Assessment of Maximum Bite Force in Oral Submucous Fibrosis Patients: A Preliminary Study

Abstract Objective: To determine the maximum bite force (MBF) in oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) patients and to compare them with that of healthy subjects. Material and Methods: Twenty patients who were clinically confirmed, as OSMF and 20 healthy controls matched for age, gender, and number of intact functional teeth were included in this study. For each subject, age, gender, weight, height and body mass index (BMI) were recorded. The MBF registration was carried out by the two evaluators, who were previously calibrated. Bite force was measured in the first molar region using a force transducer occlusal force meter for each subject seated at the upright position, with Frankfort's plane nearly parallel to the floor, and no head support. The Student's independent t-test was used to determine the statistical significance in relation to mean height, weight, BMI and the presence of number of intact teeth and MBF between the healthy subjects and OSMF individuals. A comparison of grades of OSMF with all variables was carried out by one-way ANOVA test. Results: No significant difference was found in mean age, mean height, weight, BMI and the presence of the number of intact teeth between healthy individuals and OSMF patients. The mean MBF in healthy subjects was 628.23 ± 24.39 N and 635.47 ± 31.22 N in OSMF patients. Even though the healthy subjects reported a higher MBF than OSMF patients did, the difference was statistically non-significant. With regards to sides, no significant difference was observed in mean MBF in healthy subjects and OSMF patients on the right (p=0.7818) and left side (p=0.6154). Conclusion: The healthy subjects reported higher MBF values than OSMF patients did and the difference was statistically non-significant.

Role of endothelin‑1 in periodontal diseases: A structured review.

Background and Objective: Endothelin‑1 (ET‑1) is a 21‑amino acid peptide and is a potent vasoconstrictor produced by endothelial cells. It plays a role in the development of diseases such as hypertension and atherosclerosis. Previous studies have identified ET‑1 in gingival tissues obtained from patients affected by chronic periodontitis or gingival overgrowth. Thus, there is a need to appraise the role of ET‑1 in periodontal disease. Materials and Methods: The electronic search strategy included the databases such as PubMed, PubMed Central, LILACS, MEDLINE, ScienceDirect, MeSH, Cochrane database of systematic reviews, and EMBASE databases. Hand search of relevant journals was also carried out until September 2013. The included studies were both cross‑sectional and longitudinal performed in vivo/in vitro, which measures the expression of ET‑1 from various cells of the periodontium and in periodontal disease. Further, studies assessing the factors which influence ET‑1 expression were included in the study. Results: A total of 15 articles were found relevant and fulfilled the inclusion criteria posed in this review. Ten studies discussed the concentration of ET‑1 in periodontal disease, whereas eight studies investigated the cells expressing ET‑1. Nine studies assessed the factors influencing ET‑1 expression and two studies evaluated the influence of ET‑1 on inflammatory mediators and other cytokines. The results suggested that ET‑1 is elevated in periodontal diseases and is influenced by inflammatory cytokines and periodontal pathogens. Conclusion: ET‑1 was found to have a role in periodontal disease, but further research will be required to substantiate its use as a biomarker.