Six miRNA expressions in the saliva of smokers and non-smokers with periodontal disease.

BACKGROUND: It has been stated that microRNA (miRNA) plays an important role in development, homeostasis, and immune functions, and abnormal miRNA expression may cause faster disease progression. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine miR-203, miR-142-3p, miR-146a, miR-146b, miR-155, and miR-29b gene expressions in the saliva of smokers and non-smokers with the periodontal disease before and after non-surgical periodontal therapy (NSPT). METHODS: A total of 90 individuals, 30 with periodontitis, 30 with gingivitis, and 30 periodontally healthy (control group), were included. These three groups were divided into subgroups as smoking and non-smoking individuals, with 15 people in each group. NSPT was applied to patients with periodontitis and gingivitis. Saliva samples and clinical parameters were obtained at baseline and repeated 6 weeks after NSPT. RESULTS: Saliva miR-203, miR-142-3p, miR-146a, miR-146b, and miR-155 gene expressions were significantly upregulated in patients with periodontal disease compared to the control group both in smokers and non-smokers, and also these miRNAs' gene expressions were significantly higher in the periodontitis group than in the gingivitis group at baseline (p < .05). A significant increase in saliva miR-142-3p expression was detected in all groups of smokers compared to non-smokers (p < .05). Although there was a decrease in salivary miRNAs gene expressions with the treatment, it was not statistically significant (p > .05). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that salivary miR-146a, miR-146b, miR142-3p, miR-155, and miR-203 gene expressions increased with the progression of periodontal disease, but unchanged after periodontal treatment. Moreover, smoking may contribute to an increase in the levels of salivary miR-142-3p in the periodontal health and disease.

The resolvin D1 levels before and after periodontal therapy in periodontitis patients.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the levels of resolvin D1 (RVD1) in the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and saliva in the patients with periodontitis and healthy subjects, and also to evaluate the effects of non-surgical periodontal treatments (NSPTs) on RVD1 levels. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifteen patients with Stage III Grade B periodontitis (P) and 11 periodontally healthy individuals (H) were included in this study. Clinical periodontal measurements, GCF, and saliva samples were collected from each individual at baseline and 6 weeks after NSPTs in periodontitis group. GCF and saliva levels of RVD1 were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: GCF total and concentration levels of RVD1 were significantly lower in the periodontitis group than in the healthy group and significantly increased after NSPTs in periodontitis (p < 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in saliva RVD1 levels between healthy and periodontitis group and also before and after NSPTs in periodontitis (p > 0.05). Significant negative correlations were found between all periodontal clinical parameters and GCF volume with both GCF total amount and concentrations of RVD1 (p < 0.01). There was a positive correlation between GCF total amount and concentrations of RVD1 (r = 0.762, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: GCF levels of RVD1 might be promising biomarkers for monitoring the susceptibility to periodontitis and predicting periodontal status. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: RVD1 may be valuable biomarker to observe the healing process after periodontal treatment as increased GCF levels might project clinical improvements post-treatment. Accordingly, observing GCF RVD1 levels might be helpful to determine individuals require further periodontal treatment.

Histomorphometric and biomechanical evaluation of the osseointegration around micro- and nano-level boron-nitride coated titanium dental implants.

INTRODUCTION: Titanium dental implants has been coated with different materials such as polymers and biomimetic agents, bone morphogenetic protein, calcium phosphate to enhance surface properties of the titanium implants for osseointegration. The aim of this study was to evaluate the bone tissue healing around Boron Nitride-coated (BN-coated) titanium implants histomorphometrically and biomechanically and also observe the effect of different coating thicknesses on osseointegration. MATERIALS AND METHODS: BN was coated on dental titanium implants with two different coating thicknesses by using RF magnetron sputtering system. Totally fifty-four implants were inserted into the tibias' of 12 New Zealand rabbits bilaterally under general anesthesia. All animals were sacrificed after 4-weeks. Bone-implant contact (BIC) and new bone area/total area ratios (BATA) were calculated. Also, the removal torque (RT) test was performed. RESULTS: The highest new bone area in the medullary cavity was around the nano-BN-coated surface with 15.70%. In micro-BN-coated surface and control group, this ratio was determined as 10.48% and 8.23%, respectively. The BIC ratios in upper-side of implants and cortical-associated BIC ratios in lower-side were found significantly higher in control and micro-BN-coated group than nano-BN-coated group (p < 0.05). Similar BIC values were observed between control and micro-BN-coated groups (p > 0.05). BATA values did not show statistically significant differences between all three groups (p > 0.05). The RT values measured in all groups were found comparable and no statistically significant differences were found (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: No inflammatory reaction developed around any implant. Relatively more new bone formation around nano-BN-coated titanium implants indicates the promising osseoinductive effect of BN coating. BN-coated implants showed similar biomechanical and histomorphometrical outcomes to that of the conventional titanium implants through a 4-week evaluation period.

