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The article comments on 2 papers on the diabetes-periodontitis relationship in 2024. Topics discussed include the studies' overstated findings which impact many health disciplines like periodontology, and the need for cautious interpretation of results to reduce the risks of bias in them. Also noted are the appropriate conclusions of the association's dependence on the periodontitis defintion, and the non-link of adult periodontal therapy to changes in certain diabetes types.

The services being provided by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research are discussed. The area of dental research the institute is currently supporting is also discussed. The trends in dental research are also discussed.

Information about the United States' scientific contributions to dentistry is provided. It is believed that many scientific advances have led to improved dental care since the founding of the American Dental Association. Practitioners and dental educators need to make a substantive effort in order to apply new discoveries in ways that improve oral health.

It is recommended that the Journal of the American Dental Association and other influential health journals conform to the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Clinical Trials Statement (CONSORT) to ensure transparency in reporting clinical trials. This information is essential to evaluate the reliability or relevance of the study's results.

Background. The rapid pace of biomedical discoveries in the past few years has resulted in substantial advances in our ability to diagnose, treat, and prevent a wide variety of diseases. The sequencing of the human genome offered the possibility of understanding the etiology, pathogenesis, and risk of developing disease from a genetic perspective and has resulted, for example, in the development of genomic-based diagnostic or risk-assessment tests for a number of medical and dental conditions. To assess the scientific evidence underlying such tests and determine whether they may be useful in clinical practice, practitioners need to have a basic understanding of the state-of-the-science of genomics and genetic testing. Objective. To assist practitioners in understanding the science of genomics, the American Dental Association and the Task Force on Design and Analysis in Oral Health Research co-sponsored a landmark conference, Navigating the Sea of Genomic Data, held October 28-29, 2015, at the American Dental Association headquarters building in Chicago, IL. The purpose of this conference was to review the basics of genomic science, promote sound design and analysis of genomic studies of oral diseases, and provide a basis or "framework" to guide practitioners in assessing new development in genomics and genetic tests for oral diseases. Overview. Presentations at this conference were made by 9 world-renowned scientists who discussed a wide range of topics involving genomic science, genetic testing for rare mendelian single gene disorders, and genetic testing for assessing the risk of experiencing common complex diseases. This article summarizes the key points and concepts presented by the speakers. Practical Implications. It is essential for oral health care professionals to have a fundamental understanding of genomic science so that they can evaluate new advances in this field and the use of genetic testing for the benefit of their patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An editorial is presented in which the author discusses the importance of oral and dental care that improves patient's overall health and quality of life. The multiple range of diseases or systemic diseases that dentistry could prove to be beneficial is reported by the author. The association of systemic diseases and oral health care is also discussed in the article. However it is also argued that prevention of oral diseases doesn't lead to prevention of systemic diseases.

The author comments on traits related to the article "The X-RAY in Dental Practice," by C. Edmund Kells. His commentary focuses on Kells, who was among the pioneers of modern health care. He also suggests that the article provides a window into a segment of medical and dental thinking and practice of the time and often repeats his commitment to the preservation of oral health and the dentition. It also states that much of the article deals with the "crime," as he put it, of focal infection.

