Evaluation of serum and gingival crevicular fluid levels of Vitamin D binding protein in subjects with clinically healthy periodontium and chronic periodontitis: A clinico bio-chemical study.

Background: Advances in oral and periodontal disease diagnostic research are moving towards methods wherein periodontal risk can be identified and quantified by objective measures such as bio-markers. Given the roles of vitamin D binding protein (DBP) in modulating the immune response and in the transport of vitamin D, it is hypothesised that quantitative changes of vitamin DBP are associated with periodontal disease. Aim: The aim of the current study is to measure DBP levels in serum and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) of patients with generalised chronic periodontitis, in comparison to healthy controls. Materials and Methods: The present cross-sectional clinico-bio-chemical study includes 30 systemically healthy subjects with 15 periodontally healthy and 15 chronic periodontitis subjects who were recruited from the out-patient Department of Periodontics. GCF and blood samples were collected from all the patients. DBP estimation was performed in both the samples using a commercially available ELISA kit. Results: Serum and GCF DBP levels in chronic periodontitis subjects were significantly higher when compared to the periodontally healthy group. There were no significant correlations found among serum and GCF DBP levels with gender and increasing age in both the groups. An increase in disease severity measured by the increase in probing pocket depth and clinical attachment loss did not show correlation with the GCF and serum DBP levels in the chronic periodontitis group. Conclusion: Based on the findings of the present study, increased serum and GCF DBP levels in chronic periodontitis seem to be a probable marker for identifying ongoing periodontal destruction.

Maxillary Incisive Canal Characteristics: A Radiographic Study Using Cone Beam Computerized Tomography.

BACKGROUND: The incisive canal located at the midline, posterior to the central incisor, is an important anatomic structure of this area to be considered while planning for immediate implant placement in maxillary central incisor region. The purpose of the present study is to assess incisive canal characteristics using CBCT sections. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CBCT scans of 79 systemically healthy patients, with intact maxillary incisors, were evaluated by two calibrated and independent examiners. Assessments included (1) mesiodistal diameter, (2) labiopalatal diameter, (3) length of the incisive canal, (4) shape of incisive canal, and (5) width of the bone anterior to the incisive foramen. RESULTS: The mean width of the foramen labiopalatally and mesiodistally was 3.12 ± 0.94 mm and 3.23 ± 0.98 mm, respectively. Mean canal length was 18.63 ± 2.35 mm and males have significantly longer incisive canal than females. The mean width of bone anterior to the incisive canal was 6.32 ± 1.43 mm. As age of the subjects increased, incisive foramen diameter and incisive canal length were found to be increased. Cylindrical shaped incisive canals were seen in most of the individuals followed by funnel shaped and hour-glass shaped canals, and banana-like canal is least prevalent type. CONCLUSION: The findings from the present study suggest that the diameter and length of incisive canal vary among different individuals and presence of very thin bone anterior to the canal would suggest that a pretreatment CBCT scan is a valuable tool to evaluate anatomic variations, morphology, and dimensions of incisive foramen before immediate implant placement in maxillary central incisor region.

Assessment of healing following low-level laser irradiation after gingivectomy operations using a novel soft tissue healing index: A randomized, double-blind, split-mouth clinical pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Lasers have become a part of modern dentistry since the past three decades. A wide-ranging assortment of lasers is being used in periodontology for both soft and hard tissue surgical procedures. Regardless of the frequent practice of using these well-known surgical lasers, there is another lesser familiar class of lasers called the low-level lasers. The main doctrine behind using low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is centered on the biostimulation, or the biomodulation effect, which relies on the dexterity of low-intensity laser energy when irradiated at a specific wavelength, is able to modify cellular activities (increase in cell metabolism and fibroblast and keratinocyte proliferation). AIM: The aim of the present study was to investigate the adjunctive use of LLLT on gingival healing after gingivectomy procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten systemically healthy patients requiring gingivectomy or gingivoplasty procedures bilaterally in either the maxillary or mandibular teeth were included in the study. After surgical intervention, a diode laser (810 nm) was randomly activated to one side of the operated area while other side did not receive any treatment and served as the control. The healing index given by Landry et al. was used to evaluate the soft tissue healing immediately postsurgery and at the 3rd day, 1 week, and 2 weeks postoperatively. After the follow-up period, results were analyzed using appropriate statistical tests. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference observed in the surface epithelialization between both groups on the 3rd and 7th-postoperative days, but highly significant differences were observed on the 14th day. CONCLUSION: Within the confines of this pilot study, the outcomes have indicated that gingival wound healing may be improved using LLLT after gingivectomy and gingivoplasty operations.

Efficacy of local use of probiotics as an adjunct to scaling and root planing in chronic periodontitis and halitosis: A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: Periodontitis is known to have multifactorial etiology, involving interplay between environmental, host and microbial factors. The current treatment approaches are aimed at reducing the pathogenic microorganisms. Administration of beneficial bacteria (probiotics) has emerged as a promising concept in the prevention and treatment of periodontitis. Thus, the aim of the present study is to evaluate the efficacy of the local use of probiotics as an adjunct to scaling and root planing (SRP) in the treatment of patients with chronic periodontitis and halitosis. METHODS: This is a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded trial involving 32 systemically healthy chronic periodontitis patients. After SRP, the subjects were randomly assigned into the test and control groups. Test group (SRP + probiotics) received subgingival delivery of probiotics and probiotic mouthwash, and control group (SRP + placebo) received subgingival delivery of placebo and placebo mouthwash for 15 days. Plaque index (PI), modified gingival index (MGI), and bleeding index (BI) were assessed at baseline, 1 and 3 months thereafter, whereas probing depth (PD) and clinical attachment level were assessed at baseline and after 3 months. Microbial assessment using N-benzoyl-DL-arginine-naphthylamide (BANA) and halitosis assessment using organoleptic scores (ORG) was done at baseline, 1 and 3 months. FINDINGS: All the clinical and microbiological parameters were significantly reduced in both groups at the end of the study. Inter-group comparison of PD reduction (PDR) and clinical attachment gain (CAG) revealed no statistical significance except for PDR in moderate pockets for the test group. Test group has shown statistically significant improvement in PI, MGI, and BI at 3 months compared to control group. Inter-group comparison revealed a significant reduction in BANA in test group at 1 month. ORG were significantly reduced in test group when compared to control group. CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of the study, the present investigation showed that the adjunctive use of probiotics offers clinical benefit in terms of pocket depth reduction in moderate pockets and reduced oral malodor parameters.