Neutrophils play a critical role as a part of the innate immune response. Although neutrophils are primarily protective, they release products partly responsible for the destruction seen in periodontal disease. The techniques presently available for counting neutrophils require special equipment and are only semi-quantitative. The aim of the present investigation was to check the efficacy of a single, rapid, non-invasive assay to enable the expedient quantification of oral neutrophils, and utilize the assay to quantify the number of neutrophils in periodontal disease.

Forty five subjects were recruited in the study. They were put into three groups based on the Gingival Index and Russell's Periodontal Index as clinically healthy (Group 1), gingivitis (Group 2) and periodontitis (Group 3). GCF samples were collected using a durapore filter and the number of neutrophils counted using an improved Neubaeur's Chamber.

Neutrophils were present in GCF of all the samples. There was statistically significant difference between the neutrophil numbers in all the samples with respect to severity of periodontal disease. The strength of association was the strongest between probing pocket depth and neutrophil counts.

This study demonstrates that it is possible to collect and quantify oral neutrophils by a single, rapid, noninvasive assay using durapore strips.

In order to evaluate the need of antibiotic use in children for a variety of dental procedures, a retrospective study was undertaken.

Children as dental patients, a study The records of 100 children between age 2-10 years visiting a pediatric dental clinic for various pulpal and periapical conditions were evaluated. A total of 364 procedures (pulp therapies such as pulpotomy and pulpectomy, and extractions) were carried out in the children for different pulpal and periapical pathologies (irreversible pulpitis, pulp necrosis and periradicular abscess). Timing of the antibiotic cover (preop, intraop and post op), duration of the antibiotic, and type of the antibiotic or a combination was recorded.

Only 19.5% procedures required antibiotic prescriptions. On most occasions, an antibiotic cover given prior to commencement of the treatment was sufficient to prevent the possible advancement of the infection and promote the post-operative healing.

Antibiotics are often not a necessity for the treatment of dental conditions in children. However, a larger sample size and multicentric study would be necessary to establish this finding.

To assess the dentist's awareness about dental care waste management.

A cross sectional questionnaire study was conducted among 250 private dental practitioners selected by simple random sampling. A pretested questionnaire consisting of 28 close ended questions divided into two sections was used.

Out of 250 participants 167(66.8%) were males and 83(33.2%) were females. About 14.8% of the dentists were not aware of the different categories of bio-medical waste generated in their clinic. About 28% of the dentists were not aware of the bio-medical waste management law in India and the same number (28%) were not aware of the colour coding for different types of biomedical wastes.

The present study indicates that the majorities of the dental practitioners were not aware of the different categories of biomedical waste and are not practicing the appropriate method of waste disposal. There is an urgent need for continuing dental education on dental care waste management for the dental practitioners.

Patients with a variety of medical conditions often receive aspirin, warfarin or clopidogrel to prevent complications from atrial fibrillation, thromboembolisms or stroke. Although these medications can be lifesaving; it also can put patients at greater risk of experiencing haemorrhage after dental surgery. Therefore, a decision must be made whether to interrupt or continue anticoagulant treatment in patients undergoing various dental procedures. We have presented a review of this topic, including a brief description of the more commonly encountered anticoagulant and antiplatelet medications and the current recommendations for the surgical management of these patients.

Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is a crippling disorder which is confined almost exclusively to the Indian subcontinent. The available epediomological data showed clear cut geographical and ethnic predisposition, which suggested that certain customs/ habits prevalent among the population groups in the south-east asia might be etiological factors. Despite its association with a significantly increased risk of cancer, the etiology is still not clear. More research is needed to elucidate the problem.

For over hundred years Gutta Percha (GP) has been the most common material used for the obturation of the root canal. GP was the standard with which newer materials were tested. GP fulfills all the characteristics of an ideal root canal filling material, but has a disadvantage of not being able to seal the root canal on its own and requires a sealer for providing an effective seal. In an attempt to overcome this draw back a new root canal filling material was introduced, called, Resilon which is a thermoplastic synthetic polymer-based root canal filling material and Epiphany being the sealer. This material has the ability of forming a Monoblock with the root canal. The properties of this material has been studied, it has shown promising results and has emerged as a alternative to GP.

Ameloblastoma is an epithelial odontogenictumour of the jaw and exhibits diverse histopathologic subtypes like follicular, plexiform, acanthomatous and desmoplastic variantswhich occurs either singly or in combination. Granular cell ameloblastoma is a rare histological subtype of ameloblastoma accounting for less than 5% of the total. The rare granular cell variant is seen in combination usually with follicular or plexiform subtypes. The aim of this paper is to describe clinical and microscopic features of Ameloblastoma of a pure granular cell histopathological subtype occurring in a seventeen year old adolescent female patient in the lower right region of the mandible.

Oral functions involve unique interplay of oral structures and muscles. Any interference with their movements by a denture would result in denture instability. If the denture is placed in a zone where the displacing forces of tongue, lips, cheeks and modiolus are balanced, then the denture will be retained more effectively during function. This zone is known as neutral zone. If the denture strays outside/inside the neutral zone it will be unstable during the activities such as talking, swallowing and mastication. The neutral zone technique is used to minimize the displacing forces of the surrounding structures. This is a case report in which neutral zone impression technique was used to solve the problem of denture instability.

Microimplants usage has revolutionized the clinical orthodontic practice over last few years. Their diverse clinical applications and ease of usage has simplified orthodontic cases requiring maximum anchorage. Their application in minor tooth movements for facilitation of prosthodontic restoration in overerupted or drifted teeth without usage of orthodontic brackets will soon find favour with other dental specialties.

Gingival recession is one of the most common mucogingival deformity and treatment should be rendered in a manner such that the best esthetic results are achieved. Periodontal plastic surgery is a rapidly emerging field, which helps us to meet this criterion. Various techniques have been employed in the past years using conventional surgical procedures to achieve coverage of denuded roots. Increased patient awareness has generated the demand for an ideal therapy encompassing the elimination of disease and the restoration of esthetics and function that is administered with minimal trauma and discomfort.. This case report throws light on the use of a surgical operating microscope to cover Miller's class I gingival recession in a maxillary left canine using the subepithelial connective tissue graft technique and its advantages over the conventional technique under normal or macro vision. Satisfactory root coverage was obtained with excellent esthetics and patient comfort.