Prathima Shetty

Prevalence of Talon cusp in Indian population.

Aim: To investigate the prevalence of the talon cusps in a sample of Indian dental patients and their distribution among different types of teeth. To determine the presence of other dental anomalies associated with the talon cusps. Method: 2740 out patients (1523 males and 1217 females) attending Oral Medicine department from November 2010 to January 2011 were screened for the presence of talon cusps and were subjected to Intra Oral Peri-apical (IOPA) radiograph to rule out any associated anomalies or peri-apical changes. Results: Talon cusps were detected in 16 out of 2740 patients (person prevalence 0.58%). Thirty one teeth were found to have talon cusp. Maxillary lateral incisors were the most commonly affected teeth (54.8%, 17 teeth), followed by maxillary central incisors and canines (16.12%, 5 teeth).Talon cusp was found in two mandibular central incisors (6.45%) and one each in mandibular second and third molar (3.22% each). Seventeen teeth in 7 patients (54.83%) were found to be associated with anomalies like dens invagination (6 teeth, 19.35%), impacted 13, 23 (6 teeth, 19.35%), partial anodontia (3 teeth, 9.67%), geographic and fissured tongue (2 teeth, 6.45%). Peri-apical granuloma was found in one tooth with talon cusp associated with dens invaginatus. None of the patients were found to be associated with any syndromes. Conclusion: Attention should be paid to the presence of the talon cusp and the associated anomalies. Early diagnosis of the talon cusp can help the clinician in preventing the further complications. Key words:Orthopantomography, atheroma, stroke.

Gender determination using the mental foramen

Background: Identification and determination of the sex of unknown human skeletal remains have been one of the most challenging tasks for forensic dentistry. The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility of the analysis of location of the mental foramen on panoramic radiographs for gender determination. Materials and Methods: Thirty radiographs of an equal number of males and females were selected for the analysis of the mental foramen. Distance from the superior and inferior borders of the mental foramen to the lower border (S-L and I-L) of the mandible of both sides were recorded. The data obtained were subjected to statistical analysis. Results: The distances of S-L and I-L were significantly high in males than in females while the distance for the right and left sides of an individual were almost similar in both the male and female groups and the results were nonsignificant. Conclusion: There is a significant difference in the distance from the mental foramen to the lower border of the mandible in males and females.

Pleomorphic adenoma of the palate

Pleomorphic adenoma is a benign salivary gland tumor commonly affecting in the major salivary glands. Incidence of pleomorphic adenoma affecting minor salivary gland tumors has also been reported. Presenting a case report of a 48-year-old male diagnosed with pleomorphic adenoma arising from minor salivary gland.

An unusual case of erupted compound odontoma: What happens when it erupts?

Odontomas are benign odontogenic tumors of epithelial and mesenchymal origin. They are considered as hamartomas rather than true neoplasms. They are asymptomatic, slow growing, nonaggressive and are composed of dental tissues. They are commonly associated with tooth eruption disturbances and are discovered on routine radiographic examination. Erupted odontomas are rare entities in the oral cavity. Here, we report an unusual case of erupted odontoma.

Dental age estimation using the Foti's method - A pilot study

Background: A retrospective pilot study was done to estimate the chronological age of an individual using the radiographs in the Dental Radiology Department by the Foti′s Model 1 regressive formula and to correlate the efficacy of the chronological and radiographic age by using this formula. Materials and Methods: The present study comprised of 25 subjects ranging from six to twenty years. The dental age was assessed by using the Foti′s method based on the Model 1 regressive formula. Panoramic radiographs were taken. The data were analyzed by using the paired t test, interclass correlation coefficient, and regression analysis, using SPSS 13. Results: The average chronological age was 10.6 ± 2.5 that of Foti′s method was 16.4 ± 1.4, which showed a statistically high and significant difference. Assessment of the agreement between the two methods: The interclass correlation coefficient was 0.778 (C.I: 0.625 - 0.863), which showed poor agreement between the two methods (P = 0). Conclusion: The present study indicated that the Foti′s Model 1 regressive formula was inappropriate for age estimation in the present sample population.

Xerostomia: Few dry facts about dry mouth

Xerostomia is the subjective feeling of oral dryness, which is often associated with hypofunction of the salivary gland. Xerostomia can also have a major impact on a patient′s oral health and quality of life. Patients with xerostomia complaints of problems with mastication, phonetics, deglutition and wearing dentures. Treatment of this condition always depends on the cause. Oral physicians should be able to diagnose this condition and able to give proper treatment to provide comfort to their patients. This article reviews the causes of xerostomia and its management.

Age estimation of an individual by using Olze's method in South Indian population

Background: The present study was conducted to assess age of adults by using Olze′s method and also to estimate the efficacy of Olze′s method in south Indian population. Materials and Methods: The present study comprised of 25 subjects ranging from 12 to 26 years from Mangalore. Dental age was assessed by using the Olze′s method based on upper and lower third molar. Panoramic radiographs were taken for the same. The obtained data were analyzed by using paired t-test, intraclass correlation coefficient, and regression analysis using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) 13 software for statistical analysis. Results: Average chronological age was 16.11. Average age estimated by Olze′s method was 16.05. The intraclass correlation coefficient between the two methods showed excellent agreement between the two. Statistical analysis indicated that there is no significant difference between chronological age and age obtained by Olze′s method. Conclusion: Olze′s method has been experimented by many authors. An attempt was made to apply original method in our population and check its reliability. The present study indicated that, Olze′s method was reliable for age estimation in our sample. This method of age estimation was accurate in both males and females.

Crown dilaceration of maxillary central incisor - A case report

Crown dilaceration is the result of a developmental anomaly in which there has been an abrupt change in the axial inclination between the crown and the root of a tooth. Two possible causes of dilacerations are trauma and developmental disturbances, and it has also been proposed that it might be associated with some developmental syndromes. Dilaceration can be seen in both the permanent and deciduous dentitions, and it is more commonly found in posterior teeth and in the maxilla. A rare case of crown dilaceration of maxillary permanent central incisor has been reported in this article.