Since the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in late December 2019, it has brought significant harm and challenges to over 200 countries and geographic regions around the world. COVID-19 affects people in different ways, with patients exhibiting a range of symptoms and severity. Risk factors such as age, gender and comorbidities have been highlighted as increasing the risk of complications and mortality. These risk factors, however, do not account for the other 52% of deaths arising from COVID-19 in seemingly healthy individuals. This review examines the interplay between periodontal disease and development of severe complications of COVID 19. Periodontal infections alter the natural course of systemic conditions, due to the presence of a constant low grade systemic inflammatory state in the body. Correlating these two entities is the main focus of this review and how maintaining good oral health may reduce the risk of complications of COVID-19.

Background and objectives: Pit and fissure sealants have been long suggested as the method of preventing dental caries. The aim of the study was to provide an overview of the latest evidence on clinical effectiveness of pit and fissure sealants in prevention of dental caries. Materials and methods: Literature survey was carried out from 2010 to 2020 in electronic databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar and Virtual Health Library database using key words such as “Pit and fissure sealants” and “systematic reviews,”. The searches revealed 457 articles out of which 5 were selected after reading the full text articles. Results: The review of 5 articles revealed that high viscosity GIC and resin-based sealants have similar caries-preventive efficacy in permanent molar teeth after 48 months. The evidence for a potential superiority of high viscosity GIC over resin-based sealants after 60 months is still low. Sealants alone had a 2- to 3-fold higher risk of arresting or reversing lesions (moderate certainty for all comparisons) as compared to no treatment. In comparison to no therapy, the combination of sealants and 5% NaF varnish was the most effective in arresting or reversing lesions. When compared to varnish, Fissure sealants had limited superiority in minimizing occlusal caries. Conclusions: The evidence suggests that sealing pit and fissures are effective in prevention of dental caries however it is hampered by high risk of bias. Hence, future studies with high quality should be conducted assessing the effectiveness of different types of sealants.

Traumatic injury of anterior teeth is common and may lead to cyst over a period of time. Root perforation is contrived communication between root canal system and the supporting tissues of teeth or the oral cavity. Iatrogenic root perforation is a procedural mishap but quite an uncommon event, which may occur at any stage of root canal therapy, from access cavity preparation to post-space preparation, on any tooth. Perforations are reported to result in lower success rates. How they are managed can make the difference between retention and the loss of a tooth. It results in bacterial contamination, peri-radicular tissue injury, inflammation, and bone resorption. The purpose of this case report is to describe the endodontic retreatment and surgical management of a longstanding periapical lesion on maxillary central incisor, associated with perforation using mineral trioxide aggregate. MTA is bioactive material and shows good sealing activity for perforation repair and apical seal. For large periapical cyst healing PRF was used and Novabone putty was used for the healing of osseous defect.

The practice of restorative dentistry dates back to the 1st century AD. These restorations are done to restore form, function and esthetics. In current restorative practice, the materials to choose from are dental amalgam, composite resin (and its modifications) and glass ionomer cements (and its modifications). Dental amalgam was the material of choice for nearly two centuries. This was because it has such properties as durability, ease of placement, high compressive strength and it was cheap. It however was not esthetic and there was concern of its use due to its mercury content. Composite resin was initially only restricted to the anterior portion of the mouth and for small Class I cavities this was because though it was esthetic, it lacked strength, but with modifications, new research now shows it can be a good substitute for dental amalgam. Glass ionomer cement bonds to both enamel and dentine, it also has sustained release of fluoride which helps to remineralize tooth structure as well as prevent future caries occurrence. It can now also serve as a definitive restoration in the posterior stress bearing portion of the mouth. Although dental amalgam has been the material of choice almost two centuries, there is now a paradigm shift towards non-amalgam restorative materials. This paradigm shift has been occasioned by the need to restore tooth with materials that best match the tooth in terms of function and esthetics. The biomimetics are in as they fulfil the conditions and conserve tooth tissue.

Transverse deficiencies should be a priority in orthodontic treatment, and should be corrected as soon as diagnosed, to restore the correct transverse relationship between maxilla and mandible and, consequently, normal maxillary growth. Corrections may be performed at the skeletal level, by opening the midpalatal suture, or by dentoalveolar expansion. The choice of a treatment alternative depends on certain factors, such as age, sex, degree of maxillary hypoplasia and maturation of the midpalatal suture. Thus, the present case report discusses rapid palatal expansion to correct maxillary hypoplasia in a female patient with advanced skeletal maturation and bilateral cross-bite with constricted maxilla.

