Journal of Advanced Periodontology and Implant Dentistry
Volume:10 Issue: 1, Jun 2018

The present study investigated the relationship between certain periodontal variables and severity of disease in COPD patients.

The present cross-sectional study included 50 patients suffering from COPD. Lung function examination, forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), FEV1/FVC, SpO2, and Modified Medical Research Council (MMRC) Dyspnea Scale were performed. Periodontal clinical examination index included probing depth (PD), attachment loss (AL), gingival index (GI) and plaque index (PI). A quality of life validated index, the COPD assessment test (CAT index), was also calculated.

The FEV1 and FVC indices showed a significant negative correlation with PI and AL variables only. The COPD assessment test (CAT) index showed a significant but positive correlation with PI and AL variables only. The SpO2 index presented a significant negative correlation with GI and AL variables. The FEV1/FVC ratio was found to have a negative correlation with PD and AL variables. It is worth noting that MMRC exhibited no significant relationship with any of the periodontal variables. The only variable that was significantly different (P=0.022) among the three smoking groups was the FVC index. The FVC value was significantly higher in the group of subjects who smoked more than 10 cigarettes per day versus the non-smoking group (P=0.017).

Based on the findings of this study, in view of the relationship between periodontal variables and respiratory indices in the course of COPD, early treatment of periodontal diseases, might considerably reduce the severity of COPD

The present study aimed to determine the association between periodontal disease and the Th17/Treg balance by examining the genetic expression of IL-17 and TGF-β, which influence incidence and suppression of inflammation.

In this case-control study, samples were collected in a randomized and task-oriented order. Thirty-seven patients referred to professional periodontology clinics in Mashhad and the Periodontology Department of the Mashhad Dentistry Faculty for periodontal (case) or crown-length (control) surgery was enrolled. IL-17 and TGF-β gene expression indices were measured in tissue samples by real-time polymerase chain reaction.

The IL-17 gene expression index was higher in the case group (2.68±0.91) than in the control group (1.68±0.41), but this difference was not significant. The TGF-β gene expression index was significantly higher in the case group (54.42±7.88) than in the control group (24.12±3.38).

L-17 and TGF-β expression is increased in chronic periodontitis patients, but TGF-β plays a more important role in periodontal inflammation in patients with chronic periodontitis. Further studies of the roles of Th17 and Treg cells are warranted.

 Several studies have shown the association between periodontitis and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and some similarities in the pathogenesis of these two diseases but clinical trials which have evaluated the effect of periodontal therapy on clinical signs of active RA are scarce, particularly in Iran. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of non-surgical periodontal treatment on the improvement of clinical signs of patients with RA.

Fifty-six patients with active RA and generalized moderate-to-severe chronic periodontitis were selected and divided into case (periodontal treatment) and control (without periodontal treatment) groups. Periodontal parameters and RA disease activity scores (DAS28 index) were compared at 6- and 12-week intervals.

In the case group, a significant reduction in all the periodontal indices was observed 6 weeks after treatment. At the 12-week evaluation, periodontal indices showed a significant reduction in comparison with baseline and a little increase in comparison with 6-week interval. Six weeks after treatment, DAS28 decreased significantly in the case group (P<0.05). DAS28 also decreased at 12-week interval but its reduction was not significant in comparison with 6-week interval. DAS28 in the case group at 12-week interval was significantly less than that in the control group (P<0.05).

Since periodontal care as a part of treatment protocol in RA patients can be effective in improving clinical signs, the recall intervals are better to be 3 months or shorter.

 Albumin is a protein whose serum levels decrease in inflammatory conditions such as periodontal diseases. This study was undertaken to evaluate changes in serum albumin levels in patients with and without periodontal diseases prior and subsequent to non-surgical periodontal treatment and its relationship with clinical parameters of periodontal disease.

 Twenty patients diagnosed as having chronic periodontitis and 20 periodontally healthy subjects, referring to Tabriz Faculty of Dentistry, were selected. Serum albumin levels and clinical variables of periodontal disease (probing pocket depth, gingival index, bleeding index, clinical attachment level and plaque index) were determined before treatment and three months subsequent to non-surgical periodontal treatment. Data were subjected to descriptive statistical analyses (mean ± SD). Serum levels of albumin and clinical parameters were compared between the two groups with independent-samples t-test. Paired-samples t-test was applied to compare the variables before and after treatment in the case group. Statistical significance was defined at P<0.05.

