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Hypertension and periodontitis are highly prevalent among African Americans. This cross-sectional study investigated the relationships among inflammatory biomarkers in the gingival fluid, periodontitis, and blood pressure in these individuals. Twenty-one subjects who reported a diagnosis of hypertension and a comparison group of 26 nonhypertensive participants were enrolled. All were African Americans, non-cigarette smoking, and free from other systemic illness. Blood pressure and body mass index were assessed. A comprehensive periodontal examination was performed. Gingival fluid was collected from 3 healthy sites and 3 diseased sites when available. Samples were assessed for 8-isoprostane, interleukin 1ß, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα), C-reactive protein (CRP), and matrix metalloproteinase 8. Regardless of hypertension status, diseased sites were associated with increased levels of these biomarkers. CRP and TNFα levels were also significantly higher in hypertensive than nonhypertensive individuals without diseased sites. After adjusting for demographics and body mass index, periodontal attachment loss was higher among hypertensive than nonhypertensive subjects. TNFα and CRP levels and hypertension were in the same association pathway with attachment loss. Elevated blood pressure may increase the risk of periodontitis through a localized inflammatory mechanism. Knowledge Transfer Statement: The results of this study can be used by clinicians to better understand the etiology and pathogenesis of periodontitis in hypertensive individuals in general and African Americans in particular. The information could lead to better management of periodontal disease.

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BACKGROUND: This study investigated the oxidative burst function of peripheral phagocytic cells (granulocytes and monocytes) and assessed the relation between oxidative burst and periodontal status in adult individuals with Down syndrome (DS) vs. other groups. METHODS: Of 55 DS individuals (18-56 years old), 74 individuals with mental retardation (MR) and 88 medically healthy controls (HC) participated in the study. The MR and HC groups were age, race and gender matched with the DS group. Gingival index, plaque index, probing depth, attachment level and bleeding on probing were recorded for each subject. Whole blood was collected for granulocyte/monocyte oxidative burst tests. Oxidative burst was determined by flow cytometry in terms of percentage of cells actively involved in oxidative burst, and oxidative intensity (magnitude of ROIs per cell). RESULTS: The basal oxidative burst intensity of DS granulocytes was higher than that of HC and MR granulocytes (p = 0.05). The Escherichia coli stimulated oxidative burst intensity of DS monocytes was higher than that of HC and MR monocytes (p = 0.05). Regression analysis controlling for age, sex, race and plaque levels showed a significant association between monocyte oxidative burst intensity and loss of periodontal attachment in DS subjects (p < 0.01). Regression analysis also showed a significant association between granulocyte oxidative burst intensity and bleeding on probing in all subjects (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Oxidative burst activity of peripheral monocytes and granulocytes is elevated in DS affected individuals and may contribute to periodontal tissue inflammation and loss of periodontal attachment in this susceptible group.

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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The subgingival microbiota in Down syndrome and non-Down syndrome adults receiving periodic dental care was examined for 40 bacterial species using checkerboard DNA-DNA hybridization and the results were related to clinical periodontal attachment loss. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 44 Down syndrome, 66 non-Down syndrome mentally retarded and 83 mentally normal adults were clinically evaluated. This involved, for each subject, the removal of subgingival specimens from three interproximal sites on different teeth; all subgingival samples per subject were then pooled and assessed for the presence and levels of 40 bacterial species using species-specific whole-genomic DNA probes and checkerboard DNA-DNA hybridization. Significant group differences in species proportions averaged across subjects were evaluated using the Kruskal-Wallis test, and associations between subgingival species and mean subject attachment loss within Down syndrome and non-Down syndrome subject groups were quantified using Pearson correlation and multiple linear regression analysis. RESULTS: Down syndrome subjects exhibited greater attachment loss than non-Down syndrome subjects (p=0.05). Most microbial species were present in Down syndrome subjects at levels similar to non-Down syndrome subjects, except for higher proportions of Selenomonas noxia, Propionibacterium acnes, Streptococcus gordonii, Streptococcus mitis and Streptococcus oralis in Down syndrome subjects compared with non-Down syndrome study subjects, higher proportions of Treponema socranskii in Down syndrome subjects compared with non-Down syndrome mentally retarded subjects, and higher proportions of Streptococcus constellatus in Down syndrome subjects compared with mentally normal subjects. Down syndrome adults classified with periodontitis revealed higher subgingival levels of T. socranskii than Down syndrome subjects with no periodontitis (p=0.02). Higher subgingival proportions of S. constellatus, Fusobacterium nucleatum ssp. nucleatum, S. noxia and Prevotella nigrescens showed significant positive correlations (r=0.35-0.42) and higher proportions of Actinomyces naeslundii II and Actinomyces odontolyticus showed negative correlations (r=-0.36 to -0.40), with increasing mean subject attachment loss in Down syndrome adults. CONCLUSION: Individuals with Down syndrome show higher levels of some subgingival bacterial species and specific associations between certain subgingival bacterial species and loss of periodontal attachment. These findings are consistent with the notion that certain subgingival bacteria may contribute to the increased level of periodontal disease seen in Down syndrome individuals and raise the question as to the reason for increased colonization in Down syndrome.

