Effect of supragingival oral irrigation as an adjunct to toothbrushing on plaque accumulation in chronic generalized gingivitis patients.

AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of supragingival oral irrigation either with water or different concentrations of chlorhexidine (CHX) digluconate as an adjunct to toothbrushing on plaque accumulation in chronic generalized gingivitis patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty patients were randomly allocated into five groups. Group 1: toothbrushing alone, Group 2: toothbrushing with mouthwash, Group 3: toothbrushing with water irrigation, Group 4: toothbrushing with 0.0075% CHX digluconate (36 mg) supragingival irrigation, and Group 5: toothbrushing with 0.02% CHX digluconate (96 mg) supragingival irrigation. The collected data were subjected to statistical analysis. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Descriptive data were obtained for all outcome variables and reported as mean ± standard deviation. The Student's t-test, Chi-square test, and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were applied for the statistical evaluation of means and comparisons of proportions, and post hoc Bonferroni test was used for multiple comparisons after the application of the ANOVA test for comparison within the groups. RESULTS: When intergroup difference of the mean differences was compared for individuals using toothbrushing along with 0.0075% CHX digluconate irrigation and those using toothbrushing along with 0.02% CHX digluconate irrigation from BL-14, BL-28, and between 14 and 28 days, it was found to be statistically nonsignificant. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, the CHX digluconate concentration for mouthwash and oral irrigation in addition with toothbrushing was found to be same, i.e., <50 mg for improving the gingival health by reducing gingival inflammation.

Clinical and Histologic Evaluation of Platelet-Rich Fibrin Accelerated Epithelization of Gingival Wound.

The foremost indication for gingival depigmentation is patient demand for improved aesthetics. In most cases after the removal of pigmented layer, the area is covered with periodontal packs. These dressings have no curative properties. They only minimise the likelihood of surface trauma during mastication. However, platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) accelerates wound healing by effective neovascularisation and promoting fast cicatricial tissue remodelling. In the present split mouth study, PRF membrane was applied in the first quadrant and non-eugenol dressing (Coe-Pack) in the second quadrant after depigmentation. Clinical evaluation of epithelization with toluidine blue revealed that PRF treated sites stained substantially less indicating better wound healing as compared to Coe-Pack sites, which appeared more erythematous after 5 days. The histologic evaluation also revealed greater inflammatory cell infiltrate on Coe-Pack sites as compared to PRF. Thus, PRF membrane as a periodontal dressing is a successful approach to protect the raw wound area of the depigmented site to reduce healing time and patient discomfort.

Comparative evaluation of probing depth and clinical attachment level using a manual probe and Florida probe.

BACKGROUND: To compare and evaluate the intra- and inter-examiner efficacy and reproducibility of the first-generation manual (Williams) probe and the third-generation Florida probe in terms of measuring pocket probing depth (PD) and clinical attachment level (CAL). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty subjects/4000 sites were included in this comparative, cross-sectional study. Group- and site-wise categorizations were done. Based on gingival index, PD, and CAL, patients were divided into four groups, i.e., periodontally healthy, gingivitis, mild to moderate periodontitis, and severe periodontitis. Further, based on these parameters, a total of 4000 sites, with 1000 sites in each category randomly selected from these 40 patients, were taken. Full mouth PD and CAL measurements were recorded with two probes, by Examiner 1 and on Ramfjord teeth by Examiner 2. RESULTS: Full mouth and Ramfjord teeth group- and site-wise PD obtained with the manual probe by both the examiners were statistically significantly deeper than that obtained with the Florida probe. The full mouth and Ramfjord teeth mean CAL measurement by Florida probe was higher as compared to manual probe in mild to moderate periodontitis group and sites, whereas in severe periodontitis group and sites, manual probe recorded higher CAL as compared to Florida probe. CONCLUSION: Mean PD and CAL measurements were deeper with the manual probe as compared to the Florida probe in all the groups and sites, except for the mild-moderate periodontitis group and sites where the CAL measurements with the manual probe were less than the Florida probe. Manual probe was more reproducible and showed less interexaminer variability as compared to the Florida probe.

Comparison of the clinical applicability of Miller's classification system to Kumar and Masamatti's classification system of gingival recession.

BACKGROUND: The aims of the present study were to (i) Find the percentage of recession cases that could be classified by application of Miller's and/or Kumar and Masamatti's classification of gingival recession, and (ii) compare the percentage of clinical applicability of Miller's criteria and Kumar and Masamatti's criteria to the total recessions present. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 104 patients (1089 recession cases) were included in the study wherein they were classified using both Miller's and Kumar and Masamatti's classification systems of gingival recession. Percentage comparison of the application of both classification systems was done. RESULTS: Data analysis showed that though all the cases of the recession were classified by Kumar and Masamatti's classification, only 34.61% cases were classified by Miller's classification. 19.10% cases were completely (having only labial/buccal recession) classified. In 15.51% (out of 34.61%) cases, only buccal recession was classified according to Miller's criteria and included in this category, although these cases had both buccal and lingual/palatal recessions. Furthermore, 29.75% cases of recession with interdental loss and marginal tissue loss coronal to mucogingival junction (MGJ) remained uncategorized by Miller's classification; categorization of palatal/lingual recession was possible with Kumar and Masamatti's classification. CONCLUSION: The elaborative evaluation of both buccal and palatal/lingual recession by the Kumar and Masamatti's classification system can be used to overcome the limitations of Miller's classification system, especially the cases with interdental loss and having marginal tissue loss coronal to MGJ.

