Gingival inflammation triggered by the accumulation of bacterial is the primary risk factor for the development of periodontitis. Clinically, localized signs of inflammation limited to the gingiva, presence of significant bacterial plaque load, and stable attachment levels on the periodontium can be observed in course of gingivitis. The aim of the present study is to compare clinical aspects of gingival tissue in healthy patients versus patients with gingivitis to assess the ultrastructural variations present in course of inflammation. Patients with gingivitis and healthy controls will be enrolled. All patients will undergo ultra-high frequency ultrasonographic scans (70 MHz) of gingival tissue on three areas per dental arch (anterior, middle right, middle left). Gingival thickness, echogenicity, and vascularization assessed through resisitive index will be evaluated.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
40
Ultra-high frequency ultrasonographic scan of gingival tissues
University of Pisa
Pisa, Italy, Italy
RECRUITINGDepartment of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care Medicine, University Hospital of Pisa
Pisa, Italy
RECRUITINGEchogenicity
Variations in echogenicity assessed through grey levels distribution between healthy patients versus gingivitis
Time frame: measured once at enrollemnt
Vascular parameters
Variations in vascularization assessed through grey levels distribution between healthy patients versus gingivitis
Time frame: measured once at enrollemnt
DMFT
The Decayed-Missing-Filled Teeth (DMFT) index, categorized as Low (0-4), Moderate (5-13), and High (14+), will evaluate overall dental health.
Time frame: measured once at enrollement
PPD
Probing Pocket Depth (PPD) will be measured using a UNC-15 periodontal probe with 0.3 N pressure, recording six sites per tooth (distobuccal, buccal, mesiobuccal, distolingual, lingual, mesiolingual), rounded to the nearest millimeter.
Time frame: measured once at enrollement
FMBS
Full Mouth Bleeding Score (FMBS) will be determined dichotomously post-probing.
Time frame: measured once at enrollement
FMPS
Full Mouth Plaque Score (FMPS) will assess plaque presence on each tooth surface, with scores of 1 for presence and 0 for absence across six sites per tooth.
Time frame: measured once at enrollement
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