Clinical and histological comparison of platelet-rich fibrin versus non-eugenol periodontal dressing in the treatment of gingival hyperpigmentation.

BACKGROUND: The platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) has proven an immense role in angiogenesis and epithelization in a wound healing process. The present study aims to ascertain PRF's beneficial role in wound healing after depigmentation surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 12 systemically healthy controls included were divided into two groups after scalpel depigmentation procedure. PRF was prepared according to Choukroun's standard protocol. Using split-mouth design after depigmentation, one group received PRF membrane, and in second group non-eugenol periodontal dressing was placed. The participants were evaluated for visual analog scale (VAS), healing index (HI) on 3rd and 5th day. Epithelization test using toluidine blue and histological examination employing punch biopsy was done on the 5th day. RESULTS: On statistical scale, VAS, HI, epithelization test, and histological findings were statistically significant in the two study groups. PRF group proved better epithelization test and inflammatory cell infiltration was less in PRF group which confirmed superior wound healing in the group. CONCLUSION: PRF membrane postdepigmentation provided satisfactory patient comfort and enhanced the wound healing cascade.

Oral Health Knowledge, Attitudes and Practice Behaviour among Secondary School Children in Chandigarh.

INTRODUCTION: Oral health knowledge is considered to be an essential prerequisite for health-related practices and better oral health. Healthy practices adopted at young age are more sustainable. AIM: Present cross-sectional exploratory study was planned to assess oral health knowledge and practices of secondary school students in Chandigarh, India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was under-taken amongst 1027 secondary level school students, in Chandigarh, India. After obtaining informed consent subjects were administered pretested self administered questionnaire addressing demographics, knowledge, attitude and practice behaviour of participants. Frequency analysis was done using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: Survey revealed that only 40% subjects brushed twice daily. About 17% reported use of dental floss and 20% used either mouthwash or tongue cleaner as adjuncts. A total of 58% had knowledge that infrequent brushing led to dental caries, staining of teeth, dental plaque and bleeding from gums. Most of them knew sweets (92.7%) and soft drinks (67.8%) affected dental health. Only 12.9% visited dentist regularly after every 6-12 months. CONCLUSION: Efficacy of dental health education can be increased only if health programs are tailored to directly impinge on attitudes of targeted population, especially school children in whom healthy practices can be inculcated easily and be sustained for long times.

Detection and measurement of oral malodor in chronic periodontitis patients and its correlation with levels of select oral anaerobes in subgingival plaque.

INTRODUCTION: Oral malodor is generally ascribable to oral microbial putrefaction generating malodorous volatile sulfur compounds. The aim of the present study is to correlate organoleptic recordings with a small handheld portable volatile sulfide monitor and periodontal clinical parameters and correlate the levels of halitosis causing bacteria in plaque between baseline, 1-week, and 1-month. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 20 systemically healthy subjects with self-reported halitosis were subjected to organoleptic examination and FitScan(®). Subgingival plaque samples for anaerobic culturing were harvested followed by an assessment of plaque index (PI), gingival bleeding index (GBI), and pocket probing depth. Data derived were subjected to statistical analysis using Wilcoxon signed rank test and Spearman's rank test (P < 0.05). RESULTS: No correlation was seen between organoleptic measurements and portable volatile sulfide monitor at any time interval. There was a statistically significant (P < 0.05) correlation between the scores of PI, gingival index, GBI, and myeloproliferative disease with organoleptic readings at all-time intervals. Anaerobic culture has shown to identify Fusobacterium species, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, Tannerella forsythia. However, no correlation could be established in between total microbial load with organoleptic and FitScan(®) reading at any time interval (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Significant correlation could be established between organoleptic readings and periodontal parameters.

A clinical and radiological evaluation of the relative efficacy of demineralized freeze-dried bone allograft versus anorganic bovine bone xenograft in the treatment of human infrabony periodontal defects: A 6 months follow-up study.

BACKGROUND: The ultimate goal of periodontal therapy entails regeneration of the periodontal tissues lost as a consequence of periodontitis. Predictable correction of vertical osseous defects has however posed as a constant therapeutic challenge. The aim of our present study is to evaluate the relative efficacy of demineralized freeze-dried bone allograft (DFDBA) vs anorganic bovine bone xenograft (ABBX) in the treatment of human infrabony periodontal defects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 15 patients with 30 bilaterally symmetrical defect sites in either of the arches, in the age group of 25-50 years were selected as part of split-mouth study design. Defect-A (right side) was grafted with DFDBA while Defect-B (left side) was grafted with ABBX. Various clinical and radiographic parameters viz. probing depth(PD), clinical attachment level(CAL) and linear bone fill were recorded preoperatively, 12- & 24-weeks postoperatively. RESULTS: Both defect-A & defect-B sites exhibited a highly significant reduction in probing depth, and gain in clinical attachment level and linear bone fill at 12-weeks & at the end of 24-weeks. Comparative evaluation between the study groups revealed a statistically non-significant reduction in probing depth (P<0.1) and mean gain in linear bone fill (P<0.1). However, there was a statistically significant gain in clinical attachment level (P<0.05) in Defect-A (CD=0.356) as compared to Defect-B (CD=0.346). CONCLUSIONS: Within the limits of this study, both the materials viz. ABBX and DFDBA are beneficial for the treatment of periodontal infrabony defects. Both the materials were found to be equally effective in all respects except the gain in attachment level, which was found to be more with DFDBA. Long-term studies are suggested to evaluate further the relative efficacy of the two grafts.