Cone-beam computerized tomography as a novel noninvasive method to determine the palatal grafts thickness

Aim: The aim of this study was to apply a novel noninvasive method to obtain high quality images by cone-beam computerized tomography (CBCT) that consistently allowed the determination of the dimensions of palatal masticatory mucosa, which is the main donor area for soft tissue and connective tissue grafts used in periodontics, implant dentistry, and oral surgery. Materials and Methods: A total of 20 patients requiring palatal surgery participated. Thickness of the palatal tissue was measured at various points radiographically. At the time of the CBCT scanning, the patients wore acrylic measurement stent guides with radio-opaque markers at the measurement points. Results: The average thickness of the palatal mucosa was 2.96 mm in the canine area, 3.55 mm at the first premolar, 3.92 mm at the second premolar and 3.20 mm at the first molar. Statistically significant differences were observed as the distance from the gingival margin increased and the tissue over the premolars was found to be thicker than the other teeth. Conclusion: Cone-beam computerized tomography can be used as a noninvasive method accurately and consistently to determine the soft tissue thickness of the palatal masticatory mucosa at different locations on the palate

Primary tuberculous gingival enlargement - A rare clinical entity: Case report and brief review of the literature

Tuberculosis (TB) is a chronic specific granulomatous disease and a major cause of death in developing countries. The clinical presentation of TB lesions of the oral cavity varies widely and can manifest as ulcerations, diffuse inflammatory lesions, granulomas and fissures. Oral lesions generally appear secondary to primary TB infection elsewhere, although primary infection of the oral mucosa by Mycobacterium tuberculosis has also been described. We hereby report a case of primary TB of the gingiva manifesting as gingival enlargement. Diagnosis was based on histopathological examination, complete blood count, X-ray chest and immunological investigations with detection of antibodies against M. tuberculosis. Anti-tuberculous therapy was carried out for over 6 months and was followed by surgical excision of the residual enlargement under local anesthesia. After 1-year follow-up, there was no recurrence of the disease. This case report emphasizes the need for dentists to include TB in the differential diagnosis of various types of gingival enlargements

Evaluation of local drug-delivery system containing 2% whole turmeric gel used as an adjunct to scaling and root planing in chronic periodontitis: A clinical and microbiological study

Aim: To compare the effect of experimental local-drug delivery system containing 2% whole turmeric (gel form) as an adjunct to scaling and root planing (SRP) with the effect achieved using SRP alone by assessing their respective effects on plaque, gingival inflammation, bleeding on probing pocket depth, relative attachment levels and trypsin-like enzyme activity of "red complex " microorganisms, namely, Bacteroides forsythus, Porphvromonas gingivalis and Treponema denticola. Material and Methods: Thirty subjects with chronic localized or generalized periodontitis with pocket depth of 5 to 7 mm were selected in a split-mouth study design. Control sites received SRP alone, while experimental sites received SRP plus experimental material (2% whole turmeric gel). Plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), sulcus bleeding index (SBI), probing pocket depth (PPD), relative attachment loss (RAL), microbiological study of collected plaque sample for trypsin-like activity of "red complex" by BAPNA assay were the parameters recorded on day 0, 30 days and 45 days. Results: Both groups demonstrated statistically significant reduction in PI, GI, SBI, PPD; and gain in RAL. Significant reduction in the trypsin-like enzyme activity of "red complex" (BAPNA values) was observed for both the groups when compared to the baseline activity. Greater reduction was seen in all the parameters in the experimental group in comparison to the control group. Conclusion: The experimental local drug-delivery system containing 2% whole turmeric gel can be effectively used as an adjunct to scaling and root planing and is more effective than scaling and root planing alone in the treatment of periodontal pockets