Background: Previous studies have shown that subantimicrobial dose doxycycline (SDD) is of clinical benefit in the treatment of chronic periodontitis (CP). The aim of this study was to further assess the role of SDD as an adjunct to scaling and root planing (SRP) in the treatment of CP. Methods: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, multicenter clinical study was conducted to test the efficacy of SDD (20 mg doxycycline B.I.D.) in combination with SRP in subjects with moderate to severe CP. Two-hundred ten subjects were treated with a standardized episode of SRP and randomized to receive either adjunctive SDD or placebo for 9 months. Efficacy parameters included per-subject mean changes in clinical attachment level (CAL) and probing depth (PD) from baseline, and the total number of sites with attachment gains and probing depth reductions ≥2 mm and ≥23 mm from baseline. Results: In periodontal sites with PD 4 to 6 mm and ≥7 mm (N = 209, intent-to-treat population), mean improvements in CAL and PD were greater following SRP with adjunctive SDD than SRP with placebo, achieving statistical significance in all baseline disease categories at month 9 (P <0.05). At month 9, 42.3% of sites in the SDD group demonstrated CAL gain ≥2 mm compared to 32.0% of sites in the placebo group (P <0.01). CAL gain ≥3 mm was seen in 15.4% of sites in the SDD group compared to 10.6% of sites in the placebo group {P <0.05). When considering the same thresholds of change in PD, 42.9% of sites in the SDD group compared to 31.1% of sites in the placebo group demonstrated PD reduction ≥2 mm (P <0.01), and 15.4% of sites in the SDD group compared to 9.1% of sites in the placebo group demonstrated PD reduction ≥3 mm (P <0.01). Conclusion: Adjunctive subantimicrobial dose doxycycline enhances scaling and root planing. It results in statistically significant attachment gains and probing depth reductions over and above those achieved by scaling and root planing with placebo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the periodontal treatment response among participants in the Diabetes and Periodontal Therapy Trial (DPTT) on the effect of nonsurgical periodontal therapy in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus and periodontitis. Topics discussed include calls against the use of DPTT studies as basis for future scientific texts and indications that periodontal treatment was safe and effective in minimizing signs of periodontal disease in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Background: Both environmental and genetic factors are known to influence clinical measures of periodontal disease. The purpose of this study was to determine whether genetic factors similarly influence the presence of specific periodontal bacteria in subgingival plaque. Methods: Reared-together and reared-apart monozygous (MZ) and dizygous (DZ) adult twins were examined clinically. Demographic and behavioral information was obtained from each subject by questionnaire. Subgingival plaque samples were obtained from the index teeth, and the presence of P. intermedia, P. gingivalis, A. actinomycetemcomitans, E. corrodens, and F. nucleatum was determined using an immunoassay. Results: Microbiological and clinical data were available for 169 twin pairs. The subject-based prevalences of the bacteria in the twin groups ranged from 11% for Porphyromonas gingivalis to 40% for F. nucleatum. For all species examined, the concordance rates were not significantly different (P >0.05) between MZ and DZ twin groups. These findings were apparent despite similar smoking histories, self-reported oral hygiene practices, and antibiotic use in the twin groups. Furthermore. MZ twins reared together were not more similar than MZ reared-apart twins with respect to any bacterial species examined. Conclusions: These findings suggest that in a population with access to routine dental care, any effects that host genes and the early family environment have on the presence of specific bacteria in subgingival plaque are not apparent in adulthood. Most twins with disease in this study had early periodontitis. Results from this study may not necessarily be extrapolated to more advanced disease states. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was designed to examine human subgingival plaque for the presence of dark-pigmented Bacteroides (DPB) species in a large adult population that had been following a rigorous oral hygiene and recall program for 2 years. Subjects received scaling and root planing and oral hygiene instructions at the time of entry and then a prophylaxis and/or oral hygiene instructions at frequent intervals. Clinical measurements were determined and microbial flora identified in subgingival plaque. The DPB species were found in 63% of the subjects and 47% of the total sites. The N-acetyl-B-glucosaminidase-positive DPB species (B. melaninogenicus, B. denticola or B. loescheii), B. intermedius, B. gingivalis and strains of unclassified pigmenting Bacteroides were found in 25, 50, 3 and 40% of the subjects, respectively, and at 15, 35, 2 and 25% of the sites, respectively. Plaque and bleeding indices, probing depth and mean proportions of motile rods and spirochetes were higher at sites with DPB as compared to sites without DPB species. Sites with B. intermedius had higher plaque and gingival indices and greater loss of probing attachment than sites with DPB other than B. intermedius. The prevalence of B. intermedius and other DPB species was high even though subjects were on a rigorous oral hygiene and recall program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of phenytoin therapy on periodontal indices, plaque microbiology, and gingival overgrowth was studied. Plaque, gingivitis, and calculus indices and pocket depth were recorded for anterior and posterior teeth of 89 subjects partitioned into 5 groups, a control group, and 4 groups of patients receiving phenytoin therapy with differing severity of gingival overgrowth. A survey of the major oral microorganisms present in marginal plaque was also done. The clinical indices increased with increasing severity of overgrowth. Patients with no or minimal overgrowth had clinical indices equal to or less than those of controls. The proportions of the major oral genera in marginal plaque samples from the groups were similar except for the patients with the most severe gingival overgrowth (mentally retarded and institutionalized). The microbe proportions from neither anterior nor posterior sites had a distinct relationship to severity of gingival overgrowth. Furthermore, no differences were found between clinical parameters or plaque microbiology at the anterior sites of patients who had greater anterior than posterior overgrowth. More frequent correlations occurred among clinical parameters than among microbial percentages or between microbial percentages and clinical indices. This study does not support a specific marginal plaque etiology for phenytoin associated gingival overgrowth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Serum from dental patients was examined for its capacity to affect migration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes toward a complement-independent chemotactic factor, bacterial filtrate of Escherichia coli, (BF). Seven subjects with advanced periodontitis, documented with clinical measurements of pocket depth, loss of attachment, indices for gingival inflammation and oral hygiene, were paired with normal subjects of similar age and sex. This study shows that patients whose only apparent clinical symptom was severe periodontal inflammation harbor a heat-stable, serum component which neutralizes factors chemotactic for polymorphonuclear leukocytes. A role for this component in modulation of inflammatory infiltration is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article looks at the contributions of Dr. Sigurd Peder Ramfjord and Dr. Major McKinley Ash, Jr. to the field of periodontology, periodontics, and the study of dental occlusion. The educational backgrounds of both men are discussed. Ramfjord's use of the Periodontal Disease Index as well as his idea of using fixed reference landmarks to study longitudinal effectiveness of periodontal therapies is mentioned. The author reviews several collaborations between Ash and Ramfjord, citing teachers that had inspired their work.

