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Background: Periodontitis may be a possible risk factor for atherosclerosis. The current pilot study explored arterial wall thickness and other variables associated with atherosclerosis in healthy subjects with and without periodontitis. Methods: Patients with moderate (N = 34) and severe periodontitis (N = 15) and controls (N = 14) were recruited. Intima media thickness (IMT) of the common carotid arteries (CCA), internal carotid arteries (ICA), and bifurcations of carotid arteries (BCA) was estimated bilaterally using B-mode ultrasound. An overall IMT was calculated as the mean of these six measurements. C reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen, and von Willebrand factor (vWf) were measured in plasma as indicators of systemic inflammation and atherosclerotic disease. Microalbuminuria was determined as a marker of endothelial cell dysfunction. Results: IMT for CCA were 0.64, 0.68, and 0.69 mm for control, moderate, and severe periodontitis, respectively (not significant). IMT for BCA did not vary among groups. IMT of ICA was largest for severe periodontitis (0.81 mm); corresponding values for controls and moderate periodontitis were 0.58 and 0.55 mm, respectively (P= 0.023). Severe periodontitis patients had an overall IMT of 0.76 mm, while moderate periodontitis patients and controls had lower values (0.64 and 0.65 mm, respectively; P= 0.153). After adjusting for potential confounding factors, the increased IMT for ICA in severe periodontitis was also significant (Padj = 0.040). CRP (P= 0.020, Padj = 0.050) and vWf (P= 0.019, Padj = 0.013) were higher in periodontitis than controls; microalbuminuria was not different between groups. Power calculations suggest that a 4-fold expansion of the severe patient and control groups will result in a high chance (power level 80%) that a clinically significant association between the overall IMT and periodontitis will be observed. Conclusion: The present pilot study indicates that a full study investigating the relationship between periodontitis and atherosclerosis is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: T and B lymphocytes play important roles in periodontitis. Smoking is considered a risk factor for periodontitis and may exert its negative effects through leukocytes. Taking smoking into consideration, the aim of this study was to analyze numbers of circulating T (CD3+) cells and their CD4+ and CD8* subpopulations, B (CD19+) cells, and T-cell proliferative capacity in periodontitis. Methods: Lymphocyte immunophenotyping for T cells, their CD4+ and CD8+ subsets, and B cells was performed on peripheral blood from 76 periodontitis patients and 36 controls. Proliferative capacity of T cells was determined in whole-blood lymphocyte culture assays after mitogenic stimulation. Results: Total T cells, CD4+ and CD8+ subpopulations, and responsiveness to specific T-cell stimuli did not differ between patients and controls; in addition, B cells were not significantly elevated in periodontitis patients. However, more periodontal breakdown in smoking patients was associated with higher numbers of CD3+ T cells, as well as with CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell subsets, and increased T-cell proliferation. Numbers of B cells were not affected by smoking. Conclusions: The increased numbers of T-cells and elevated T-cell responsiveness in patients who smoke may be one of several explanations why smoking is a risk factor for periodontitis. The mechanism of how T-cell function contributes to increase the severity of periodontal breakdown in smoking periodontitis patients needs to be investigated further. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Periodontitis is a common, often undiagnosed, chronic infection of the supporting tissues of the teeth, epidemiologically associated with cardiovascular diseases. Since C-reactive protein (CRP) and other systemic markers of inflammation have been identified as risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, we investigated whether these factors were elevated in periodontitis Methods; Consecutive adult patients with periodontitis (localized n 5= 53; generalized n = 54), and healthy controls (n = 43), all without any other medical disorder were recruited and peripheral blood samples were taken. Results: Patients with generalized periodontitis and localized periodontitis had higher median CRP levels than controls (1.45 and 1.30 versus 0.90 mg/L, respectively, P = 0.030); 52% of generalized periodontitis patients and 36% of the localized periodontitis patients were sero-positive for interleukin 6 (IL 6), compared to 26% of controls (P = 0.008). Plasma IL 6 levels were higher in periodontitis patients than in controls (P = 0.015). Leukocytes were also elevated in generalized periodontitis (70 x 109/L) compared to localized periodontitis and controls (6.0 and 5.8 x 109/L, respectively, P = 0.002); this finding was primarily explained by higher numbers of neutrophils in periodontitis (P = 0.001). IL-6 and CRP correlated with each other and both CRP and IL-6 levels correlated with neutrophils. The current findings for periodontitis were controlled for other known factors associated with cardiovascular diseases, including age, education, body mass index, smoking, hypertension, cholesterol, and sero-positivity for CMV, Chlamydia pneumoniae, and Helicobacter pylori. Conclusions: Periodontitis results in higher systemic levels of CRP, IL-6, and neutrophils. These elevated inflammatory factors may increase inflammatory activity in atherosclerotic lesions, potentially increasing the risk for cardiac or cerebrovascular events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Two genotypes can be distinguished within the species Peptostreptococcus micros; a smooth (Sm) and a rough (Rg) type. To date no systematic study has been performed on the prevalence and proportion of both types in untreated periodontitis patients and subjects without destructive periodontal disease. Therefore, the present study was performed to investigate: 1) the relative importance of the Sm and the Rg genotype of P. micros in periodontitis and gingivitis; 2) the correlation between smoking and the 2 genotypes of P. micros; and 3) the systemic antibody response against the 2 genotypes in relation to the periodontal condition and smoking. Methods: A total of 104 untreated periodontitis patients and 41 individuals