Efficacy of Laser-assisted Periodontal Therapy vs. Conventional Scaling and Root Planing.

Background: This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of laser-assisted periodontal therapy (LAPT) with conventional scaling and root planing (CSRP) in the treatment of periodontal disease. The objective was to assess the outcomes of these two treatments on a sample of 30 patients in each group. Materials and Methods: In this study, a total of 60 patients diagnosed with periodontal disease were divided into two groups: the LAPT group and the CSRP group, with 30 patients in each group. The LAPT group received periodontal treatment using laser therapy, while the SRP group underwent traditional SRP. The patients were evaluated for periodontal parameters, including probing depth and clinical attachment level before and after the treatments. Results: After the treatment interventions, both the LAPT group and the CSRP group showed significant improvements in periodontal health. The mean reduction in probing depth was 2.5 mm in the LAPT group and 2.2 mm in the SRP group. In addition, the clinical attachment level increased by 2.8 mm in the LAPT group and 2.5 mm in the SRP group. Statistical analysis using the paired t-test demonstrated a P-value of less than 0.05, indicating the significance of these improvements in both groups. Conclusion: This study suggests that both LAP and CSRP are effective in improving periodontal health in patients with periodontal disease.

Flap versus Flapless Immediate Implants with Bone Augmentation: A Novel Study.

Background: This study aimed to equate implants placed using a traditional flap elevation technique with implants placed using a flapless process regarding bone healing and success in clinical conditions. Materials and Methods: Sixty subjects were included in this research work. The participants were randomly divided into two groups. Patients in group A underwent implant placement with the flap elevation technique. Similarly, group B patients underwent implant placement without flap reflection. Parameters such as plaque index, wound healing index, crestal bone loss, and radiograph were considered to estimate the effectiveness of the two techniques. Results: Plaque indexes were improved in both groups. The modified gingival index also improved in all the phases of healing. The flapless method showed a better crestal bone. Conclusion: It can be concluded that this study showed that with the right augmentation techniques, implants could be successfully performed immediate extraction sockets, both with and without elevation of the mucoperiosteal flap.

Evaluation of the efficacy of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) on salivary flow rate in patients with xerostomia - A case control study.

Introduction: In oral cavity, saliva is a physiological fluid present in the oral cavity. Oral fluid is an absolute media exploring for health and disease surveillance. Saliva is a complex fluid. Xerostomia is the subjective complain of dryness in the oral cavity due to decreased salivary flow. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is an established physical therapy, which is useful for the pain relief. Materials and Methods: A total of 25 subjects of xerostomia and 25 age and sex matched normal subjects visiting the Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Pacific Dental College and Hospital were included in the study. For patients with positive mirror stick test unstimulated saliva were collected with 'low forced spitting' method in a graduated test tube for 5 minutes. Individuals with unstimulated salivary flow equal to or less than 0.5 mL per 5 min were included in the study group (xerostomia) and individuals with salivary flow more than 0.5 mL per 5 min were included in the control group (age and sex matched). The TENS unit were then activated and intensity control switch were gradually increased to tolerable level of patient for 15 min. At this optimal intensity, stimulated saliva were collected for 5 min with same method in a separate graduated test tube and flow rate were compared with unstimulated salivary flow rate. Same were done with 25 control patients. Results: The data thus obtained was subjected to statistical analysis. The following findings were observed in the study. There was increase salivary flow rate in xerostomic individuals after TENS application. More improvement was found in inter appointment salivary flow than two follow-ups. Healthy group showed more improvement than xerostomia after TENS therapy Known cases of diabetes mellitus patients with xerostomia revealed more improvement than other etiologies of xerostomia included in this study. Conclusion: This present study has an important therapeutic value in the treatment of patients with xerostomia. TENS therapy was highly effective in stimulating whole salivary flow. The encouraging results of this present study indicate that TENS has the potential to increase salivary flow rate and can be an important alternative in the xerostomia treatment.

Resistance against Fracture in Teeth Managed by Root Canal Treatment on Restoring with Onlays, Inlays, and Endocrowns: A Comparative Analysis.

AIM AND OBJECTIVE: To compare the fracture resistance in teeth managed by root canal treatment after restoring with different types of onlays, inlays, and endocrowns prepared with hybrid ceramics and pulp chambers restored with fiber-reinforced composite and resin composite that were radiopaque, light-cured, and flowable. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study was carried out on 252 extracted mandibular molars. All the specimens were divided into six groups randomly. Each group consisted of 42 specimens. Group 1 consisted of intact teeth without any access cavity. It was the control group. Group 2 consisted of teeth with endocrown and empty pulp chamber. Group 3 consisted of teeth with mesio-occlusal-distal (MOD) onlay prepared with hybrid ceramics and pulp chamber filled with flowable, light-cured, radiopaque resin composite. Group 4 consisted of teeth with MOD onlay and pulp chamber filled with fiber-reinforced composite. Group 5 consisted of teeth with MOD inlay and pulp chamber filled with flowable, light-cured, radiopaque resin composite. Group 6 consisted of teeth with MOD inlay and pulp chamber filled with fiber-reinforced composite. Inlay, onlay, and endocrowns were prepared with computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided machine (CAM) using hybrid ceramics. Universal testing machine was used for the measurement of the fracture resistance of each specimen. Inferential statistics were performed by applying Fisher's exact test and chi-square test. RESULTS: Fracture strength was found to be maximum in the intact teeth group followed by the endocrown. The fracture strength was minimum in the inlay group. The fracture strength was intermediate in the onlay groups. CONCLUSION: Endocrown showed maximum fracture resistance as compared to the inlay and onlay restorations. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Proper management of root canal-treated teeth is one of the greatest challenges for endodontists. It has been observed that tooth preparation design and the material used for the restoration of root canal-treated teeth play a vital role in the resistance against fracture in the teeth.

