Effect of serum ferritin levels in gingivitis and periodontitis patients before and after nonsurgical periodontal therapeutic intervention

Abstract

Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease that takes hold of the supporting structures of teeth. The diagnosis is based on traditional approaches, such as clinical attachment loss and periodontal pocket depths. However, recent advances in dentistry have harnessed biomarkers as an alternative diagnostic aid. Serum ferritin is a biomarker whose blood levels can be exploited to differentiate periodontium in health and disease. This article helps justify the importance of serum ferritin as a potential biomarker for investigating periodontitis after performing nonsurgical periodontal therapy in healthy and chronic periodontitis patients. Venous blood was obtained from individuals with dental biofilm-induced gingivitis and Stage 3 Grade A Periodontitis, and serum ferritin levels and hemoglobin (Hb) levels were measured. Non-surgical periodontal therapy was performed on Stage 3 Grade A Periodontitis. After 3 months, blood was collected again, and serum ferritin levels and Hb levels were assessed. High serum ferritin proportions were observed in an individual suffering from Stage 3 Grade A Periodontitis. However, they declined considerably after 3 months after treatment with non-surgical periodontal therapy. Analysis by the generalized estimating equation method exhibited a significant decrease in Oral Hygiene Simplified Index (β = 2.02, p < 0.001), gingival index ( β = 1.11, p < 0.001), probing pocket depth ( β = 1.03, p < 0.001), clinical attachment level ( β = 3.01, p < 0.001), and serum ferritin ( β = 76.9, p < 0.001) in the test group compared to the control group. However, no significant difference was noted in Hb. Nevertheless, no significant changes were noticed in healthy subjects. Serum ferritin is a salient biomarker for the pathogenesis of persistent gum affliction.