Smoking and periodontal disease. A review of the literature

The literature related to smoking and periodontal disease is reviewed. The effects of smoking on oral hygiene, gingivitis, necrotizing gingivitis, periodontitis, bacteria and the host's response are presented. From this review it is apparent that while the relationship between smoking and periodontal disease needs further study, smoking is detrimental to periodontal health as it worsens the oral hygiene status and depresses the host's defense posture.     

Nonsurgical periodontal therapy in 2000: a literature review

BACKGROUND: This article addresses the advantages and limitations of nonsurgical periodontal therapies to treat patients with mild-to-moderate chronic periodontitis. TYPES OF STUDIES REVIEWED: Controlled clinical trials were selected that assessed the efficacy of the following treatment methods: mechanical instrumentation, ultrasonic débridement, supragingival irrigation, subgingival irrigation, local drug delivery, administration of systemic antibiotics and host-response modulation. Evidently, data with regard to alterations of probing depth, clinical attachment levels and inflammatory status were evaluated. RESULTS: Comparison of the data from test and control groups revealed the following results. Manual and ultrasonic débridement can be used to treat most patients with mild-to-moderate chronic periodontitis. Patients who do not practice optimal plaque control can enhance their personal hygiene procedures by using supragingival irrigation. Subgingival irrigation usually does not provide any benefit beyond that achieved with root planing. Systemic and locally delivered antimicrobial agents appear to be most beneficial among patients who do not respond to conventional treatment. Host modulation may enhance root planing modestly. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: The data indicate that most patients with mild-to-moderate periodontitis can be treated with nonsurgical therapies. However, clinicians need to be aware of the limitations of each technique with regard to the magnitude of improvement that it can induce at specific sites.     

The intra-oral translocation of periodontopathogens jeopardises the outcome of periodontal therapy. A review of the literature

BACKGROUND: Although periodontitis has a multi-factorial aetiology, the success of its therapy mainly focuses on the eradication/reduction of the exogenous/endogenous periodontopathogens. Most of the species colonise several niches within the oral cavity (e.g. the mucosae, the tongue, the saliva, the periodontal pockets and all intra-oral hard surfaces) and even in the oro-pharyngeal area (e.g., the sinus and the tonsils). METHODS: This review article discusses the intra-oral transmission of periodontopathogens between these niches and analyses clinical studies that support the idea and importance of such an intra-oral translocation. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Based on the literature, the oro-pharyngeal area should indeed be considered as a microbiological entity. Because untreated pockets jeopardise the healing of recently instrumented sites, the treatment of periodontitis should involve "a one stage approach" of all pathologic pockets (1-stage full-mouth disinfection) or should at least consider the use of antiseptics during the intervals between consecutive instrumentations, in order to prevent a microbial translocation of periodontopathogens during the healing period. For the same reason, regeneration procedures or the local application of antibiotics should be postponed until a maximal improvement has been obtained in the remaining dentition. This more global approach offers significant additional clinical and microbiological benefits.     

Current concepts of periodontal regeneration. A review of the literature

The purpose of this article is to provide a review of the various regenerative therapies and materials in use today, along with treatment and patient variables that may affect outcome predictability. Future direction in this ever-changing field is also discussed. Techniques currently in use are reviewed and evaluated. They include open flap debridement, the use of bone grafts and bone substitutes, guided tissue regeneration, combination techniques, root surface treatment and the use of biologics. Clinical and histological human studies employing the above-mentioned treatments are discussed. The advantages and disadvantages of each treatment modality are discussed, along with patient and local factors that have been shown to affect success rates.     

Experimental and clinical studies on regenerative periodontal therapy

The recognition of a periodontal therapy as a regenerative procedure requires the demonstration of new cementum, periodontal ligament, and bone coronal to the base of the defect. A diversity of regenerative strategies has been evaluated, including root surface conditioning, bone grafts and bone substitute materials, guided tissue regeneration, enamel matrix proteins, growth/differentiation factors, combined therapies and, more recently, tissue‐engineering approaches. The aim of this chapter of Periodontology 2000 is to review the research carried out in Latin America in the field of periodontal regeneration, focusing mainly on studies using preclinical models (animal models) and randomized controlled clinical trials. This review may help clinicians and researchers to evaluate the current status of the therapies available and to discuss the challenges that must be faced in order to achieve predictable periodontal regeneration in clinical practice.     

