Background: Periodontal diseases are chronic bacterial infections that lead to gingival inflammation, periodontal tissue destruction, and alveolar bone loss. Acting as powerful allies in the fight against periodontal disease, natural compounds can help safeguard against lethal age-related diseases that emanate from our mouths. Punica granatum (pomegranate) shrub belongs to the Punicaceae family which has been used as an astringent, hemostatic, antidiabetic, antihelmintic, and also for diarrhea and dysentery. The aim of the present work was to investigate the possible efficacy of hydroalcoholic extract from Punica granatum fruit as an antiplaque and antigingivitis agent when compared with chlorhexidine. Materials and Methods: Twenty subjects diagnosed with chronic generalized gingivitis were selected and randomly divided into two groups: Group 1 - Pomegranate mouthwash and Group 2 - Chlorhexidine mouthwash. Punica granatum mouthwash was prepared using raw Punica granatum fruit. Patients were instructed to use the prescribed mouthwash for 15 days. Clinical evaluation was undertaken using the gingival index, the plaque index, and bleeding on probing at baseline, 7 days, and 15 days. Results: The clinical study observed significant improvement in gingival status in both the sites (P<0.05). Subjects using Punica granatum mouthwash showed significant improvement in bleeding and gingivitis score as compared with chlorhexidine. In contrast, Punica granatum was shown not to be so effective in reducing plaque scores. Chlorhexidine still remains as a standard in the reduction of plaque in subjects with gingivitis. Conclusion: Punica granatum mouthwash is beneficial in improving gingival status due to its profound styptic action, with sufficient reduction in plaque scores.

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Aim: To determine the antibacterial efficacy of Nisin in comparison with Calcium hydroxide and Chlorhexidine. Materials and Methods: Fifty extracted lower premolar single-rooted teeth were collected and were instrumented with K3 rotary files. Then, root canals were inoculated with a bacterial solution of Enterococcus faecalis. After 21 days, the canals were inoculated with Saline, Nisin, Vancomycin, Calcium hydroxide, and Chlorhexidine. The roots were left for 7 days and on the 8 ^th day, to investigate the degree of infection of the radicular dentin, specimens of the dentin chips from the full length of the root canal were harvested using a sterile rotary K3 instrument (size 25 6% taper). Results: The results of the present study showed that Nisin and Chlorhexidine showed none of Colony Forming Units (CFU) in their respective group. Conclusion: Within the limits of the study, Nisin was effective in eradicating E. faecalis cells in pure culture and root canal dentin.

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The histopathological analysis of the tissue includes a detailed study of cellular and nuclear structures and their altered presentation in a given pathology. This is carried out by using a large spectrum of staining procedures and a variety of microscopic techniques. One of the specific and interesting features is the observation of various histopathological bodies seen in different pathologies. The presence of histopathological bodies is often an important diagnostic-aid in identifying the underlying disease. Hence, the present article is an attempt to compile different histopathological bodies seen in various diseases with special emphasis on pathogenesis, microscopic and ultramicroscopic features of the same

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Aim: Aloe vera has been suggested for a wide variety of ailments, but its use in dentistry is limited. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effect of A. vera on the reduction of plaque and gingivitis. This effect was evaluated by randomized, parallel and double-blind clinical trial. Materials and Methods: Total 30 subjects were randomly allocated into three groups; 10 in each for (i) chlorhexidine, (ii) tea tree leaves and (iii) A. vera. Plaque index and gingival index were assessed at days 0 and 21. Subjects were asked to rinse their mouth with the mouth rinse, twice a day, during a 21-day period. Paired t-test was used test the mean difference at 0 day and 21 days. One way analysis of variance was used to check the mean difference among three mouth rinses. Results: All three mouth rinses shows a significant reduction from 0 day to 21 days (P < 0.05). However, no difference was observed when the mouth rinses were compared at 0 and at 21 days (P > 0.05). Conclusion: A. vera mouth rinse was as effective as two commercially popular mouth rinses in controlling plaque and gingivitis.

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Traumatic injuries of teeth are the main cause of emergency treatment in dental practice. Radicular fractures in permanent teeth are uncommon, being only 0.5-7% of the cases. Horizontal root fractures are more frequently observed in the maxillary anterior region of young male patients and vary in severity from enamel fractures to avulsions. Fracture occurs often in the middle-third of the root followed by apical and coronal third. The present case report describes a clinical case of a horizontal root fracture located at the middle third of a maxillary left-central incisor treated endodontically after approximating fracture segment with the help of orthodontic appliance. After 6 months follow-up, the tooth was asymptomatic with normal periodontal health.

