Objectives: Developmental anomalies of the dentition are not infrequently observed by the dental practitioner. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of dental anomalies in the Indian population. Study Design: A retrospective study of 4133 panoramic radiographs of patients, who attended the Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Jodhpur Dental College General Hospital between September 2008 to December 2012 was done. The ages of the patients ranged from 13 to 38 years with a mean age of 21.8 years. The orthopantomographs (OPGs) and dental records were examined for any unusual finding such as congenitally missing teeth, impactions, ectopic eruption, supernumerary teeth, odontoma, dilacerations, taurodontism, dens in dente, germination and fusion, among others. Results: 1519 (36.7%) patients had at least one dental anomaly. The congenitally missing teeth 673 (16.3%) had the highest prevalence, followed by impacted teeth 641 (15.5%), supernumerary teeth 51 (1.2%) and microdontia 41 (1.0%). Other anomalies were found at lower prevalence ranging from transposition 7 (0.1%) to ectopic eruption 30 (0.7%). Conclusion: The most prevalent anomaly in the Indian population was congenitally missing teeth (16.3%), and the second frequent anomaly was impacted teeth (15.5%), whereas, macrodontia, odontoma and transposition were the least frequent anomalies, with a prevalence of 0.2%, 0.2% and 0.1% respectively. While the overall prevalence of these anomalies may be low, the early diagnosis is imperative for the patient management and treatment planning. Key words:Dental anomaly, prevalence, panoramic radiography.

Objective: Tongue lesions are a health concern for the dental practitioners and the patients as they constitute a significant proportion of oral mucosal lesions. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of various tongue lesions in the Indian population. Material and methods: 4926 patients attending the Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology were examined for the presence of various tongue lesions during the period from October, 2010 to September, 2012. The age of the patients ranged from 12-80 years with a mean age of 36.51 years. Results: The prevalence of tongue lesions was 12.07%. The most common lesion diagnosed was coated tongue affecting 28.0% of the subjects, followed by geographic tongue (16.4%), fissured tongue (14.9%) and depapillated tongue (11.5%). Males were more frequently affected than females. The most common systemic condition observed in the patients with tongue lesions was anaemia (189), followed by hypertension (47) and diabetes mellitus (38). Conclusion: The high prevalence necessitates adequate awareness of the various tongue lesions in the general population. The dental clinicians should also be knowledgeable about the etiopathogenesis, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of these lesions. Key words:Tongue lesions, prevalence, Indian population, coated tongue.

Objectives: Taurodontism affects primarily molars and premolars in both the deciduous and permanent dentition. The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of taurodontism in the North Indian population. Study Design: 4143 patients were studied by analyzing the panoramic radiographs for the presence of taurodontism which is defined as the presence of an apically displaced pulp chamber and the tooth lacks the usual constriction at the cementoenamel junction. The age of the patients ranged from 13 to 38 years with a mean age of 21.8 years. Results: Taurodontism was found in 17 patients with a prevalence of 0.4% of which 0.21% were males and 0.19% females. Taurodonts were significantly more common in the maxilla (65.6%) than in the mandible (34.4%) (p<0.05) and the maxillary second molar (34.4%) was the most commonly involved tooth. According to the morphology hypotaurodonts were most common (75%) but there was no significant difference in males and females (p>0.05). Conclusion: Taurodontism is relatively uncommon in the North Indian population. Further large scale studies need to be carried out to assess its prevalence in the general population. A family history of other anomalies should also be considered for affected patients. Key words:Taurodontism, prevalence, maxillary second molar.

Objectives: Mesiodens are the most common supernumerary teeth, occurring in 0.15% to 2.2% of the population. The aim of the present study was to analyze the frequency and radiological features of mesiodens in the pediatric population. Material and methods: The study was based on the radiographic evaluation of 4133 pediatric patients of the age range of 4-15 years, attending the Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology during the time period between September 2008 to December 2012. In addition to the presence of a supernumerary tooth between the 2 central incisors, data regarding the number, position, shape and associated complications were also recorded. Results: The prevalence of mesiodens in the present study was 1.4%. The prevalence was estimated using a 95% confidence interval. The ratio of boys to girls was 1.8:1 and majority of cases (89.7%) had 1 mesiodens. Most of the mesiodens (59.6%) were aligned in a vertical position. 39 mesiodens (62.9%) were impacted, while 14 (22.6%) were partially erupted and only 9 (14.5%) were completely erupted into occlusion. The main complication associated with the mesiodens was midline diastema (28.6%) and 16 patients were asymptomatic. Conclusion: Mesiodens can result in spacing in the arch, delayed or ectopic eruption of the permanent incisors, further altering the occlusion and esthetics of the patient or may remain asymptomatic. It is therefore important for the practitioners to diagnose a mesiodens early in development to allow for optimal treatment plan. Key words:Mesiodens, prevalence, pediatric population, midline diastema.

