Gingival crevicularfluid osteoprotegerin levels in Indian population

Background: Initial research indicated that higher concentration of osteoprotegerin (OPG) is associated with healthy periodontium (protective) and its concentration decreases as the periodontal disease progresses. However, till date, there are no studies to investigate the levels of OPG in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) after the treatment of periodontitis. Hence, the present study was carried out to assess its concentration in GCF to find out their association if any, and to explore its possible use as a 'novel bone marker' of the host modulation of periodontal disease. Materials and methods: Sixty-four subjects were divided into 4 groups (16 each), based on clinical attachment loss (CAL) and radiological parameters (bone loss); healthy (group I), gingivitis (group II), slight periodontitis (group III), and moderate-to-severe periodontitis (group IV). Moderate-to-severe periodontitis subjects, after nonsurgical periodontal treatment, (SRP) constituted group V. GCF samples were collected to estimate the levels of OPG using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The Kruskal-Wallis, Man-Whitney U test, and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were carried out to compare OPG levels among groups. The Spearman rank correlation test was used to correlate OPG levels between the study groups and the clinical parameters; P < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: The highest mean OPG concentration in GCF was obtained for group I (162.47 ± 51.171 pg/ μL) and the least for group IV (10.92 ± 1.913 pg/μL), suggesting a negative correlation between OPG concentration and CAL. OPG concentrations in GCF after the treatment of group IV increased from 10.92 ± 1.913 pg/μL to 15.63 ± 4.679 pg/μL. Conclusion: OPG concentration in GCF was inversely proportional to CAL and not an active progression factor for periodontal disease. Further, after the treatment of moderate-to-severe periodontitis subjects (group IV), OPG concentrations increased. Hence, it can be concluded that OPG could be considered as a 'novel bone marker' the host modulation of periodontal disease

Gingival crevicularfluid osteoprotegerin levels in Indian population

Background: Initial research indicated that higher concentration of osteoprotegerin (OPG) is associated with healthy periodontium (protective) and its concentration decreases as the periodontal disease progresses. However, till date, there are no studies to investigate the levels of OPG in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) after the treatment of periodontitis. Hence, the present study was carried out to assess its concentration in GCF to find out their association if any, and to explore its possible use as a 'novel bone marker' of the host modulation of periodontal disease. Materials and methods: Sixty-four subjects were divided into 4 groups (16 each), based on clinical attachment loss (CAL) and radiological parameters (bone loss); healthy (group I), gingivitis (group II), slight periodontitis (group III), and moderate-to-severe periodontitis (group IV). Moderate-to-severe periodontitis subjects, after nonsurgical periodontal treatment, (SRP) constituted group V. GCF samples were collected to estimate the levels of OPG using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The Kruskal-Wallis, Man-Whitney U test, and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were carried out to compare OPG levels among groups. The Spearman rank correlation test was used to correlate OPG levels between the study groups and the clinical parameters; P < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: The highest mean OPG concentration in GCF was obtained for group I (162.47 ± 51.171 pg/ μL) and the least for group IV (10.92 ± 1.913 pg/μL), suggesting a negative correlation between OPG concentration and CAL. OPG concentrations in GCF after the treatment of group IV increased from 10.92 ± 1.913 pg/μL to 15.63 ± 4.679 pg/μL. Conclusion: OPG concentration in GCF was inversely proportional to CAL and not an active progression factor for periodontal disease. Further, after the treatment of moderate-to-severe periodontitis subjects (group IV), OPG concentrations increased. Hence, it can be concluded that OPG could be considered as a 'novel bone marker' the host modulation of periodontal disease

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Prevalence and clinical aspects of cracks and fractures in teeth

