Periodontal treatment needs in diabetic and non-diabetic individuals: A case-control study.

Aim: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder of the carbohydrate, protein and fat metabolism, resulting in increased blood glucose levels. Various complications of diabetes have been described with periodontitis being added as the sixth complication of diabetes mellitus. The aim of this study was to assess periodontal status and treatment needs (TN) in diabetic patients and to compare the findings between diabetic and non-diabetic individuals using community periodontal index (CPI). Materials and Methods: We evaluated the periodontal status and periodontal TN in diabetic and non-diabetic individuals in Guwahati, Assam. A total of 459 (223 diabetic and 236 non-diabetic) individuals were assessed. A person was considered to be diabetic when his blood glucose levels were above 140 mg/dl under fasting condition and 200 mg/dl 2 hours postprandially. Periodontal status was assessed using CPI. Results: Periodontal destruction was found to be increased in diabetic individuals, with periodontal destruction increasing with increased blood glucose levels. The necessity of complex periodontal treatment also increased with increasing blood glucose levels. Conclusions: Individuals with diabetes are more prone to periodontal destruction, and hence, regular periodontal screening and treatment is essential in these individuals.

Correlation of periodontal status and bone mineral density in postmenopausal women: A digital radiographic and quantitative ultrasound study.

Background: Data suggest that postmenopausal women with osteoporosis are at an increased risk for periodontal attachment loss and tooth loss; however, the extent of relationship between these two diseases is still not clear. Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate the correlation of periodontal status and bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women. Materials and Methods: The study population included 60 postmenopausal women aged 50-60 years (mean±SD: 55.5±3.4 years). Periodontal status was examined by plaque index, bleeding index, probing depth, and clinical attachment level (CAL). Digital panoramic radiograph was taken to measure the maxillary and mandibular alveolar bone density values. Skeletal (calcaneal) BMD was measured by quantitative ultrasound technique for T-score values. The recorded data for T-score, maxillary and mandibular alveolar bone densities, and periodontal status were subjected to statistical analysis for correlation and regression procedures. Results: The results showed that mandibular alveolar (r=0.907, P<0.001) and maxillary alveolar bone density (r=0.898, P<0.001) had significant positive correlation with calcaneal T-score. Probing depth (r=-0.316, P<0.05), bleeding index (r=-0.277, P<0.05), and plaque index (r=-0.285, P<0.05) showed weak but significant negative correlation with calcaneal T-score and alveolar bone density of both the jaws, whereas CAL showed weak correlation with T-score which could not reach to a statistically significance level (r=-0.221, P>0.05). Conclusion: Calcaneal BMD was related to alveolar bone loss and, to a lesser extent, to clinical attachment loss, implicating postmenopausal bone loss as a risk indicator for periodontal disease in postmenopausal women.

Detection of selected bacterial species in intraoral sites of patients with chronic periodontitis using multiplex polymerase chain reaction

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to detect the prevalence of selected bacterial species in intraoral sites of patients with chronic periodontitis (CP) using multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR). METHODOLOGY: Samples were collected from the tongue dorsum, buccal mucosa, supragingival and subgingival plaque and saliva of 30 patients with untreated CP. Multiplex PCR was used to determine prevalence rates, which were then compared using a chi-square test. Significance level was set at p<0.05. Mean and standard deviation values were used to evaluate variations in prevalence according to site. RESULTS: The prevalence of S. mutans was 70 percent in saliva; 60 percent in samples collected from the tongue dorsum; 50 percent in samples collected from the buccal mucosa; 56.5 percent in the supragingival plaque; and 53.5 percent in the subgingival plaque. The prevalence of E. faecalis ranged from 3.5 percent to 13.5 percent in all intraoral microenvironment. The highest prevalence of P. gingivalis was found in subgingival plaque (53.5 percent), and of P. intermedia in supragingival plaque (33.5 percent), subgingival plaque (30 percent) and tongue dorsum (33.5 percent). The prevalence of bacteria did not vary significantly among the intraoral sites. CONCLUSIONS: All studied bacteria were identified in intraoral sites. S. mutans, P. gingivalis and P. intermedia had high prevalence rates, but the prevalence of E. faecalis was low. Multiplex PCR proved to be an adequate method for epidemiological studies.

Evaluation of the C-reactive protein serum levels in periodontitis patients with or without atherosclerosis.

Background : Several studies suggested an association between periodontal disease and cardiovascular disease (CVD). C- reactive protein is elevated in periodontitis patients and has been found to be a predictor of increased risk for cardiovascular disease. Since, CRP is known to play a role in pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, the present study was undertaken to evaluate the serum levels of CRP in periodontitis patients with or without atherosclerosis. Materials and Methods : A total of 45 patients, 15 chronic periodontitis patients with atherosclerosis (Group A), 15 chronic periodontitis patients with no history of any systemic disease (Group B), and 15 clinically healthy individuals with no history of periodontal or systemic disease (Group C) within age range of 30 to 55 years were selected for the study. PI, PBI, PPD, CAL and radiographic marginal alveolar bone level were assessed in all the three groups. CRP levels were assessed with 'Turbi-latex' kit using turbidimetric analysis. Results : The mean CAL recorded was 4.9mm in group A, 4.6mm in group B and 1.9 mm in group C. The mean radiographic marginal bone level was 45 to 50% in group A, 45 to 50% in group B and 90 to 95% in group C. Mean serum C-reactive protein level was significantly higher in group A (8.9 mg/l), as compared to group B (4.9 mg/l) as well as group C (0.9 mg/l). Conclusion : Within the limits of this study it was concluded that periodontitis may add to the inflammatory burden of the individual and may result in increased risk of atherosclerosis based on serum C-reactive protein concentrations.

