The effects of stress on periodontal treatment: a longitudinal investigation using clinical and biological markers

Site-specific autonomic vasomotor responses and their interactions in rat gingiva

Blood flow in the gingiva, comprising the interdental papilla as well as attached and marginal gingiva, is important for maintaining of gingival function and is modulated by risk factors such as stress that may lead to periodontal disease. Marked blood flow changes mediated by the autonomic (parasympathetic and sympathetic) nervous system may be essential for gingival hemodynamics. However, differences in autonomic vasomotor responses and their functional significance in different parts of the gingiva are unclear. We examined the differences in autonomic vasomotor responses and their interactions in the gingiva of anesthetized rats. Parasympathetic vasodilation evoked by the trigeminal (lingual nerve)-mediated reflex elicited frequency-dependent blood flow increases in gingivae, with the increases being greatest in the interdental papilla. Parasympathetic blood flow increases were significantly reduced by intravenous administration of the atropine and VIP antagonist. The blood flow increase evoked by acetylcholine administration was higher in the interdental papilla than in the attached gingiva, whereas that evoked by VIP agonist administration was greater in the attached gingiva than in the interdental papilla. Activation of the cervical sympathetic nerves decreased gingival blood flow and inhibited parasympathetically induced blood flow increases. Our results suggest that trigeminal-parasympathetic reflex vasodilation 1) is more involved in the regulation of blood flow in the interdental papilla than in the other parts of the gingiva, 2) is mediated by cholinergic (interdental papilla) and VIPergic systems (attached gingiva), and 3) is inhibited by excess sympathetic activity. These results suggest a role in the etiology of periodontal diseases during mental stress.

Healthy lifestyles are associated with a better response to periodontal therapy: A prospective cohort study

AIM

To evaluate the association between lifestyle behaviours and clinical periodontal outcomes following Steps 1/2 of periodontal therapy.

METHODS

A total of 120 subjects with untreated Stage II/III periodontitis participated in this study. At baseline, questionnaires were administered to assess the following lifestyle behaviours: adherence to Mediterranean diet (MD), physical activity (PA) and stress levels, sleep quality, smoking and alcohol use. Participants received Steps 1/2 of periodontal therapy and were re-evaluated after 3 months. A composite outcome of the endpoint of therapy (i.e., no sites with probing pocket depth [PPD] ≥4 mm with bleeding on probing, and no sites with PPD ≥ 6 mm) was regarded as the primary outcome. Simple and multiple regression analyses were used to evaluate the association between lifestyle behaviours and clinical periodontal outcomes. Disease severity at baseline, body mass index, diabetes, household disposable income and plaque control were considered as confounders.

RESULTS

Multiple regression analyses showed significantly lower odds of achieving the endpoint of therapy in subjects with poor sleep quality (odds ratio [OR] = 0.13; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.03-0.47; p < .01), smoking (OR = 0.18; 95% CI: 0.06-0.52; p < .05) and alcohol use above the suggested intake (OR = 0.21; 95% CI: 0.07-0.63; p < .01). Subjects with a combination of 'unhealthy lifestyles' (low adherence to MD and low PA levels and high levels of stress and poor sleep quality) showed higher proportions of residual PPD≥6 mm (MD = 1.51; 95% CI: 0.23-2.80; p < .05) and lower odds of achieving the endpoint of therapy (OR = 0.85; 95% CI: 0.33-0.99; p < .05) at re-evaluation.

CONCLUSIONS

Subjects with unhealthy lifestyle behaviours showed worse clinical outcomes 3 months after Steps 1/2 of periodontal therapy.

Effect of psychosocial stress and coping strategies on non-surgical periodontal therapy in patients with generalized stage III/IV periodontitis: a longitudinal intervention study

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this longitudinal intervention study was to assess the impact of psychosocial stress and coping response strategies on the clinical outcomes in periodontitis patients treated with non-surgical periodontal therapy (NSPT).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

After the administration of psychological questionnaires, patients diagnosed with generalized stage III-IV periodontitis were categorized into different groups depending on their stress levels (10-item perceived stress level (PSS-10)) and coping response strategies (coping responses inventory (CRI)). Clinical data were collected 1 week before and 3 months after the completion of NSPT.