with gingivitis underwent clinical examination and microbiological sampling. Pocket samples were cultured anaerobically on blood agar plates to determine the prevalence and proportion of the Sm and Rg types of P. micros. Serum antibody titers against both types of P. micros were determined in all subjects by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using whole bacterial cells as antigen. Additionally, in a representative group of subjects, the antigen specificity of the serum antibodies was assessed by immunoblotting experiments. Results: The prevalence of the Sm genotype was higher in subjects with periodontitis (94%) compared to subjects with gingivitis (59%), whereas the prevalence of the Rg type was not significantly different (38% versus 29%). Similar analyses were performed for subgroups of smokers and non-smokers; within the periodontitis group, the prevalence of the Sm type was not different between smokers and non-smokers (96% and 92%, respectively), whereas the prevalence of the Rg type was higher in smokers (48%) compared to non-smokers (19%). No difference in prevalence of both types was observed between smokers and non-smokers within the gingivitis group. The titers and specificity of P. micros-specific immunoglobulins in periodontitis patients were not different from those in gingivitis subjects, nor were they related to smoking status or culture-positivity. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that both the Sm and the Rg genotypes of P. micros are part of the normal oral microbiota. However, the elevated prevalence of the Sm genotype in periodontitis and the elevated prevalence of the Rg type in periodontitis patients who smoke implies that both types can behave as opportunistic pathogens in destructive periodontal disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present paper, the onset age of periodontal destruction is discussed. Results of epidemiological studies have shown that with increasing age, the prevalence of periodontitis in a population increases. Data show that after the age of 40 years, the % of the population affected by periodontitis remains rather constant. If it is supposed that the incidence of periodontitis after the age of 40 is zero (no new cases), then extractions resulting in edentulousness due to periodontitis should lead to a decrease of the prevalence of periodontitis. However, after the age of 40 years, the prevalence of periodontitis remains about the same, whereas edentulousness due to periodontitis increases. This suggests that even at a relatively old age, the onset of periodontitis may occur. On the other hand, periodontal destruction has also been found in the primary dentition. Especially on the basis of family studies and studies on localized juvenile periodontitis patients, it can be supposed that in a substantial part of the population, periodontal destruction starts early in life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To compare the efficiency of a new electric toothbrush featuring a novel three-dimensional brush head action, with a manual toothbrush, in resolving gingivitis which had been allowed to develop in a group of subjects prior to the treatment phase of the study. Materials and Methods: This was a randomized split-mouth study. A total of 35 healthy non-dental students refrained from any oral hygiene on the lower jaw for a period of 21 days in order to develop gingivitis. They then brushed one quadrant of the lower jaw with the Braun Oral-B 3D Plaque Remover and the other with a manual toothbrush for a period of 4 weeks. Plaque and gingivitis were evaluated at the start of the study, after the 21 days of no oral hygiene, and after 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks of brushing twice a day. Results: At the end of the study, the 3D was found to be significantly more effective at reducing bleeding on probing (P < 0.05) for all sites combined and all individual sites. Plaque removal was also significantly more effective with the 3D. Subjects in the study reported that they preferred the 3D to the manual toothbrush and said that it would encourage them to brush for longer. It is concluded that the new Braun Oral-B 3D Plaque Remover offers advantages over a manual toothbrush in terms of plaque control and improvement of gingival condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: It has previously been established that gingival abrasion associated with the Braun Oral-B Ultra Plaque Remover (D9) is minimal and comparable to that observed with a manual toothbrush. The purpose of this single-use study was to compare gingival abrasion with the D9 and a novel electric toothbrush, the Braun Oral-B 3D Plaque Remover (3D). Materials and Methods: 49 subjects (non-dental students) with at least 24 natural teeth and an absence of periodontal probing depths of 5 mm or greater were included in this study. Following a familiarization phase, all subjects received a single prophylaxis and were asked not to brush their teeth for 24 hours prior to their appointment. At this visit, the gums were disclosed by Mira-2-Tone solution and all gingival abrasion on the soft tissues was assessed and recorded. Subjects then brushed their teeth in a random split-mouth order with the two electric toothbrushes, using brush heads of the same design (EB9). The gums were then re-disclosed and gingival abrasions were recorded. They were recorded as either small sites of abrasion (≤ = 5 mm) or large sites of abrasion (> 5 mm). Results: The mean number of small traumas increased from 2.57 at baseline to 4.04 after brushing with the D9 and from 1.98 to 4.14 after brushing with the 3D. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups. For both toothbrushes, more small traumas were found in the upper jaw compared with the lower jaw. No increase in number of large traumas was observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the 1st North Sea Conference on Periodontology in 1980. The main objective of the conference was to start some cooperation in the field of periodontology. In general, the goals were to promote contacts between the members of the British, Dutch and Scandinavian societies of periodontology as well as to promote the highest possible standards in the level of scientific knowledge in periodontology in the various countries. The present proceedings enables the periodontists to share the scientific knowledge presented at the 3rd North Sea Conference.