Wound healing following surgical and regenerative periodontal therapy

Clinical studies have evaluated the effect of conventional periodontal surgical therapy. In general, although some clinical gain in tissue support may be attained, these therapies do not support regeneration of the periodontal attachment. Even though the biological possibility of periodontal regeneration has been demonstrated, the clinical application of this intrinsic potential appears difficult to harness; thus also conceptually most intriguing candidate protocols face clinical challenges. In this review, we explore the bioclinical principles, condiciones sine quibus non, that unleash the innate potential of the periodontium to achieve clinically meaningful periodontal regeneration (i.e. space‐provision, wound stability and conditions for primary intention healing). Moreover, limiting factors and detrimental practices that may compromise clinical and biological outcomes are reviewed, as is tissue management in clinical settings.     

The role of macrophages in the periodontal regeneration using Emdogain gel

Background and Objective: Emdogain^® gel is clinically used as a periodontal regenerative material. However, the mechanism of the regeneration has not been completely elucidated. Although many studies have focused on the regenerative effect of Emdogain on connective tissue attachment and alveolar bone, the role of macrophages and the expression of growth factors remains unclear in the regeneration stimulated by Emdogain gel in vivo. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Emdogain gel on the expression of cytokines and growth factors by macrophages in vivo using a newly devised rat experimental periodontitis model. Material and Methods: Rat experimental periodontitis was induced by elevating a full‐thickness gingival flap and ligating silk threads around the first molars of the mandible. At 14 d after inducing experimental periodontitis, Emdogain gel or propylene glycol alginate was applied to the furcation area. The rats were killed 7 and 14 d after treatment with propylene glycol alginate or Emdogain gel. The expression of cytokines and growth factors, and the regeneration of periodontal tissue, were examined by histochemical and immunohistochemical methods. Results: Fourteen days after the induction of periodontitis, the resorption of alveolar bone at furcation was observed and cytokines such as interleukin‐1β, transforming growth factor‐β1, receptor activator of nuclear factor‐κB ligand, receptor activator of nuclear factor‐κB and osteoprotegerin were found. In the Emdogain‐treatment group, the formation of new acellular cementum and, more remarkably, recovery of the bone, were observed. The new bone formation ratio in the Emdogain treatment group was significantly higher than that of the propylene glycol alginate treatment group. Although the expression of cytokines such as interleukin‐1β, transforming growth factor‐β1, receptor activator of nuclear factor‐κB ligand and receptor activator of nuclear factor‐κB was very low, bone morphogenetic protein‐2‐ and bone morphogenetic protein‐4‐expressing macrophages were observed close to the root, and bone morphogenetic protein‐4‐expressing macrophages were mainly observed close to the bone surface at the furcation in the Emdogain‐treatment group. Conclusion: These results suggest that wound‐healing macrophages may express bone morphogenetic protein and play an important role in the regeneration of periodontal tissue at the furcation following the application of Emdogain gel.     

The use of regenerative techniques in apical surgery: A literature review

Apical surgery has become a standard of care for tooth maintenance if conventional endodontic retreatment is not possible or associated with risks. However, in certain situations, the outcome of apical surgery may be compromised due to the extent or location of the periapical or periradicular lesions. The present review article including clinical and experimental studies reports and discusses the outcome of regenerative techniques (RT) in conjunction with apical surgery, with regard to the type of periradicular lesions:

Apical lesions

The majority of studies have shown no benefit for healing in test sites treated with RT compared to control sites treated without RT. The use of a radio-opaque bone filler/substitute may even compound the radiographic interpretation of periapical healing. Currently, the use of RT for lesions <10 mm limited to the apical area is not warranted.

Through-and-through lesions

All reviewed studies demonstrated a better outcome for test sites with RT compared to the control sites without RT; hence the use of RT for treatment of tunnel lesions in apical surgery is recommended.

