of some chemical substances for disinfection of the root canal space. Several studies have shown that contemporary chemical agents [both proteolytic and acidic] do not achieve complete disinfection, and have other disadvantages like weakening of the tooth structure, predisposing to fracture of the tooth. Recently, there has been a growing trend to seek natural remedies as part of dental treatment. This may be termed as ethnopharmacology or phytotherapy. This paper aims at providing a comprehensive review that focuses on the herbal agents that have been evaluated in endodontics. It also briefly reviews the agents with potential applications in root canal disinfection. The agents reviewed include Morinda citrofolia [Indian Noni], Terminalia chebula [Triphala], Curcuma longa [Turmeric], Glycyrrhiza glabra [Liquorice], Propolis, Melaleuca alternifolia [Tea Tree Oil] and Azadirachta indica A. Juss [Neem]. © 2010 IJDDR.Link_to_subscribed_fulltex

Histologic Assessment of Debridement of the Root Canal Isthmus of Mandibular Molars by Irrigant Activation Techniques Ex Vivo

© 2016 American Association of EndodontistsIntroduction This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a new irrigation system (EndoIrrigator Plus; Innovations Endo, Nasik, India) using a histologic method ex vivo. Methods Mandibular molars with a normal pulp extracted for periodontal reasons (N = 68) were assessed for the presence of an isthmus using cone-beam computed tomographic imaging. Root canals of the included molars (n = 40) were instrumented up to a ProTaper F2 instrument (Dentsply Maillefer, Baillagues, Switzerland) using 3% sodium hypochlorite as irrigant in a closed apical design. Final irrigation delivery/activation was performed as follows (n = 10): group 1, syringe irrigation; group 2, apical negative pressure delivery with continuous warm activated irrigation and evacuation system (CWAIS); group 3, manual dynamic agitation (MDA); and group 4, passive ultrasonic irrigation (PUI). Untreated teeth (n = 5) served as histologic controls. The isthmus regions (1, 3, and 5 mm from the apex) were analyzed by hematoxylin-eosin stain to calculate the percentage of remaining pulp tissue (RPT) relative to the area of the isthmus. Results were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test (P = .05). Results CWAIS showed significantly less RPT than the other groups at all 3 root levels (P .05). Conclusions None of the methods could completely clean the isthmus. CWAIS left behind the least amount of RPT.Link_to_subscribed_fulltex

In vitro analysis of particle penetration of smokeless tobacco forms using egg shell membrane as a substrate

Aims: The aim of the following study is to determine the particle sizes of smokeless tobacco forms and thereby evaluate the degree of diffusion of the products using an egg shell membrane as a natural substrate by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Subjects and Methods: The particle size of smokeless tobacco forms namely mawa, gutka, khaini, and tobacco leaves was determined by image analysis and the products were subjected on an egg shell membrane subjected to artificial saliva along with constant grinding force. The processed egg shell membrane was then examined by SEM to evaluate the morphology and the degree of diffusion of these particles. Results: The morphometric image analysis revealed khaini to be smallest in size followed by mawa, gutka, and tobacco leaves. The control group (egg shell membrane not subjected to any products) under SEM demonstrated intricately woven collagen meshwork, which was regular in length, branched and anastamosed with each other. Khaini exposed membrane demonstrated maximum particle diffusion with disruption of collagen meshwork. Mawa exposed membranes demonstrated minimal particle penetration which were adherent to the collagen meshwork which was irregular with increased interfibrillar space. The egg shell membrane exposed to gutka demonstrated particle penetration at higher magnification with more or less a regular collagen meshwork. The tobacco leaf exposed egg shell membrane demonstrated minimal blebs on the meshwork surface. Conclusions: The degree of diffusion gradually increased with a decrease in the particle size establishing an inverse relationship