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Introduction: Physical factors like stiffness and surface features are among the characteristics that affect the performance of barrier membranes and determine the results of regenerative processes. A perfect equilibrium between the membrane's rigidity and mechanical stability guarantees effective periodontal regeneration. The study's novelty lies in comparing the physical characteristics, namely morphology, tensile strength, wettability, and biological characteristics, namely biocompatibility and enzyme resistance properties, of the Fix-GideTM membrane against the gold standard membrane, Bio-Gide®. Aim: To explore the physical and biological properties of two commercially available barrier membranes in oral tissue regeneration. Materials and Methods: The present in-vitro study compared two commercially available membranes, namely Bio-Gide® and Fix-GideTM. Both membranes are bilayered resorbable membranes, with Bio-Gide composed of porcine dermis Type-I and III collagen and Fix-GideTM of bovine origin. The study was conducted at the Central Leather Research Institute, and the membranes were procured from Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research. Morphological characterisation was done using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Physical properties were evaluated using a tensile strength test, enzyme resistance test, and wettability measurement. Biocompatibility assessment was also performed. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software was used to run the Mann-Whitney U test to analyse the statistical data obtained in the enzyme resistance test. Results: Biocompatibility assessment showed no cytotoxic profile of both membranes, portraying their biocompatible nature. Morphological analysis using SEM showed the surface of the Bio-Gide® membrane to be considerably smoother than the Fix-GideTM membrane. Both membranes, however, have fibrous and porous features on their inner surfaces. Tensile strength assessment found that the percentage of elongation was better with Bio-Gide (1.7±0.4 and 4.8±0.4) when compared to Fix-Gide (15.8±0.2 and 2.2±0.2) in both wet and dry states, respectively. The enzyme resistance test evaluated in dry and wet settings showed that the membranes, namely, Bio-Gide® membrane exhibited around 29±2% of degradation, whereas the Fix-GideTM exhibited only 18±2%. These mechanical profiles exhibited that the membranes has appreciable differences, although there wasn't a statistically significant difference between them (p=0.68). According to wettability studies, Bio-Gide is hydrophilic, but Fix-GideTM is hydrophobic. Conclusion: The observations of the present study showed that Fix-Gide had comparable physio-biological properties to that of the Bio-Gide membrane. This supports the suitability of the use of both membranes for various oral tissue regeneration procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Periodontitis and diabetes are chronic diseases where inflammation plays a central role, with each condition exacerbating the other. Pyroptosis, an inflammatory form of programmed cell death, is implicated in periodontitis and diabetes. The activation of gasdermin D (GSDMD), a key mediator of pyroptosis, promotes cytokine release and perpetuates tissue destruction in both. However, the role of the noncanonical pyroptosis pathway mediated by caspase 4 (CASP4) remains less understood. The study aimed to determine the gene expression of noncanonical pyroptosis biomarkers CASP4 and GSDMD in periodontitis and diabetes individuals and correlate with the periodontal and diabetic parameters. Materials and Methods: Sixty individuals were recruited and divided into four groups: Group 1 (healthy), Group 2 (periodontitis), Group 3 (diabetes), and Group 4 (periodontitis with diabetes). Gingival tissue samples were collected from all groups, and the relative mRNA expression levels of CASP4 and GSDMD were determined using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The correlation between CASP4 and GSDMD expression and periodontal parameters – plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), probing pocket depth (PPD), and clinical attachment loss (CAL), as well as diabetic parameters – fasting blood sugar and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C) was analyzed. Results: The relative mRNA expression of CASP4 and GSDMD was highest in Group 4 and lowest in Group 1. Statistical significance was observed between the groups (P ≤ 0.05) for CASP4 and GSDMD. A significant positive correlation was found between CASP4 and GSDMD expression and periodontal parameters (PI, GI, PPD, and CAL), as well as the diabetic parameter HbA1C (P ≤ 0.01). Conclusions: High expression of CASP4 and GSDMD was present in the gingiva of periodontitis and diabetes individuals and correlated with the diabetic and periodontal clinical parameters. This suggests that noncanonical pyroptosis contributes to periodontitis and diabetes pathogenesis through the CASP4/GSDMD axis. The inhibition of GSDMD offers a promising therapeutic approach in managing periodontitis and diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Surgical and postoperative challenges impose the need for noninvasive techniques to enhance bone healing process and reduce complications during implant therapy in diabetic patients. Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) has shown a substantial effect in the management of postoperative pain, neurosensory recovery, and healing at surgical sites. Objectives: The present study aimed to assess the effect of PBMT on peri-implant osteoblastic activity, soft-tissue wound healing, and Post operative pain discmofort among type 2 diabetic patients. Material and Methods: Five type 2 diabetic patients with bilaterally edentulous mandibular posterior teeth necessitating 10 implants with two-segment variant type were included in the study. The study site (SS) with implants was treated with PBMT (gallium–aluminum–arsenide diode laser 810 nm), and the control site (CS) with implant (opposite side) was left untreated. The Wound Healing Index (WHI), Visual Analog Scale, and bone scintigraphy were used to assess postoperative discomfort and peri-implant osteoblastic activity, respectively. Results: The average WHI scores and Visual Analog Scale at the SS were not significantly higher than the CS score. Although lack of significant increase in osteoblastic activity was observed under bone scan, the difference in experimental values highlights a possible association of PBMT and osseointegration potential among the study group. Clinical Implications: The application of Photobiomodulation Therapy (PBMT) as an adjunct around dental implants will improve osteoblastic activity and bone healing to reduce the probability of early-onset failures in patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, to assess the impact of the PBMT on peri-implant bone with different bone densities, further well-controlled long-term trials on larger study groups are needed. Conclusion: Within the limitations of the study, irradiation using PBMT at the peri-implant tissue site has shown favorable osteoblastic activity, WHI score, and Visual Analog Score postoperatively, but the results were statistically not significant. However, further long‑term trials on diabetic individuals on a larger scale are needed for validating these study results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Aberrant deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) contributes to inflammasome orchestrated progression of chronic inflammatory diseases like diabetes and periodontitis. The purpose of the present study was to estimate salivary levels of DNA sensing inflammasomes, absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2), interferon γ inducible protein (IFI16), and cytokine interleukin 18 (IL18) in individuals with periodontitis, diabetes, and healthy controls and interpret its association with periodontal and diabetic parameters. Methods: Salivary levels of AIM2, IFI16, and IL18 were estimated by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in a total of 120 individuals (n = 30 in each group), namely, healthy (Group 1), periodontitis (Group 2), diabetes (Group 3), and diabetes with periodontitis (Group 4). Correlations of inflammasome levels and periodontal clinical parameters—plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), bleeding on probing (BOP), probing pocket depth (PPD), clinical attachment level (CAL), and periodontal inflamed surface area (PISA) were performed. Multiple regression was carried out to predict AIM2 and IFI16 with various independent variables. Results: The mean salivary levels of AIM2, IFI16, and IL18 were highest in diabetes with periodontitis (Group 4) and least in healthy (Group 1) and statistically significant between the groups (p = 0.000). Significant positive correlation between clinical periodontal parameters and AIM2, IFI16, and IL18 was present (p ≤ 0.05). Multiple regression showed glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C) (p = 0.002), GI (p = 0.016), PISA (p = 0.002), and CAL (p = 0.004) were significant predictors of AIM2, while HbA1C (p = 0.012), PISA (p = 0.003), and CAL (p = 0.007) predicted IFI16. Conclusion: The results of the present study showed higher levels of AIM2, IFI16, and IL18 in saliva of individuals with diabetes and periodontitis. HbA1C, PISA, and CAL were significant independent predictors of salivary AIM2 and IFI16 levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Ultrasonic scaling is a potential source of aerosol contamination in dental clinics. The two primary sources of microbial load in aerosols are from the oral cavity and dental unit water line. Literature evidence suggest that the use of preprocedural mouth rinse reduce the bacterial load in aerosol generated during ultrasonic scaling. Aim: The aim of the study is to assess the comparative efficacy of reduction in viable bacteria in the aerosol at patient's chest area, doctor's mask area and two feet beside the patient following use of chlorhexidine/herbal formulation diluted in the water source by a randomized controlled clinical trial. Materials and Methods: Forty-five subjects (with chronic gingivitis) were matched for age, gender, and gingival index score. The subjects were randomized and received ultrasonic scaling with distilled water (control)/chlorhexidine (tTest)/herbal formulation (test). Aerosol produced during scaling was collected at patient's chest area, doctor's mask area, two feet beside the patient on blood agar plates, which were incubated at 37°C for 48 h and total colony forming units (CFUs) were counted. Results: A significant reduction in the total CFUs' counts was observed at all the three sites sampled in test groups (chlorhexidine group and herbal formulation group) as compared to control (P < 0.01). Conclusion: The addition of antiseptic agents to the water source contributed to a significant reduction of the cultivable microbial counts in the aerosol and hence can be used to reduce the risk of cross-infection during ultrasonic scaling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diastema between the teeth negatively affects the patients' smile, psychology and daily activities by creating a disharmony in the patients' face. The development of diastema has been attributed to several factors such as labial frenulum, microdontia, mesiodens, peg-shaped lateral incisors, agenesis, cysts, habits such as finger sucking, tongue thrusting, or lip sucking, dental malformations, genetics, proclinations, dental-skeletal discrepancies, and imperfect coalescence