RESULTS

Of the 90 patients included at baseline, 27 presented major and 63 minor stress levels, while 40 had avoidance and 50 approach coping behavior. All clinical parameters were similar at the baseline across different categories. At re-evaluation, full-mouth bleeding score (FMBS), mean probing pocket depth (PPD), and number of residual pathological pockets were significantly superior in groups with higher stress levels (p <0.001, p =0.001, and p =0.020, respectively), while higher full-mouth plaque scores (FMPS) and FMBS were found in patients with avoidance coping strategies (p =0.009 and p <0.001, respectively). When jointly evaluated, an added detrimental effect of coping styles on allostatic load was observed. Multivariate analysis confirmed a significant effect of stress levels and coping strategies on final FMBS, but not of coping on mean PPD.

CONCLUSION

Psychosocial stress and avoidance coping strategy seem to negatively influence the clinical outcomes of NSPT at short term (NCT04739475; 9/1/2017).

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS

Based on these findings, patients reflecting these psychological profiles should be considered at greater risk for poor NSPT response and may benefit from complementary stress management strategies.

Prevalence of Chronic Periodontitis and Chronic Stress in the South Indian Population

Background Chronic stress is commonly thought to have a net negative effect on the efficacy of the immune response, leading to an imbalance between host and parasite and consequently resulting in a periodontal breakdown. Aim To identify the prevalence of chronic periodontitis and chronic stress as well as a comparative evaluation of clinical, demographic, and psychoanalytical parameters among the South Indian population. Materials and methods A total of 500 subjects between the ages of 30 and 60 were chosen from the Trivandrum district, Kerala, using multistage random sampling. Subjects were evaluated based on psychoanalytical parameters as well as periodontal examination. Psychoanalytical parameters were measured by the questionnaire method using the perceived stress scale. Periodontal parameters examined were the probing depth, clinical attachment loss, bleeding on probing, simplified oral hygiene index, and community periodontal index (loss of attachment). Statistical Analysis Categorical and quantitative variables were expressed as frequency (percentage) and mean ± SD respectively. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the association between the periodontal variables and psychoanalytical variables. All the statistical analysis was performed using IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Statistics for Windows (IBM Corp., USA). Results A total of 500 subjects, of whom 308 (61.6%) were female and 192 (38.1%) were male, participated in this study. The overall prevalence of periodontitis among all the subjects was found to be 42.4%, and the proportion of periodontitis among the stressed participants was found to be 46.2%, which is 10% higher compared to the non-stressed (36.1%) participants. Conclusion Our study showed an increased frequency of periodontitis among the stressed subjects as compared to the non-stressed subjects. These findings suggest that there is a positive association between chronic stress and chronic periodontitis, but further prospective studies are required to establish the extent of the effect chronic stress has on chronic periodontitis and vice versa.

Aggravating Effects of Psychological Stress on Ligature-Induced Periodontitis via the Involvement of Local Oxidative Damage and NF-κB Activation

Periodontitis is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults, and psychological factors play an important role in the development of periodontitis. To elucidate the adverse effects of psychological stress on the inflammatory process and redox status of periodontitis tissue, fifty male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into the control, experimental periodontitis, psychological stress, experimental periodontitis plus psychological stress, and experimental periodontitis plus psychological stress plus fluoxetine groups. Chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) was used to establish psychological stress, and silk ligature was used to induce experimental periodontitis. Four weeks later, stressed rats showed altered behaviour, serum hormone levels, and sucrose preference. More obvious alveolar bone loss and attachment loss and higher protein expressions of inflammatory cytokines were observed in the experimental periodontitis plus psychological stress group. The combination of CUMS and periodontitis had synergistic effects on increasing hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) protein expression and reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents and decreasing antioxidant enzyme activities compared with those in the stress or periodontitis groups. Moreover, psychological stress further increased p-IκBα and p-NF-κB p65 protein levels and decreased IκBα protein levels in periodontitis rats. Fluoxetine administration alleviated the adverse effects of psychological stress on the progression of periodontitis in rats. These results hint us that psychological stress could aggravate inflammation in periodontitis tissues, which may be partly due to local worsening of oxidative damage and further activation of the nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) signalling pathway.

Impact of psychological states on periodontitis severity and oral health-related quality of life

PURPOSE

This cross-sectional study aimed to identify impacts of depression, anxiety and stress on periodontitis severity and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL).

