Comparison of salivary Visfatin in patients with periodontitis and peri-implantitis in an Iranian population

Background. Visfatin (pre-B-cell colony-enhancing factor) is a salivary biomarker secreted from a variety of cells and is thought to have some proinflammatory and immune-modulating effects. This study compared salivary concentrations of visfatin in patients with chronic periodontitis and periimplantitis and healthy individuals. Methods. In this cross-sectional and descriptive trial, patients were selected on the basis of inclusion and exclusion criteria. The whole saliva samples were collected; then according to the measured clinical parameters the patients were categorized to peri-, chronic periodontitis and periodontally healthy individuals. The concentrations of visfatin were evaluated using a standard ELISA kit. The salivary concentrations of visfatin were statistically analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis test. A probability value of less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results. A total of 40 participants (21 females and 19 males) were enrolled in this study. The mean salivary visfatin concentrations in the periodontally healthy individuals, periimplantitis patients and chronic periodontitis patients were 23.97 ng/mL, 12.83 ng/mL and 11.95 ng/mL, respectively. However; visfatin levels were higher in healthy individuals compared to other groups No significant differences were found in salivary visfatin concentrations between the three groups. Conclusion. Under the limitations of this study, no significant relationships were found regarding salivary concentrations of visfatin among periimplantitis and chronic periodontitis patients as compared to healthy individuals; however, more studies are required in this regard.

Surgical reconstruction of lost papilla around implant with a modified technique: A case report

This case report describes the clinical application of the coronally advanced flap procedure associated with the subepithelial connective tissue pedicle graft with palatal tunneling for the reconstruction of interproximal papillae. In this modified technique the distal end of the pedicle graft was divided into two parts, creating a bifid, which were then placed around the abutment and sutured on the facial aspect. This technique resulted in the filling up of the entire black triangle, coverage of gingival recessions on adjacent teeth, a significant improvement in the emergence profile of the implant-supported restoration, and obvious esthetic improvement

Designing and Evaluation of a Professional Iranian Software Package for Electronic Medical Record Documentation of Patients Referred to Periodontics Departments

Background. This project aimed to design, develop and evaluate an integrated professional software package for filing the medical records of patients referred to periodontics departments. The software was intended to provide a range of features, including the availability of voice commands and retrieval of patient information based on different indices and characteristics. Methods. The overall percentage of satisfaction with the software was 90%. Moreover, 86.66% of the respondents preferred digital dental records to conventional records. Satisfaction in the reduced time of information registration and the advanced search options and availability of voice commands were 84% and 100%, respectively. Results. The overall percentage of satisfaction with the software was 90%. Moreover, 86.66% of the respondents preferred digital dental records to conventional records. Satisfaction in the reduced time of information registration and the advanced search options and availability of voice commands were 84% and 100%, respectively. Conclusion. According to the users' opinions, different features of the software, availability of voice commands and advanced search options, facilitated its use and decreased the timerequired for filing medical records. These features increased the users’ interest in the software

Awareness and knowledge of patients toward dental implants as an option in replacing missing teeth: A survey in Kerman, Iran

Background. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the level, sources and quality of information on implant treatment as an option for replacement of missing teeth, among a selected sample of dental patients in Kerman, Iran. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 305 subjects who attended the 6 main dental clinics in Kerman, Iran during January and February 2014. A standardized self-administered closed-ended questionnaire, pretested through a pilot survey, was used in the study. The questionnaires were distributed among the subjects during their regular dental visits. Data obtained from the questionnaires were scored and analyzed with SPSS 16.0. Results. The results showed that 76.7% of the subjects had heard about dental implant as a treatment modality. Regarding dental implants, dentists were the main source of information (40.7%), followed by the relatives and friends (17.0%). Lack of precise knowledge about implant therapy was the major factor preventing the subjects from choosing this kind of treatment in 35.7% of the subjects and the high cost of implant procedure (31.5%) was the second obstacle. Concerning the subjects’ opinion about the quality of implant therapy, 73.1% of the subjects indicated "excellent" or "good" and just 14.1% of them mentioned "poor" or "very poor" option. Conclusion. The results of this survey showed that the majority of the participants were aware about dental implants as an option for replacing missing teeth. It also showed the important role of dentists in providing accurate information for the patients about this treatment option.

Guidelines for Optimizing Outcomes with Immediate Molar Implant Placement

This paper is a follow-up to our recent literature review of outcomes with immediate molar implants and summarizes considerations used by various highly experienced clinical investigators to achieve acceptable survival rates. The surgeon’s skills and experience, proper case selection and specific modifications in osteotomy preparation all are crucial in avoiding intra- and extra-operative complications and implant failure.

