Microbial biofilms are mainly implicated in etiopathogenesis of caries and periodontal disease. Owing to its properties, these pose great challenges. Continuous and regular disruption of these biofilms is imperative for prevention and management of oral diseases. This essay provides a detailed insight into properties, mechanisms of etiopathogenesis, detection and removal of these microbial biofilms.

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Background: This study was carried out to investigate the effectiveness of a propolis-containing mouthrinse in inhibition of plaque formation and improvement of gingival health. Materials and Methods: Thirty subjects were selected and randomly assigned into three groups of ten subjects each, which received a propolis-containing mouthrinse, or a negative control (Saline) or a positive control (Chlorhexidine 0.2%). Plaque index and gingival index were assessed at baseline and at a five-day interval. Results: Chlorhexidine mouthwash was found to be better than propolis and saline in inhibiting plaque formation. Propolis was found to be only marginally better than chlorhexidine in improving gingival scores. Conclusion : The present study suggests that propolis might be used as a natural mouthwash, an alternative to chemical mouthwashes, e.g., chlorhexidine. Further, long term trials are required for more accurate data and any conclusive evidence.

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Gingival melanin pigmentation occurs in all races of mankind. Although clinical melanin pigmentation does neither present itself as a medical problem nor a disease entity, it is a major esthetic concern for many people, especially Asians. Esthetic gingival depigmentation procedures can be performed in such patients with excellent results. This case series presents a split mouth de-epithelization procedure using popular surgical techniques such as scalpel, bur abrasion or electrosurgery. These techniques were successfully used to treat gingival hyperpigmentation. Although we found that electrosurgery increased the efficacy of our work, giving a cleaner and neater work field, it required a lot of precision. In contrast, scalpel de-epithelization was easy and technique-friendly, giving excellent results and patient satisfaction. However, the cases are being followed-up to study the factors affecting the rate and length of time required for repigmentation and to study the repigmentation patterns. This case series also reviews the advantages and disadvantages of various techniques available for depigmentation, and reiterates that the scalpel technique still serves as a gold standard for depigmentation.

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Background: Chronic periodontitis is an inflammatory disorder caused by dental plaque having mixed microbial flora. The different treatment modalities available to treat this disease are aimed at removal of micro-organisms from both hard and soft tissues. Systemic as well as local anti-microbial agents are helpful adjuncts in reducing microbes especially in inaccessible areas along with mechanical debridement therapy. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted in a split mouth design. Thirty-five patients having at least two non-adjacent sites in different quadrants with periodontal pockets ≥5 mm and with bleeding on probing at initial visit were selected. The selected sites were treated with both scaling and root planing plus tetracycline fibers or with scaling and root planing alone. Baseline and follow-up measurements included plaque index, gingival index, probing pocket depth, and clinical attachment level. Result: Both treatment modalities were affective in improving clinical parameters over three months' observation period. The combined antimicrobial and mechanical debridement therapy has shown better results as compared with scaling and root planing alone. Conclusion: Application of tetracycline in modified collagen matrix following scaling and root planing might be beneficial in treatment of chronic periodontitis and improving periodontal parameters for 3-month duration.

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Periodontal disease is a chronic microbial infection that triggers inflammation-mediated loss of the periodontal ligament and alveolar bone that supports the teeth. Because of the increasing prevalence and associated comorbidities, there is a need for the development of new diagnostic tests that can detect the presence of active disease, predict future disease progression, and evaluate the response to periodontal therapy, thereby improving the clinical management of periodontal patients. The diagnosis of active phases of periodontal disease and the identification of patients at risk for active disease represent challenges for clinical investigators and practitioners. Advances in diagnostic research are moving toward methods whereby the periodontal risk can be identified and quantified by objective measures using biomarkers. Patients with periodontitis may have elevated circulating levels of specific inflammatory markers that can be correlated to the severity of the disease. Advances in the use of oral fluids as possible biological samples for objective measures of the current disease state, treatment monitoring, and prognostic indicators have boosted saliva- and other oral-based fluids to the forefront of technology. Gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) is an inflammatory exudate that can be collected at the gingival margin or within the gingival crevice. This article highlights recent advances in the use of biomarker-based disease diagnostics that focus on the identification of active periodontal disease from plaque biofilms, GCF, and saliva.

