Effect of Intracanal Cryotherapy on Surface Temperature Change in the Root Apex with Different Thickness; an Ex Vivo Study

Aims: To evaluate the effect of intracanal cryotherapy on surface temperature change in the root apex with different thickness. Study Design: Comparative Study. Place and Duration of Study: Operative Dentistry Department: Altamash Institute of Dental Medicine, Karachi, Pakistan: July 2020 till June 2021. Materials & Methods: Sixty extracted single-rooted teeth were randomly divided into two groups: 30 each with one group consisting of teeth with ≤3 mm root thickness and another group consisting of teeth with thickness >3mm. Both groups were equally subdivided into Group A and Group B. After endodontic preparation of teeth, Group A underwent room temperature saline irrigation and Group B cold temperature saline (2.5°C) irrigation. A digital thermometer was used to measure the external root surface temperature by placing the thermocouple at 2 mm from the apex of the root’s buccal surface. Results: Initial and final temperatures were compared using paired t-test. Independent t-test was applied to compare the final temperature between ≤3mm and >3mm thickness groups. P-value less than or equal to 5% level of significance was defined as statistically significant. In group A, An average temperature decrease of 4.4 ± 0.5°C was observed in the final temperature when thickness was ≤3mm (p=0.040) while a reduction of 2.6 ± 0.5°C was seen in the final temperature when thickness was >3mm (p=0.008). When thickness was ≤3 mm, final temperature among group A and Group B was significantly different with higher mean final temperature in Group A (p<0.001). At thickness >3mm, final temperature between Group A and Group B was different with significantly lower final temperature in Group B than Group A(p<0.001). Conclusion: The external root surface temperature reduction was found to be inversely related to the external root thickness. Thin roots showed greater temperature reduction compared to thick roots.

Assessment of the Dental Students and Dental Practitioners Awareness about Bleeding Disorders across Saudi Arabia

Introduction: Bleeding disorders are a group of disorders which results from defective platlets functions or coagulation or both and it can be classified into platlets disorders, blood vessel disorders and coagulation factors disorders. Bleeding disorder patients undergoing dental procedures may need special management before dental procedure. Aim: To assess the awareness level of the dental students and practitioners in Saudi Arabia about the bleeding disorders. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 502 dental students and dentists in Saudi Arabia. This was a questionnaire based internet survey consisted of 331 clinical year dental students and 171 dentists. The questionnaire contained 15 questions. Results: The highest percentage of participants were from the Eastern Province (31.1%). Almost half of the participants were males (51.2%). The dentists represented (34.1%). Around (47.8%) of participants reported that they had encountered bleeding disorder patients before. Almost (50.8%) participants who encountered those patients said that they referred them to a physician for a consent. Six questions were used to assess the knowledge of the participants about the bleeding disorders based on the number of the correct answers. Only (1%) were able to answer all the questions correctly. Most of the participants (93.8%) said that they need to learn more about bleeding disorders. Conclusion: Majority of the dental students and general practitioners had poor knowledge of the management of bleeding disorder patients.We strongly recommend intensifying dental educational programs and more training is required in management of patients with medical complications.

Dental Caries and Associated Risk Indicators among Married Saudi Women

Objective  The aim of this study was to evaluate decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) experience among married females in Saudi Arabia and provide an exploratory data for subsequent primary prevention.

Materials and Methods  A cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted at a general hospital in Hofuf, Saudi Arabia. All married women attending the general hospital from March 1st to April 15 ^th , 2021 were requested to participate. Data was collected on a validated self-reported questionnaire consisting of sociodemographic factors, medical history, dietary pattern, and DMFT. Descriptive and regression analyses were performed using p ≤0.050.

