Classification & prevalence of dental surface defects in areas of gingival recession- a clinical study.

BACKGROUND: Apical migration of the gingival margin beyond the cement-enamel junction (CEJ) is called as gingival recession. Various classifications of gingival recession have been proposed to evaluate different degrees of damage to periodontal tissues, but do not consider the condition of the exposed root surface: presence of an identifiable CEJ and presence of root abrasion. Sometimes these lesions may be associated with enamel abrasion. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to propose the new classification of dental surface defects in gingival recession area. METHODS: Two factors were evaluated to set up a classification system: presence (A) or absence (B) of CEJ and presence (+) or absence (-) of dental surface discrepancy caused by abrasion (step). Four classes (A+, A-, B+, and B-) were identified on the basis of these variables. The classification was used on 1,000 gingival recessions to examine the distribution of the four classes. RESULTS: Out of 1,000 exposed root surfaces, 380 showed an identifiable CEJ associated with step (Class A+, 38%); 280 an identifiable CEJ without any associated step (Class A-, 28%); 200 an unidentifiable CEJ with a step (Class B+, 20%); and 140 an unidentifiable CEJ without any associated step (Class B-, 14%). CONCLUSION: The proposed classification describes the dental surface defects that are of paramount importance in diagnosing gingival recession areas which might help in selecting the definite treatment approach.

Modified frenectomy: a review of 3 cases with concerns for esthetics.

The maxillary labial frenum is a normal anatomical structure in the oral cavity. An abnormal labial frenum causes localized gingival recession and midline diastema, both of which can interfere with oral hygiene procedures, and eventually affect esthetics. When the frenum maintains its high papillary attachment, frenectomy is the treatment of choice. Though this technique has undergone many modifications, the zone of attachment and esthetics in the anterior maxillary region have been neglected. This article highlights a new frenectomy technique that results in good esthetics, excellent color match, gain in attached gingiva, and healing by primary intention at the site of thick, extensive abnormal frena.

Effect of lycopene in the treatment of periodontal disease: a clinical study.

PURPOSE: Several epidemiologic studies have suggested a role of tomato products in decreasing the risk of the development of diseases related to oxidative stress (cancer and other chronic diseases). Oxidative stress may result in periodontal tissue damage either directly or indirectly. Lycopene, a powerful antioxidant and the main carotenoid in tomato products possesses the greatest quenching ability of singlet oxygen among the various carotenoids and is effective in protecting blood lymphocytes from NOO-radical damage. Hence, the aim of the present study is to compare the effect of systemically administered lycopene as an adjunct to scaling and root planing in patients with gingivitis and periodontitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty systemically healthy patients were involved in a randomized, double-blind, parallel study and based on their clinical signs were divided into two groups of mild to moderate periodontitis (A) and moderate gingivitis (B). The subjects under the groups A and B were randomly distributed between the two treatment groups: test group (n = 5), 4 mg lycopene/day for 2 weeks with oral prophylaxis (full mouth scaling and root planing (SRP) completed within 24 hours) and controls (n = 5), receiving only oral prophylaxis. Pre- and post-therapeutic periodontal parameters were evaluated. RESULTS: In group A, statistically significant improvement in CAL was reported in test group as compared to control group. In group B, the difference between pretreatment and post-treatment bleeding on probing scores was found to be statistically non-significant in both groups. CONCLUSION: Results show that lycopene is a promising treatment modality as an adjunct to full mouth SRP of the oral cavity in patients with moderate periodontal disease. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Modulation of the free radical production seems to be essential for the inhibition of tissue destruction, and treatment with antioxidants, like lycopene, which is the most potent among them will block the production of free ROS or its effects might prove to be therapeutically valuable.