Pathogenic Mechanisms That May Link Periodontal Disease and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus-The Role of Oxidative Stress.

Given the posited role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of both periodontitis and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), it may also serve as a link between these highly prevalent chronic inflammatory diseases. This view is supported by an ample body of evidence indicating that the severity and progression of periodontitis is in part driven by diabetes, while periodontal infection may hinder the attainment of adequate glycemic control in diabetic patients. Thus, this review focuses on the potential synergistic interactions along the oxidative stress-inflammation pathway characterizing both conditions. Because periodontitis and T2DM share the same risk factors and compromise patients' quality of life, to develop effective strategies for combatting both conditions, their mutual influence needs to be explored.

[A PhD completed. Oral manifestations in inflammatory bowel diseases]. / Serie: Hora est. Orale manifestaties van inflammatoire darmziekten.

Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are chronic inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. In addition to bowel symptoms, patients may also have oral manifestations. This thesis investigated potential associations between disease activity in the gut, oral health, salivary gland function, and saliva composition. Patients with Crohn's disease had a significantly higher DMFT index, but showed no difference in periodontal diseases compared to a healthy control group. The saliva composition in patients with active bowel disease differed from that in patients with inactive bowel disease, suggesting that saliva analysis could potentially be used in the future to determine the degree and severity of bowel disease. The knowledge of gastroenterologists and dentists regarding oral manifestations of bowel diseases was found to be limited. Gastroenterologists and dentists valued interdisciplinary patient consultation as very useful, but the frequency of consultation was considered insufficient.

Obesity, Pocrescophobia and Oral Health.

Oral health plays a crucial role in obesity management. Scientific evidence suggests an association between obesity and oral diseases, including periodontal disease, dental caries, tooth erosion, xerostomia, and dentinal hypersensitivity. Maintaining optimal oral health is essential for obese patients, as compromised dentition or oral discomfort can influence dietary habits. However, managing oral health in obese individuals can be challenging due to anatomical limitations and lifestyle choices. Profound knowledge of obesity and its manifestations, the oral health professionals need to raise awareness and provide patients with comprehensive care. Pocrescophobia also known as obesophobia, is an intense fear of gaining weight. It affects both adoloscent women and men, manifesting as an irrational dread associated with weight gain. Like other phobias, obesophobia falls under the umbrella of anxiety disrders, leading to exaggerated anxiety when discussing or thinking about weight gain. Individuals with this fear may go to extreme lengths to avoid weight gain, which can increase the risk of developing eating disorders. Stress can lead to bruxism, wears away the occlusal surfaces and incisal edges, resulting in flat, shorter teeth. Smooth V-shaped cavities arise when lateral stresses surpass physiological limitations, resulting in gum recession and tooth discomfort. Canker sores, xerostomia, and lichen planus have all been linked to stress. By addressing both obesophobia and obesity as well as oral health, patients' overall well-being and quality of life can be improved.

Effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on diabetes-related oral complications.

Background: Diabetes Mellitus is a chronic disease characterized by uncontrolled blood sugar levels, which lead to end-organ damage. While the diagnosis and treatment of its complications have been extensively studied, the effect of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBO2) on diabetes-related oral complications remains unexplored. Aim: This prospective clinical study aims to investigate the effect of HBO2 on diabetes-related oral complications. Methods: Twenty patients diagnosed with diabetic foot ulcers and scheduled for HBO2 were included in this study. We recorded stimulated and unstimulated saliva pH, buffering capacity, flow rate, and subjective symptoms such as dry mouth, halitosis, taste loss, difficulty swallowing, and clinical examination findings before HBO2 and after the 21st session. Results: Upon comparing the findings, we observed a significant decrease in dry mouth and halitosis, periodontal disease severity, and healing of candida-related stomatitis and angular cheilitis. Despite not reaching statistical significance for other saliva parameters, the unstimulated salivary flow rate increased to normal limits (0.3-0.4 ml/min) in 6 out of 8 patients with a flow rate of less than 0.25 ml/min. Conclusion: Our study investigated the effect of HBO2 on diabetes-related oral complications for the first time, highlighting symptomatic relief for dry mouth and halitosis. Although our results are insufficient to report a definitive benefit, they underscore the need for further research on the oral health effects of HBO2.

