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Oral and gingival health research
Research Guide
What is Oral and gingival health research?
Oral and gingival health research is the scientific study of risk factors, genetic mechanisms, clinical aspects, molecular pathways, and treatment options for gingival overgrowth induced by medications such as cyclosporin A, tacrolimus, and phenytoin, as well as hereditary gingival fibromatosis.
The field encompasses 40,519 works focused on connective tissue metabolism, growth factors like transforming growth factor-β1, cytokines, matrix metalloproteinases, and periodontal complications. Classification systems organize the etiology, pathogenesis, and treatment of periodontal diseases and conditions, as established by Armitage (1999) in "Development of a Classification System for Periodontal Diseases and Conditions". Indices such as the Gingival Index and Plaque Index, developed by Löe (1967) in "The Gingival Index, the Plaque Index and the Retention Index Systems", enable standardized assessment of gingivitis and plaque accumulation.
Topic Hierarchy
Research Sub-Topics
Drug-Induced Gingival Overgrowth
This sub-topic studies gingival hyperplasia caused by cyclosporin A, tacrolimus, and phenytoin in transplant patients. Researchers examine prevalence, risk factors, and clinical management.
Collagen Metabolism in Gingival Fibromatosis
This sub-topic investigates extracellular matrix dysregulation and collagen turnover in gingival overgrowth. Researchers analyze matrix metalloproteinases and synthetic pathways.
TGF-β1 in Gingival Overgrowth
This sub-topic explores transforming growth factor-β1 signaling in fibroblast proliferation and fibrosis. Researchers link cytokines to drug-induced pathogenesis.
Hereditary Gingival Fibromatosis
This sub-topic examines genetic mutations and inheritance patterns causing familial gingival enlargement. Researchers study connective tissue growth factor involvement.
Periodontal Index Systems
This sub-topic develops and validates indices like Gingival and Plaque Index for assessing oral health. Researchers refine tools for gingivitis and overgrowth evaluation.
Why It Matters
Oral and gingival health research supports clinical management of drug-induced gingival overgrowth in organ transplant patients on cyclosporin A or tacrolimus, informing treatment to reduce periodontal complications. Armitage (1999) provided a classification system with 5055 citations that structures diagnosis and care for gingival conditions, aiding clinicians in organizing patient needs. Löe et al. (1965) demonstrated plaque's role in experimental gingivitis with 3452 citations, establishing foundational evidence for hygiene interventions. Pihlstrom et al. (2005) reviewed periodontal diseases in The Lancet with 3422 citations, highlighting prevalence and therapies relevant to gingival health in medication users. Dominy et al. (2019) found Porphyromonas gingivalis gingipains in Alzheimer’s brains with 1739 citations, linking gingival pathogens to neurodegeneration and suggesting small-molecule inhibitors as treatments.
Reading Guide
Where to Start
"The Gingival Index, the Plaque Index and the Retention Index Systems" by Harald Löe (1967), as it introduces foundational tools for assessing gingival inflammation and plaque, essential for understanding core measurements in oral health research.
Key Papers Explained
Löe et al. (1965) in "Experimental Gingivitis in Man" established plaque as the cause of gingivitis, which Löe (1967) quantified via indices in "The Gingival Index, the Plaque Index and the Retention Index Systems"; Armitage (1999) built on this with a classification in "Development of a Classification System for Periodontal Diseases and Conditions"; Pihlstrom et al. (2005) synthesized findings in "Periodontal diseases"; Caton et al. (2018) updated the classification in "A new classification scheme for periodontal and peri‐implant diseases and conditions – Introduction and key changes from the 1999 classification"; Dominy et al. (2019) extended to pathogens in "Porphyromonas gingivalis in Alzheimer’s disease brains: Evidence for disease causation and treatment with small-molecule inhibitors".
Paper Timeline
Most-cited paper highlighted in red. Papers ordered chronologically.
Advanced Directions
Updates to periodontal classifications continue, as in Caton et al. (2018), addressing peri-implant conditions alongside gingival diseases. Pathogen research like Dominy et al. (2019) explores gingipains' role in systemic disease causation. No recent preprints available.
