Background:The palatal masticatory mucosa is the main donor area of soft tissue and connective tissue grafts used for increasing the keratinized mucosa around teeth and implants, covering exposed roots and increasing localized alveolar ridge thickness. The aim of this study was to compare the thickness of the palatal masticatory mucosa as determined on a cone-beam computerized tomography scan versus thickness determined via bone-sounding.Materials and Methods:A total of 20 patients requiring palatal surgery participated. Thickness of the palatal tissue was measured at various points radiographically and clinically. The two techniques were compared to determine the agreement of the two measurement modalities.Results:Statistical analysis determined that there was no significant difference between the two methods. Moreover, the tissue thickness was shown to increase as the distance from the gingival margin increased, and the tissue over the premolars was thicker than the other teeth.Conclusion:Cone-beam computerized tomography can be used as a noninvasive method to accurately and consistently determine the soft tissue thickness of the palatal masticatory mucosa with minimal bias at different locations on the palate.

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Serum and urine samples from 513 patients clinically suspected of monoclonal gammopathies over a period of five years (1992-97) were subjected to various immunological procedures viz, electrophoresis, immunoelectrophoresis and immunoglobulin estimations. Laboratory investigations confirmed gammopathies in 10.33%. It was observed that overall age of incidence for monoclonal gammopathies in both sexes was between 42-72 years with a male to female ratio of 1.4:1. Predominant paraprotein detected was IgG type (75.47%) followed by IgA (16.98%) and Bence Jones proteins (7.55%). Amongst positive patients, 64.16% were having kappa (k) type light chains and 35.84% lambda (~,) type light chains. 69.39% patients with serum M component (IgG and IgA) had Bence Jones proteinuria. Densitometric scanning revealed that majority of IgG type paraprotein was found in the slow gamma globulin region and majority of igA type paraprotein was found equally distributed between beta and fast gamma globulin regions. Both types had decreased albumin and alpha-2-globulin concentrations as compared to normal controls. Immunoglobulin levels in patients with paraprotein had very high levels of serum IgG (6467.0 rag%) and IgA (2714.0 mg%) in respective types of monoclonal gammopathies; the rest of immunoglobulin classes were either at normal or decreased levels.

Abstract:It is well established that the patients who undergo orthodontic treatment have a high susceptibility to present plaque accumulation on their teeth because of the presence of brackets, wires and/or other orthodontic elements on the teeth surfaces with which the oral hygiene procedures might be more difficult. The considerable variance of the design and the material characteristics of orthodontic elements may also play an important role in this field. The orthodontic treatment is a double-action procedure, regarding the periodontal tissues, which may be sometimes very meaningful in increasing the periodontal health status, and may be sometimes a harmful procedure which can be followed by several types of periodontal complications, namely: gingival recessions, bone dehiscences, gingival invaginations and/or the formation of gingival pockets. A harmonious cooperation of the periodontist and the orthodontist offers great possibilities for the treatment of various orthodontic-periodontal problems. The present discussion focused on the effects of a combined periodontal and orthodontic treatment on the periodontal health and dentofacial aesthetics, and the mode that each field can contribute to optimize treatment of combined orthodontic-periodontal clinical problems.

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