Srikant Natarajan

• MDS (Oral Pathology)
• Professor at Manipal Academy of Higher Education

Background The application of Silver diamine fluoride is an effective approach in controlling dental caries. But the black discoloration caused by its application is unaesthetic and is of greater concern to the parents. Aim To assess the potential color masking ability of tooth colored restorative material over discoloration caused by 38% SDF usin...

Objectives: To investigate, assess and to compare the impact of time, temperature and storage on the fluoride release and to evaluate the variation in the reuptake of fluoride (after recharge) of the silorane based composites and methacrylate based composites. Materials and methods: The samples of SBC and MBC are synthesized for investigating the f...

Background Most children experience distress while visiting a dentist, above which the sound of the airotor and suction machine results in fear and difficulty in performing further procedures. Methods This was a randomized controlled parallel-group study of 40 children aged 6–13 years who required cavity preparation via the airotor. The children w...

Introduction Geometric morphometry is an effective tool for studying teeth morphology for quantifying variations in dental shape across individuals and populations. This study aims to analyse the dimorphism of human post-canine maxillary and mandibular tooth shape by utilising 2D and 3D landmark data and compare the effectiveness of both methods in...

Oral cancer is responsible for increased mortality, especially in the Indian subcontinent. Habits like smoking and tobacco chewing are among the most common causes of oral cancer. Previously, these habits were seen mainly in the elderly; however, the trends have seemed to increase in the younger generation. Awareness regarding oral cancer is essent...

Objective To evaluate the in vitro effects of two commonly used commercial herbal toothpastes (Dabur Meswak and Patanjali Dant Kanti) on the colour stability, surface texture, and microhardness of two commonly used aesthetic restorative materials, i.e., nanofilled composite and resin-modified glass ionomer cement (NFC and RMGIC). Materials and met...

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disease that has shown an increase in its prevalence all over the world. The severity of periodontitis in DM patients is greater, especially in patients with uncontrolled DM. Bacteria present in the oral cavity induce the production of prostaglandins or cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-...

Context Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA) is a calcium silicate-based cement that potentially exhibits improved washout resistance when carboxymethyl chitosan or gelatin is incorporated. Gel-form MTA is a novel mineral trioxide aggregate formulated using construction industry-based technology. The present study was conducted to comparatively evaluat...

Background Selfies have been defined as “a photograph that one has taken of oneself, and are a continuing growing trend among Millennials and Gen Z”. Narcissism refers to a personality trait of an extraordinary self-awareness and adoration. Studies have shown a close relationship between selfie-taking behavior, narcissism and oral health. Hence, a...

Background Dental restorative materials are recognized as artificial niches that facilitate the adherence and accumulation of oral microorganisms. To mitigate oral diseases and extend the lifespan of restorations, it is advantageous to use dental materials that exhibit low susceptibility to bacterial adhesion. Objective To evaluate and compare bac...

Objectives To examine and compare the stability of buccal shelf mini-screws using self-drilling and pre-drilling implant placement techniques. Methodology It was a split-mouth, randomized controlled trial comprising of 7 patients, each receiving two buccal shelf bone screws. The screws were placed using a self-drilling protocol in one quadrant and...

Background Stainless steel crowns (SSCs) are commonly employed to restore the posterior teeth of children and over the years, they are available with improved anatomical shapes. This study was conducted to evaluate and assess the effect of the placement of SSCs on the masticatory efficiency of children. Methods This pilot cross-sectional split-mou...

Background Selfies have been defined as “a photograph that one has taken of oneself, and are a continuing growing trend among Millennials. Narcissism refers to the personality trait of an extraordinary self-awareness and adoration. Studies have shown a close relationship between selfie-taking behaviour, narcissism and oral health. Hence, a study wa...

Background This study aims to evaluate the accuracy rate of foramen magnum dimensions in determining sex among the South Indian population using discriminant functional analysis. Methods An observational study in which CBCT images from 200 full field of view (FOV) scans were analysed. The dimensions of the foramen magnum were measured. Intra- and...

Objectives This study compared the whitening effect, microhardness, and enamel surface alterations of over-the-counter (OTC) tooth bleaching products with those of a dentist-prescribed at-home bleaching agent. Materials and methods The products available on a popular online marketplace were comprehensively searched and then rated using a specific...

Background Selfies have been defined as “a photograph that one has taken of oneself, and are a continuing growing trend among Millennials. Narcissism refers to the personality trait of an extraordinary self-awareness and adoration. Studies have shown a close relationship between selfie-taking behaviour, narcissism and oral health. Hence, a study wa...

