This article aims to review periodontal disease in Uruguay. International databases (PUBMED, SCOPUS, EBSCO, SciELO) were consulted. The search also included national sources (National Library of Dentistry, Documentation Center of the School of Dentistry, Ministry of Public Health, National Directorate of Health of the Armed Forces) which were searched manually. The studies found provided useful epidemiological information and allowed us to conduct a historical review of epidemiology concepts, etiopathogenesis and hegemonic currents in periodontics. Gingival disease is the most prevalent disease, while destructive periodontal conditions mainly affect adults. Age, geographical origin, social class and smoking are indicators strongly associated with these disorders. From the close reading of the articles collected we can make suggestions to be considered in future epidemiological surveys

Interproximal brushes are an interdental hygiene tool with diverse indications that have multiple benefits. Among other uses, they are indicated in patients with periodontal disease, with papillae that do not fill the interdental space, patients with orthodontic appliances, fixed prosthesis or implant-supported prosthesis. The aim of this article is to provide guidance on their clinical use based on the available evidence. The results support their use in combination with dental floss for preventing and treating the most prevalent oral diseases, with a significant effect on biofilm control and gingival inflammation.

La enfermedad periodontal se clasifica en dos grandes grupos principales: gingivitis y periodontitis, desencadenadas por una alteración de la microbiota oral, que causa un aumento de microorganismos patógenos con respecto a los beneficiosos. Estos, en interacción con el hospedero y con los factores de riesgo del paciente, definirán una presentación clínica específica. Una de las estrategias que se propone como alternativa frente al uso de antibióticos y como coadyuvante del raspado y alisado radicular (RAR) para tratar las periodontitis, es la administración de probióticos. Los probióticos son denominados como microorganismos vivos que al ser administrados en cantidades adecuadas son capaces de ejercer una acción benéfica sobre la salud del hospedador. Por tanto, el objetivo de este trabajo fue describir el beneficio de los probióticos en la prevención y tratamiento de las principales enfermedades periodontales. Para ello, se realizó una búsqueda desde Enero del 2010 a Mayo del 2020 en Pubmed, Web of Science, SciELO, Science Direct y el Portal Timbó. Obteniéndose como resultado que los probióticos son capaces de reducir los parámetros clínicos y microbiológicos de dichas enfermedades y que pueden ser un valioso complemento en su prevención y tratamiento.

The fact that there are different epidemiological definitions of periodontitis and different evaluation protocols affects the estimate of periodontitis prevalence and of the influence of associated factors. The gold standard for periodontal examination is full-mouth record assessing CAL and PD. However, there are not always sufficient human and financial resources available to apply such assessment for epidemiological surveillance systems. Aim: This study was conducted to compare different protocols and definitions of periodontitis for assessing prevalence and the impact of related factors in adult patients who requested care at the School of Dentistry, UdelaR. Materials and Method: This was a cross-sectional study of 410 subjects with a high burden of disease in terms of NCDs and periodontitis. Clinical examination evaluated PD in all teeth and CAL in the CPI sextants (WHO 2013). Four periodontitis criteria were defined based on two examination protocols (WHO 2013 and WHO 1997) and two definitions of epidemiological case. Comparisons were made taking the 2013 WHO protocol as a reference. Results: Comparison of the two examination protocols showed that prevalence was underestimated when the WHO 1997 protocol was used to define moderate-severe and severe periodontitis, by 20% and 60%, respectively. Conclusions: When the severity of periodontitis was not considered, the WHO 2013 protocol did not provide more information on what factors increase the chance of periodontitis. However, when severity was considered, the associated factors were different. Consequently, in a small population, it would be worth using the WHO 2013 protocol, which is the closest to the full-mouth gold standard criterion. Keywords: cross-sectional studies - periodontal index - periodontitis - risk factors - non-communicable diseases

Periodontitis is one of the most prevalent oral diseases. The study of its pathogenesis has advanced greatly in recent years. However, the details of the mechanisms involved in bone resorption are not clear yet. RANK, RANKL, and OPG are proteins that have a known role in other bone tissue diseases. This paper reviews the evidence on their potential participation in the pathogenesis of periodontal disease. More evidence is needed to understand the relationship between RANK, RANKL, OPG, and bone resorption in periodontitis.