College of Dentistry

Baskaradoss JK, Geevarghese A, Kutty VR. Maternal periodontal status and preterm delivery: a hospital based case–control study. J Periodont Res 2011; 46: 542–549. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/SBackground and Objective:  Recent studies have presented evidence that periodontal disease in pregnant women may be a determining factor for preterm delivery. However, this finding has not been consistently observed. The present investigation was carried out to explore the association between maternal periodontal disease and preterm delivery in the state of Kerala, India.Material and Methods:  The case–control study had a sample of 300 (100 cases and 200 controls) postpartum women over 18 years of age. Cases were women who had undergone spontaneous preterm delivery (< 37 wk of gestation) and controls were women who delivered at term (≥ 37 wk of gestation). Standard, clinical and periodontal examinations were performed at the maternity wards, and the existence of an association between periodontal disease and preterm delivery was evaluated by means of a multivariate logistic regression model that also considered other risk factors for preterm delivery.Results:  Periodontitis was diagnosed in 25% of the mothers in the case group and in 14.5% of the mothers in the control group. Logistic regression analysis indicated a risk of nearly threefold for preterm delivery in mothers with periodontitis [adjusted odds ratio (ORa) = 2.72; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.68–6.84]. The other factors significantly associated with preterm birth were physical exertion (ORa = 2.80; 95% CI: 1.18–6.65), a previous history of preterm birth (ORa = 2.65; 95% CI: 1.20–5.83) and previous abortion/death of infant (ORa = 4.08; 95% CI: 1.56–10.65).Conclusion:  Periodontal disease is a possible risk factor for preterm delivery in this population.

The aim of this study was to develop a valid and reproducible index of orthodontic treatment priority. After reviewing the available literature, it was felt that this could be best achieved by using two separate components to record firstly the dental health and functional indications for treatment, and secondly the aesthetic impairment caused by the malocclusion. A modification of the index used by the Swedish Dental Health Board was used to record the need for orthodontic treatment on dental health and functional grounds. This index was modified by defining five grades, with precise dividing lines between each grade. An illustrated 10-point scale was used to assess independently the aesthetic treatment need of the patients. This scale was constructed using dental photographs of 12-year-olds collected during a large multi-disciplinary survey. Six non-dental judges rated these photographs on a visual analogue scale, and at equal intervals along the judged range, representative photographs were chosen. To test the index in use, two sample populations were defined; a group of patients referred for treatment, and a random sample of 11-12-year-old schoolchildren. Both samples were examined using the index and satisfactory levels of intra- and inter-examiner agreement were obtained.

The problems related to anchorage for orthodontic tooth movements in patients with deficient dentition are discussed, and various solutions suggested in the literature, including &amp;quot;onplants,&amp;quot; implants, and zygoma wires, are evaluated. A miniscrew is presented as alternative anchorage, and possible locations for placement are discussed, based on studies of bone quality in dry skulls. Application of the miniscrew as anchorage for various types of tooth movement is demonstrated. Miniscrews are easily placed and removed and can be loaded immediately following insertion. However, stability is limited after loading with torsion.

The aim of this prospective clinical study was to assess the risk factors associated with failure of mini-implants used for orthodontic anchorage. A total of 140 mini-implants in 44 patients, including 48 miniplates and 92 freestanding miniscrews, were examined in the study. A variety of orthodontic loads were applied. The majority of implants were placed in the posterior maxilla (104/140), and the next most common location was the posterior mandible (34/140). A cumulative survival rate of 89% (125/140) was found by Kaplan-Meier analysis. There was no significant difference in the survival rate between miniplates and freestanding miniscrews, but miniplates were used in more hazardous situations. The Cox proportional-hazards regression model identified anatomic location and peri-implant soft tissue character as 2 independent prognostic indicators. The estimated relative risk of implant failure in the posterior mandible was 1.101 (95% confidence interval, 0.942 to 1.301; P = .046). The risk ratio of failure for implants surrounded by nonkeratinized mucosa was 1.117 (95% confidence interval, 0.899 to 1.405; P = .026). The results confirmed the effectiveness of orthodontic mini-implants, but in certain situations adjustment of the treatment plan or modifications in the technique of implant placement may lead to improved success rates.

