Enamel matrix proteins and systemic antibiotics as adjuncts to non-surgical periodontal treatment: clinical effects

Objectives: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the clinical effects of non‐surgical periodontal treatment, supplemented with enamel matrix derivative (EMD) and/or systemic antibiotics, in deep periodontal pockets of patients with chronic periodontitis. Methods: This was a randomized, placebo‐controlled longitudinal clinical trial of 12 months duration. Using a split‐mouth design, 16 subjects were randomly assigned to scaling and root planing (SRP) with EMD or placebo in contra‐lateral dentition areas. One half of the subjects received 250 mg metronidazole and 375 mg amoxicillin three times a day for 7 days and the other half received a placebo. One inter‐proximal periodontal lesion was chosen as study site in each of the contra‐lateral quadrants. Results: Subjects treated with systemic antibiotics yielded significantly better clinical results than those treated with placebo. In these cases, probing pocket depth was reduced significantly more after 6 months (3.0±2.1 mm versus 1.6±1.4 mm, p=0.05), and the mean clinical attachment gain was significantly greater after 6 months (2.3±1.9 mm versus 0.7±1.6 mm, p=0.02) and 12 months (2.3±3.5 mm versus 0.4±3.8 mm, p=0.02). Sites treated with the antibiotics plus EMD gained the largest amount of clinical attachment. There was no significant benefit of EMD adjunctive to SRP in subjects not treated with antibiotics. Conclusions: The present study supports the notion that optimal repair and regeneration of the periodontium requires suppression of the microbiota causing periodontal disease.     

Clinical Effectiveness of Diode Laser Therapy as an Adjunct to Non‐Surgical Periodontal Treatment: A Randomized Clinical Study

Background: The aim of this randomized clinical study is to evaluate the effect of a 980‐nm diode laser as an adjunct to scaling and root planing (SRP) treatment. Methods: Thirty‐five patients with chronic periodontitis were selected for the split‐mouth clinical study. SRP was performed using a sonic device and hand instruments. Quadrants were equally divided between the right and left sides. Teeth were treated with SRP in two control quadrants (control groups [CG]), and the diode laser was used adjunctively with SRP in contralateral quadrants (laser groups [LG]). Diode laser therapy was applied to periodontal pockets on days 1, 3, and 7 after SRP. Baseline data, including approximal plaque index (API), bleeding on probing (BOP), probing depth (PD), and clinical attachment level (CAL), were recorded before the treatment and 6 and 18 weeks after treatment. Changes in PD and CAL were analyzed separately for initially moderate (4 to 6 mm) and deep (7 to 10 mm) pockets. Results: The results were similar for both groups in terms of API, BOP, PD in deep pockets, and CAL. The laser group showed only significant PD gain in moderate pockets during the baseline to 18‐week (P <0.05) and 6‐ to 18‐ week (P <0.05) periods, whereas no difference was found between LG and CG in the remaining clinical parameters (P >0.05). Conclusion: The present study indicates that, compared to SRP alone, multiple adjunctive applications of a 980‐nm diode laser with SRP showed PD improvements only in moderate periodontal pockets (4 to 6 mm).     

Efficacy and Safety of Adjunctive Local Moxifloxacin Delivery in the Treatment of Periodontitis

Background: Moxifloxacin exerts excellent antibacterial activity against most putative periodontal pathogens and has been shown to kill bacteria in biofilm and host cells. Methods: Patients with chronic periodontitis were randomly assigned to receive a single subgingival application of a 0.125%, 0.4%, or 1.25% moxifloxacin gel or placebo gel immediately after full‐mouth scaling and root planing (SRP). Clinical efficacy measurements were assessed in sites with baseline probing depth (PD) of ≥5.4 mm at 6 weeks and 3 months and any adverse events were determined. In addition, putative periodontal pathogens and resistance of subgingival bacteria against moxifloxacin were assessed. Results: Data of 57 patients were included in the statistical analysis. In all treatment groups, the PD decreased from baseline to 3 months, with the greatest reduction seen in patients treated with moxifloxacin 0.4% (1.5 ± 0.6 mm; P = 0.023 compared to placebo), followed by patients receiving moxifloxacin 1.25% (1.2 ± 0.4), moxifloxacin 0.125% (1.1 ± 1.1), and placebo (1.0 ± 0.6). No linear trend for PD reduction with increasing moxifloxacin concentrations was found. Porphyromonas gingivalis showed the greatest reduction in prevalence among the assessed pathogens, without any significant intergroup differences. No correlation or systematic relationship between adverse events, including bacterial resistance against moxifloxacin, and the investigational gels was found. Conclusions: In periodontal pockets with PD of ≥5.4 mm, a single subgingival administration of a 0.4% moxifloxacin gel as an adjunct to SRP may result in additional PD reduction compared to SRP alone. In addition, the investigated moxifloxacin gels seem to be safe.     

