Background: Periodontal diseases lead to bone loss, crestal defects and even loss of the tooth, which also further makes it difficult to replace the tooth. Autogenous bone grafts are considered the gold standard in bone regenerative procedures. This study aimed to compare and evaluate the bone regenerative effects of i-PRF (Injectable- Platelet-rich fibrin) with a bone graft and a bone graft alone in mandibular grade II furcation defects over a period of 9 months. Method: This was a comparative study of 12 participants, who were randomly selected and grouped into two groups: test and control. Following phase I therapy, both groups were subjected to open flap debridement. In the test group, after debridement, a nano-hydroxyapatite bone graft mixed with i-PRF was inserted, whereas in the control group only a nano-hydroxyapatite bone graft was inserted. The clinical parameters such as plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), pocket probing depth (PPD), clinical attachment level (CAL), horizontal probing depth (HPD) and vertical probing depth (VPD) were recorded at baseline, 3 months, 6 months and 9 months following the surgery. The bone area fill (BAF) was assessed using intraoral periapical radiographs (IOPARs) taken at baseline and 9 months after surgery. Results: At the baseline, there was no statistically significant difference between the tested parameters. After 9 months all the clinical parameters, PI, GI, PPD, CAL, HPD and VPD as well as radiographic bone fill showed a significant increase in both the groups (p < 0.05) (PI-TGr; CGr–VPD—3.5 ± 0.54 to 0.66 ± 0.51; 3.3 ± 0.81 to 2 ± 0.63/BAF—2.9 ± 0.88 to 5.6 ± 1.10; 3.4 ± 1.39 to 3.9 ± 1.4). On comparison the test group showed better results for each clinical parameter. Conclusion: The results showed increased improvement in clinical conditions in both groups, although better results were seen in the group where i-PRF with a nano-HA bone graft was used in the furcation defect.

Background: Extracts of medicinal plant like lemongrass offer a new choice for optional antimicrobial therapy against various oral microorganisms. The objective of this study was to assess, verify, and compare the antimicrobial effectiveness of locally administered 2% lemongrass gel and 10% doxycycline hyclate gel as an adjunct to scaling and root planing (SRP) in treating chronic periodontitis. Method: This is a double-blind parallel arm randomized controlled study. Forty subjects were randomly divided into Group A and B for 2% lemongrass gel and 10% doxycycline hyclate gel, respectively. The clinical assessments of Gingival Index (GI), Plaque Index (PI), Probing Pocket Depth (PPD), and Clinical Attachment Level (CAL) together with microbial colony counts for Porphyromonas gingivalis, Actinomyces naeslundii, and Prevotella intermedia were done at baseline, 1st month, and 3rd month follow-ups. Results: The results showed there was a significant reduction in the mean scores of GI, PPD, and CAL clinical indices from baseline to the 1st and 3rd month follow-ups in both the 2% lemongrass gel and 10% doxycycline gel groups (p < 0.05). Similarly, there was significant reduction in mean CFU scores for all periodontal pathogens from baseline to 1st and 3rd month follow-ups in both the 2% lemongrass gel and 10% doxycycline gel groups (p < 0.05). Conclusions: It could be concluded that the local delivery of 2% lemongrass gel as an adjunct to scaling and root planing is effective and comparable to 10% doxycycline gel in the treatment of chronic periodontitis.

Dentinal hypersensitivity or cervical dentinal sensitivity is one of the commonest clinical problems. The aim of this randomized controlled trial was to evaluate the effectiveness of a single chair side application of 100% pure calcium sodium phosphosilicate (NovaMin^®) in reducing dentin hypersensitivity following ultrasonic scaling as evaluated on a visual analogue scale (VAS). The study included 50 subjects who were selected based on an evaluation of dentinal hypersensitivity on a VAS carried out using a metered air blast from a three-way syringe and divided into two groups (n = 25/group); i.e., the test group (Group A) received the NovaMin^® paste and the control group (Group B) received a placebo paste made from pumice. All the 50 subjects included in the study were had VAS scores of 3 or more. The NovaMin^® powder mixed with distilled water was applied. Dentinal hypersensitivity was reassessed immediately and after 1, 2 and 4 weeks after the procedure. Results showed that the percentage reduction of dentinal hypersensitivity following a single application of NovaMin^® in powder form was about 76.38% immediately, 67.72% one week postoperatively, 52.76% two weeks postoperatively and 26.78% four weeks postoperatively. It can be concluded from the results of the current clinical study demonstrated that a single chair side application of NovaMin^® in powder form has a significant and immediate reduction in dentinal hypersensitivity, which lasted nearly for four weeks.

