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Background: In both states of health and disease, the integrity of connective tissue along with regulation in formation of bones are well maintained by periostin (POSTN) which is a matricellular protein secreted by fibroblasts. The present study aimed to assess the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) POSTN levels in patients with chronic periodontitis (CP) and aggressive periodontitis and to compare them with that of healthy controls. Materials and Methods: A total of 39 individuals were recruited and allocated into the healthy group, and two periodontitis groups (the chronic and the aggressive types) (13 in each group). The samples of GCF fluid were collected using microcapillary pipette. The POSTN levels were estimated using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: The mean levels of total POSTN in GCF fluid (in pg/μl) were 182.41, 79.87, and 49.28 for the healthy, CP, aggressive periodontitis groups, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference between the groups with P < 0.05. Furthermore, there were statistically significant differences when compared among the groups with P < 0.05. When all three groups were examined together, there were negative correlations between GCF POSTN levels and clinical parameters. Conclusion: The GCF POSTN levels reduced with an increase in the severity of the periodontitis. With the present study results, we could conclude that the GCF POSTN level can be considered as a dependable marker in periodontal disease diagnosis, disease activity, and healing.

Context: Chronic periodontitis (CP) and diabetes mellitus are associated with increased oxidative damage to DNA with formation of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG). The aim of this study was to evaluate the change in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) levels of 8-OHdG and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) by 3 months after scaling and root planing (SRP), in CP patients with and without Type II diabetes mellitus. Settings and Design: Sixteen patients with CP, 16 patients with CP and Type II diabetes mellitus (CP-D), and 16 systemically healthy individuals with clinically healthy periodontium who served as controls were included in the study. Materials and Methods: The clinical parameters (plaque index [PI], probing depth [PD], clinical attachment level [CAL], and bleeding on probing [BOP%]), HbA1c levels, and GCF 8-OHdG levels were measured at baseline. All the patients except controls were treated with SRP followed by evaluation of the above-mentioned clinical and biochemical parameters after 3 months. Statistical Analysis Used: Statistical analysis was performed using paired t-test, independent t-test, and Mann-Whitney U-test. Results: After SRP, CP-D group showed a greater reduction in PI, PD, BOP%, and greater gain in CAL when compared to CP patients (P < 0.05). Levels of 8-OHdG and HbA1c in CP-D patients also showed a greater reduction, 3 months after SRP when compared to CP patients (P < 0.05). Conclusions: GCF 8-OHdG levels, HbA1c levels, and clinical parameters were reduced significantly in CP and CP-D patients, with maximum reduction achieved in CP-D patients 3 months after SRP.

Tuberculosis (TB) is an inflammatory granulomatous disease that rarely presents as primary lesion in gingiva. Gingival involvement has been reported in only a very limited number of cases. A 13-year-old boy presented with gingival enlargement in the maxillary and mandibular anterior region associated with enlargement of lower lip with no systemic manifestations. He had a history of tuberculous lymphadenitis before 5 years which was inadequately treated. The patient's erythrocyte sedimentation rate was 70 mm/h. Histopathological report of the gingival lesion revealed noncaseating granulomas with nests of epithelioid cells and multinucleated Langhans giant cells. The patient was then referred to a physician for management, who initiated active antitubercular treatment following which the condition resolved. The aim of this article is to emphasize the importance of early diagnosis of primary TB of the gingiva which may be misdiagnosed when oral lesions are not associated with any apparent systemic infection.