Attitudes have changed dramatically over the last few years. Both patients and practitioners want to know more about the treatments given and the agents that put them at risk of disease. Will a treatment work? Is this the best available treatment? Can anything be done to prevent a particular disease? The ability to answer these questions is inherently dependent upon the ability to read and interpret the dental literature. This is why it has become increasingly important for students and practitioners to be proficient in the area of evidence based dentistry and critical appraisal. The purpose of this book is to allow periodontists to gain confidence in their own ability to assess research reports and overcome the misconception.

The overuse, misuse and widespread prophylactic application of antibiotics led to the emergence of drug resistant micro-organisms and also disturb the beneficial microflora (Lactobacilli) of the body. Probiotics are live microorganisms, which, when administered in an adequate amount, confer a health benefit on the host. The most common probiotic strains belong to the genera Lactobacilli and Bifidobacterium. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of probiotic (Inersan lozenges - Lactobacillus brevis) alone, combination of probiotic with doxycycline and doxycycline alone on aggressive periodontitis, it being both a clinical and microbiological study. Probiotic has a future in the treatment of aggressive periodontitis, as most of the time, antibiotics are prescribed. These antibiotics can lead to the emergence of drug resistant micro-organisms and also disturb the beneficial microflora of the body. Thus, as an alternative to antibiotics, probiotics can be used as they repopulate beneficial microflora and reduce the pathogenic bacteria.

The presence of interproximal papilla between the maxillary anterior teeth is a key esthetic component. One of the major esthetic challenges in periodontal plastic surgery is the ability of reconstruction of the lost papilla in the maxillary anterior segment, the presence of which can result in esthetic and phonetic problems. The purpose of the study was to investigate the effectiveness of Robert Azzi technique and Han and Takei technique in reconstruction of interdental papilla. It also compared the effectiveness of the above two techniques in reconstruction of interdental papilla.14 patients who were periodontally healthy and had a loss of interdental papilla in the upper maxillary incisors were selected. The clinical parameters were recorded day 0, baseline, 6 and 12 months from baseline.A statistically significant improvement was seen in the papilla presence index and papillary height in both the groups. But on comparing both the techniques there was no statistical difference between the two.The results of this study showed that both the techniques were equally effective in successful reconstruction of interdental papilla and no technique was superior over the other.