The velopharynx is a tridimensional muscular valve located between the oral and nasal cavities, consisting of the lateral and posterior pharyngeal walls and the soft palate, and controls the passage of air. Velopharyngeal insufficiency may take place when the velopharyngeal valve is unable to perform its own closing, due to a lack of tissue or lack of proper movement. Treatment options include surgical correction, prosthetic rehabilitation, and speech therapy; though optimal results often require a multidisciplinary approach for the restoration of both anatomical and physiological defect. We report a case of 56 year old male patient presenting with hypernasal speech pattern and velopharyngeal insufficiency secondary to cleft palate which had been surgically corrected 18 years ago. The patient was treated with a combination of speech therapy and palatal lift prosthesis employing interim prostheses in various phases before the insertion of definitive appliance. This phase-wise treatment plan helped to improve patient's compliance and final outcome.

Tea is produced from the Camellia sinensis plant and can generally be divided into categories based on how they are processed. In general, green tea that is unfermented C. sinensis has been considered superior to black tea in health benefits. It contains a unique set of catechins that possess biological activity as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative, which is potentially significant to the prevention and treatment of various forms of diseases. Oral cavity oxidative stress and inflammation, consequent cigarettes due to nicotine and acrolein, may be reduced in the presence of green tea polyphenols. In addition, green tea polyphenols can close down halitosis through modification of odorant sulfur components. Usually, green tea defends healthy cells from malignant transformation and locally has the ability to induce apoptosis in oral cancer cells. In unison, there is an increasing implication in the health benefits of green tea in the field of oral health. This review will cover recent findings on the therapeutic properties and anticancer health benefits of green tea.

Objectives:The purpose of this study was to evaluate the masticatory performance of shortened dental arches (SDAs) compared with the complete dentition. Materials and Methods: A total of 28 subjects with the age group of 45-60 years were selected in the study, which were equally divided into two groups -subjects with shorten dental arch (missing molars; case group) and subjects with complete dentition (control group). Masticatory performance was evaluated by a multiple sieve method on the basis of median particle size of the fragmented particles. Roasted peanuts were used as test food. A method of measuring masticatory performance developed by Manly and Braley and modified by Kapur and Soman was used in this study. Assessment of chewing ability level was also done by asking structured questionnaire. Each question was answered on a four point rating scale. Results: Overall masticatory performance in control group ranged from 60% to 70.5% with standard deviation (SD) of 3.20. The male subjects showed higher masticatory performance with SD of 2.60% when compared to females with SD of 1.77%. The overall masticatory performance in case group ranged between 50.6% and 59%, respectively. The male subjects showed higher masticatory performance with SD of 2.29 when compared to females with SD of 1.08. On comparing both groups, it was found that masticatory performance of control group (3.20) was higher when compared to case group (2.59). Conclusions: Within the limitations of this study, it can be concluded that SDA subjects have masticatory performance and patient satisfaction level within acceptable range to that of complete dental arch subjects.

Purpose:The purpose of this study was to analyze the prevalence of ocular defect among different age groups, gender, side involved, and etiology.Materials and Methods:A retrospective study was conducted among referred ocular defect patients in a dental college in southern part of India over a 5 years period (2008–2012). Information regarding general identification, gender, age, affected side, and etiology was collected. The collected data were analyzed and grouped according to different age groups, gender, side involved, and etiology.Results:The ocular defects were more frequently observed in the young male population (66%). Trauma (46%) and pathogenic (44%) causes were the main reasons over nonspecific (8%) and congenital (2%) reasons.Conclusion:High prevalence of injuries and infections in young adults (mostly males) predominantly causing ocular bulb loss.