Results  Four hundred forty-eight married females with the mean age of 30.81 ± 6.11 years, mean duration of marriage of 9.55 ± 6.58 years, and having average number of children 2.32 ± 1.69 participated in the study. 61.7% mothers had ≥10 years of education. 63.6% were non-working and 56.5% were found with low family income. 66% participants reported of doing exercise less or more often yet 51.7% were ≥overweight. Consumption of energy drinks and dairy products was found significantly associated with increasing number of DMFT. Use of fluoridated toothpaste and dental visits was also found associated with increasing number of dental caries. Increasing age ( p  = 0.040), increasing number of children, and middle family income were also significantly associated with higher DMFT, respectively ( p  = 0.002, p  = 0.022). In multi-logistic adjusted analysis, only consumption of dairy products, dental visits, and the unsure status of the use of fluoridated toothpaste were significantly associated with DMFT ≥1.

Conclusion  DMFT status in married Saudi women was associated with participants' dietary habits, oral health-related practices, family income, married years, and number of children.

Emerging Role of Epigenetics in Explaining Relationship of Periodontitis and Cardiovascular Diseases

Cardiovascular diseases such as ischemic heart diseases or stroke are among the leading cause of deaths globally, and evidence suggests that these diseases are modulated by a multifactorial and complex interplay of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. Genetic predisposition and chronic exposure to modifiable risk factors have been explored to be involved in the pathophysiology of CVD. Environmental factors contribute to an individual's propensity to develop major cardiovascular risk factors through epigenetic modifications of DNA and histones via miRNA regulation of protein translation that are types of epigenetic mechanisms and participate in disease development. Periodontal disease (PD) is one of the most common oral diseases in humans that is characterized by low-grade inflammation and has been shown to increase the risk of CVDs. Risk factors involved in PD and CVD are determined both genetically and behaviorally. Periodontal diseases such as chronic inflammation promote DNA methylation. Epigenetic modifications involved in the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis play an essential role in plaque development and vulnerability. Epigenetics has opened a new world to understand and manage human diseases, including CVDs and periodontal diseases. Genetic medicine has started a new era of epigenetics to overcome human diseases with various new methodology. Epigenetic profiling may aid in better diagnosis and stratification of patients showing potential predisposed states for disease. A better understanding of the exact regulatory mechanisms of epigenetic pathways driving inflammation is slowly emerging and will aid in developing novel tools for the treatment of disease.

Evaluation of HbA1c in type-2 diabetes mellitus patients with periodontitis: preliminary findings of three-arm clinical trial

OBJECTIVE

To assess a relationship and predict changes in glycaemic control due to chronic periodontitis in type-2 diabetic patients.

METHODS

Chronic periodontitis (CP) of a cross-section of 118 patients (age ?32 years) was determined using bleeding on probing (BOP), periodontal pocket depth (PPD) and clinical attachment loss (CAL). Their HbA1c, fasting blood glucose (FBG), fasting serum insulin (FSI) and homeostasis assessment model of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) levels were also tested. Stata 11.0 was used to assess correlation between periodontal and glycaemic measures. Univariate analysis followed by multiple regression analysis through stepwise forward selection process was used to explore significant variables that may predict change in HbA1c. Multi-collinearity and heteroskedasticity were assessed at p-value > 0.05.

RESULTS

Results of participants (n=95) showed significantly positive correlations (r) between HbA1c and BOP [r = 0.34, p-value = 0.002], PPD [r = 0.36, p-value = 0.003] and CAL [r=0.42, p-value = 0.002]. However, FBG and HOMA-IR were not found correlated with any of the periodontal measures; except CAL with FBG [r=0.27, p-value=0.02]. In addition to healthy controlled diet, cultural background, education and FBG, CAL was found significant [coef. = 0.746, p-value = 0.001, CI = 0.339, 1.153] to predict change in HbA1c in the final model [R2 = 0.549, p-value < 0.001] with no multicollinearity [mean VIF =1.30] and heteroskedasticity [chi 2 =0.02, p-value= 0.878] in fi n al model.

CONCLUSIONS

Increased CAL is estimated to increase HbA1c level by 0.75% in T2DM patients after controlling other factors. It is suggested that periodontal prophylactic management may be planned with an aim to reduce HbA1c.

