To determine the influence of smoking on blood and salivary superoxide dismutase enzyme levels among smokers, and to demonstrate the significant alterations in the levels of superoxide dismutase in association with patient age, periodontal disease status, smoking duration, and smoking frequency. This study also aimed to evaluate the use of saliva as a biological fluid for disease diagnosis.Ninety males aged 25–56 years were selected and included 30 smokers, 30 nonsmokers with chronic periodontitis, and 30 healthy controls. Clinical parameters such as the gingival index, pocket depth, and clinical attachment loss were recorded. Blood and saliva samples were collected and superoxide dismutase enzyme levels were analyzed using spectrophotometric assay.Superoxide dismutase enzyme levels in the blood and saliva were significantly higher in smokers than in nonsmokers and the controls (p < 0.05). A significant correlation existed between superoxide dismutase levels and clinical parameters. There was also a significant positive correlation between blood and salivary superoxide dismutase levels among the three groups.Systemic and local antioxidant status is affected by periodontal disease and by the impact of smoking. The increased blood and salivary superoxide dismutase enzyme levels in smokers may be an adaptive defense mechanism to counteract the increased reactive oxygen species production induced by smoking. This study emphasizes the importance of saliva as an easy noninvasive tool in diagnosing patients who are more prone to precancerous lesions and conditions, and its importance in patient education and motivation programs for smoking cessation.

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of a topical anesthetic gel containing potassium nitrate, benzocaine and tetracaine in patients undergoing non surgical periodontal therapy. Materials and Methods: The present study was a randomised, double blind, placebo controlled, split mouth design trial carried out in 300 patients. Two quadrants in each patient were selected for non surgical periodontal therapy. The drug gel and placebo were liberally applied over the teeth and gingiva on the selected quadrants and the treatment was started after two minutes. Patients were asked to evaluate their pain experience at the end of treatment of their respective quadrants using verbal rating scale. Results: The mean pain score on using the drug gel was 0.433+0.737 as compared to the mean pain score of 2.35+0.761 on using the placebo gel, and the results were statistically significant. The drug gel out performed the placebo gel. None of the patients reported of any local or systemic side effects. Conclusions: The topical anesthetic gel provided excellent pain control for the patients undergoing non surgical periodontal therapy. It can also be considered as a good option during periodontal examination and maintenance visits to increase the patients comfort.

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