Split-Mouth Comparison of Pain and Healing Associated With the Electrocautery and Bur Abrasion Methods in the Treatment of Depigmentation: A Case Report.

The most common aesthetic issue that affects people's smiles is gingival pigmentation, especially in those with high smile lines. This pigmented gingiva is thought to be naturally occurring melanin pigments that add to the gingiva's endogenous pigmentation. The goal of plastic periodontal surgery known as "gingival depigmentation" is to lighten the dark gingiva by scraping off the gingival epithelium. Gingival depigmentation has been performed with a variety of techniques, including bur abrasion, scraping, partial thickness flap, cryotherapy, electrocautery, and laser. The present case comprised a split-mouth design in which depigmentation using an electrosurgical unit and soft tissue trimming bur was used for the maxillary sections, and evaluated the difference in pain felt by the patient and healing of the surgical site between the sites treated with the electrosurgical unit and bur abrasion method. A visual analog scale (VAS) was used to quantify pain felt by the patient on the seventh day, whereas healing was assessed on the seventh day and at a one-month interval visually. The results of this study showed that the electrocautery-treated site showed better results in terms of pain experienced by the patient and also with the surgical site healing.

Efficacy of High-volume Evacuator in Aerosol Reduction: Truth or Myth? A Clinical and Microbiological Study.

Background and aims. Basic periodontal treatment aims at eliminating supra- and sub-gingival plaque and establishing conditions which will allow effective self-performed plaque control. This aim is primarily achieved with sonic and ultrasonic scalers. However, generation of bacterial aerosols during these procedures is of great concern to patients, the dentist and the dental assistant. The aim of this study was to compare the reduction in aerosol with and without high-volume evacuator through a microbiological study. Materials and methods. For this clinical study a fumigated closed operatory was selected. Maxillary incisors and canines were selected as an area for scaling. Piezoelectric ultrasonic scaling was performed in the absence and in the presence of a high-volume evacuator at 12 and 20 inches from the patient's oral cavity. In both groups scaling was carried out for 10 minutes. Nutrient agar plates were exposed for a total of 20 minutes. After this procedure, nutrient agar plates were incubated in an incubator at 37°C for 24 hours. The next day the nutrient agar plates were examined for colony forming units by a single microbiologist. Results. The results showed no statistically significant differences in colony forming units (CFU) with and without the use of a high-volume evacuator either at 12 or 20 inches from the patient's oral cavity. Conclusion. It was concluded that high-volume evacuator, when used as a separate unit without any modification, is not effective in reducing aerosol counts and environmental contamination.

Platelet rich fibrin: a new hope for regeneration in aggressive periodontitis patients: report of two cases.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of platelet rich fibrin (PRF) in periodontal regeneration in generalized aggressive periodontitis (GAgP) patients. Two patients diagnosed with GAgP were selected for this study. Baseline clinical and radiographic examination was performed and patients were treated by surgical periodontal therapy along with PRF. Post-surgical re-evaluation was carried out at regular intervals to evaluate clinical and radiographic changes. Surgical periodontal therapy accompanying the placement of PRF in angular defects of GAgP patients showed decreased probing pocket depth, increased attachment level and radiographic bone fill when baseline and 9 month follow-up data was compared. Surgical reconstructive therapy with placement of PRF in angular defects of GAgP patients can be an effective approach to enhance the periodontal regeneration.

Effect of scaling and root planing combined with systemic doxycycline therapy on glycemic control in diabetes mellitus subjects with chronic generalized periodontitis: a clinical study.

PURPOSE: The purpose of study was to compare glycemic control using glycated hemoglobin levels (HbA1c) in diabetic patients with chronic generalized periodontitis (CGP) undergoing scaling and root planing (SRP) with and without systemic doxycycline. METHODS: Fifty subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and CGP receiving antidiabetic therapy were selected for study. The selected subjects were randomly assigned to two groups (test group [TG] and control group [CG]) comprising 25 patients each. The TG received SRP followed by systemic doxycycline. The CG received treatment with SRP only. The periodontal parameters were recorded at baseline (day zero), and every 1 month for 4 months and included probing depth, clinical attachment level, plaque index, gingival index, and HbA1c level were recorded at baseline (day zero) and at the end of 4 months. RESULTS: A statistically significant effect was demonstrated for the periodontal parameters for both the TG and CG. HbA1c values did not show a statistically significant difference in the treatment group as compared to the CG. CONCLUSIONS: The authors concluded that nonsurgical periodontal therapy improved glycemic control in patients with T2DM in both groups, but no statistical difference was observed with adjunctive systemic doxycycline therapy. A further study with a larger sample size is required.

Screening for diabetes mellitus using gingival crevicular blood with the help of a self-monitoring device.

PURPOSE: The purpose of study was to compare blood glucose in capillary finger-prick blood and gingival crevice blood using a self-monitoring blood glucose device among patients with gingivitis or periodontitis. METHODS: Thirty patients with gingivitis or periodontitis and bleeding on probing (BOP) were chosen. The following clinical periodontal parameters were noted: probing depth, BOP, gingival bleeding index, and periodontal disease index. Blood samples were collected from gingival crevicular blood (GCB) and capillary finger-prick blood (CFB). These samples were analyzed using a glucose self-monitoring device. RESULTS: Descriptive statistical analysis has been carried out in the present study. Data were analyzed using a Pearson's correlation coefficient and Student's t-test. A r-value of 0.97 shows very strong correlation between CFB and GCB, which was statistically highly significant (P<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The authors conclude that GCB may serve as potential source of screening blood glucose during routine periodontal examination in populations with an unknown history of diabetes mellitus.