Assessment and comparison of nuclear changes seen in gingivitis and periodontitis using fluorescent microscopy

The objective of this study was to observe the evolution of genotoxicity (micronucleation, binucleation and multinucleation) from normal to periodontally compromised gingival epithelium (gingivitis and periodontitis) and to compare the severity of damage.

45 participants formed 3 different categories; a control group of 15 healthy subjects, 15 subjects with gingivitis and 15 with chronic periodontitis. Smears were collected from all the gingiva and stained with acridine orange stain. A total of 500 cells were evaluated under fluorescent microscopy for nuclear abnormalities such as micronuclei, binucleation and multinucleation. The statistical analysis used was one way ANOVA and posthoc Tukey test.

A statistically significant difference was observed when the age of the 3 groups were compared (p=0.002); the control group were younger than those with chronic periodontitis or gingivitis. With respect to genotoxic changes, the differences for binucleation (p=0.002) and multinucleation (p<0.001) were statistically significant thus suggesting advanced damage in the nucleus. Such changes in genotoxicity could be of help to a clinician in determining prognosis.