Clinical and radiographic evaluation of intra-bony defects in localized aggressive periodontitis patients with platelet rich plasma/hydroxyapatite graft: A comparative controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Aggressive periodontitis is a characterized by rapid attachment loss, bone destruction and familial aggregation. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has been proposed to promote regeneration of the lost periodontal tissues. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the efficacy of PRP combined with hydroxyapatite (HA) graft in the treatment of intra-bony defects in localized aggressive periodontitis (L-AgP) patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten L-AgP patients having bilateral intra-bony defect ≥2 mm and probing depth (PD) ≥6 mm were randomly treated either with the PRP/HA graft or HA graft alone. The clinical (plaque control record, bleeding on probing index, PD, and relative attachment level [RAL]), and radiographic parameters (size of the bone defect) were recorded pre- and post-operatively at 3, 6, and 12 months. RESULTS: After 12 months, for both maxillary and mandibular arches, the mean PD decrease was significantly more (P < 0.05) for the test group than the control group (3.2 mm vs. 1.9 mm and 3.6 mm vs. 1.9 mm, respectively). Furthermore, the mean RAL decrease in both maxillary and mandibular arches was significantly more (P < 0.05) for the test group than the control group (3.0 mm vs. 1.2 mm and 3.1 mm vs. 1.4 mm, respectively). Radiographically, the test group showed significantly more defect fill as compared with the control group. CONCLUSION: Both treatments provided significant improvements in clinical and radiographic parameters in a 12-month postoperative period. PRP/HA group presented superior results regarding PD reduction, clinical attachment gain and radiographic bone fill than HA group.

Comparison of two different depigmentation techniques for treatment of hyperpigmented gingiva.

INTRODUCTION: Demand for cosmetic therapy of gingival melanin pigmentation is common. Re-pigmentation after gingival depigmentation is an important point. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of surgical scraping and electrosurgery on postoperative pain, healing and recurrence of pigmentation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifteen patients with esthetic concern related to black gums were selected and treated by surgical scraping with respect to right quadrant and electrosurgery with respect to left quadrant. Patients were recalled post-operatively to evaluate healing and recurrence of pigmentation. Each patient was asked to complete the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) index cards 2 and 24 hours postoperatively. RESULTS: In the initial post-operative period, VAS index cards showed that the discomfort and pain level associated with electrosurgery was significantly higher than conventional scalpel surgery (P < 0.05). Clinically delayed healing was observed in the electrosurgically treated site. Electrosurgery showed better results as compared to epithelial excision for recurrence of pigments. At the end of 15 months, 7 sites in the scalpel excision group showed recurrence, whereas only 4 site showed recurrence in the electrosurgically treated group. CONCLUSION: The methods used here produced desired results and above all, the patients were satisfied with the outcome. Increased pain level and clinically delayed healing was associated with electrosurgery as compared to scalpel surgery, whereas repigmentation occurred more frequently in scalpel-treated sites.

Primary gingival tuberculosis: A rare clinical entity.

Tuberculosis is a specific granulomatous infectious disease and a major cause of death in developing countries. Primary gingival tuberculosis is extremely rare and forgotten entity. Oral lesions usually appear as secondary to primary tuberculosis infection elsewhere. The lesion may take the form of nodules, ulcers, or elevated fissures. We report a case of primary tuberculosis of gingiva, manifesting as gingival enlargement with ulceration and discharge. Diagnosis was based on histopathologic examination, complete blood count, chest X-ray, and immunologic investigations with detection of antibodies against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. With the recent increase in the incidence of tuberculosis, this case report also emphasizes the need for clinicians to be aware of this possibility, consider tuberculosis in the differential diagnosis of gingival enlargement, and thus, play a role in the early detection of this disease.

Management of gingival hyperpigmentation by semiconductor diode laser.

Gingival hyperpigmentation is caused by excessive deposition of melanin in the basal and suprabasal cell layers of the epithelium. Although melanin pigmentation of the gingiva is completely benign, cosmetic concerns are common, particularly in patients having a very high smile line (gummy smile). Various depigmentation techniques have been employed, such as scalpel surgery, gingivectomy, gingivectomy with free gingival autografting, cryosurgery, electrosurgery, chemical agents such as 90% phenol and 95% alcohol, abrasion with diamond burs, Nd:YAG laser, semiconductor diode laser, and CO(2) laser. The present case report describes simple and effective depigmentation technique using semiconductor diode laser surgery - for gingival depigmentation, which have produced good results with patient satisfaction.