Comparative analysis of salivary sialic acid levels in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and chronic periodontitis patients: A biochemical study.

AIM: Sialic acid plays a central role in the functioning of biological systems, in stabilizing the glycoproteins and cellular membranes, assisting in cell-cell recognition and interaction. The aim of this study is to evaluate and compare the periodontal health status and salivary Sialic acid levels in patients suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) and chronic periodontitis patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety subjects were included in the study, which were divided into the following groups, 30 in each group. Group 1: patients suffering from COPD and chronic periodontitis, Group 2: periodontitis patients without any systemic diseases Group 3: healthy subjects. Unstimulated whole saliva samples were collected around 9-10 AM; 2 h after the subjects had breakfast. The sialic acid content was determined by a combined modification of the thiobarbituric acid method of Skoza and Mohos. RESULTS: The mean salivary sialic acid levels were least in the healthy group followed by the periodontitis group, and it was highest in the COPD group. CONCLUSIONS: We can thus conclude that promotion of dental care knowledge is very much essential in the prevention and treatment of COPD. Thus, estimation of levels of salivary sialic acid can be used as an adjunct to diagnose the current periodontal disease status and to assess the treatment outcomes in subjects with COPD and chronic periodontitis.

Morphometric Variation in Maxillary Central Incisors and Its Influence on Gingival Characteristics: A Preliminary Epidemiologic Study in an Indian Population.

The presence of interdental papilla between the maxillary central incisors has a considerable influence on harmonizing esthetics and biologic functions. Preliminary investigations indicate an association between tooth shapes and periodontal characteristics. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of morphologic variation in maxillary central incisors and its influence on gingival characteristics. It was determined that varied crown forms have a definite influence on gingival characteristics, which could act as a valuable guideline in periodontal, restorative, and anterior implant placement procedures.

Assessment of postgraduate dental students using mini-clinical examination tool in periodontology and implantology.

INTRODUCTION: Mini-clinical examination (mini-CEX) is a new assessment tool that observes the student using a standard rating form. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and usefulness of the mini-CEX as an assessment and feedback tool in the postgraduate setting in periodontology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eight postgraduate students and two evaluators were included in this study carried out for 4 months during which the students were made to appear for four encounters evaluated on a standardized nine-point Likert scale. Feedback was obtained from the students about this assessment after the fourth encounter. RESULTS: Sixty-three percent of the students felt that mini-CEX is better than the conventional assessment tools. Seventy-five percent of the students felt that this type of mini-CEX assessment helped improve the student-teacher relationship and student-patient relationship. Sixty-three percent of the students were satisfied with this assessment pattern and were willing to face more encounters as it helped them improve their competencies. Seventy-five percent of the students agreed that they felt anxious on being observed while taking cases. CONCLUSION: The training and assessment of a wide range of procedures make dentistry unique. Good communication skills and counseling can allay patient's fear and anxiety. This structured way of assessment of clinical skills and feedback provides good clinical care and helps improve the quality of the resulting information which would induce confidence, improve clinical competencies, and alleviate the fear of examination among the students.

A comparison between connective tissue grafts combined with either double pedicle grafts or coronally positioned pedicle grafts: A clinical study.

BACKGROUND: Various surgical techniques have been proposed for treating gingival recession. This randomized clinical study compared the effectiveness of using a sub-epithelial connective tissue graft (SCTG) combined with an overlying double pedical graft (DPG) or a coronally positioned flap (CPF) in the treatment of isolated gingival recession. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 20, healthy, non-smoking subjects with single Miller's Class I or Class II recession defects were selected. The defects, at least 3.0 mm deep, were randomly assigned to the test (DPG + SCTG) or control group (CPF + SCTG). Gingival recession (REC), probing pocket depth (PPD), clinical attachment level (CAL), width of keratinized gingival tissue (WKG), plaque index and papillary bleeding index were assessed at baseline and 6 months post-operatively. RESULTS: Recession depth was significantly reduced 6 months post-operatively (P < 0.05) for both groups. Mean root coverage was 88% and 84% in the test and control groups, respectively. There were no significant differences between the two groups in REC, PPD, CAL, or WKG at baseline. However, at 6 months post-operatively, there were statistically significant changes in REC, CAL and WKG in favor of the test group (P < 0.05) from the baseline, but the comparison between the two was not statistically significant. The percentage of teeth with complete root coverage was greater in the test group when compared to the control group, but the results were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that both surgical approaches are effective in addressing root coverage. Furthermore, when an increase in keratinized tissue width is a desired outcome, both the treatment modalities have shown comparable outcomes.

