Background: Sella turcica is a saddle-shaped concavity in the body of sphenoid bone situated in the middle cranial fossa of skull, clearly seen on lateral cephalometric radiograph. Aim: The purpose of the study was to measure the size and describe the morphology of sella turcica in different age groups and gender. Materials and Methods: Lateral cephalometric radiographs of 200 subjects of which 100 males and 100 females in the age group of 8-30 years were included in the study population. Linear dimensions which include the length, depth, and anteroposterior diameter were measured and the shape of sella turcica was analyzed and skeletal class of malocclusion was noted. Chi-square test and ANOVA test were used for statistical analysis. Results: In the present study, morphology of sella turcica appeared to be normal shape (upper contour of anterior wall of sella turcica appears to be perpendicular to floor) in 46.5% of the study population and morphological variations in shape were seen in 53.5% of study population. Whereas size was considered there was statistically significant increase in the depth and anteroposterior diameter of sella turcica as age advanced. There was no significant difference in the linear measurements of sella turcica between males and females. Conclusion: The most common shape of sella turcica in the study population was normal shape. There is a gradual increase in the size of sella turcica as age advances.

Background: In forensic anthropology, the mental and mandibular foramina are important anatomic landmarks in mandibular region, useful in gender identification in forensic dentistry. Objectives: This study is carried out to predict the validity of the vertical measurements related to the mental and mandibular foramina on digital panoramic images in sex determination. Methodology: A total of 60 patients, 30 males, and 30 females were examined; age distribution was ranging between 20 and 49 years. Four linear vertical measurements were performed on the radiographic image of each subject on both sides of the mandible. Results: Comparison of both sides of mandible was similar with slight discrepancies in measurements, hence any side can be used for analysis, and the means of overall values for D1, D2, D3 and D4 were significantly higher in male than female. According to the analysis, D2 is highly sensitive, D1 highly accurate, D3 highly specific and D4 highly significant. Conclusion: Results revealed differences between the genders in all of the four measurements in this study, therefore these measurements were sensitive parameters to predict male gender and differentiate it from female and hence they could be applied successfully in forensic dentistry.

Background: The orofacial pain is a pervasive situation either of somatic or psychological etiology arising from the structures supplied by the trigeminal nerve. Identifying the cause of orofacial pain goes a long way in diagnosis and treatment. Objectives: To evaluate the cause of pain among the subjects reporting to the dental college. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on a group of patients with persistent facial pain with an ebb to respond properly to previous treatments were assigned to specialists associated with Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology and Oral and Maxillofacial surgery in Sri Rajiv Gandhi College of Dental Sciences and Hospital from March 2010-April 2011. Results: It was found that pulpitis was the most common cause of orofacial pain followed by periodontal pain. Neuralgias and TMJ disorders were the least likely cause. Conclusion: Multidisciplinary approaches and a biopsychosocial model of pain management are an essential adjunct to established evidence-based medical and surgical management of these conditions

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Aims: To determine the frequency, visibility and gender variations of mental foramen (foramen mentale), incisive canal, anterior loop of mental nerve, and mandibular canal (canal mandibulaire) in different age groups. Materials and Methods: The study was done in 179 orthopantomograms (OPG) which were taken using Digital Orthophos XG machine. The anatomical landmarks such as mandibular canal, mental foramen, anterior loop of mental nerve, and incisive canal were analyzed in the radiographs and scores were recorded. Results: According to a sample size of 179, the mandibular canal was visible in 98%. In 16% of the cases, with 14% poor perceptibility anterior looping of the mental nerve was visible. The mental foramen showed good visibility in 51%. In 23% of the cases, the incisive canal was observed. Chi-square test was done which showed the statistical difference with a P < 0.05 existed between appearance of mandibular canal and age and difference in P values in males and females in their visibility based on the sample size. Conclusion: Panoramic radiographs provided sufficient information for mental foramen and mandibular canal. But for better visualization, detection of structures in between for aminal region and for performing surgery for implant placement in this region it may require to be replaced with three-dimensional imaging like cone-beam computed tomography.