Unraveling the cognitive implications among individuals with co-occurring chronic periodontitis and type 2 diabetes mellitus: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: Chronic periodontitis and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are associated with cognitive decline when examined individually. To gain deeper insight into the combined effects of these conditions on cognitive decline, the present study aimed to examine the cognitive status of individuals with co-occurring T2DM and chronic periodontitis. METHODS: We recruited 220 participants categorized into four groups: Group I, healthy subjects; Group II, individuals with chronic periodontitis; Group III, individuals with T2DM; and Group IV, individuals with both T2DM and chronic periodontitis. Medical histories were recorded for all participants, followed by periodontal examination and evaluation of cognitive status using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scale. Finger dexterity was assessed using the nine-hole peg test. RESULTS: A statistically significant increase in the proportion of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) was observed between groups I and IV (p<0.001). Logistic regression analysis revealed that, among the parameters assessed in this study, the adjusted odds ratio (OR) was significant for age, finger dexterity scores, and co-occurrence of T2DM and periodontitis. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study suggest that the co-occurrence of chronic periodontitis and T2DM can have a detrimental effect on the cognitive abilities of an individual. Subsequent research should include longitudinal monitoring of the cognitive status in patients with concurrent conditions during treatment to gain deeper prognostic insights into the relationship between these co-occurring conditions and cognitive decline.

Comparison of antiplaque and anti-gingivitis effects of aloe vera mouthwash with chlorhexidine in fixed orthodontic patients-A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: In daily dental practice, plaque-induced gingivitis is one of the most common periodontal diseases that is frequently encountered. Accumulation of microbial biofilms on surfaces of teeth and poor or inadequate oral hygiene is the chief predisposing factor for this condition. In such a state, antimicrobial mouthwash as an adjunct to mechanical plaque control helps in maintaining good oral hygiene. Among the many conditions, fixed orthodontic treatment is one of the conditions where plaque control becomes challenging to the patient as well as the dentist. In such a situation, antimicrobial mouthwash as an adjunct to mechanical plaque control is highly recommended. Dentistry has recently evidenced a shift of approach for treating many inflammatory oral diseases by using herbal treatment modalities. Aloe vera is one such product exhibiting multiple benefits and has gained considerable importance in clinical research recently. The present study aimed to evaluate efficacy of aloe vera mouth rinse on the dental plaque and gingivitis in patients who were undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment in comparison with 0.2% chlorhexidine mouthwash. MATERIAL AND METHOD: This randomized controlled trial was conducted on 30 subjects with fixed orthodontic treatment. The subjects were grouped in the test group (15 subjects with 10 ml aloe vera mouthwash (99.6% [w/v])) and the control group (15 subjects with 0.2% 10 ml chlorhexidine mouthwash). Plaque index, gingival index and bleeding on probing were recorded for each participant at baseline, 21 days from baseline and 35 days from baseline. The findings were then statistically analysed using student paired and unpaired t-test. RESULTS: Gingival index showed a statistically significant difference from baseline to 21 days and 35 days visit in both the groups. Plaque index and bleeding on probing were statistically significant among both groups when compared baseline to 21 days and 35 days visit, but the difference was not significant between visit 2 and visit 3. CONCLUSIONS: Although chlorhexidine is still the gold standard mouthwash, aloe vera exhibits promising results in reducing plaque and gingivitis scores, without any reported adverse effects. Larger multi-centric trials are needed to prove its effectiveness on dental plaque-induced gingivitis.

Periodontal disease and hemolysis in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency: Is there a nexus?

BACKGROUND: Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is an erythrocyte enzyme defect that amplifies the susceptibility of erythrocytes to oxidative stress due to excessive levels of reactive oxygen species. Consequently, erythrocyte destruction and hemolysis occur. HIGHLIGHT: The possible mechanism of oxidative stress-mediated destruction of erythrocytes in G6PD deficient individuals induced by periodontal infection is highlighted. CONCLUSION: Periodontal diseases feature systemic loading of reactive oxygen species, and they may increase the risk of hemolysis in individuals with G6PD deficiency.

Comparison of minimally invasive coronally advanced flap and modified coronally advanced flap for the management of multiple adjacent gingival recession defects: A split mouth randomized control trial.

INTRODUCTION: Various minimally invasive surgical approaches are proposed for the management of gingival recession. A modified surgical approach coined as minimally invasive coronally advanced flap (MICAF) was compared with modified coronally advanced flap (MCAF) for the management of multiple adjacent gingival recession defects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seven systemically healthy subjects with bilateral multiple adjacent maxillary facial gingival recession defects (Miller I) were included in this study. In each patient, MICAF performed on one side and on the other side MCAF was performed. Comparisons of the surgical sites were made with clinical measurements at 6 months follow-up. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were observed between MICAF and MCAF sites in the change in gingival recession depth, gingival recession width, clinical attachment level, width of the keratinized tissue, mean, and complete root coverage after 6 months. However, patient reported outcomes of esthetics and postoperative morbidity were statistically significant (P <0.001) between the MICAF and the MCAF sides with better results in the MICAF side. CONCLUSIONS: Within the confines of this study, the results depicted that MICAF is more patient-friendly procedure with better patient acceptance. Further, long-term studies with more sample sizes are needed for a stronger evidence base. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Miller Class I gingival recessions can be treated with the MICAF with successful clinical outcomes and patient acceptance. This paper reports the clinical and patient reported outcomes of the MICAF and the MCAF.

A perspective on NETosis in diabetes and periodontal diseases.

Neutrophil-mediated immunity is the first host defense response against any infection. Crevicular efflux of neutrophils against bacteria is considered to be a novel defense mechanism in periodontal diseases. As a part of defense mechanism, neutrophils extrude its content and exhibit its antimicrobial activity by forming a web-like structure called neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) and undergo a process of cell death called NETosis. Under physiological conditions, NET production is limited and is balanced with its degradation, whereas NET production is found to be aggravated in chronic systemic inflammatory conditions such as diabetes mellitus and also in periodontal diseases. It is well known that a two-way relationship exists between diabetes mellitus and periodontal diseases. Interference in the process of NETosis might form a link between the two. The aim of this review is to focus on the potential role of NETosis in the pathogenesis of periodontitis and diabetes mellitus.