Periodontitis is a multi-factorial disease with a broad spectrum of inflammatory and destructive responses leading to loss of periodontium and tooth-supporting bone. The aim of periodontal therapy is to regenerate the periodontium lost due to periodontal disease. Tissue regeneration in the oral cavity is regulated by signalling molecules, cells, and by matrix formation. Maintenance of the integrity of healthy periodontium and regeneration of the periodontium are achieved by a balance between bone formation and bone resorption termed as bone coupling. Traditional regeneration techniques using grafts and membranes were unpredictable and could not achieve complete regeneration. Periodontal tissue engineering focuses on regenerating the form and function of hard and soft tissues using signalling molecules, scaffolds, and cells. Bony defects may vary in size from small intrabony defects to large horizontal and vertical bone defects in periodontal diseases that prove critical for implant rehabilitation. For decades, efforts have been made to achieve predictable and reliable bone regeneration using various methods. This review focuses on the various materials and methods that are currently being used and which are in the research stage for 3D printing of patientspecific custom-made scaffolds for periodontal regeneration.

Introduction: In the quest of articulating customized tobacco cessation strategies, evaluation of the level of nicotine dependence among participants is quintessential. Objective: This study was conducted to assess the levels of nicotine dependence and its association with age and socioeconomic status among patients seeking oral health care at a teaching dental institution in coastal Andhra Pradesh. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was done among 199 participants with the habit of cigarette smoking who participated in the study. Nicotine dependence scores were assessed using Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND). IBM SPSS version 20 software was used for data analysis. The Chi-square tests and Kruskal–Wallis analyses of variance were done to analyze the study data. P ≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The mean FTND score was 4.52 ± 2.1. Significant differences in the mean nicotine dependence score were found between different age groups (P < 0.001) and participants belonging to different socioeconomic strata (P < 0.001). While a positive correlation was observed between age and FTND score, an inverse relation was noted between FTND score and socioeconomic status with participants from lower socioeconomic status demonstrating higher FTND scores. The majority of the participants reported smoking <10 cigarettes per day. Conclusion: The study participants demonstrated moderate nicotine dependence. The assessment of nicotine dependence scores as a preliminary step in tobacco cessation counseling is essential to effectively articulate customized cessation strategies.

Introduction: Health being a biological and social entity makes an important contribution to economic progress. Though we live in the 21st century still many underserved communities are lacking to adopt healthy lifestyles. One of many reasons would be religious convictions such as taboos, myths, or misbeliefs. Aim: This study aims to assess the periodontal status, and to comprehend the myths and misconceptions among adults in Jeelugumilli Mandala, West Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used among 12 panchayats in which 29 villages were present in Jeelugumilli Mandal. Out of 29 villages one village was selected by convenience sampling as it is a manageable unit which represents rural population. Oral examination was done using community periodontal index (CPI) and loss of attachment for those individuals who met inclusion criteria. A valid questionnaire was used to quantitate about social myths and taboos. Pearson’s Chi-Square and descriptive statistics were applied to the collected data and level of significance was set at P ≤ 0.05 for the tests. Results: A statistically significant difference was observed in CPI scores among males and females (P = 0.024), those who brush their teeth once daily and those who brush twice (P = 0.005) and high significance was seen among those who consume alcohol and those who do not (P < 0.001). For loss of attachment scores high significant difference was found among tobacco chewers and nonchewers, those who brush once daily and twice daily (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Most of the misbeliefs were seen among illiterates and rural population. Hence, there is a need to improve the level of education as well as knowledge related to health, among these groups for overall improvement of health related quality of life.

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Introduction: In spite of the efforts being directed at reducing the tobacco use among public, it remains a significant concern facing India today. In the quest of providing tobacco cessation counseling, documentation of the tobacco dependence of the individuals is quintessential. This study aims to assess the psychometric properties of the autonomy over smoking scale (AUTOS) among patients seeking oral health care at a teaching dental institution in southern India. Materials and Methods: The study sample constituted 199 subjects who satisfied the eligibility criteria of self-reported current smoking and were willing to participate in the study. Participants’ age, gender, and years of smoking were documented along with their nicotine dependence by administration of Fagerstrom test for nicotine dependence (FTND) and AUTOS by a trained interviewer. The dimensionality of AUTOS was verified by confirmatory factor analysis using the Classical and Bayesian Instrument Development software program. Correlation analysis between FTND and AUTOS subscale scores was performed along with multiple linear regression analyses to identify the predictors for AUTOS subscale scores. Results: The symptom type-wise subscales of AUTOS and the overall scale demonstrated good internal consistency reliability (Cronbach alpha ≥0.758). Significant positive correlation was observed between age, years of smoking, FTND score, and all the AUTOS subscale scores. Linear regression analyses showed that the number of years for which the subject had been smoking was a significant predictor of all the three AUTOS subscale scores. Conclusion: AUTOS was observed to be a very useful tool with good internal consistency reliability that measures tobacco dependence in consistence with FTND among South Indian population, and while doing so, it captures the various forms of tobacco dependence in an independent manner.