Clinical and biochemical efficacy of minocycline in nonsurgical periodontal therapy: a randomized controlled pilot study.

The present study evaluated the effects of systemic minocycline on clinical and biochemical parameters of chronic periodontitis, which is a common inflammatory disorder of the periodontium initiated by the presence of bacteria in the gingival sulcus. Besides nonsurgical periodontal therapy, 20 individuals received minocycline systemically while another 20 subjects received placebo capsules for 2 weeks. Plaque index (PI), sulcus bleeding index (SBI), probing depth (PD), and relative attachment level (RAL) were measured and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) samples were obtained at baseline and first, third, and sixth months. Matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) levels were analyzed by enzyme immunoassay method. Significant improvements in all parameters in both groups were recorded. In the minocycline group, changes in PI and SBI were significantly greater only at first month, whereas reductions in PD, RAL, MMP-8, and PGE2 levels were greater at all times. MMP-8 and PGE2 exhibited positive correlations with SBI, PD, and each other. Minocycline demonstrated clinical benefit for periodontal therapy and provided further improvements on inflammatory mediators promising a host-modulating capacity.

Peripheral giant cell granuloma combined with facial hemangioma. A case report.

Peripheral giant cell granuloma (PGCG) is a relatively uncommon benign tumor of the oral cavity affecting people of all ages and with no racial predilection. The etiology is still unclear but local trauma or chronic irritants may cause the development of this lesion. Hemangioma is a benign process in which there are an increased number of normal or abnormal-appearing blood vessels. In this article the clinical, radiographic and histopathologic characteristics of a patient who had a rare combination of PGCG and facial hemangioma is discussed. Surgery was the effective treatment modality for the lesion in the mandible. The characteristics of facial hemangioma and PGCG have similarities, such as the possibility of bleeding problems during surgery. As the lesion in this case was not small in size, it was not a conservative procedure. Bleeding control was established by electrocauterization. Healing was uneventful and there has been no recurrence since the surgery. A new prosthesis was fabricated for the patient. In these kinds of cases the control of bleeding must be very carefully determined and attention should be paid to the possibility of serious bleeding problems. Based on the data presented we were not able to find any correlation between the PGCG and the facial hemangioma, but new reports might have different views on the subject in the future.

The effects of periodontal therapy on intracrevicular prostaglandin E2 concentrations and clinical parameters in pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: The increase in circulating levels of progesterone during pregnancy stimulates production of prostaglandins, especially prostaglandin E2, possibly resulting in pregnancy gingivitis. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the influence of prostaglandin E2 concentrations on gingival tissues in pregnancy and to assess its relationship to clinical parameters. METHODS: This study evaluates the effects of periodontal treatment on clinical indices including plaque index, gingival index, probing depth, and gingival crevicular fluid prostaglandin E2 levels of 22 pregnant women in their first, second, and third trimesters. Initial periodontal therapy consisting of scaling, root planing, and oral hygiene instruction was performed at the beginning of the first trimester and repeated each trimester. Prostaglandin E2 concentrations in gingival crevicular fluid were determined using a commercially available enzyme immunoassay kit. The statistical tests used were paired sample test and correlation analysis. RESULTS: The results of the study show that periodontal therapy has resulted in an improvement in clinical parameters (P<0.05). There is also a statistically significant decrease in levels of prostaglandin E2 at the second and third trimesters following periodontal therapy (P <0.001). The correlation between prostaglandin E2 concentrations and clinical parameters is found to be non-significant (P >0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate that levels of prostaglandin E2 in gingival crevicular fluid may be used as a marker of gingival inflammation in order to determine the effects of periodontal therapy in pregnancy. Periodontal therapy that is performed throughout the entire pregnancy period may help prevent the threat of pregnancy gingivitis.

The effect of sociocultural status on periodontal conditions in pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: The effects of sociocultural status on periodontal conditions in pregnant women have been reported by a number of researchers and there have been speculations about the effects of hormonal changes, patients' systemic health, and socio-cultural characteristics on periodontal health during pregnancy. METHODS: This study evaluates the periodontal condition of 61 pregnant women at their first, second, and third trimesters, and the relation between the demographic (age, professional level, education) and clinical variables (previous periodontal care, frequency of tooth brushing). The clinical indices, including plaque index, gingival index, and probing depth measurements were repeated at the first, second, and third trimesters. The statistical tests used were stepwise analysis and paired sample test. RESULTS: The results of the study showed that the plaque index, gingival index, and probing depth scores increased gradually in the first, second, and third trimesters, although oral hygiene instructions were given to the entire study population. The level of statistical significance was established at P <0.05. When the clinical parameters and demographic variables were compared, only educational level and periodontal care seemed to be statistically significant (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our clinical index scores were related to the educational level of the study population. When the educational level of the study group decreased, the plaque, gingival index, and probing depth scores contrarily increased. Also non-attendance for previous periodontal care increased the scores of plaque index and probing depth. In view of the results of our study, it might be suggested that simple preventive oral hygiene programs may help maintain healthy gingiva during pregnancy.