CCL28, IL-8, IL-1β and TNF-α may play key roles in the host response to inflammation in periodontal diseases. As the severity of periodontal diseases increases, destruction of periodontal tissues also increases. Inflammation is one among many factors that trigger periodontal tissue destruction. Identification of the mediators that influence the development and progression of inflammation in periodontal diseases may be very important in understanding the prognoses of periodontal diseases.

Background Inadequate sleep increases inflammatory and proinflammatory markers among many other influences. Due to its potential to influence inflammation and oxidative stress, which are the main pathogenetic mechanisms actually recognized in the periodontal damage, poor sleep quality could be a factor for periodontitis and quality of life (QoL). In this context, the aim of this study is to investigate the association of stage‐grade of periodontitis with sleep quality. and the effect of periodontitis on QoL. Methods The study consisted of clinical examination and a questionnaire. The questionnaire was based on demographic information, Oral Health Impact Profile‐14 (OHIP‐14), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Patients were diagnosed according to the 2017 World Workshop on the Classification of Periodontal and Peri‐Implant Diseases and Conditions. Clinical examination included probing depth (PD) and clinical attachment loss (AL). Results The mean age of 99 participants was 30.27 ± 5.80 years ranging from 18 to 40‐years. The mean clinical values of the patients in this study included AL, 4.03 ± 2.46 mm, and PD, 4.27 ± 1.55 mm. The mean of the global OHIP‐14 score was 13.43 ± 6.23 and the mean PSQI global score was 6.57 ± 3.53. Conclusions Stage‐grade of periodontitis was associated with short sleep duration, low‐sleep quality, and low oral health‒related quality of life.

BackgroundElectronic cigarettes (E‐cigs) have been gaining popularity, increasingly used to help reduce or cease smoking traditional cigarettes (T‐cigs). Although E‐cigs are considered a far less harmful alternative to T‐cigs, there is not enough information regarding the effects of vaping E‐cigs on periodontal health.AimThe aim of this study was to investigate the effects of vaping E‐cigs, smoking T‐cigs and smoking cessation on oxidative stress markers, proinflammatory cytokines levels and periodontal clinical parameters in patients with periodontitis.MethodsThe study included a total of 57 individuals who were divided into three groups: T‐cig smokers (Group I, n = 19), E‐cig vapers (Group II, n = 19) and former smokers (Group III, n = 19). Full‐mouth clinical periodontal parameters were recorded and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) samples were collected.ResultsThe mean interleukin‐8 (IL‐8) level of Group I (70.47 ± 2.76) was significantly lower than in Groups II and III. The mean tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) level of Group I (4.20 ± 0.14) was significantly higher than in Groups II and III.ConclusionsT‐cigs and vaping E‐cigs had the same unfavourable effects on the markers of oxidative stress and inflammatory cytokines.

As a result of the observed vascular and cell activity changes that occur within patients diagnosed with DM, periodontal diseases become more severe. These changes hinder the migration and the ability of chemotactic factors and leukocytes to protect periodontal tissues from the effects of microorganisms. In order to eliminate microorganisms, the epithelial cells in patients with DM may release more hBD-1 and hBD-3 into the gingival crevicular fluid. Determining the amount of hBD-1 and hBD-3 in the gingival crevicular fluid of patients with and without DM will help to elucidate the relationship among hBD-1, hBD-3, DM and periodontal disease.

Epithelial cells in contact with microorganisms release LL-37 and hBD-2 to eliminate them. The release response of LL-37 and hBD-2 formed against microorganisms can change depending on factors such as smoking, which activates the nicotinic receptors present on epithelial surfaces. This interaction can increase the release of LL-37 and hBD-2. Smoking may also affect the capillary tissues and reduce leukocytic chemotaxis. The increased number of colonized microorganisms may lead to higher levels of LL-37 and hBD-2 release in the tissues of smokers than in non-smokers.

An increased adrenomedullin level was found in individuals with chronic periodontitis and also in individuals with diabetes mellitus. It is thought that the effect of diabetes mellitus on the pathogenesis of chronic periodontitis could have been achieved through antimicrobial peptides such as adrenomedullin, or that increased adrenomedullin was released in individuals with diabetes mellitus in order to ensure no further periodontal tissue loss.

SummaryBackground/Aim: Dental care settings invariably carry the risk of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection because dental practice involves face-to-face communication with patients and the generation of large amounts of aerosol and droplets mixed with patients’ saliva. Since droplet and aerosol transmission are the most important concerns in dental clinics, informing future dentists about pandemic diseases at the undergraduate stage is important. In this context, the aim of this study was to compare the knowledge and attitudes of clinical and preclinical dental students regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.Material and Methods: 159 preclinical and 130 clinical dental students were included in this cross sectional study. The researchers developed a closed-ended questionnaire with the help of the existing literature. The questionnaire contained 17 questions about the knowledge and attitudes of dental students regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.Results: Clinical students feel significantly more threatened with exposure to COVID-19 infection than preclinical students (p<0.05, chi-square test). The proportion of students who do not want to treat an individual who has had a COVID-19 infection and recovered is statistically higher in clinical students (p<0.05, chi-square test). The proportion of students who think that using protective equipment during dental practice will not protect them against COVID-19 infection is statistically higher in clinical students (p<0.05, chi-square test).Conclusions: More education and training courses are need in order to improve students’ knowledge and attitudes regarding newly emerging pandemic diseases.

Background: Beta-2 microglobulin (B2M) and alpha-2 macroglobulin (A2M) play key roles in the immune system. The aim of this study was to compare B2M and A2M levels in patients with different periodontal diseases. Methods: Eighty patients (20 periodontally healthy, 20 with gingivitis, 20 with chronic periodontitis and 20 with generalized aggressive periodontitis) were enrolled in the study. The analysis of B2M and A2M was performed on gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in GCF. Results: The total levels of B2M and A2M were statistically lower in the periodontally healthy group than in the other groups (p < 0.05) and significantly higher in the generalized aggressive periodontitis group compared to the other groups (p < 0.05). Conclusions: B2M and A2M play key roles in the balance between periodontal health and disease. It is proposed that tissues release B2M and A2M to stop inflammation and inhibit the proliferation of microorganisms and this may be the reason for the high levels of B2M and A2M in the generalized aggressive periodontitis and chronic periodontitis groups. B2M and A2M are assumed to be user-friendly and cost-effective markers for periodontal disease to identify asymptomatic diseases.