Mobile Application-Based Support for Periodontal Treatment Improves Clinical, Cognitive, and Psychomotor Outcomes: A Randomized Controlled Trial Study.

This study aims to evaluate the clinical, cognitive, and psychomotor changes that emerged among patients with gingivitis and patients with periodontitis via mobile application assistance. Forty subjects were randomly and evenly distributed into test and control groups and were administered a professional mechanical plaque removal (PMPR) procedure. The clinical parameters examined were bleeding on probing (BoP), probing pocket depth (PPD), and the oral hygiene index (OHI-S). The test group was administered a mobile application intervention, namely PerioUICare, which provided users with continuous education and motivation and served as a daily dental hygiene reminder. The comparative results of the mean values of all parameters between the groups (inter-group) and within the groups (intra-group) after one- and three-month evaluations were analyzed. A one-month inter-group evaluation uncovered significant differences in the BoP, PPD, cognitive, and psychomotor scores of subjects with gingivitis and the BoP, OHI-S, cognitive, and psychomotor scores of subjects with periodontitis. A three-month inter-group evaluation revealed significant differences across all parameters except for PPD in subjects with periodontitis. The results of the intra-group comparison demonstrated statistically significant differences in all parameters in the test group but no significant differences in the cognitive and psychomotor scores of the control group. This study revealed that mobile application-based support for periodontal treatment can be considered effective.

Immunoglobulin G Levels in the Gingival Crevicular Fluid of Menopausal Patients with Periodontitis

Abstract Objective: To measure the level of immunoglobulin G (IgG) in the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF). Material and Methods: A total of 158 patients aged >45 years were examined for periodontitis and interviewed regarding their menopausal status. The non-menopause group entailed female patients with periodontitis without menopause (n=23). The menopause group included females who stopped menstruating since >1 year, had a pocket depth of 4-5 mm, and did not have other systemic conditions (n=40). Samples were selected based on periodontal and menopausal status. In total, 63 samples of GCF were collected from the participants and tested using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit for IgG. Results: The median level of IgG in the menopause group was 39.50 (g/mL, whereas that of the non-menopause group was 41.08 (g/mL. There was a positive correlation between the plaque index and IgG level in both groups. In contrast, there was a negative correlation between age and IgG level. However, there was no correlation between plaque index and age regarding the IgG level in both groups (p>0.05). Conclusion: The IgG levels in the menopause group were lower than those in the non-menopause group. As such, menopausal females should take great care of their overall health, including the periodontium.

Evaluation of Alveolar Bone on Dental Implant Treatment using Cone Beam Computed Tomography

Objective: To observe the outcomes of dental implant treatment based on the evaluation of bone conditions using Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT). Material and Methods: A total of 31 dental implants were collected for the present study. Subsequently, mesial and distal bone losses were examined, while buccal and lingual bone thickness were measured at 7 levels. Evaluation and interpretation of CBCT results was performed by 3 independent examiners. Results: The average of mesial bone loss was 1.08 mm and 1.36 mm on distal bone. Every dental implant had lingual/palatal bone on level 1 to 3, only 1 (6.5%) didn't have bone on level 4, 3 implants (9.7%) had no bone at level 5 and 6, and 22 implants (74.2%) had no bone at level 7/implant platform. There were 8 implants (25.8%) didn't have buccal bone at level 7, only 1 implant (3.2%) didn't have buccal bone at level 2,4,5 and 6, and there were 2 implants (6.5%) had no buccal bone on level 3. Dehiscence / fenestration can be seen on 90% of the implant subjects. Conclusion: These bone loss condition could be consequence of several factors such as infection, diagnosis, treatment plan, and operator's surgery skills. The implants that placed without CBCT could lead to operator miscalculation on bone condition, therefore in moderate to advanced cases, the use of CBCT should be mandatory for treatment plan.

Expression of Osteopontin mRNA During Periodontal Healing Following Scaling and Root Planing

Objective: To analyze osteopontin mRNA expression levels in subjects with periodontitis prior to (baseline) and 7, 14, and 28 days following scaling and root planing (SRP). Material and Methods: Gingival crevicular fluid was collected as clinical samples from four subjects with periodontitis (pocket depth, 4-5 mm) aged 35-54 years old as well as from three healthy subjects (controls). The osteopontin mRNA expression levels were measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Spearman's rank correlation between osteopontin levels in gingival crevicular fluid and the modified gingival index (MGI) was also performed. Results: The Wilcoxon signed-rank test showed no significant difference in osteopontin mRNA expression levels between baseline and 28 days following SRP (p=0.068). The Friedman test showed no significant difference in osteopontin mRNA expression levels between baseline and following SRP (7, 14, or 28 days) (p>0.05). Spearman's rank correlation showed no significant correlation between osteopontin mRNA expression levels and MGI (r=0.087; p=0.749). Conclusion: Following SRP of periodontal tissue, there was a decreasing trend in osteopontin mRNA expression; however, this finding was not statistically significant. Nevertheless, osteopontin can be used as a biomarker to monitor the healing process; however, further studies are required to clarify our results.

Scaling and Root Planing Effect to mRNA Expression of Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 and Periodontal Clinical Parameters on Chronic Periodontitis

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the relationship between the mRNA transcription level of Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and the selected clinical periodontal healing at one month of scaling and root planing. Material and Methods: A total of six chronic periodontitis patients and one periodontally healthy subject were recruited. The gingival crevicular fluid was collected from all subjects, and the expression level of MMP-9 mRNA was measured by quantitative real-time PCR. Pocket depth, papilla bleeding index, and clinical attachment loss were measured on day 1 at baseline and day 30. Scaling and root planing was performed on day 1. Data were analyzed using SPSS 22.0 software Results: In comparison to the control, periodontal clinical parameters in the treatment group were significantly reduced after scaling and root planing. MMP-9 mRNA expression did not show a significant change after the 30th day. A weak correlation was noted between the MMP-9 mRNA transcription level and the changed PBI measurement Conclusion: Scaling and root planing is clinically effective for chronic periodontitis with a 4-6 mm pocket, whereas the expression of MMP-9 mRNA was not altered. Further studies with a more extended observation period are needed to confirm or reject the present findings.

The Relevance of Root's Convergence with Trauma from Occlusion.

BACKGROUND: The relevance of root's convergence with trauma from occlusion has not been widely studied. Anatomically, alveolar bone support can be divided into several levels. The root which is convergent gives a critical mass of alveolar bone support to the teeth so that it is inadequate to stabilize the tooth. AIMS: The purpose of the study is to observe the relevance of root's convergence with traumatic from occlusion. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This was an observational retrospective design. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Samples in this study consist of periapical radiograph of the maxillary and mandibular first molar teeth from the patients with periodontitis, which are aggravated with trauma from occlusion. For the root's convergence measurement, we use a line on the outer edge of the mesial, distal, occlusal, and apical planes of the tooth. To get the cutoff point of the root convergence value, receiver operating characteristic-curve test is performed. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Spearman test results, based on the analysis of gingival recession and loss of attachment, indicating that each increase of root convergence value will be followed by a decrease of attachment. CONCLUSIONS: Tooth which has a convergent/very convergent root contour can contribute to trauma from occlusion.