Despite growing knowledge of the adverse effects of cigarette smoking on general health, smoking is one of the most widely prevalent addictions around the world. Globally, about 1.1 billion smokers and over 8 million people die each year because of cigarette smoking. Smoking acts as a source for a variety of oral and systemic diseases. Various periodontal issues such as increased pocket depth, loss of alveolar bone, tooth mobility, oral lesions, ulcerations, halitosis, and stained teeth are more common among smokers. This systematic review was conducted according to the guidelines from PRISMA, and research articles were retrieved from the Web database sources on 31 May 2021. The quality of research articles was ensured by the type of evidence from combined schema incorporating as schema-13 evidence type description, Cochrane health promotion and public health field (CHPPHF), and the health gains notation framework-14 screening question for quality assessment of qualitative and quantitative studies. Smokers have been found to have bleeding on probing, periodontal pockets, and clinical attachment loss compared to nonsmokers. Oral and respiratory cancers are among the most lethal known diseases caused by cigarette smoking and other commonly occurring sequelae such as stained teeth, periodontal diseases, etc.

Aim: To estimate the differences in the maxillary arch morphology in buccal and palatal canine impaction in an Asian population of Gujarati origin. Methodology: An institutional ethics committee’s approval was acquired before the commencement of this study. Sixty subjects were enrolled in the study. Thirty subjects (20 females and 10 males) had a maxillary impacted canine either buccal or palatal and thirty control group participants were selected aged 13 to 18 years who sought orthodontic treatment at the tertiary health care center in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, in western India. Routine pre-treatment radiographs and dental plaster models with good anatomic details were recorded. Measurements of the inter-molar width, palatal depth, arch length, sum of the mesio-distal width of the upper incisors, and available arch space were recorded from prepared orthodontic study models using digital vernier calipers with an accuracy of 0.01 mm and brass wire. The ratio of palatal depth to inter-molar width (Ratio 1), arch length to inter-molar width (Ratio 2), and width of the maxillary incisors to available arch space (Ratio 3) were also secondarily calculated. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21, IBM Inc. The normality of the data was assessed by the Shapiro–Wilk test. As the data was found to be normally distributed, bivariate analyses were also performed (one-way ANOVA test, Bonferroni post hoc correction). The level of statistical significance was set at a p-value less than 0.05. Results: The comparison of the inter-molar width, palatal depth, arch length, sum of the mesio-distal width of the upper incisors, available arch space, Ratio 1, Ratio 2, and Ratio 3 among controls and subjects with buccal and palatal canine impaction showed overall significant differences in the inter-molar width, palatal depth, arch length, sum of the mesio-distal width of the upper incisors, and available arch space when compared using one-way ANOVA as p < 0.05. Ratios 1, 2, and 3 also showed significant differences between the buccal and palatal canine impaction. Conclusion: An inadequate arch length (p < 0.0001) and a higher degree of crowding with reduced available arch space (p < 0.0001) may be considered as early risk factors for buccal maxillary canine impaction. An inadequate inter-molar width (p < 0.0001), and an increased palatal depth (p < 0.0001) with a clinically reduced mesiodistal width of the sum of maxillary incisors may be considered as risk factors for palatal maxillary canine impaction in an Asian population of Gujarati origin.

Background. The present study aimed to assess and compare the pain perception and ulcer sizes before and after applying low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and Amlexanox + lidocaine. Methods. Twenty-six patients referring to the out-patient department of the institution and diagnosed with recurrent aphthous ulcers (RAU) were assigned to two groups to receive either LLLT or Amlexanox + lidocaine. In group 1, the patients were provided with amlexanox + lidocaine to apply topically four times daily. In group 2, the patients underwent LLLT with no tissue contact in inward circular motions for two cycles for 30 seconds. This study was registered in "the Clinical Trials Registry- India" (CTRI), with the registration number CTRI/2019/09/028222. The data were analyzed with SPSS 16. Results. The intergroup comparison was performed using Mann-Whitney U test, and intragroup comparisons were made using Wilcoxon’s signed-rank test. The level of significance was set at P<0.05. The results showed that pain perception and ulcer size were significantly lower in group 2 subjects than group 1 subjects (P<0.05). Conclusion. LLLT was more effective than amlexanox + lidocaine in the management of RAU. It is a cost-effective therapy for treating RAU.

