Classification systems for gingival recession and suggestion of a new classification system

Gingival recession is one of the most usual esthetic concerns associated with the periodontal tissues. Classification of such condition is important to diagnose, determine the prognosis, and frame the treatment plan. Various classifications have been put forward since decades to classify gingival recession. Miller's classification is the widely used classification among all classifications, but certain drawbacks have been noted in this classification. Therefore, an effort is made to review most commonly used classification systems for gingival recession, and their drawbacks further come up with a proposal of new classification system for gingival recession.

Profile of Patients with Periodontal Disease: A Descriptive Study.

Background: The most common form of periodontal disease has been defined as “an inflammatory process affecting one or more of the supporting tissues of teeth – the gingival tissue, the periodontal membrane and the alveolar bone. In this study the index used for assessing the periodontal status of the population was Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs (CPITN). Methods: Study subjects included patients diagnosed to have periodontal disease and a total of 200 patients were selected for the study. Results: In this study, 21% of patients were smokers, 12% of patients consumes smokeless tobacco, 26% of patients were alcoholics and 30% of patients had bad practices of oral cleaning. Conclusion: Modifiable risk factors were more commonly associated with periodontal disease.

Herpes zoster of trigeminal nerve after dental extraction.

Herpes zoster is an uncommon acute viral infection caused by reactivation of varicella zoster virus. During the prodromal stage, the only presenting symptom may be odontalgia, which may prove to be a diagnostic challenge for the dentist. Practicing dentist may carry out emergency treatment that might result in irreversible damage or may delay the appropriate treatment. With an ever-increasing number of elderly and immunocompromised patients reporting to the dentist, the dental profession can expect to encounter an increased number of herpes zoster patients. Dentist must be familiar with the presenting signs and symptoms of patients experiencing the prodromal manifestations of herpes zoster of the trigeminal nerve. This article focuses on the difficulties in management of such cases, and one such case is reported here.