The effects of a desiccant agent in the treatment of chronic periodontitis: a randomized, controlled clinical trial

Association of Periodontitis with Rheumatoid Arthritis and the Effect of Non-Surgical Periodontal Treatment on Disease Activity in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

BACKGROUND The association of periodontitis (PD) with the prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) remains controversial. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate their correlation and investigate the effects of non-surgical periodontal treatment on RA. MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 64 patients were enrolled in this study and divided into 4 groups: 18 PD patients (PD+RA-), 18 RA patients (PD-RA+), 18 RA with PD patients (PD+RA+), and 10 healthy controls (PD-RA-). Periodontal and rheumatologic parameters were examined at baseline and 1 month following non-surgical periodontal treatment. RESULTS Our results showed that RA patients had similar periodontal status. However, patients in the PD+RA+ group had significantly higher levels of rheumatologic parameters such as C-reactive protein (CRP), anti-cyclic citrulline peptide antibody (ACPA), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and Disease Activity Score 28 (DAS28) than those in the PD-RA+ group. In addition, non-surgical periodontal treatment was efficacious in improving rheumatologic parameters of patients in the PD+RA+ group. CONCLUSIONS The presence of PD might contribute to the progression of RA, while RA might have little effect on accelerating the development of PD. In addition, RA patients with PD receiving non-surgical periodontal treatment resulted in noteworthy improvement in the clinical outcome for RA.

Evaluation of Hypoxia on the Expression of miR-646/IGF-1 Signaling in Human Periodontal Ligament Cells (hPDLCs)

Background

This study aims to investigate the role of miR-646 in hypoxia conditions in human periodontal ligament cells (hPDLCs), exploring the effect of hypoxia on hPDLCs proliferation and apoptosis. In addition, this study aimed to explore the potential mechanism of miR-646/IGF-1 signaling in hPDLCs in hypoxia conditions.

Material/Methods

hPDLCs (fifth passage) cultured by the tissue culture method were randomly assigned to the severe hypoxia (1% O₂) group, the slight hypoxia (5% O₂) group or the control (21% O₂) group. Then reverse transcription quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression of miR-646 and IGF-1. hPDLCs infected with lentivirus (LV)-pre-miR-646 or LV-anti-mR-646, and negative controls were cultured. MTT assay, caspase-3 ELISA assay, and wound healing assay were performed to evaluate how miR-646 was influenced by hypoxia. In addition, the relationship between miR-646 and IGF-1 was explored.

Results

The expression of miR-646 was downregulated and IGF-1 was upregulated in hypoxia conditions. MiR-646 was able to suppress hPDLCs proliferation and promote apoptosis in hypoxia conditions. The mRNA and protein expressions of IGF-1 were downregulated when miR-646 was overexpressed and upregulated when miR-646 was downregulated.

Conclusions

This finding identified a significant role of miR-646 in hPDLCs in suppressing cell proliferation and promoting apoptosis by inversely regulating IGF-1 expression. Meanwhile, the regulation of hPDLCs in hypoxia may be through the miR-646/IGF-1 signaling pathway, probably serving as a promising therapeutic target for periodontal diseases.

Risk association between scleroderma disease characteristics, periodontitis, and tooth loss

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a multi-system disorder that can have significant adverse effects on the health of the mouth. The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between the disease characteristics of SSc, periodontal disease (PD), and tooth loss. Fifty-four patients affected by SSc and 55 non-diseased controls were matched for age and gender. SSc was characterized in subtypes and with the mean duration of disease and the Modified Rodnan Skin Score [mRSS]. Patients were surveyed and examined through the evaluation of the periodontal parameters and the number of teeth. A logistic regression analysis showed that patients with SSc presented a higher number of missing teeth (p = 0.001) and a significant median increased odds 2.95 (95% CI 1.26 to 6.84) of PD (defined as clinical attachment loss, CAL) compared to nondiseased controls (6.83, 95% CI 1.94 to 24.36). Moreover, the fewer values of PD was correlated with mRSS in the total SSc group and with the mean duration of disease in patients with limited SSc (p = 0.007), even after adjusting this correlation with the presence of the major organ involvement. This study showed that patients with SSc presented increased odds of PD and tooth loss compared to non-diseased controls. In SSc patients, the magnitude of PD was strongly associated with the mRSS and with the mean duration of the disease. The clinicians should be aware of the potential systemic health problems related to PD.

Implantology and Periodontal Disease: The Panacea to Problem Solving?

INTRODUCTION

The specialty of periodontology has changed dramatically in recent years. With the long-standing goal of retaining teeth in a functional and esthetical state, the periodontology has developed a high level of expertise in the regeneration of bone and connective tissues that support the teeth. However, periodontists have also joined maxillofacial surgeons as the primary providers of implant surgery.

METHODS

The tremendous innovations of periodontists induced also by the marketplace resulted in predictable periodontal treatment outcomes for most patients by the implants led to a dramatically different marketplace in which many patients with periodontitis can be treated by the implants rather than the traditional periodontal treatment.

RESULTS

The aim of this article is to focus on the innovator's dilemma for periodontists today is that key elements of our rewarding contributions to dentistry in recent decades are unlikely to be part of a strong and rewarding future for the profession.

CONCLUSIONS

With the intriguing role of the personalized medicine approach that integrates genomic and clinical information to predict a possible predisposition, we do not suggest a reduced role for periodontists in dental implant surgery but rather a more prominent role in complex cases to achieve surgical implant needs and proper reconstruction and long-term maintenance of the patient's health.