Scope of photodynamic therapy in periodontics.

Periodontal disease results from inflammation of the supporting structure of the teeth and in response to chronic infection caused by various periodontopathic bacteria. The mechanical removal of this biofilm and adjunctive use of antibacterial disinfectants and antibiotics have been the conventional methods of periodontal therapy. However, the removal of plaque and the reduction in the number of infectious organisms can be impaired in sites with difficult access. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a powerful laser-initiated photochemical reaction, involving the use of a photoactive dye (photosensitizer) activated by light of a specific wavelength in the presence of oxygen. Application of PDT in periodontics such as pocket debridement, gingivitis, and aggressive periodontitis continue to evolve into a mature clinical treatment modality and is considered as a promising novel approach for eradicating pathogenic bacteria in periodontitis.

Hyperactive lesions of gingiva associated with severe alveolar bone loss: A rare finding.

Pyogenic granuloma (PG) is an inflammatory reactive hyperplasia of connective tissue. It usually arises in response to various stimuli such as low-grade local irritation, traumatic injury, hormonal factors or certain kinds of drugs. It predominantly occurs in the second decade of life in young females and rarely may cause significantly alveolar bone loss. It managed by conservative surgical excision and removal of causative irritants. This paper presents the case of a PG in a 55-year-old male with severe alveolar bone loss in the affected site, managed by surgical intervention.

Therapeutic interventions in oral submucous fibrosis: an experimental and clinical study.

INTRODUCTION: Oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) is a chronic debilitating disease and premalignant condition of the oral cavity and is a serious public health issue in India and many parts of the world. The treatment is still elusive and empirical because of poorly understood etiopathogenesis, which is believed to be multifactorial including areca nut chewing, ingestion of chillies, genetic and immunologic processes, nutritional deficiencies, and many others. The present investigations was focused to understand the possible therapeutic interventions of anti-OSF agents in arecoline induced experimental in vitro model of OSF and clinical application of these anti-OSF agents in the restoration of various grade of the disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The 127 subjects were selected from patients who visited the OPD of Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dental Sciences, K.G. Medical University, Lucknow. Further the subjects were divided in two groups on the basis of clinical examination. Group-1 subjects showed presence of fibrosis bands in the labial and/or buccal mucosa, loss of elasticity, difficulty to open the mouth and had a habit chewing areca-nut in some form. Group-2 subjects had no habit of chewing areca-nut, were apparently healthy with no mucosal disorder. The samples were collected and were immediately transported to Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Lucknow, for isolation and cultivation of primary cultures of mucosal fibroblast cells. Then isolation and cultivation of oral mucosal fibroblast, identification of non-cytotoxic doses of arecoline, real time PCR, immunocytochemistry, cytokine determination in culture cells, western blot analyses, functional activity of collagenase, lysyl oxidase enzyme activity, collagen beads assay, cyclooxygenase (COX-2) expression analysis was done. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: This study, shows that the reduction of phagocytic cells was strongly related to the arecoline levels in fibroblast culture when we exposed arecoline to normal oral mucosal cells (NOMC) and cells from OSF patient. An enhancement of phagocytic cells was observed following the pre exposure of cells to 1 µM dexamethasone, a glucocorticoids, In this study, histologic evidence is presented which supports the finding that COX-2 expression is upregulated in OSF specimens compared to normal oral submucosal cells. Strong immunostaining for COX-2 was detected in arecoline exposed NOMC and cells from OSF patient. Areca nut extract up-regulates prostaglandin production, cyclooxygenase-2 mRNA and protein expression of human oral keratinocytes. The number of phagocytic cells and phagocytic activity in cultured human oral fibroblasts from OSF site was lower than the fibroblasts from the normal regions of the same person.

Hereditary gingival fibromatosis and its management: 2-year follow-up.

Hereditary gingival fibromatosis (HGF) is a rare hereditary condition characterised by slow, progressive, nonhemorrhagic, fibrous enlargement of gingiva caused by increase in sub-mucosal connective tissue component. This paper presents a case report of a 14-year-old male suffering from HGF with positive family history. After through clinical examination, routine blood investigation was advised. All the parameters were within normal physiological limits. Surgical excision of enlarged gingival mass was planned after meticulous scaling and root planning. Patient was recalled 1-week after surgery. Postoperative healing was good and desired crown lengthening was achieved with significant improvement in speech and masticatory problems. There was no recurrence of the disease even after 2 years follow-up.