Presents a response by the author, to a letter to the editor, on his article on periodontology, published in the May 1998 issue of the "Journal of Periodontology."

This review describes the origin and results of the prospective longitudinal study to test potential prognostic indicators for periodontal breakdown in a population deprived of regular dental care. Experimental gingivitis studies in individuals highly susceptible or highly resistant to periodontitis showed that bleeding on probing developed quite differently: 50% versus 18% bleeding, respectively, after 18 days of no oral hygiene. This formed, together with other clinical and microbiological parameters, the basis for the 15-year prospective study in the Java tea worker population to test potential prognostic indicators for periodontal breakdown. Evaluation showed that during the 15-year observation period of this population aged 15-25 years at baseline, the number of teeth decreased and the periodontal condition deteriorated. Gingival recession showed no increase during the first 7 years of observation, whereas a sixfold increase had occurred thereafter. Attachment loss doubled during the first 7 years, but almost tripled thereafter. Risk markers for disease onset/progression during the first 7 years of observation were age, the number of sites with subgingival calculus, and the subgingival presence of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans. Over the full period of 15 years the number of sites with a pocket depth of at least 5 mm and the number of sites with recession were identified as risk markers and male gender as a risk determinant. The prevalence of severe periodontitis amounted to 20% in 2002. Analysis showed that, already at baseline and throughout the study period, the periodontal condition in these individuals was more severe compared with the other participants. In conclusion, characteristics of susceptibility to periodontitis are already apparent in young adulthood., (© 2023 The Author. Periodontology 2000 published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Aim: Assessment of Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) during a randomized controlled trial of supportive periodontal therapy (SPT) consisting of oral prophylaxis with oral hygiene instructions only (test) or in conjunction with subgingival instrumentation (control)., Methods: OHIP-14 was assessed at baseline, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months. Data from 62 participants (50.97 ± 9.26 years, 24 smokers) were analysed by GEE and Logistic regression. OHIP-14 means, effect size, floor and ceiling effect and minimal important difference were calculated. Sum of OHIP-14 (severity), numbers of responses (extent) "fairly often" (FO) or "very often" (VO) and percentage of people (prevalence) reporting FO or VO were computed., Results: At baseline, low scores of OHIP-14 were observed for test (7.67 ± 9.27) and control (6.51 ± 7.47) with a decreasing trend during SPT, without differences between or intra-groups over time. At 6 months, a difference was observed in the OHIP-14 prevalence (p = .03), without differences in severity and extent. Smoking status and plaque >15% (moderate oral hygiene) at 24 months were associated with higher OHIP-14 prevalence scores at that point of time (p = .038 and p = .034, respectively)., Conclusion: Patients submitted to two different modalities of SPT maintained low OHIP-14 scores over 2 years of care., (© 2021 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Chronic marginal periodontitis is an inflammatory condition in which the supporting tissues of the teeth are destroyed. Interferon (IFN)-gamma is a cytokine that plays a pivotal role in the defense against infection, and mutations in the gene coding for the ligand binding chain (alpha, R1) of the IFN-gamma receptor (IFNGR1) confer suseptibility on infections caused by poorly virulent mycobacteria. Using an intronic (CA)n polymorphic microsatellite marker within the IFNGR1 gene we investigated whether genetic polymorphisms are associated with periodontitis. In 62 periodontitis patients and 56 healthy controls we found a total of 13 polymorphisms, 11 of which were found in the periodontitis patients and 9 in the controls. Although we observed a trend towards an association with disease for allele 192, there were no significant differences in allele frequency between patients and controls. We therefore cannot find any evidence to suggest that IFNGR1, as a single dominant gene, contributes to susceptibility to periodontitis. However, in combination with the environmental risk factor, smoking, the same allelic marker was significantly associated [OR = 5.56 (1.16