Occlusal morphology in identification of individual – A useful forensic tool

Dental evidence can now be employed with reasonable reliability & also as an adjunct in the Identification of an unknown body or remains. Dental tissues are the strongest tissues in the human body and therefore their characteristics remain unchanged even after long periods of stay in extreme environments. When combined, occlusal features of the each arch are unique for an individual and easy to compare with antemortem dental record and may of great help in identifying an Individua

Intramuscular hemangioma of masseter muscle: A report of unique case

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Even though hemangiomas are prevalent tumors in the region of head and neck, they are comparatively rare inside the mouth and less frequently detected by dental professionals. Therefore, the aim of this case report is to present such a rare variation of hemangioma manifested within the substance of the masseter muscle. CASE REPORT: We report a unique case of intramuscular hemangioma of masseter muscle in a 26-year-old woman complained of growth and swelling in the right cheek since 6-8 months before. The growth was surgical excised and diagnosed histopathologically as intramuscular mixed capillary with cavernous hemangioma. CONCLUSION: Hemangiomas are rarely seen intramuscularly. This case presents an intramuscular hemangioma occurring within the masseter muscle. Early detection and management is required in order to avoid the potential complications associated with it. KEYWORDS: Capillary; Cavernous; Hemangioma; Vascular Malformation; Benign Tumo

Occupational concerns associated with regular use of microscope

Objectives: Microscope work can be strenuous both to the visual system and the musculoskeletal system. Lack of awareness or indifference towards health issues may result in microscope users becoming victim to many occupational hazards. Our objective was to understand the occupational problems associated with regular use of microscope, awareness regarding the hazards, attitude and practice of microscope users towards the problems and preventive strategies. Material and Methods: A questionnaire based survey done on 50 professionals and technicians who used microscope regularly in pathology, microbiology, hematology and cytology laboratories. Results: Sixty two percent of subjects declared that they were suffering from musculoskeletal problems, most common locations being neck and back. Maximum prevalence of musculoskeletal problems was noted in those using microscope for 11–15 years and for more than 30 h/week. Sixty two percent of subjects were aware of workplace ergonomics. Fifty six percent of microscope users took regular short breaks for stretching exercises and 58% took visual breaks every 15–30 min in between microscope use sessions. As many as 94% subjects reported some form of visual problem. Fourty four percent of microscope users felt stressed with long working hours on microscope. Conclusions: The most common occupational concerns of microscope users were musculoskeletal problems of neck and back regions, eye fatigue, aggravation of ametropia, headache, stress due to long working hours and anxiety during or after microscope use. There is an immediate need for increasing awareness about the various occupational hazards and their irreversible effects to prevent them

Micronutrients and Oral Health an Opportunity to Prevent Oral Diseases

Nutrition plays an important role in oral health as it affects the growth of craniofacial, dental and periodontal structures. When adequate food is not unavailable, oral health may be impaired, and even overexposure to the diet may also inversely affect. Therefore, there is interdependency between nutrition and oral health. The importance of Micronutrients in normal function is becoming increasingly apparent and insufficient micronutrient intake has both short term and long-term consequences. Micronutrient assessment of suspected individual and appropriate supplement therapy may assist in dental disease prevention

Cysts of the periapical region in children: A 19-year institutional review

Background: There are very few studies that have been done specifically on cysts of the periapical region in children. Aim: To do a retrospective analysis of specimens received as cysts of periapical region in children. Design: A Total of 3142 oral biopsies received over a period of 19 years (1987- 2005) at the department of oral pathology A.B. Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences, Derelakatte, Mangalore, India were retrieved and all paediatric oral biopsies were further histopathologically analyzed. Results: Our study found that 39% of the total paediatric oral biopsies received were cysts and the commonest cyst was radicular cyst (43.3%) followed by dentigerous cyst (20.6′0), odontogenic keratocyst (8.6′0) and lateral periodontal cyst (1.7%) which was different from most reported studies. Conclusion: Radicular cyst is the commonest cyst reported in this study which is different from most reported studies probably because of the type of biopsies received at our institute

Desmoplastic Ameloblastoma of the Mandible

The Desmoplastic Ameloblastoma exhibits important differences in anatomical distribution, histologic appearance and radiographic findings compared with the classic type of ameloblastoma. We describe a case of desmoplastic variant of ameloblastoma localized in the mandibular anterior portion of the jaw, extending posteriorly in the left side. The tumor was expansile, slowly growing and painless. The radiographic finding showed diffuse, radiolucent lesion with cortical bone expansion. Surgical excision was performed and follow-up examination done after two years disclosed no recurrence. The purpose of this article is to assist in better understanding of this variant of odontogenic tumor. _______________________________________________________________________________________ Keywords: Ameloblastoma; desmoplasia; mandible; odontogenic tumor

Desmoplastic Ameloblastoma of the Mandible

The Desmoplastic Ameloblastoma exhibits important differences in anatomical distribution, histologic appearance and radiographic findings compared with the classic type of ameloblastoma. We describe a case of desmoplastic variant of ameloblastoma localized in the mandibular anterior portion of the jaw, extending posteriorly in the left side. The tumor was expansile, slowly growing and painless. The radiographic finding showed diffuse, radiolucent lesion with cortical bone expansion. Surgical excision was performed and follow-up examination done after two years disclosed no recurrence. The purpose of this article is to assist in better understanding of this variant of odontogenic tumor. _______________________________________________________________________________________ Keywords: Ameloblastoma; desmoplasia; mandible; odontogenic tumor

Occupational concerns associated with regular use of microscope

Objectives: Microscope work can be strenuous both to the visual system and the musculoskeletal system. Lack of awareness or indifference towards health issues may result in microscope users becoming victim to many occupational hazards. Our objective was to understand the occupational problems associated with regular use of microscope, awareness regarding the hazards, attitude and practice of microscope users towards the problems and preventive strategies. Material and Methods: A questionnaire based survey done on 50 professionals and technicians who used microscope regularly in pathology, microbiology, hematology and cytology laboratories. Results: Sixty two percent of subjects declared that they were suffering from musculoskeletal problems, most common locations being neck and back. Maximum prevalence of musculoskeletal problems was noted in those using microscope for 11–15 years and for more than 30 h/week. Sixty two percent of subjects were aware of workplace ergonomics. Fifty six percent of microscope users took regular short breaks for stretching exercises and 58% took visual breaks every 15–30 min in between microscope use sessions. As many as 94% subjects reported some form of visual problem. Fourty four percent of microscope users felt stressed with long working hours on microscope. Conclusions: The most common occupational concerns of microscope users were musculoskeletal problems of neck and back regions, eye fatigue, aggravation of ametropia, headache, stress due to long working hours and anxiety during or after microscope use. There is an immediate need for increasing awareness about the various occupational hazards and their irreversible effects to prevent them