Systemic ornidazole as an adjunct to non-surgical periodontal therapy in the treatment of chronic periodontitis: a randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled clinical trial

Background: The purpose of this clinical trial is to evaluate the adjunctive clinical effects of the systemic administration of ornidazole (ORN) in the full‐mouth scaling and root planing (SRP) of individuals with moderate‐to‐advanced chronic periodontitis. Methods: Fifty‐eight individuals presenting ≥12 teeth with probing depth (PD) ≥4 mm were selected. All participants were instructed on strict oral hygiene measures and were advised to use 0.2% chlorhexidine mouthwash for 1 week before being allocated to two groups. Thirty participants were randomly assigned to full‐mouth SRP + placebo (control group), and 28 participants were assigned to full‐mouth SRP + ORN (test group). The clinical outcomes evaluated were plaque index, gingival index, clinical attachment level (CAL), and PD. Results: Fifty participants could be evaluated by ≤6 months. At 6 months, the test group had greater mean reduction (2.84 mm) in PD compared to the control group (0.84 mm) (P <0.05), and there was also a greater mean CAL reduction (2.92 mm) in the test group compared to the control group (0.92 mm) (P <0.05). Conclusion: The systemic use of ORN, when used in conjunction with initial periodontal treatment consisting of SRP in adults with periodontitis, achieves significantly better clinical results than initial periodontal treatment alone.     

Antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy as an Adjunct to Non‐Surgical Treatment of Aggressive Periodontitis: A Split‐Mouth Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: The management of aggressive periodontitis (AgP) represents a challenge for clinicians because there are no standardized protocols for an efficient control of the disease. This randomized controlled clinical trial evaluated the effects of repeated applications of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) adjunctive to scaling and root planing (SRP) in patients with AgP. Methods: Using a split‐mouth design, 20 patients with generalized AgP were treated with aPDT + SRP (test group) or SRP only (control group). aPDT was applied at four periods. All patients were monitored for 90 days. Clinical, microbiologic, and immunologic parameters were statistically analyzed. Results: In deep periodontal pocket analysis (probing depth [PD] ≥7 mm at baseline), the test group presented a decrease in PD and a clinical attachment gain significantly higher than the control group at 90 days (P <0.05). The test group also demonstrated significantly less periodontal pathogens of red and orange complexes and a lower interleukin‐1β/interleukin‐10 ratio than the control group (P <0.05). Conclusion: The application of four sessions of aPDT, adjunctive to SRP, promotes additional clinical, microbiologic, and immunologic benefits in the treatment of deep periodontal pockets in single‐rooted teeth in patients with AgP.     

A Placebo‐Controlled Trial to Evaluate an Anesthetic Gel When Probing in Patients With Advanced Periodontitis

Background: The baseline periodontal examination is reported to be a painful dental procedure, but currently there are limited practical techniques to reduce this pain. The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of an intrapocket anesthetic gel in the reduction of pain on periodontal probing in a group of untreated patients with generalized chronic periodontitis (CP). Methods: This study is a randomized, double‐masked, split‐mouth, placebo‐controlled trial. Thirty consecutive patients meeting the inclusion criteria had full‐mouth periodontal probing performed in a split‐mouth (right side/left side) manner. Before probing, both quadrants on each side were isolated and had a randomized gel (either placebo or test gel) placed in the periodontal pockets for 30 seconds. Pain was measured using two ungraded 100‐mm horizontal visual analog scales (VAS) representing right and left sides of the mouth. Results: The mean ± SD VAS for the test gel was 23.5 ± 16.8 mm, and the mean ± SD VAS for the placebo gel was 23.5 ± 14.6 mm. The mean ± SD difference in VAS was 51.6 ± 28.11 mm in favor of the anesthetic gel, and only age was found to be a marginally significant predictor. Conclusions: The VAS pain scores showed favorable anesthetic efficacy of the test gel compared to a placebo gel in reducing patients’ pain on periodontal probing in a group of patients with generalized CP. It suggests that the gel may be used for patients who find the full‐mouth periodontal probing experience particularly painful in view of other tested alternatives.     

