Comparative evaluation of the isolation and quantification of stem cells derived from dental pulp and periodontal ligament of a permanent tooth and to assess their viability and proliferation on a platelet-rich fibrin scaffold.

BACKGROUND: The present study aims to comparatively evaluate the isolation and quantification of stem cells derived from dental pulp and periodontal ligament of a permanent tooth and to assess their viability and proliferation on a platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) scaffold. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 15 systemically healthy individuals between the age group of 15-25 years requiring third molar or orthodontic premolar extractions. Teeth were extracted atraumatically and transported to the laboratory. Stem cells were isolated from dental pulp and periodontal ligament. After attaining more than 90% confluency by the 7th day, these cells were tested for their viability and characterization. Stem cells were also incubated with PRF and viability was assessed on the 7th day. RESULTS: The mean number of cell for dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) and periodontal ligament stem cell (PDLSC) was statistically insignificant (P > 0.05). The mean live cell viability was compared between DPSC (98.07%) and PDLSC (98%). Both DPSC and PDLSC showed a high percentage of expression of CD73 markers, 30.40% and 29.80%, respectively. However, DPSCs and PDLSCs lacked expression of CD34 expressing only 3.47% and 3.53%, respectively. PRF membrane as a scaffold exhibited no cytotoxic effects on DPCS's or PDLSC's. The cell viability of cells cultured with PRF was statistically insignificant (P > 0.05) when compared to the cells cultured with culture media. CONCLUSION: The study thus indicates that dental pulp and periodontal ligament are both rich sources of mesenchymal stem cells and can be successfully used for obtaining stem cells. PRF exhibits no cytotoxic effects on the cells and can be used in conjunction with dental stem cells.

Periodontal manifestation of epidermolysis bullosa: Looking through the lens.

Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a genetic disease associated with fragility and bullous lesions of the skin and mucous membranes. There are various patterns of inheritance and histopathology. The disease is associated with systemic and oral manifestations. Treatment of this disease is multidisciplinary and remains only palliative till today. The present case report describes periodontal manifestations of EB and the treatment plan for the same.

Vascularized interpositional periosteal connective tissue flap: A modern approach to augment soft tissue.

CONTEXT: Nowadays esthetics plays an important role in dentistry along with function of the prosthesis. Various soft tissue augmentation procedures are available to correct the ridge defects in the anterior region. The newer technique, vascularized interpositional periosteal connective tissue (VIP-CT) flap has been introduced, which has the potential to augment predictable amount of tissue and has many benefits when compared to other techniques. AIM: The study was designed to determine the efficacy of the VIP-CT flap in augmenting the ridge defect. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten patients with Class III (Seibert's) ridge defects were treated with VIP-CT flap technique before fabricating fixed partial denture. Height and width of the ridge defects were measured before and after the procedure. Subsequent follow-up was done every 3 months for 1-year. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Paired t-test was performed to detect the significance of the procedure. RESULTS: The surgical site healed uneventfully. The predictable amount of soft tissue augmentation had been achieved with the procedure. The increase in height and width of the ridge was statistically highly significant. CONCLUSION: The VIP-CT flap technique was effective in augmenting the soft tissue in esthetic area that remained stable over a long period.

To estimate salivary aspartate aminotransferase levels in chronic gingivitis and chronic periodontitis patients prior to and following non-surgical periodontal therapy: A clinico-biochemical study.

CONTEXT: Saliva can be used as a diagnostic fluid in dentistry. Various enzymes have been proposed as markers for periodontal destruction. One of them is aspartate aminotransferase, for which salivary analysis can offer a cost-effective approach for monitoring the disease. Changes in enzymatic activity reflect metabolic changes in the gingiva and periodontium in inflammation. AIMS: The purpose of this study was to assess the aspartate aminotransferase levels in saliva prior to and following scaling and root planning (SRP) at 1 month and 3 month interval and correlating it with the clinical parameters in generalized chronic gingivitis and chronic periodontitis patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty patients with generalized chronic gingivitis and 30 with generalized chronic periodontitis were selected. The activity of aspartate aminotransferase levels in saliva were assessed biochemically before and after SRP at 1 month and 3 months. The aspartate aminotransferase levels were correlated with clinical parameters (gingival index and probing depth). STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: A paired t test was done. RESULTS: A decrease in gingival index, probing depth, and aspartate aminotransferase levels were seen in both the groups at 1 and 3 months which was found to be statistically highly significant (P value 0.00). Aspartate aminotransferase levels were statistically significantly correlated with the clinical parameters at baseline (P < 0.05) but at 3 months, a positive correlation was seen in both the groups which was statistically insignificant (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Elevated salivary aspartate aminotransferase levels were seen in generalized chronic gingivitis and chronic periodontitis patients, with higher values recorded in generalized chronic periodontitis correlating to the tissue destruction taking place in these conditions.

Comparative evaluation of the efficacy of turmeric and curcumin as a local drug delivery system: a clinicomicrobiological study.