Increased levels of interleukin-32 isoforms alpha, beta, gamma, and delta in the gingival crevicular fluid and plasma of the patients with periodontitis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Interleukin (IL)-32, which has been recently reported to be associated with periodontitis, has been suggested to have pleiotropic effect due to its 9 different isoforms. The aim of this study was to investigate the levels of IL-32α, IL-32ß, IL-32γ, IL-32δ isoforms in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and plasma before and after non-surgical periodontal treatment in patients with periodontitis (P). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-seven P and 27 periodontally healthy controls (C) were recruited in this study. Non-surgical periodontal treatment was performed to periodontitis patients. GCF and plasma sampling and clinical periodontal parameters were evaluated before and 1 month after treatment. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to analyze the levels of IL-32α, IL-32ß, IL-32γ, IL-32δ isoforms in GCF and plasma samples. RESULTS: The levels of IL-32α, IL-32ß, IL-32γ, and IL-32δ in plasma and GCF were significantly higher in patients with periodontitis than healthy controls (P < .001). In P group, plasma and GCF IL-32α, IL-32ß, IL-32γ, and IL-32δ levels after non-surgical periodontal treatment were lower when compared to baseline (P < .001). Moreover, there was a positive correlation between GCF and plasma IL-32α, IL-32ß, IL-32γ, and IL-32δ levels in all groups at baseline and after treatment (P < .05). CONCLUSION: The study supported that there was a relationship between elevated levels of IL-32 isoforms and periodontitis. Also, our novel findings suggest that the pro-inflammatory role of IL-32 in the periodontitis may be originated from IL-32α, IL-32ß, IL-32γ, and IL-32δ isoforms.

Is periodontal disease a risk factor for developing severe Covid-19 infection? The potential role of Galectin-3.

IMPACT STATEMENT: There could be a close relationship between periodontal diseases (PDs) severity and Covid-19 infections. This relationship could be caused by Galectin-3-mediated increased immune response and increased viral attachment. Keeping PDs under control and maintaining rigorous oral hygiene during this troubled Covid-19 pandemic period is very important.Patients with older age and pre-existing conditions like cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, and obesity are in the higher risk group for developing severe Covid-19 infections. The inflammatory pathways that are involved in these conditions are the same pathways that we see in periodontal diseases (PDs). This raises a significant question: Is PD a pre-existing condition that can increase the risk of developing severe Covid-19 infection? Several studies have shown that Galectins play a key role in the homeostasis of immune cells, and recently, a relationship was found between Covid-19 and Galectin-3 (Gal-3).It has been determined that an important area in the spike protein of Coronavirus-19 is almost exactly the same as the morphology of Gal-3, and these spike proteins are critical for the entry of the virus into host cells. We suspect that there is enough evidence to support a close relationship between PDs severity and Covid-19 infections. There is accumulating evidence to suggest a relationship between the severity of PD and the risk of infection with Covid-19, which requires further investigation. This relationship could be caused by Gal-3-mediated increased immune response and increased viral attachment. In this context, we want to emphasize the importance of keeping PD under control by maintaining rigorous oral hygiene during this troubled Covid-19 pandemic period. We would also like to point out the possibility that having PD may be a pre-disposition toward developing a severe Covid-19 infection.

Laser Therapy Induces Increased Viability and Proliferation in Isolated Fibroblast Cells.

INTRODUCTION: Laser therapy (LT), which stimulates natural biological processes in the application region, is frequently used in dental treatments. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of LT that could increase wound healing on fibroblast cells in vitro. METHODS: Twenty-four hours after preparing the fibroblast cell culture plates, laser irradiation was performed 1, 2, and 3 times according to the test groups using an Nd:YAG (neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet) laser with a power output of 0.5 W, 1 W, 2 W, and 3 W. Cell proliferation analysis was performed by MTT (methylthiazole diphenyl tetrazolium) assay at the twenty-fourth hour following the last laser application. RESULTS: In terms of the laser irradiation power level, the most proliferation was observed in 1 W and 2 W application groups. Although a statistically significant increase was observed, particularly at 0.5 W, the increase at 1 W was greater than at a power output of 0.5 W. In terms of the number of laser irradiation applications, the most proliferation was observed in 2 and 3 application groups. The highest proliferation value was obtained with 1 W of power for 2 applications, and the lowest was with 3 W of power for 3 applications. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study show LT increased fibroblast cell proliferation, depending on the power output level of the laser and number of applications. In addition to the proliferation and mitotic activity of the fibroblast cells, the results demonstrate that LT could increase wound healing after oral surgery and periodontal treatments.