METHODS

A total of 141 periodontitis patients were recruited. Psychological states were assessed using the Malay short-form Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales (MDASS-21). Subjects were grouped as positive for depression, anxiety or stress (DAS) (positive-DAS), without DAS (non-DAS), stress-only and anxiety-only. OHRQoL was evaluated using the Malay short-form Oral Health Impact Profile (S-OHIP[M]).

RESULTS

OHRQoL was associated with MDASS-21, probing pocket depths, recession, clinical attachment levels, number of teeth present and number of teeth with mobility. S-OHIP(M) of positive-DAS subjects was associated with clinical attachment levels, number of teeth present and presence of anxiety. Anxiety-only subjects reported higher S-OHIP(M) scores compared to the non-DAS group.

CONCLUSION

OHRQoL of all subjects was negatively impacted by periodontitis severity and tooth loss. Combinations of depression, anxiety or stress led to worse periodontal status and OHRQoL. Subjects with anxiety-only experienced poorer OHRQoL compared to those without depression, anxiety and stress regardless of periodontitis severity. Possible impacts of psychological states on periodontitis and OHRQoL highlights the importance of assessing and improving psychological factors as part of periodontal therapy and to enhance OHRQoL.

Influence of psychological stress on non-surgical periodontal treatment outcomes in patients with severe chronic periodontitis

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of psychological stress on non-surgical periodontal treatment (SRP) outcomes in patients with severe chronic periodontitis (stage 3/4 generalized periodontitis) at 6 months in the French population.

METHODS

Patients diagnosed with severe generalized chronic periodontitis (periodontitis stage 3/4) were included in this study. At baseline, psychological status was evaluated by self-administered questionnaire (Depression Anxiety Stress Scale 42 [DASS-42] and Toulouse coping scale [TCS]). Plasma levels of cortisol and chromogranin-A were determined. Patients were then managed by oral hygiene instructions, scaling and root planing of sites with PD >3 mm and followed at 3 and 6 months. Quantitative and qualitative variables were described and interactions were determined by linear and logistic regressions.

RESULTS

Seventy-one patients were included in this study and 54 were followed up to 6 months. An average probing depth (PD) reduction of 0.73 ± 0.11 mm and decrease of diseased sites (PD >3 mm) were measured at 6 months illustrating SRP efficacy. Multivariable analysis showed that increased DASS-stress score was associated to worsened SRP outcomes in terms of bleeding on probing (BOP) (OR = 1.02, P <0.05) and mean PD (P <0.05) reduction. An increase of DASS-depression score negatively influenced PD >5 mm (OR = 1.06, P <0.05), PD >7 mm (OR = 1.17, P <0.01), CAL >5 mm (OR = 1.03, P <0.05), and CAL >7 mm (OR = 1.07, P <0.05) reduction. Negative coping strategies were also associated with worsened SRP outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with increased stress, anxiety, and depression scores as well as those exhibiting negative coping strategies demonstrate worsened SRP outcomes. DASS-42 and TCS were useful to determine psychological status and their use could be incorporated to assess treatment prognosis.

Perceived Stress and Associated Factors in Russian Medical and Dental Students: A Cross-Sectional Study in North-West Russia

The aim was to assess perceived stress (PS) and factors associated with PS in Russian medical and dental students. A total of 406 medical and 283 dental students aged 18–25 years that attended the Northern State Medical University in Arkhangelsk, North-West Russia participated in this cross-sectional study. A structured, self-administered questionnaire was used to collect information on socio-demographic and socioeconomic factors, oral health (OH) behavior, and self-reported OH. All students were clinically examined to assess dental caries, oral hygiene, and gingiva. PS was measured by the Perceived Stress Scale 10 (PSS-10). Of the students, 26.0%, 69.1%, and 4.9% reported low, moderate, and high PS, respectively. Female sex (b = 2.28, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.38–3.18), dental faculty (b = 1.74, 95% CI: 0.94–2.54), low subjective socioeconomic status (SES) (b = 1.71, 95% CI: 0.91–2.51), and irregular dental visits (b = 1.65, 95% CI: 0.72–2.58) were associated with higher PSS-10 score. These factors were assumed to be clinical meaningful, given that minimal clinically important difference of PSS-10 fell between 2.19 and 2.66 points. The majority of the medical and dental students reported moderate PS. Based on statistical significance and clinical meaningfulness, socio-demographic factors (sex, faculty), subjective SES, and OH behavior (regularity of dental visits) were associated with PS.