Use of periosteal membrane as a barrier membrane for the treatment of buccal Grade II furcation defects in lower molars: a novel technique.

OBJECTIVE: To use the periosteum as a barrier in treatment of buccal Grade II furcation defects of lower molars. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This technique was performed on 12 patients with bilateral buccal Grade II furcation defects of lower molars. On a random basis, one furcation defect of each pair was selected for the control group and other for the experimental group. Debridement was done in the defect area in both groups. In the control group, after debridement, mucoperiosteal flap was sutured back. In the experimental group, after reflection of the mucoperiosteal flap, a portion of the periosteum along with a layer of connective tissue (periosteal membrane) was incised and mobilized in the defect area for defect coverage as a barrier, and then the periosteal membrane and mucoperiosteal flap were fixed with suture, respectively. Horizontal dimension of the furcation defect was the primary outcome measure. Gingival index, probing attachment level (PAL), and vertical dimension of furcation defect were the secondary outcome measures. Clinical parameters were registered at baseline and at 6 months. RESULTS: Every clinical parameter was improved by surgery. Significant gain in PAL as well as horizontal and vertical dimensions of the furcation defects was found. CONCLUSION: This periosteum displacement technique is effective for the treatment of buccal Grade II furcation defects of lower molars.

Erosive oral lichen planus and its management: a case series.

Lichen planus (LP), although a dermatosis, is more common in the oral mucous membrane than in the skin. Lesions of oral LP are classically found on the buccal mucosa and gingiva. Among the various types, the reticular lesions are asymptomatic and require no treatment, but pain and severe discomfort accompany the erosive or ulcerative lesions. Malignant transformation to squamous cell carcinoma developing in areas of erosive oral LP (EOLP) being a possibility, it is important for clinicians to maintain a high index of suspicion for all intraoral lichenoid lesions. Therefore, periodic follow-up of all patients with EOLP is recommended. In view of the above, this paper highlights the management of four cases of EOLP with topical corticosteroid and CO2 laser surgery.

Effect of various mouthwashes on the levels of interleukin-2 and interferon-gamma in chronic gingivitis.

The aim of this double blind study was to evaluate the effect of various mouthwashes: Chlorhexidine, Essential oil, Azadirachta indica (Neem) extract, and Povidone iodine on gingival tissue interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) levels in patients with chronic gingivitis. A total of 8O patients (42 boys, 38 girls; mean age 16.0 +/- 1.8 years) were included in this study. Patients were randomly assigned into four groups of 20 each: Group I--Azadirachta indica (Neem) extract, Group II--Essential oil, Group III--Povidone iodine, and Group IV--Chlorhexidine. They were instructed to use these mouthwashes for two weeks. Plaque and gingival indices scores, and IL-2 and IFN-gamma levels in the gingival tissues were measured at baseline and after two weeks of mouthwash use. Results showed the reduction of plaque and gingival indices, and IL-2 and IFN-gamma level with Chlorhexidine, Essential oil, and Povidone iodine, which were found to be statistically significant. Although Neem reduced the level of plaque and gingival indices, and IL-2 and IFN-gamma to a certain level, it was not statistically significant. Therefore, Chlorhexidine, Essential oil, and Povidone iodine mouthwashes can be used as an adjunct to oral prophylaxis in reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines, IL-2 and IFN-gamma in patients with chronic gingivitis.

Cross-sectional study to evaluate variations in attached gingiva and gingival sulcus in the three periods of dentition.

The dimensional differences of the attached gingiva and gingival sulcus in the primary, mixed and permanent dentition were studied clinically in normal gingivae of 382 children, aged 4-15 years. The depth of the gingival sulcus and the width of keratinized gingiva were also measured. Shallow gingival sulcus was observed in the primary dentition as compared to that in permanent dentition. However, in the mixed dentition deeper sulcus was observed around the newly erupted teeth. This was attributed to deeper penetration of the instrument, at the time of eruption. The widest zone of attached gingiva was observed in maxillary and mandibular incisors, decreasing gradually over the cuspids and first premolars (first primary molars), and again attached gingiva increased in second premolars (second primary molars) and first and second permanent molars. The width of attached gingiva in case of newly erupted permanent teeth (mixed dentition) was narrower in the corresponding primary teeth. This was due to an increase in the gingival sulcus depth. The attached gingiva increased in width with age. This was related to a concomitant reduction in sulcus depth.