Salivary fetuin-A, S100A12, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels in periodontal diseases.

AIM: Hs-CRP, fetuin-A, and S100A12 are acute-phase proteins associated with many systemic diseases and conditions. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical parameters and salivary Hs-CRP, fetuin-A, and S100A12 levels before and after nonsurgical periodontal treatments in the patients with periodontal diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 54 subjects were divided into three groups of 18 patients each: periodontally healthy, gingivitis, and chronic periodontitis. Clinical periodontal parameters; salivary Hs-CRP, fetuin-A, and S100A12 levels; and salivary flow rates were evaluated at baseline and a month after the treatments. RESULTS: Fetuin-A and S100A12 were significantly lower and Hs-CRP levels were significantly higher in the chronic periodontitis and gingivitis groups than in the control group at baseline (p < 0.01). For the gingivitis and chronic periodontitis groups, the posttreatment levels of salivary fetuin-A and S100A12 were higher than the baseline levels of the same (p < 0.01). There was a negative correlation between Hs-CRP and fetuin-A and Hs-CRP and S100A12 (p < 0.001) and a positive correlation between fetuin-A and S100A12 (p < 0.05) at baseline. CONCLUSIONS: Salivary fetuin-A and S100A12 levels decreased with increasing severity of periodontal disease. These results suggest that salivary fetuin-A may play an important role as a negative acute-phase protein in periodontal diseases.

A new management strategy for the treatment of streptococcal gingivitis: A pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate a supportive treatment option based on microorganism's growth characteristics. METHODS: This study was conducted at Ordu University, Faculty of Dentistry, Turkey, between January and April, 2017, comprising patients whose periodontal parameters and saliva pH scores were measured before and after the treatments. The patients were divided into two equal groups. Group I underwent routine periodontal treatment methods for streptococcal gingivitis, while a supportive treatment that involved an antacid chewing tablet two times a day for a week based on the microorganism's growth characteristics was used on patients in Group II. SPSS 11.5 was used for data analysis. RESULTS: There were 16 patients in the study with an average age of 27.90±5.54 years. The periodontal index values progressively decreased for all patients post-treatment. However, the decrease of gingival index values in Group I was significantly higher than Group II (p<0.05). The decrease in the oral pH was statistically significant after the periodontal treatment procedures with supportive method (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The use of antacids in addition to conventional periodontal treatment may be effective in the treatment of oral streptococcal infections..

Nitric oxide and arginase levels in peri-implant tissues after delayed loading.

OBJECTIVE: Nitric oxide (NO) is synthesized from the conversion of L-arginine to L-citrulline by NO synthase (NOS). Arginase can compete with NOS for the common substrate L-arginine, and thus inhibit NO production. NO levels and arginase ezyme might affect the bone remodeling cycle around implants. The aim of this studywas to investigate NO and arginase levels in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF), peri-implant sulcular fluid (PISF), and saliva. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty patients with one or more implants (Straumann®; Institute Straumann AG, Basel, Switzerland) restored with fixed crown prostheses were included in the study. Plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), probing depth (PD), and bleeding on probing (BOP) were recorded from six sites of each tooth and implant at baseline and at months 1, 3, and 6 after loading. The saliva, GCF, and PISF were collected at baseline and at months 1, 3, and 6 after loading. NO level and arginase enzyme were evaluated in GCF, PISF, and saliva. RESULTS: Arginase and NO levels in saliva did not change significantly from baseline to months 1, 3, and 6. However, both PISF NO and arginase levels showed an increased pattern from baseline to month 6. NO levels were significantly higher at months 3 and 6, compared to baseline, while PISF arginase levels increased significantly from baseline to months 3 and 6. CONCLUSION: NO and arginase enzyme measurements in saliva, GCF, and PISF may be beneficial in the determination of current peri-implant tissues. In particular, PISF might provide more information than saliva.

Comparison of Radiofrequency and Electrocautery With Conventional Scalpel Incisions.

