Determination of efficacy of curcumin and Tulsi extracts as local drugs in periodontal pocket reduction: A clinical and microbiological study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of our study is to assess the effectiveness of Curcumin and Tulsi in the control of periodontal parameters when delivered in the form of local drug delivery (LDD) agents. METHODS: Curenext gel® and Tulsi gel were used as the two LDD agent. A split mouth randomized clinical trial was carried out in 15 patients. Three sites in different quadrants were assigned treatment modality of scaling and root planing (SRP) alone, SRP with LDD of curcumin and SRP with LDD of Tulsi extract, respectively. Clinical parameters Probing Pocket Depth, Clinical Attachment Level, Plaque Index, Gingival Index, and modified Sulcus Bleeding Index were recorded and subgingival plaque sample collected for N-benzoyl-L-arginine-p-nitroanilide (BAPNA) assay on baseline followed by LDD with extracts in the assigned group. The parameters were recorded at baseline and on 30th day postoperatively. Unpaired and Paired-'t' test were used for intergroup and intragroup comparison of recorded clinical and microbiological parameters. RESULTS: All the treatment modalities showed statistically significant reduction in clinical and microbiological parameters on intragroup comparison. Intergroup comparison showed statistically significant reduction in Plaque Index in curcumin group and BAPNA assay in Tulsi group when compared to SRP. CONCLUSION: Both the herbs were effective in improving periodontal parameters and may develop as an alternative to currently used LDD agents in near future.

Bite Force Recording Devices - A Review.

In dental research, bite force serves as a valuable parameter to evaluate the efficacy of masticatory system. A variety of devices with different design and working principle have been used to record bite force, but no single device is capable to record all the required forces. One may find it difficult to choose a device that will fulfil the purpose of recording bite force for research. So, the present review aims to report and compare the wide range of devices and will help in describing their uses for recording bite force.

Comparative Evaluation of Platelet Rich Fibrin and Dehydrated Amniotic Membrane for the Treatment of Gingival Recession- A Clinical Study.

INTRODUCTION: The main objective of any therapeutic intervention aimed at root coverage is to restore the tissue margin to the cemento-enamel junction and to regenerate the lost periodontium. AIM: To compare the effectiveness of Platelet Rich Fibrin (PRF) and Amniotic Membrane (AM) in the treatment of gingival recession by Coronally Advanced Flap (CAF) Technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty systemically healthy patients who met inclusion-exclusion criteria were selected. After Phase-I therapy, patients were randomly allocated to one of the groups; PRF (Group-A) and Amnion Group (Group-B). Clinical parameters like Plaque Index (PI), Recession Depth (RD) and Width of Keratinized Gingiva (WKG) were measured on the baseline day, three months and six months postoperatively. Mann-Whitney test and Wilcoxon signed ranks test were applied for intergroup and intragroup comparisons respectively. RESULTS: Intergroup comparison between platelet rich fibrin and amniotic membrane showed statistically insignificant difference in the recession depth and width of keratinized gingiva at three and six months postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Both the membranes were equally effective in terms of recession coverage and increase in width of keratinized gingiva.

The Comparative Evaluation of Patient's Satisfaction and Comfort Level by Diode Laser and Scalpel in the Management of Mucogingival Anomalies.

BACKGROUND: Surgical correction of mucogingival anomalies is required to enhance patient's compatibility to maintain oral hygiene or to improve facial aesthetics or both. Laser has become a desirable and dependable alternative for traditional surgical techniques because it is simple and painless with more predictable outcomes. AIM: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of the conventional scalpel technique and the laser technique on the degree of discomfort, satisfaction, healing and postoperative pain experienced by patients after correction of mucogingival anomalies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the present study 70 patients were enrolled and randomly distributed in two groups i.e. surgical correction of mucogingival anomalies by scalpel and by laser. Patient's comfort level, pain and satisfaction level was assessed by using Visual analogue scale (VAS) and healing was evaluated by healing index. RESULTS: The results indicated patients treated with the diode laser had less postoperative pain and discomfort with remarkable satisfactory results and healing compared to patients treated with the conventional technique. CONCLUSION: Laser is a desirable therapeutic alternative to correct soft tissue anomalies. It allows good control of haemorrhage with comfortable healing phase and appreciable satisfactory outcomes.

Impact of Bariatric Surgery and Diet Modification on Periodontal Status: A Six Month Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Nutrition is an essential component of oral health and improper nutrition is an important aetiological factor in the development of obesity as well. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate effect of diet modification and oral hygiene maintenance after bariatric surgery on the periodontal status of Class III and IV obese patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred and twenty four patients between the age ranges of 18 -64 years, from both sexes, were subjected to complete periodontal examination prior to bariatric surgery and 6 months post surgery. Patients were advised diet modification which included more fibrous food intake & decreased intake of soft and sugary food along with supragingival scaling & oral health care regime after bariatric surgery with a 6 month follow up. No periodontal surgical intervention was performed. RESULTS: The patients showed a mean differences in the bleeding score, plaque and gingival index which was found to be statistically significant (p<0.001). The improvement in clinical attachment level and probing pocket depth before and after surgery were found to be statistically insignificant (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Thus we conclude that fibrous diet along with good periodontal care can help to improve the oral hygiene status of patients undergoing bariatric surgery, even if periodontal surgical intervention is not performed resulting in freedom from periodontitis, thus improving quality of life of the patient.

Comparison of semilunar coronally repositioned flap with gingival massaging using an Ayurvedic product (irimedadi taila) in the treatment of class-I gingival recession: A clinical study.

AIM: To study the comparison in terms of root coverage the effect of gingival massaging using an ayurvedic product and semilunar coronally repositioned flap (SCRF) to assess the treatment outcomes in the management of Miller's class I gingival recessions over a-6 mo period. METHODS: The present study comprised of total of 90 sites of Miller's class-I gingival recessions in the maxillary anteriors, the sites were divided into three groups each comprising 30 sites, Group I-were treated by massaging using a Placebo (Ghee) Group II-were treated by massaging using an ayurvedic product (irimedadi taila). Group III-were treated by SCRF. Clinical parameters assessed included recession height, recession width, probing pocket depth, width of attached gingiva, clinical attachment level and thickness of keratinized tissue. Clinical recordings were performed at baseline and 6 mo later. The results were analyzed to determine improvements in the clinical parameters. The comparison was done using Wilcoxon signed rank test. The overall differences in the clinical improvements between the three groups was done using Kruskal-Wallis test. The probability value (P-value) of less than 0.01 was considered as statistically significant. RESULTS: Non-surgical periodontal therapy and gingival massaging improves facial gingival recessions and prevents further progression of mucogingival defects. Root coverage was achieved in both the experimental groups. The SCRF group proved to be superior in terms of all the clinical parameters. CONCLUSION: Root coverage is significantly better with semilunar coronally repositioned flap compared with the gingival massaging technique in the treatment of shallow maxillary Miller class I gingival recession defects.

Alternative medicine in periodontal therapy--a review.

Periodontal diseases continue to be most commonly occurring oral diseases in modern times. Many therapeutic modalities have been tried and tested to relieve these problems. The conventional therapy--scaling and root planing (SRP)--stands out to be the most used mode of treatment, and other treatments remain applicable as adjuncts to SRP, including acupuncture, acupressure, and aromatherapy. The present article discusses the applications of the abovementioned therapeutic modes and their relevance in current scenarios. Alternative medicine may be preferred as an adjunct to conventional periodontal therapy to relieve pain, bad breath, gingival inflammation, mouth ulcers, and mouth sores.