IgG sera levels against a subset of periodontopathogens and severity of disease in aggressive periodontitis patients: a cross-sectional study of selected pocket sites.

AIMS: To evaluate the association among serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) responses to Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (Aa) serotypes a, b and c, Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg), Tannerella forsythia (Tf) and clinical parameters in Aggressive Periodontitis (AP) subjects. Associations between periodontal pathogens and clinical and immunological parameters were also evaluated. METHODS: Thirty-eight subjects diagnosed with generalized AP (GAP) and localized AP (LAP) were included. Ten healthy controls were also evaluated. Clinical parameters were assessed and percentages of subgingival levels of Aa, Pg and Tf (beyond bacterial load), were determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Serum IgG antibody levels against Aa, Pg and Tf were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Percentages of Aa, Pg and Tf were significantly higher in AP than in controls. The response to Aa serotype c was higher in LAP subjects than in controls. There were no differences in microbial composition or antibodies responses between GAP and LAP, except for IgG response to Tf. Pg levels were correlated with probing depth (PD), BoP and CAL in GAP but not in LAP subjects. Tf levels correlated with PD and CAL in GAP subjects. In GAP, the infection levels of Aa and Pg correlated with the corresponding IgG levels to Aa serotype c and Pg. CONCLUSION: Given the evidences that IgG response in AP patients correlated with bacterial infection level in GAP, but not in LAP, and that LAP patients lack a response to Tf, despite harbouring this species, our data suggest a difference in host immune defence between these two forms of aggressive periodontitis.

Root Coverage for Single Deep Gingival Recessions: Outcomes Based on a Decision-Making Algorithm.

AIM: The aim of this study is to report root coverage outcomes in single deep gingival recessions (GR) following a proposed decision-making algorithm. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective, practice-based study included single deep (≥5 mm) Miller Class II and III defects. The step-by-step decision-making algorithm led to a choice among three different flap designs (coronally advanced flap (CAF), double papilla envelope flap (DPE) or modified lateral sliding flap (LSF)) used with a connective tissue graft. Recession depth (RD) at 6 months follow-up and the corresponding root coverage (RC) were the primary outcomes assessed. RESULTS: Sixteen GR defects were included, with baseline RD of 6.7 ± 1.8 mm. Six months postoperatively, RD was significantly reduced to 1.2 ± 0.8 mm (p < 0.05). Mean RC was 81.7 ± 13.0%, without significant differences between Miller Class II (87.1 ± 9.2%; n=9) and Class III (74.6 ± 14.5%; n=7) GRs (p=0.07). Postoperatively, keratinized tissue width increase was greater for LSF (3.5 ± 1.1) and DPE (4.2 ± 1.4 mm) than for CAF (1.9 ± 0.9 mm). CONCLUSIONS: Following the proposed decision-making algorithm, root coverage outcomes for GR defects ≥5 mm were comparable to outcomes reported for shallow defects. Prospective clinical trials are needed to validate the proposed approach and techniques. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The proposed algorithm allows the clinician to select the appropriate surgical technique for treatment of single deep gingival recessions with good predictability.

Gingival overgrowth among patients medicated with cyclosporin A and tacrolimus undergoing renal transplantation: a prospective study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to make a longitudinal evaluation of the incidence and severity of gingival overgrowth (GO) induced by immunosuppressive agents, such as tacrolimus (Tcr) and cyclosporin A (CsA), in the absence of calcium channel blockers in patients undergoing renal transplantation (RT). METHODS: This longitudinal study is conducted in 49 patients with RT who were divided into a CsA group (n = 25) and Tcr group (n = 24). The individuals were assessed at four time intervals: before transplant and 30, 90, and 180 days after RTs. Demographic data and periodontal clinical parameters (plaque index, cemento-enamel junction to the gingival margin, probing depth, clinical attachment level, bleeding on probing [BOP], and GO) were collected at all time intervals. RESULTS: The mean GO index was significantly lower in the Tcr group compared to the CsA group after 30 (P = 0.03), 90 (P = 0.004), and 180 (P = 0.01) days of immunosuppressive therapy. One hundred eighty days after RTs, a clinically significant GO was observed in 20.0% of individuals in the CsA group and 8.3% of individuals in the Tcr group. However, this difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.41). There was a reduction in periodontal clinical parameters regarding the time of immunosuppressive therapy for PI and BOP (P <0.001) in both groups. CONCLUSION: Although there was no statistical difference in the incidences of clinically significant GO after 180 days of immunosuppressive therapy, it was observed that GO occurred later in the Tcr group, and the severity of GO in this group was lower than in patients who used CsA.