ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: In the Indian system of medicine (ISM) Triphala is one of the oldest and longest used natural herbal remedy which consist of mixture of equal parts of the Embilica officinalis Gaertn. (Family- Euphorbiaceae), Terminalia Chebula Retz. (Family- Combretaceae) and Terminalia beleria [Gaertn.] Roxb. (Family- Combretaceae). Currently, Triphala is being extensively researched for its various therapeutic effects including its anti-caries, antioxidant, anti-collagenase and anti-microbial activities. This fruit extract is used in various forms in the treatment of periodontitis. AIM: The aim of the present study was to compare the clinical and microbiological benefits of routine scaling and root planing (SRP) with adjunctive use of Triphala (Hiora GA) as local drug delivery agent in the management of periodontitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirteen patients diagnosed with chronic periodontitis were included in the present study. The control sites received SRP alone and the test sites received SRP with locally delivered Triphala (Hiora GA). The clinical parameters were evaluated at baseline, 15 days and 1 month. The plaque samples were cultured anaerobically for the keystone-periodontal pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis, Fusobacterium nucleatum and Prevotella intermedia. The Mann-Whitney U-test and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were performed to compare the results between the test and control groups. RESULTS: Statistically significant improvement was observed in both groups. Intergroup comparison of prevalence of microorganisms also revealed a statistically significant difference (P = 0.0007) at 15 days and 1 month. CONCLUSION: Subgingivally delivered Triphala (Hiora GA) as an adjunct to SRP in the treatment of chronic periodontitis has shown anticipative results revealing slow and constant releasing property of Triphala.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of strontium chloride, Biodentine® alone and Biodentine® in combination with diode laser in the management of dentinal hypersensitivity using scanning electron microscope. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This comparative in vitro, single blind study was carried out on 80 randomly selected extracted teeth. The selected 80 extracted teeth were categorized as: Group 1 - 20 teeth acid etched only; Group 2 - 20 teeth treated with strontium chloride;Group 3 - 20 teeth treated with Biodentine®; Group 4 - 20 treated with Biodentine® and diode laser. The samples underwent scanning electron microscope analysis. RESULTS: The qualitative analysis showed no occlusion of dentinal tubules in Group 1 (control group). Dentinal tubule occlusion was 91.2% in strontium chloride. CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of this study it was concluded that Biodentine® alone showed better results than Biodentine® in combination with diode laser for dentinal tubule occlusion. However, when laser was used over Biodentine® in contact mode, the results showed Biodentine® to have a melted appearance, rather than the irregular fibrillar structures usually seen. This in vitro study was performed on extracted teeth which do not mimic the natural biological environment. Therefore, in vivo studies should be carried out to assess the potency of Biodentine® in occluding and sealing dentinal tubules and its potential for treatment of dentinal hypersensitivity.