Objectives: Mini-implants have earned a significant role in orthodontic treatment, by augmenting anchorage requirements. Peri-implantitis contributes to miniscrew failures where progressive peri-implant bone loss occurs in conjunction with soft-tissue inflammation due to the growth of microorganisms such as Streptococcus and Lactobacillus. Nanoparticles have increased surface area and have increased interactions with biological targets like bacteria. This study aims to investigate the antimicrobial activity of silver nanoparticles (AgNP) and selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) on orthodontic mini-implants. Material and Methods: Mini-implant (Ti-6Al-4V) was coated with AgNP and SeNP with biopolymer (Ti-BPAgNP and Ti-BPSeNP) by dip-coating technique. The crystal structure and crystallite size of AgNPs and SeNPs were characterized by the X-ray diffraction (XRD) method. The size distribution and morphology of SeNP and AgNP were determined by a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The antibacterial activity of Ti-BP-AgNP and Ti-BPSeNP was detected from the zone of inhibition by disk diffusion assay. Results: The SEM image of AgNP was roughly spherical, uniformly distributed and SeNPs were spherical, well distributed on the biopolymer surface. The area of the zone of inhibition of Ti-BP-SeNP-coated mini-implants shows a negligible difference in antibacterial activity compared to Ti-BPAgNP-coated mini-implants. Conclusion: Ti-BP-AgNP and Ti-BP-SeNP showed that a strong antibacterial activity was against Lactobacillus and Staphylococcus aureus. Antibacterial activity against Streptococcus mutans was slightly less than observed in other bacteria. SeNP shows only a marginal difference in antibacterial activity when compared to AgNP.

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Aim: To study the associations of dermatoglyphic pattern and the dental archform among the young adult population. Materials and Methods: The sample consisted of 150 randomly selected patients, within the age ranging from 15 to 25 years. The fingerprint patterns of the study subjects were recorded with a rolling impression technique using blue printer ink and the archform was assessed from the cast prepared from the impression of their lower dental arches. The data obtained were subjected to statistical analysis using SPSS software. The fingerprint patterns for each digit were analyzed and correlated with archform using appropriate statistical tests (chi-square test). Results: Although no fingerprint pattern was found to be specific for a particular dental archform, increased frequencies of whorls in subjects with square or ovoid archform, high frequencies of ulnar loop pattern with ovoid or tapered archform, and radial loop finger ridge pattern in those with tapered archform were observed. Conclusion: Dermatoglyphic analysis can be used as an indicator for determining the dental archform at an early stage, thereby aiding in the orthodontic treatment of malocclusion aiming to establish favorable occlusion and long-term stability.

To evaluate the perception of ten commandments of the smile esthetics among dental practioners and other professionals.The study population consisted of 540 samples (GroupI: 260 dental practitioners and Group II: 280 other professionals). A web based survey was conducted using google forms. Questionnaire was prepared including all the 10 variables determining smile esthetics using various smile photograph. Each questions has 4 options (A- ideal smile esthetics, B- mild deviation from ideal smile esthetics, C - moderate deviation and D- Marked deviation).The participants were asked to select the most attractive smile (the best options) for each of the ten variables that determines the smile esthetics. The rate the attractiveness of different smile variables were assessed by two group of the study population.Option A received the highest no: of responses for all the components of smile esthetics by both the dental and other professionals except the sixth and eighth smile component (gingival exposure and midline) where more responses received towards mild deviation from ideal by the other professional than the dental professional. There is no significant difference between the smile esthetic perception betwen the dental professionals and the other professionals. Orthodontist should pay more attention to improve smile esthetics in coordination with other dental speciality in addition to the correction of malocclusion