Background:Traditional periodontal open flap debridement (OFD) results in reduced pocket depth (PD), clinical attachment loss (CAL), gingival recession (GR) and postoperative pain and discomfort. The quest to overcome these shortcomings has led to research into Er,Cr:YSGG laser assisted pocket therapy (ELAPT). This study was designed to compare the clinical outcomes of ELAPT versus OFD. Methods: Fifteen patients with a PD of ≥5 mm and ≤8 mm at two sites were selected. Test sites (Group 1) were treated by ELAPT and the control (Group 2) by OFD. Clinical parameters were recorded at baseline, 3 and 6 months and included Plaque Index (PI), Gingival Index (GI), modified Sulcular Bleeding Index (mSBI), PD, CAL and GR. Results: Both treatments produced a reduction in PI, GI, mSBI and PD, an increase in GR, and a gain in CAL at 3 and 6 months. The mean gain of CAL in Group 1 at 3 and 6 months (1.60 AE 0.78 and 1.80 AE 0.63) was similar (p > 0.05) to the value of Group 2 (1.93 AE 0.88 and 2.00 AE 0.54). GR increased significantly (p < 0.05) only in Group 2 at 3 and 6 months (1.80 AE 0.56 and 1.87 AE 0.64) compared to Group 1 (0.50 AE 0.68 and 0.60 AE 0.74). Conclusions: ELAPT compared with OFD results in similar CAL gains with less GR and significant reductions in PD, GI and mSBI, and may be considered as an alternative to surgical therapy.

Aim:The aim of the present study is to evaluate and compare the effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on wound healing after depigmentation procedure.Materials and Methods:In this study, 12 patients with bilateral melanin hyperpigmentation were treated with surgical stripping using a blade. After completion of the surgical process and bleeding stasis, any of the symmetrical surgical sites was randomly assigned for LLLT (test site) using a defocused diode laser at 1 mm distance for 5 min. After every laser exposure, the surgical site was coated with plaque disclosing solution (erythrosine) on the 3rd, 7th, and 15th day. A photograph of the surgical site was taken using a Digital SLR Camera, which was placed at 30 cm distance at 55 mm zoom, 1/100 shutter speed, f 14 aperture size, and ISO 4000 with a ring flash. The area of the stained parts of the photographs was evaluated using image analysis software.Results:At day 3, test site showed 1.26 ± 0.23 mm2 and control site showed 1.45 ± 0.21 mm2 stain uptake by the tissue which was statistically significant. At day 7 and day 15, the test sites exhibited 1.24 ± 0.30 mm2 and 1.12 ± 0.25 mm2 stain uptake, whereas the control site showed 1.37 ± 25 mm2 and 1.29 ± 0.28 mm2 staining, respectively, which were not statistically significant.Conclusion:Within the limitations of this study, the findings revealed that LLLT promotes wound healing after depigmentation procedure until the 3rd day. On the 7th and 15th day, the difference in healing was not statistically significant.

Introduction: Deep periodontal pockets pose a great challenge for nonsurgical periodontal treatment. Scaling and root planing (SRP) alone may not suffice in cases where surgical therapy cannot be undertaken. Various recent studies have suggested the use of antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy (aPDT) for the management of periodontal infections. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of using aPDT along with SRP, compared to SRP alone for the management of deep periodontal pockets. Methods: Thirty patients with chronic periodontitis, who met the criteria of having periodontal pockets with depth ≥ 6 mm and bleeding on probing (BOP) in at least 2 different quadrants were included. After SRP, one quadrant was randomly selected for aPDT (test), while another served as control. Clinical parameters i.e. plaque index (PI), modified sulcular bleeding index (mSBI), probing depth (PD) and clinical attachment level (CAL) were measured at baseline, 1 month and 3 months post-treatment intervals. Results: All clinical parameters significantly improved in both groups after 1 and 3 months. At 1-month interval, inter-group difference in mean change was statistically significant (P < 0.05) in terms of mSBI (0.85 ± 0.41in test vs 0.54 ± 0.47 in control group) and PD (1.77±0.86 in test vs 1.3 ± 0.95 in control group). At 3 months interval, no statistically significant difference was observed between test and control groups except in terms of mSBI (0.97 ± 0.45 in test vs 0.73 ± 0.42 in control group). Conclusion: aPDT appears to play an additional role in reduction of gingival inflammation when used along with nonsurgical mechanical debridement of deep periodontal pockets.

The oral cavity manifests signs of various systemic diseases. This entails thorough examination of the oral mucosa, gingiva, teeth, tongue and other oral tissues. Occasionally, oral signs can be an expression of systemic conditions such as endocrine imbalance, nutritional deficiencies and blood disorders. Leukemia is a malignancy of white blood cells, which may result in significant morbidity and mortality. Oral changes maybe the first and only presenting features in leukemia patients, making it imperative for the dentist to diagnose the disease accurately.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate lactoferrin quantification as a sensitive and objective method of detecting the degree of periodontal inflammation, oxidative stress and to monitor the effects of periodontal therapy. Methods: Fifty subjects were divided into two groups based on gingival index, probing pocket depth, clinical attachment loss and alveolar bone loss: healthy group and periodontitis group with generalized chronic periodontitis. Non-surgical periodontal therapy was rendered and crevicular fluid samples collected at baseline and four weeks after therapy for lactoferrin quantification using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. The correlation between clinical parameters and lactoferrin levels was drawn and analysed for both groups. Results: The mean level of crevicular lactoferrin in the periodontitis group was 1857.21 ng/ml. The mean level decreased to 1415.03 ng/ml after treatment. The lowest lactoferrin concentration was seen in the healthy group (75.34 ng/ml). All clinical parameters correlated positively with lactoferrin levels. Conclusions: The lactoferrin level was higher in the periodontitis group compared to the healthy group, and reduced with periodontal therapy. Higher levels were associated with higher values of clinical parameters, both before and after therapy. The data indicates that Lactoferrin plays an important role in periodontal disease and crevicular lactoferrin quantification can be a marker for detecting periodontal inflammation, oxidative stress and monitoring periodontal therapy.

Given the safety and effectiveness of the MVA procedure and the potential for reducing health care costs and improving patient management, this technology should be considered by health care systems in developing countries for improving treatment of abortion complications.

A VSSA-based model of myocardial scar quantification is accurate and reproducible in ischemic and nonischemic cardiomyopathy.

Introduction: Mucus extravasation cyst is a commonly occurring lesion in oral cavity that may result from traumatic severance of a salivary gland duct with subsequent extravasation of mucus into fibrous connective tissue. After a conventional excision or marsupialization, recurrence is not uncommon. Diode laser offers an effective modality for management of such lesions. Case Reports: Four patients were referred with painless fluctuant swellings on labial and buccal mucosa. After recording history and clinical examination, provisional diagnosis of mucocele was made. All the lesions were excised with a diode laser and biopsy was performed. Surgical wounds were treated with low-level laser therapy (LLLT). Results: Uneventful healing was observed in all 4 cases. Significant reduction in postoperative discomfort was recorded after application of LLLT. Histopathological findings were suggestive of mucus extravasation cysts. Conclusion: Diode laser appears to be a good alternative to conventional modalities for the management of mucus extravasation cysts.