Clinical Trial Registration No

NCT03343366.

Clinical efficacy of scaling and root planing with and without metronidazole on glycemic control: three-arm randomized controlled trial

Background

Treating periodontitis through non-surgical periodontal therapy (NSPT) may improve glycemic control in type-2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) patients. However, the evidence to maintain this improvement beyond four months is insufficient. Hence, this trial was conducted to assess clinical efficacy of NSPT on glycemic control in T2DM patients.

Methods

This three-arm randomized controlled trial recruited 150 known T2DM participants (35–65 years), suffering from moderate to severe periodontitis, having HbA1c level ≥ 6.5% at baseline. Participants were followed up at 3 and 6 months. Intervention for test group-1 included scaling and root planing (SRP) with metronidazole (MET) and oral hygiene instructions (OHI). Test group-2 was intervened with SRP + OHI and control group with OHI only. Stata v. 14 was used to observe inter and intragroup mean changes in glycemic [glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting blood glucose (FBG)] and periodontal variables [bleeding on probing (BOP), periodontal pocket depth (PPD), clinical attachment loss (CAL)] using ANOVA and RMANOVA. Proportion of change in outcome variable (HbA1c) was assessed between treatment groups using chi-square test. Change was considered significant at p-value ≤ 0.05.

Results

A significant reduction was observed in BOP, PPD, CAL, HbA1c and FBG over time [p < 0.05]. Significant reductions were observed in same variables in both test groups in comparison to control arm [p < 0.05]. No change between the two test groups was observed [p > 0.05].

Conclusion

Scaling and root planing improves glycemic control of T2DM patients independently of the use of MET. Therefore, SRP after every 6 months may be suggested and included as a part of overall diabetes management for patients suffering from T2DM.

Clinical trial registration NCT 03,343,366 [Date of Registration: 17/11/2017]

Oral health of individuals with dementia and Alzheimer's disease: A review

This paper explores the epidemiological evidence about oral health of individuals with neurodegenerative conditions of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and dementia. PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus were searched to identify the relevant research papers published during January 2012 to June 2020. All cross-sectional, case-control, and cohort studies reporting oral and dental morbid conditions for status and association with AD and dementia were explored. The explored literature from 22 studies shows that oral health parameters of oral health and levels of oral inflammatory markers were deranged and exaggerated in patients suffering from AD and dementia. Many studies have observed poor oral hygiene as result of lack or irregularity in toothbrushing. Regarding decayed, missing, and filled teeth status in AD/dementia populations, no significant difference is reported. Periodontal diseases have been noted at raised levels in AD and dementia patients and shown progression with aggravation in neurological disorders. Both edentulousness and low chewing efficacies are associated with low cognition. Stomatitis and coated tongue and other oral pathologies are significantly higher in AD patients. AD patients have demonstrated higher bacterial load and inflammation levels than controls, and consequently, inflammatory biomarker levels are also raised. AD patients have reduced salivary secretions and with low buffering capacity. Evidence from the current literature update postulates that individuals suffering from AD and dementia have special oral health-care needs. Appropriate oral health management may thus significantly improve their oral health-related and general quality of life.

Association of BMI, Diet, Physical Activity, and Oral Hygiene Practices with DMFT Index of Male Dental Students at King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa

Despite sufficient knowledge of good oral hygiene habits, dental students still suffer from oral health problems owing to dietary habits, obesity, and a sedentary lifestyle. This cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate an association of BMI (body mass index), diet, physical activity, and oral hygiene practices with DMFT (decayed, missing, and filled teeth) of male dental students and interns at King Faisal University, Saudi Arabia, from August to September 2020. One hundred and eighty-five male participants completed the study questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of sociodemographic information and nineteen close-ended questions about current diet, physical activity, and oral hygiene practices. Students’ height (cm) and weight (kg) were measured to calculate BMI. The principal investigator performed the oral clinical examinations for the DMFT status in the dental clinic. The chi-square test was used for the dichotomous variables and a t-test was used for the continuous variables. Linear and multinomial logistic regression were performed to detect the significant predictors of the DMFT score. The mean age of participants was 22.29 ± 2.13 years, and the BMI was 24.94 ± 3.36 (Kg/m²). Parents’ higher education and income levels were significantly (p < 0.001) associated with a higher BMI. Most dietary variables, especially sugar products, and low physical activity, were significantly (<0.047) associated with higher BMI. All oral hygiene practices, except miswak and mouthwash, were significantly (<0.003) associated with higher BMI. Decayed and missing teeth were significantly (<0.001) higher in the overweight and obese. A simple linear regression analysis demonstrated association between BMI and decayed teeth, with an R = 0.35 (<0.001); BMI and missing teeth had an R = 0.12 (p = 0.867); BMI and filled teeth had an R = 0.15 (p = 0.033), and BMI with DMFT had an R = 0.33 ((<0.001). This study demonstrated a strong significant association of the decayed and missing teeth with higher BMI levels. In addition, BMI was significantly associated with diet and physical activity, despite acceptable oral hygiene practices.

Effect of Sodium Bicarbonate Mouth Wash on Salivary pH and Interleukin-1β Levels among Smokers

Objective  Smoking induces changes in salivary pH and inflammatory biomarker levels associated with oral diseases. This study examined the effect of alkaline oral rinse to modify this effect of smoking on salivary study parameters.

Materials and Methods  A double-blind randomized controlled trial (RCT) on systemically healthy smokers was conducted. A total of 78 smokers, aged 18 to 40 years, were enrolled as per exclusion/inclusion criteria. An alkaline mouthwash was provided to the intervention group and a placebo to control group. Salivary pH and inflammatory biomarker interleukin (IL)-1β levels were evaluated at baseline and at follow-up (14 ± 2 days).

Statistical Analysis  Chi-squared test, independaent t -test, and paired t -test were used to observe the changes in parameters among and between groups before and after intervention using SPSS v16 with a significance level of p ≤0.050.

Results  Sixty eight salivary samples were analyzed. All study parameters of the study sample were statistically insignificant between both intervention and control groups at baseline. pH level was 6.56 ± 0.53 at baseline and 6.62 ± 0.45 at follow-up in the intervention group; respective values for control group were 6.70 ± 0.36 and 6.83 ± 0.44 and the changes were not significant ( p ≥0.071). IL-1β level was 9.39 ± 10.23 pg/µL at baseline and 5.40 ± 6.62 pg/µL at a follow-up in the intervention group and the change was significant ( p = 0.001); respective values for the control group were 10.63 ± 11.50, and 9.33 ± 11.73 and the difference was nonsignificant ( p = 0.076).

Conclusion  This randomized trial indicated that sodium bicarbonate mouth rinse is effective in decreasing IL-1β levels and increasing salivary pH favorable for prevention of oral diseases.

Exploring an Association of Demographic, Oral, and Systemic Health Factors Among Patients Attending a Teaching Dental Center

Background:

Updated information on oral health status could be used to monitor oral disease patterns, as widespread variations in oral health outcomes within and between different countries are reported.

Aim:

The objective was to examine the status of oral and systemic health and their association with demographic characteristics of the population attending a public dental center.

Methods:

A cross-sectional secondary analysis of the patients’ record was conducted during June 2017 attending the dental center of Madina Teaching hospital Faisalabad, Pakistan. Study variables were analyzed using the t test and the c2 test with a significance level of P ≤ .050.

Results:

The mean age of the study sample was 31.9 ± 14.5 years; 56% were females; 48% had primary or higher education; 9% were hypertensive; 5% had hepatitis; and 5% diabetes mellitus; 52% were with poor oral hygiene, 68% had dental caries, 84% had no fillings, 27% had tooth loss, and 99% functional dentition; 74% patients had calculus, 67% had gingivitis, and 5% had periodontitis. Age was the strongest risk indicator. Dental caries, tooth loss, poor oral hygiene, gingivitis, periodontitis, and tooth mobility were significantly associated with diabetes mellitus; tooth loss and tooth mobility were associated with cardiac disease; tooth loss, periodontitis, and tooth mobility were associated with hypertension, whereas tooth loss and calculus were associated with hepatitis. Higher age and lower income were positively associated with poor oral hygiene.

