Background:The aim of our clinical trial was to assess the efficacy of 0.1% turmeric mouthwash as an anti-plaque agent and its effect on gingival inflammation and to compare it with 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate by evaluating the effect on plaque and gingival inflammation and on microbial load.Materials and Methods:60 subjects, 15 years and above, with mild to moderate gingivitis were recruited. Study population was divided into two groups. Group A-30 subjects were advised chlorhexidine gluconate mouthwash. Group B-30 subjects were advised experimental (turmeric) mouthwash. Both the groups were advised to use 10 ml of mouthwash with equal dilution of water for 1 min twice a day 30 min after brushing. Parameters were recorded for plaque and gingival index at day 0, on 14 th day, and 21 st day. Subjective and objective criteria were assessed after 14th day and 21st day. The N-benzoyl-l-arginine-p- nitroanilide (BAPNA) assay was used to analyze trypsin like activity of red complex microorganisms.Results:On comparison between chlorhexidine and turmeric mouthwash, percentage reduction of the Plaque Index between 0 and 21 st day were 64.207 and 69.072, respectively (P=0.112), percentage reduction of Gingival Index between 0 and 21st day were 61.150 and 62.545 respectively (P=0.595) and percentage reduction of BAPNA values between 0 and 21st day were 42.256 and 48.901 respectively (P=0.142).Conclusion:Chlorhexidine gluconate as well as turmeric mouthwash can be effectively used as an adjunct to mechanical plaque control in prevention of plaque and gingivitis. Both the mouthwashes have comparable anti-plaque, anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties.

Aim:To compare the effect of experimental local-drug delivery system containing 2% whole turmeric (gel form) as an adjunct to scaling and root planing (SRP) with the effect achieved using SRP alone by assessing their respective effects on plaque, gingival inflammation, bleeding on probing pocket depth, relative attachment levels and trypsin-like enzyme activity of “red complex” microorganisms, namely, Bacteroides forsythus, Porphvromonas gingivalis and Treponema denticola.Material and Methods:Thirty subjects with chronic localized or generalized periodontitis with pocket depth of 5 to 7 mm were selected in a split-mouth study design. Control sites received SRP alone, while experimental sites received SRP plus experimental material (2% whole turmeric gel). Plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), sulcus bleeding index (SBI), probing pocket depth (PPD), relative attachment loss (RAL), microbiological study of collected plaque sample for trypsin-like activity of “red complex” by BAPNA assay were the parameters recorded on day 0, 30 days and 45 days.Results:Both groups demonstrated statistically significant reduction in PI, GI, SBI, PPD; and gain in RAL. Significant reduction in the trypsin-like enzyme activity of “red complex” (BAPNA values) was observed for both the groups when compared to the baseline activity. Greater reduction was seen in all the parameters in the experimental group in comparison to the control group.Conclusion:The experimental local drug-delivery system containing 2% whole turmeric gel can be effectively used as an adjunct to scaling and root planing and is more effective than scaling and root planing alone in the treatment of periodontal pockets.

Background:The palatal masticatory mucosa is the main donor area of soft tissue and connective tissue grafts used for increasing the keratinized mucosa around teeth and implants, covering exposed roots and increasing localized alveolar ridge thickness. The aim of this study was to compare the thickness of the palatal masticatory mucosa as determined on a cone-beam computerized tomography scan versus thickness determined via bone-sounding.Materials and Methods:A total of 20 patients requiring palatal surgery participated. Thickness of the palatal tissue was measured at various points radiographically and clinically. The two techniques were compared to determine the agreement of the two measurement modalities.Results:Statistical analysis determined that there was no significant difference between the two methods. Moreover, the tissue thickness was shown to increase as the distance from the gingival margin increased, and the tissue over the premolars was thicker than the other teeth.Conclusion:Cone-beam computerized tomography can be used as a noninvasive method to accurately and consistently determine the soft tissue thickness of the palatal masticatory mucosa with minimal bias at different locations on the palate.

Background: Periodontitis is result of cumulative exposure of dental plaque, thus the main aim of periodontal therapy is the prevention of plaque accumulation and maintain periodontal health. The clinical effect of scaling and root-planning (SRP) are well documented .Antimicrobial agents act as an adjunct to periodontal therapy. One of the most frequently used antimicrobial agents is chlorhexidine gluconate (CHX), it is a broad spectrum antiseptic with a pronounced antimicrobial effect Clinical improvements after SRP are associated with microbiological changes that include a decrease in microbial load and a mean percentage change of certain periodontal pathogens , such as Treponema denticola, Porphyromonas gingivalis and Tarnella forsythus. These species are gram negative anaerobes which possess, an enzyme capable of hydrolyzing synthetic trypsin substrate, BANA. Methods: This study included 30 individuals who were randomly distributed in two groups test (SRP + CHX) and control (SRP) Results: The results of the study stated that the treatment with SRP and CHX improved clinical and microbiological parameters compared to the SRP alone as a monotherapy. Conclusion: CHX rinsing and repeated professional plaque removal could have equivalent therapeutic benefits, the use of CHX offers the great advantage of not requiring the patient's presence in the dental office.

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