Drug-induced gingival overgrowth or enlargement manifests as abnormal growth of the gingiva due to an adverse drug reaction (ADR) in patients treated with anticonvulsants, immunosuppressants, and calcium channel blockers. As gingival enlargement develops, it affects the normal oral hygiene practice and may interfere with masticatory functions. It gradually becomes a source of pain and the condition often leads to disfiguration. Within the group of patients that develop this unwanted effect, there appears to be variability in the extent and severity of the gingival changes. It would seem pertinent to identify and explore possible risk factors and relating them with the treatment plan. This article throws light on respective drugs and their association with gingival overgrowth and approaches to treatment based on current knowledge and investigative observations.

Background:Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF), an intimate assembly of cytokines, glycan chains, and structural glycoproteins enmeshed within a slowly polymerized fibrin network, has the potential to accelerate soft and hard tissue healing. The purpose of the study was to clinically evaluate and compare the efficacy of autologous PRF combined with demineralized freeze-dried bone allograft (DFDBA) to DFDBA alone in the treatment of periodontal intrabony defects.Materials and Methods:In a split mouth study design, 10 patients having two almost identical intrabony defects with clinical probing depth of at least 6 mm were selected for the study. Selected sites were randomly divided into two groups. In Group I, mucoperiosteal flap elevation followed by the placement of DFDBA was done. In Group II, mucoperiosteal flap elevation followed by the placement of homogeneous mixture of PRF with DFDBA was done. Clinical and radiographic parameters were recorded at baseline and at 6 months post-operatively.Results:Both treatment groups showed a significant probing pocket depth reduction, clinical attachment gain, defect fill, and defect resolution 6 months after surgery compared to baseline. However, there was a significantly greater probing pocket depth reduction and clinical attachment gain when PRF was added to DFDBA.Conclusion:Within limits of the study it may be concluded that a combination of PRF with DFDBA demonstrated better results in probing pocket depth reduction and clinical attachment level gain as compared to DFDBA alone in the treatment of periodontal intrabony defects.

Background:Periodontal dressings have been used for several years as a protection over injured tissue to shield the area from further insult. Several dressings are commercially available. A recently introduced light-cured resin, claimed to be more biocompatible and esthetic, needs critical evaluation.Aim:To compare this dressing with most widely used non-eugenol pack in the perspective of esthetics, acceptance, and healing following periodontal flap surgery.Materials and Methods:Twenty patients suffering from generalized chronic periodontitis, requiring periodontal flap surgery on contralateral sides of the arch, were selected and divided randomly into Group I (control) and Group II (test). In Group I, a non-eugenol dressing and in Group II light-cured dressing were applied after flap surgery. Pain and discomfort scores were recorded on day 1, 2, and 3 while plaque scores, gingival index, and bleeding index were recorded on day 7. Patient's subjective evaluation and preference for the dressing material were recorded. The data was collected and statistically analyzed.Results:Group II showed better results than Group I when plaque scores, bleeding scores, modified gingival index scores, and pain and discomfort scores were compared though the differences were not statistically significant. Subjects found no unpleasant taste/smell and perceived the light-cured dressing to be better. A significantly higher number of patients preferred light-cured resin as a post-surgical dressing over Coe-pak.Conclusion:The light-cured dressing showed better patient acceptability and proves to be a better alternative to Coe-pak as a dressing material.

Hemangiomas are common tumors characterized microscopically by proliferation of blood vessels. The congenital hemangioma is often present at birth and may become more apparent throughout life. They are probably developmental rather than neoplastic in origin. Despite their benign origin and behavior, hemangiomas in the oral cavity are always of clinical importance to the dental profession and require appropriate clinical management. This case report presents a case of capillary hemangioma of anterior palatal mucosa in a 13-year-old female.

Background: The selective removal or inhibition of pathogenic microbes with locally delivered antimicrobials when combined with scaling and root planing is often an effective approach for the managment of chronic periodontitis. Aim: To compare the clinical efficacy of tetracycline fibers and a xanthan based chlorhexidine gel in the treatment of chronic periodontitis. Methods and materials: Thirty systemically healthy patients in the age group of 30-50 years suffering from generalized chronic moderate periodontitis were selected. For each subject, two experimental sites were chosen that had probing depth >5mm and were located in symmetric quadrants and the sites were randomized at split mouth level with one receiving tetracycline fibers and the other chlorhexidine gel. Plaque score, bleeding score, probing pocket depth and relative attachment level gain was recorded on day 0 and at the end of 3 months. Results and conclusion: In both groups, there was statistically highly significant reduction in all the clinical parameters i.e. plaque score, bleeding score and probing pocket depth and relative attachment level gain was seen at different time intervals. Local delivery of tetracycline and chlorhexidine is a safe, easy and efficacious method along with scaling and root planing in the treatment of chronic periodontitis. Inter-comparison of both local drug delivery agents with respect to clinical changes shows that tetracycline fibers are better than chlorhexidine gel for treatment of chronic periodontitis. Nevertheless, long term studies with more samples are suggested to further evaluate and compare the efficacy of both materials.

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Within the limits of this study, it could be implied that for relieving hypersensitivity, iontophoresis for all three current groups was almost equally effective, and it was found that repeated applications (up to three) gave good relief. Iontophoresis was found to be effective and safe.

It is important for a dentist to be well informed and updated on the latest research on the association of oral and systemic health. Of late, the metabolic syndrome has gained importance in dental literature, and metabolic syndrome and periodontal disease have been linked. Metabolic syndrome (MeS) is a group of three or more (up to five) interrelated metabolic abnormalities, which increases the risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Also, both MeS and periodontal disease may be linked through a common pathophysiological pathway. Some studies have been conducted to show such an association and additional studies are required to establish this association. A dental surgeon can play a major role in evaluating patients with MeS and thus prevent the development of overt cardiovascular disease.