Conclusion:

Age and gender remain to be the strongest predictors for both oral and systemic conditions. Poor oral health and tooth loss showed a strong relationship with chronic systemic conditions.

Periodontal disease status and associated risk factors in patients attending a Dental Teaching Hospital in Rawalpindi, Pakistan

BACKGROUND

Investigators have identified an association of socio-demographic and medical factors with periodontal risk. This study observed status and association of periodontal disease and associated risk factors/indictors.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All patients attending a dental teaching hospital were interviewed for socio-demographic and medical information through a structured questionnaire. Participants were examined for periodontal status using the community periodontal index (CPI), by a single examiner during September to November 2012. An association of age, gender, smoking habit, systemic conditions, and oral hygiene measures with periodontal status ([periodontitis CPI score ≥3]/nonperiodontitis [CPI score ≤2]) was analyzed by applying Chi-square test and forward selection stepwise regression analysis.

RESULTS

One thousand nine hundred and eighteen patients were examined during the study period. The findings revealed that 63.5% of the subjects had CPI score ≤2 (nonperiodontitis), while 34.5% were found with CPI score ≥3 (periodontitis). Age, gender, occupation, smoking, diabetes, arthritis, cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, stress, medications, and oral hygiene habits of using tooth powder or tooth brushing were significantly (P ≤ 0.037) associated with periodontal status. Regression analysis showed a significant association of age, occupation, and smoking with periodontitis.

CONCLUSION

This study observed prevalence of periodontitis in one-fourth of study sample. The study confirmed various socio-demographic risk factors/indictors associated with increased risk of periodontitis.

Association of periodontal and cardiovascular diseases: South-Asian studies 2001-2012

Large proportion of Asian populations have moderate to severe periodontal disease and a substantial number are anticipated to be at high risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). This study reviews epidemiology and association of periodontal and CVDs from the South-Asian region. Observational studies and clinical trials published during January 2001-December 2012 focusing association between periodontitis and CVDs in South-Asian countries were retrieved from various databases and studied. Current evidence suggests that both periodontal and CVDs are globally prevalent and show an increasing trend in developing countries. Global data on epidemiology and association of periodontal and CVDs are predominantly from the developed world; whereas Asia with 60% of the world's population lacks substantial scientific data on the link between periodontal and CVDs. During the search period, 14 studies (5 clinical trials, 9 case-controls) were reported in literature from South-Asia; 100% of clinical trials and 77% case-control studies have reported a significant association between the oral/periodontal parameters and CVD. Epidemiological and clinical studies from South-Asia validate the global evidence on association of periodontal disease with CVDs. However, there is a need for meticulous research for public health and scientific perspective of the Periodontal and CVDs from South-Asia.

Extrinsic stain removal with a toothpowder: A randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVES

The efficacy of a commercially available toothpowder was compared with toothpaste in removing extrinsic dental stains.

METHODS

In this single-blind, randomized controlled trial, 77 volunteers were included from a residential professional college. All study subjects (control toothpaste users and test toothpowder users) plaque control measures. All study subjects were instructed to rinse with 5 ml 0.12% chlorhexidine mouthwash for 1 minute, twice and one cup of double tea bag solution three times daily for three weeks. Subjects were randomized into test (n=36) and control (n=36) groups. Toothpaste (control) and toothpowder (test) was used for two weeks to see the effects on removing stains on the labial surfaces of 12 anterior teeth. For measuring dental extrinsic stains Lobene Stain Index (SI) was used.

