GPAP results in clinically significant improvement in plaque and gingival index scores and histologically causes less gingival erosion than SBAP or ultrasonic instrumentation, further supporting the safety of this debridement technique in periodontal maintenance therapy.

Background: Psychosocial stress, have been implicated as risk indicators for periodontal disease. Minimal evidence in literature exists to assess the effect of stress reduction therapy (SRT) in the outcome of non-surgical periodontal therapy (NSPT).Objective: Hence, we aimed to explore the possibility of employing SRT in stressed patients as an adjunctive intervention in the management NSPT.Materials and Methods: Sixty male patients divided into Group 1 comprised of 20 unstressed chronic periodontitis patients receiving non-surgical periodontal therapy alone, Group 2a (20 stressed chronic periodontitis patients) received intervention focused on SPT with NSPT and Group 2b (20 stressed chronic periodontitis patients) received only NSPT without SPT. Their stress level was evaluated using a standard questionnaire method and salivary cortisol levels, at baseline and 3 months along with periodontal parameters.Results: There was significant reduction in stress parameters for Group 2a patients. The reduction of total periodontitis affected sites was highest in Group I patients (55.4%), followed by Group 2a patients (53.2%) and Group 2b patients (38%).Conclusion: SRT may result in comparable treatment outcome to unstressed chronic periodontitis patients. This study opens new avenues to investigate the effects of stress management as an adjunctive to conventional NSPT, which should be explored further.

BACKGROUNDVariations in gingival phenotypes may be influenced by tooth shape, position, age and gender as well as the involvement of confounding factors such as racial and genetic factors which in turn influence the clinical and aesthetic outcome of certain periodontal procedure. Therefore, it is important to comprehend if there is any racial influence on gingival thickness. The current study is designed which is the first of its kind to assess the probable role of Mongoloid and the Dravidian races on gingival thickness if any. The aim of the study was to evaluate as to whether there was any difference in the gingival biotype amongst the Mongoloid and the Dravidian races. METHODSA total of 100 systemically healthy individuals in the age group ranging of 18-30 years belonging to two different ethnic groups; Mongoloid (25 males and 25 females) and Dravidians (25 males and 25 females) were randomly selected for the study from the outpatient Department of Periodontology, Krishnadevaraya College of Dental Sciences, Bangalore, from January to May 2016 for the study. Gingival thickness was assessed in the maxillary and mandibular anteriors at the mid papillary and mid buccal sites by modified digital vernier calliper. RESULTSThe difference in mean gingival thickness between the Dravidian (maxilla: 1.73±0.09 mm; mandible: 1.40±0.15 mm) and Mongoloid (maxilla: 1.88±0.15 mm; mandible: 1.60±0.18 mm) population was statistically significant. CONCLUSIONSWithin the limitations of the study it can be concluded that racio-ethnicity could have a positive influence on the gingival biotype. Clinicians should therefore take into consideration the possible influence of racial factor while determining the gingival biotype during the diagnostic and prognostic planning.

Background and Objectives: Leptin (Ob) is an obese protein and is known to maintain tissue integrity. Off late, there are reports that leptin aids in dermal wound healing.