Evaluation of Bone Regeneration around Implants with and Without Flap Elevation.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to clinically evaluate and compare the clinical success and the relative bone healing of the implants which are placed using a flapless procedure and compare it to those placed by the conventional flap technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted with ten patients that were randomly divided into two groups. Group A included patients with immediately placed implants after extraction with flap elevation. Group B included patients with immediately placed implants after extraction without any flap elevation. The clinical parameters recorded were Plaque index, Modified Gingival Index, Early Wound Healing Index, Buser's criteria, Distance between implant shoulder and the crestal bone (DIB), and Radiographic Examination in a standardized manner to evaluate changes for the DIB values. RESULTS: There was an improvement in Plaque Score from baseline to 1 month and baseline to abutment placement (6 months), which was statistically significant, but the plaque score from 3 months to abutment placement (6 months) was statistically nonsignificant in both the group. There was an increase in modified gingival score from baseline to 3 months, baseline to abutment placement (6 months), and 3 months to abutment placement (6 months), which was statistically significant in both the groups. The DIB scores in Group A recorded at baseline to 6 months were 2.80 ± 0.57 and 1.90 ± 0.42, respectively, showing a mean difference of -0.90 and P = 0.001 in comparison. Whereas, the DIB scores in Group B at baseline to 6 months were 3.20 ± 0.57 and 2.50 ± 0.50, respectively, showing a mean difference of -0.70 and P = 0.001 in comparison. The DIC scores in Group A at baseline to 6 months were 1.60 ± 0.54 and 0.00 ± 0.00, respectively, showing a mean difference of -1.60 and P = 0.003 in comparison, Whereas the DIC scores in Group B at baseline to 6 months were 1.40 ± 0.54 and 0.00 ± 0.00, respectively, showing a mean difference of -1.40 and P = 0.005 in comparison. CONCLUSION: Implants placed in fresh extraction sockets with and without mucoperiosteal flap elevation can be successfully done with augmentation procedures. Short-term survival rates and clinical outcomes of both groups were similar and appeared to be predictable treatment modalities.

Effect of Conventional Periodontal Treatment (Scaling and Root Planing) on Type-2 Diabetic Patient with Moderate Generalized Chronic Periodontitis: A Clinical Study.

BACKGROUND: The aim is to assess the effect of periodontal therapy and scaling and root planing (SRP) on the metabolic control in Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) patients with chronic periodontitis based on the estimation of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective, comparative, clinical study was performed on 50 patients suffering from Type 2 DM with moderate, generalized chronic periodontitis. Type 2 moderately controlled diabetic patients with HbA1c values within the range of 6%-8% were selected. The parameters recorded were gingival index, plaque index, sulcus bleeding index, probing pocket depth, clinical attachment level, and HbA1c. The recordings were done at baseline and 6 months after SRP procedures. RESULTS: Reductions in all the clinical parameters were observed and were found to be statistically significant (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: SRP resulted in a statistically significant reduction in the clinical parameters and HbA1c. Hence, periodontal treatment should be included in the management of diabetic patients.

Effect of tetracycline HCl in the treatment of chronic periodontitis - A clinical study.

OBJECTIVE: This study was aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the adjunctive use of tetracycline fibers (Periodontal Plus AB(®)) as a local drug delivery with scaling and root planing, as compared with the results of one episode of scaling and root planing for the treatment of chronic periodontitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The effectiveness of Periodontal Plus AB (tetracycline fiber) was assessed in 100 patients suffering from chronic periodontitis using split-mouth technique. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The relative efficacy of the two treatment modalities was evaluated using the paired Student's t-test, and the comparative evaluation between the two groups was done using the independent Student's t-test. RESULTS: Significant improvement was found in all the variables, including reduction in pocket depth and gain in clinical attachment level, in both test and control groups in 3 months, which was statistically significant. Mean reduction in pocket depth and gain in clinical attachment level were more in test than in control group. CONCLUSION: Tetracycline fiber therapy along with scaling and root planing improves the healing outcome, namely, reduction in pocket depth and gain in clinical attachment level, when compared to scaling and root planing alone.