Dental care in patients with periodontal disease and hearing impairment: a scoping review / Atención odontológica en pacientes con enfermedad periodontal y deficiencia auditiva: scoping review

Introduction: Literature shows that individuals with disabilities, including hearing impairment, often suffer from untreated dental caries, poor oral hygiene, and compromised periodontal health, leading to adverse effects on oral health. Objetive: This study aims to analyze current evidence concerning dental care strategies for controlling, managing, and preventing biofilm accumulation in patients with hearing impairment. Materials and Methods: A systematic search was conducted in the databases Scopus, Web of Science, SciELO and PubMed between April and May 2022 to identify articles establishing a relationship between periodontal disease and hearing disability. Full-text articles published in English or Spanish between 2012 and 2022 were included. Results: Seventeen articles met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed. These included cross-sectional studies, cohort studies, clinical trials, case reports, and case-control studies. Most studies reported fair to poor oral health status among individuals. Nine different interventions or management approaches for treating periodontal disease in patients with hearing impairment were identified. Conclusions: The current global evidence on the association between periodontal disease and hearing impairment is very limited. Dentists may need to employ various strategies to address communication barriers, as outlined in this study.

Introducción: Según la literatura, las personas en situación de discapacidad presentan caries dentales no tratadas, higiene bucal y estado periodontal deficiente, lo cual puede resultar en efectos negativos para su salud bucal. Objetivo: Analizar la evidencia existente con relación a la atención odontológica enfocada en el control, manejo y prevención de acumulación de biofilm en pacientes con deficiencia auditiva. Materiales y Métodos: Se realizó la búsqueda de artículos en las bases de datos y motor de búsqueda (Scopus, Web of Science, SciELO y PubMed) entre abril y mayo 2022, de acuerdo con la evidencia existente que relacione la enfermedad periodontal y la discapacidad auditiva en la atención odontológica. Se incluyeron artículos de texto completo en idioma inglés o español, con fecha de publicación entre 2012 a 2022. Resultado: Se seleccionó un total de 17 artículos para su análisis. Se encontró estudios transversales, estudios de cohorte, ensayos clínicos, reporte de caso y estudios de casos y controles. La salud oral fue catalogada en estado regular y deficiente en la mayoría de los estudios. Se encontró 9 tipos de intervenciones o manejos para el tratamiento de la enfermedad periodontal en pacientes con hipoacusia. Conclusión: La evidencia existente respecto a la enfermedad periodontal y la deficiencia auditiva es insuficiente a nivel global. Debido a lo anterior, el odontólogo puede abordar los obstáculos comunicativos de diferentes maneras de acuerdo a los métodos descritos en esta publicación.

Orofacial Complications of the Connective Tissue Disease Systemic Sclerosis.

Scleroderma (systemic sclerosis, SSc) is an autoimmune fibrosing connective tissue disease of unknown etiology. SSc patients show increased levels of autoantibodies, profibrotic cytokines, and extracellular matrix remodeling enzymes that collectively cause activated (myo)fibroblasts, the effector cell type of fibrosis. Despite these impacts, no disease-modifying therapy exists; individual symptoms are treated on a patient-to-patient basis. SSc research has been principally focused on symptoms observed in the lung and skin. However, SSc patients display significant oral complications that arise due to fibrosis of the not only skin, causing microstomia, but also the gastrointestinal tract, causing acid reflux, and the oral cavity itself, causing xerostomia and gingival recession. Due to these complications, SSc patients have impaired quality of life, including periodontitis, tooth loss, reduced tongue mobility, and malnutrition. Indeed, due to their characteristic oral presentation, SSc patients are often initially diagnosed by dentists. Despite their clinical importance, the oral complications of SSc are severely understudied; high-quality publications on this topic are scant. However, SSc patients with periodontal complications possess increased levels of matrix metalloproteinase-9 and chemokines, such as interleukin-6 and chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand-4. Although many unsuccessful clinical trials, mainly exploring the antifibrotic effects of anti-inflammatory agents, have been conducted in SSc, none have used oral symptoms, which may be more amenable to anti-inflammatory drugs, as clinical end points. This review summarizes the current state of knowledge regarding oral complications in SSc with the goal of inspiring future research in this extremely important and underinvestigated area.

NLRP3 inflammasome activity and periodontal disease pathogenesis-A bidirectional relationship.