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Background: Accurate film processing is of paramount importance in acquiring a good diagnostic radiograph. Radiographic films show variations in densities and contrast, with changes in processing conditions, and also film type, all of which are interdependent. Therefore, this research was conducted to recognize the effect of time and temperature variations of automatic processor on the sensitometric properties of blue and green light sensitive screen films. The study also aimed to note the effect on sensitometric properties when mismatch occurred when using between the screen and film belonging to different manufacturers. Materials and Methods: Sixty green light sensitive and 60 blue light sensitive spectrally matched screen film combinations were used in the study. However, the films and the intensifying screens employed belonged to different manufacturers. These films were exposed to five different exposure times and subsequently processed in an automatic processor, using two different protocols. Initially, at constant processing time of 2.5 min, five different processing temperatures were employed. Later, maintaining constant processing temperature of 35°C and five different processing times were engaged. Density, contrast and speed were calculated, using H and D curve. Results: Results revealed increasing density, contrast and speed values with increasing processing times and temperatures of both green and blue sensitive films. Conclusion: This investigation clearly establishes the possibility of obtaining optimal sensitometric properties, despite using intensifying screens and films of different manufacturers, if spectral match is ensured.

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There is a high incidence of gingivitis in pregnant women due to combined effect of local and systemic factors. Chlorhexidine is an effective chemical plaque control agent by virtue of its property substantivity. Aim and Objective: In the present work we propose to study the effect of 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate solution as a mouth rinse on gingival inflammation in pregnant women in comparison with non-pregnant women, before and after scaling and polishing procedures. Materials and Methods: A total number of seventy six healthy pregnant and non pregnant females in the age group of 20 to 30 years were included for the study. All the subjects used 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate mouthrinse twice a day for 3 weeks. Weekly observations were made in both subgroups. Results: There was no significant reduction in plaque index, papilla,marginal gingiva and attached gingiva index and gingival bleeding index when 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate mouth rinse was used alone without scaling and polishing procedures. When 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate mouthrinse was used after scaling and polishing procedures at the end of 3 weeks, there was highly significant reduction in PMA index and gingival bleeding index in nonpregnant women group, whereas in pregnant women group there was only a significant reduction in the gingival bleeding index. Conclusion: 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate used as mouth rinse twice a day for three weeks reduces gingival inflammation and gingival bleeding in both pregnant and non pregnant women, but significantly more in non pregnant women.

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The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the smear layer in the root canal following the use of Ni-Ti hand ProTaper, HERO shaper and Twisted rotary instruments. Fifteen freshly extracted single rooted human mandibular premolar teeth were selected. Crowns of all teeth were cut off at the cemento-enamel junction with a carborundum disc. The roots were then randomly divided into three groups of 5 samples each. The working length of all teeth was established by the insertion of an endodontic instrument into the canal until its tip is visible at the apical foramen and then subtracted by 0.5 mm. A sequential crown down technique was carried out in all the three groups as follows: Group-I- Specimens in this group were instrumented with ProTaper Ni-Ti hand instruments. Group-II- Specimens were instrumented with HERO shapers. Group-III - The specimens in this group were instrumented with Twisted rotary instruments. Irrigation was done with 3% NaOCl and 15% EDTA in all the three groups. Teeth were carefully split with hammer and chisel and stored in small labeled bottles containing normal saline until SEM evaluation. Results showed that when comparing ProTaper files, Twisted rotary instruments and HERO shaper instruments, HERO shaper series of rotary instruments showed maximum amount of smear layer followed by the Twisted rotary instruments. Hand instruments produced least amount of smear layer.

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Objectives: As the gingival epithelial cells undergo transition between the surface, crevicular and junctional areas, it is reported that their resting potential could also get altered due to change/variations in the membrane transport protein composition. Hence, the purpose of the present study is (i) to study the biophysical properties of the surface, the crevicular, and the junctional epithelial gingival cells and to assess their implications to the cell to cell and the cell to tooth attachment mechanisms; (ii) to study the effect of certain delipidifying agents such as Sodium Deoxycholate (DOC) and Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate (SDS) on the transmembrane electrical activity of the gingival epithelial cells; and, (iii) to study the histological changes due to these treatments and assess their bearings on the biophysical observations. Materials and Methods: The biophysical and histological investigations on the healthy human gingival epithelium were carried out on the fresh biopsy material obtained from a homogeneous group of willing donors between 11-15 years of age, who were advised for extraction of first premolar due to orthodontic reasons. The biophysical measurement involved recording of the transmembrane potentials using glass ultra-microelectrodes. For histologic studies, the hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining of the tissue sections was performed. Results: The mean values of the membrane potential in the three types of the gingival epithelium cells vary appreciably. While it was lowest in the junctional cells (2.83 ± 0.98 mV), it was highest in the surface epithelial cells (22.96 ± 5.19 mV). The crevicular cells showed a value greater than the junctional cells but lesser than the surface cells (9.3 ± 1.73 mV). Conclusion: The membrane transport protein density appears to decrease in the following order: surface > crevicular > junctional cells. The crosslinking force of calcium (Ca ²⁺ ) ions with their increased magnitude from the junctional epithelial cells to the cementum or enamel of the tooth appears to be the most convincing model of the epithelial attachment at the Dentoenamel (DE) junction.

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