Background The ultimate goal of advanced procedures in prosthetic dentistry is to construct a prosthesis based on the accurate reproduction of condylar guidance. Aim To compare the sagittal condylar inclination obtained using the cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), panoramic image, and two articulator systems. Settings and Design A cross-sectio...

Objectives This study aimed to evaluate linear measurements of the frontal sinus (FS) and sphenoid sinus (SS) for sex identification on cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images. Methods A comparative CBCT analysis was conducted on 200 full field of view (FOV) scans taken as part of routine dental investigations. Dimensions of the bilateral fron...

Background Online education has emerged as a crucial tool for imparting knowledge and skills to students in the twenty-first century, especially in developing nations like India, which previously relied heavily on traditional teaching methods. Methods This study delved into the perceptions and challenges experienced by students and teachers in the...

Introduction Tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) is known to be associated with chronic inflammation, and its expression has been shown to increase in advanced cancers. Chronic inflammation is a characteristic feature of oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF), which is a potentially malignant disorder (PMD). Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is associated with con...

Aim The study aimed to assess the postobturation push-out bond strength of noneugenol-based sealers among different activation groups. Methods One hundred sixteen single-rooted extracted mandibular premolar teeth were obtained. They were split into six groups-Group I: conventional cleaning and shaping (CCS) and sealing with AH Plus; Group II: CCS...

Objectives: This study aimed to compile and evaluate over-the-counter (OTC) toothwhitening products from a prominent e-marketplace, assessing their bleaching effectiveness and impact on enamel. Methodology: Thirty-eight intact tooth sections were randomly divided into three groups: Group I, the positive control, was treated with a dentist-prescrib...

Introduction The primary aim of the study is to evaluate the morphological form of the maxillary first premolar using 2D geomorphometry and evaluate the sexually dimorphic characteristics. Methods The present study was carried out on standardized photographs of right Maxillary first premolar from 120 dental casts (60 male and 60 females). Twenty l...

Background: Genetic and epigenetic alterations have significant impacts on the morphology of permanent mandibular premolars and molars. Geometric morphometry is a powerful technique, which can be utilized to identify specific landmarks that exhibit variation and that are associated with ancestry and dimorphism. Methods: The geometric and anatomic l...

Background Dental phenotype shows variation in the form of various metric and non-metric traits, primarily due to gene-environment interplay. It gives an insight into the evolutionary trends, ancestry, and food habits. Recently, it has been explored for genetic affinity with several growth anomalies and development of craniofacial skeleton which is...

Background: Bulk fill composites are relatively novel and are a boon to esthetic dentistry, as they decrease the chairside time during the restoration while offering as good esthetics and clinical performance as incrementally filled composites. This study was conducted to find out the best composite regarding its color stability and clinical perfor...

Objective To assess the proliferation of epithelium (using the Ki67 index) and the polarization pattern of collagen in selected odontogenic cysts and tumours. In addition, an exploratory analysis of the effect of inflammation on the proliferation rate was done. Material and Methods Following immunohistochemical staining, the labelling/proliferatio...

Background The necessity to modify silver diamine fluoride (SDF) to make it esthetically acceptable without affecting its beneficial properties keeps the research in this field pertinent. Aim This study aims to comparatively evaluate the efficacy of Glutathione (GSH) in reducing tooth discoloration associated with SDF. Materials and Methods This...

Background The primary maxillary molars occasionally remain sensitive during operative procedures even post the buccal supraperiosteal injection. This could be due to the widely flared palatal roots receiving accessory innervation from the palatal nerves. Identifying inadequate anesthesia upfront using the electric pulp test (EPT) would give vital...

Introduction The primary aim of the study is to evaluate the morphological form of the maxillary first premolar using 2D geomorphometry and evaluate the sexually dimorphic characteristics. Methods The present study was carried out on standardized photographs of right Maxillary first premolar from 55 dental casts (33 male and 22 females). Nineteen l...

Background: Measurement of craniofacial parameters plays an important role in sex determination in forensic science. The present study was done using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans to evaluate the morphologic structure of the frontal sinuses and compare it with the width of nasal, cranial, maxillary and mandibular width which might help...

Introduction Nomograms are proven in “individualized risk prediction” in sarcomas and breast and prostate cancers. Incorporating immunohistochemical markers and histopathological parameters can enhance accuracy of these graphical representations of statistical predictive models concerning metastasis. D2-40, a monoclonal antibody to podoplanin (regu...

