In the subjects assessed, the thickness of the palatal gingiva at the lateral-canine area was the highest followed by the premolar area. In periodontal root coverage procedures and during implant therapy, we suggest the inclusion of the lateral incisor area, apart from the canine and premolar area, as a potential donor site for harvesting soft tissue grafts from the palatal area. However, the effect of several factors like age and sex of the patient, the anatomy of the palatal area, the influence of rugae patterns and racial and geographical differences should be taken into consideration prior to harvesting a graft from these sites. Apart from this, the study suggests that, the ultrasonographic measurements provide an elegant means of obtaining the measurements of gingival and mucosal tissues rapidly, accurately and non-invasively. Our endeavour in this research project attempts to open more avenues for studies in the field of advanced periodontal diagnosis, with the use of ultrasound, and expand the horizons of periodontal plastic surgery and implant therapy as well.

Background and Objectives:Various bacterial species from subgingival biofilm have demonstrated aetiological relevance in the initiation and progression of periodontitis. The aim of this study was to detect the presence of Tannerella forsythia (Tf) in subgingival plaque of periodontally healthy subjects and chronic periodontitis patients by using both culture and PCR technique and compare the two techniques.Materials and Methods:Pooled subgingival plaque samples were taken using sterile curettes from predetermined sites in 50 periodontally healthy subjects and from 50 periodontitis subjects. Samples were analyzed for the presence of T. forsythia using both techniques. Statistical analysis of the results was done using Chi-square test, sensitivity, and specificity tests.Results:Both techniques could detect T. forsythia in subgingival plaque samples from healthy and periodontitis subjects. Periodontally healthy individuals and individuals with chronic periodontitis using the culture technique showed the presence of T. forsythia in 14 and 34%, respectively. PCR technique showed the presence of T. forsythia in 20% healthy and 40% chronic periodontitis patients. T. forsythia detection in the periodontitis group was statistically significantly higher when compared to the healthy group by both culture and PCR technique (P = 0.019 and P = 0.029). PCR demonstrated high sensitivity and low specificity when compared to the culture technique.Conclusion:The results indicated that T. forsythia was more prevalent in periodontitis patients when compared with healthy subjects. The PCR was found to be more sensitive than culture technique for detection of T. forsythia from the subgingival plaque samples.

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