Methodological evaluation of gingival crevicular fluid volume and neutrophil elastase levels: sequential sampling, length of sampling time and two different sampling methods

Objectives: The mechanisms underlying the formation and composition of gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and its flow into and from periodontal pockets are not understood very well. The aim of this study was to evaluate the length of sampling time and sequential sampling of GCF neutrophil elastase (NE) enzyme levels by using intracrevicular and orifice methods.Material and methods: Twenty adults (mean age of 41.8 years, ranged 31-60 years, 18 males and 2 females) with chronic periodontitis were enrolled and all completed the 3-d study. GCF was collected by both intracrevicular and intrasulcular methods, 720 samples of GCF were collected. In first, second and third day, the length of sampling time in seconds (s) and order were '5- 10-30-s'; '10- 30- 5-s' and '30- 5- 10-s,' respectively. GCF elastase levels were determined by hydrolysis of neutrophil specific substrate N-methoxysuccinyl-Ala-Ala-Pro-Val-p-nitroanilide.Results: NE activity (µU) and NE activity/volume (µU/µl) were significantly different for order of sampling (p < .05), but not for the length of sampling time (p>.05).Conclusions: Within the limits of this study, the choice of sampling technique in GCF-profile studies seems to be a critical decision as it has the potential to affect the GCF volume and NE activity.

Association between Psychological Stress and Periodontitis: A Systematic Review

This systematic review aims to investigate the association between psychological stress and periodontitis through analysis of cortisol levels and periodontal clinical parameters. This review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guide and based on PECO (Participants, Exposure, Comparators, Outcomes) question and registered at PROSPERO under the code CRD42017076670. As eligibility criteria, observational studies performed in adult humans presenting periodontitis (P), which evaluated patients exposed (E) and nonexposed to psychological stress (C) and to verify the association between this type of stress and periodontitis (O) were included. The searches were performed until March 2018. The following databases were used: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library, LILACS, OpenGrey, and Google Scholar. After searches, the duplicate results were removed. The remaining citations were selected according to eligibility criteria in two phases. In the first phase, the title/abstract was evaluated. In the second phase, the articles were chosen previously were assessed by full text. After selection, the studies were submitted to data extraction and risk of bias evaluation by Fowkes and Fulton. A total of 1,386 citations were retrieved. After duplicates removal and selection process, three articles were selected by full text. Among them, two articles reported a positive association between psychological stress and periodontitis. All articles were classified as low risk of bias. Even though two articles highlighted an association between psychological stress and the presence of a possible modulatory pattern of cortisol levels in clinical parameters of periodontitis, more studies are necessary to elucidate this question.

Is there association between stress and periodontitis?

OBJECTIVE

This study estimated the association between stress and periodontitis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 621 individuals. Information about individuals was obtained through a questionnaire. Stress was evaluated using the Perceived Stress Scale. The diagnosis of periodontitis was based on a complete periodontal examination including clinical attachment level, probing depth, and bleeding on probing. Prevalence ratios (PR), crude and adjusted, and their respective 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were estimated by Poisson regression analysis.

RESULTS

In the final sample, 48.47% (301) of the individuals were classified as having stress, of which, 23.92% (72) had the diagnosis of periodontitis. Association measurements between stress and probing depth ≥ 4 mm (PR_adjusted = 1.28, 95%CI [1.04 to 1.58]), stress and clinical attachment level ≥ 5 mm (PR_adjusted = 1.15, 95%CI [1.01 to 1.31]), and stress and periodontitis (PR_adjusted = 1.36, 95%CI [1.01 to 1.83]) showed that the frequency of these outcomes among those exposed to stress was 15-36% higher than those without the condition of stress, after adjustment for age, sex, schooling level, current smoking habit, pulmonary disease, and body mass index.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings showed positive association between exposure to stress and the presence of periodontitis, reaffirming the need to prevent and control stress.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Although there are limitations in this study, the results showed that an association exists between stress and periodontitis, signaling the necessity of a multidisciplinary attention when considering the psychological status in the management of oral and general health conditions of the individual.