OBJECTIVE: Periodontitis is an inflammatory oral disease that occurs as a result of the damaging effects of the immune response against the subgingival microflora. Among the mechanisms involved, the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain, leucine-rich repeat-containing proteins family member NLRP3 (NLR family pyrin domain-containing 3), proposed as the key regulator of macrophage-induced inflammation, is strongly associated with periodontal disease due to the bacterial activators. This paper aimed to present key general concepts of NLRP3 inflammasome activation and regulation in periodontal disease. METHOD: A narrative review was conducted in order to depict the current knowledge on the relationship between NLRP3 inflammasome activity and periodontal disease. In vitro and in situ studies were retrieved and commented based on their relevance in the field. RESULTS: The NLRP3 inflammasome activity stimulated by periodontal microbiota drive periodontal disease pathogenesis and progression. This occurs through the release of proinflammatory cytokines IL-1ß, IL-18, and DAMPs (damage-associated molecular pattern molecules) following inflammasome activation. Moreover, the tissue expression of NLRP3 is dysregulated by oral microbiota, further exacerbating periodontal inflammation. CONCLUSION: The review provides new insights into the relationship between the NLRP3 inflammasome activity and periodontal disease pathogenesis, highlighting the roles and regulatory mechanism of inflammatory molecules involved in the disease process.

Sports Diet and Oral Health in Athletes: A Comprehensive Review.

Food and fluid supply is fundamental for optimal athletic performance but can also be a risk factor for caries, dental erosion, and periodontal diseases, which in turn can impair athletic performance. Many studies have reported a high prevalence of oral diseases in elite athletes, notably dental caries 20-84%, dental erosion 42-59%, gingivitis 58-77%, and periodontal disease 15-41%, caused by frequent consumption of sugars/carbohydrates, polyunsaturated fats, or deficient protein intake. There are three possible major reasons for poor oral health in athletes which are addressed in this review: oxidative stress, sports diet, and oral hygiene. This update particularly summarizes potential sports nutritional effects on athletes' dental health. Overall, sports diet appropriately applied to deliver benefits for performance associated with oral hygiene requirements is necessary to ensure athletes' health. The overall aim is to help athletes, dentists, and nutritionists understand the tangled connections between sports diet, oral health, and oral healthcare to develop mitigation strategies to reduce the risk of dental diseases due to nutrition.

Impact of treatment of rheumatoid arthritis on periodontal disease: A review.

BACKGROUND: Numerous studies support a bidirectional association between rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a chronic autoimmune degenerative inflammatory joint disease, and periodontitis, a chronic inflammatory disease caused by the immune reaction to bacteria organized in biofilms. RA and periodontitis are both multifactorial chronic inflammatory diseases that share common modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors. There is no cure for RA; treatment is based on lifestyle modifications and a variety of medications: nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), glucocorticoids, and disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs, e.g., conventional synthetic DMARDs [csDMARDs]; biological DMARDs [bDMARD] and targeted synthetic DMARDs). There are molecular pathways of inflammation that are common to both RA and periodontitis. Thus, there is a potential effect of RA treatments on periodontitis. This systematic review aims to assess the impact of antirheumatic agents on periodontal conditions of patients suffering from both RA and periodontitis. METHODS: PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, and Embase online databases were systematically explored, and a manual search was performed to identify relevant studies published until January 2023. This review is registered in the PROSPERO database (CRD42023409006). RESULTS: A total of 2827 articles were identified, and 35 fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The included studies generally show a consensus that, at normal dosage, NSAID and corticosteroids have negligible impact on periodontium. Similarly, csDMARD alone or in combination with other csDMARD demonstrated no adverse effect on periodontium. Monotherapy with bDMARD had a positive effect on periodontal pocket depths and gingival inflammation in the longitudinal studies up to 6 months but showed negligible effect on the periodontium in interventional studies with a longer follow-up (9 months and 15.1 months). However, the combination of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α inhibitors + methotrexate (MTX) was associated with a rise in gingival inflammation. Due to the considerable heterogeneity of the study designs, a meta-analysis could not reasonably be performed. CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of the available studies, there is evidence to suggest that bDMARD monotherapy may improve the periodontal condition of RA patients with periodontal disease to a certain extent; the concomitant medication of TNF inhibitor + MTX could worsen gingival inflammation. More data are required to understand the impact of RA therapies on periodontal health.

Periodontal disease in down syndrome: Predisposing factors and potential non-surgical therapeutic approaches.

