Atherosclerosis has been defined as a progressive process that causes focal thickening of large to medium sized muscular & large elastic arteries. Periodontal disease is destruction of tissue supporting the tooth that occurs following the disease. If the disease progresses without therapeutic intervention final outcome is loss of teeth. The focal progression of the periodontal disease correlates to the inflammatory biomarkers such as pro-inflammatory cytokines & serum antibody titers for pathogenic periodontal bacteria. Various studies have demonstrated a close association between cardiovascular disease & periodontitis & furthermore oral hygiene & periodontal status are closely related to the occurrence of heart attacks.

Based on the duration of antibiotics received post-operatively, 56 patients with maxillofacial fractures were divided into two groups, Group A patients received antibiotics for not more than 24 hr. in the post-operative period whereas Group B patients received antibiotics for duration of five days post-operatively. They were then followed up at 7th, 14th, 28th, and 42nd day for signs of infection such as pus discharge, fever etc by using a standardized form. Patients having any signs of infection were counted as infected. In the Group A, 8 out of 25 subjects (32%) developed infection. In Group B, 10 out of 31 subjects (32.2%) developed infection. Statistical analysis using chi-square test distribution showed that this difference in proportions was not significant. This study showed that the use of postoperative prophylactic antibiotics does not have a statistically significant effect on postoperative infection rates in the surgical management of facial fractures.

Aim: Oral submucous fibrosis is a chronic disease characterised by progressive inability to open the mouth. Various treatment modalities are available for its management, but these have largely been ineffective. This preliminary study indicates that adequate release of oral submucous fibrosis can be achieved by using a diode laser, with minimal morbidity and satisfactor results. Materials and Methods: 50 cases of oral submucous fibrosis underwent fibrous band resection using diode laser under Local anesthesia, from 2011 to 2013. All the patients were encouraged to carryout regular physiotherapy exercises, and were followed for period of 6 months. Results: Pre- and post-operative mouth-opening were compared using repeated measure ANOVA test. The mean pre operative mouth opening was 23.04 mm and mean postoperative mouth opening at the end of 6 months was 27.97 mm and significant difference observed (F value - 619.750, P value - 0.00). Conclusion: This preliminary study indicated that adequate release of oral submucous fibrosis can be achieved by using a diode laser, with minimal morbidity and satisfactory results. But the maintenance of intra operative results, post operative entirely depends on patients compliance.

Background & Objectives: Gingival retraction may damage the sulcular tissues irreversibly. Cord tearing during insertion or removal results in shreds being left behind within the gingival sulcus and supra-alveolar connective tissue. This has been attributed to the deficient tensile strength of the cords. It is crucial that retraction cords have satisfactory physico-chemical properties. There is much speculation in literature regarding the effect of hydration, types of cords, diameters of cords, effect of different chemical impregnating agents, variations in the concentrations of impregnating agents and the time for which cords are immersed in them, on the physico-chemical properties of retraction cords. The aim of this study is to assess the effect of chemical impregnation and its concentration variation on the tensile strength of cords & simultaneously evaluate its effect on the ultrastructure of cords using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Methods: 105 specimens of braided standard cotton cord each 10 centimeters in length were cut and randomly allocated to 7 groups (15 in each group). Specimens from Groups I to III and Groups IV to VI were impregnated with varying concentrations of Aluminium Sulfate (AS) and Ferric Sulfate (FS) respectively. Group VII was the control group. Each specimen was then subjected to tensile loading in an Instron machine and the readings when the specimens failed were recorded. Additional 2 specimens per group were taken for SEM Evaluation. Results: The effect of impregnating agent and its concentration variation were analyzed by intra and inter group comparisons. Control group had maximum tensile strength & Group VI had minimal tensile strength. AS and FS impregnation led to a significant decrease in tensile strength of the specimens. Conclusion: Within the limitations of this study, chemical impregnation negatively affects the ultrastructure of the retraction cords by reducing their structural integrity thereby hampering their physico- mechanical properties and weakening them.