Background: Local anaesthesia is the backbone of pain management. However, the administration of a local anaesthetic injection itself is considered a painful procedure and triggers fear and anxiety in the patient. Methods: A split-mouth randomised controlled crossover trial was designed to study the efficacy of an “external cold and vibrating” devi...

Background: Sealers with antimicrobial properties play an important role in endodontic therapy success especially against Enterococcus faecalis infection found in failed root canal therapy. Addition of antibiotic agents to endodontic sealers may show significant increase in their antibacterial properties both against anaerobic and aerobic microbes....

Background Dental bleaching is not recommended on teeth with enamel caries. Aim The study aimed to assess the efficacy of in-office bleaching on demineralized enamel managed by resin infiltration (RI) as well as casein phosphopeptide–amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP). Methodology Forty-eight sound enamel specimens were divided into four group...

Objectives White spot lesions is the most common iatrogenic effect observed post orthodontic treatment. This study aimed to compare the surface characteristics such as morphology, roughness, and antibacterial action of uncoated and coated orthodontic brackets. ¹ Materials and Methods Sixty commercially available stainless steel brackets were coated...

Background: Measurement of craniofacial parameters plays an important role in sex determination in forensic science. The present study was done using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans to evaluate the morphologic structure of the frontal sinuses and compare it with the width of nasal, cranial, maxillary and mandibular width which might help...

Aim : The present study aims to evaluate the efficacy of naturally-derived bovine hydroxyapatite (Cerabone) versus demineralized freeze-dried bone allograft both combined with platelet-rich fibrin for treatment of grade II mandibular furcation defects. Method : This clinical study included 20 systemically healthy patients, with grade II mandibular...

Background: Sealers with antimicrobial properties play an important role in endodontic therapy success especially against Enterococcus faecalis infection found in failed root canal therapy. Addition of antibiotic agents to endodontic sealers may show significant increase in their antibacterial properties both against anaerobic and aerobic microbes....

Introduction: Several methods have been advocated for age estimation. Dentin translucency has been considered one of the non-invasive methods for age estimation, and it can be measured using the digital method. Aim: The aim of this study is to estimate the age by evaluating the length of dentin translucency. Materials and Methods: Ground section of...

Introduction Verrucous carcinoma shows an analogous biological behaviour to well-differentiated Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC). So, it is a difficult task to differentiate the above two entities based on clinical and pathological behaviour. Immunohistochemical studies can help in investigating the differences between the biological behaviours...

Purpose: Tumour-Node-Metastasis (TNM) staging has been widely used for treatment planning and prognostication of oral cancers; however, TNM staging system alone is insufficient for optimal prognostication. A combined assessment of clinical staging and cytomorphology might serve as a more specific measure for prognostication. The present study atte...

Background: The bond between the dentin and restorative material contributes to the success of the restoration. Structural changes associated with prepared dentin may influence the bonding of restorative materials. The present study evaluates the bond between the resin-modified glass ionomer cement (RMGIC) and residual dentin following excavation o...

Background Various methods are used in forensic odontology for the purpose of sex and personal identification. Some of them include cheiloscopy, rugoscopy, mandibular measurements, and study of paranasal sinuses. In our study, we have used maxillary sinus as an aid in sex identification. For this purpose, we have evaluated the morphometric and volu...

Background: The age estimation of the individual by the forensic experts ascertains the chronological age of an individual. The possibility that the person being examined may be younger or older than a certain age threshold makes this process crucial, as it will establish whether or not the person is an adult under the law. The aim of this study w...

Background: The use of a rubber dam is more important than ever in today's COVID-19 era to limit cross infections. In children, the placement of the metal clamp to retain the rubber dam is perceived to be painful and often requiring a local anesthetic injection. This dissuades many clinicians from placing the rubber dam. Hence, this study evaluate...

Introduction: Candidiasis is the most prevalent opportunistic infection in Acquired Immuno deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). The prolonged and/or recurrent treatment of Candidiasis that results in alteration of profile of Candida species necessitates customizing the antifungal therapy regimen. This study aimed to identify the profile of candidal species...

Forensic odontology is a young area in India. However, it has been used as an integral component in a various medicolegal cases in India. However, the involvement of a dentist in mass disasters still needs to be well recognized. The role of the dentists in any unforeseen circumstances is to contribute as an adjunct hand in Disaster Victim Identific...

