Periodontal disease is a chronic inflammatory disease that is commonly treated with surgical and nonsurgical techniques. However, both approaches have limitations. Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has been widely applied in reducing inflammatory reactions, and research indicates that LLLT induces an anti-inflammatory effect that may enhance periodontal disease therapy. The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of LLLT on human periodontal ligament cells (hPDLCs) in an inflammatory environment and aimed to determine the possible mechanism of action. Cells were cultured and treated with or without lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from Porphryromonas gingivalis or Escherichia coli, followed by irradiation with a gallium-aluminum-arsenide (GaAlAs) laser (660 nm) at an energy density of 8 J/cm2. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reactions were used to assess the expression of pro-inflammatory genes, including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and IL-8. The dual-luciferase reporter assay was used to examine nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) transcriptional activity. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to monitor the concentration of intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). Both LPS treatments significantly induced the mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. However, LLLT inhibited the LPS-induced pro-inflammatory cytokine expression and elevated intracellular levels of cAMP. The LLLT inhibitory effect may function by downregulating NF-κB transcriptional activity and by increasing the intracellular levels of cAMP. LLLT might inhibit LPS-induced inflammation in hPDLCs through cAMP/NF-κB regulation. These results should be further studied to improve periodontal therapy.

BACKGROUND: Oil pulling has been used extensively for many years, without scientific evidence or proof, as a traditional Indian folk remedy to prevent teeth decay, oral malodor, bleeding gums, dryness of throat and cracked lips, and for strengthening the teeth, gums, and jaws. AIMS: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of oil pulling with sesame oil on the count of Streptococcus mutans in plaque and saliva of children, using the Dentocult SM Strip mutans test, and to compare its efficacy with that of chlorhexidine mouthwash. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty age-matched adolescent boys were selected based on information obtained through a questionnaire. They were divided randomly into two groups: the control or chlorhexidine group (group I) and the study or oil pulling group (group II); there were ten subjects in each group. Plaque and saliva samples were collected from all the 20 subjects on the strips from the Dentocult SM kit and, after incubation, the presence of S. mutans was evaluated using the manufacturers' chart. The study group practiced oil pulling with sesame oil and the control group used chlorhexidine mouthwash for 10 min every day in the morning before brushing. Samples were collected from both groups after 24 h, 48 h, 1 week, and 2 weeks and the efficacy of oil pulling was compared with that of chlorhexidine mouthwash. RESULTS: There was a reduction in the S. mutans count in the plaque and saliva samples of both the study and the control groups. The reduction in the S. mutans count in the plaque of the study group was statistically significant after 1 and 2 weeks (P=0.01 and P=0.008, respectively); the control group showed significant reduction at all the four time points (P=0.01, P=0.04, P=0.005, and P=0.005, respectively, at 24 h, 48 h, 1 week, and 2 weeks). In the saliva samples, significant reduction in S. mutans count was seen in the control group at 48 h, 1 week, and 2 weeks (P=0.02, P=0.02, P=0.008, respectively). CONCLUSION: Oil pulling can be used as an effective preventive adjunct in maintaining and improving oral health.

Periodontitis is a disease, which is associated with chronic inflammation and leads to significant destruction of periodontal tissues. Periodontal ligament cells (PDLCs) constitute the largest cell population in PDL tissues and a considerable body of evidence has demonstrated an association between oxidative stress and the progression of periodontitis. However, the effects on PDLCs exposed to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and the molecular mechanisms by which H2O2 affects periodontitis remain to be elucidated. In the present study, the potential cytotoxic effect of H2O2 and the antioxidative function of vitamin C (Vc) in PDLCs were investigated. The results demonstrated that H2O2 treatment decreased the viability of PDLCs. The decreased PDLC viability was primarily induced by apoptosis, which was evidenced by cleaved caspases-3, caspases-9 and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase. Following optimal Vc addition, the proapoptotic effects of H2O2 were partially antagonized. Taken together, the present study demonstrated that H2O2 primarily induced the apoptosis of PDLCs and that these adverse effects were partially rescued following treatment with Vc. These results revealed how H2O2 promotes the progression of periodontitis and provide an improved understanding of the reversal effect of antioxidant treatment. Therefore, optimal Vc administration may provide a potentially effective technique in periodontal therapy.