The Biology of Social Adversity Applied to Oral Health

Biological embodiment is a concept derived from Engel's biopsychosocial model to health, theorized as the process by which adverse social exposures trigger neuroendocrine and immune responses, leading to disease and/or increased disease susceptibility. This critical review discusses the biopsychosocial model as applied to oral health and its relevance to oral health policy while deciphering some of the pathobiological processes underlying social adversity. In periodontal disease, for example, such processes can occur via the activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the consequent release of the chronic stress hormone cortisol. The latter contributes to a proinflammatory immune state that increases the risk for periodontal inflammation. Recent research shows that cortisol relates to an elevated oral inflammatory load, demonstrated as hyperactive neutrophils that are pivotal to periodontal tissue damage. Consistent with the biopsychosocial model, this relationship is amplified in those of lower income and higher financial stress. Similarly, among children from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, cortisol is linked to a higher cariogenic bacterial load. Such findings implicate the stress pathway as key in the oral pathogenic process, particularly under social/socioeconomic adversity. Collectively, this work emphasizes the importance of addressing social factors in alleviating oral disease burden and reducing the social gaps therein.

IL18 Polymorphism and Periodontitis Susceptibility, Regardless of IL12B, MMP9, and Smoking Habits

Genetic variations contribute to the susceptibility in the development of periodontitis. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of IL18, IL12, and MMP9 polymorphisms in the chronic periodontitis. This case-control study involved 381 individuals matched by gender and age. Genotyping of IL18 (rs187238 and rs1946518) and IL12B (rs3212227) was performed by PCR-SSP and PCR-RFLP was used for MMP9 (rs3918242). IL-18 and MMP-9 were quantified in the serum by ELISA. SNPStats and OpenEpi software were used for statistical analysis and, in order to eliminate smoking as a confounding factor, the analyses were also performed in nonsmoking subjects. The IL18-137G/C genotype was associated with the risk of chronic periodontitis in nonsmokers (P_c = 0.03; OR = 1.99; overdominant inherence model). In the multivariate analyses, homozygous IL18-137G/G and IL18-607C/C were more frequent in males compared to women with these same genotypes (OR = 2.51 and OR = 3.30, respectively). The serum levels of the IL-18 in patients were higher than those in healthy controls (P = 0.005). IL12B and MMP9 polymorphisms and MMP-9 serum concentration were similar in patients and controls. In this study, IL18 was associated with chronic periodontitis susceptibility. Men had greater risk than women for developing the disease when IL18 polymorphism was considered and the susceptibility was independent of the smoking status.

The effect of nonsurgical periodontal treatment on gingival crevicular fluid stress hormone levels: A prospective study

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this prospective study was to investigate the effect of nonsurgical periodontal treatment (PT) on anxiety/depression scale scores and on gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) cortisol (COR) and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) levels.

METHODS

Fifty-five participants with generalized chronic periodontitis (GCP group, n: 21), with localized chronic periodontitis (LCP group, n: 19) and with gingivitis or healthy (control group, n: 15) subjects were treated and followed up for 6 months. Clinical periodontal parameters include plaque index, gingival index, bleeding on probing, probing depth and attachment level; psychosocial measurements include Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI 1-2) psychometric instruments; hormone levels in GCF including COR and DHEA were evaluated.

RESULTS

All clinical parameters were significantly decreased (except attachment loss) after PT (p < 0.05). No significant differences were observed between the two groups for STAI-1-2 and BDI scores, either at baseline or at 6 months (p > 0.05). COR levels were statistically lower following PT in GCP and LCP groups when compared to the baseline levels (p < 0.05). DHEA values at baseline and 6 months did not show significant differences.

CONCLUSION

Within the limits of the study, decreased GCF COR and unchanged GCF DHEA levels were determined in nonsurgically treated patients regardless of the extent and severity of periodontitis.

