PurposeCigarette smoking is a major risk factor in periodontal diseases. The pathogenesis of periodontal diseases may be affected by alterations of the inflammatory response by smoke. Nitric oxide (NO) is a gaseous, colorless, highly reactive, short-lived free radical with a pivotal role in the regulation of various physiological and pathological mechanisms in the body. It is important in host defense and homeostasis, on the one hand, whereas, on the other hand, it modulates the inflammatory response in periodontitis, leading to harmful effects. The aim of this study was to assess the levels of NO in both the serum and saliva of smokers and nonsmokers having chronic periodontitis and to compare them with periodontally healthy controls.MethodsSixty subjects participated in the study and were divided into three groups: group I, healthy nonsmoking subjects; group II, nonsmoking patients with chronic periodontitis; group III, smoking patients with chronic periodontitis. Each group consisted of twenty subjects. The biochemical estimation of NO in the collected serum and in the saliva was performed using the Griess colorimetric reaction.ResultsThe results showed that the mean value of the salivary and serum NO was greater in group II than in group I, and also greater in group III than in group II.ConclusionsNO appears to play an important and rather complex role in the immuno-inflammatory process and in the remodeling and maintenance of osseous structures. It is therefore logical that modulation of this mediator has potential for the treatment of a number of inflammatory conditions including periodontal disease.
Hyperdontia or supernumerary teeth in the absence of associated systemic condition or syndrome is an uncommon phenomenon. Non-syndromic supernumerary teeth need to have periodical radiographic observation. In the case of asymptomatic condition, as they impacted in the jaw, a careful examination is necessary because they may develop into pathological status such as dentigerous cysts. Surgical removal of such teeth is indicated if evidence of any pathologies, such as cystic lesion, resorption, delayed eruption, altered eruption and displacement of adjacent teeth, is evident or have occurred.
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