BACKGROUND: Periodontal diseases (PDs) have been documented to be significantly more prevalent and severe in patients with Down syndrome (DS). Different immunological and microbiological factors contributed to predisposing these patients to progressive and recurrent PDs. AIM: The aim of this review was to investigate the altered immunological responses and oral microbiota disorders as well as focus on adjunctive non-surgical methods for the treatment of PDs and its applicability in patients with DS. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A literature review was conducted addressing the following topics: (1) the altered immunological responses, (2) orofacial disorders related to DS patients, (3) oral microbiota changing, and (4) adjunctive non-surgical treatment and its efficacy in patients with DS. RESULTS: Due to the early onset of PDs in children with DS, the need for prompt and effective treatment in these patients is essential. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: So, investigating underlying factors may open a new window to better understand the pathology of PDs in DS people and thus, find better strategies for treatment in such group. Although non-surgical treatments such as photodynamic therapy and probiotic consumption represented acceptable outcomes in different examined patients without DS, data about the application of these convenience and no need for local anesthesia methods in patients with DS is limited.

Un estudio de la obesidad y la enfermedad periodontal: una revisión de la literatura / A study of obesity and periodontal disease: a review of the literature

Las enfermedades periodontales son enfermedades inflamatorias causadas por bacterias patógenas en el biofilm subgingival, que afectan los tejidos circundantes y de soporte de los dientes, el periodonto. Estas conexiones inexplicables pasan a primer plano a medida que las enfermedades orales, como la enfermedad periodontal, echan raíces. El desafío bacteriano exacerba la producción de citoquinas por el epitelio gingival, lo que resulta en una inflamación incontrolada que conduce a la pérdida de dientes en adultos de diferentes poblaciones. La prevalencia de estas enfermedades aumenta con el envejecimiento, la retención más prolongada de los dientes y el aumento de la incidencia entre la población. Se realiza una búsqueda en los motores bibliográficos de Medline, PubMed y Cochrane encontrándose 33 artículos de valiosa necesidad, de los últimos cinco años. Esta revisión presenta los puntos que resaltan el poder desarrollar nuevos métodos capaces de detectar a las enfermedades periodontales en las primeras etapas (AU)

Periodontal diseases are inflammatory diseases, caused by pathogenic bacteria in the subgingival biofilm, which affect the surrounding and supporting tissues of the teeth, the periodontium. These inexplicable connections come to the fore as oral diseases, such as periodontal disease, take root. Bacterial challenge exacerbates cytokine production by the gingival epithelium, resulting in uncontrolled inflammation leading to tooth loss in adults from different populations. The prevalence of these diseases increases with aging, longer retention of teeth, and increasing incidence among the population. A search was carried out in the bibliographic engines of Medline, PubMed and Cochrane, finding 33 articles of valuable need, 5 years old. This review of the article presents the points that stand out to be able to develop new methods capable of detecting these diseases in the early stages (AU)

Impacts of smoking on oral health-what is the role of the dental team in smoking cessation?

DATA SOURCES: Electronic searches were conducted on databases (PubMed, EMBASE, and Google Scholar). In addition, websites of national organisations (US Food and Drug Administration, National Cancer Institute, Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, American Dental Association, Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality) were also searched. STUDY SELECTION: To achieve the objectives of the study, systematic reviews, controlled clinical trials, and observational studies published between October 2021 and February 2022 were considered. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS: This narrative review included articles which investigated the role of Dentistry professionals and their impact on smoking cessation and the effects resulting from tobacco use on oral health. RESULTS: The review revealed that smokers have a significantly higher likelihood of developing oral cancer (95% CI: 3.19-6.77) compared to non-smokers. Passive smokers also have an increased risk (1.51 times) of developing oral cancer (95% CI: 1.20-1.91). Additionally, smokers have an 80% increased risk of periodontitis (RR = 1.82; 95% CI: 1.43-2.31), an 85% worsened periodontal condition (RR = 1.85; 95% CI: 1.5-2.2), and a 36.6% increase in caries prevalence (OR = 1.84; 95% CI: 1.64-2.07). Smoking is also associated with a higher potential for dental implant failure in a dose-dependent manner. Brief educational interventions by the dental team resulted in a smoking cessation rate of 74/1000 individuals versus 27/1000 individuals in the control group. When combined with pharmacological therapy, these interventions may lead to an additional 50 to 70% increase in long-term smoking abstinence. CONCLUSIONS: Smoking is strongly linked to an increased risk of oral cancer, dental caries, implant failure, and periodontal disease. Dental teams play a vital role in identifying and addressing oral pathologies related to smoking and providing necessary care for smoking cessation. Brief educational interventions, either alone or in combination with pharmacotherapy, offer valuable approaches for the dental team to support smoking cessation. However, establishing a comprehensive training and continuing education program is crucial to integrate dental professionals into a multidisciplinary smoking cessation program.