Vertical root fracture (VRF) is one of the important causes of root canal treatment failure. The diagnosis of VRF can be difficult and it may occur many years after root canal treatment. In this thesis, the clinical and radiographic aspects of VRF, the factors associated with VRF and the time from root canal treatment to a diagnosis of VRF was investigated. This thesis also investigated the prevalence of microcracks in teeth without root canal treatment. The effect of root filling length on VRF and the effect of in vivo root canal instrumentation on the formation of radicular microcracks was also evaluated. The first part of this thesis concluded that the mean time period from root filling to the clinical presentation of VRFs in root canal treated teeth restored with crowns and without posts was 4.35 (± 1.96) years. Posterior teeth, older patients (>40 years), female patients, and overfilled canals were found to be potential risk factors for VRF. The second part of this thesis has reported a 7.1% prevalence of radicular dentinal microcracks in teeth without root canal treatment, which were found more commonly in mandibular teeth and in older patients (>40 years). The third part of this thesis has indicated that root canal filling to or beyond the radiographic apex can be associated with VRF. The final part of this thesis concluded that the in vivo preparation of root canals with ProTaper hand or ProTaper rotary instruments did not result in the formation of root dentinal microcracks

Plasma and crevicular fluid osteopontin levels in periodontal health and disease

Background and Objective: The level of osteopontin in gingival crevicular fluid has been found to correlate with clinical measures of periodontal disease. The present study was designed to assess the relationship between clinical parameters and osteopontin levels of the gingival crevicular fluid from inflamed gingivae, periodontitis sites and after treatment of periodontitis sites, and to correlate them to the osteopontin levels of the plasma. Material and Methods: Thirty, gender-matched subjects were divided into three groups – healthy, gingivitis and chronic periodontitis – based on modified gingival index scores and clinical attachment loss. The fourth group consisted of 10 subjects in the periodontitis group, 6–8 wk after initial therapy. Plasma and gingival crevicular fluid samples were collected and quantified for osteopontin using an enzyme immunoassay. Results: The highest mean gingival crevicular fluid and plasma osteopontin concentrations were observed in the periodontitis group (1575.01 and 1273.21 ng/mL, respectively) and the lowest in the healthy group (1194.80 and 476.35 ng/mL, respectively). After treatment of the periodontitis group, the level of osteopontin decreased to 1416.15 in gingival crevicular fluid and to 1051.68 ng/mL in plasma. In all groups the gingival crevicular fluid osteopontin levels showed a statistically significant positive correlation with that of plasma and clinical attachment loss. Conclusion: Osteopontin levels were highest in the gingival crevicular fluid from sites with periodontal destruction; however, periodontal treatment resulted in the reduction of osteopontin levels. Gingival crevicular fluid and plasma osteopontin levels showed a positive correlation in all of the groups

Localized attachment loss in Pendred syndrome: incidental?

Background: Pendred syndrome is a rare, inherited, autosomal recessive disorder with an iodine organification defect of thyroxin produced by the thyroid gland. Its clinical features include sensorineural hearing loss, classically congenital and prelingual, and goiter.\ud \ud Methods: This is the first case report of Pendred syndrome in the dental literature with oral findings that include localized extensive attachment loss involving mandibular incisor teeth and idiopathic hypercementosis involving multiple teeth in addition to other oral manifestations, suggesting hypothyroidism-like macroglossia and macrocheilia. Furthermore, serum alkaline phosphatase along with inorganic calcium and phosphate levels were also elevated. Peripheral neutrophil function test suggested a defective function of neutrophils.\ud \ud Results: Management of the case included augmenting thyroxin supplementation, in consultation with an endocrinologist, and extraction of hopeless mandibular central incisors followed by placement of immediate transitional dentures.\ud \ud Conclusion: A comprehensive medical history and systemic and laboratory evaluations should be considered a prerequisite to identify, manage, and report such rare conditions in routine clinical practice

End stage renal disease and its dental management

In recent years, the incidence of renal disease has become more common in middle-aged to geriatric patients. This has led to greater exposure of dental surgeons to patients with renal disease and on hemodialysis. This article highlights the clinical features of patients with end-stage renal disease, the oral manifestations and the precautions to be taken while managing them in a dental setting