Oral ulcers are one of the most prevalent oral mucosal diseases. The etiology of oral mucosal ulcers still has to be discerned as a variety of precipitating factors and causes have been implicated. Unless associated with some underlying systemic component, the condition generally takes 10 to 14 days to resolve, sometimes to recur soon. During the active disease phase, it affects eating, drinking and swallowing, thus affecting the quality of life. The treatment is generally symptomatic and is limited to the use of analgesics, antibiotics and topical application of steroids. The use of these over-the-counter drugs can sometimes lead to severe adverse effects. Herbal medicaments provide a safer and efficacious alternative to synthetic drugs. This article aims to review the most commonly used herbal medicines and investigate their efficacy in treating oral ulcers.

Introduction The aim of the study was to evaluate rise in pulp chamber temperature after activation with different curing lights on bleached teeth in an in vitro study. The present study is an in vitro study with a sample size of 100. A total of 100 human extracted maxillary central and lateral incisors were collected and then randomly assigned into one control group and four experimental groups (n = 20). Material and Methods As many as 100 freshly extracted noncarious human maxillary central and lateral incisor teeth were used in this study. The access opening of all 100 samples were done to facilitate access to the pulp chambers for measuring the temperature. The samples were embedded into the additional silicone model, and uniform distance of 5 mm from tooth surface was taken for gel activation using different curing lights (LED, QTH, plasma arc, diode laser). The temperature inside the pulp chamber was measured using digital infrared thermometer. Infrared light of infrared thermometer was put on pulp chamber before the bleaching gel application (T₀) 1 minute after bleaching gel application (T₁). Later, there was changing of color of bleaching gel from dark red into green color when activated with different curing lights (T2). Statistical Analysis The temperature data obtained were analyzed statistically by one-way ANOVA and posthoc Tukey's tests. Significance level was set at 5% for all analyses. Results The mean and standard deviation (SD) values of rise in pulp chamber temperature after activation with different light sources were Group II (LED) 0.5 ± 0.466, Group III (QTH) 0.775 ± 0.229, Group IV (plasma arc) 1.26 ± 0.690, and Group V (diode laser) 1.355 ± 0.452. Conclusion Compared with other light-curing units, LED group induced lowest rise in pulp chamber temperature. Whereas, bleaching without light activation does not induce rise in pulp chamber temperature.

Introduction This study was undertaken to assess the influence of different superstructure materials, when subjected to occlusal loading, on the pattern of stress distribution in tooth-supported, implant-supported, and tooth implant-supported fixed partial prostheses, using the finite element analysis with a comparative viewpoint. Materials and Methods The geometric models of implant and mandibular bone were generated. Three models were created in accordance with the need of the study. The first model was given a tooth-supported fixed partial prosthesis. The second model was given tooth implant-supported fixed partial prosthesis, and the third model was given implant-supported fixed partial prosthesis. Forces of 100 N and 50 N were applied axially and buccolingually, respectively. Results The present study compared the stresses arising in the natural tooth, implant, and the whole prostheses under simulated axial and buccolingual loading of three types of fixed partial dentures, namely, tooth-supported, tooth implant-supported, and implant-supported fixed partial dental prostheses using three different types of materials. Conclusion The pattern of stress distribution did not appear to be significantly affected by the type of prosthesis materials in all models. The maximum stress concentrations were found in the alveolar bone around the neck of the teeth and implants.

Introduction Luting cements are susceptible to attack by moisture during the initial setting period that can result in an increased solubility. The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the solubility of different permanent and temporary dental luting cements in artificial saliva of different pH values at different time intervals. Materials and Methods Eight commercial luting cements were used. Out of which five were permanent cements (Rely X lute2, zinc phosphate cement, zinc polycarboxylate cement, Rely X U-200, GC GIC) and three temporary cements (ZOE, Oratemp NE, Temposil). A total of 200 samples were made into 25 specimens of each cement (five samples for each study solution group). The samples were made of dimension 20 mm × 1.5 mm in the metal mold. Once the cements were set, they were removed and after 3 minutes of removal they were placed in the incubator at 37°C ± 1 for 1 hour. Specimens of each cement type were separated into five groups for evaluation and comparison in distilled water and artificial saliva with four different pH values (pH 3, pH 5, pH 7, and pH 9). Percentage of solubility was calculated as 100% times weight loss divided by initial weight of the specimen. Results When all permanent cements were tested the result showed that Rely X U-200 showed least dissolution even after 28 days, followed by Rely X lute-2, then Glass ionomer cement then zinc polycarboxylate cement and then zinc phosphate cement which gave maximum dissolution. Conclusion When all temporary cements were tested the result showed that Temposil showed least dissolution even after 28 days, followed by OraTemp NE, compared with zinc oxide eugenol which gave maximum dissolution.

