Introduction:Periodontitis is inflammation of supporting tooth structure. Most individuals get affected by this disease if oral hygiene is not maintained. There are various mechanical and chemical methods for oral hygiene maintenance. In recent past, interest has been diverted toward the herbal/traditional product in oral hygiene maintenance as they are free from untoward effect.Aim:To assess the efficacy of subgingival irrigation with herbal extract (HE) as compared with 0.2% chlorhexidine (CHX) on periodontal health in patients who have been treated for chronic periodontitis, and still have residual pocket of 3–5 mm.Materials and Methods:This was a controlled, single-blind, randomized study for 3 months. Patients were allocated in two groups (n = 15 each): (1) 0.2% CHX (control group); (2) HE consisting of Punica granatum Linn. (pomegranate), Piper nigrum Linn. (black pepper), and detoxified copper sulfate (test group). Solutions were used for the irrigation using pulsated irrigating device, WaterPik. Clinical outcomes evaluated were plaque index (PI), sulcus bleeding index (SBI), probing depth at baseline, 15th, 30th, 60th, and 90th day. Microbiologic evaluation was done at baseline and 90th day.Results:Significant reduction in PI was seen in the group of irrigation with HE. While comparing SBI, irrigation with CHX shows a better result. Other parameters such as probing pocket depth and microbiological counting were similar for both groups.Conclusion:Irrigation with HE is a simple, safe, and noninvasive technique with no serious adverse effects. It also reduces the percentage of microorganism in periodontal pocket.

Background: Halitosis is one of the most frequent complaints while a patient visits to a dentist. It has negative impact on the psychology of the individuals because of the social stigma related to it. Halitosis can produce by the degrading action of gram-negative anaerobic bacteria on sulfur containing substance such as debris and plaque. In majority of cases the source of halitosis is oral cavity. Methods: A total of 300 patients were selected from the OPD of department of Periodontics. Out of all, 166 were male and 134 were female. Organoleptic scoring system was used to detect the grade of halitosis. Complete dental checkup of the patients were performed to find out the possible cause of malodor. Results: Prevalence of halitosis in the given population was 63% (n=188). Out of total subjects with halitosis, 62 subjects (32%) presented with grade-I, 46 subjects (24%) with grade-II, 38 subjects (20%) with grade-III, 24 subjects (13%) with grade-IV and 18 subjects (11%) with grade-V. Strongest correlation was found between tongue coating and prevalence of halitosis. Other causes reported was, dental caries, periodontal disease, smoking, tobacco chewing, and pericoronitis. Conclusion: Prevalence of halitosis in the given population was 63%. Men had significantly greater prevalence of halitosis compared to women. The major reported etiological factor for halitosis was tongue coating.

Brief summary:The supra crestal tissue attachment is an essential concept in the periodontics and restorative dentistry. The dimension of supra crestal tissue attachment is directly related to the periodontal disease severity. Assessment of the supra crestal tissue attachment is crucial because after treatment of periodontitis there is a frequent need for restoration or prosthesis. AbstractBackground/Aim. Healthy periodontium comprises the dento-gingival junction.Periodontal disease starts to appear when the integrity of the junctional epithelium is disturbed. Assessment of the supra crestal tissue attachment (SCTA) is essential because there is a frequent need for restoration or prosthesis after periodontal surgical and nonsurgical therapy. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the SCTA variation in a patient of chronic periodontitis before and after treatment. Methods. Thirty systemically healthy patients with periodontitis were enrolled in the study. Fifteen patients were subjected to scaling and root planing and 15 to open flap debridement. Radiographic and clinical supra crestal tissue attachment was assessed before and after treatment at 3 and 6 months interval. Results. Comparison between clinical and radiographic SCTA shows a significant difference in patients with periodontitis (p<0.05). This difference is not significant after treatment of patients with shallow pockets with scaling and root planing (p>0.05) but shows a significant difference in patients with moderate pockets treated by open flap debridement (p<0.05). Conclusion. Progression in periodontal disease will cause a reduction in the SCTA dimension, which regains its original dimensions after periodontal therapy. It takes around 3 months for the shallow pockets to regain supra crestal tissue attachment to the original dimension when treated by scaling and root planing. Whereas moderate pockets regain it after 6 months when treated with open flap debridement.

The basic aim of periodontal therapy is to eliminate the basic etiological agent responsible for the disease. A treatment is basically divided into nonsurgical and surgical periodontal therapy. Nonsurgical periodontal therapy remains an integral part of periodontal treatment. In most of the periodontitis cases, an improvement in the clinical signs and symptoms of disease can be seen by simply performing scaling, root planing, and thorough periodontal debridement. A 45-year-old female patient reported to Department of Periodontology complaining of gingival bleeding, pus discharge, halitosis, and gingival enlargement in the anterior region of the jaw. The patient noticed the problems 1 year back which was gradually increasing in severity. The patient was medical fit. In this case, a complete elimination of severe periodontal disease was achieved by scaling and root planing with a frequent maintenance visit without any surgical intervention in the patient.