Evaluation of the marginal gingival health using laser doppler flowmetry

The purposes of this study were to compare the gingival blood flow (GBF) in test sites (teeth retaining fixed partial dentures) and control sites (contralateral natural teeth) and investigate whether there is any relationship between clinical indices and GBF values. Twelve healthy subjects (6 females and 6 males) aged 20 to 54 years were enrolled this study. The GBF was measured from the middle point of the marginal gingiva in the test and control sites using laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF). Additionally, plaque index, gingival index and probing depth measurements were recorded. Statistically significant difference (p<0.05) was found between the test and control sites for marginal GBF. In contrast, no significant difference (p>0.05) was found between test and control sites with respect to the clinical indices, except for plaque index. The findings of this study suggest that there is a significant relation between resin-bonded fixed partial dentures with margins located subgingivally and marginal GBF. Clinical indices are helpful to collect information about the clinical health status of gingival tissues, but GBF is a good tool to measure gingival tissue blood flow and assess periodontal health. In conclusion, laser Doppler flowmetry can be used together with clinical indices to evaluate the marginal gingival health.

Os objetivos deste estudo foram comparar o fluxo sangüíneo gengival (FSG) em sítios teste (dentes retentores de próteses parciais fixas) e sítios controle (dentes naturais contralaterais) e investigar se há alguma relação entre os índices clínicos (IC) e os valores de FSG. Doze indivíduos saudáveis (6 mulheres e 6 homens) com idades entre 20 a 54 anos participaram deste estudo. O FSG foi medido no ponto médio da gengina marginal em ambos os sítios teste e controle utilizando dopplerfluxometria a laser (DFL). Além disso, as medidas referentes ao índice de placa, índice gengival e profundidade de sondagem foram registradas. Foi observada diferença estatisticamente significante (p<0.05) entre os grupos teste e controle para os valores de FSG. Por outro lado, não houve diferença estatisticamente significante (p>0.05) entre os sítios teste e controle com relação aos índices clínicos, exceto para o índice de placa. Os achados deste estudo sugerem que existe uma relação significante entre próteses parciais fixas retidas por resina com margens localizadas subgengivalmente e o FSG marginal. Embora os índices clínicos sejam úteis para coletar informações sobre as condições clínicas dos tecidos gengivais, o FSG é uma ferramenta importante para medir o fluxo sanguíneo tissular gengival e avaliar a saúde periodontal. Em conclusão, a dopplerfluxometria a laser pode ser usada juntamente com índices clínicos para avaliar a saúde gengival marginal.

Periodontal diseases and awareness among patients.

Awareness of periodontal problems and how they interpret this and their timely intervention affects periodontal health. Many people neither recognize the symptoms of periodontal disease nor do they associate existing symptoms with the disease. Hence one should ensure that the routes of science transfer are open so that the appropriate knowledge regarding the prevention and control of periodontal diseases are available to the public.

Knowledge of dental health and diseases among dental patients, a multicentre study in Saudi Arabia.

The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge of dental patients about dental health and diseases. A questionnaire was developed with three sets of questions, 1-general knowledge of dental conditions, 2-use of alternate methods in prevention and treatment of dental diseases, 3-awareness about personal oral health. Six hundred questionnaires were distributed in 6 cities from 4 different regions (i.e. Makkah, Riyadh, Tabuk, Gizan). 367 respondents (61% response rate) constituted 233 (63.5%) male and 134 (36.5%) female with the age range 11-70 years (mean 30 +/- 11.9). The data were analyzed by SPSS version 9.0 and results presented in frequency distributions. 99% male and 96% female considered their teeth for chewing food, 97% male and 96% female knew that increased carbohydrate intake and poor oral hygiene are related to tooth decay, 89% male and 96% female used toothbrush and paste to prevent dental diseases and 75% male and 66% female were regular user of miswak (chewing sticks.) 67% male and 59% female visit dentist, only in pain. 46% used miswak after their meals, only 14% of the subjects used miswak on their lingual and palatal surfaces of teeth, while 38% of the subjects used clove as remedy for toothache, 25.6% used saline and 10% used lemon for bleaching their teeth. 15% considered honey important for their good oral health. Regarding personal oral health, 35% had pain in gums, 36.8% were with bad breath, 28% had tooth hypersensitivity, and almost 50% used toothbrush twice daily while 42% had bleeding gums. It is important to note that knowledge and awareness about dental health and disease conditions are better in male subjects, dietary habits and oral hygiene methods need to be addressed in future investigations. There is a need to provide more health education to female subjects to improve their oral health.