The mean serum albumin level of chronic periodontitis patients (3.62±0.11 mg/dL) exhibited a significantly lower value compared to subjects who were periodontally healthy (4.17±0.29 mg/dL), with the serum albumin levels increasing significantly three months postoperatively (3.78±0.33 mg/dL), approaching the level in subjects who were periodontally healthy (P<0.05).

Decreases and increases in serum albumin levels under the effect of periodontal disease and its treatment indicated an inverse relationship between the albumin levels of serum and chronic periodontitis.

 The effect of keratinized tissue width on the peri-implant health has not been well elucidated. The results of previous studies on this topic are controversial and the role of keratinized tissue width in the long-term success of dental implants has not been confirmed. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the correlation of keratinized tissue width with periodontal indices around implant-supported fixed partial dentures (FPDs).

This cross-sectional study evaluated 73 implants. Patients underwent periodontal examinations, including measurement of plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), clinical probing depth (PD), bleeding on probing (BOP), marginal gingival recession, keratinized mucosa width and radiographic marginal bone level. Data were analyzed using SPSS.

The mean GI, PI and marginal gingival recession around implants with <2 mm width of keratinized gingiva were greater than the corresponding values around implants with keratinized tissue width of ≥2 mm. However, this difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05). No significant differences were noted in PD and radiographic marginal bone level between the two implant groups with keratinized tissue width <2 mm and ≥2 mm. Thus, no correlation was found between the keratinized tissue width and the measured indices.

Although this study did not show a significant correlation between the keratinized tissue width and peri-implant tissue health and consequently the implant success rate, long-term interventional studies are required to make a final judgment in this respect.

Changes in women’s hormonal levels in different periods of their lives, such as puberty, menses, pregnancy, menopause and oral contraceptive use, affect periodontal health. Periodontal status has been associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Subsequently, it is important for obstetricians to be aware of the effects of hormones on women's oral health. The current study assessed obstetricians’ awareness about the effect of female sex hormones on periodontium in Yazd in 2016.

A cross-sectional study was conducted using a self-administered, structured questionnaire. Prior to the study, a questionnaire was pre-tested and validated (ICC=0.89). The questionnaire was randomly distributed among 40 obstetricians in Yazd. Data were analyzed with chi-squared test, t-test and ANOVA and Spearman's correlation coefficient, using SPSS 18.

There were no significant relationships between awareness level and the age (P=-0.252), years of practice and experience (P=-0.030) or practicing in public medical centers (P=0.121).

As women have special periodontal health care considerations due to fluctuations in the levels of their sex hormones, this study suggests that promotion of oral health awareness among obstetricians is necessary to improve women's overall health, especially during pregnancy.

 Splinting of teeth is performed for effective distribution of loads in mobile teeth and to lower the stress applied to compromised teeth. Biomechanics cannot adequately explain load distribution around natural teeth. This study aimed to compare the distribution pattern and magnitude of stress and strain around splinted and non-splinted teeth with compromised periodontium using three-dimensional (3D) finite element analysis (FEA).

Six mandibular anterior teeth were scanned and data were registered in CATIA® and then SolidWorks® software programs. The jawbone was also designed. In the second model, the teeth were splinted with fiber-reinforced composite (FRC). The models were then transferred to ANSYS® software program and after meshing and fixing, 100- and 200-N loads were applied at zero and 30° angles. The magnitude and distribution of stress and strain in the periodontal ligament (PDL) and the surrounding cortical bone were determined.

A significant reduction in stress was noted in cortical bone around central and lateral incisors while an increase in stress was noted around the canine tooth after splinting. All these changes were more significant under 100-N load compared to 200-N load and greater differences were noted in response to the application of oblique loads compared to vertical loads.

Splinting decreased the magnitude of stress and strain in teeth close to the center of splint and increased the stress and strain in teeth far from the center of splint. Adequate bone support of canine teeth must be ensured prior to selection of splinting as the treatment plan for the anterior mandible since it increases the longevity of all the teeth.