Purpose To compare the sealing ability and penetration of a bioactive material used as pit and fissure sealant to those of glass ionomer sealant. Methods This was an in vitro experimental study conducted on 20 permanent teeth. For Group I of ten teeth, ACTIVA BioACTIVE-Base/Liner was applied as a sealant on pits and fissures, and the remaining ten...

Globally, the pandemic of the coronavirus disease, which started in Wuhan, China, has become a major issue for public health. The COVID-19 epidemic notably causes health professionals to experience significantly more emotional stress than the general populace. The present study proposes to investigate the fear aspect in dentists in the initiation o...

Objective : To evaluate the potential use of digital and reconstructed three-dimensional printed models as an alternative to conventional plaster models by assessing the accuracy of their linear measurements. Methodology : Pre-treatment plaster models of 45 patients were selected from the archives of the Department of Orthodontics. Each physical pl...

Objective: To investigate the effect of submucosal injection of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on the rate of mini-implant-supported retraction, using a split-mouth randomized clinical design. Materials and methods: Twenty subjects of either gender between 16 and 25 years of age with bimaxillary dentoalveolar protrusion and crowding of <4 mm schedul...

Context: Surface characteristics of resin-based composites (RBCs) can change with polishing and over time. Aim: The aim of the study was to compare the surface roughness and wettability of three different posterior RBCs after polishing and the change in these surface characteristics over time, after aqueous aging. Settings and design: Experime...

Background To determine age and sex from tooth specimens using Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS). Materials and methods A total of 170 human teeth samples between age of 15–86 years of both male and female sex were obtained for the study based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. All the tooth samples were mounted and ground sections...

Introduction: The age of 18 years is an important milestone for legal matters, and developmental parameters of teeth are often used for estimation of this age. The aim of this study is to assess the efficiency of third molar maturity index (I3M) in establishing age of 18 years in Dakshina Kannada population. Methods: A total of 700 orthopantomog...

Introduction: Snacks and bakery foodstuffs like biscuits are the most preferred food items in the present decade. Thus it is important to know its cariogenicity.

Dengue, neglected tropical disease, caused by a RNA virus belonging to Flaviviridae family. Comorbid conditions like diabetes mellitus, can lead to severe dengue leading to higher morbidity and mortality. This study was undertaken to compare the clinical and laboratory profile of dengue patients with and without diabetes mellitus. A retrospective s...

Background: There have been numerous cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) studies done over the years to analyze the canal configurations among various racial and ethnic population groups. Several of these studies have highlighted a certain consistency in the incidence of particular features within these population subsets. Aim: The study aimed...

Background: Conventionally, PaO2/FiO2 (P/F ratio) has been used to categorize severity of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and prognostication of outcome. Recent literature has shown that incorporation of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) into the P/F ratio (PaO2 ∗10/FiO2 ∗PEEP or P/FP∗10) has a much better prognostic ability in AR...

BACKGROUND: Dental caries is a world-wide public health issue and is considered the most common of all non-communicable disease. There has been a growing interest in association between oral fungal flora especially candida and dental caries. Hence the aim of the study was to assess the correlation between active caries status and oral candida carri...

Introduction Dens invaginatus is an extremely rare developmental disturbance that can occur in primary, permanent, or supernumerary teeth due to invagination of the enamel organ into the dental papilla during tooth development. The clinical recognition of the radicular variant of dens in the dente is challenging as it is mostly asymptomatic with a...

The study aimed to evaluate the tissue‐dissolving ability of papain and bromelain with respect to that of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) at the temperatures of 25°C and 60°C. The study also assessed the effects of these proteolytic agents on radicular dentine microhardness. Warming NaOCl, papain and bromelain solutions resulted in significant tissue d...

Background: In daily dental practice plaque-induced gingivitis is one of the most common periodontal diseases that is frequently encountered. Accumulation of microbial biofilms on surfaces of teeth and poor or inadequate oral hygiene is the chief predisposing factor for this condition. In such a state antimicrobial mouth wash as an adjunct to mech...

Background: Understanding oral aspects of pathology by traditional techniques has always been a paradigm in the field of dental education. Traditional methods of teaching include interaction using black board, projectors, and alternate methods of teaching such as a student-centered approach where live-field demonstrations, audio visual aids, and s...

Statistical analysis is considered to be the backbone of research and however challenging it is to a clinician, it playsa crucial part for a researcher to comprehend the various presumptions underlying the statistical methods. In thefield of periodontology, statistical analysis is routinely used for management and interpretation of data. Yet, manyp...

