Comparison of semilunar coronally advanced flap alone and in combination with button technique in the treatment of Miller’s Class I and II gingival recessions: A pilot study.

Background: Gingival recession (GR) is one of the most common esthetic and functional concerns associated with periodontal disease. A variety of surgical procedures has been introduced to the field of cosmetic periodontology for the treatment of GR. Aim: To evaluate and compare the clinical outcome of semilunar coronally advanced flap (SCAF) with and without button technique in the treatment of Miller’s Class I and II GRs. Study Design: A total of 12 subjects with bilateral single Miller’s Class I and II recession were selected for the study. Split mouth design was used. Materials and Methods: Surgical sites were randomly divided into test and control groups. In control sites, SCAF alone was done whereas in test site, a combination of SCAF and button technique was performed. The clinical parameters including GR, periodontal pocket depth, clinical attachment level (CAL), and width of keratinized gingiva were recorded at baseline and 6 months postsurgery. Data so collected were put to statistical analysis. Statistical Analysis: Student’s t‑test was used to find significance of parameters between baseline and 6 months. For inter‑group comparisons paired t‑test was performed. Results: Statistically significant improvements were recorded in both groups from baseline to 6 months. Inter‑group comparison yielded statistically significant differences in GR and CAL in favor of test group. Conclusion: Combination of SCAF and button technique resulted in statistically significant improvements in clinical parameters as compared to SCAF alone. Future clinical studies with much larger sample size and longer follow‑up periods are warranted.

Association between erectile dysfunction and chronic periodontitis: A clinical study.

Background: In recent years, evidence has come forth supporting the notion that localized infectious diseases such as periodontal disease may indeed influence a number of systemic diseases. Erectile dysfunction (ED) and chronic periodontitis have common risk factors such as diabetes mellitus, cardiac diseases and smoking etc. Aim: The aim was to evaluate the periodontal status of the subjects suffering from ED and to find association between vasculogenic ED and chronic periodontitis, if any. Study Design: A total of 53 subjects suffering from vasculogenic ED were enrolled for the study and were divided into three groups on the basis of severity of ED. Materials and Methods: The clinical (probing pocket depth) and radiographic parameters (alveolar bone loss) were recorded and periodontal status of three groups was evaluated, compared and an attempt was made to find an association between ED and chronic periodontitis. Karl Pearson’s correlation was used to assess an association between the two conditions. Statistical Analysis: One‑way ANOVA and Scheffe’s test were used to find the significant difference of chronic periodontitis with severity of ED. Karl Pearson’s correlation was used to find an association between chronic periodontitis and ED. Results: Statistically significant mean differences of 1.73 mm, 0.56 mm and 1.17 mm were recorded when comparison was made among Group I and III, Group I and II and Group II and III, respectively. Mean differences in bone loss among three groups were also statistically significant. Both the diseases were positively correlated to each other. Conclusion: It may be concluded that chronic periodontitis and ED are associated with each other. However, further large scale studies with confounder analysis and longitudinal follow‑up are warranted to explore the link between these two diseases.

Using a portable sulfide monitor as a motivational tool: A clinical study.

Aims and Objectives: Bad breath has a significant impact on daily life of those who suffer from it. Oral malodor may rank only behind dental caries and periodontal disease as the cause of patient's visit to dentist. An aim of this study was to use a portable sulfide monitor as a motivational tool for encouraging the patients towards the better oral hygiene by correlating the plaque scores with sulfide monitor scores, and comparing the sulfide monitor scores before and after complete prophylaxis and 3 months after patient motivation. Materials and Methods : 30 patients with chronic periodontitis, having chief complaint of oral malodor participated in this study. At first visit, the plaque scores (P1) and sulfide monitor scores before (BCR1) and after complete oral prophylaxis (BCR2) were taken. Then the patients were motivated towards the better oral hygiene. After 3 months, plaque scores (P2) and sulfide monitor scores (BCR3) were recorded again. Statistical Analysis: It was done using SPSS (student package software for statistical analysis). Paired sample test was performed. Results: Statistically significant reduction in sulfide monitor scores was reported after the complete oral prophylaxis and 3 months after patient motivation. Plaque scores were significantly reduced after a period of 3 months. Plaque scores and breathchecker scores were positively correlated. Conclusion : An intensity of the oral malodor was positively correlated with the plaque scores. The portable sulfide monitor was efficacious in motivating the patients towards the better oral hygiene.