Vaccination: Vaccination is a process that induces specific immune resistance to a bacterial or viral infection. In vaccination, dead or attenuated living infectious material is introduced into the body with the objective of increasing resistance or eliminating the disease. The first and foremost step in making a vaccine is the identification of the antigenic component…
Read MoreThe exposure of root surfaces resulting from gingival recession may be due to several etiologic factors. These include factors such as periodontal disease, mechanical forces such as faulty toothbrushing, iatrogenic factors like uncontrolled orthodontic movement, improper restorations, viral infections of the gingiva, and anatomical factors such as tooth malposition and frenum pull. The result is…
Read MoreEhlers-Danlos syndrome: Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is also known as tenascin X-Deficiency syndrome, Lysyl Hydroxylase Deficiency syndrome, Cutis Hyperelastica, Dystrophia Mesodermalis and Fibrodysplasia Elastic Generalisatica. It is a hereditary collagen disease presenting primarily as dermatological and joint disorders. This disorder affects the connective tissues in the body and is characterized by joint hypermobility, skin hyperextensibility, and tissue…
Read MorePeriodontitis as an autoimmune disease The microbial etiology is the primary etiology of periodontal diseases. However, Brandtzaeg and Kraus (1965) 1 were the first to postulate the autoimmune basis in the pathogenesis of the periodontal disease. Autoimmunity results when there is an imbalance between the effector and regulatory immune responses. Under normal conditions, the immune…
Read MoreCan micro-organisms subvert our immune response??? The subgingival microbiota in periodontal pockets consists of Gram-negative assaccharolytic anaerobic bacteria which are capable of releasing multiple virulence factors. To cause disease, these bacteria must survive in the hostile inflammatory environment that contains an array of host-generated bactericidal molecules and innate immune effector cells. But, on the other…
Read MoreIntroduction to periodontal maintenance Periodontal diseases are multifactorial diseases where host-microbial interactions lead to the destruction of periodontal soft and hard tissues. Various forms of periodontitis can be efficiently treated with non-surgical and surgical therapy, but periodic periodontal maintenance is important for the maintenance of periodontal health after active periodontal treatment. Periodontal maintenance is defined…
Read MoreIntroduction to ortho-perio interrelationship Orthodontic treatment has become one of the most commonly carried out dental treatment in adolescents and young adults. The most commonly argued rationale for this treatment is that dental alignment obtained with orthodontic therapy facilitates plaque removal and reduces occlusal trauma. The bristles of the toothbrush fail to reach all tooth…
Read MoreIntroduction to endo-perio lesions The term “endo-perio” lesion has been proposed to describe the destructive lesions resulting from inflammatory products found in varying degrees in both the periodontial and pulpal tissues. The periodontium and dental pulp are inter-linked from embryonic stage. The dental pulp originates from dental papilla and the periodontal ligament originates from dental…
Read MoreIntroduction A furcation (or furca) is the area of a tooth where the root divides from the common root trunk into a bifurcation or trifurcation. Furcation involvement in posterior teeth is the result of progressive periodontal breakdown due to inflammation. It is important to determine the extent of furcation involvement to make an appropriate diagnosis…
Read MoreIntroduction to piezosurgery Piezosurgery is a new technique which performs osteotomy or osteoplasty utilizing ultrasonic vibrations. It is primarily an ultrasound machine with modulated frequency and a controlled tip vibration range. It has received a wide acceptance in the medical and dental profession in a relatively shorter duration of time. It has simplified the surgical…
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