The Importance of Periostin in Periodontal Health and Disease

It is hypothesized that Periostin levels are decreased during periodontal diseases, thereby,
elevating the hosts' susceptibility to periodontal breakdown. The specific aims are the
following; To determine if Periostin is a biomarker of periodontal disease, and To evaluate
Periostin in periodontal tissue healing and homeostasis by harvesting healthy or diseased
tissue from 22 patients requiring periodontal surgery.

Inclusion Criteria:

Inclusion criteria for diseased subjects:

- Diagnosis of generalized chronic or aggressive periodontitis

- At least four periodontal sites with probing depth (PD) ≥6 mm, evidence of clinical
attachment loss (CAL), and bleeding on probing (BOP). Inclusion criteria for healthy
individuals will include PD <4 mm, no evidence of attachment loss, and <10% of sites
with BOP

- Need an open flap procedure

Inclusion criteria for non-diseased subjects:

- Subjects requiring a gingivectomy or crown lengthening procedure

Exclusion Criteria:

- History of alcoholism or drug abuse

- Medical conditions that may affect the outcome such as autoimmune diseases, diabetes,
immunocompromised subjects, neurologic or psychiatric disorders, systemic infections,
etc.

- Chronic medications known to affect the periodontal status (calcium antagonists,
anticonvulsives, immunosuppressives, anti-inflammatory medications, Depo-Provera
contraceptive injection users, new oral contraceptives users within 3 months of
baseline or subjects that are planning on, starting oral contraceptives during the
study.

- Antibiotic therapy within 3 months of the baseline visit, and/or antibiotic therapy
needed for infective endocarditis prophylaxis.

- Current use or quit smoking less than one year ago with a pack-year history of more
than or equal to 10.

- Untreated cavities