RESUMO
CONTEXT: Current clinical periodontal diagnostic techniques emphasize the assessment of clinical and radiographic signs of periodontal diseases which can provide a measure of history of disease. Hence, new methodologies for early identification and determination of periodontal disease activity need to be explored which will eventually result in expedited treatment. AIM: To evaluate the correlation of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) to clinical parameters of periodontal inflammation in smokers with chronic periodontitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Study population included 15 smoker male patients in the age group of 35-55 years suffering from moderate generalized chronic periodontitis with history of smoking present. Following parameters were evaluated at baseline, 1 month and 3 months after scaling and root planing: plaque index, bleeding index, probing pocket depth (PD), relative attachment level (RAL), and GCF ALP activity. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Independent variables for measurements over time were analyzed by using Wilcoxon signed rank test. RESULTS: A statistically significant reduction in all the clinical parameters and GCF ALP activity was observed from baseline to 1 month and 3 months. A correlation was observed between change in GCF ALP activity and PD reduction as well as gain in RAL at 3 months. CONCLUSION: The present study emphasizes that total ALP activity could be used as a marker for periodontal disease activity in smokers. Estimation of changes in the levels of this enzyme has a potential to aid in the detection of progression of periodontal disease and monitoring the response to periodontal therapy.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Presence of furcation involvement indicates advanced periodontitis, and a potentially less-favorable prognosis, for the affected tooth and its diagnosis has always been an enigma. The present study was carried out to measure and correlate the interdental and interradicular bone loss in patients suffering from periodontitis using radiovisuography (RVG) for the purpose of early furcation diagnosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 50 patients suffering from chronic generalized periodontitis and with furcation involvement in mandibular molars were selected. Under standardized conditions, RVGs were taken and the morphologic measurements defining the furcation areas were recorded and analyzed. RESULT: Interradicular bone loss of about 0.8 mm or more, was observed in the study subjects only when the bone loss at the interdental area was minimal of 3.7 mm. The correlation between the interradicular and the interdental bone loss was statistically highly significant (T-test, P < 0.001). A stronger correlation was observed in subjects above 40 years of age as compared with the younger subjects. There was not much difference in the degree of correlation between the interradicular and the interdental bone loss when compared in the context of gender. CONCLUSION: The very first millimeter of interradicular bone loss was seen when the interdental bone loss was around 4 mm. Therefore, to detect the earliest lesions of furcations, the interdental bone loss can be kept as an approximate guide for the comprehensive diagnosis and management of such sites/patients. The current investigation paves the path for future longitudinal studies with larger samples to ascertain these findings.
RESUMO
INTRODUCTION: Fracture of the mandible occurs more frequently and the surgical anatomy of the mandible and adjacent structures is extremely important in understanding the pattern of fracture, the displacement of fractured fragments, and factors necessary for uncomplicated healing. In the field of dentistry, surface electromyography, electrokinesiography, and more recently, TMJ sound analysis have been particularly important developments. Previous electromyographic studies involving anterior temporalis and superficial masseter have been conducted in mandibular condylar fractures and in orthognathic and cosmetic procedures of the jaws. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This experimental study was undertaken to measure the electrical activity of the anterior temporalis and superficial masseter muscles in mandibular angle fracture cases (n = 6) and the changes in the electrical activity over a period of 6 months. RESULTS: The study shows that muscle activity increases significantly over a period of time but never matches the muscle activity of the normal subjects of same sex and age in a follow-up of 6 months post-trauma. DISCUSSION: Electrodiagnostic testing is a potentially valuable tool for the management of patients who have suffered craniomaxillofacial trauma. Electromyography is being employed in clinical practice, and allows the inclusion of quantitative data on the qualitative aspects of a diagnosis. These data are often of significant importance in the correct management of therapy and patient follow-up, particularly if the subject is at risk of developing a different and/or more serious disease.