of interdental septum. Patients often present with complex problems that require a multidisciplinary treatment approach which includes determination of the aetiological factors, soft tissue morphology, occlusion, patient demands and aesthetic consideration to achieve satisfactory outcomes. Lack of current literature on classification of diastemas and multi-disciplinary approach of management led to the proposal of a new classification the ATAC (Anatomic and Therapeutic Classification) for management of the diastema. This case report highlights the use of the proposed classification for management of diastemas, requiring a perio-restorative intervention using a Chu's proportion gauge to achieve ideal aesthetics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proinflammatory cytokines play a critical role in the destruction of periodontal tissues. DNA-sensing inflammasomes, such as AIM2 and IFI16, are key mediators in the secretion of IL-1 and IL-18 and facilitate pyroptosis in periodontitis. Andrographolide and resveratrol are phytocompounds known for their antiinflammatory effects, though their precise mechanisms of action remain uncertain. This study aimed to elucidate the molecular interactions of andrographolide and resveratrol with AIM2 and IFI16 inflammasomes using a computational approach. Ten phytocompounds were selected and analyzed via molecular docking. Protein-ligand docking was conducted with AutoDock 4.2.6. Binding affinities and hydrogen bond interactions were assessed. Andrographolide and resveratrol complexes with AIM2 and IFI16 were further subjected to 100 ns molecular dynamics simulations using GROMACS software to assess complex stability. Both andrographolide and resveratrol complexes demonstrated stability throughout the simulations, with adequate inter-hydrogen bonding. Molecular Mechanics Poisson- Boltzmann Surface Area (MMPBSA) analysis revealed that AIM2-andrographolide (-112.100 ± 18.106 kJ/mol) and IFI16- andrographolide (-50.047 ± 27.076 kJ/mol) complexes exhibited higher binding energies compared to AIM2-resveratrol (-15.328 ± 2.539 kJ/mol) and IFI16-resveratrol (-12.534 ± 20.184 kJ/mol) complexes. The results indicate that andrographolide demonstrates a stronger binding affinity to AIM2 and IFI16 inflammasomes compared to resveratrol. This suggests andrographolide is a promising host modulatory candidate for the therapeutic management of periodontitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Periodontal diseases are among the most prevalent oral diseases in the world. Apart from repercussions in the oral cavity, there is evidence that periodontitis contributes to systemic damage in chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and preterm low birth weight.Aims:: The aims of this study were to estimate the prevalence of chronic periodontitis in a sample urban population (<18 years) in Tamil Nadu and to estimate the inflammatory burden posed by chronic periodontitis by calculating the periodontal inflammatory surface area.Settings and Design:: This was a population-based study and cross-sectional design.Subjects and Methods:: A total of 1000 individuals (<18 years) were selected and screened for their periodontal status, oral hygiene status (OHI), and the periodontal inflamed surface area (PISA) in an outreach center located in Chennai, India.Statistical Analysis Used:: The proportion of individuals with different periodontal states (health, gingivitis, and periodontitis) was determined. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the influence of the individual risk factors such as habits (tobacco use), systemic conditions (diabetes), and oral hygiene maintenance on periodontitis prevalence in the sample population.Results:: A high prevalence of periodontal disease was observed in the study population (42.3%). Among the urban participants, age, cigarette smoking, pan chewing, decayed, missing, and filled teeth scores, OHI scores, and PISA scores were found to be significantly associated with periodontitis (P < 0.05).Conclusions:: Periodontitis prevalence appears to be high even in areas with adequate access to oral health care and an inflammatory burden risk exists in a definitive manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease caused by bacterial triggering of the host immune-inflammatory response, which in turn is regulated by microRNAs (miRNA). Polymorphisms in the miRNA pathways affect the expression of several target genes such as tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukins, which are associated with progression of disease. Objective: The objective of this study was to identify the association between the MiR-146a single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (rs2910164, rs57095329, and rs73318382), the MiR-196a2 (rs11614913) SNP and chronic periodontitis. Methods: Genotyping was performed for the MiR-146a (rs2910164, rs57095329, and rs73318382) and the MiR-196a2 (rs11614913) polymorphisms in 180 healthy controls and 190 cases of chronic periodontitis by the direct Sanger sequencing technique. The strength of the association between the polymorphisms and chronic periodontitis was evaluated using logistic regression analysis. Haplotype and linkage analyses among the polymorphisms was performed. Multifactorial dimensionality reduction was performed to determine epistatic interaction among the polymorphisms. Results: The MiR-196a2 polymorphism revealed a significant inverse association with chronic periodontitis. Haplotype analysis of MiR-146a and MiR-196a2 polymorphisms revealed 13 different combinations, of which 5 were found to have an inverse association with chronic periodontitis. Conclusion: The present study has demonstrated a significant inverse association of MiR-196a2 polymorphism with chronic periodontitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]