Efficacy of short-term adjunctive subantimicrobial dose doxycycline in diabetic patients - randomized study

Oral Diseases (2012) 18 , 763–770 Objective: To investigate the effectiveness of short‐term adjunctive subantimicrobial dose doxycycline (SDD) treatment in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 and chronic periodontitis (CP). Methods: Thirty‐four patients with CP and type 2 diabetes mellitus were included in the placebo‐controlled, double‐blind study. After scaling and root planing (SRP), patients were randomly assigned to two groups, receiving either SDD or placebo bid for 3 months. The probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), bleeding on probing (BOP), approximal plaque index, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level were recorded and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) samples were collected at baseline and after 3‐month therapy for the estimation of matrix metalloproteinase‐8 levels. Results: Clinical attachment level, PD, and BOP improved significantly in both groups after therapy (P < 0.05). The statistically significant difference between the two groups after the therapy was observed only in PD in tooth sites with initial PD ≥ 4 mm (SRP + placebo: 3.41 ± 0.6 mm vs SRP + SDD: 2.92 ± 0.5 mm, P < 0.05). GCF matrix metalloproteinase‐8 levels were significantly reduced only in SRP + SDD group (P < 0.01). There were no changes in HbA1c levels after therapy. Conclusion: The short‐term administration of SDD gives significant benefit at tooth sites with moderate disease (PD ≥ 4 mm) when compared to SRP alone in patients with diabetes and CP.     

Osmotic pressure of periimplant sulcular and gingival crevicular fluids: a split-mouth, randomized study of its measurement and clinical significance

Objectives: This study comparatively investigated periimplant sulcular fluid (PISF) and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) by means of the osmotic pressure (OP) levels of PISF (PISFOP) and GCF (GCFOP). It was a preliminary research that aimed to quantify PISFOP and GCFOP as well as to evaluate their clinical significances around implants and teeth. Material and methods: Partially edentulous implant patients treated by the same clinicians and using the same implant system were randomized in a split‐mouth trial design. Fifty‐four implants and teeth from these patients were selected in the same mouth and jaw as matched pairs of samples, i.e. as symmetrical or corresponding implant and tooth. PISFOP/GCFOP measurement was performed by an osmometer following PISF/GCF sampling procedures. Clinical significance was evaluated by the correlations between PISFOP/GCFOP and some clinical examination parameters of periimplant/periodontal soft tissues. These parameters included Silness–Löe plaque index (PI), Löe–Silness gingival index (GI), bleeding on probing (BOP), probing pocket depth (PPD) and probing attachment level (PAL). Results: PISFOP was higher than GCFOP, and GI, BOP, PPD and PAL were higher in the implant group than in the tooth group (P<0.05). PISFOP positively correlated with the clinical parameters of implants (P<0.01 for PI, GI and BOP; P<0.05 for PPD and PAL), and GCFOP positively correlated with the clinical parameters of teeth (P<0.01 for PPD; P<0.05 for PI, GI, BOP and PAL). Conclusions: The results reveal that PISFOP and GCFOP may be measured by osmometer, and their levels may be related with the clinical conditions of periimplant/periodontal soft tissues. To cite this article:
Sakallιo?lu U, Lütfio?lu M, Sakallιo?lu EE, Sert S, Ceylan G. Osmotic pressure of periimplant sulcular and gingival crevicular fluids: a split‐mouth, randomized study of its measurement and clinical significance.
Clin. Oral Impl. Res. 22 , 2011; 706–710
doi: 10.1111/j.1600‐0501.2010.02044.x     

Prospective clinical study evaluating the long-time adjunctive use of chlorhexidine after one-stage full-mouth SRP

Abstract: Objectives: Scaling and root planing are the causal procedure in the treatment of periodontitis. Many attempts have been made to improve the outcome. The aim of this study was to verify the influence of the extended use of chlorhexidine after one‐stage full‐mouth (FM) SRP in patients with chronic periodontitis on the clinical outcome after 3 months. Methods: Eighty‐one patients with pockets ≥5 mm were treated by FM. All patients rinsed additionally with 0.2% chlorhexidine (CHX) twice daily over 3 months. Plaque index, bleeding on probing, probing depth (PD) and clinical attachment level (CAL) were recorded at baseline and after 1 and 3 months. Results: In the test group, all variables were significantly improved after 1 and 3 months. Mean reduction of PD and CAL gain was 2.25 ± 1.08 and 1.67 ± 1.08 after 1 and 2.99 ± 1.11 and 2.33 ± 1.31 after 3 months respectively. Conclusions: Over 3 months of extended use of CHX mouth rinse after SRP showed slightly but statistically significant better results.     

