Addressing the craniofacial anomaly of cleft lip and palate presurgically has been done since more than 50 years now, with a constant improvisation of the treatment protocols from time to time. The present study deals with a modification of the technique devised 16 years ago. The effect of nasal stents attached to a pre-surgical naso-alveolar molding (PNAM) appliance on the nasal morphology achieved prior to primary surgical correction of the cleft lip was to be evaluated. Twenty subjects, infants with cleft lip and palate, less than 2 months of age were selected for presurgical nasoalveolar molding treatment. Impressions were recorded, casts made and PNAM appliance fabricated. Ten infants were given the appliance without nasal stents and to the other ten appliances nasal stents were added. The patients were recalled every 2-3 weeks and a series of 9 measurements were recorded every visit along with adjustments made to the appliance for desirable effects on the lip, alveolus and nose. This was carried out till the patient was taken up for lip repair. The final measurements obtained at the end of the presurgical treatment were recorded. Mann-Whitney test, between study and control group showed that the increase in the columella length was statistically significant (p = 0.0001 and p = 0.033) in the study group as compared to the control group. Also the increase of the nasal tip projection (mean = 1.30 mm) in the study group was found to be statistically significant (p = 0.006) as compared to the control group. We concluded that nasal stents attached to the alveolar molding appliance, yield significant improvement of the nasal morphology and better nasal aesthetics presurgically.

Probiotics are non-pathogenic living microorganisms used to prevent various medical conditions. They have been added in some food products because of their beneficial effect in health. They play a beneficial role in preventing common oral health problems such as dental caries, periodontal disease, fungal infections (candida) and halitosis.

Context: One of the main causes of chronic facial pain is temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) which may turn out to be a major cause for disability. The two types of treatment strategies may be undertaken to counter temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, namely conservative management and surgical intervention. Surgical management can be classified into invasive open methods and minimally invasive procedures such as arthrocentesis, intra-articular steroid injection, and arthroscopy. Aims: The aim of this study is to compare the efficacy of Kenacort (Triamcinolone) as an intra-articular corticosteroid injection and arthrocentesis for lysis and lavage, for the treatment of the temporomandibular joint disorders. Subjects and Methods: Twenty patients with internal derangement of temporomandibular joint (IDTMJ) not responding to conservative management and meeting the inclusion criteria randomly underwent either intra-articular steroid injection or arthrocentesis and the results of the two procedures were evaluated and compared. Statistical Analysis Used: Unpaired t-test, repeated-measures ANOVA. A value of P < 0.05 is considered to be statistically significant. Results and Conclusion: Both procedures turned out to be successful in reducing pain and improving mouth opening, both in a short-term and a long-term use. Upon comparison in our series of patients, arthrocentesis was noted to be a better treatment modality in the long term for the management of IDTMJ.

Introduction The safe removal of third molars involved with the inferior alveolar canal (IAC) has been an area of concern since long. Many times we hesitate for the removal of third molars, fearing injury to the inferior alveolar nerve. Materials and Methods The authors here describe a simple technique which can be used to remove third molars showing evidence of proximity to IAC on presurgical radiographic evaluation, as well as those root tips which, during removal, accidentally enter the IAC space. Conclusion A step-by-step protocol is presented along with necessary precautions during the operative procedure.