Background and Objective:Smoking is an important environmental risk factor involved in the causation and progression of periodontal disease. Smoking can impair various components of the host immune response and immune system. The virulence factors of periodontal pathogens stimulate inflammatory cytokine expression by mononuclear cells. IL-1β is the key mediator involved in the pathogenesis and disease progression. Therefore, whole gingival biopsy samples are assessed for this increased expression of IL-1.Materials and Methods:29 male subjects’ age and gender matched were divided into three groups based on the periodontal and smoking status (Group A:healthy, Group B: non-smokers suffering from chronic periodontitis, Group C: smokers suffering from chronic periodontitis). Periodontal parameters like plaque index, gingival index, probing pocket depth and clinical attachment level were recorded at baseline and post scaling. The mRNA expression of IL-1β was determined by real time polymerase chain reaction and correlated with the periodontal and smoking status.Results:The improvement in the periodontal parameters was statistically significant in the non- smokers (Group B) and there was a 2 fold increase in the mRNA expression in this group. The smokers (Group C) showed lesser improvement in the periodontal parameters and there was an 8 fold increase in the mRNA expression of IL-1β.Conclusion:Association of smoking status with periodontal destruction can thus be correlated with the increased mRNA expression of IL-1β in chronic periodontitis patients.

Hence, it could be concluded that two-piece implants can be placed following one-stage surgical protocol as predictably as when two-stage surgical technique is followed.

Lasers have been introduced in dentistry as an alternative to conventional knife surgery. The advantage to the operator includes a clean dry field that enhances visibility and reduces the procedure time. The patient benefits by minimal postoperative pain and swelling. The paper discusses use of carbon dioxide laser in five conditions commonly encountered in oral cavity.

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Gingival enlargement is a commonly encountered problem in clinical practice. The treatment of choice is gingivectomy. The wound healing takes place by secondary intention and is associated with signifi cant patient morbidity during the healing period. Newer techniques like the use of laser can be employed to enhance patient comfort during procedure and better healing of the gingivectomy sites. Laser use is benefi cial as it requires minimal anaesthesia, lesser surgical time and good post-operative healing.