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BACKGROUND: This study investigated the phagocytic function of peripheral granulocytes and monocytes from adult individuals with Down syndrome (DS) and assessed the relation between phagocytic function and periodontal status. METHODS: Fifty-five DS individuals (18-56 years old), 74 mentally retarded individuals, and 88 medically healthy controls (HC) participated in the study. Gingival inflammation index, plaque index, probing depth, periodontal attachment level (AL), and bleeding on probing were taken for each subject. Whole blood was collected for granulocyte/monocyte phagocytosis tests. Phagocytic function was determined by flow cytometry in terms of percentage of cells actively involved in phagocytosis, and phagocytic intensity (magnitude of the bacterial staining per cell). RESULTS: Phagocytic intensity of both granulocytes and monocytes was comparable in HC and DS subjects. While AL was directly related to phagocytic intensity of both granulocytes (r = 0.14, P = 0.03) and monocytes (r = 0.2, P = 0.003) in all subjects, this relationship was stronger in DS than in other subjects, even after controlling for known risk factors for periodontitis (P < 0.05). Monocyte phagocytic intensity was the only necessary predictor of AL (P = 0.003), indicating a similar relationship between AL and phagocytic activity in either cell type. CONCLUSIONS: While granulocyte and monocyte phagocytic intensities are similar in Down and non-DS individuals, phagocytic intensity was associated with more AL in DS than non-DS individuals.

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OBJECTIVES: Radiographs are an important adjunct in the assessment of periodontal disease in clinical practice and research. The purpose of this study is to compare intraexaminer and interexaminer reproducibility in assessing alveolar bone height on direct digital and conventional radiographs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Matched sets of conventional radiographs and digital radiographs were taken on 23 subjects. Bone levels were measured on radiographs as the distance from the cementoenamel junction to the alveolar crest in millimetres at the mesial and distal surfaces of all available teeth excluding third molars. Two examiners measured bone levels twice on each type of imaging system independent of one another. Correlations and paired t-test values were computed. RESULTS: Intraexaminer relative agreement (r-value) on both digital and conventional radiographs ranged from 0.73 to 0.98, P<0.05; however, differences between measurements (absolute agreement) for each examiner were non-significant, P>0.05. Interexaminer relative agreement on both digital and conventional radiographs ranged from 0.70 to 0.95, P<0.05, and measurement differences between the two examiners were also significant, P<0.05. One examiner tended to score higher measurements than the other, P<0.05. CONCLUSIONS: Alveolar bone measurements are reproducible on both digital and conventional radiographs. Intraexaminer reproducibility is superior to interexaminer reproducibility. Direct digital radiographs did not enhance examiner agreement over conventional radiographs.

