Aim:To indigenously prepare a chair-side test kit for investigating and comparing the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-8 levels in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and saliva in patients with healthy periodontium, gingivitis and chronic periodontitis in smokers and nonsmokers. To validate the diagnostic accuracy of indigenously prepared chair-side test against enzyme-linked immune-sorbent assay (ELISA). Furthermore, to assess the effect of nonsurgical periodontal therapy (NSPT) on the levels of MMP-8 in GCF and saliva among the test groups.Materials and Methods:GCF and saliva were collected from 250 subjects. The study population were divided into five groups; health periodontium-nonsmokers (Group 1; n = 50), chronic gingivitis-nonsmokers (Group 2; n = 50), chronic periodontitis-nonsmokers (Group 3; n = 50), chronic gingivitis-smokers (Group 4; n = 50), chronic periodontitis-smokers (Group 5; n = 50). A chair-side test kit was indigenously prepared using polyclonal antibodies (principle of immunochromatography) to detect the MMP-8 levels, and it was validated against ELISA at baseline and 3 months after NSPT.Results:The chair-side test detected MMP-8 levels with a sensitivity and specificity in accordance with ELISA. MMP-8 levels at baseline were higher in Group 2 and Group 3 as compared to controls (P < 0.05), and decreased after therapy (P < 0.05). MMP-8 levels in GCF were greater than in saliva for all the groups, indicating GCF to be a better sample to detect the MMP levels.Conclusion:The chair-side test detected MMP-8 levels accurately making it a viable chair side diagnostic tool. It was effective for early diagnosis of the periodontal disease among high-risk population such as smokers.

Biofilm formation in DUWLs is inevitable with the subsequent release of part of microbiota into the otherwise sterile dental settings. These consequences can be quite serious on clinicians and dental patients. Though conventional measures in water decontamination have been partly successful, the quest for more foolproof methods has led to the use of latest technology, i.e., nanotechnology. The most practical option has to be chosen based on the ease of their usage.

Background: Local drug delivery to gingival sulcus avoids adverse effects seen with systemic therapy and there is very little information to substantiate the additive effect of the drugs, the current study makes an attempt in same regard. Aim:The objective of this study was to compare the local application of ornidazole and chlorhexidine gel (Clorni TM gel) as an adjunct to scaling and polishing, with scaling and polishing alone.Materials and methods: 33 patients meeting inclusion criteria were randomly allocated to treatment groups by computerized randomly selection method. Indices were recorded at baseline at their first visit. Supragingival and subgingival scaling and polishing was performed using hand and ultrasonic instruments. The patients were evaluated clinically by using the gingival index, plaque index and modified sulcus bleeding index. On test side, Clorni TM gel was applied subgingivally after nonsurgical periodontal therapy. On the control side, no intervention was done following subgingival scaling and polishing. Patients were recalled at 7 th day for subsequent administration of gel on the same site and followed up at 21 st day and 3 months to compare the gingival condition by using the indices.Results: All subjects showed significant improvement over 3 months recall period, irrespective of test or controls. Statistical significance (p˂ 0.05) was observed at 7 days and 21 days for test group for the gingival index and at 21 days for the plaque index and modified sulcus bleeding index. Conclusion:The topical gel when used as an adjunct to scaling and polishing had significant results.