Fluorosis is a world-wide prevalent endemic disease due to high-fluoride water intake, especially in the developing countries. Among the various environmental etiological factors, the influence of high-fluoride water intake on the periodontium is still unexplored. With this background, we conducted a group of epidemiological and in vitro studies in a single group of the population residing in high-fluoride water areas (1.5-3.0 ppm) of Davangere district, Karnataka, India. The studies not only explored an epidemiological association between fluorosis and periodontal disease, but also the influence of fluorosis on periodontal structures along with the comparison of influence of periodontal treatment on fluorosed and nonfluorosed teeth. These preliminary studies conducted in our institution are hereby elaborately presented and discussed in this article along with their important conclusions. The results of these studies necessitate further exploration of the influence of high-fluoride water intake on the periodontium in other affected populations of the world.

Microbial members of the subgingival plaque community play a major role in the initiation and progression of periodontal diseases. Majority of these bacteria are anaerobic in nature and several anaerobic systems have been used for their cultivation. Among them anaerobic jars are the most popular and are routinely used for the detection of periodontal pathogens from clinical samples. Despite best efforts, a significant portion of oral microbes have not yet been cultivated and several hypotheses have been put forth to explain this anomaly. This has led to renewed efforts to cultivate the oral bacteria so far identified only by their molecular signatures resulting in improvisation of existing culture techniques and devising novel methods of isolation. Several devices have been used on environmental samples successfully: One method called "minitrap" has been successfully adapted to oral cavity and has shown great promise in isolation of not yet cultivated oral bacterial species. These newer techniques are sure to shed more light on the role of microbes in the etiology of periodontal diseases.

Aim/Background: To compare human jaw micro-anatomy with goat jaw to find a suitable animal model for various biomechanical experiments with dental implants. Materials and Methods: Fifteen fresh goat jawbones (mandibles) were collected from slaughterhouse and five dried human skull bones (mandibles) were collected from the anatomy department of various medical colleges in Kolkata. All the jawbones were then vertically sectioned, processed, stained, and suitably viewed under an optical microscope to evaluate the minimum trabecular width in coronal, middle, and apical areas of the alveolar bone. A total of 150 such samples were evaluated for goat and human mandible. Results and Observations: The trabecular width of goat alveolar bone was found to be greatest in coronal area (62.99 μm) and the least in apical area (41.13 μm). The width of human mandibular trabeculae was greatest in coronal area (67.65 μm), and the least in apical area (40.17 μm). Conclusion: There is a similarity of micro-anatomical dimensions between goat and human mandibles, and hence, suitable for many implant experiments concerning biomechanical testing.

Background: Smear layer removal and collagen fiber exposure may improve regeneration outcome, which can be accomplished by use of root biomodifiers. These enhance the degree of connective tissue attachment to denuded roots. The objective of this in vitro scanning electron microscopic study was to comparatively evaluate mixture of tetracycline (TTC) and acid and detergent (MTAD) and other root biomodifiers for smear layer removal on periodontally involved human teeth. Materials and Methods: Forty human teeth were collected and stored in saline. After scaling and root planning, two samples were obtained from each tooth. A total of 80 dentin blocks were randomly divided into four groups: MTAD, TTC hydrochloride (TTC HCl), citric acid (CA), and normal saline. The agents were applied for 3 min by active burnishing. Immediately following treatment, the specimens were rinsed, dehydrated, fixed and prepared for scanning electron microscope and was examined at Χ3500 magnification. Previously trained blind examiners evaluated photomicrographs using Sampaio's index (2005). Statistical analysis was performed. Results: MTAD is most efficacious in removing smear layer and showed statistically significant dentinal tubules opening, followed by TTC HCl and CA. Conclusion: MTAD and conventional root biomodifiers used in the study alters the dentin surface by smear layer removal and exposure of dentinal tubules. Hence, MTAD as a root biomodifier may have a significant role in periodontal regeneration .

