Background: Periodontitis, the second most common reason for tooth loss in adults, is a chronic inflammatory condition that increases the prevalence of cancer by inhibiting apoptosis and promoting tumor cell growth. However, it is still debatable if tooth loss is an important risk factor in oral cancer (OC). The aim of this systematic review is to analyze the relationship between tooth loss and the probability of developing head-and-neck cancer and also to see if there is an association between tooth loss, periodontitis, and the risk of OC. Materials and Methods: Studies that depicted a link between tooth loss and OC (till 2017) were searched from online databases accompanied by a thorough manual search of relevant journals. Data were collected from eligible studies, and meta-analysis was carried out using the Meta-Analysis software. The effect of various inclusions was assessed by sensitivity and subgroup analysis. Publication bias was also evaluated. Results: The meta-analysis consisted of 15 publications. When the number of teeth lost was counted, there was significant variability (I2 = 98.7%, P = 0.0001). When more than 15 teeth were missing in a subgroup analysis, there was a 2.4 times greater risk of OC (odds ratio: 2.496, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.067–3.015, P = 0.001) with no heterogeneity (I2 = 0.00%, 95% CI for I2 = 0.00–68.98). Subgroup analysis revealed that there was no evidence of publication bias. Conclusion: It was concluded that tooth loss can increase the OC risk by nearly 2 folds. However, large-scale population-based studies are needed to substantiate the findings.

One-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Materials and Methods: The study included 20 patients having 40 intrabony defects. 20 sites each were included in both test group (Sticky bone) and Control group (CGF alone). The clinical parameters including probing pocket depth (PPD) and clinical attachment level (CAL) were assessed at baseline and 6 and 12 months posttherapy. The radiographic parameters including the depth, mesiodistal (MD), and the buccolingual (BL) width of the defect to assess the amount of bone fill were examined at baseline and after 12 months using CBCT. Results: Twelve months posttherapy clinical results indicated a significant reduction of PPD and gain in CAL in both the study groups. Similar observations were recorded with CBCT radiographic parameters where the intrabony defect depth and MD defect width for the test group and control group significantly reduced after 12 months' posttherapy (P < 0.0001). However, no significant reduction in BL defect width was observed in control group (P = 0.577) in contrast to the test group (P = 0.028) after 12 months' posttherapy. Conclusion: Intrabony defects treated with sticky bone showed improved clinical and radiographic parameters indicative of enhanced periodontal regeneration as compared to CGF alone treated sites....

Background: Mast cells play a crucial role in activation of acquired immune response to inflammatory conditions of periodontal diseases. They promote inflammation by releasing pro-inflammatory mediators and bring about angiogenesis, degeneration of the extracellular matrix, and tissue remodeling. Since there is little literature regarding the role of mast cells in periodontitis, the present study was aimed to evaluate mast cell count (MCC) and density in periodontitis. Materials and Methods: A total of eighty participants, Group I (n = 40) healthy participants and Group II (n = 40) participants with moderate chronic periodontitis, were included in the study. Tissue samples of 5 micron were obtained from each participant and were fixed in 10% formalin. Inflammation assessment was carried out after staining the sections with hematoxylin/eosin (H and E) followed by toluidine blue and mast cells were counted. Results: MCC in healthy group (1.32 ± 0.43) was significantly smaller than periodontitis group (10.28 ± 1.15) and also mast cell density in healthy group (98.08 ± 37.40) was smaller than periodontitis group (803.43 ± 89.94) with P < 0.0001. Conclusions: It could be concluded that participants with chronic periodontitis have a higher MCC and density when compared with healthy participants.

