Validating gingival surface temperature as an alternative tool in the diagnosis of periodontal disease activity: An observational clinical trial

Background: Elevated temperature has been recognized as an inflammatory sign, the only indication that can be both objectively and quantitatively evaluated, and is considered as a potential indicator of periodontal disease. Assessing gingival surface temperature (GST) could be a diagnostic parameter to determine periodontal health. This pilot clinical study aimed to validate gingival surface temperature (GST) as a clinical diagnostic tool to measure periodontal disease activity by correlating with the periodontal inflamed surface area (PISA). Methods: A cross-sectional mono-centric pilot study was conducted with a convenient sample of 50 participants with a mean age of 34.14±13.7 years. Clinical parameters such as probing pocket depth (PPD) clinical attachment loss (CAL), bleeding on probing (BOP) were measured. GST was recorded with a single lead of the bedside patient monitor and correlated it with PISA. Results: The results showed a positive correlation between PISA and GST (P = 0.46). Conclusion: This study showed a rise in GST of inflamed sites, but the results did not support the hypothesis that increased GST is an indicator of periodontal disease. As this is a pilot study, furthermore studies with more significant sample size need to be done to confirm its use as a diagnostic tool in clinical trials. The trial has been registered with Clinical Trials Registry-India-CTRI/2018/05/014169.