The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence and determinants of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) among 12- to 15-year-old adolescents of Faridabad. The study included a sample of 300 adolescents (132 males and 168 females) with age ranging from 12 to 15 years. Data were collected through clinical examination and Fonseca anamnestic questionnaire. The prevalence of TMD signs was assessed through Fonseca anamnestic questionnaire while TMD symptoms were measured by clinical examination. Various determinants of TMDs such as Angle's classification, crossbite, overjet, overbite were also recorded. Data were then analyzed using SPSS version 21. Inferential statistics were performed using Chi-square test. The overall prevalence of both TMD signs and symptoms was 51%. Females had higher prevalence (57.1%) of TMD symptoms when compared to males (43.2%). TMD signs has shown a statistical significant relationship with overbite (p = 0.007) and bruxism (p < 0.0001) only. No significant association was found between age, gender, Angle's molar relation, crossbite, and TMD signs. Statistical significant association was found between gender (p = 0.016), Angle's molar relation (p = 0.005), overbite (p = 0.001), crossbite (p = 0.030), bruxism (p < 0.0001), and TMD symptoms. No Significant relationship was reported between malocclusions and TMD sign except for overbite and bruxism, but significant relationship were found between TMD symptoms and malocclusion. Taneja P, Nagpal R, Marya CM, et al. Temporomandibular Disorders among Adolescents of Haryana, India: A Cross-sectional Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2019;12(6):500-506.

The present study was conducted to evaluate the marginal adaptability of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) as a root-end filling material when manipulated using two different IV fluids intended for pediatric usage; in the presence of blood and salivary contamination. Sixty single-rooted teeth were selected. Conventional endodontic root canal preparation was performed on all specimens followed by root-end resection and retrograde cavity preparation. The roots were randomly divided into two groups (n = 30). In the specimens of group I, fresh blood was used as a contaminant and in group II artificial saliva was used as a contaminant. In both groups, MTA (e-MTA, Kids-e-Dental®) manipulated using either Ringer's lactate IV fluid (n = 15) or Tetraspan IV fluid (n = 15) was used for root-end filling in blood or artificial saliva-coated retrocavities. Furthermore, these roots were placed in beakers pooled with fresh phlebotomized blood or artificial saliva. After incubating for 48 hours, the roots were divided longitudinally to expose the retrofilled cavities and were then sputter-coated with gold-platinum dust. To assess the marginal adaptation of MTA to radicular dentin “maximum gap width” and “gap perimeter” were measured in images obtained from scanning electron microscopy of root specimens. SPSS 21 was employed for statistical analysis at (p < 0.05). Mann–Whitney U test and ANOVA were used for analyzing the data obtained. The gap width was more among samples exposed to blood (p < 0.05) than artificial saliva. No significant difference was reported in the gap perimeter when cavities were filled with MTA mixed with either IV fluids (p > 0.05). Exposure to blood during setting had a negative effect on gap width when retrocavities were filled with MTA using Tetraspan. No effect was seen on the arch perimeter in retrocavities filled with MTA mixed with Ringer's lactate or Tetraspan. For avoiding failure, it is critical to select a biocompatible root-end filling material with high sealing ability. Hence, by doing the same, the clinical situation can be simulated. Mody A, Arora R, Chauhan P, et al. A Scanning Electron Microscopic Study on Effect of Blood and Artificial Salivary Contamination on Marginal Adaptation of Mineral Trioxide Aggregate, When Used as a Retrograde Filling Material: An In Vitro Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2021;14(5):674–680.