HAP shows definite potential as an effective and permanent desensitizer when used as an in-office procedure. However, further long-term studies and comparative clinical trials with other popular desensitizing methods need to be carried out to prove its superiority.

The data indicate that IL-1β levels are raised in the saliva of patients with chronic periodontitis, which are reduced after phase I therapy, suggesting a close association between salivary IL-1β and periodontitis. Additional longitudinal studies are needed to validate salivary IL-1β as a marker for periodontal disease.

Results of the present study reinforced the association of the IL-1 genotype as a risk factor for severe chronic periodontitis. Positivity for the composite genotype was found to be significantly associated with severe chronic periodontitis (odds ratio [OR]=12.42).

Background and Objectives:Coenzyme Q10 is a well-studied antioxidant in the medical literature, but studies regarding its efficacy in periodontal diseases are few. coenzymeoenzyme Q10 serves as an endogenous antioxidant and its increased concentration in the diseased gingiva effectively suppresses advanced periodontal inflammation. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of coenzyme Q10 (Perio Q™) as an adjunct to scaling and root planing in patients with chronic periodontitis.Materials and Methods:A total of 18 patients were enrolled for the study. The selected subjects were treated in three different quadrants randomly. The control quadrant was treated by scaling and root planing only, while the other two test quadrants were treated by intra-pocket application of gel combined with scaling or root planing and topical applications combined with scaling and root planning, respectively. Clinical parameters such as plaque index, gingival index, gingival bleeding index and probing pocket depth were assessed at baseline and at the 2nd week and 4th weeks. The results were subjected to statistical analysis.Results:There was a significant improvement in all clinical parameters in the test sites seen at the end of the 4-week period. Sites with bleeding on probing were reduced more in the test group than in the control group.Conclusion:Coenzyme Q10 can be said to have a beneficial effect on periodontitis when used as an adjunct to scaling and root planing.

Background:Localized aggressive periodontitis (LAP) patients exhibit abnormal neutrophil functions to a variety of environmental and host stimuli. The aim of the present study was to evaluate neutrophils chemotaxis, phagocytosis, microbicidal activity and superoxide generation in LAP patients of Indian origin.Materials and Methods:Eleven LAP patients and nine healthy subjects were included in the study. Neutrophil chemotaxis was evaluated against an alkali-soluble casein solution using Wilkinson's method. Phagocytosis and microbicidal activity assay were performed using Candida albicans as an indicator organism. Nitrobluetetrazolium (NBT) test was used to assess superoxide generation by neutrophils using E. coli endotoxin.Results:The chemotactic activity and phagocytic and microbicidal activity were observed to be significantly reduced (P < 0.01) in LAP neutrophils. On the contrary, superoxide generation was observed to be significantly increased (P < 0.01) in LAP neutrophils compared with healthy individuals.Conclusion:The results of the present study suggest that neutrophil functions, namely chemotaxis, phagocytosis and microbicidal activity, are deficient LAP patients. However, superoxide generation was significantly increased when stimulated by endotoxins, which may explain the tissue damage seen in LAP. These abnormal neutrophil functions may predispose to increased susceptibility for LAP. Further large-scale studies are required in the Indian population to ascertain the cause-and-effect relationship of defective host factors and aggressive periodontitis and to develop treatment strategies for more predictable periodontal treatment outcome.

Sturge-Weber syndrome is clinically important to the periodontist because of its associated gingival vascular features and their complicating manifestations. Periodic systemic and oral examinations are recommended to identify and prevent any complications from the cranial and oral lesions.

The use of reagent strips for the estimation of gingival blood glucose seemed to be a suitable option for the screening of an unsuspecting periodontal population for the presence of diabetes; however, additional studies in a larger population are needed to confirm their suitability.

Herbal mouthwash was statistically efficacious in controlling plaque and gingivitis with potent antimicrobial activity.