Saba Khan

Long term dento-facial effects of radiotherapy in a treated patient of retinoblastoma.

Newer cancer treatment modalities have increased patient survival rate and longevity. Craniofacial and dental abnormalities occurring after radiation therapy and surgery in cancer patients may lead to severe cosmetic or functional sequelae, which may require surgical or orthodontic intervention later on. We, present a case; who was treated for retinoblastoma with enucleation of left eye and external beam radiotherapy at 26 months of age. As a result of radiotherapy there was hypoplasia of the maxilla. This case validates Von-Limborgs theory that states that local epigenetic factor like the developing eye has an important influence on the growth of adjacent structures, as with this patient there was hypoplasia of left orbit. Certain dental anomalies were also seen in the maxillary arch.

Oxygen free radical modified DNA: Implications in the etiopathogenesis of Systemic lupus erythematosus

The present study was designed to probe the possible role of singlet oxygen and superoxide anion radical modified DNA in the etiopathogenesis of Systemic lupus erythematosus. These species were generated by the exposure of riboflavin to 365 nm UV light. Modified DNA showed single strand breaks, hyperchromicity at 260nm and decrease in Tm. The modified DNA induced high titer antibodies in experimental animals. The antibodies showed reactivity with various nucleic acid polymers, a property commonly associated with Systemic lupus erythematosus anti-DNA autoantibodies. Systemic lupus erythematosus sera showed preferential binding of modified DNA over native DNA in direct binding and competitive binding solid phase immunoassays and band shift assays. The results suggest for the possible involvement of the singlet- superoxide modified DNA as a potential trigger for anti- DNA autoantibody production in SLE and thus in the etiopathogenesis of the disease.

Accelerating Tooth Movement: What Options We Have?

Duration of treatment is one of the main concerns of patients undergoing orthodontic treatment. Fixed orthodontic treatment lasts up to 2 to 3 years increasing the risk of external root resorption, periodontal problems and patient compliance [1]. Clinicians are constantly striving towards developing strategies to enhance the rate of orthodontic tooth movement. An increase in in-depth knowledge of the alveolar topography [2] has been a major aid in accelerating tooth movement. Corticotomies and multiple tooth osteotomies have been the main stay of surgically assisted rapid tooth movement. Corticotomy was first described in 1892 [3]. The concept of using a “positive system” for active canine retraction using a screw was proposed by Farrar [4]. Distraction osteogenesis in tooth movement was given by Liou and Huang [5]. Wilcko and Ferguson [6] demonstrated that tensional stress on a moving tooth through a surgically healing site led to faster tooth movement periodontally accelerated osteogenic orthodontics or Wilckodontics. In a systematic review by Hu Long [7], it was concluded that corticotomy is a safe and effective means of increasing the rate of tooth movement. Following corticotomy, there is alveolar osteopenia, followed by new bone deposition and osteoid formation, which can be supplemented using a bone graft [8]. Frost [8] called it regional acceleratory phenomenon whereby, regional healing response led to accelerated tooth movement. Several newer techniques like low level laser therapy, use of electric current, periodontal tissue activation by vibration, photobiomodulation have been discussed in this article.

Interdisciplinary management for restoration of function and esthetics in a patient with hereditary amelogenesis imperfecta

Amelogenesis imperfecta (AI) is a type of the hereditary disorder which is expressed as a group of conditions causing developmental alterations in the structure of enamel. It is associated with a reduction of oral health-related quality-of-life, has an impact on psychological well-being, and leads to various physiological problems. Children or adults with AI express varying degree of malocclusions either in the form of crowding, impacted teeth, spacing, retained teeth, reduced vertical height due to abnormal tooth structure or undue tooth loss. Orthodontic treatment should precede esthetic rehabilitation. Proper diagnosis of the case is quintessential to provide durable functional and esthetic result to these patients, improving the quality of their lives. We present a case of interdisciplinary management for restoring function and esthetics in a patient with hereditary AI of the hypoplastic type accompanied with tooth impaction and some other dental anomalies.