The challenge of antioxidants to free radicals in periodontitis.

Periodontal disease is a chronic adult condition. Bacteria implicated in the etiology of this disease causes destruction of connective tissue and bone. As a result of stimulation by bacterial antigen PMN produces free radicals via respiratory burst as a part of host response to infection. Patients with periodontal disease display increased PMN number and activity. This proliferation results in high degree of free radical release culminating in heightened oxidative damage to gingival tissues, periodontal ligament and alveolar bone. Damage mediated by free radicals can be mitigated by "ANTIOXIDANT DEFENSE SYSTEM ". Physiological alteration and pathological states produced by free radicals depend on disequilibrium between free radical production and antioxidant levels leading to oxidative stress.Hence this study has been designed to estimate the TOTAL ANTIOXIDANT CAPACITY in patients with PERIODONTITIS and healthy control subjects.