No abstract

Context:The identification of root canals plays an important role in successful endodontic diagnosis and treatment. An inappropriate identification of canal resulting in incomplete removal of pulp tissue from the root canals is the main reason for the failure of endodontic treatment in molars. Radiographic imaging is an essential investigative tool in successful endodontics. Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) the imaging is relatively a new method to visualize the roots in all the three planes.Aims:This is a study to assess number of root canals in maxillary and mandibular first and second molars on both the right and left sides using CBCT imaging.Settings and Design:A total of 100 CBCT images, which were available as soft copies on the hard drive of the computer in the Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology were considered for the study.Subjects and Methods:The axial view sections of the maxillary and mandibular arch of 1 mm thickness were examined with a magnification of 250%. The Images were scrolled down from the cementoenamel junction till the apical foramen and the maximum number of canals in each root were recorded.Statistical Analysis Used:The collected data were tabulated (Microsoft Excel 2013) and analyzed by independent t-test using statistical analysis software SPSS.Results:Among the maxillary first molars, 72.5% had 4 canals with 76.5% of mesiobuccal root having 2 canals. 49% of maxillary second molar had 3 canals with 53.5% of mesiobuccal root having 1 canal. 67.5% of mandibular first molar had 3 canals with 96.5% of mesial root having 2 canals.Conclusions:According to this study, the variations in the number of canals were more with respect to maxillary first molars when compared to the other molars. CBCT can provide the clinician with supplemental information about the different root canal configurations for successful root canal treatment.

Conduction of a screening program by valid visual inspection to detect potentially malignant oral disorders within a workplace is not only feasible but also effective.

Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic mucosal condition commonly encountered in clinical dental practice. Lichen planus is believed to represent an abnormal immune response in which epithelial cells are recognized as foreign, secondary to changes in the antigenicity of the cell surface. OLP is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by relapses and remissions. Treatment is aimed primarily at reducing the length and severity of symptomatic outbreaks. Topical steroids are the first-choice agent for the treatment of symptomatic, active OLP.

This study was undertaken to determine the effect of smoking and diabetes mellitus individually and combined on the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of saliva in type 2 diabetes mellitus. The study consisted of four groups, one control and three study groups, each with 20 subjects. Salivary and serum samples were collected from all the groups, which were further subjected to biochemical analysis. The observations of the study were subjected to statistical analysis using SPSS software version 12. The level of salivary TAC decreases secondary to diabetes mellitus and smoking. As the duration of diabetes mellitus increases, the level of total antioxidants decreases. Correlation of salivary TAC with Russell's index had a negative correlation. Smoking has a synergistic effect on diabetes mellitus in reducing the salivary total antioxidant level. Further research should be devoted to the possible benefits of supplementation with antioxidant supplements. Saliva is considered to be a representative of serum and salivary analysis is simple and noninvasive. From the clinical standpoint, it may be reasonable to conclude that salivary TAC can be a useful marker to assess the oxidative stress, as an indicator of progression of diabetes mellitus.