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Objectives: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate and compare the relationship between the levels of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and saliva, both clinically and biochemically, in patients with and without chronic periodontitis. Materials and Methods: For this study, 36 patients (12 male, 24 female) were selected in the age range of 18-60 years (mean, 32.7±11.1 years). The subjects were assigned to three groups, which included Group I (control), Group II (chronic periodontitis with probing depth PD <5 mm), and Group III (chronic periodontitis with PD ≥5 mm). Clinical parameters included plaque index, gingival index, sulcus bleeding index, PD, and clinical attachment level. The GCF samples were taken by using the capillary tubes whereas saliva was collected by the suction method. The levels of HGF in GCF and in saliva were estimated using an enzyme linked immunosorbant assay reader. Results: There was a significant correlation in the levels of HGF in GCF and in saliva of patients with and without chronic periodontitis. The results also indicated that the HGF levels in GCF and saliva correlated well with the clinical parameters and with the severity of the periodontal disease. Conclusion: Both GCF and saliva can be used to estimate the levels of HGF and thus may be regarded as a novel marker for periodontal disease activity.

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Context: Controlled local delivery of disinfecting agents has been demonstrated to be efficient in improving the outcome of periodontal therapy. Aims: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of a controlled-release biodegradable chlorhexidine chip (Periocol CG) when used as an adjunct to scaling and root planing in the treatment of periodontitis. Settings and Design: The study was carried out as randomized controlled two-group parallel clinical trial. Materials and Methods: Forty patients in the age group of 30-65 years suffering from mild to moderate chronic periodontitis, having pocket depth ranging between 5 and 8 mm, were selected for the study. At the screening visit, complete history taking, periodontal examination and full-mouth supragingival scaling was carried out for each patient. At the baseline visit (on the 7 ^th day), all clinical parameters and radiographic parameters were recorded at selected sites and patients were randomly assigned to either the control group (group A) or the treatment group (group B). All patients in both the groups received complete subgingival scaling and root planing. Then, in group B, chlorhexidine chip (Periocol CG) was inserted at the selected site. Patients were recalled at 1 month, 2 months and 3 months from the baseline for recording clinical observations, and radiographic parameters were recorded at the end of the study. Statistical Analysis: Mean, standard deviation, Chi-square test, " t" test for equality of means and paired samples correlations were used. Results: There was a statistically significant clinical attachment gain, reduction in bleeding index scores, probing pocket depth reduction and bone gain in both the groups, but group B showed better results than group A, and these differences were statistically significant. Conclusions: The results of this study show that chlorhexidine chip (PerioCol-CG) is an effective adjunctive therapy to scaling and root planing in the treatment of chronic periodontitis.

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Background: This paper presents the prevalence and severity of periodontal disease in a given population of West Bengal and its relationship with their age, sex, socioeconomic status, educational background, and dietary habits. Also, the treatment needs on the basis of Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs (CPITN), which might be helpful for future planning of dental services. Materials and Methods: A sample of 22,452 individuals aged 15 years and above was selected using a random cluster sampling from the population. All the subjects sampled were weighed by age, sex, community, income group, educational level, diet pattern, and habitation. The WHO CPITN was used to assess the levels of periodontal condition and treatment needs. Results: Score 2 was most prevalent in all the groups. Periodontal disease is widespread in West Bengal and a positive relation appears to exist between age, sex, socio-economic status, education level, and dietary habits with periodontal status. Comprehensive oral hygiene instruction and dental prophylaxis need to be initiated. Conclusion: The data on periodontal conditions presented in this study are similar to data available from WHO on global oral health. These estimates are important for the future planning of dental services in the state.

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Esthetic demands in today's world of dentistry are scaling new heights, and are driven by the zest to look beautiful. The soft tissue esthetics around implants is the foci of attention, which, if failed to meet, leads to unacceptable esthetic failure. The aim of this article is to give a brief overview of the various vital parameters influencing the esthetics governing the peri-implant area.

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A male patient of 21 years of age reported to the Department of Periodontology and Implantology with a chief complain of pus discharge in both right and left upper lateral incisors. On clinical examination a deep pocket of about 10-14 mm was noticed in both lateral incisors. Radiographic interpretation shows a teardrop-shaped radiolucency in both the laterals giving suspicion of palatogingival groove, which was later discovered and treated surgically.