Introduction Floating norms put us at ease while diagnosing and establishing a treatment plan for an individual with abnormal skeletal pattern. It uses the variability of the associations among appropriate cephalometric variables and later on the basis of a regression model by combination of both skeletal parameters which are sagittal and vertical and construct a harmony box which make diagnosis straightforward. This study aims to establish floating cephalometric norms for the describing individual craniofacial skeletal pattern among North Indian Adults as an additional diagnostic tool for orthodontic treatment planning. Materials and Methods The study includes North Indian adults in age range of 17 to 25 years. A total of 30 patients were selected and were subjected to cephalometric evaluation. Various angular measurements viz., SNB (sella-nasion-point B), NL-NSL (maxillary line-nasion sella line), ML-NSL (mandibular line-nasion sella line), N–S–Ba (nasion-sella-basion), SNA (sella-nasion-point A), and ML-NL (mandibular line-maxillary line) were considered for designing harmony box for North Indian adults. Results The results of the study were subjected to various statistical analyses. SNB served as the independent variable and NL-NSL, NSBa, ML-NSL, ML-NL, and SNA were made the dependent variable due to lesser R2 values in multiple regression analysis. Correlation between some of the variables, such as (SNA–SNB, ML-NSL–NL-NSL, and ML-NSL–ML-NL), in the present North Indian sample showed positive correlation among each other and were statistically significant (p = 0.000). When compared with the other similar studies done previously, least variability was seen with the Segner study and maximum variability was seen with Thilander's study. Conclusion The analysis of the individual craniofacial pattern by means of floating norms appears to provide a helpful method in determining the parameters responsible for the skeletal disharmony, thus representing a viable option for additional diagnostic tool in orthodontic and orthopaedic/surgical treatment planning.

Introduction The main aim of this study is in vitro evaluation of the antimicrobial efficacy of different herbal products, that is, propolis, garlic, neem, aloe vera, and rosemary, against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Enterococcus faecalis using agar diffusion test. Materials and Methods In this study, total of 42 plates were prepared, 10 each of B. subtilis, S. aureus, and E. faecalis and 12 as test control (6 as positive and 6 as negative control). The effectiveness of five herbal products was ascertained by agar diffusion method against B. subtilis, S. aureus, and E. faecalis. Cultures of these test organisms were maintained on selective media slants in a test tube to collect sufficient number of microbial colonies for evaluation. The cultures were divided into three groups based upon microbes that were lawn cultured, respectively: In group A, 10 petri plates were having growth of B. subtilis; in group B, 10 petri plates were having growth of S. aureus; and in group C, 10 petri plates were having growth of E. faecalis. In all these 30 petri plates, five different herbal product discs were placed and these discs were designated as A (aloe vera), P (propolis), N (neem), R (rosemary), and G (garlic). Among remaining 12 petri plates, 4 petri plates were used as control (2 for positive and 2 for negative) for each of the bacteria. Results Propolis and rosemary showed maximum zone of inhibition against B. subtilis. Garlic, neem, and aloe vera showed maximum zone of inhibition against S. aureus. Conclusion All the herbal products showed zone of inhibition against S. aureus, B. subtilis, and E. faecalis.

Introduction Provisional restoration is a critical component of fixed prosthodontics treatment, which must satisfy many inter-relative factors such as biological, mechanical, and esthetic. These restorations should have accurate marginal adaptation and optimum strength to maintain functional demands. The present “in vitro” study was conducted to evaluate the effect of water temperature and duration of immersion, on the marginal adaptation and microhardness of four different commercially available provisional restorative materials. Materials and Methods The 240 specimens were then seated on the stainless-steel die which simulated the prepared tooth, and evaluated for the marginal gap for four different provisional restorative materials and divided into four different groups A, B, C, and D. Each group was further divided into six subgroups according to temperature of water and time of immersion. In each group the samples were immersed in water at 20, 30, and 40 degrees, respectively for 5 and 10-minutes duration. Four different temporary restorative materials for crown fabrication were loaded each time to make temporary crowns. Results Each sample was placed under travelling stereoscopic microscope (20× magnification) and photographed. Results for each surface were obtained, and the average of three surfaces was calculated. Knoop hardness was measured using a microhardness tester. The study was subjected to statistical analysis, to know the statistical significance, of the effect of difference in time and temperature changes at the time of final polymerization on surface microhardness and marginal integrity of four different provisional restorative materials. Discussion The mean marginal discrepancies of bis-GMA (group B) at 20, 30, and 40°C for 5 and 10 minutes in water were smaller than the results of other groups. Microhardness evaluation showed that the poly ethyl methacrylate (PEMA) type resin exhibited significantly lower microhardness than the bis-acryl resin composites (Protemp 4 and Systemp.c&b) at both time and temperature intervals. Conclusion The bis-acryl composites material has the least marginal discrepancy in comparison with PEMA and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). The bis-acryl composites materials exhibit superior surface microhardness followed by PEMA and PMMA.

A 9-year-old child reported with chief complaint of broken teeth (11 and 21) and discolored tooth (21). Diagnosis of pulp necrosis with apical periodontitis with regard to 11 and 21 was made based on clinical and radiographic examination. The canals were irrigated with sodium hypochlorite and then dried with paper points. Disinfection of canals was done using photoactivated disinfection (PAD). Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) was placed as scaffold in canals till the cementoenamel junction (CEJ). A 2-mm thick layer of white MTA was placed, followed by dual seal using glass–ionomer cement (GIC) and composite resin. Follow-up examination was done for 1 year. Clinical examination showed no pain, tenderness on percussion, and no mobility and improvement in color of teeth. Radiographic evaluation revealed continued thickening of the dentinal walls, root lengthening, regression of the periapical lesion, and partial apical closure. This report of pulp revascularization shows that disinfection with photodynamic therapy combined with PRF resulted in satisfactory root development in necrotic immature teeth.