When host defense mechanisms fail to contain or eliminate pathogenic periodontal microflora, an exaggerated host response releases inflammatory mediators, which in turn destroy soft and hard tissue components of the periodontium. This in vitro and in vivo study comparatively evaluated the adjunctive efficacy of turmeric, curcumin, and traditional nonsurgical methods for treating periodontal pockets. Turmeric and curcumin chips were prepared and the in vitro release pattern was estimated using a Keshary-Chien diffusion reaction. At 24 hours, the in vitro release pattern showed that 70% of turmeric was released, compared to 78% for curcumin chips. At 72 hours, these levels had increased to 78% of turmeric and 80% of curcumin. By the end of 80 hours, 100% of drug release had taken place. Plaque index and gingival index scores showed significant improvement from baseline through the end of the study.

Osseous choristoma of the periodontium.

Osseous choristoma is a rare, benign lesion of the oral cavity occurring usually on the tongue. It appears as a tumorous mass of normal bony structure with mature cells in an ectopic position. Some lesions represent developmental malformations, whereas others may be reactive lesions, after trauma or chronic irritation. This is the first ever reported case of an osseous choristoma of the periodontium in the lingual aspect of posterior mandible.

Aloe vera: Nature's soothing healer to periodontal disease.

BACKGROUND: Recent interest and advances in the field of alternative medicine has promoted the use of various herbal and natural products for multiple uses in the field of medicine. Aloe vera is one such product exhibiting multiple benefits and has gained considerable importance in clinical research. This clinical study focuses on Aloe vera and highlights its property when used as a medicament in the periodontal pocket. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total number of 15 subjects were evaluated for clinical parameters like plaque index, gingival index, probing pocket depth at baseline, followed by scaling and root planing (SRP). Test site comprised of SRP followed by intra-pocket placement of Aloe vera gel, which was compared with the control site in which only SRP was done, and clinical parameters were compared between the two sites at one month and three months from baseline. RESULTS: Results exhibited encouraging findings in clinical parameters of the role of Aloe vera gel as a drug for local delivery. CONCLUSION: We conclude that subgingival administration of Aloe vera gel results in improvement of periodontal condition. Aloe vera gel can be used as a local drug delivery system in periodontal pockets.

Effect of green tea catechin, a local drug delivery system as an adjunct to scaling and root planing in chronic periodontitis patients: A clinicomicrobiological study.

BACKGROUND: Evaluate the adjunctive use of locally delivered green tea catechin with scaling and root planing, as compared to scaling and root planing alone in the management of chronic periodontitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fourteen patients with two sites in the contralateral quadrants with probing pocket depth of 5-8mm were selected. Each of the sites was assessed for the plaque index, gingival index, and probing pocket depth at baseline and 21 days and for microbiological analysis at baseline, 1 week and 21 days. Test sites received scaling and root planing along with green tea catechin strips and control sites received scaling and root planning alone. RESULTS: The result showed intercomparison of the plaque index and gingival index for test and control groups at 21 days was not significant with P>0.05, whereas the probing depth at 21 days was significant with P<0.001. Intercomparison between microbial results demonstrated a considerable reduction of occurrence of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Prevotella intermedia, Fusobacterium species and Capnocytophaga in test. CONCLUSION: Green tea catechin local delivery along with scaling and root planing is more effective than scaling and root planing alone.

Evaluation of clinical and metabolic changes after non surgical periodontal treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus patients: A clinico biochemical study.

AIM: To evaluate the clinical and metabolic changes following nonsurgical periodontal therapy of type-2 diabetic patients and nondiabetic patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifteen nondiabetics and fifteen type-2 diabetics with moderate to severe periodontitis were selected after meeting inclusion and exclusion criteria. Periodontal pocket probing was performed using a Williams graduated periodontal probe and comparisons of the clinical and biochemical parameters like plaque index, gingival index, probing depth, glycated hemoglobin, and lipid profile (total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein, triglycerides and very low density lipoprotein) were done between and within two groups at baseline and 3 month. RESULTS: A correlation was observed between clinical and biochemical parameters between and within two groups at baseline and 3 month. The P value of diabetic group was<0.001 in all clinical parameters (plaque index PI, Gingival index GI, and Probing Pocket Depth PPD) in diabetic and nondiabetic group, showed statistically highly significant difference in GI, PI, PPD, <.01 in Glycated Hemoglobulin (HbAlc1) in test group and<0.05 in control group showed statistically significant difference. The P value of test group was >0.05 in Lipid profile (total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein, high density lipoprotein, serum triglyceride, very low density lipoprotein) that showed no significant difference and in control group<0.05 in total Cholesterol, high density lipoprotein and <0.01 in Low density lipoprotein, Very Low Density Lipoprotein, and Serum Triglyceride, respectively, showed statistically significant in Total cholesterol, Low density lipoprotein, Very Low Density Lipoprotein, and Serum Triglyceride, not significant in high density lipoprotein. The P value >0.05 showed no statistical significance of correlation between the test and control groups. CONCLUSION: Both groups of patients showed an improvement in clinical and metabolic parameters assessed at 3 months after nonsurgical periodontal therapy.