Objective: To compare the salivary MMP – 9 concentration among subjects with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMD), tobacco users, and control groups. Materials and methods: A total of 88 subjects were enrolled and divided into four study groups viz., OSCC (n=24), OPMD (n=20), tobacco habits (n=22), and healthy controls (n=22). All subjects gave unstimulated saliva samples for the evaluation MMP – 9 by ELISA kit. Demographic information like age, gender, type of tobacco, and duration of the habit were recorded. Results: Subjects with OSCC and OPMD had significantly higher mean MMP-9 levels than subjects with tobacco habits and control groups (P<0.001). Also, poorly differentiated OSCC group had significantly higher mean saliva MMP-9 than moderate and well-differentiated OSCC. The optimal cut-off point was 214.37 ng/mL with a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 59% for OSCC versus the control group. The optimal cut-off point was as 205.87 ng/mL with a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 54% for OPMD versus the control group. Conclusion: The data obtained from this study indicated that OSCC and OPMD had an increased level of salivary MMP-9. Salivary MMP-9 could be a useful, non-invasive adjunct technique in the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of OSCC and OPMD.

The corticosteroids have been used for preemptive management of surgical sequelae after mandibular third molar extraction. The aim of this article was to review the efficacy of methylprednisolone versus dexamethasone in the management of postsurgical pain, swelling, and trismus after mandibular third molar surgery. Randomized, double-blinded studies from PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, DOSS, Cochrane central, and Web of Science were identified by using a search strategy. Randomized controlled trials evaluating the efficacy of use of dexamethasone versus methylprednisolone for mandibular third molar extraction were only considered. The studies involving the use of any other corticosteroid agent were excluded. Outcomes assessed were postoperative pain, the number of rescue analgesics required, swelling, trismus, and adverse events. The search strategy yielded 1046 articles for title and abstract screening, out of which only seven studies were included in the systematic review after full text screening. There was considerable heterogeneity between the studies with regards to the method as well as the parameters assessed. Risk of bias was low in three studies and unclear in other four studies. On pooled analyses, there was no significant difference with respect to pain, rescue analgesics, and swelling in the test and the control group. Forest plot analysis showed that dexamethasone had lesser trismus in early postoperative period (postoperative day 2) as compared to methylprednisolone. None of the included studies reported any adverse effects. Both the corticosteroids have similar efficacy in reducing the postoperative pain and swelling; however, dexamethasone showed statistically significant difference from methylprednisolone in reducing trismus (estimated standardized mean difference of −0.69 mm; 95% CI: −1.01 to −0.38; ) in the early postoperative period. However, due to statistical heterogeneity, quality of the evidence for the review was low to moderate. Hence, more studies with larger study sample and low risk of bias are needed to confirm these results.

Background: This study aimed to assess the difference in the recovery pattern of branches of infraorbital nerve paraesthesia after zygomaticomaxillary complex (ZMC) fracture in both surgically and non-surgically managed patients. Materials & Methods: A prospective, observational study involving 31 patients with unilateral ZMC fracture - 15 in the surgical group (Group A) and 16 in the non-surgical group (Group B) was evaluated. These patients were assessed at the time of injury, 3-months follow-up, and 6-months follow-up for the sensory function of the infraorbital nerve. The assessment of paraesthesia by cotton wisp test, light touch monofilament test, and the cold thermal test was subjected to intra-group and inter-group correlation by McNemar test and Fischer's exact test. Repeated Measures ANOVA with post-hoc Bonferroni test for intra-group correlation and independent sample t-test for inter-group correlation were used for two-point discrimination. Results: A statistically significant improvement was noted on both 3 and 6 months follow-up in the malar region in group A. Other statistically significant improvements were noted only on 6 months follow-up in the infraorbital region in group A. On the 2-point discrimination test, all the facial regions showed significant improvement in both the groups over 3 months and 6 months of follow-up. Conclusion: There was a significant improvement in the infraorbital nerve sensory function following ZMC fracture over 6 months; however, the surgical intervention showed no statistical significance. Further, it can also be concluded that the inferior palpebral branch of the infraorbital nerve shows maximum functional disruption resulting in a higher incidence of paraesthesia in the infraorbital and malar region.

Objectives: Anxiety regarding dental procedures is a universal challenge for every patient and the treating dental surgeon. Measurement of heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation is now commonly accepted by the scientific community as an accurate and objective measurement of the patient's anxiety compared to other subjective assessments. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of educational videos demonstrating transalveolar extraction of mandibular third molars on hemodynamic parameters. Materials and Methods: The study was designed as a prospective clinical trial. The modified dental anxiety scale was used to assess the preoperative anxiety of the patient. Participating patients were divided randomly into two groups (verbal and video group). Each patient's hemodynamic parameters such as heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation were measured in the waiting area, sitting on the dental chair, incision, bone drilling, tooth elevation, suturing, and in the postoperative area. All the analysis was done using the SPSS version 18 software. Results: Overall, there were no significant differences between the two groups with respect to hemodynamic parameters. The mean heart rate and blood pressure of patients between both groups were comparatively consistent and did not very much from the onset of procedure to the end. On the other hand, oxygen saturation levels were statistically significantly higher in the video group at the onset of incision and drilling. Conclusions: Videos can be interpreted in different ways by patients. Overall, hemodynamic parameters are overall not influenced with videos.

Introduction: Maxillary reconstruction is often a challenging task for the surgeons because of the complex anatomy. However, with the advances in virtual surgical planning (VSP) and 3D printing technology there is a new avenue for the surgeons which offers a suitable alternative to conventional flap-based reconstructions. Patients and Methods: In this article, we have described 4 case scenarios which were managed with the help of VSP and additive manufacturing technology for complex maxillary reconstruction procedures. Use of the technologies aided the clinician in achieving optimal outcomes with regards to form, function and esthetics. Discussion: Virtual surgical planning (VSP) has gained a lot of impetus in past 1 decade. These aides the surgeon in determining the extent of disease and also carry out the treatment planning. In addition to VSP, the concept of additive manufacturing provides a viable alternative to the conventional reconstruction modalities for maxillary defect rehabilitation. Increased accuracy, rehabilitation of normal anatomical configuration, appropriate dental rehabilitation, decreased intra-operative time and post-operative complications are some of the advantages. In addition, patient-specific implants eliminate the need for a separate donor site. Apart from the treatment of pathologies, they also can be used for reconstruction of post-traumatic defect, where endosteal implant placement is not possible. Conclusion: These modalities show promising results for reconstruction of complex maxillary defects.