ABSTRACT
Objectives: To assess the changes in the level of C-reactive protein [CRP] and tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-alpha] in gingival crevicular fluid [GCF] after treatment of chronic gingivitis in systemically healthy individuals
Methods: This is a clinical trial conducted at Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America from February to December 2011. A total of 41 systemically healthy subjects were assigned to 2 groups according to the severity of gingival inflammation. Group I consisted of 18 subjects who had mild gingival inflammation; and group II consisted of 23 with more severe gingival inflammation. Periodontal assessment consisted of gingival index [GI], probing depths [PD], and GCF volume. Four to six weeks after prophylaxis and oral hygiene instruction, the same measurements were repeated. The level of CRP and TNF-alpha in the GCF was determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays
Results: A statistically significant reduction in the mean CRP and TNF-alpha levels after the treatment was found in the severe, but not in the mild gingivitis group. Both groups showed a statistically significant reduction in GI, PD, and periotron readings after the treatment
Conclusion: Treatment of severe chronic gingivitis reduces the levels of CRP and TNF-alpha in GCF of otherwise systemically healthy individuals, which could have an impact on preventing or controlling future or existing systemic disease conditions