Introduction:Palatal rugoscopy is the name given to the study of palatal rugae. Rugae pattern are widely considered to remain unchanged during an individual's lifetime. The rugae pattern has the potential to remain intact by virtue of their internal position in the head when most other anatomical structures are destroyed or burned. Moreover, rugae pattern are considered to be unique similar to fingerprints and are advocated in personal identification.Objectives:The purpose of the study is to establish, individual identity using palatal rugae patterns.Materials and Methods:The study group consisted of 100 study models all of whom were subjects above 14 years old. Martin dos Santos’ classification was followed based on form and position to assess the individuality of rugae pattern.Results:Each individual had different rugae patterns including dizygous twins and the rugae patterns were not symmetrical, both in number and in its distribution.Conclusion:The preliminary study undertaken here shows no two palates are alike in terms of their rugae pattern. Palatal rugae possess unique characteristics as they are absolutely individualistic and therefore, can be used as a personal soft-tissue ‘oral’ print for identification in forensic cases.

The objective of this study is to compare clonidine and dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant to levobupivacaine in supraclavicular brachial plexus block with respect to onset, duration of sensory and motor block and duration of analgesia. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 90 ASA grade I and II patients of either sex, aged 18-60 yrs. scheduled for elective upper limb surgeries under supraclavicular brachial plexus block were divided into 3 equal groups in a randomized fashion. Group L (n=30) received 1 mL NS, group LC (=30) received 1 mL (150 g) clonidine and group LD (n=30) received 1 mL (100 g) dexmedetomidine added to 30 mL of 0.5% levobupivacaine. Onset and recovery time of sensory and motor block, duration of analgesia and quality of block were studied in all three groups. RESULTS Onset time of sensory and motor blockade was 12.43±2.56 min and 17.96±3.05 min respectively in group L, 9.03±1.60 min and 15.00±2.40 min respectively in group LC and 8.13±2.51 min and 12.13±2.89 min respectively in group LD. Duration of sensory and motor blockade was 660.16±44.28 min and 535.33±50.66 min respectively in group L, 880.16±55.48 min and 771.83±54.19 min respectively in group LC and 930.66±48.02 min and 811.83±52.08 min respectively in group LD. Time of rescue analgesia was 728.86±45.12 min in group L, 1013.5±59.01 min in group LC and 1159.8±56.8 min in group LD (p<0.05). CONCLUSION Dexmedetomidine when added to LA in supraclavicular brachial plexus block prolongs the duration of sensory and motor blockade and also the time for rescue analgesia as compared to clonidine. Dexmedetomidine also enhances quality of block (LD>LC>C).

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The term odontogenic keratocyst was first used by Philipsen in the year 1956. The lesion was renamed by him as keratocystic odontogenic tumor (KCOT) and reclassified as odontogenic neoplasm in the World Health Organization's 2005 edition that occurs commonly in the jaws having a predilection for the angle and ascending ramus of mandible. In contrast, KCOTs arising in the maxillary premolar region are relatively rare. Here, we discuss a rare case of keratocystic odontogenic tumor occurring in the maxilla with an ectopic tooth position.

Aims and Objectives: To evaluate skeletal changes in maxilla and its surrounding structures, changes in the maxillary dentition and maxillary alveolar bone changes produced by bonded rapid maxillary expansion (RME) using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Materials and Methods: The sample consisted of 10 patients (6 males and 4 females) with age range 12 to 15 years treated with bonded RME. CBCT scans were performed at T1 (pretreatment) and at T2 (immediately after expansion) to evaluate the dental, skeletal, and alveolar bone changes. Results: RME treatment increased the overall skeletal parameters such as interorbital, zygomatic, nasal, and maxillary widths. Significant increases in buccal maxillary width was observed at first premolar, second premolar, and first molar level. There was a significant increase in arch width both on the palatal side and on the buccal side. Significant tipping of right and left maxillary first molars was seen. There were significant reductions in buccal bone plate thickness and increase in palatal bone plate thickness. Conclusions: Total expansion achieved with RME was a combination of dental, skeletal and alveolar bone changes. At the first molar level, 28.45% orthopedic, 16.03% alveolar bone bending, and 55.5% orthodontic changes were observed.