Idiopathic Gingival Fibromatosis in a Pediatric Patient

Idiopathic gingival fibromatosis (IGF) is a rare, benign, slow-growing proliferation of the gingival tissues involving both maxillary and mandibular gingiva. It is exacerbated during the eruptive phase of both primary and permanent dentitions. The purpose of this article is to report the case of a 10-year-old boy who presented with IGF whose gingival enlargement covered the occlusal surfaces of many teeth and displaced the erupting dentition, compromising the patient's cosmetics, function, speech and development. The treatment involved gingivectomy and gingivoplasty, combining both surgical and laser methods. The case showed remarkable esthetic and functional im provement, without signs of recurrence one year post-treatment.

Effects of different dentinal drying methods on the adhesion of glass ionomer restorations to primary teeth

BACKGROUND

Glass ionomer cements that form an inevitable part of pediatric restorative dentistry are inherently sensitive to moisture. The influence of different drying techniques on the shear bond strength of glass ionomer cements to primary teeth dentin has not been established.

AIMS

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effects of different drying methods for different drying time periods on the shear bond strength of GC Fuji IX to primary tooth dentine.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

A total of 135 caries-free primary teeth were selected and ground to a flat dentinal surface. Specimens were randomly divided into three groups - air dry, blot dry, and suction dry of 45 specimens each. Of these, 15 specimens each were dried for 2 s, 5 s, and 10 s. GC Fuji IX was condensed into Teflon molds, and the specimens were subjected to shear bond strength testing.

RESULTS

The mean shear bond strength values for the different time intervals were analyzed with analysis of variance test. In the air-dry group, the maximum shear bond strength values were obtained when the specimens were dried for 5 s and the least when dried for 2 s (P = 0.00). In the blot-dry and suction-dry groups, the highest values were obtained when the specimens were dried for 10 s and least for 2 s (P = 0.039 and 0.000, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Among the three drying methods employed in the study, the maximum shear bond strength of the glass ionomer restoration was observed in the air-dry group.

Blandin and Nuhn mucocele in a pediatric patient

Oral mucoceles are benign lesions that may appear in any location on the mucosal surfaces of the oral cavity where underlying minor salivary glands are found. The lower lip is the most frequently affected and the most widely reported location. Mucoceles involving the glands of Blandin and Nuhn are infrequent and constitute only about 1.9%-10.3% of the reported cases. Superficial mucoceles are a rare subtype of the Blandin and Nuhn mucoceles and are found only in 4.3%-10% of the mucocele excisions. The purpose of this report is to present a case of a superficial mucocele in the ventral surface of the tongue in a 7-year-old child. The lesion was treated with excisional biopsy.

Correction of anterior crossbite using modified transparent aligners: An esthetic approach

Anterior crossbite results from the abnormal axial inclination of one or more anterior teeth. It is a major esthetic and functional anomaly which has to be corrected in the primary and early mixed dentition period to allow the normal development of maxilla and mandible as well as the occlusion. Several treatment options are available to correct the problem. A unique appliance, “modified transparent tray aligners” was used to correct the anterior crossbite in an 8-year-old child. The clinical presentation, fabrication of the appliance, and the outcome are discussed.

AIDS-related discrimination in Asia

The Asia Pacific Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS (APN+) conducted the first regional documentation of AIDS-related discrimination in Asia. This project was an action-based, peer-implemented study that aimed to develop an understanding of the nature, pattern and extent of AIDS-related discrimination in several Asian countries. Trained HIV-positive people interviewed 764 positive people in four countries (India 302; Indonesia 42; Thailand 338; the Philippines 82) using a structured questionnaire. Findings indicate that the major area of discrimination in each country is within the health sector, where over half of those surveyed experienced some form of discrimination. In all countries, the majority of people did not receive pre-test counselling before being tested for HIV. People who reported coerced testing were significantly more likely than other respondents to face subsequent AIDS-related discrimination. A considerable number of respondents were refused treatment after being diagnosed with HIV and many experienced delayed provision of treatment or health services. Breaches of confidentiality by health workers were common. Within the family and the community, women were significantly more likely to experience discrimination than men, including ridicule and harassment, physical assault and being forced to change their place of residence because of their HIV status. These findings have serious implications, particularly in light of the increasing trend in many countries to test all pregnant women in order to prevent transmission of HIV to their unborn children.

Selected cephalometric norms in south Kanara children

Cephalometric Norms from forty South Kanara children were selected and it was found that these children have a tendency towards class II skeletal relation. Females showed a protrusive Maxillary and Mandibular base. Certain new landmarks were also introduced, the value of which gives the molar relationship. Length of Maxillary and Mandibular bases were also standardised for class I cases.