The article presents an overview of the history of the Task Force on Design and Analysis, which has striven to encourage, promote and foster the use of creative and innovative methodology in dental research. A discussion of the roles that Neal W. Chilton, John W. Fertig and Joseph L. Fleiss played in the formation and development of the task force is presented. International congresses and conventions that were held by the task force are discussed. The impact the task force has had on dentistry and on dental research is examined.

The article presents a study over the research methods and design, research translation, statistical analysis, and critical appraisal of the scientific literature on clinical investigation. Noted is the purpose which is to educate practitioners on the understanding of needed research and skills in the interpretation of studies published in the medical and dental literature. Moreover, considered were the implications of practices highlighting the systematic literature reviews.

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article "A Pilot Study of a Chiropractic Intervention for Management of Chronic Myofascial Temporomandibular Disorder" by Dr. James DeVocht and colleagues in the October 2013 issue.

The article reviews the nQuery Advisor software for dental research.

Measurement of clinical attachment level has become a standard for judging clinical response in periodontal therapy. A number of probing methods and instruments have been developed in an attempt to address limitations in obtaining this measurement. First generation instruments include conventional periodontal probes; second generation probes utilize controlled forces; and third generation probes incorporate automated measurement, controlled forces, and computerized data capture. Various types of Stents have been used and repeated measurement techniques have been proposed to reduce examiner error. Controlled force probes appear to have their greatest advantage in increasing inter-examiner repeatability. The use of measurement Stents increases inter- and intra-examiner reliability. However, use of such Stents may be limited to small sample studies of limited duration. Third generation instruments offer advantages in terms of automated measurement and data capture, increased resolution, and a more continuous measurement scale, but do not necessarily result in increased intra-or inter-examiner reliability. Examiner training and calibration are essential for any measurement instrument. Decisions for or against use of a particular instrument must be made on the basis of the needs of each clinical trial. At the present time, no commercially available instrument resolves all of the inherent limitations of clinical measurement of attachment level. J Periodontol 1992; 63:1072-1077., (© 1992 American Academy of Periodontology.)