Patients' Awareness toward Implant-supported Prosthesis: An Observational Study.

INTRODUCTION: Implant-supported prosthesis has high predictability and success and improves quality of life. This study aims at assessing awareness among the patients regarding implant-supported prosthesis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 391 study participants. A structured questionnaire was distributed to assess implant-related awareness among the study participants. The questionnaires were analyzed for the responses. RESULTS: Among the 391 respondents, 37.5% of the respondents reported having moderate knowledge regarding the tooth replacement options. Nearly 50% considered implants as a viable treatment option. The majority of them enlisted the dentist as the major source of information regarding implants, and media had a share of about 7.03% only. High cost was a major barrier in selecting implants as a treatment option. CONCLUSION: This survey showed that awareness among people was low regarding the dental implants. Efforts need to be directed to increase the awareness levels by utilizing media as a tool to achieve the target. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: A patient who is aware of the advantages of the implant-supported dentures will make an informed decision for better functional stability and retention of the denture, especially in the mandibular arch.

Estimation of matrix metalloproteinase-3 levels in gingival crevicular fluid in periodontal disease, health and after scaling and root planing.

BACKGROUND: Initial research has shown a positive correlation between the severity of periodontal disease and matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) concentrations in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF). However, there are no enough reports to correlate the MMP-3 concentrations in GCF in periodontal health, disease and after treatment. Hence, the present study is to estimate the levels of MMP-3 in GCF in periodontal health, disease and to evaluate the effect of periodontal therapy on MMP-3 concentrations in GCF. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Periodontal examination and collection of GCF by extracrevicular method was performed in 30 subjects selected randomly and categorized into three groups. Group I (Healthy, n=10), group II (Chronic periodontitis, n=20) and group III (After treatment group, n=20). Scaling and root planing (SRP) was performed and GCF was collected after 8 weeks of treatment. MMP-3 levels were estimated in GCF samples using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: MMP-3 was detected in all samples. Highest mean MMP-3 concentrations in GCF were obtained for group II (7.490 ng/ml), while the lowest concentrations were seen in group I (0.344 ng/ml) and group III (2.129 ng/ml). This suggests that MMP-3 levels in GCF increases proportionally with the progression of periodontal disease and decreases after treatment. CONCLUSION: There is a substantial increase in the concentrations of MMP-3 as periodontal disease progresses. Since MMP-3 levels in GCF are positively correlated with gingival index, probing pocket depth and clinical attachment level, MMP-3 may be considered as a "novel biomarker" in periodontal disease progression. However, controlled, longitudinal studies are needed to confirm this possibility.