Papers at a Glance
| # | Paper | Year | Venue | Citations | Open Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Development of a Classification System for Periodontal Disease... | 1999 | Annals of Periodontology | 5.1K | ✓ |
| 2 | The Gingival Index, the Plaque Index and the Retention Index S... | 1967 | The Journal of Periodo... | 3.6K | ✕ |
| 3 | Experimental Gingivitis in Man | 1965 | The Journal of Periodo... | 3.5K | ✕ |
| 4 | Periodontal diseases | 2005 | The Lancet | 3.4K | ✕ |
| 5 | Problems and proposals for recording gingivitis and plaque. | 1975 | PubMed | 3.1K | ✕ |
| 6 | Classification of platelet concentrates: from pure platelet-ri... | 2009 | Trends in biotechnology | 1.9K | ✕ |
| 7 | Platelet-rich plasma: evidence to support its use | 2004 | Journal of Oral and Ma... | 1.9K | ✕ |
| 8 | Intra-Osseous Anchorage of Dental Prostheses:<i>I. Experimenta... | 1969 | Scandinavian Journal o... | 1.8K | ✕ |
| 9 | A new classification scheme for periodontal and peri‐implant d... | 2018 | Journal of Periodontology | 1.8K | ✓ |
| 10 | <i>Porphyromonas gingivalis</i> in Alzheimer’s disease brains:... | 2019 | Science Advances | 1.7K | ✓ |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the role of classification systems in oral and gingival health research?
Classification systems provide a framework for studying etiology, pathogenesis, and treatment of periodontal diseases orderly. Armitage (1999) developed such a system in "Development of a Classification System for Periodontal Diseases and Conditions", which clinicians use to organize patient health care needs. The 2018 update by Caton et al. in "A new classification scheme for periodontal and peri‐implant diseases and conditions – Introduction and key changes from the 1999 classification" summarizes key changes for improved diagnosis.
How are gingivitis and plaque assessed in gingival health studies?
The Gingival Index, Plaque Index, and Retention Index systems quantify gingivitis severity and plaque retention. Löe (1967) introduced these in "The Gingival Index, the Plaque Index and the Retention Index Systems". Ainamo and Bay (1975) proposed refinements in "Problems and proposals for recording gingivitis and plaque" for short-term clinical trials.
What causes experimental gingivitis according to key studies?
Experimental gingivitis in humans results from plaque accumulation without oral hygiene. Löe et al. (1965) showed this in "Experimental Gingivitis in Man", demonstrating gingival inflammation develops predictably. The study established plaque as the primary etiologic factor.
What are the main periodontal diseases studied in gingival health research?
Periodontal diseases include gingivitis and periodontitis, with risk factors like plaque and medications. Pihlstrom et al. (2005) detailed these in "Periodontal diseases" published in The Lancet. Drug-induced gingival overgrowth from cyclosporin A and phenytoin affects prevalence and severity.
How does Porphyromonas gingivalis relate to gingival health?
Porphyromonas gingivalis contributes to gingival overgrowth and systemic effects via gingipains. Dominy et al. (2019) detected it in Alzheimer’s brains in "Porphyromonas gingivalis in Alzheimer’s disease brains: Evidence for disease causation and treatment with small-molecule inhibitors". Small-molecule inhibitors block these enzymes.
What treatments are explored for gingival conditions?
Platelet concentrates like platelet-rich plasma support gingival healing. Marx (2004) provided evidence in "Platelet-rich plasma: evidence to support its use". Dohan Ehrenfest et al. (2009) classified them in "Classification of platelet concentrates: from pure platelet-rich plasma (P-PRP) to leucocyte- and platelet-rich fibrin (L-PRF)".
Open Research Questions
- ? How do molecular pathways of transforming growth factor-β1 and connective tissue growth factor precisely mediate drug-induced gingival overgrowth from cyclosporin A and tacrolimus?
- ? What genetic mechanisms distinguish hereditary gingival fibromatosis from drug-induced forms, and how do they influence collagen metabolism?
- ? Can matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors prevent or reverse gingival overgrowth severity in organ transplant patients?
- ? What is the long-term impact of Porphyromonas gingivalis gingipains on gingival health and links to neurodegeneration?
- ? How effective are platelet-rich fibrin techniques in treating periodontal complications from gingival overgrowth?
Recent Trends
The field includes 40,519 works with no specified 5-year growth rate.
High-citation papers from 1965-2019 dominate, such as Armitage with 5055 citations on classification and Dominy et al. (2019) with 1739 on Porphyromonas gingivalis.
1999No recent preprints or news coverage reported.
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