Aim: To compare the efficacy of intraligmentary injection and inferior alveolar nerve block in providing profound pulpal anesthesia for endodontic treatment of mandibular molars; and to compare the discomfort associated with each injection technique. Materials & Methods: Intraligamentary injection was used as a primary anaesthetic technique to anesthetize 20 vital mandibular molars that needed endodontic treatment and was compared to the pulpal anesthesia of 20 mandibular molars anesthetized using the inferior alveolar nerve block technique. Pain perceived by the patient was recorded based on VAS. Results: Lesser discomfort was associated with the intraligamentary injection technique. Conclusion & Clinical Relevance: The intraligamentary injection can be used effectively to anesthetize mandibular molars, as a primary anaesthetic technique, during endodontic treatment. Pain associated with insertion of needle and anesthesia achieved was acceptable.

A challenge currently faced by the periodontists is the predictable regeneration of the periodontal tissues (periodontal ligament, cementum & alveolar bone) lost as a consequence of periodontal disease. The application of various regenerative bio-materials has been pursued with varying degrees of success in achieving complete periodontal regeneration. One among the recent technologies that are being investigated to obtain optimum results is gene therapeutics. Gene therapy may achieve greater bio-availability of growth factors within periodontal wounds and hence provide greater regenerative potential. This paper highlights the concepts and available information regarding the role of gene therapy in regenerative periodontics. The current status of the gene based therapeutics in periodontal regenerative medicine as well as the future applications in clinical periodontal treatment are also discussed.

Cusp of Carabelli is a supplemental cusp found lingual to the mesiolingual cusp, which merely acts as a buttress or as a supplement to the bulk of mesiolingual cusp. However, their incidences differ depending on the type and the tooth affected. Varaiations in the size of this cusp range from its being the largest cusp of the tooth to a barely noticeable elevation. Although its presence may not be a cause for alarm in most instances, nevertheless it can lead to serious consequences if it is damaged. The models which include genetic and environmental factors for the manifestation of Carabelli'strait have been highlighted. A note on the racial distribution and its variations has been discussed.

Fine needle aspiration has been practiced for more than 80 years as a technique to diagnose infections and malignancy. FNAC is rapidly gaining acceptance as a diagnostic modality in many surgical and non surgical specialities although the specificity of oral and maxillofacial surgery seems to have ignored its many advantages over the more conventional techniques of incisional and excisional biopsies. The effectiveness of fine needle aspiration cytology in the diagnosis for lesion of thyroid, breast and pancreas has been well documented. We recommend an expanded role of FNAC in the lesion of the head and neck region. Also the recent momentum towards cost control encouraged us to review our experience in literature with fine needle aspiration biopsy to analyse its effectiveness and accuracy. This article contains a series of reviews, which aim to provide readers with a quick overview and update of recent publications in relation to fine needle aspiration cytology in head and neck region.

Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease that leads to the loss of tooth-supporting tissues. Conventional periodontal treatment is generally unable to promote regeneration of the damaged periodontal structures. The recent advance technique now available to overcome this problem is "Tissue Engineering".

Peripheral cemento ossifying fibromas (PCOF) are benign and odontogenic tumors. Here we present a case report of PCOF in maxillary anterior region - its clinical features, radiographic and microscopic picture and the treatment

Gingival overgrowths can cause functional and esthetic problems in the oral cavity. These are commonly, reactive, inflammatory, developmental or neoplastic conditions. The reactive being the result of trauma or chronic irritation. The present case of giant fibroepithelial polyp mimicking the size of a neoplastic lesion warrants the need of biopsy and histological evaluation in the management of such lesions.

Pyogenic granulomas are common reactive lesions in the oral cavity that present secondary to low grade irritation, trauma or hormonal factors. The clinical appearance of pyogenic granulomas is non-specific, often mimicking many other lesions. Histopathology is the mainstay for diagnosis. Radiographic evaluation is also necessary to see if underlying bone is involved. It is paramount to evaluate the vascular nature of the granuloma, which often precludes surgical excision and warrants the use of electrosurgery or LASERS. Effective case management requires proper clinical, radiographic and histological evaluation, which in turn dictates treatment planning.

Radicular cysts are the most common inflammatory odontogenic cysts of jaws. They are found mostly at the apices of the tooth (periapical cyst), lateral surface of the roots (lateral radicular cyst) and remains in the jaw after removal of the offending tooth (residual cyst). The pathogenesis involves the activation of the epithelial remnants in the periodontal ligament which occurs as a result of inflammation. We present a case of radicular cyst with varied histopathological features with an overview in the pathogenesis and histopathological features

This article discusses in detail the combined orthodontic and surgical treatment carried out for an adult female with skeletal Class II malocclusion with vertical maxillary excess. As the patient's chief complaint was gummy smile, along with orthodontic treatment for the correction of dental compensations, orthognathic surgery was elected as an option of treatment to correct the underlying skeletal Class II pattern due to vertical maxillary excess with improvement of facial profile. The treatment plan was carried out as: (1) Pre surgical orthodontics- levelling and aligning of the maxillary and mandibular arch with closure of lower first premolar extraction spaces. (2) Surgical phase-Lefort I osteotomy for superior maxillary impaction and anterior maxillary osteotomy set back (3) Post surgical orthodontics for finishing and detailing. The treatment duration was 24 months and restored significantly good facial esthetic with ideal occlusion, over jet and over bite. After 1 year of treatment, the results remained stable.

A satisfactory smile can be achieved by using several techniques and esthetic materials, such as resin and porcelain. Nevertheless, to date, no restorative material has been more effective than the properties of the natural dental structures themselves. Several authors have suggested the use of natural teeth fragments as an efficient method for restoring teeth. The combination of dental fragments, adhesives, and restorative materials that are commercially available today provides good functional and esthetic results. "Biological Restorations" take on special importance in restorative dentistry, as they are less expensive, which makes this practice a feasible option, mostly to people of a lower economic level. This case report describes a clinical case performed by means of "Biological Restoration" using homogeneous fragment bonding associated with biological veneer obtained from natural extracted tooth, aimed at the esthetic and functional reconstruction.

The challenge of rehabilitating completely edentulous resorbed mandibular ridges with conventional complete dentures, where implants and pre-prosthetic surgeries are not an option, is met with a simple and cost effective technique with no additional chair time. The impression technique described in this article has the advantage of predictable border tissues extension, positive stability during border moulding and minimal pressure exerted during the procedure.