Effect of periodontal disease on electromyographic activity of muscles of mastication: A cross-sectional study.

AIM: This study aims to compare surface electromyographic activities (EMG) of four muscles, that is anterior temporalis (AT), masseter (MST), sternocleidomastoid (SCM) and anterior belly of digastric (ABD), between chronic periodontitis patients and periodontally healthy individuals as well as to correlate these EMG findings with periodontal parameters. METHODS: Thirty chronic periodontitis patients were recruited in Group I and 30 periodontally healthy individuals in Group II. Clenching and resting EMG for 4 muscles (AT, MST, SCM and ABD) were recorded for each participant. These EMG values were compared between the groups and correlated with periodontal parameters (plaque index, modified sulcular bleeding index, probing depth and clinical attachment loss). RESULTS: Resting EMG (rEMG) showed no significant difference between the groups for any muscle. Clenching EMG (cEMG) values were significantly lower in Group I than Group II for AT and MST (P = .001), but not so for SCM and ABD. Within Group I, AT and MST showed a significant negative correlation of cEMG with probing depth and clinical attachment loss (P < .05). CONCLUSION: Electrical muscle activities of AT and MST are lower in chronic periodontitis than periodontally healthy individuals.

Effect of low-level laser therapy on wound healing after depigmentation procedure: A clinical study.

AIM: The aim of the present study is to evaluate and compare the effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on wound healing after depigmentation procedure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, 12 patients with bilateral melanin hyperpigmentation were treated with surgical stripping using a blade. After completion of the surgical process and bleeding stasis, any of the symmetrical surgical sites was randomly assigned for LLLT (test site) using a defocused diode laser at 1 mm distance for 5 min. After every laser exposure, the surgical site was coated with plaque disclosing solution (erythrosine) on the 3(rd), 7(th), and 15(th) day. A photograph of the surgical site was taken using a Digital SLR Camera, which was placed at 30 cm distance at 55 mm zoom, 1/100 shutter speed, f 14 aperture size, and ISO 4000 with a ring flash. The area of the stained parts of the photographs was evaluated using image analysis software. RESULTS: At day 3, test site showed 1.26 ± 0.23 mm(2) and control site showed 1.45 ± 0.21 mm(2) stain uptake by the tissue which was statistically significant. At day 7 and day 15, the test sites exhibited 1.24 ± 0.30 mm(2) and 1.12 ± 0.25 mm(2) stain uptake, whereas the control site showed 1.37 ± 25 mm(2) and 1.29 ± 0.28 mm(2) staining, respectively, which were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of this study, the findings revealed that LLLT promotes wound healing after depigmentation procedure until the 3(rd) day. On the 7(th) and 15(th) day, the difference in healing was not statistically significant.