Identification of multiple strains of Porphyromonas gingivalis using heteroduplex polymerase chain reaction in varying severity of chronic periodontitis.

AIM: Research has demonstrated that there are multiple strains of Porphyromonas gingivalis with varying potency to cause periodontal disease. The current study aims at using heteroduplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect the strain diversity of P. gingivalis in periodontitis lesions of varying severity in a sample of the Indian population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Subgingival plaque samples were collected from 60 individuals with varying severity of chronic periodontitis and 30 individuals with a clinically healthy periodontium. The samples were subjected to PCR analysis to identify P. gingivalis, followed by heteroduplex analysis to identify the strain diversity in a given sample. Bacterial culture was carried out as a comparative standard. RESULTS: Of the 56 samples that were positive for P. gingivalis by PCR, 54 samples yielded eight different heteroduplex patterns. Analysis of these patterns indicated that two strains of P. gingivalis were present in 41 individuals (45.6%) and three strains were present in 13 individuals (14.4%). Detection of P. gingivalis by PCR was significantly more in the periodontitis group as compared to the healthy group. CONCLUSIONS: Species-specific PCR and heteroduplex analysis provide a simple and accurate method to analyse the strain diversity of P. gingivalis. P. gingivalis was detected in both healthy periodontal sites as well as sites with periodontitis. The presence of two or three P. gingivalis strains was seen in 60% of the samples.

Platelet-rich fibrin as an adjunct to palatal wound healing after harvesting a free gingival graft: A case series.

BACKGROUND: Owing to its stimulatory effect on angiogenesis and epithelialization, platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) is an excellent material for enhancing wound healing. The use of PRF dressings may be a simple and effective method of reducing the morbidity associated with donor sites of autogenous free gingival grafts (FGGs). The purpose of this case series is to document the beneficial role of PRF in the healing of FGG donor sites. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 18 patients treated with FGGs could be classified into two groups. PRF was prepared, compressed and used to dress the palatal wound followed by a periodontal pack in one group (10 patients) and only a periodontal pack was used in the other group (8 patients). Post-operative healing was assessed clinically at 7, 14 and 21 days and the morbidity was assessed qualitatively by an interview. RESULTS: Sites where PRF was used showed complete wound closure by 14 days and these patients reported lesser post-operative morbidity than patients in whom PRF was not used. CONCLUSIONS: PRF as a dressing is an effective method of enhancing the healing of the palatal donor site and consequently reducing the post-operative morbidity.

Post-operative morbidity following the use of the inverted periosteal graft: A case series.

Post-operative complications following flap surgeries or mucogingival procedures are important factors influencing patient's perception of periodontal procedures. Hence, it is important to foresee such complications and take adequate measures pre- and post-operatively. We treated five consecutive cases of gingival recession in the maxillary canine-premolar area using the inverted periosteal graft with a coronally positioned flap technique. Following each of these surgeries, the patients complained of post-operative swelling the next day involving the canine space or buccal space area. The swelling persisted for at least 5 days, however, it was painless. This paper highlights the post-operative complications associated with the said procedure and makes a case for detail enquiry in the form of controlled studies.

Rabbit as an animal model for experimental research.

Animal experimentation is carried out in consultation with the veterinary wing but it is essential that be familiar with experimental protocols of animal model to be able to design an approriate study. This is more so in place where the veterinary facilities are not easily available.Span Rabbits are commonly used as subjects for screening implant material. They have gained favour for their numerous advantages even though they should be ideally used prior to testing in a larger animal model. Though experimentation on rabbits seems to be easy there are many pitfalls. Our endeavor in this article is to integrate all the data about maintaining rabbits as a model and to critically analyze it on the basis of our experimentation.

Students' perceptions regarding educational environment in an Indian dental school.

BACKGROUND: As one of India's premier dental schools, the Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal, has striven to be in the forefront of dental education ever since its inception in 1965. But one of our main drawbacks has been the lack of students' perceptions about the educational atmosphere in our institution. AIM: (1) To understand the students' perceptions of the educational environment. (2) To compare the results with those of other dental/medical schools. METHODS: Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure (DREEM) was used to gather information about the environment in our institution. The same was administered to first year and final year students (63 each). RESULTS: The main area of convergence of both groups was that the social atmosphere was not very congenial. But the thought-provoking finding was that both groups felt that the teachers were authoritarian. CONCLUSION: The lack of congenial atmosphere in our institution seems to be due to the attitude of the course organizers.A need for makeover in attitudes and approach on the part of the teachers to make the learning experience more pleasant for the students was made obvious by this study.