Background. Antimicrobial agents serve as an effective adjunct in plaque control, and chlorhexidine has been the gold standard. However, the philosophy that natural agents are better for children's oral health is on the rise. Probiotic technology represents a breakthrough approach to maintain oral health by utilizing natural beneficial bacteria commonly found in healthy mouths. Aim and Objective. To compare efficacy of probiotic and chlorhexidine oral rinses in orthodontic patients. Materials and Methods. 30 healthy patients undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment were randomly selected for the study by block randomization and allocation concealment and were divided into three groups: group a, 0.2% chlorhexidine mouthwash; group b, probiotic mouthwash; and group c, a control group. Results. Probiotic and chlorhexidine groups had significantly decreased plaque indices as compared to the control group. However, greater improvement was seen in the gingival indices than plaque indices with better results in the probiotic group than the chlorhexidine group. No statistical significance was observed in the streptococcus count of probiotic and chlorhexidine groups at the end of the intervention period. Conclusion. The comparison of probiotics to chlorhexidine has proven that probiotics are as effective as chlorhexidine as an adjunctive chemical plaque control agent.

Introduction: Biologic factors, such as the cortical bone thickness and supporting bone as well as biomechanical factors, such as proclined teeth are closely interrelated. These factors often determine the potential deleterious effects of orthodontic treatment, such as gingival recession, dehiscence, fenestration, and external root resorption. The alveolar bone thickness and bone levels vary in different facial patterns and here in this study, we are finding if there is any correlation of these to tooth inclinations. Aims and objectives:To assess the influence of mandibular incisor inclination on cortical bone thickness and alveolar bone levels in different skeletal patterns.Materials and methods: Thirty cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans and lateral cephalograms of pretreatment patients were analyzed with different skeletal patterns (10 each) for their alveolar bone height, alveolar bone thickness, and cortical bone thickness at mid root level and mandibular incisor inclination. Inclination and thickness were compared among the three groups and were correlated.Results: Although there are wide variations, cortical bone thickness at mid root level in vertical, horizontal, and average growth pattern lingually and labially were 2.3 ± 0.29 mm, 2.4 ± 0.42, 2.2 ± 0.39, and 0.69 ± 0.12, 0.65 ± 0.23, and 0.59 ± 0.37 respectively, and these values were not statistically significant. The vertical alveolar bone height did not hold any significance in our study. The incisor-mandibular plane angle (IMPA) for evaluating growth patterns was found to be significant. Clinical significance:The inclination of the mandibular incisors is an important diagnostic consideration and has to be kept in mind during treatment planning. Excessive proclination of the incisors can lead to dehiscence, fenestration, as well as recession. Therefore, it becomes important to know the thickness of the bone as well as the marginal bone level to help us to use appropriate biomechanics.

Objectives:The aim was to evaluate the relationship of the K-primer variant of the transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-α) gene and C677T variant of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene with nonsyndromic cleft lip and palate (CL/P) in the Indian population.Setting and Sample Population:The study group consisted of DNA samples of 25 subjects with nonsyndromic CL with or without cleft palate and 25 unrelated controls, already existing in the Department of Orthodontics, D.A.P.M.R.V. Dental College, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.Materials and Methods:The DNA samples were divided into two categories: Group A which included the 25 subjects with nonsyndromic CL/P; and Group B, which consisted of the 25 unrelated controls. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test was done for amplification of the region of interest from the DNA samples. Restriction digestion was then performed on the amplified product using the restriction enzyme HinfI, separately for each of the variants. The digested PCR products were separated into channels on a 1.5% agarose gel containing ethidium bromide in an electrophoretic chamber. A U.V. transilluminator was used to see the specific bands of base pairs of the digested PCR products.Results:In Group A, the TGF-α gene variant was present in 16 subjects (P = 0.001) and MTHFR gene variant was present in 8 subjects (P = 0.185). A combination of both gene variants were present in seven subjects, which was an interesting finding. In Group B, four subjects tested positive for the TGF-α and MTHFR gene variants.Conclusions:The TGF-α gene variant and a combination of TGF-α + MTHFR gene variants significantly contribute to the development of nonsyndromic CL/P and can be considered as genetic markers for Indian population. The MTHFR gene variant, though a minor risk factor, cannot be considered as a genetic marker.

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