Purpose: Kharra is a mixture of areca nut and tobacco. Arecoline, an areca nut extract, disrupts the harmony of the periodontal cells and thus leads to destruction of the periodontium. Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is a premalignant condition that arises due to the consumption of kharra. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the effects of kharra chewing on periodontal status in patients with OSMF. Materials and Methods: Forty-five patients were divided into Group I: healthy periodontium (n = 15), Group II: chronic periodontitis without OSMF group (n = 15), and Group III: chronic periodontitis with OSMF group (n = 15). The clinical parameters assessed for patients with chronic periodontitis were gingival index (GI), plaque index (PI), probing pocket depth (PPD; overall and regional) ≥3 mm, and clinical attachment level (CAL; overall and regional) ≥3 mm. For patients in Group III, the OSMF diagnosis and staging were based on Khanna's classification. The level of significance was set at P < 0.05. Results: The sample with a mean age of 35 years had a frequency of chewing kharra >6 times per day for at least 3 years. PI, PPD and CAL in Group III were 2.1 ± 0.4, 3.2 ± 0.6, and 4.8 ± 0.6 mm, respectively. the results of the clinical parameters in Group III and Group II were higher than Group I. GI was higher in Group II as compared to the other groups. Conclusion: The habit of chewing kharra is found to be associated with poor periodontal health in patients with OSMF.

Background: Aim of the present meta-analysis was to evaluate the effect of Aloe vera in various forms such as gel, mouthwash, and dentifrice on gingival and plaque index (PI) in comparison to various allopathic products such as chlorhexidine, metformin, chlorine dioxide, fluoridated toothpaste, and alendronate. Materials and Methods: A comprehensive electronic search was conducted on PubMed/MEDLINE, GOOGLE SCHOLAR, and HAND SEARCH of reference list of archived articles published till January 2020. Randomized controlled trials were searched comparing the Aloe vera product with other products which used PI and gingival index (GI) to evaluate the outcomes. Finally, nine studies assessing PI and four studies evaluating GI were considered for the meta-analysis. After extracting the information, a risk of bias was estimated. The standardized mean differences (SMDs) and fixed and random effect models were obtained from the mean treatment differences. Results: The estimates of SMD of PI from fixed effects (SMD = 0.271, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.00134–0.407, P < 0.001) and random effects (SMD = 0.288, 95% CI = 0.048–0.529, P = 0.019) were found slightly different, the models showed consistent results yielding positive and significant treatment effects. For GI fixed effects (SMD = 0.27, 95% CI = −0.035–0.575, P = 0.0803, not significant) and random effects (SMD = 0.259, 95% CI = 0.049–0.469, P = 0.016, significant) were found slightly different and positive. However, one model showed significant and another model showed nonsignificant treatment effects. Conclusion: Results from our meta-analyses confirmed the beneficial effects of A. vera in improving the periodontal parameters and hence may be considered as a safe alternative drug delivery agent for the management of periodontal diseases in future.

Background: Pathologic migration is defined as change in tooth position resulting from disruption of the forces that maintain teeth in normal position in relation to their arch. The disruption of equilibrium in tooth position may be caused by several etiologic factors. So, the aim of the study was to evaluate the pathologic tooth migration (PTM) in the upper anterior sextant and its relationship with predisposing and external factors such as bone loss, tooth loss, gingival inflammation, age, parafunctions, lingual interposition in the tongue thrust, and oral habits. Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate the PTM in the upper anterior sextant and its relationship with predisposing and external factors such as bone loss, tooth loss, gingival inflammation, age, parafunctions, lingual interposition in the tongue thrust, and oral habits. Materials and Methods: The study sample consisted of 100 subjects of both sexes, with age ranging from 19 to 72 years. The probing pocket depth and gingival index were recorded for each patient. Competency of lips was also evaluated as competent or incompetent. Habits such as tongue thrusting, nail biting, and lip sucking were evaluated in relation to pathological migration of the tooth. Results: The results showed that no single factor by itself is clearly associated with PTM. As bone loss increases, the association of PTM with additional factors such as tooth loss and gingival inflammation increases. Conclusion: Further studies would be of great help to identify under which circumstances PTM is reversible according to the influence of gingival inflammation, malocclusion, and other factors. This information would contribute to a better understanding of some biological implications of the so-called minor tooth movement.