RESULTS

The amount of stain following the use of toothpaste and toothpowder was more controlled with the experimental toothpowder. For all sites combined, there was evidence that the experimental toothpowder was significantly superior to toothpaste in reducing stain area (p<.001), stain intensity (p<.001) and composite/product (area × intensity) (p<.001).

CONCLUSION

Stain removing efficacy of toothpowder was significantly higher as compared with toothpaste. A toothpowder may be expected to be of benefit in controlling and removing extrinsic dental staining.

Poor oral health and coronary artery disease: a case-control study

BACKGROUND

There is insufficient research on the relationship of oral health and coronary artery disease (CAD) from developing countries, such as Pakistan. This study observes the status of oral health in the CAD population.

METHODS

A case-control study was conducted on 145 cases and 145 controls. Otherwise healthy patients with CAD (cases) and individuals free from previous/current history of CAD (controls), having ≥14 remaining teeth, were examined for oral health status through missing teeth, plaque index (PI), and community periodontal index (CPI). Student t test, χ2 test, and multivariate regression analysis were applied at significance level of 95% (P ≤ 0.05) to compare study parameters between cases and controls.

RESULTS

A significant difference between cases and controls was observed in this study sample with respect to missing teeth (P = 0.027) and periodontal parameters of PI and CPI (P < 0.001). Cases were observed with significantly higher scores of PI (2 and 3) and CPI (3 and 4) compared with controls. Prevalence of periodontal parameters was observed to be higher in cases than controls at subgroup-level (sex and age group) analysis. A significant odds ratio (OR), unadjusted, between CAD and periodontal indicators of PI (mild to severe plaque/no plaque: OR = 5.04, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] = 2.24 to 11.36) and CPI (healthy/poor periodontal status: OR = 4.59, 95% CI = 1.81 to 11.61) scores was noted; cases were at odds of 1.20 (95% CI = 0.93 to 15.68, P = 0.017) for having poor oral health after adjusting age, sex, and education.

CONCLUSION

Poor oral health was significantly associated with CAD in this study sample matched for sociodemographic characteristics.

Tooth loss in institutionalized coronary heart disease patients of Punjab Institute of Cardiology, Lahore, Pakistan

Objective: To observe frequency and possible association of tooth loss with prevalent coronary heart disease in Pakistani population.

Methodology: Angiographically determined coronary heart disease (CHD) patients of Punjab Institute of Cardiology, Lahore, Pakistan, and healthy individuals were enrolled for status of tooth loss.

Results: Nine hundred and thirty six CHD patients and 595 healthy subjects with mean age of 51.9 ± 8.4 years were examined. Mean (±SD) tooth loss was significantly (P ⩽ 0.001) higher in cardiac patients (9.8 ± 9.2) than healthy subjects (6.8 ± 6.9) with odds ratio (OR) = 1.543 (95%CI = 1.985–2.851). Tooth loss was significantly (P ⩽ 0.001) associated with CHD males and females and cardiac patients with diabetes and smoking. After adjustment of age, gender, diabetes and smoking, subjects with CHD were more likely to have higher tooth loss.

Conclusion: Tooth loss was significantly associated with prevalent CHD independent of classic risk factors of age, gender, smoking and diabetes in this study sample.

Oral health status of CHD and non-CHD adults of Lahore, Pakistan

BACKGROUND

Evidence on association of oral health and coronary heart diseases (CHD) is mounting in the literature. This study was designed to observe an association between status of oral health and cardiac diseases in Pakistani adults.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A case-control study was conducted on CHD and non-CHD adults aged >30 years. Age-gender matched individuals without CHD, fulfilling the inclusion criteria as for CHD patients were selected for comparison. Bleeding on probing (BOP), periodontal pocket depth (PPD) and tooth loss were noted as oral health parameters.