Objectives: To know the nature, incidence and severity of oral manifestations occurring in postmenopausal women. Study design: Oral changes were observed in 365 postmenopausal women and 365 age matched male individuals attending the department of Oral Medicine and Radiology. The patients were asked about complaints of dry mouth, taste and breath changes, mucosal and facial pain and were examined for oral changes such as ulceration, white and red lesions. The results obtained from the study were then correlated with various other similar studies. Results: The important oral findings in postmenopausal women were mucosal burning/pain (25.8%), dry mouth (27.1%), altered taste (3.6%), altered breath (6.3%) and facial pain (3.6%). Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) was significantly more common in males (5.5%) as compared to postmenopausal females (1.9%). Conclusion: Results from the present study reveal that oral symptoms are common problems in postmenopausal women. Postmenopausal patients showed significantly more oral changes than the control. These changes could be related to the hormone alterations. Therefore, dentists need to refer postmenopausal women with oral symptoms to a gynaecologist for more careful examinations and medical interventions if necessary. Key words:Menopause; postmenopause; xerostomia; pallor; oral changes.

Aim:The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence and the relationship of oral mucosal lesions in tobacco users and denture wearers in a North Indian population.Materials and Methods:The study comprised 3,749 patients attending the Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Jodhpur Dental College General Hospital between September 2008 and December 2012, for the treatment of dental problems other than oral mucosal lesions. The ages ranged from 28 years to 83 years, with a mean age of 49.7 years. The results were evaluated using the Pearson Chi-square test, with Yate’s correction and ANOVA tests.Results:A total of 2,318 patients were diagnosed with lesions associated with the use tobacco and the wearing of dentures. The most frequently seen lesion was melanin pigmentation (29.9%) followed by linea alba (22.2%) and frictional keratosis (19.9%). Ulcers (6.1%) were the most common oral lesion seen in patients who wore dentures, followed by hyperplasia (4.8%). A statistically significant relation (P < 0.05) was established between tobacco and melanin pigmentation, frictional keratosis, traumatic ulcerations and leukoplakia. In those who wore dentures a statistically significant relation (P < 0.05) was found between candidiasis, traumatic ulceration and frictional keratosis.Conclusion:The results of the present study indicate that the association of frictional keratosis with tobacco users and wearers of dentures can help in determining the diagnosis and treatment plan for oral cancer. Wearers of dentures should also be recalled for periodic checks at regular intervals and optimum preventive measures implemented.

AbstrAct:Oral lichen planus is an immunologically based, chronic, inflammatory, mucocutaneous disorder of undetermined etiology. It is a relatively common disorder affecting stratified squamous epithelia. It is of special importance due to its malignant potential and can be a source of morbidity. The management of oral lichen planus should therefore address both the transformation rate as well as the patient symptoms. Care and management of such patients challenges even the most experienced clinician. There is currently no cure for OLP. Treatment is aimed primarily at reducing the length and severity of symptomatic outbreaks. The review critically analyses the various options in the literature and discusses the practical management from the Indian perspective.

Kidney transplant patients (KTPs) have a potential tendency to develop oral lesions due to the administration of immunosuppressive drugs, but their prevalence is still obscure. The aim of the present study was to investigate the oral clinical findings in a group of renal transplant patients in comparison with ageand sex-matched healthy controls (HCs). Three hundred KTPs who underwent transplantation at least six months earlier and 296 HCs were examined clinically for the presence of any oral lesions. Demographic and additional details regarding medications, systemic diseases and duration after transplantation were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed using the Chi-square test, with significance set at P <0.05. The prevalence of oral lesions in KTPs was 56.8% as compared with 29.7% in HCs. The most common lesion observed in KTPs was gingival overgrowth (21.8%), followed by candidiasis (17.1%). Coated tongue (15.9%), followed by leukoplakia (11.3%), were common in HCs. Both gingival hyperplasia and coated tongue were significantly related to poor oral hygiene (P <0.05), but were not significantly related to the immunosuppressive therapy (P >0.05). The findings of the present study indicate the need for a routine and regular oral health check-up, with emphasis on maintenance of oral hygiene for renal transplant patients.