Oral manifestations in diabetic patients under treatment for ischemic heart diseases: A comparative observational study

Objective: To assess the oral and dental manifestations in the nondiabetic and diabetic groups who were under treatment for ischemic heart disease (IHD) patients. Materials and Methods: A total of 167 IHD patients who were under treatment for IHDI s were considered for the study. After seeking permission from various hospitals in and around Bhimavaram, both inpatients and outpatients-files were screened-for presence of IHD from the available data. After selecting the study population, patients were checked for absence of diabetes and grouped accordingly. Subjective symptoms such as dry mouth, taste changes, and tongue or mucosal pain were evaluated and recorded as present or absent in the pre – prepared proform and dental assessment consisted of decayed, missing, filled, teeth (DMFT) index and Community Periodontal Index (CPI). Results: Subjective oral manifestations of dry mouth, taste changes, and tongue or mucosal pain showed statistically higher score in the diabetic group with a P value of <0.001. The overall DMFT index score was statistically higher in the diabetic group with a P value of <0.001. The overall CPI index score was statistically higher in the diabetic group with a P value of <0.001. Conclusion: From the study it is concluded that the subjects with IHD are at higher risk for developing periodontal disease, dry mouth, taste changes, and tongue or mucosal pain. The dental and periodontal health status of IHD patients in this study in the diabetic and nondiabetic groups is nearly comparable. Thus, oral health maintenance is of utmost importance in this diabetic group. It is recommended that subjects should be regularly examined by dentists for proper care

Primary Malignant Melanoma of Maxilla: Report of a Case with Discussion

Primary oral malignant melanoma, very rare neoplasm of melanocytic origin, usually presents as a bluish black to tan-brown colored lesion Which is accounting for 0.2 to 8% of all melanomas, 1.6% of all head and neck malignancies, and 0.5% of all oral neoplasia. In general, the prognosis of oral melanoma is poor and worse than that of cutaneous melanoma. Here a case of oral malignant melanoma is presented, which was undetected during the first visit to a dental clinic. When a simple oral surgical treatment was carried out in that region, it resulted in the appearance of a massive pigmented lesion which was histopathologically diagnosed as malignant melanoma. This paper is presented to reemphasize the fact that any pigmented lesion in the oral cavity should be viewed with suspicion and proper investigation (biopsy) should be carried out to rule out any untoward experiences later