Periodontal diseases produce physical and chemical alterations in the root cementum. Various topical applications as root conditioning agents have been recommended as an adjunct to mechanical root surface debridement to remove smear layer, endotoxins and to expose collagen fibers on dentin surface. The objectives were to compare dentin surface changes following applications of tetracyclines and citric acid to the instrumented root surface of periodontally involved human teeth under scanning electron microscope.The study group comprised of 80 dentin samples, which were prepared from periodontally-compromised teeth, planned for extraction. Diseased surfaces were root planed. The teeth were sectioned and solutions of tetracycline HCl, minocycline, doxycycline and citric acid were applied to the surfaces with cotton pellets for 5minutes.The root surface samples were then examined by scanning electron microscope.Removal of smear layer in all the four groups was near total except a few areas. All four groups showed slight difference in mean number of total dentinal tubules. Minocycline and doxycycline showed no significant difference. The proportion of patent dentinal tubules was (74%) in tetracycline HCl group compared to minocycline (48.3%), doxycycline 42%), citric acid (52%), showing the differences statistically significant. Tetracycline group showed higher number of patent tubules when compared to minocycline, doxycycline and the difference was statistically significant.Results of this study suggest that tetracycline is the best current tetracycline form for root surface conditioning as measured by its ability to affect both dentin smear layer removal and tubule exposure.

Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the tooth-supporting structures. The treatment of this condition is largely based on the removal of local factors and restoration of the bony architecture. Moreover, in the era of modern dentistry, successful implant therapy often requires sound osseous support. Traditionally, osseous surgery has been performed by either manual or motor-driven instruments. However, both these methods have their own advantages and disadvantages. Recently, a novel surgical approach using piezoelectric device has been introduced in the field of periodontology and oral implantology. This article discusses about the wide range of application of this novel technique in periodontology.

Background:Gingival inflammation may be caused by injury or plaque-related disease and reduction in inflammation can be a useful indicator of gingival recovery. There has been little research on development of non-index method to measure gingival condition. The study aimed to investigate the quantitative analysis of gingival swelling and color characteristics of gingiva by digital images before and after treatment of individual patients.Material and Methods:Twenty volunteers with gingival inflammation were recruited and digital images were taken. Duplicate measurements were made on the first visit by the same examiner. At a subsequent visit (1 month) following scaling and root planing, second images were taken. Gingival changes were determined by assessing redness and tooth surface area visible between the level of the inter-proximal papillae and the gingival margin.Results:Significant difference was found between the pre-operative and post-operative photographs with regard to swelling and gingival redness.Conclusion:Thus this method aids in quantitative analysis of swelling and color characteristics of gingiva by digital images may become a valuable, objective, practicable non-index and inexpensive evaluation procedure of gingival inflammation.

Background and Objectives:The purpose of this study was to evaluate the positional changes of the periodontal tissues, particularly the biological width, following surgical crown-lengthening in human subjects.Materials and Methods:A clinical trial study involving 15 patients was carried out for a period of 6 months. Sites were divided into 3 groups: treated (TT) sites, adjacent (AD) sites and nonadjacent (NAD) sites. Free gingival margin [FGM], attachment level, pocket depth, bone level, biological width [BW] were recorded at baseline, 1, 3 and 6 months. Direct bone level after flap reflection was recorded before and after osseous resection at baseline only. Level of osseous crest was lowered based on BW, and supracrestal tooth structure needed using a combination of rotary and hand instruments.Statistical Analysis:Student t test and ANOVA were used.Results:Overall, apical displacement of FGM at TT, AD and NAD sites was statistically significant compared to baseline. The apical displacement of FGM at TT site was more when compared to that at AD and NAD sites at 3 and 6 months. The BW at the TT site was smaller at 1, 3 and 6 months compared to that at baseline. However, at all sites, BW was reestablished to the baseline value at the end of 6 months.Interpretation and Conclusion:The BW at TT sites was reestablished to its original vertical dimension by 6 months. In addition, a consistent 2-mm gain of coronal tooth structure was observed at the 1, 3 and 6-month examinations.

Neurofibroma is an uncommon benign tumor of the oral cavity derived from the cells that constitute the nerve sheath neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), also known as von Recklinghausen's disease, is the most common type of neurofibromatosis and accounts for about 90% of all cases. It is one of the most frequent human genetic diseases, with the prevalence of one case in 3,000 births. Neurofibroma is seen either as a solitary lesion or as part of the generalized syndrome of neurofibromatosis. The solitary form does not differ from the disseminated form or the multiple form of the disease, except that systemic and hereditary factors present in the disseminated form are absent in the solitary type. Oral cavity involvement by a solitary and peripheral plexiform neurofibroma in patients with no other signs of neurofibromatosis is uncommon. The expressivity of NF1 is extremely variable, with manifestations ranging from mild lesions to several complications and functional impairment. Oral manifestations can be found in almost 72% of NF1 patients. This is a case report of a 40-year-old lady with a history of multiple faint rounded densities in the skin, chest pain occasionally since 8 months and breathlessness since 1 year and swelling of the right side of the angle of the mandible with limited mouth opening.