Related Experiment Videos
Experimental gingivitis in women using oral contraceptives
P M Preshaw1, M A Knutsen, A Mariotti
1University of Newcastle upon Tyne, The Dental School, UK.
Journal of Dental Research
|January 5, 2002
Summary
Current oral contraceptives (OC) do not increase gingival inflammation risk. This study found no significant difference in gingival response to plaque buildup between women taking or not taking OC.
Area of Science:
- Periodontology
- Oral Health
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Oral contraceptives (OC) have been historically linked to increased gingival disease risk.
- Recent reductions in OC hormone concentrations necessitate re-evaluation of this association.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if current low-hormone oral contraceptives impact the gingival inflammatory response to plaque.
Main Methods:
- Prospective, split-mouth, experimental gingivitis model in pre-menopausal women.
- Oral hygiene was withheld in one maxillary quadrant (test) and maintained in the contralateral quadrant (control).
- Participants were categorized based on OC use (n=14) or non-use (n=16).
Main Results:
- Significant increases in plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) volume were observed in test quadrants (P < 0.05).
- No significant differences in PI, GI, or GCF volume changes were found between OC users and non-users in test quadrants (P > 0.05).
- Control quadrants showed no significant changes in PI, GI, or GCF volume throughout the study.
Conclusions:
- Current oral contraceptive formulations do not appear to alter the gingival inflammatory response to dental plaque.
- The historical association between OC and gingival disease may not apply to modern, low-dose formulations.