Different modalities for treatment of recurrent aphthous stomatitis. A Randomized clinical trial

The underlying etiology of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is unclear and treatment aims to provide symptomatic and faster relief. This study compared the efficacy of diode laser, a herbal combination of Acacia nilotica and Licorice (A and L) and Amlexanox in the management of RAS. Sixty patients with minor aphthae were selected and randomly divided into four groups of 15 each. Group I and II received adhesive preparations of a herbal mixture of A and L and a 2 mg Amlexanox paste respectively, group III received diode laser and the fourth group (control) used a placebo. Ulcer size, pain score were recorded on days 1, 2 and 5. Laser group showed the statistically highest mean percentage (%) of reduction in pain scores and ulcer size than the other groups. The mean % of reduction in pain scores was 43.3+20.0 at day 2 and 67.8+21.5 % at day 5 in the laser group while Amlexanox group demonstrated a 29.8 +11.3 and 61.9+24.5 mean % of reduction in pain scores at day 2 and 5 respectively. A and L group showed a lower mean % of reduction in pain scores than laser and Amlexanox groups with a 22.2+10.5 and 43.4+15.8 mean % reduction in pain scores at day 2 and day 5 respectively. Similarly the highest mean % of reduction in ulcer size was seen in the laser group being 52.7+19.8 at day 2 and 85.1+22.0 at day 5, while it was 48.1+16.5 at day 2 and 77.8+28.7 at day 5 in the Amlexanox group and 42.0+11.5 at day 2 and 63.0+20.5 at day 5 in the A and L group. All treatment modalities reduced pain and ulcer size than placebo group. Laser therapy demonstrated the highest percentage of reduction of pain score and ulcer size

Characterization and Cytotoxicity Analysis of a Ciprofloxacin Loaded Chitosan/Bioglass Scaffold on Cultured Human Periodontal Ligament Stem Cells: a Preliminary Report

AIM: The aim of this study was to analyze the cytotoxicity of ciprofloxacin (CIP) loaded on chitosan bioactive glass scaffold on human periodontal ligament stem cells (PLSCs) in vitro.MATERIALS AND METHODS: PLSCs obtained from human third molars, cultures treated with medium containing 15 x 15 mm chitosan/bioactive glass scaffolds without/with different concentration 0, 5, 10, and 20 % of CIP. A total of 15 x 10^3 cells were plated in 6 well plates. The attached cells of each group were harvested from the plates after 1, 4 and 8 days of culture to detect the viability of cells. The cell number was determined using a hemocytometer and the trypan blue dye-exclusion assay. Data was analyzed using normality using Shapiro-Wilk test. Comparisons between groups were made using One-way ANOVA complemented by Tukey's test.RESULTS: When comparing the proliferation rate of cells in the four groups, no statistically significant difference was found (P = 0.633). With regards to cell viability, no statistical difference was found between the 0, 5, and 10 % CIP concentrations, while the 20 % CIP concentration demonstrated the least viability with a high statistically significant difference (P = 0.003).CONCLUSION: Twenty percentages CIP demonstrated the least proliferation rate and viability

Evaluation of horizontal ridge augmentation using beta tricalcium phosphate and demineralized bone matrix: A comparative study

Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of beta tricalcium phosphate (Beta-TCP) alone compared to Beta-TCP and Demineralized Bone Matrix (DBM) in regenerating localized horizontal maxillary alveolar ridge deficiencies prior to implant placement. Study Design: The study included 20 patients with horizontal maxillary ridge deficiencies limited to one or more neighbouring teeth and initial ridge width of . 5mmm. Patients were divided equally into two equal groups. Ridge augmentation was performed using Guided Bone Regeneration (GBR) principals. In group I GBR was performed using Beta-TCP only, while in group II both Beta-TCP and DBM were used. Following a 6 months healing period, bone cores from both groups were retrieved and implants were inserted. Specimens were examined histologically to calculate percentage of mineralized bone. Apical and crestal changes in ridge dimensions were calculated by digital subtraction using Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) immediately after graft placement and six months later. Results: There was a statistically significant difference between the mean area percentage of mineralized bone between both groups where it was 40.1 % (range: 27.76-% 66.29 %) for group I and 68.96 % (range: 60.07 % - 87.33 %) for group II. Radiograpically, the mean ridge width in group I increased crestally to 4.66 mm (range:3.5-5mm) and apically to 6.12 mm (range: 4.1-6.7 mm). In group II the mean ridge width increased crestally to 5.2 mm (range 4.9-5.4mm) and apically to 6.9 mm (range 6.0-7.8 mm). Group II showed more bone gain with a mean of 1.37 mm crestally and 2.44 mm apically. This difference however was not statistically significant Conclusion: Within the limitations of this study the combination of DBM and Beta-TCP can be used effectively in cases exhibiting minimal alveolar ridge defects