Nowadays, dental implant evolves as an alternative treatment modality for oral rehabilitation. The success of dental implants is largely dependent on bone density; Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) is a well-known modus operandi for the volumetric measurement of bone mineral density (BMD), which measures Grayscale values on 3-D images. This study was conducted with the aim to analyze bone density with CBCT and also test its reliability and reproducibility using Galileos Sirona CBCT Viewer Software and Philips digital imaging and communications in medicine (DICOM) Viewer. A total of 75, CBCT images were obtained from the Department of Oral Radiology, retrospectively, and, BMD in Hounsfield units (HUs) was evaluated in a standardized implant area superimposed on the images. Bone density was also calculated by 2 different independent observers. The estimation of sample size was achieved to attain a power of 90% with 0.5 alpha error and 0.2 effect size as per a previous study. Statistical analysis was performed by statistical package for the social sciences version 22.0; data were presented as mean and standard deviation and Kappa correlation test was applied to check the reproducibility of values. The mean and standard deviation of grayscale values and HUs attained from the interdental area of front teeth were 1837 (288.76) and 270 (125.4), respectively, with a conversion factor of 6.8. Whereas the mean and standard deviation of grayscale values and HUs acquired from posterior interdental spaces were 2880 (489.99) and 640 (204.6), respectively, with a conversion factor of 4.5. To verify the reproducibility Kappa correlation test was applied, which showed correlation values of 0.68 and 0.79. The conversion or exchange factors for grayscale values to HUs determined at the frontal, posterior interdental space area and from the highly radio-opaque area were exceedingly reproducible and consistent. Hence, CBCT can be used as one of the valuable techniques in the estimation of bone density.

Objectives: Implant therapy has gained wide popularity in the recent years. A complete information on implant therapy should be provided to patient by the dentist. The aim of present study is to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, source of information and acceptance of dental implants among the general population in the Southern region of Saudi Arabia.Methods: A total of 712 patients were randomly selected from the OPD of dental hospitals across the southern region of Saudi Arabia. The designed questionnaire comprised of 15 open-ended questions. Only Saudi national population was selected for the survey. The questionnaire was divided into demographic data, knowledge, attitude and participant’s acceptance towards implant therapy. The collected data were statistically analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences.Results: Out of 712 participants, 675 complete the survey. 59.1% were male and 41.9% were females with an average age of 39.6 years old. All variables except for age showed statistically significant difference in the knowledge about implant among the study groups (p<0.05). The knowledge score was directly related to education and professional status of the participants. Majority of the patients (66%) with a history of implant therapy were satisfied with the placed implant. 41% of the participants reported high cost as a limiting factor for selecting an implant treatment. Conclusions: Population from the southern region of Saudi Arabia has moderate knowledge about dental implant treatment. Dentists were found to be the most important source of information to the patient. The major barrier for not selecting implant treatment was the high cost of the implant therapy.

The study was to formulate 2% neem and 2% liquorice mouthwashes and to compare the antimicrobial efficacy of these mouthwashes with the standard 0.2% chlorhexidine mouthwash. Alcoholic solution was prepared and added to neem mixture and liquorice mixture separately and made up to a volume of 16000 ml with purified water. Nine dilutions of each drug were done with Brain heart infusion broth (BHI) for MIC. Culture suspension was added in each serially diluted tube of 200 μl. The tubes were incubated for 24 hours and observed for turbidity. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 2% neem, 2% liquorice and 0.2% chlorhexidine against Lactobacillus, Actinomyces naeslundii, Streptococcus sanguis, Streptococcus mutans is determined by serial dilution analysis. Streptococcus mutans shows sensitivity to all three mouthwashes at a concentration starting from 0.2 μg/ml. Lactobacillus shows sensitivity to neem and chlorhexidine mouthwashes at a concentration starting from 1.6 μg/ml, whereas liquorice is effective at a concentration starting from 3.125 μg/ml. Streptococcus sanguis shows sensitivity to chlorhexidine and liquorice mouthwashes at a concentration starting from 25 μg/ml, whereas it shows sensitivity to neem at a concentration starting from 50 μg/ml. Actinomyces naeslundii shows sensitivity to chlorhexidine and neem mouthwashes at a concentration starting from 1.6 μg/ml, whereas it shows sensitivity to liquorice at a concentration starting from 3.125μg/ml. Analysis showed an inhibition of all the four strains by the mouthwashes. The MIC for the studied mouthwashes was found to be similar to that of 0.2% chlorhexidine.