A comparative evaluation of the effectiveness of subpedicle acellular dermal matrix allograft with subepithelial connective tissue graft in the treatment of isolated marginal tissue recession: A clinical study.

INTRODUCTION: The most common problem encountered in our day to day practice is exposed root surface or a tooth getting long. The main indication for root coverage procedures are esthetics and/or cosmetic demands followed by the management of root hypersensitivity, root caries or when it hampers proper plaque removal. Over the years, various techniques have been used to achieve root coverage. AIM AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of subpedicle acellular dermal matrix allograft (ADMA) with subepithelial connective tissue graft (SCTG) in the treatment of isolated marginal tissue recession. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty systemically healthy patients aged between 18 to 50 years (mean age29.7±4.35 years) with a recession defect on the labial and the buccal surfaces of any teeth were selected for the study. Ten patients received the test treatment (ADMA), ten patients received the control treatment (SCTG). Clinical recordings assessed at baseline, three months and six months post surgery, included Plaque index (PI), Papillary bleeding index (PBI), Gingival recession (REC), Probing pocket depth (PPD), Clinical attachment level (CAL) and Width of keratinized gingival (WKG). RESULTS: Test group (ADMA) showed 86.93% mean root coverage while control group (SCTG) showed 84.72% at six months post surgery. Mean increase in the width of keratinized gingiva was significantly greater in the SCTG group (3.3±0.48mm) compared to ADMA group (2.4±0.51mm). CONCLUSION: Both the treatment produced a significant reduction in gingival recession and probing pocket depth and significant gain in clinical attachment level and width of keratinised gingiva.

A comparative evaluation of the effectiveness of guided tissue regeneration by using a collagen membrane with or without decalcified freeze-dried bone allograft in the treatment of infrabony defects: A clinical and radiographic study.

BACKGROUND: The present, randomized, controlled clinical and radiographic study was undertaken to compare the effectiveness of guided tissue regeneration (GTR) by using a collagen membrane barrier with or without decalcified freeze-dried bone allograft (DFDBA) in the treatment of periodontal infrabony defects characterized by unfavorable architecture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixteen systemically healthy patients with 20 periodontal infrabony defects were selected for the study. Each patient had at least ≥ 5 mm clinical probing pocket depth (PPD) at the selected site and depth of intrabony component ≥ 3 mm as assessed by clinical and radiographic measurements. Baseline measurements included plaque index, papillary bleeding index, PPD, gingival recession, clinical attachment level and radiographic defect depth (DD). At the time of surgery, the defects were randomly assigned to either the test group (collagen membrane plus DFDBA) or the control group (collagen membrane only). RESULTS: At the 6-month examination, PPPD reduction was significantly greater in the GTR + DFDBA group (4.06 ± 0.38 mm) compared with the GTR group (3.2 ± 0.74 mm). The mean gains of clinical attachment were 3.54 ± 0.36 mm in the test group and 2.50 ± 0.74 mm in the control group. Radiographic DD reduction was similarly greater in the GTR + DFDBA group (2.40 ± 0.51 mm) compared with the GTR group (1.60 ± 0.51 mm). CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study indicate that the use of a GTR membrane with bone graft has significantly improved all clinical parameters tested as compared with the use of bioresorbable membrane alone in the treatment of infrabony defects characterized by unfavorable architecture.