Inflammatory mediators and periodontitis in patients with asymptomatic third molars.
OBJECTIVE
Our goal was to report the detection and levels of gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) inflammatory mediators, sampled at the mesial of 4 first molars and distal of 4 second molars, in 316 patients with asymptomatic third molars.


METHODS
Levels of GCF inflammatory mediators, interleukin (IL)-1 beta and prostaglandin (PG)E(2), were determined and log transformed for each patient. Z scores were calculated using the mean and standard deviation of the log values for the entire sample of 316 patients. The log mediator levels and Z scores of patients who had probing depths (PDs) less than 5 mm (n = 238) were compared with patients with at least 1 PD equal to or greater than 5 mm (n = 78) on the distal of second molars or around third molars. A periodontal Composite GCF Inflammation Score was calculated for each patient by summing the Z scores obtained for IL-1 beta and PGE(2) for that patient.


RESULTS
The levels of GCF IL-1 beta and PGE(2) were higher if a patient had a PD equal to or greater than 5 mm in the third molar region. The Composite GCF Inflammation Score indicated "elevated inflammation" if a PD equal to or greater than 5 mm was found in the third molar region as well.


CONCLUSIONS
These data suggest that asymptomatic patients with PD equal to or greater than 5 mm in the third molar region with associated periodontal attachment loss have increased levels of biochemical mediators of inflammation compared with patients with PD less than 5 mm. These findings are consistent with the concept that early periodontitis in young adults that initiates in the third molar region is associated with increases in key inflammatory mediators.
White
Raymond P
RP
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Dentistry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7450, USA. ray_white@dentistry.unc.edu
Offenbacher
Steven
S
Phillips
Ceib
C
Haug
Richard H
RH
Blakey
George H
GH
Marciani
Robert D
RD
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D005883:Gingival Crevicular Fluid / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000032:analysis*; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008963:Molar; D008964:Molar, Third; D016017:Odds Ratio; D017622:Periodontal Attachment Loss / Q000503:physiopathology; D010512:Periodontal Index; D010514:Periodontal Pocket / Q000175:diagnosis; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology*
D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D007375:Interleukin-1; D015232:Dinoprostone