Efficacy and Viability of Subgingival Application of Probiotics as an Adjunct to Scaling and Root Planing in Periodontitis.

AIM: This study aimed to compare the efficacy of subgingivally applied probiotics as an adjunct to scaling and root planing (SRP) vs SRP alone in patients with periodontitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients diagnosed with periodontitis, with probing pocket depth (PPD) of 5-7 mm on at least two teeth on contralateral sites, were selected for the study and randomly allocated to the test group (n = 31) who underwent SRP along with subgingival application of probiotic paste and the control group (n = 31) who underwent only SRP. Clinical parameters were evaluated in both groups at baseline and after 12 weeks. The viability of probiotic bacteria was evaluated in the test group at baseline, day 4 and day 8. RESULTS: All clinical parameters showed a statistically significant difference between baseline and 12 weeks on intragroup and intergroup comparison, with a greater improvement in the test group. Microbiological evaluation showed that the mean colony-forming units (CFUs) in the test group were 38.39 ± 7.76, 7.25 ± 2.72 and 1.57 ± 1.29 at baseline, day 4 and day 8, respectively. The mean CFUs significantly reduced with an increase in time from baseline to 8-day time interval. CONCLUSION: It was seen that the probiotic bacteria remained viable in the periodontal pocket for up to 8 days after placement, but stable improvements were seen in all clinical parameters even at 12 weeks, indicating its prolonged efficacy. Thus, commercially available probiotics can prove to be an inexpensive method to treat periodontitis when combined with SRP.

Evaluation of microneedling with and without injectable-platelet rich fibrin for gingival augmentation in thin gingival phenotype-A randomized clinical trial.

Objective: The purpose of the current study was to investigate the effect of micro needling (MN) on gingival thickness (GT) and keratinized tissue width (KTW) in individuals with thin gingival phenotypes, either with or without injectable platelet-rich fibrin (i-PRF). Materials and methods: In this randomized, split-mouth clinical trial, 15 systemically healthy patients, with thin gingival phenotype (<1.5 mm) were randomly treated with MN + i-PRF and MN. MN was performed on one side, and MN + i-PRF on the contralateral side of the same arch at 4 sessions with 10-day intervals. GT; KTW the primary outcome and Plaque index; gingival index Secondary outcome were assessed at baseline and at 1st, 3rd, and 6th months post-treatment. Results: The results of the present study showed that both techniques demonstrated a statistically significant increase in GT. GT showed a statistically significant increase from baseline (0.453 ± 0.069 mm in MN, 0.451 ± 0.069 mm in MN + i-PRF) (p = 0.81) to 1 month (0.567 ± 0.075 mm in MN, 0.649 ± 0.075 mm in MN + i-PRF) (p < 0.001*). A follow-up at 3rd month (0.566 ± 0.076 mm in MN, 0.647 ± 0.091 mm in MN + i-PRF) (p < 0.001*) and 6th month (0.564 ± 0.076 mm in MN, 0.644 ± 0.089 mm in MN + i-PRF) (p < 0.001*) showed a statistically significant increase. Intergroup comparison showed a statistically significant GT increase in MN + i-PRF sites at all the time intervals. No, statistically significant difference in KTW was observed in both groups from baseline to 6 months. Conclusions: The utilization of MN + i-PRF stands as a minimally invasive, non-surgical method to improve GT. Interestingly, using i-PRF as an additional component demonstrated more favorable outcomes compared to using MN alone in enhancing tissue thickness.

Multiple periodontal abscesses with atypical segmental teeth mobility in a nonperiodontitis case: A periodontal alarm of postcoronavirus disease-2019 mucormycosis.

The coronavirus pandemic, constantly mutating virus, and newer complications arising with each passing day have put health workers in jeopardy. One such serious complication being reported is mucormycosis. It is a deadly and rapidly spreading infection resulting in angioinvasion and tissue necrosis. In precoronavirus disease (COVID) era mucormycosis was observed mainly in patients having comorbidities such as diabetes, neutropenia, or previous history of organ transplant. In the present case report, a systemically healthy patient presented with mucormycosis postcoronavirus disease-2019 infection. The patient presented with atypical periodontal findings such as multiple periodontal abscesses, segmental teeth mobility, and deep periodontal pockets confined to the maxillary right quadrant. This form of presentation should be a wake-up call for all dental professionals to be in the constant lookout for any signs and symptoms of mucormycosis even in seemingly nonhigh-risk patients.