Inflammatory mediators and periodontitis in patients with asymptomatic third molars

Purpose: Our goal was to report the detection and levels of gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) inflammatory mediators, sampled at the mesial of 4 first molars and distal of 4 second molars, in 316 patients with asymptomatic third molars. Patients and Methods: Levels of GCF inflammatory mediators, interleukin (IL)-1beta and prostaglandin (PG)E-2, were determined and log transformed for each patient. Z scores were calculated using the mean and standard deviation of the log values for the entire sample of 316 patients. The log mediator levels and Z scores of patients who had probing depths (PDs) less than 5 mm (n=238) were compared with patients with at least 1 PD equal to or greater than 5 mm (n=78) on the distal of second molars or around third molars. A periodontal Composite GCF Inflammation Score was calculated for each patient by summing the Z scores obtained for IL-1beta and PGE(2) for that patient. Results: The levels of GCF IL-1beta and PGE(2) were higher if a patient had a PD equal to or greater than 5 mm in the third molar region. The Composite GCF Inflammation Score indicated "elevated inflammation" if a PD equal to or greater than 5 mm was found in the third molar region as well. Conclusions: These data suggest that asymptomatic patients with PD equal to or greater than 5 mm in the third molar region with associated periodontal attachment loss have increased levels of biochemical mediators of inflammation compared with patients with PD less than 5 mm. These findings are consistent with the concept that early periodontitis in young adults that initiates in the third molar region is associated with increases in key inflammatory mediators. (C) 2002 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.