NEWS Release 25 July 2007
Beneficial Effects of Periodontal Treatment on Metabolic Control of Hypercholesterolemia
Abstract
The authors aimed to evaluate whether local periodontal therapy may influence plasma lipid levels in
patients with periodontitis.
Methods: Fifty patients (31 females and 19 males, age 36-66 yr) were randomly assigned to the treatment and control
groups. Lipid profile and dental variables were measured at baseline and at the end of the study in both groups.
Results: In the third month, there was a significant decrease in total and low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol
levels of the treatment group compared with baseline values. Also, the reduction in bleeding on probing,
pocket depth, attachment loss, plaque index and gingival index were statistically significant in the treatment group.
Conclusions: The present study indicates that periodontitis causes changes in total and LDL cholesterol
levels and local periodontal treatment resulted in a significant decrease in these markers.
These results suggest a potential effect of periodontitis-driven systemic inflammation on lipid metabolism.
The effect of bruxism on periodontal sensation
in the molar region: A pilot study
Takeshi Suganuma DDS, PhDa,
,
,
Yasuhiro Ono DDSb,
Akiyuki Shinya DDS, PhDc
and Ryoichi Furuya DDS, PhDd
aAssistant Professor, Department of Prosthodontics, Showa University
School of Dentistry, Tokyo, Japan
bGraduate student, Department of Prosthodontics, Showa University
School of Dentistry, Tokyo, Japan
cAssociate Professor, Department of Prosthodontics, Showa University
School of Dentistry, Tokyo, Japan
dProfessor, Department of Prosthodontics, Showa University School of
Dentistry, Tokyo, Japan
Statement of problemPeriodontal sensation in
individuals with bruxism may differ from that in nonbruxers, as excessive
amounts of occlusal force may be applied to the teeth during the night.
However, this concept is not adequately addressed in the literature.
Purpose
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of bruxism on
periodontal sensation in the molar region.
Material and methods
Fourteen dental school faculty and students lacking objective or subjective
abnormalities of stomatognathic function were divided into 2 groups
representing nonbruxers (n=7) and bruxers (n=7). Bruxism was confirmed based
on the nocturnal electromyography activities of the masseter muscle.
Periodontal sensation was assessed based on interocclusal tactile threshold,
which refers to the minimal thickness that can be detected between the
occlusal surfaces of the teeth. Interocclusal tactile threshold was measured
in the first molar region each for the left and right sides by placing
variable thicknesses of metal foil and recording the threshold twice daily
(morning and afternoon) on 3 separate days. Multivariate ANOVA was performed
for bruxism (with or without) as a between-subjects effect, and time of day
(morning and afternoon) and side (left and right) as within-subjects effects
(α=.05)
Results
Multivariate ANOVA revealed no significant differences in interocclusal
tactile threshold between morning and afternoon or between the left and right
sides in either group. The mean (SD) interocclusal tactile threshold for the
bruxers was 17.1 (3.9) μm, while that for the nonbruxers was significantly
greater at 29.9(5.6) μm (P<.001).
Conclusions
The periodontal sensation in bruxers was increased
compared to nonbruxers.