Treatment of Gingival Hyperpigmentation by Diode Laser for Esthetical Purposes

BACKGROUND: Gingival hyperpigmentation is a common esthetical concern in patients with gummy smile or excessive gingival display. Laser ablation has been recognized recently as the most effective, pleasant and reliable technique. It has the advantage of easy handling, short treatment time, hemostasis, decontamination, and sterilization effect.AIM: In the present study we wanted to explore the efficacy of a 980 nm wavelength diode laser in gingival depigmentation clinically by using both VAS and digital imaging method as means of assessment.METHODS: Diode laser ablation was done for 15 patients who requested cosmetic therapy for melanin pigmented gums. The laser beam delivered by fiberoptic with a diameter of 320 µm, the diode laser system has 980 nm wave lengths and 3 W irradiation powers, in a continuous contact mode in all cases, the entire surface of each pigmented maxillary and mandibular gingiva that required treatment was irradiated in a single session. Clinical examination and digital image analysis were done and the patients were followed up for 3 successive months.RESULTS: There was a statistically significant change in prevalence of bleeding after treatment, as none of the cases showed any signs of bleeding 1 week, 1 month and 3 months after ablation. No statistically significant change was observed in the prevalence of swelling after treatment The VAS evaluation demonstrated that only 4 patients complained of mild pain immediately after the procedure. No pain was perceived from the patients in the rest of the follow up period. There was no statistically significant change in prevalence of pain immediately after treatment compared to pain during treatment. There was a decrease in cases with mild pain after 1 week, 1 month as well as 3 months compared to pain during treatment and immediately after treatment.CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of this study, the use of diode laser was shown to be a safe and effective treatment modality that provides optimal aesthetics with minimal discomfort in patients with gingival hyperpigmentation

Management of pain in oral lichen planus patients: a comparative pilot study

Abstract Background Treating oral lichen planus (OLP) is a big challenge for clinicians. Despite numerous existing remedies, to date, no effective cure has been found, which is mainly attributed to the lack of understanding of the pathogenesis of the disease. Our aim was to compare the effectiveness of topical steroids and diode laser in treating OLP patients. Twenty-four patients with OLP were allocated into two groups of 12 patients each. One group was treated with a 970-nm diode laser applied twice weekly and the other group was treated with topical steroids applied four times per day. Patients were followed up for 2 months. Pain was recorded using the visual analog scale (VAS) and the clinical signs and symptoms were recorded using the reticular, atrophic, erosive (RAE) sores. Pain and RAE records were taken before treatment, after treatment, and after 2 months. Results When pain and RAE scores were compared before and after treatment, a significant lower pain score (P = 0.020) and RAE scores (P = 0.025) were observed in the steroid group than the laser group. No significant differences in pain (P = 0.333) and RAE (P = 0.06) scores were observed between both groups in the follow-up. No significant difference was seen between the improvement parameters in the two groups (P = 0.117%), although better scores were seen in the steroid group. Conclusions Topical steroids reduce pain and RAE scores in OLP patients more than laser treatment. Trial registration NCT03572959, Registration date: 30th June 2018, retrospectively registere

A simple method to debond a cement-retained implant-supported fixed partial denture from its abutment screw connection: a case report

Abstract Background Screw loosening of a cement-retained, implant-supported fixed partial denture causes the abutment and restoration to be completely separated as one unit from the implant body. In such circumstances, drilling of an access hole through the restoration is made to retrieve the abutment screw connection, and a new restoration is then fabricated. Method This clinical case presents a patient whose implant-supported fixed partial denture was completely detached from the implants, and it was retrieved from the abutment’s screw connection using acetic acid (vinegar). Results The cement was dissolved and the fixed partial denture was easily separated from the abutment screw connections thus avoiding damage of the restoration. Conclusion A new and simple technique was described to retrieve the FPD restoration from the abutments’ screw connections using undiluted acetic acid (vinegar)

Periodontitis and Cardiovascular Disease: Floss and Reduce a Potential Risk Factor for CVD (Retracted Article. See vol 62, pg 352, 2011)

There is evidence supporting an association between cardiovascular disease (CVD) and periodontitis. We determined whether patients with chronic periodontitis, who are otherwise healthy individuals, have higher serum concentrations of emerging risk markers of CVD such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) and investigated the effect of subsequent periodontal treatment on the levels of these markers. A total of 40 individuals were included in the study. Serum levels of CRP and IL-6 were estimated twice, once on the initial visits and the other 3 months after periodontal therapy. The mean CRP and IL-6 levels were significantly higher (P LT .001) in the patients compared with controls and significantly decreased (P LT .001) following periodontal treatment. This study suggests that periodontitis is a potential modifiable risk factor for CVD