Evaluating Salivary Alkaline Phosphatase Levels as a Biochemical Marker of Periodontal Disease in Periodontal Patients in a Tertiary Hospital in Nigeria

Background and aims. Traditional methods of diagnosing periodontal diseases have their limitations, which include inability to provide information about the recent activity of the disease and difficulty in diagnosing the disease at an early stage when clinical changes have not started. This has necessitated the use of biomarkers designed to overcome these shortcomings. Materials and methods. A cross-sectional investigation was conducted among three groups of 27 participants each to assess the level of salivary alkaline phosphatase (SALP). The groups consisted of a control group (healthy) and two test groups (gingivitis and periodontitis). Saliva samples were collected and spectrophotometric analyses were carried out. Results. The highest mean SALP level (87.78 U/L) was found in group III, followed by group II (73.56 U/L), with group I exhibiting the least (38.89 U/L). The differences in the mean SALP between groups I and II, II and III, and I and III were statistically significant. Correlation between periodontal pockets depth and mean SALP was significant in group III. Conclusion. Variations in mean SALP levels among subjects with different periodontal conditions showed that mean SALP can differentiate various degrees of periodontal conditions and therefore has the potential to be used as a biochemical marker for periodontal disease.

Evaluation of Relationship between Streptococcus mutans, Dental Caries and IL-1α and IL-6

Background and aims. Streptococcus mutans is an important species in oral microflora and its components have been found to stimulate production of proinflammatory cytokines in dental caries. The aim of this study was to evaluate proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1α and IL-6) in patients with S. mutans. Materials and methods. Seventy samples were selected during pulpectomy and investigated for the presence of IL-1α and IL-6 by ELISA. The results were analyzed by t-test (α = 0.05). Results. The results showed higher mean concentrations of IL-6 and IL-1a in inflamed pulpal tissues in subjects with dental caries associated with S. mutans, compared with intact pulpal tissue samples; these higher means were statistically significant in all cases (P<0.05). Conclusion. The results of this study suggested relations between the production of IL1-a and IL-6 in dental caries caused by S. mutans.

Rehabilitation of Lower Anterior Teeth with Implant Therapy in Localized Aggressive Periodontitis

Periodontitis is the most common, destructive, inflammatory diseases of supporting tissues of the teeth in humans, with profound effects on general health. Aggressive periodontitis (AgP) comprises a rare, rapidly progressing form of periodontitis, characterized by severe destruction of periodontal attachment apparatus and tooth loss at an early age. Considering the psychological problems which these patients have during the early stages of their life, the chief aim of the treatment is to achieve functional, esthetic, and phonetic rehabilitation. Dental implant is a widely used treatment option that provides functional and esthetic resolution. Implant placement in patients with a history of AP might be considered a viable option to restore oral function; however, the risk for implant failure is significantly higher. This report presents rehabilitation of lower anterior teeth with implant therapy in a 24-year-old systemically healthy male with a history of localized AP, who had previously received complete periodontal therapy for periodontal stabilization

Knowledge and Attitude of Iranian Dentists towards Peri-implant Diseases

Background. Despite successful results of implant therapy, complications occasionally occur in challenging situations.Apart from academic courses for implantology, dental associations also offer training courses for general practitioners.We sought to assess dentists' attitude towards peri-implant diseases. Methods. The subjects in thisquestionnaire-based cross-sectional study consisted of dentists participating in the annual congress of the Iranian Dental Association in 2013, whose knowledge and attitudes towards peri-implant diseases were assessed using a five-section questionnaire (implant therapy training, peri-implant soft tissue assessment, peri-implant diseases and treatment planning for peri-implant diseases). Data were analyzedwith SPSS 22, using descriptive and analytical methods. Results. The results showed that due to extensive placement of implants and high prevalence of complications, academic and organized training courses are essential. Conclusion. The results showed that due to extensive placement of implants and high prevalence of complications, academic and organized training courses are essential.

Effect of local and systemic inflammation on gingival mesenchymal stem cells

Background. The present study was undertaken to determine the effect of local and systemic inflammation on the quantity and localization of gingival mesenchymal stem cells (gMSCs). Methods. Gingival samples were collected from 34 systemically healthy (group 1) and 10 consenting adult patients with type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM) (group 2), who had reported for various dental treatments, requiring excision of gingival tissues as part thereof. The tissue samples were further stratified into three categories: healthy gingiva, gingivitis-affected and periodontitis-affected. Samples mounted on slides were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&amp;amp;E) while CD105 antibody was used for immunohistochemistry staining. Immuno-positive cells were identified as gMSCs. Three gMSCpopulated areas in each sample were selected to determine the density of gMSCs. Results. The density of gMSCs was significantly higher (P<0.05) in sections of gingival tissues affected by gingivitis and periodontitis compared to those of normal gingiva. However, there were no significant differences in the densities of gMSCs in tissues of patients with T2DM and those of healthy subjects. Conclusion. Local inflammatory status appeared to increase the density of gMSCs. In the presence of periodontitis, an added low-grade systemic inflammation (T2DM) did not appear to affect the density of gMSCs.