Aim: To determine the morphology and mineralization of Sharpey's fibers in bundle bone of humans with reference to interdental area­ Method: Human interdental alveolar bone between mandibular 1st and 2nd molar teeth was taken and observed under scanning electron microscope (SEM) and the constituent elements were analyzed using energy dispersive X- ray spectroscopy (EDS). Result: Under scanning electron microscope, the Sharpey's fibers were fully mineralized and appeared as dome shaped projections in the crestal region where as in the apical region, they remained unmineralized at the centre and appeared as depressions- The results of the energy dispersive spectroscopy supported the above findings­ Conclusion: The degree of mineralization decreases from crestal to apical region, indicating that, the periodontal ligament which supports the teeth matures from apical to crestal and It is fully developed in the crestal region­

Mast cells are also known as "unicellular endocrine glands" due to their ability to release a wide variety of chemical mediators that have a potent biological action on the target tissues. These actions include neo-angiogenesis, recruitment of inflammatory cells, stimulation of fibroblasts, etc. The role of these cells in neo­angiogenesis of oral squamous cell carcinomas has been studied and these cells have been shown to promote new vessel formation. In inflammatory lesions of the oral cavity, neo-vascularization and presence of inflammatory cells is an expected finding. However, the role of mast cells in these lesions is still obscure. In this short study, we used toluidine blue as a special stain to stain mast cells in 15 cases of inflammatory lesions and correlate their presence with the state of vascularity and inflammation and probably suggest a role for mast cells in these common oral inflammatory lesions. We found that there was an inverse relationship between mast cells, vascularity, and inflammation probably suggesting a role for mast cells in these common oral inflammatory lesions. This was contradictory to earlier studies that showed a direct relationship between mast cells, vascularity, and inflammation

Recently biological tumour markers have been introduced into the clinical diagnosis of malignant lesions. Tumour markers are the substances, which quantitatively change in serum during tumour development. One such tumour marker is "Beta 2 microglobulin". In the present study, an attempt was made to correlate the level of serum Beta 2 microglobulin with premaIinant lesions / conditions and oral squamous cell carcinoma. This study has been carried out to evaluate the role of Beta 2 microglobulin as biochemical parameter in oral premaligant lesions conditions and oral squamous cell carcinoma. The progressively increased serum β-2 microglobulin level has positive correlation with the histologic grading of oral squamous cell carcinoma. Also increased level of β-2 microlobulin was observed in oral premalignant lesions and conditions­

Epithelioid hemangioma (EH) is a benign vascular lesion composed primarily of epithelioid endothelial cells accompanied by a chronic inflammatory infiltrate. This lesion is also known as Histiocytoid hemangioma or Angiolymphoid hyperplasia with eosinophilia (ALHE). This rare tumour arising from vascular structures has uncertain etiology. It often occurs in the skin and subcutaneous fat of the head and neck region, but may also arise in the deep tissues such as muscle, bone and lymph node. The intraoral lesions of EH are uncommon and local recurrence has been observed only in a few cases. We report a case of epithelioid hemangioma involving the alveolar mucosa with local recurrence.

A 16-year old girl reported with a dome shaped, smooth-surfaced subcutaneous nodule in the left submandibular area of 8 months duration. Absence of relevant positive findings lead to the provisional diagnosis of benign submandibular gland neoplasm or reactive lymphadenitis of neck. As excision biopsy was performed of the lesion and the wound primarily closed. The surgical section revealed a mixed inflammatory dermal infiltrate with lymphocytes and numerous eosinophils and proliferation of blood vessels with plump endothelial cells protruding into the lumen. The overlying epidermis was hyperplastic. A histologic diagnosis of ALHE was made and the patient was managed surgically. She underwent an uneventful recovery. A follow up of 6 months post-operatively failed to notice any recurrence.

Neural tumours are a rare entity in the oral cavity. Here, we report a case of neurilemmoma, which has manifested as a gingival swelling and its clinical and histopathological features and management are discussed­

Oral traumatic ulcerations are reactive lesions that are characterized by an intense mononuclear inflammatory infiltrate (usually eosinophils) that may mimic neoplasia. These granulomas are chronic but self limiting lesions of oral mucus membrane, usually of tongue. Though traumatic ulcerations are common, they are not frequently reported. Here we present a case report of traumatic ulcerative granuloma with stromal eosinophilia of tongue with a brief review of literature.

Extranodal non-Hodgkins lymphoma of the maxilla could present as one of the early manifestation of detrimental diseases. Clinically these types of lymphoma can mimic an inflammatory endo- periodontal lesion with symptoms of pain and local discomfort. The greater the delay in diagnosis subsequently worsens the prognosis. A case of maxillary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma with an unusual presentation is discussed­

Hemimandibular hypertrophy is a unilateral excessive growth of the mandible, which creates facial asymmetry. The condition can occur before or during the adolescent growth spurt but usually becomes apparent only after the adolescent growth spurt, when one side of the mandible continues to grow. The deformity in hemimandibular hypertrophy affects the body as well as the ramus of the mandible. In some patients, the head of the condyle remains approximately normal in size, but the length of the condylar neck increase; while in others, the condylar head enlarges. If progressive deformity requires removing the condylar growth site, the surgical options for the affected side consists of excision of bone at the head of the condyle, then recon touring or repositioning the bony stump which was done in our case, removing the condyle and condylar process and reconstructing the area either with a costrochondral junction transplant or with a free graft. Typically, a downward bowing of the mandibular body exists that can be corrected by removing bone from the lower border on the affected side. In addition, a sagittal split osteotomy on the unaffected side will allow proper positioning of the mandible. In some cases in adults, if the maxilla is canted because of excessive vertical growth on the affected side, maxillary surgery may also be required.