Background: Laser fluorescence (LF)-based clinical device DIAGNOdent™ is at present being used to detect caries. Can the same be used to detect therapeutic remineralisation of early white spot lesions? Aims: To explore the feasibility of using LF-based device in monitoring the changes following remineralisation of demineralised primary teeth. M...

Introduction: Mandibular condyle is a prominent structure in the mandible, which forms the temporomandibular joint. An oval-shaped condyle is considered to be present with a normal temporomandibular joint and any morphological variation of the condyle is assumed to be pathologic in temporomandibular disorders. The aim of the study was to find out t...

Background: The soft palate anatomy of individuals can have a range of morphologies. Cephalometric analysis is a low-cost approach to analyze the soft palate in patients with or without developmental abnormalities. Methods: The lateral cephalogram of the patients visiting Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Institute of Medicine for various de...

Objective The shape of the condyle, coronoid, and the intervening sigmoid notch is unique due to attachments and direction of pull of temporalis muscle, different chewing habits, hormones, etc. So morphometric variation of these mandibular landmarks can be used in individual identification. Material And Methods The study was carried out on 500 pan...

Background: Carnosic acid is an herbal derivative with potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anticancer properties. Aim: Comparative evaluation of the antimicrobial potential of carnosic acid, calcium hydroxide, and triple antibiotic paste as intracanal medicaments against Enterococcus faecalis. Settings and design: Departm...

Background: The study was conducted to compare and evaluate the disinfecting efficacy of four different herbal oils with standard autoclaving against Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis). Fifty round burs were infected with E. faecalis and dipped into the chemical test solution for 10 min. The disinfecting efficacy for each test chemical was checke...

Introduction The primary aim of the study is to evaluate the morphological form of the maxillary first premolar using 2D geomorphometry and evaluate the sexually dimorphic characteristics. Methods The present study was carried out on standardized photographs of right Maxillary first premolar from 55 dental casts (33 male and 22 females). Nineteen l...

Purpose: To study the effect of different surface treatments on the micro-shear bond strength and surface characteristics of zirconia. Methods: Two types of zirconia ceramics were tested: opaque (O) and translucent (T). Each type of zirconia was further allotted into four groups based on the type of surface treatment method. The four groups were...

The study aimed at developing a cytocompatible dental polymer composite with high mechanical and surface characteristics by reinforcing polymethyl methacrylate resin with graphene nanoplatelets and montmorillonite nanoclay. After ball milling the particles into the polymer samples were prepared via conventional compression molding method. Samples w...

Background: Cention N is relatively new and an "alkasite" restorative material, indicated for direct restorations. Aim: The aim of this study was to comparatively evaluate the sealing ability of Cention N and resin-modified glass ionomer cement (GIC) when used to restore primary molars. Methods and materials: It is a split-mouth study. Twenty...

Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate the distance from the buccal cortical bone surface to the root apex in the anterior mandibular teeth using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and to correlate it to various associated factors (tooth type, gender, and age). Materials and Methods: CBCT images of mandibular anterior teeth from 120 patient re...

Introduction: The expiratory muscles are an indispensable component of respiratory function in critically ill patients, yet is often overlooked. We evaluated the association of abdominal expiratory muscles thickness pattern with weaning. Materials and methods: This was a single-center, prospective observational study done on 81 adult mechanicall...

Context: Oral and maxillofacial pathology (OMFP) is a subspecialization having a masters course in India. Due to lesser number of oral pathologists in the country, the biopsy material from the head and neck is catered to by the general pathologist. Aim: This survey was conducted to acquire responses from general pathologists and gathering knowle...

Background: Seventy million people are affected by gastroenteral (GI) disturbances throughout the world. Oral cavity possesses various bacteria that remain as healthy commensals or turn pathogenic due to shift of balance with disturbances in health, which is reflected in the oral cavity too. Studies have shown a possible oro-systemic link. This st...

The study evaluated the mechanical, tribological, and cytocompatibility properties of silver nanoparticles and titanium dioxide nanoparticles reinforced into polymethyl methacrylate resin. Both nanoparticles were separately ball-milled with polymethyl methacrylate, and a conventional compression molding technique prepared samples in a thermostatica...

Background: The predictability of direct pulp capping (DPC) depends on the quality of the dentin bridge formation and the inflammatory response to the capping material. Various materials are available with variable success. Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate histologically the effectiveness of calcium hydroxide, mineral aggregate, and den...