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The objective of this study was to compare the measurements of an electronic controlled-force probe (FP) to that of a manual controlled-force probe (SP) and a conventional probe (CP). Twelve subjects were recruited. A quadrant with no missing teeth (excluding third molars) was selected. Probing depth was measured at 6 sites per tooth (mesiobuccal, buccal, distobuccal, mesiolingual, lingual, and distolingual) by two examiners (AK and KC) each using the three probes in the following sequence: FP, SP, and CP. The same measurements were repeated a week later by both examiners. The mean difference of measurements between CP and FP was 0.375 +/- 0.858 mm (P < 0.05), with 52.7% of the measurements within 0.5 mm and 80% within 1.0 mm. Correlation between measurements was high (0.7208) and significant (P < 0.001). The mean difference between SP and FP was 0.450 +/- 0.863 mm (P < 0.05), with 49.1% of the measurements within 0.5 mm and 76.9% within 1.0 mm. Correlation between measurements was high (0.7354) and significant (P < 0.001). The mean difference between CP and SP was -0.074 +/- 0.373 mm (P < 0.05), with 49.1% of the measurements within 0.5 mm and 76.9% within 1.0 mm. Correlation between measurements was high (0.95) and significant (P < 0.001). Intra-examiner differences varied for each examiner. For both examiners, the correlations for FP (AK = 0.77, KC = 0.46) were lower than that for CP (AK = 0.86, KC = 0.80) and SP (AK = 0.86, KC = 0.83). Inter-examiner comparisons showed that the correlation for FP (0.50) was lower than that for CP (0.85) and SP (0.86). The percentage of sites within 1 mm differences was less for FP (70%) than for CP (94%) or SP (94%). In conclusion, both CP and SP correlated well with FP. None of the three probes investigated completely eliminated probing errors. The CP and SP yielded more reproducible measurements than FP. Regardless of the type of probe used, probing measurements are subject to both intra- and interexaminer errors.

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A periodontal abscess often develops in association with deepened periodontal pockets. Traditional management is by establishing drainage and prescribing antibiotics. This is usually followed by surgical pocket reduction. This case report discusses the remarkable healing of a periodontal abscess by establishing drainage alone without resorting to surgical pocket reduction. A 42-year-old white male presented with swollen gingivae associated with the mesiolingual of tooth #23. Increased probing depth and suppuration were evident. Radiographic bone loss on mesial #23 was present. A diagnosis of periodontal abscess was established. The abscess was drained through the orifice of the pocket. The patient failed to return for follow-up as instructed. A year later, the patient came back. Clinical evaluation showed healthy gingival tissues with probing depth of 3 mm on the mesiolingual of tooth #23. Radiographic evaluation showed bone fill of the osseous defect on the mesial of #23. The results of this case suggest that sufficient time should be allowed for healing prior to surgical pocket reduction.

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Heart transplant patients take several medications that could affect their periodontal health. Gingival overgrowth associated with cyclosporin (immunosuppressant agent) and nifedipine (calcium channel blocker) is well documented. Candidal infections often develop because of immune suppression. This report describes the clinical and histopathological changes in the gingival tissues of a heart transplant patient and their management. The gingival tissues exhibited pronounced enlargement. The gingivae were lobulated, and the surface of the lobulations was pebbly and granular. Biopsies showed lobules of fibrous connective tissue covered by stratified squamous epithelium. The outer surfaces were dotted with numerous smaller papillations. Candidal hyphae were present in the superficial layers of the epithelium. The extensive papillary lesions appear to be related to candidiasis and constitute a condition which is best designated as papillary stomatitis. Hyperplastic gingival tissues were excised, and the patient was placed on periodic maintenance. One-year postoperative follow-up showed minor gingival growth.

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Chronic renal disease is associated with well-documented impairments in polymorphonuclear leucocyte (PMN) function. PMNs are important in defending the periodontium against plaque infections. This report discusses a case of periodontitis in a patient with chronic renal failure. It presents treatment provided and 1-year follow up. It shows that periodontal infections in patients with depressed PMN function could still be managed successfully with standard periodontal treatment emphasizing plaque control.

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This study compares the evaluation of periodontal health using bone levels measured on periapical and bitewing radiographs with clinical parameters, such as periodontal screening and recording, gingival indexes, probing depths and attachment levels. The authors found that bitewing radiographs taken within six months of the clinical examination correlated better with the clinical data than older radiographs. However, they concluded that, overall, radiographs are not highly reflective of periodontal status. PSR scores, by contrast, showed significant associations with probing depths and attachment levels. The results support use of PSR as a screening tool for periodontal diseases.

