Faculty Bibliography

BACKGROUND:Periodontitis and the Triglyceride/High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (TG/HDL-C) ratio have both been associated with cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome and obesity. Additionally, the ratio is a possible substitute for predicting insulin resistance. This study investigated the association between periodontitis, its severity levels (exposures), and the TG/HDL-C ratio (outcome). METHODS:A cross-sectional study of public health service users in Brazil considered socioeconomic-demographic characteristics, lifestyle behavior, and general and oral health conditions. Anthropometric measurements and blood pressure were also measured. Systemic biomarker data were obtained, as well as assessment of periodontal diagnosis and its severity. The TG/HDL-C ratio was calculated using the serum triglyceride level over HDL cholesterol and the cut-off point, TG/HDL-C ≥2.3 serving as the cutoff indicting dyslipidemia. Logistic and linear regression were used to statistically analyze the data. RESULTS:= 1.47, 95%CI: 1.02-2.14). Similar results were found for those with moderate and severe periodontitis, with a slight increase in the measurement magnitude with disease severity. CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:A positive relationship between periodontitis and the TG/HDL-C ratio ≥2.3 was found, suggesting a possible association with periodontal disease severity. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

OBJECTIVE:This study investigated the association between periodontitis severity (exposure) and metabolic syndrome (MetS - outcome), using two criteria for diagnosis of the outcome, since this relationship remains unexplored. MATERIALS AND METHODS/METHODS:A case-control study was conducted with 870 individuals: 408 with first MetS diagnosis (cases) and 462 without MetS (controls). Participants' general information was obtained using a questionnaire and laboratory data was collected from medical records. Periodontitis severity criteria followed the Center for Disease Control and Prevention: none, mild, moderate, and severe. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were determined by logistic regression analysis. RESULTS:= 1.94 (95% CI: 1.19 to 3.16), respectively, after adjustment for age, sex, schooling level, smoking habit, and cardiovascular disease. The adjusted measurements showed that among individuals with moderate or severe periodontitis, the probability of having MetS was around two times greater than among those without periodontitis, and that the chance was greater among participants with severe periodontitis than those with moderate periodontitis. CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:An association between the severity of periodontal status and MetS was found, suggesting a possible relationship between the two diseases. CLINICAL RELEVANCE/CONCLUSIONS:MetS influences the etiology of cardiovascular diseases, one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide. The findings suggest that the greater the severity of periodontitis, the greater is the association magnitude with MetS. The health professional needs to recognize that the importance of periodontal disease may play in MetS.

In humans, the composition of microbial communities differs among body sites and between habitats within a single site. Patterns of variation in the distribution of organisms across time and space are referred to as "biogeography." The human oral cavity is a critical observatory for exploring microbial biogeography because it is spatially structured, easily accessible, and its microbiota has been linked to the promotion of both health and disease. The biogeographic features of microbial communities residing in spatially distinct, but ecologically similar, environments on the human body, including the subgingival crevice, have not yet been adequately explored. The purpose of this paper is twofold. First, we seek to provide the dental community with a primer on biogeographic theory, highlighting its relevance to the study of the human oral cavity. We summarize what is known about the biogeographic variation of dental caries and periodontitis and postulate that disease occurrence reflects spatial patterning in the composition and structure of oral microbial communities. Second, we present a number of methods that investigators can use to test specific hypotheses using biogeographic theory. To anchor our discussion, we apply each method to a case study and examine the spatial variation of the human subgingival microbiota in 2 individuals. Our case study suggests that the composition of subgingival communities may conform to an anterior-to-posterior gradient within the oral cavity. The gradient appears to be structured by both deterministic and nondeterministic processes, although additional work is needed to confirm these findings. A better understanding of biogeographic patterns and processes will lead to improved efficacy of dental interventions targeting the oral microbiota.

INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND:The purpose of this case report was to evaluate clinical and radiographic outcomes of periodontally accelerated osteogenic orthodontics (PAOO) combined with soft tissue enhancement in a patient with thin biotype and lack of buccal plate. CASE PRESENTATION/METHODS:A 46-year-old female was referred for periodontal risk assessment prior to orthodontic treatment. Following a comprehensive examination, including taking a cone beam computerized tomography (CBCT) the patient was identified as high risk for soft tissue recession because of prominent roots, lack of buccal plates, and thin soft tissue. The treatment was PAOO combined with soft tissue enhancement to improve hard and soft tissue support of anterior mandibular teeth. CONCLUSIONS:Clinical and radiographic evaluation after one year revealed significant improvements in hard and soft tissue phenotype. In conclusion, combination of PAOO and soft tissue grafting could be a promising treatment to improve hard and soft tissue support for orthodontic patients.