ABSTRACT
Objectives: The objective of this study was to identify the anaerobic pigment-forming bacteria present in black stain and correlate its occurrence with dental caries incidence and periodontal destruction. Materials and Methods: A total of 50 healthy subjects with the chief complaint of recurrent black stains were selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. decayed/missing/filled surfaces score, community periodontal index, Gingival Crevicular Fluid (GCF), black stain score, and microbial analysis were done. Results: The data presented indicate that black stain has a constant microflora, dominated by various gram-negative rods, gram-positive cocci and rods (P ≤ 0.1). However, the incidence of gram-positive rods decreased with the increase in plaque score and probing depths and decrease in black stain score. Conclusions: Presence of black stains is predominated by various gram-positive and negative rods, and gram-positive cocci. Increase in the plaque score decreases the severity of black stains, thereby increasing the probability of periodontal destruction and dental caries incidence in adult subjects. Further studies are required to corroborate the results.
ABSTRACT
Aim: The aim of the study was to compare chromogranin A (CgA) and stress levels before and after non-surgical periodontal therapy (NSPT). Materials and Methods: A sample of 40 patients in the age range 25–60 years were included in the study and were divided into gingivitis (10 subjects), chronic periodontitis (CP) (15 patients) and aggressive periodontitis (AgP) (15 patients). The patients were asked to complete two sets of stress questionnaires, plaque index, gingival index, probing depth and clinical attachment levels (CAL) were recorded. Salivary samples were taken at baseline and were repeated three months post NSPT. Results: CgA was detected in saliva samples of all the groups. A statistically significant correlation was established between levels of CgA and stress parameters, which was shown to be the highest in AgP (P < 0.001), followed by CP group (P < 0.005) at baseline. Following NSPT, an overall reduction was observed in the levels of CgA, which was correlated with the overall reduction in stress levels for AgP group (P < 0.005) followed by CP group (P < 0.037). Amongst the clinical parameters, CAL showed the strongest correlation with CgA both at baseline and after NSPT (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Stress was directly correlated to the levels of salivary CgA levels, which was the highest for aggressive periodontitis at baseline. NSPT showed a marked improvement in all the parameters. Levels of CgA and CAL showed a significant correlation in both the CP and AgP groups.