RESULTS

45 CHD patients and 35 non-CHD individuals were examined. 53.75% were males and 46.25% females, 37.5% subjects were uneducated, 65% belonged to lower income group, 58.75% subjects were ≥obese and 88.75% were non-smokers. Mean of percent sites of BOP (P =0.007), PPD (P =0.031) and tooth loss (P =0.021) were significantly higher in study group. In stepwise logistic regression analysis, BOP and tooth loss showed a significant positive association with CHD; however, association of PPD was not significant.

CONCLUSION

Oral health parameters were significantly higher in CHD patients. Bleeding on probing and tooth loss was positively associated with CHD after adjusting for other socio-demographic variables.

Non-surgical periodontal therapy lowers serum inflammatory markers: a pilot study

BACKGROUND

Evidence suggests an association between periodontal disease and coronary heart disease (CHD). C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen, and white blood cell (WBC) counts are markers of inflammation, and their systemic levels have been associated with CHD risk. This pilot study investigated the effect of non-surgical periodontal therapy on systemic levels of CRP, fibrinogen, and WBC counts in subjects with CHD or no CHD (NCHD).

METHODS

Twenty-seven angiographically defined patients with CHD and 18 subjects with NCHD aged >or=40 years were recruited for the study. Periodontal disease was measured through the clinical parameters bleeding on probing (BOP) and probing depth (PD). All subjects received non-surgical periodontal therapy that included oral hygiene instructions and subgingival scaling and root planing. Systemic levels of inflammatory markers (CRP, fibrinogen, and WBC counts) were measured prior to and 1 month after periodontal therapy.

RESULTS

Seventeen subjects with CHD and 11 subjects with NCHD completed the study. Subjects with CHD or NCHD experienced significant reductions in BOP (59% and 34%, respectively; P <0.05) and PD (41% and 35%, respectively; P <0.05), with non-significant intergroup differences (P >0.05). In all subjects, CRP, fibrinogen, and WBC counts were reduced significantly (21% to 40%) after periodontal therapy (P <0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Periodontal treatment resulted in significant decreases in BOP and PD and lowered serum inflammatory markers in patients with CHD or NCHD. This may result in a decreased risk for CHD in the treated patients. These findings will allow pursuit of a large-scale randomized intervention trial in this population.

Growing burden of noncommunicable diseases: the contributory role of oral diseases, Eastern Mediterranean Region perspective

Associations of oral diseases with noncommunicable diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, chronic respiratory diseases, osteoporosis and chronic renal failure are widely reported in the literature from developed countries. Commonality of risk factors, changes in systemic inflammatory mediators and body metabolism play a role in this association. This paper reviews current knowledge on the burden and association of oral and systemic diseases, and highlights the paucity of information and research from the Eastern Mediterranean Region and other developing countries. A call is made for further research to understand the status and significance of oral-systemic disease associations and develop guidelines for their control in this Region.

Uncompensated tooth loss in cardiac patients of Punjab Institute of Cardiology, Lahore

OBJECTIVE

To observe replacement of missing teeth with artificial teeth in subjects with and with out cardiac diseases and find its possible association with coronary heart diseases (CHD).

METHODOLOGY

Consecutive patients aged 20 and above with coronary heart disease and accompanied healthy subjects with tooth loss were examined for oral prosthesis after having a verbal consent, over a one month period in a cross-sectional study at Punjab Institute of Cardiology, Lahore. Chi-square and T- test were applied to analyze variables in subjects with and without coronary heart disease.

RESULTS

Among 1694 subjects found with tooth loss, 1473 (86.95) subjects had no oral prosthesis; 817 (87.37%) were among the 935 cardiac patients and 656 (86.42%) among 759 healthy subjects. Oral prosthesis was found in 86 (8.05%) males and 32 (5.11%) females with coronary heart diseases. Of the healthy population, 46 (4.30%) males and 57 (9.10%) females had oral prosthesis. Statistical association for prosthesis was insignificant among cardiac patients and healthy subjects.

CONCLUSION

No association of uncompensated tooth loss with cardiac diseases was observed in this study. Although a large majority of cardiac patients and healthy subjects were observed with uncompensated tooth loss which was statistically insignificant.