Apico-marginal lesions

All clinical studies assessed cohorts without controls, and, therefore, no firm conclusion about the benefit of RT for treatment of apico-marginal lesions in conjunction with apical surgery can be drawn. However, the experimental animal studies have shown that healing of teeth with apico-marginal lesions appears to benefit from RT.     

Comparison of platelet pellet and bioactive glass in periodontal regenerative therapy

OBJECTIVE: In recent years, platelet-rich plasma combined with graft materials has been used for periodontal regeneration. The individual role of blood products with guided tissue regeneration in periodontal regenerative therapy is unclear and needs to be elucidated. The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical and radiological effectiveness of platelet pellet/guided tissue regeneration (PP/GTR) and bioactive glass/GTR (BG/GTR) treatments in patients with periodontal disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Using a split mouth design, 15 chronic periodontitis patients with pocket depths > or = 6 mm following periodontal initial therapy were randomly assigned to treatment with a combination of PP/GTR or BG/GTR in contralateral dentition areas. An absorbable membrane of polylactic acid was used GTR. The criteria for the comparative study were preoperative and postoperative 6 months pocket depth, clinical attachment level, and radiological alveolar bone level. RESULTS: Both treatment modalities resulted in significant pocket depth reduction and gain in clinical attachment and alveolar bone level compared to the preoperative values (p < 0.01). Reduction in pocket depth, gain in clinical attachment and alveolar bone level were 4(3-6), 4.1+/-0.7, 4.9+/-1.4 mm in the PP/GTR group and 4(3-7), 4.1+/-1.2, 5.9+/-1.7 mm in the BG/GTR group, respectively. The differences between the two groups were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Within the limits of this study, it was concluded that PP may be effective as a bioactive glass graft material and used as a graft material for treating intrabony defects. PP thus appears to be a suitable alternative in the regenerative treatment of intrabony periodontal defects.     

The role of bleeding upon probing in the diagnosis of periodontal disease. A literature review

Assessment of bleeding upon probing is an integral part of a periodontal examination. Recent investigations have indicated that bleeding reflects histological, clinical and bacteriological alterations associated with periodontal disease. Furthermore, clinical and histologic data suggest that bleeding is an earlier sign of gingivitis than visual signs of inflammation (redness and swelling). The current literature referring to the role of bleeding upon probing in the diagnosis of periodontal disease is reviewed, and its limitations as a clinical parameter are discussed.     

Comparison of platelet pellet and bioactive glass in periodontal regenerative therapy

Objective. In recent years, platelet-rich plasma combined with graft materials has been used for periodontal regeneration. The individual role of blood products with guided tissue regeneration in periodontal regenerative therapy is unclear and needs to be elucidated. The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical and radiological effectiveness of platelet pellet/guided tissue regeneration (PP/GTR) and bioactive glass/GTR (BG/GTR) treatments in patients with periodontal disease.

Material and methods. Using a split mouth design, 15 chronic periodontitis patients with pocket depths?≥?6 mm following periodontal initial therapy were randomly assigned to treatment with a combination of PP/GTR or BG/GTR in contralateral dentition areas. An absorbable membrane of polylactic acid was used GTR. The criteria for the comparative study were preoperative and postoperative 6 months pocket depth, clinical attachment level, and radiological alveolar bone level.

Results. Both treatment modalities resulted in significant pocket depth reduction and gain in clinical attachment and alveolar bone level compared to the preoperative values (p<0.01). Reduction in pocket depth, gain in clinical attachment and alveolar bone level were 4(3–6), 4.1±0.7, 4.9±1.4 mm in the PP/GTR group and 4(3–7), 4.1±1.2, 5.9±1.7 mm in the BG/GTR group, respectively. The differences between the two groups were not statistically significant (p>0.05).

Conclusions. Within the limits of this study, it was concluded that PP may be effective as a bioactive glass graft material and used as a graft material for treating intrabony defects. PP thus appears to be a suitable alternative in the regenerative treatment of intrabony periodontal defects.