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Background: The purpose of this study was to quantify some clinical parameters useful as esthetic guidelines when gingival contour is modified and to compare the left and right sides of six maxillary anterior teeth. Materials and Methods: Maxillary casts mounted on an articulator according to the axis orbital plane were photographed from 35 young adults. The angle formed between the gingival line and maxillary midline (GLA) and the distance between the gingival zenith of the lateral incisor and the gingival line were measured (LID) using a flexible protractor and digital vernier caliper, respectively. The asymmetry was evaluated using a paired t test for the left vs right measurements of GLA and LID. The descriptive statistics for GLA and LID were calculated. Results: The GLA measurements of the left side (86.7΀΁4.2΀) were significantly greater than those of the right side (84.6΀΁5.4΀), and the mean absolute symmetry for GLA was 1.7΀΁4.4΀. The mean LID measurement was 0.92΁0.11. Conclusions: The gingival zenith of the canine is apical to the gingival zenith of the incisors (GLA <90΀) and the gingival zenith of the lateral incisor is below or on (17%) the gingival line when head is oriented on the axis orbital plane. A directional asymmetry was shown with the right side higher than the left side. Along with the other parameters related to dental esthetics, these clinical parameters may serve as esthetic guidelines and may enable us to obtain a more predictable outcome.

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Turner's syndrome is a disorder in females characterized by the absence of all or part of a normal second sex chromosome. It is typically characterized by the combination of physical features and cytogenetics in females. Physical features include short stature, primary amenorrhea, hypogonadism, low hair line at the back of the neck, and digital anomalies. Most affected patients have a 45XO monosomy, but the presence of an abnormal chromosome or mosaicism of 45X with another cell line can also fulfill the criteria. Features seen in the oral cavity of patients diagnosed with Turner's syndrome include high palatal vault, hypoplastic mandible, prematurely erupting teeth, and orthodontic anomalies. A case of Turner's syndrome with localized aggressive periodontitis has been reported here.

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The success of a combined periodontal and endodontic lesion depends on the elimination of both of these disease processes. In the case of a combined endo-perio lesion, the endodontic therapy results in healing of the endodontic component of involvement while the prognosis of tooth would finally depend on the healing of the periodontal structures. This case report evaluates the efficacy of bioactive glass in the management of furcation defect associated with an endo-perio lesion in a right mandibular first molar. A 22-year-old male patient with an endo-perio lesion in the right mandibular first molar was initially treated with endodontic therapy. Following the endodontic treatment, the furcation defect was treated using bioactive glass in a putty form. At the end of 9 months, there was a gain in the clinical attachment level and reduction in probing depth. Radiographic evidence showed that there was a significant bony fill.

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Aims: To evaluate neutrophil myeloperoxidase (MPO) staining procedure as a reliable, affordable and easily available diagnostic assay for aggressive periodontitis. Materials and Methods: Fifteen subjects were recruited in the study wherein five each were diagnosed as aggressive periodontitis and chronic periodontitis respectively, and five were periodontally healthy. Three millilitres (ml) of venous blood was collected using Vacutainers containing ethylene diamine tetra acetate (EDTA) and was subjected to MPO staining procedure. Histological picture was evaluated using a visual analogue scale (VAS). Results: MPO stained specimen of all the patients showed positive MPO staining of the neutrophils. The intensity of the stain of MPO granules was more in aggressive periodontitis specimen as compared to the chronic periodontitis patient specimen and healthy subject specimen. The staining characteristics were comparable for chronic periodontitis patients and healthy subject. Conclusions: This study shows that there is a potential and probable place for MPO staining as an economical, relatively convenient and easily available assay in the diagnosis of aggressive periodontitis.

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Background: Periodontal plastic surgical procedures aimed at coverage of exposed root surface have evolved into routine treatment modalities. The present study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness and predictability of using a collagen barrier along with a demineralized bone matrix in the treatment of recession defects in a single surgical procedure. Materials and Methods: Seventeen patients with Miller's class I recession were treated with a combination of a collagen barrier used along with a bone graft and coronally advanced flap technique. Clinical parameters were recorded at baseline, 3 months, 6 months, and 9 months. Results: The study showed a highly significant reduction in the recession depth (70.29 ± 21.96%) at the end of the study. This study showed that the use of this technique for recession coverage is highly predictable and highly esthetic root coverage can be obtained.

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Recent advances in cellular and molecular biology have led to the development of new strategies for vaccines against many types of infectious diseases. It has long been recognized that individuals who recovered from a disease developed subsequent resistance to the same. In the late 18th century, Edward Jenner developed and established the principle of vaccination using the cross protection conferred by cowpox virus, which is non-pathogenic in humans. With the rapid growth of microbial genome sequencing and bioinformatics analysis tools we have the potential to examine all the genes and proteins from any human pathogen. This technique has the capability to provide us with new targets for anti-microbial drugs and vaccines. However, to realize this potential new bioinformatics and experimental approaches to select these targets from the myriad of available candidates are required. Vaccination is a process that induces specific immune resistance to a bacterial or viral infection.

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