Impact of chronic stress on periodontal health

Introduction: Periodontal diseases are caused by pathogenic microorganisms that induce increases in of local and systemic proinflammatory cytokines, resulting in periodontal damage. The onset and evolution of periodontal diseases are influenced by many local and systemic risk factors. Educational objective: In this article, we aim to review the results of the research on the impact of chronic stress on the occurrence, development, and response to periodontal disease treatments and on the pathophysiological mechanisms of periodontal disease. Conclusion: Chronic stress has a negative impact on the occurrence, development, and response to the treatment of periodontal disease via indirect actions on the periodontium. This can result from behavioral changes caused by stress (poor dental hygiene, smoking, etc.) and a direct neuroimmunoendocrinological action related to the consequences (particularly immunological) of the secretion of certain chemicals (e.g., cortisol) induced by the activation of the hypothalamus and the autonomic nervous system in response to stress. These factors necessitate multidisciplinary management (e.g., physician, oral surgeon, and psychologist) of patients to identify subjects with chronic stress and to employ countermeasures to decrease the impact of stress on the periodontium.

Relationship among Periodontal Disease, Insulin Resistance, Salivary Cortisol, and Stress Levels during Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a period involving important metabolic changes that enable the maintenance of the mother's health and development of the fetus. This study aimed to assess the relationship among periodontal disease, insulin resistance, salivary cortisol concentration and level of perceived stress in pregnant women. This was a cross-sectional study. The sample comprised 96 pregnant women between the fifth and seventh month of pregnancy registered at the Basic Health Units of the Unified Health System (SUS). The periodontal condition was assessed after obtainment free and informed consent from the participants. Participants were divided into three groups: control subjects with a healthy periodontal condition (CN; n=46), patients with gingivitis (GI; n=26), and patients with periodontitis (PI; n=24). Saliva and blood samples were collected for evaluation of salivary cortisol concentration, glycemia, insulinemia and Homeostasis Model Assessment-Insulin Resistance index. A validated survey for the assessment of perceived stress levels was also performed. PI group showed significantly higher (p<0.05) blood glucose levels (CN: 4.43±0.05; GI: 4.46±0.04; PI: 4.68±0.08), insulinemia (CN: 6.93±0.45; GI: 8.87±0.79; PI: 12.77±1.30), insulin resistance (CN: 1.40±0.10; GI: 1.81±0.18; PI: 2.66±0.29) compared with the CN and GI groups. The levels of perceived stress were higher (p<0.05) in PI and GI groups when compared to CN group (CN: 20.5±1.26; GI: 25.8±1.95; PI: 26.6±1.36). There was no significant difference in the concentration of salivary cortisol between the groups (CN: 11.13±0.58; GI: 11.96±0.74; PI: 11.47±0.74). It was concluded that there is a relationship between higher levels of perceived stress, insulin resistance and the occurrence of periodontal disease during pregnancy. This study emphasizes the importance of preventing periodontitis in order to avoid insulin resistance and stress during pregnancy since these can cause systemic complications for the mother and the fetus.

Identification of Gingival Crevicular Fluid Sampling, Analytical Methods, and Oral Biomarkers for the Diagnosis and Monitoring of Periodontal Diseases: A Systematic Review

Background. Several studies in the last decades have focused on finding a precise method for the diagnosis of periodontal disease in its early stages. Aim. To evaluate from current scientific literature the most common and precise method for gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) sample collection, biomarker analytical methods, and the variability of biomarker quantification, even when using the same analytical technique. Methodology. An electronic search was conducted on in vivo studies that presented clinical data on techniques used for GCF collection and biomarker analysis. Results. The results showed that 71.1%, 24.7%, and 4.1% of the studies used absorption, microcapillary, and washing techniques, respectively, in their gingival crevicular fluid collection. 73.1% of the researchers analyzed their samples by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). 22.6%, 19.5%, and 18.5% of the researchers included interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), respectively, in their studies as biomarkers for periodontal disease. Conclusion. IL-1β can be considered among the most common biomarkers that give precise results and can be used as an indicator of periodontal disease progression. Furthermore, paper strips are the most convenient and accurate method for gingival crevicular fluid collection, while enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay can be considered the most conventional method for the diagnosis of biofluids.