The modification of meteorological factors on the relationship between air pollution and periodontal diseases: an exploration based on different interaction strategies.

We aimed to characterize the association between air pollutants exposure and periodontal diseases outpatient visits and to explore the interactions between ambient air pollutants and meteorological factors. The outpatient visits data of several large stomatological and general hospitals in Hefei during 2015-2020 were collected to explore the relationship between daily air pollutants exposure and periodontal diseases by combining Poisson's generalized linear model (GLMs) and distributed lag nonlinear model (DLNMs). Subgroup analysis was performed to identify the vulnerability of different populations to air pollutants exposure. The interaction between air pollutants and meteorological factors was verified in both multiplicative and additive interaction models. An interquartile range (IQR) increased in nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentration was associated with the greatest lag-specific relative risk (RR) of gingivitis at lag 3 days (RR = 1.087, 95% CI 1.008-1.173). Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure also increased the risk of periodontitis at the day of exposure (RR = 1.049, 95% CI 1.004-1.096). Elderly patients with gingivitis and periodontitis were both vulnerable to PM2.5 exposure. The interaction analyses showed that exposure to high levels of NO2 at low temperatures was related to an increased risk of gingivitis, while exposure to high levels of NO2 and PM2.5 may also increase the risk of gingivitis and periodontitis in the high-humidity environment, respectively. This study supported that NO2 and PM2.5 exposure increased the risk of gingivitis and periodontitis outpatient visits, respectively. Besides, the adverse effects of air pollutants exposure on periodontal diseases may vary depending on ambient temperature and humidity.

Gastrointestinal distress as a potential mediator between stress and periodontal inflammation.

OBJECTIVES: Periodontal disease is multifactorial in its aetiology, which encompasses biopsychosocial contributors, including psychological stress. Gastrointestinal distress and dysbiosis have been associated with several chronic inflammatory diseases yet have rarely been investigated with respect to oral inflammation. Given the implications of gastrointestinal distress on extraintestinal inflammation, this study aimed to evaluate the potential role of such distress as a mediator between psychological stress and periodontal disease. METHODS: Utilizing a cross-sectional, nationwide sample of 828 adults in the USA generated via Amazon Mechanical Turk, we evaluated data collected from a series of validated self-report psychosocial questionnaires on stress, gut-specific anxiety around current gastrointestinal distress and periodontal disease, including periodontal disease subscales targeted at physiological and functional factors. Structural equation modelling was used to determine total, direct and indirect effects, while controlling for covariates. RESULTS: Psychological stress was associated with gastrointestinal distress (ß = .34) and self-reported periodontal disease (ß = .43). Gastrointestinal distress also was associated with self-reported periodontal disease (ß = .10). Gastrointestinal distress likewise mediated the relation between psychological stress and periodontal disease (ß = .03, p = .015). Given the multifactorial nature of periodontal disease(s), similar results were demonstrated using the subscales of the periodontal self-report measure. CONCLUSIONS: Associations exist between psychological stress and overall reports of periodontal disease as well as more specific physiological and functional components. Additionally, this study provided preliminary data supporting the potential mechanistic role that gastrointestinal distress plays in connecting the gut-brain and the gut-gum pathways.

Contemporary concepts on periodontal complications from prosthetic and restorative therapies.

The clinical outcome of every prosthetic and restorative procedure depends on the maintenance of a healthy periodontium. It is, therefore, important that the prosthodontist and restorative dentist cause no harm or permanent damage to the underlying hard and soft tissues when performing clinical procedures necessary to carry out the planned treatment. Several factors involved in these procedures have been described to have an impact on gingival health. For the present article, a selection of four of these factors are presented with the goal of evaluating the current trends and their influence on periodontal structures: (1) tooth preparation configuration and apical extension, (2) gingival tissue sulcular expansion/retraction, (3) prosthetic contours, and (4) prosthesis marginal adaptation and the consequences of excess cement remnants. Based on the available scientific evidence and clinical experience, recommendations for the practitioner are given.

Periodontal Disease and Other Adverse Health Outcomes Share Risk Factors, including Dietary Factors and Vitamin D Status.

