Dental Hypotheses
Volume:4 Issue: 1, Jan-Mar 2013

Lymphomas constitute approximately 5% of all malignant neoplasms of the head and neck. They are divided into two major subtypes, Hodgkin''s lymphomas and non-Hodgkin''s lymphomas, depending on the presence or absence of Reed-Sternberg cells. Controversy in the classification of lymphomas dates back to the first attempts to formulate such classifications. Much of this controversy arose from the assumption that there must be a single guiding principle, a «gold standard» for classification. Earlier classifications of lymphomas were based on the morphology, treatment response, and survival and some were based on cell lineage and differentiation. The International Lymphoma Study Group (I. L. S. G.) developed a consensus list of lymphoid neoplasms, which was published in 1994 as the «Revised European-American Classification of Lymphoid Neoplasms» (REAL). The classification was based on the principle that a classification is a list of «real» disease entities, which are defined by a combination of morphology, immunophenotype, genetic features, and clinical features and there cannot be a single «gold standard.»

The purpose of this article is to develop a new index system to identify the individual oral hygiene score (OHS) and the level of the motivation success by using some scales, which are an indicator of the individual oral hygiene status. In this way, the level of personal oral hygiene would be determined and a standard motivation success scale would be presented by comparing the oral hygiene levels measured before and after the motivation application. The Hypothesis: In this hypothesis, an index was primarily formed in order to obtain an individual OHS with the total values of plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), and calculus index (CI) scores. Motivation success levels of the individuals were calculated and classified by using the rate of change of OHS between the sessions. Evaluation of the Hypothesis: This index system would form a basis for future strategies in preventive dentistry. Standard and common scores in one individual or a wide population will be attained easily and effectively.

Dental implants have been widely applied in clinic for many years. However, the success rate is still challenging mainly because of bone deficiency. An ideal bone graft is traditionally thought to guide and induce new bone regeneration as well as been absorbed completely by human body. The Hypothesis: Autogenous bone mixed with titanium granules might be an ideal bone graft for dental implantation. Evaluation of the Hypothesis: First, we analyzed advantages of grafts of autogenous bone mixed with titanium granules, such as serving as a s scaffold for wound healing and tissue regeneration, creating sui microenvironment for implant-bone integration, shortening the new bone''s creeping distance, etc. Then we creatively hypothesized a novel alternative bone graft with premixed autogenous bone and non-absorbent titanium granules. Apart from repairing bone deficiency, our hypothesis could promote the integration between new bone and titanium implant from the perspective of microenvironment. We believe that the method is promising and worth extension in clinical application.

Most studies about caries detection methods have been performed using permanent teeth. Primary teeth, however, present significant differences from permanent teeth; hence findings of these studies with permanent teeth cannot be extrapolated. The Hypothesis: Our hypothesis is that the caries diagnosis process in primary teeth is less challenging than in permanent teeth. This assertion is based on the fact that primary enamel is thinner and the caries process progresses faster in this type of teeth when compared to permanent teeth. For these reasons, the majority of caries lesions in primary teeth would be more evident and therefore, easily detected through visual inspection. Only a few number of caries lesions would be missed by visual inspection. Thus, adjunct diagnostic methods, such as radiographs, would be unnecessary for primary teeth. Evaluation of the Hypothesis: To evaluate this hypothesis, researchers should conduct studies about the performance of the caries detection methods avoiding selection bias and defining appropriate settings. Clinical trials randomizing the diagnostic strategies would be worthwhile. The evidence supporting the benefits of adjunct methods in detecting caries lesions in primary lesions is limited. However, clinical guidelines have recommended the use of the radiographic method to detect caries in primary teeth in all symptomless children. The confirmation of our hypothesis would lead to the need to re-evaluate such guidelines.

Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) have been recognized as a common orofacial painful condition. Many epidemiological studies of TMDs in children and adolescents have been performed. However, the results of such studies have varied, and a comprehensive view of the prevalence and severity of symptoms and signs is difficult to obtain. To determine the prevalence of signs and symptoms of TMDs among school children of Himachal Pradesh and to establish a baseline for comparison with future studies. Study Design: Cross sectional. A sample of 1188 school children in the age group of 9 and 12 years (males n = 650 and females n = 538), from randomly selected schools of rural and urban areas of Himachal Pradesh were included as study subjects. The survey was done according to the WHO Oral Health Assessment Form (modified). The results of TMDs, i.e., clicking, tenderness and reduced jaw mobility showed that overall prevalence was 2.5% and the rest 96.5% were not suffering from these disorders. In 9 years age group, the prevalence was 1.6% whereas it was more than double, 3.5% in 12 years age group. Signs and symptoms of TMDs were determined to assess their oral health status. Statistical Analysis: SPSS version 15. This study contrasts with what is found in the other societies regarding the high prevalence of TMDs disorders.

Protection of gingiva during the inter-proximal reduction (IPR) is very essential and it is one of the most difficult tasks during IPR. Clinical Innovation: Present innovation discusses the chair-side construction of a simple wire design and its clinical use to prevent the gingival trauma during IPR. During the IPR interproximal, gingiva should be protected by an indicator device. This wire design protects the gingiva from interproximal strips or burs during IPR. It has advantages of ease of use and can be sterilize for reuse.

Odontogenic keratocyst (OKC) is now designated by World Health Organization (WHO) as keratocystic odontogenic tumor (KCOT). The OKC involves approximately 11% of all the cysts in jaws. OKC possesses tumor-like characteristics because of its clinical behavior. Incidence of occurrence of this lesion in nonnevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome patients before ten is low. Case Report: We report a massive OKC in the anterior region of mandible in a child. Combination of age, sex, size of the lesion, its location, and rapid growth in the present case makes it different from other KCOTs. Our management plan aimed to preserve the natural dentition, shape, function, and continuity of mandible. An aggressive treatment modality like enucleation in combination with Carnoy''s solution application, as done in the present case might be considered as a viable treatment modality for massive KCOT. The present paper also highlights brief discussion concerning the management of OKC.

Pleomorphic adenoma (PA) is the most common benign neoplasm of the major salivary glands arising primarily from the parotid gland. Computed tomography (CT) is one of the primary imaging modalities used to assess the tumors of salivary glands. However, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may provide additional information over CT. Case Report: We report the case of a 60-year-old male with a slowly enlarging, well-defined, round, painless, non-fixated, rubber-like swelling over the left ramus region below the ear, measuring about 4 × 4.5 cm, covering the lower border of the mandible near the angle. A provisional diagnosis of PA was given and CT and MRI were used to study the lesion. Through this case, which was suspected to have undergone malignant transformation because of indistinct margins and focal hypodense areas on CT but was later confirmed to be a benign salivary gland tumor on MRI, we illustrate the role of CT and MRI as diagnostic aids in PA and emphasize on what should be the choice of imaging modality for parotid tumors.