Social-Biological Interactions in Oral Disease: A 'Cells to Society' View

Oral diseases constitute a major worldwide public health problem, with their burden concentrating in socially disadvantaged and less affluent groups of the population, resulting in significant oral health inequalities. Biomedical and behavioural approaches have proven relatively ineffective in reducing these inequalities, and have potentially increased the health gap between social groups. Some suggest this stems from a lack of understanding of how the social and psychosocial contexts in which behavioural and biological changes occur influence oral disease. To unravel the pathways through which social factors affect oral health outcomes, a better understanding is thus needed of how the social 'gets under the skin,' or becomes embodied, to alter the biological. In this paper, we present the current knowledge on the interplay between social and biological factors in oral disease. We first provide an overview of the process of embodiment in chronic disease and then evaluate the evidence on embodiment in oral disease by reviewing published studies in this area. Results show that, in periodontal disease, income, education and perceived stress are correlated with elevated levels of stress hormones, disrupted immune biomarkers and increased allostatic load. Similarly, socioeconomic position and increased financial stress are related to increased stress hormones and cariogenic bacterial counts in dental caries. Based on these results, we propose a dynamic model depicting social-biological interactions that illustrates potential interdependencies between social and biological factors that lead to poor oral health. This work and the proposed model may aid in developing a better understanding of the causes of oral health inequalities and implicate the importance of addressing the social determinants of oral health in innovating public health interventions.

The Influence of Interleukin 17A and IL17F Polymorphisms on Chronic Periodontitis Disease in Brazilian Patients

A case-control study was conducted on patients with chronic periodontitis (CP) and healthy controls with the aim of evaluating possible association between interleukin 17A (IL17A) G197A (rs2275913) and IL17F T7488C (rs763780) polymorphisms and periodontitis. Genotypes were determined by PCR-RFLP method. Statistical analyses were conducted using the OpenEpi and SNPStas software to calculate Chi-square with Yates correction or Fisher's exact tests, odds ratios (OR), and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). SNPStas software was used to calculate Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. IL17A AA genotype was more frequent in patients with chronic periodontitis (CP) in the codominant and recessive models (P = 0.09; OR = 2.53 and P = 0.03; OR = 2.46, resp.), the females with CP (P = 0.01, OR = 4.34), Caucasoid patients with CP (P = 0.01, OR = 3.45), and nonsmoking Caucasian patients with CP (P = 0.04, OR = 3.51). The IL17A A allele was also more frequent in Caucasians with CP (P = 0.04, OR = 1.59). IL17F T7488C polymorphism was not associated with chronic periodontitis. In these patients from Southern Brazil, the IL17A rs2275913 polymorphisms, IL17A AA genotype, and the A allele were associated with a susceptibility to chronic periodontitis.

Physiological adaptations of key oral bacteria

Oral colonising bacteria are highly adapted to the various environmental niches harboured within the mouth, whether that means while contributing to one of the major oral diseases of caries, pulp infections, or gingival/periodontal disease or as part of a commensal lifestyle. Key to these infections is the ability to adhere to surfaces via a range of specialised adhesins targeted at both salivary and epithelial proteins, their glycans and to form biofilm. They must also resist the various physical stressors they are subjected to, including pH and oxidative stress. Possibly most strikingly, they have developed the ability to harvest both nutrient sources provided by the diet and those derived from the host, such as protein and surface glycans. We have attempted to review recent developments that have revealed much about the molecular mechanisms at work in shaping the physiology of oral bacteria and how we might use this information to design and implement new treatment strategies.

Comparisons between two biochemical markers in evaluating periodontal disease severity: a cross-sectional study

Background

The purpose of this study was to compare two biochemical markers, which have been previously used to determine the degrees of alveolar bone destruction, in evaluating periodontal disease severity.

Methods

The WF6 epitope of chondroitin sulfate (CS) and the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels were determined in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) samples collected from patients with various degrees of disease severity, including ten patients with gingivitis (50 gingivitis sites) and 33 patients with chronic periodontitis (including gingivitis, slight, moderate, and severe periodontitis sites; n = 50 each), as well as from ten healthy volunteers (50 healthy sites) by Periopaper strips. The levels of CS and ALP were measured by an ELISA and a fluorometric assay, respectively.

Results

The results demonstrated low levels of CS and ALP in non-destructive and slightly destructive periodontitis sites, whereas significantly high levels of these two biomolecules were shown in moderately and severely destructive sites (p < 0.05). Although a significant difference in CS levels was found between moderate and severe periodontitis sites, no difference in ALP levels was found. Stronger correlations were found between CS levels and periodontal parameters, including probing depth, loss of clinical attachment levels, gingival index and plaque index, than between ALP levels and these parameters.

Conclusions

It is suggested that the CS level is a better diagnostic marker than the ALP level for evaluating distinct severity of chronic periodontitis.