PURPOSE: The disadvantages of conventional scalpels, including insufficient control of bleeding, prompted us to search for new alternative methods such as electrosurgery and radiosurgery. In this study, the conventional scalpel was compared with radiosurgery and electrosurgery for wound healing with assessment of lateral heat production, inflammation, and instrument performance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Incisions were made in the palatal mucosa of 42 Wistar rats using a scalpel, electrocautery instrument, or radiofrequency instrument. Postoperative hemostasis, tissue coagulation, and tissue sticking were measured, and pain evaluation through weight loss was recorded. Gingival biopsy specimens from the surgical area were obtained at the time of surgery and 2, 4, 7, and 14 days postoperatively and were evaluated immunohistochemically for inducible nitric oxide synthase and heat shock protein 70. Kruskal-Wallis, 1-way analysis of variance, and Mann-Whitney U tests were used for statistical evaluation. RESULTS: The rats in the electrosurgery and radiosurgery groups had aggressively greater weight loss when compared with the scalpel group in the first 7 days. Hemostasis was better in the electrocautery group, tissue coagulation was greater in the radiofrequency group (P < .001), and tissue sticking was lesser in the scalpel group (P < .001) compared with the other groups. Inducible nitric oxide synthase expression and heat shock protein 70 expression were similar in all 3 groups. CONCLUSIONS: Electrosurgery performed better regarding hemostasis, whereas a scalpel was superior in terms of tissue sticking and tissue coagulation. Radiosurgery was superior regarding hemostasis when compared with a conventional scalpel, but it was not as successful as electrosurgery.

Treatment of Different Oral Soft Tissue Lesions With Surgical Neodymium: Yttrium-Aluminum-Garnet Laser: Case Series.

INTRODUCTION: Oral soft tissue lesions cause discomfort and potentially serious clinical problems. CASE SERIES: These case reports present different gingival and/or mucosal lesions (pyogenic granuloma, verruca vulgaris, giant cell granuloma, fibroma, etc.) and the surgical treatment of these lesions with a neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser (320-µm optic fiber; 4 W; 100 mJ, 40 Hz; emission mode, pulsed, and contact mode). Patients were evaluated after laser surgery on degree of postoperative pain; discomfort; functional complications (eating and speech); and recurrence. Results indicated that patients had minimal postoperative pain, few functional complications, and low rates of pain. Laser surgery produced minimal bleeding, damage to the surrounding tissue, and post-surgical edema. CONCLUSION: In these cases, the Nd:YAG laser provided a non-bleeding environment at the surgical area with an acceptable operating time, quick postoperative hemostasis, good patient acceptance, low rates of pain, and no post-treatment adverse events among patients with oral soft tissue lesions.

The effect of light-emitting diode photobiomodulation on implant stability and biochemical markers in peri-implant crevicular fluid.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of light-emitting diode photomodulation (LED PBM) on implant osseointegration by measuring implant stability changes by resonance frequency analysis (RFA) and measuring interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß), prostaglandin-E2 (PGE2), and nitric oxide (NO) levels in peri-implant crevicular fluid (PICF). BACKGROUND DATA: Light therapy modulates various biological events and allows improved wound healing in ischemic and wounded tissues. METHODS: Fifteen patients (8 control, 7 LED) participated in the study. In the LED group, LED device at a wavelength of 626 nm in the near-infrared (NIR) region (treatment array area: 4.80 cm2; average intensity: 38.5 mW/cm2; total power: 185 mW; total energy: 222 J; average density: 46.2 J/cm2) was applied for 20 min over the surgical area during 3 weeks, three times in a week, starting from the operation day. Implant stability quotient (ISQ) values were recorded at the time of operation, and 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks postoperatively. PICF samples were collected in postoperative weeks 4 and 12 and IL-1ß, TGF-ß, PGE2, and NO levels were evaluated. Clinical indices were recorded around implants in postoperative weeks 4 and 12. RESULTS: In the control group, significant reduction of ISQ values from week 2 to week 12 were demonstrated. In the LED group, baseline ISQ values were maintained during the study and no significant changes were observed. Changes in biochemical parameters were found to be similar between groups over time. However, in the LED group, a negative correlation was found between PGE2 and ISQ values. CONCLUSIONS: LED application to surgical area has a positive effect on the osseointegration process, and implant stability can be maintained.

Receptor activator of NF-kappaB ligand (RANKL) and CD 31 expressions in chronic periodontitis patients before and after surgery.

AIM OF THE STUDY: The present study investigated the hypothesis that upregulation of receptor activator of NF-kappaB ligand (RANKL) expression may be associated with upregulation of endothelial cell activitiy, which is common for periods of periodontal bone loss in chronic periodontitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: RANKL expression of activated cells in soft tissue biopsies with CD 31 activity and the presence of RANKL and osteoprotegerin (OPG) in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) were assessed in chronic periodontitis patients. Biopsies from 17 patients and 10 healthy subjects were immunohistochemically analyzed. Clinical measurements [plaque index (PI), the gingival index (GI), probing pocket depth (PPD), clinical attachment level (CAL) and gingival bleeding index (GBI)] and GCF samples were obtained before and after periodontal therapy. RESULTS: CD31 staining did not support the assumption that endothelium-like cells were predominantly associated with RANKL expression. CONCLUSIONS: RANKL-positive cells were widely distributed in periodontitis patients giving only partial support to the hypothesis that RANKL expression is restricted to T- and B-cell activation.