Areca nut and its role in oral submucous fibrosis

Areca nut, commonly called as betel nut or supari, is a fruit of areca catechu palm tree, which is native of South Asia and Pacific Islands. The seed or endosperm is consumed fresh, boiled or after sun drying or curing. Chewing areca nut is thought to have central nervous system stimulating effect and along with this it is known to have salivary stimulating and digestive properties. According to the traditional Ayurvedic medicine, chewing areca nut and betel leaf is a good remedy against halitosis. It is also used for its deworming property. Along with these beneficial effects of areca nut one of its most harmful effects on the human body in general and oral cavity in particular is the development of potentially malignant disorder called Oral Submucous Fibrosis. The present paper discusses in detail the effects of the components of areca nut on pathogenesis of Oral Submucous Fibrosis

Bilateral fusion in primary mandibular teeth

Fusion has been described as a developmental anomaly characterized by the union of two adjacent teeth. Few cases of this rare anomaly in primary dentition have been reported in Indian population. A rare case of bilateral fusion between primary mandibular lateral incisors and canines is presented in this report

The Role of Serum Copper and Iron in Oral Submucous Fibrosis

Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is a chronic insidious disease of multifactorial etiology. The habit of chewing arecanut is thought to be one of the most important etiologic factors. Copper and iron are elements in the human body that form part of important enzymes. We estimated the serum copper and iron in patients with OSMF as well as normal controls and discuss the role of these elements in the etiology of OSMF

Fusion of deciduous central incisors

Fusion is a common dental anomaly affecting both primary as well permanent dentitions. Fusion is the union between two normally separated tooth germs. The problems associated with fused teeth are esthetics, arch symmetry, spacing, and malocclusion. These problems require cosmetic and orthodontic consideration

NON SYNDROMIC BILATERAL CONGENITAL LIP PITS: A CASE REPORT

Lip pits are a rare developmental entity that affects the region of upper and lower lips or the commissure of the lips. Most often the condition is associated with syndromes constituting other features apart from lip pits. Its occurrence in the non syndromic individuals is extremely rare. We hereby present as non syndromic case of lip pits

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the anterior maxilla: A rare entity

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma is the second most common salivary gland tumor primarily involving major salivary glands and intraoral minor salivary glands. Although rare, it can occur in the jaw bones, but it is very rare in the maxillary anterior region. Here, we present a case of mucoepidermoid carcinoma occurring in maxillary anterior region in a 33-year-old male patient presented as painless swelling clinically appearing similar to a periapical or nasopalatine cyst. The final diagnosis of this lesion was made after microscopic examination of biopsy specimen

Herniation of antral membrane through oro-antral fistula with polyp formation-a case report

Oroantral communication fistula is a common complication of dental extraction of posterior maxillary teeth. The occurrence of herniation of the antral membrane with large polyps extending through fistula into the oral cavity is rare. Here we report a case of herniation of an antral polyp through an oroantral fistula, appearing as a polypoid lesion in a female patient aged 24-year-old, who underwent an extraction of her upper molar two months ago. The soft tissue mass was asymptomatic, red in colour and nontender to palpation, involving the alveolar ridge in the maxillary molar area. Patient underwent surgical removal of the soft tissue mass followed by closure of the oroantral fistula

Ameloblastic Carcinoma - A Case Report

Ameloblastic carcinoma is a rare odontogenic tumor in which there is histological evidence of malignancy in the primary or recurrent tumour, regardless of whether it has metastasized. The accurate diagnosis of this tumour is important as it resembles clinically and histologically a host of other entities. We present a case of ameloblastic carcinoma occuring in 65 years old male and discuss other lesions which may mimic ameloblastic carcinoma