Background and Objectives: Fluorosis causes mineralization changes in the tooth and can lead to morphological alterations of fibroblasts. To evaluate the effect of fluorosis on periodontal healing, the initial step while healing such as, fibroblast attachment onto the root surface requires to be evaluated on the fluorosed and nonfluorosed tooth using nonfluorosed as well as fluorosed fibroblasts originated from the subjects influenced by high-water fluoride. Hence, the objective of the current study was to study and compare the attachment of nonfluorosed and fluorosed fibroblasts on the fluorosed and nonfluorosed root fragments. Materials and Methods: A total of 112 fluorosed and nonfluorosed, periodontally healthy and diseased tooth roots were obtained and allotted to eight groups : f0 luorosed healthy (FH) and non-FH (NFH) controls, fluorosed diseased (FD) and non-FD (NFD) controls, fluorosed and nonfluorosed teeth treated with scaling and root planning (SRP) (FD SRP and NFD SRP) and similar groups treated with SRP and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) (FD SRP + EDTA and NFD SRP + EDTA) burnishing treatment with 24% EDTA gel for 2 min. After the respective treatment half of the root fragments in each group were incubated in the human periodontal ligament fibroblast cells obtained and cultured from freshly extracted FH and NFH human premolar tooth root. The nonfluorosed fibroblasts are elongated, flat cells thus they show increased attachment to root the surface. Results: When comparison was carried out between the attachment of fluorosed and nonfluorosed fibroblasts on NFD groups treated with scaling and EDTA, significant results were obtained with increased attachment seen on the group incubated with nonfluorosed fibroblasts (P = 0.029). While on comparison between the attachment of fluorosed and nonfluorosed fibroblasts on NFH group, NFD group treated with SRP and NFD group, no significant results were obtained (P > 0.05). On comparison between the attachment of fluorosed and nonfluorosed fibroblasts on FD group treated with SRP, highly significant results were obtained with increased attachment seen in the group incubated with nonfluorosed fibroblasts (P = 0.001). While the comparison of attachment of fluorosed and nonfluorosed fibroblasts on FH group, FD group treated with SRP + EDTA and FD group revealed no significant results (P > 0.05). Interpretation and Conclusion: SRP proves yet to be a standard requirement for fibroblast attachment to occur both in fluorosed and nonfluorosed teeth. Although, there is no significant difference in attachment between SRP and SRP + EDTA among fluorosed teeth, EDTA does not seem to be a promising agent for root biomodification in fluorosed teeth in given concentration and time of treatment.

Crown fracture accounts for the highest percentage of all traumatic injury in the permanent and deciduous dentition. Esthetic rehabilitation of crown fracture of the maxillary anterior tooth is one of the greatest challenges to the dental surgeon. The prognosis of traumatized tooth depends on accurate diagnosis and treatment procedure. This case report describes the successful endodontic management of subgingival fracture using multidisciplinary approach.

Background: The laterally positioned flap has been shown to effectively treat gingival recession. The average percentage of root coverage obtained with laterally positioned flap was 68%. When full-thickness laterally positioned flap was combined with connective tissue graft, the average percentage of root coverage was 88%. The purpose of this case report was to evaluate percentage of root coverage by laterally positioned double flap with the connective tissue graft. Patients and Methods: A patient with Miller class III gingival recession of 9 mm was treated by laterally positioned double flap with the connective tissue graft. The connective tissue graft was obtained by "trap-door" technique. Result: At the end of twelve months 83% root coverage was successfully achieved. Conclusion: The laterally positioned double flap with the connective tissue graft can be used for treatment of gingival recession defect successfully.

Traumatic injuries of the teeth involve varying degrees of the damage to the teeth or the supporting soft tissues itself. Traumatic injuries are more common in the maxillary anterior teeth. Clinical significance in doing reattachment is with immediate restoration of function, esthetics, phonetics, and positive physiological response. This article describes the immediate reattachment of fracture tooth fragment for restoration of function and esthetics.

Endodontic therapy has a high survival rate, but in cases of post-treatment pathosis, retreatment may be required. This case report presents a similar case of endodontic failure which resulted in a coexistent periradicular-periodontal lesion. The case was managed by nonsurgical endodontic retreatment followed by photodynamic therapy in the periodontal region. Satisfactory results were obtained when the case was followed up clinically and radiographically for 18 months.

Plasma cell granuloma (PCG) is a rare reactive tumor such as proliferation composed chiefly of plasmacytic infiltrate. Both clinically and histopathologically, it may be misinterpreted as various pathological entities thus necessitating the complete evaluation of patient and proper histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis of the tissue to rule out other lesions with poor prognosis. Here, we present a case of PCG of gingiva in a female patient masquerading as pyogenic granuloma clinically and plasma cell neoplasms histopathologically.

"Tissue engineering" also referred as regenerative medicine indicates a new interdisciplinary initiative, which has the goal of growing tissues or organs directly from a single cell taken from an individual. Originally coined to denote the construction in the laboratory of a device containing viable cells and biologic mediators in a synthetic or biologic matrix that could be implanted in patients to facilitate regeneration. However, the term has crept into clinical armory of periodontists and has attained certain halo and glamour even when used in mundane and prosaic situations. Thus, this paper critically evaluates its role and application in clinical scenario.