The oral cavity is colonized by a large number and highly diversified communities of micro-organisms. Bacterial biofilm present on tooth or root surface is a major cause of gingivitis and periodontitis. Chemical antimicrobial agents are widely used in prophylactic and therapeutic regimens for dental plaque related diseases, which are among the most common human infections. As these agents are difficult to maintain at therapeutic concentrations in the oral cavity and can be rendered ineffective by resistance development in target organisms, there is a need for an alternative antimicrobial approach. A novel approach, photodynamic therapy (PDT), could be a solution to these problems. Lethal photosensitization of many bacteria, both Gram positive and Gram negative was found in many studies. The advantage of this new approach includes rapid bacterial elimination, minimal chance of resistance development and safety of adjacent host tissue and normal microflora. Thus, the available knowledge of photodynamic therapy should encourage a more clinically oriented application of this technique.

The genetic factors may alter the oral ecology and the process of periodontal disease. These data are suggestive of a broad correlation between periodontal diseases and blood groups, which may act as risk predictors for periodontal diseases. This will make it possible to better-understand the risk factors of diseases of the periodontal tissues and to predict the effective methods of prevention and treatment of periodontal diseases.

Women have special periodontal health care considerations, and there is a need for better oral health education among caregivers. Our results suggest that increasing dental health awareness among gynecologists would significantly improve women's health and pregnancy outcomes.

Aim:Gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) is regarded as a promising medium for detection of markers of periodontal disease activity. Very few investigators have examined concentration of electrolytes in GCF, but most results are not in agreement to one another. This study was undertaken with an objective of quantitative estimation of sodium, potassium and calcium concentrations of GCF in gingivitis and periodontitis, to find the reliability of these ions as diagnostic markers and to analyze the relation of these ions to one another. This will indicate stage of disease activity which helps in early diagnosis, prevention and treatment of periodontal diseases.Materials and Methods:The patients selected for the study included both sexes, aging from 18 to 55 years, divided into two groups: gingivitis (group I) and periodontitis (group II). Using volumetric microcapillary pipette, 5 μl GCF was collected for quantitative analysis of sodium, potassium and calcium using flame photometry.Results:The concentrations of sodium, potassium and calcium in GCF and their significant correlation with gingival index and pocket depth measurements reflect the clinical status of gingival and periodontal tissues.Conclusions:Estimation of these electrolytes may be used as potential diagnostic markers of active disease status in periodontal tissues and to predict the effective methods of prevention and treatment.

Background. Proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines play a key role in the pathogenesis of periodontal diseases. Secretion of bioactive IL-35 has been described by T regulatory cells (Tregs) and is required for their maximal suppressive activity. Tregs are involved in the modulation of local immune response in chronic periodontitis patients. Objective. Hence, the present study was aimed to investigate the expression of IL-35 mRNA in chronic periodontitis and aggressive periodontitis patients. Materials and Methods. The present study was carried out in 60 subjects, which included 20 chronic periodontitis patients, 20 aggressive periodontitis patients, and 20 periodontally healthy controls. IL-35 mRNA expression in gingival tissue samples of all subjects was semiquantitatively analyzed using Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR). Results. The present study demonstrated the expression of IL-35 mRNA in gingival tissues of all the three groups. IL-35 mRNA expression was highest in chronic periodontitis subjects (6.87 ± 2.32) as compared to the aggressive periodontitis group (4.71 ± 1.43) and least seen in healthy patients (3.03 ± 1.91). Conclusion. The increased expression of IL-35 in chronic and aggressive periodontitis suggests its possible role in pathogenesis of periodontitis. Future studies done on large samples with intervention will strengthen our result.