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The system of peridontal screening and recording was developed by the American Dental Association and the American Academy of Periodontology to simplify early detection of periodontal pathology. The authors evaluated the results of PSR against those of a conventional periodontal examination in 24 subjects, each of whom had a minimum of 18 natural teeth. The results of this study suggest that the PSR examination, while a useful screening tool, could be improved to further enhance its identification of patients with peridontal diseases.

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Gingival recession studies in the U.S. have related primarily to sex and age with little consideration of toothbrush hardness. This preliminary study examined the relation between a history of hard toothbrush use and gingival recession. A total of 182 subjects, male and female, between 18 and 65 years of age, with a minimum of 18 natural teeth, no advanced periodontitis or history of periodontal surgery were examined. Gingival recession was scored as present whenever the free gingival margin was apical to the cemento-enamel junction and root surface was exposed. History of hard toothbrush use was ascertained. Eighty-two subjects had a history of hard toothbrush use, 77 did not, and 23 did not know. The percentage of subjects with recession increased with age from 43% to 81%, with a figure of 63% for all age groups combined. Males tended to show slightly greater levels of recession than females. Regression analysis showed that females had about 4 percentage points less receded surfaces than males. Recession was also found to be more pronounced for subjects with a history of hard toothbrush use, with a mean of 9.4% receded surfaces versus 4.7% for those who had never used a hard brush. For users of hard toothbrushes, the percent of surfaces with recession showed a significant and dramatic increase with increasing brushing frequency; this effect did not exist for those without a history of hard brush use. The relation with age was highly significant, with regression analysis showing that the percent of surfaces with recession tends to increase about 3.5 percentage points per decade.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

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This single (examiner) blind, randomized, 4-week study compared the safety and efficacy of a new electric toothbrush (experimental) regarding plaque removal and reducing gingivitis with two other brushes, an electric brush (control electric) and a manual toothbrush (control hand). Ninety-six subjects with 1) a minimum of 15 suitable teeth in acceptable occlusion; 2) a minimum gingivitis score of 0.9; and 3) a minimum plaque score of 1.8 were entered into the study. The subjects were randomly assigned to one of 3 groups: a control hand group (31 subjects), an experimental group (32 subjects), and a control electric group (33 subjects). Device use instructions were given according to the manufacturer's recommendations. Two examiners separately determined either gingival scores or plaque scores at baseline and 4 weeks. In regard to gingivitis, use of all 3 brushes for the study period showed statistically significant improvements in gingivitis scores (P values less than 0.01) within each of the 3 groups. Between group analyses of covariance showed that of the 3 groups, the control hand group improvement was better than both the experimental and the control electric groups (P less than 0.05). When interproximal gingivitis scores were analyzed separately, similar improvements were noted. Regarding effectiveness of plaque removal during a single brushing event at the initial and final visits, each of the 3 brushes was effective in reducing plaque for every tooth surface scored (P values less than 0.01). However, between group analyses of covariances showed that the experimental group was better than the other two (P less than 0.01).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

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With a technique for sampling, processing and analysis of gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) that allows multiple constituents to be analysed from a sample collected on a filter paper strip, we have examined IgG, IgA, IgM and alpha-2-macroglobulin (alpha 2M) in GCF from patients with chronic adult periodontitis. Clinical data and GCF were collected before and 3 months after root planing and scaling, and analysed to determine trends for the population. A statistically-significant decrease in the percentage of sites with bleeding on probing, erythema and supragingival plaque was observed 3 months after therapy. The mean amount of each glycoprotein in GCF decreased dramatically at 3 months. In contrast, the mean volume of GCF was virtually identical at the two evaluations. The IgG/IgA and IgG/IgM ratios in GCF were elevated when compared with human serum suggesting the preferential occurrence of IgG in GCF. Correlation of the four glycoproteins with GCF volume and with enzyme markers of the acute inflammatory response in GCF revealed a relationship between arylsulphatase (a lysosomal enzyme), fluid influx, and the passage of larger molecular-weight glycoproteins (alpha 2M, IgM) into the gingival crevice.

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