Since the laser and photomodulation were discovered over 50 years, they have been used for many applications in medicine and in dentistry also. In particular, light-emitting diodes therapy (LT) achieved a great success in medical treatment and photo-therapy. In the decades, LT has been used for several therapeutic purposes. Many beneficial effects have been demonstrated in vitro and in vivo, including antibacterial, antiviral, antitumor, cell differentiation, immune potentiating and tissue repair activities. Beneficial effects of LT have also been observed in clinical settings. Although there are lots of cell culture studies in low-level laser therapy, there are only a few cell culture studies in LT that have similar characteristics. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of LT on primary human gingival fibroblast cells (HGF) on elastin (ELN) gene activation using Real Time PCR. ELN gene activation is directly connected with elastin protein production and HGF functionality. Human gingival tissue biopsies were obtained from three healthy patients during tooth extraction. The gingival specimens were fragmented with a scalpel and transferred in culture dishes containing Dulbecco’s modified Eagle medium supplemented with 20% fetal calf serum (FBS) and antibiotics, i.e. penicillin 100U/ml and streptomycin 100μg/ml. Cells were incubated in a humidified atmosphere of 5% CO2 at 37C. The medium was changed the next day and twice a week. After 15 days, the samples of gingival tissue were removed from the culture dishes. Cells were harvested after an additional 24 h incubation. Human gingival fibroblasts at the second passage were seeded on multiple 6-well plates. The cells stimulation was performed with a light-emitting diodes (LEDs) medical device type E-Light. The LED irradiation seems to be directly correlated with the elastin (ELN) gene activation. Interestingly, ELN gene expression in the cultured human gingival fibroblasts seems to be inversely related to the patients’ age; in fact, its expression tends to decrease with aging. In summary, the result of the present study shows that LED irradiation promoted ELN gene expression more in elderly than in younger adults.

The results of clinical and laboratory assessment of effectiveness of PSR-diagnosis are presented. The high efficacy of ozone therapy is revealed. The findings demonstrate the reduction of number in the micro-organisms in root canal: Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans from 31.25% to 10.21%; Bacteriodes forsythus from 68.75% to 15.50%; Treponema denticola from 37.5% to 11.4%; Porphyromonas gingivalis from 56.25% to 45%; Prevotella intermedia from 16% to 0%.

It has been suggested that vitamin C deficiency/scurvy is associated with gingival inflammatory changes; however, the disorder is very infrequently encountered in the modern era. Here, we report a case of extensive gingival overgrowth caused by vitamin C deficiency associated with metabolic syndrome and severe periodontal infection.

OBJECTIVES:Recently, photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been introduced as a new modality in oral bacterial decontamination. Current research aims to evaluate the effect of photodynamic killing of visible blue light in the presence of hydrogen peroxide, curcumin and erythrosine as potential oral photosensitizers on Porphyromonas gingivalis associated with periodontal bone loss and Fusobacterium nucleatum associated with soft tissue inflammation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:Standard suspension of P. gingivalis and F. nucleatum were exposed to Light Emitting Diode (LED) (440-480 nm) in combination with erythrosine (22µm), curcumin (60 µM) and hydrogen peroxide (0.3 mM) for 5 min. Bacterial samples from each treatment groups (radiation-only group, photosensitizer-only group and blue light-activated photosensitizer group) were subcultured onto the surface of agar plates. Survival of these bacteria was determinedby counting the number of colony forming units (CFU) after incubation.

RESULTS:RESULTS for antibacterial assays on P. gingivalis confirmed that curcumin, Hydrogen peroxide and erythrosine alone exerted a moderate bactericidal effect which enhanced noticeably in conjugation with visible light. The survival rate of P. gingivalis reached zero present when the suspension exposed to blue light-activated curcumin and hydrogen peroxide for 2 min. Besides, curcumin exerted a remarkable antibacterial activity against F. nucleatum in comparison with erythrosine and hydrogen peroxide (P=0.00). Furthermore, the bactericidal effect of visible light alone on P. gingivalis as black-pigmented bacteria was significant.

CONCLUSION:Our result suggested that visible blue light in the presence of erythrosine, curcumin and hydrogen peroxide would be consider as a potential approach of PDT to kill the main gramnegative periodontal pathogens. From a clinical standpoint, this regimen could be established as an additional minimally invasive antibacterial treatment of plaque induced periodontal pathologies.

:Playing various musical instruments is the cause of an additional load that affects the condition of dentition and of all organs and body systems at large. Each group of instruments is known to exert a specific impact on the health of the musicians including the undesirable influence on the state of thir oral cavity, such as a change of occlusion and irritation of oral mucosa. Taken together, these effects contribute to the development of periodontal disease, one of the most common dental disorders.

AIM:The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of ozone therapy conducted with the use of the generator producing ozone under effect of ultraviolet radiation for the treatment of periodontitis in musicians-instrumentalists.

MATERIAL AND METHODS:The study included 42 musicians presenting with the diagnosis of periodontitis who were divided into two groups depending on the severity of the disease. Group 1 was comprised of the subjects with mild periodontitis while group 2 consisted of the musicians having periodontitis of moderate severity. All the participants in the study remained under observation over 6 months during which they were treated by ozone therapy. The results of the treatment were estimated immediately after the onset of therapy as well as within the next 3 and 6 months. The variance analysis with the use of Student's t-test was employed for the statistical treatment of the data obtained.

RESULTS:The study has demonstrate that ozone therapy resulted in the reduction of inflammation and normalization of local blood circulation in the periodontal tissues; moreover, it extended and lengthened the periods of remission and stabilization of the process of recovery.

CONCLUSION:The results of the study are of primary importance for the maintenance of oral cavity health in musicians-instrumentalists which is indispensable for the maintenance of their successful professional activity.