For nearly a century, researchers have associated periodontal disease (PD) with risks of other adverse health outcomes such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, and respiratory diseases, as well as adverse pregnancy outcomes. Those findings have led to the hypothesis that PD causes those adverse health outcomes either by increasing systemic inflammation or by the action of periodontopathic bacteria. However, experiments largely failed to support that hypothesis. Instead, the association is casual, not causal, and is due to shared underlying modifiable risk factors, including smoking, diet, obesity, low levels of physical activity, and low vitamin D status. Diabetes mellitus is also considered a risk factor for PD, whereas red and processed meat are the most important dietary risk factors for diabetes. Because PD generally develops before other adverse health outcomes, a diagnosis of PD can alert patients that they could reduce the risk of adverse health outcomes with lifestyle changes. In addition, type 2 diabetes mellitus can often be reversed rapidly by adopting an anti-inflammatory, nonhyperinsulinemic diet that emphasizes healthful, whole plant-based foods. This review describes the evidence that proinflammatory and prohyperinsulinemia diets and low vitamin D status are important risk factors for PD and other adverse health outcomes. We also make recommendations regarding dietary patterns, food groups, and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations. Oral health professionals should routinely inform patients with PD that they could reduce their risk of severe PD as well as the risks of many other adverse health outcomes by making appropriate lifestyle changes.

Evaluation of Clinical Periodontal Parameters of Abutment Teeth Supporting Distal-Extension Base Removable Partial Dentures: A Cross-sectional Study.

To assess the clinical periodontal status of abutment teeth in regards of different design components of distal-extension removable partial dentures. Subjects (N=100) with acrylic or cobalt-chromium distal-extension removable partial dentures were enrolled and their periodontal parameters plaque and gingival indices [PI, GI], probing depths [PD], clinical attachment loss [CAL] and a mobility index [MI] evaluated. Denture base type, major connector, occlusal rests position, design of direct retainers, retention, stability and denture wearing habits were further evaluated. Acrylic RPDs were associated with higher mean±SE PI [1.70±0.74], GI [1.76±0.55], PD scores [2.47±1.02 mm] and CAL values [4.46±2.11 mm] compared to CO-CR RPDs [p⟨0.05]. For abutments, the PI [1.6±0.83], GI [1.72±0.57], PD [2.32±1.03] and CAL [4.26±2.08] were higher than their non-abutments counterparts [p⟨0.05]. CAL scores were found to be significantly higher for mandibular abutments compared to maxillary ones [P=0.002]. The highest PI [1.83±1.10] and GI [2.00±0.00] scores were associated with lingual bars and horse-shoe connectors, respectively. Full palatal coverage and lingual plates were associated with the highest PD [2.80±0.48] and CAL [4.70±0.37] scores. Acrylic RPDs, type of major connector, wrought wire clasps and distal occlusal rests may be considered as risk factors for periodontal disease progression in distal-extension removable partial denture wearers.

Patterns and predictors of periodontal disease and tooth loss among users of smokeless tobacco.

BACKGROUND: Smokeless tobacco (SLT) products of several different types are widely used in several South Asian countries including Pakistan. These products are consumed in different forms and with different names. The study aims to determine adverse effects of the SLT consumption on periodontal tissues. METHODS: This cross sectional study was conducted in Karachi, Pakistan. It recruited 377 users of (SLT) with 231 males (61.3%) and 146 females (38.7%) of age 15 to 45 years. After obtaining informed consent, quantitative data were collected via a questionnaire followed by intra oral clinical examination to determine presence of periodontal diseases using community periodontal index (CPI). To determine the association between periodontal diseases and smokeless tobacco consumption habits, Chi Square test was conducted. RESULTS: Gingival recession (Class II-IV) (65.8%) was the most prevalent periodontal disease among SLT users. CPI score was high (CPI score 3 and 4) in 31.3% participants, whereas tooth loss was found in 21%. Among types of SLT products, gutka (28.6%) and betel quid (23.3%) were most commonly used. Using SLT for five or more years was found to be associated with a high CPI score, gingival recession (Class II-IV), moderate to severe tooth mobility, and presence of tooth loss. CONCLUSIONS: The study found statistically significant association between duration in years of using SLT and periodontal disease including gingival recession, tooth mobility and tooth loss. However, no significant results were found between retention during single use and frequency of SLT use per day. However, the link of these factors with the periodontal disease cannot be eliminated.