Topical anesthesia is widely advocated in pediatric dentistry practice to reduce pain and anxiety produced by administration of local anesthesia. There are different combinations of topical anesthetic agents that are marketed worldwide. However, sparse literature reports exist regarding clinical efficacy of these agents. Aim: To compare the clinical effectiveness of two strawberry flavored topical anesthetics viz. Precaine⁰ (8% Lidocaine + 0.8% Dibucaine) and Precaine⁰ B (20% Benzocaine) in children before intra oral local anesthetic injections and for extraction of mobile primary teeth. Study Design: This triple blind clinical study included sixty children divided equally under three techniques — palatal injections, inferior alveolar nerve block and extraction of mobile primary teeth. Both the products were used alternately using split mouth design in two visits and the child's pain response was assessed using VAS and SEM pain scale. The scores obtained were subjected to statistical analysis. Results: Precaine⁰ has shown lower mean scores in all the techniques under both the pain scales, but were statistically insignificant. Gender wise comparison has also shown lower mean scores for Precaine⁰ for both males and females, however these were statistically insignificant. On visit wise comparison, Precaine⁰ B reported significant lower scores (p<0.05) in visit 2 compared to visit 1 for inferior alveolar nerve block and extraction of mobile primary teeth under SEM pain scale. Conclusion: Precaine⁰ (8% Lidocaine + 0.8% Dibucaine) can be used as effectively as Precaine⁰ B (20% Benzocaine).

Aims and Objectives: To evaluate the styloid process (SP) and its anatomical variations on digital panoramic radiographs from the database and also to synthesize the current evidence of literature on SP and anatomical variations along with the systematic review of the relevant studies after making the necessary exclusions. Materials and Methods: A total of 500 panoramic radiographs from the database were examined and evaluated for the length of SP using OmniVue software and for the calcification patterns which were categorized into three types as described by Langlais. The obtained values were analyzed using t -test and Chi-square tests with a significance level of 0.005 and SPSS version 20.0 software. Results and Conclusion: The mean length of the SP in females was found to be 3.7 cm on the right side and 3.8 cm on the left side. The mean length of the SP in males was found to be 3.4 cm on the right side and 3.3 cm on the left side with significant difference between the genders with the P values of 0.0002 and 0.0001, respectively. The length of the SP was significantly longer in females than in males. Type I was the most common SP and was more prevalent in females. The results of the present study along with the wide range of reported incidence of anatomical variations in the form of elongation from the literature extracted through the systematic review suggests the need to reevaluate the range of the normal length of the SP.

Background: Tooth extraction remains a major commonly performed procedure in developing countries. Tooth loss affects mastication, speech, aesthetics and impairs the quality of life. The number of extracted teeth can serve as an indicator for socioeconomic status or oral hygiene level. It is essential to provide awareness regarding oral hygiene maintenance and early detection of dental problems to minimise extractions. The aim of the study was to investigate the age and gender distribution of patients undergoing extraction of teeth at GVPIHC and MT, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.Methods: In this retrospective study, case records of all patients who underwent dental extractions in the department of dentistry at Gayatri Vidya Parishad institute of health care and medical technology (GVPIHC and MT) from January 2021 to December 2021 were reviewed through random sampling. Inclusion criteria included dental extraction cases in the age group of 1year to 80 years. Incomplete data of extractions was excluded. Demographic details of patients like age and gender were recorded for 972 extraction cases that were included in the study. The data collected was entered in Microsoft excel, analysed through SPSS Software and was subjected to statistical analysis.Results: Among 972 extractions, females showed predominance over males. 21-30 years age group reported more extractions and 71-80 years age group the least. On comparing the association between age and gender, the results were statistically significant (Pearson’s chi square test, p<0.05). The age group of 11-20 years, 61-70 years and 71-80 years reported male predominance in contrast to the other age groups.Conclusions: Within the limits of present study, it can be concluded that the prevalence of dental extraction was more in females than males. The age group of 21-30 years recorded more number of extractions. This study will help us to create awareness and emphasize the importance of oral hygiene maintenance among people to prevent tooth loss at an early age.

Background: To emphasize the role of odontometric parameters which may be used as a reliable forensic tool especially in cases with partial remains of the individual Aim: To assess the reliability of odontometric parameters in stature analysis Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on 100 patients (50 male and 50 Female). Mesiodistal width of anterior teeth, inter-canine width, Inter-premolar width and maxillary arch length were the parameters included. The results were tabulated with a linear regression formula obtained for each parameter. Statistical Analysis: The data collected was statistically analysed using SPSS version 20 and a linear regression formula was obtained thereafter. Results: Mesio-distal widths of individual maxillary canines, total mesiodistal width of maxillary anteriors and arch length showed a significant co-relation with stature. The combined linear regression formula was obtained for all parameters. Conclusion: Odontometric parameters of mesio - distal widths of individual maxillary canines, total mesiodistal width of maxillary anteriors and arch length can be used as reliable parameters for stature analysis.

BACKGROUNDOil pulling has been used extensively as a traditional remedy for many years. It is supposed to cure oral and systemic diseases, but the evidence is minimal. Intraorally it is supposed to cause strengthening of teeth, gums, and the jaw and to prevent decay, oral malodour, bleeding gums, dryness of the throat and cracked lips. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of oil pulling with flaxseed oil on plaque induced gingivitis and to compare its efficacy with chlorhexidine mouthwash.