A new device has been designed to provide anchorage for orthodontic tooth movement. It is a disk, textured and hydroxylapatite coated on one side, with an internal thread on the other side. It is placed on palatal bone and, after integration, can be connected to teeth for anchorage. This article reviews a dog study demonstrating unilateral tooth movement towards the “onplant” and a monkey study mimicking its use to anchor the molars for anterior retraction. (AM J ORTHOD DENTOFAC ORTHOP 1995;107:251-8.)

The aim of this study was to develop a valid and reproducible index of orthodontic treatment priority. After reviewing the available literature, it was felt that this could be best achieved by using two separate components to record firstly the dental health and functional indications for treatment, and secondly the aesthetic impairment caused by the malocclusion. A modification of the index used by the Swedish Dental Health Board was used to record the need for orthodontic treatment on dental health and functional grounds. This index was modified by defining five grades, with precise dividing lines between each grade. An illustrated 10-point scale was used to assess independently the aesthetic treatment need of the patients. This scale was constructed using dental photographs of 12-year-olds collected during a large multi-disciplinary survey. Six non-dental judges rated these photographs on a visual analogue scale, and at equal intervals along the judged range, representative photographs were chosen. To test the index in use, two sample populations were defined; a group of patients referred for treatment, and a random sample of 11-12-year-old schoolchildren. Both samples were examined using the index and satisfactory levels of intra- and inter-examiner agreement were obtained.

The problems related to anchorage for orthodontic tooth movements in patients with deficient dentition are discussed, and various solutions suggested in the literature, including &amp;quot;onplants,&amp;quot; implants, and zygoma wires, are evaluated. A miniscrew is presented as alternative anchorage, and possible locations for placement are discussed, based on studies of bone quality in dry skulls. Application of the miniscrew as anchorage for various types of tooth movement is demonstrated. Miniscrews are easily placed and removed and can be loaded immediately following insertion. However, stability is limited after loading with torsion.

The aim of this prospective clinical study was to assess the risk factors associated with failure of mini-implants used for orthodontic anchorage. A total of 140 mini-implants in 44 patients, including 48 miniplates and 92 freestanding miniscrews, were examined in the study. A variety of orthodontic loads were applied. The majority of implants were placed in the posterior maxilla (104/140), and the next most common location was the posterior mandible (34/140). A cumulative survival rate of 89% (125/140) was found by Kaplan-Meier analysis. There was no significant difference in the survival rate between miniplates and freestanding miniscrews, but miniplates were used in more hazardous situations. The Cox proportional-hazards regression model identified anatomic location and peri-implant soft tissue character as 2 independent prognostic indicators. The estimated relative risk of implant failure in the posterior mandible was 1.101 (95% confidence interval, 0.942 to 1.301; P = .046). The risk ratio of failure for implants surrounded by nonkeratinized mucosa was 1.117 (95% confidence interval, 0.899 to 1.405; P = .026). The results confirmed the effectiveness of orthodontic mini-implants, but in certain situations adjustment of the treatment plan or modifications in the technique of implant placement may lead to improved success rates.

A new device has been designed to provide anchorage for orthodontic tooth movement. It is a disk, textured and hydroxylapatite coated on one side, with an internal thread on the other side. It is placed on palatal bone and, after integration, can be connected to teeth for anchorage. This article reviews a dog study demonstrating unilateral tooth movement towards the &amp;quot;onplant&amp;quot; and a monkey study mimicking its use to anchor the molars for anterior retraction.

P53 is considered one of the most important defense proteins against cancer.Although the p53 mutation is associated with many cancers, its mutation is never found in Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS), raising a possibility that functional p53 may play a role in KS development. To assess the role of p53 in Kaposi’s sarcoma tumor, shRNA-mediated gene silencing was used to knockdown p53 expression. We examined Kaposi’s sarcomaassociated herpesvirus (KSHV)-infected periodontal ligaments stem cells (PDLSC) for osteogenic differentiation and endothelial angiogenesis, and we observed noticeable decreases in osteogenic differentiation and angiogenesis when p53 expression was knocked down in KSHV-infected PDLSCs by p53 specific shRNA. The results suggest that p53 plays an essential role in sarcoma development of KSHV infected mesenchymal stem cells.