The aim of orthodontic treatment in a bimaxillary protrusion case is to obtain an esthetically pleasing face with harmonious soft tissue profile, stable occlusion and pleasant smile. The etiology of bimaxillary protrusion is multifactorial involving both genetic and environmental causes like mouth breathing, tongue and lip habits and tongue volume. The following case report is management of class I bimaxillary protrusion malocclusion in a hyperdivergent case with extraction of all first premolars. The effective management of space without losing anchorage is itself a big challenge. the results produced a pleasant facial profile with attainment of good occlusion. The case required extraction of 1st premolars for correction of the proclined, forwardly placed and crowded upper and lower anterior teeth. Clinical and cephalometric evaluation revealed skeletal Class I pattern and clinical examination revealed presence of an orthognathic facial profile, a vertical growth pattern, increased overjet and average overbite, crowding in maxillary and mandibular anterior region, potentially incompetent lips, increased lip fullness and lip strain, a gummy smile with an unaesthetic smile arc and a decreased nasolabial angle. Following fixed orthodontic treatment by removal of all 1st premolars and with retraction of anterior segment, a marked improvement in patient's smile, facial profile and occlusion was achieved and there was a remarkable increase in the patient's confidence and quality of life. The profile changes and treatment results were demonstrated with proper case selection and good patient cooperation with fixed appliance therapy.

Background and Objectives: There is increasing evidence that mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress may be central to both chronic periodontitis and type 2 diabetes mellitus pathogenesis. HSP 60 is a mitochondrial stress protein believed to be caused by mitochondrial dysfunction. The aim of this research was therefore to test the salivary and circulatory expression of HSP 60 in periodontitis patients. Methods: A total of 30 patients aged 35-50 were chosen and classified into two groups; (1) Healthy controls; (2) Chronic periodontitis and systemically healthy. HSP 60 in serum and saliva was estimated using a specific ELISA kit and correlated with periodontal parameters using statistical tests. Results: The serum and salivary levels of heat shock proteins were significantly higher in chronic periodontitis patients compared to healthy controls. Conclusion: Salivary levels of HSP 60 can be used as a biomarker to determine periodontitis severity. Patients with chronic periodontitis had higher salivary HSP 60 levels.

Rugae patterns are used in forensic investigations, owing to its uniqueness. In severely deceased burn victims, palatal rugae aid in identification process due to the resistance of hard palate. However changes in rugae form seen in diseases or trauma are intense in nature to alter identification process. Studies focusing on the effects of growth, tooth loss, or its combination are very few. Hence, the present study was carried out to determine the influence of tooth loss following extraction on rugae pattern in dentulous maxillary arch. A total of 25 patients with completely or partially dentulous maxillary arch indicated for extraction were selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Following consent, Impressions of maxillary arch of patients were made using irreversible hydrocolloid material, and a cast was poured. The procedure was repeated over a period of 6 months after extraction and the rugae patterns traced every month were compared with the previous cast. All the observations were subjected to statistical evaluation. Based on the rugae pattern it was observed that line (mean 1.0 ± S.D 1.22), curved (1.3 ± 1.37) and sinnous (1.9 ± 1.56) patterns were predominant while circular, interrupted and trifurcated rugae patterns were less common. Though the frequency of circular rugae was low; conversely, it showed a high statistically significant difference between post-extraction follow up (P<0.001*) in their mean followed by Line and bi-furcated rugae pattern. We conclude that rugae patterns are not always consistent, as they are susceptible to changes during extractions that can alter substantial identification process.

Obstructive sleep apnea is characterized by repetitive episodes of complete or partial collapse of the upper airway during sleep. Prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea is favored in men more than woman with a ratio of 2-4:1. Risk factors include nasal obstruction, obesity, gender, craniofacial anatomy, and smoking. Reoccurring symptoms, such as daytime sleepiness and irregular snoring have lead scientists and doctors to further find appropriate means of diagnosis. Polysomnography is proved to be the golden-standard method for diagnosing obstructive sleep apnea. Other diagnostic tools include taking a home apnea test. Positive airway pressure and oral appliances are the two most common non-invasive devices used to treat obstructive sleep apnea. Surgical procedures, like uvulopalatopharyngoplasty and maxillomandibular advancement are the most effective surgeries, especially in severe cases. Obstructive sleep apnea also arises complications and side effects that do not only affect the patient’s physical health but also impact their social and mental well-being; however, there are means to prevent it and lead a healthy lifestyle. In this review, the abovementioned aspects of obstructive sleep apnea are focused on and supported in detail.