Treatment of intrabony defects after impacted mandibular third molar removal with bioabsorbable and non-resorbable membranes

Background: Mandibular second molar (M2) periodontal defects after third molar (M3) removal in high‐risk patients are a clinical dilemma for clinicians. This study compares the healing of periodontal intrabony defects at distal surfaces of mandibular M2s using bioabsorbable and non‐resorbable membranes. Methods: Eleven patients with bilateral probing depths (PDs) ≥6 mm distal to mandibular M2s and intrabony defects ≥3 mm, related to the total impaction of M3s, were treated with M3 extraction and covering of the surgical bone defect with a bioabsorbable collagen barrier on one side and a non‐resorbable expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) barrier contralaterally. The PD, clinical attachment level (CAL), M2 mobility, and furcation class probing were evaluated preoperatively and 3, 6, and 9 months postoperatively. Intraoral periapical radiographs were taken immediately preoperatively and 3 and 9 months postoperatively. Results: Both treatment modalities were successful. At 9 months, the mean PD reduction was 5.2 ± 3.9 mm for bioabsorbable sites and 5.5 ± 3.0 mm for non‐resorbable sites; the CAL gain was 5.9 ± 3.3 mm and 5.5 ± 3.4 mm, respectively. The outcome difference between the two sites for PD and CAL did not differ statistically (P >0.05) at any assessment time. Conclusion: Bioabsorbable collagen membranes in guided tissue regeneration treatment of intrabony defects distal to the mandibular M2 obtained the same marked PD reductions and CAL gains as non‐resorbable ePTFE membranes after M3 extraction.     

Double-masked randomized clinical trial evaluating the effect of a triclosan/copolymer dentifrice on periodontal healing after one-stage full-mouth debridement

Background: This study evaluates the effect of triclosan/copolymer dentifrice on the 6‐month clinical response of patients with generalized severe chronic periodontitis (GSCP) treated with one‐stage, full‐mouth ultrasonic debridement (FMUD). Methods: Thirty patients diagnosed with GSCP (≥8 teeth presenting probing depth [PD] ≥5 mm and bleeding on probing [BOP]) were selected and randomly allocated to a control group (n = 15) subjected to FMUD and daily use of a placebo dentifrice or to a test group (n = 15) subjected to FMUD and daily use of a triclosan/copolymer dentifrice. Patients were analyzed for the following parameters: full‐mouth plaque index (FMPI), full‐mouth BOP score (FMBS), gingival recession, PD, and clinical attachment level (CAL). Patients were evaluated at 3 and 6 months by a calibrated and masked examiner. Results: Initially, the groups presented similar periodontal conditions, with no significant differences in any of the parameters evaluated (P >0.05). In both groups, improvements in all periodontal parameters (P <0.05) were seen at the completion of the experimental period. Additionally, the test group showed lower FMPI (3 months) and FMBS (3 and 6 months) than the control group (P <0.05). Moreover, the CAL gain was significantly greater in the test group, especially at initially deep pockets (PD ≤7 mm). Whereas in the control group the CAL gain in deep pockets was 2.7 ± 0.6 mm, in the test group the CAL gain was 3.6 ± 1.4 mm (P <0.05). Conclusion: Within the limits of the present study, the use of triclosan/copolymer dentifrice promoted additional clinical benefits in the treatment of GSCP treated by one‐stage FMUD.     

Changes in Periodontal Parameters and C‐Reactive Protein After Pregnancy

Background: This study assesses hormonal, inflammatory, and periodontal changes in pregnant women and postpartum in the absence of periodontal treatment, and seeks to determine any correlations among these parameters. Methods: A longitudinal, observational study of 117 pregnant women (aged 23 to 42 years) was undertaken in a private gynecologic center between weeks 32 and 35 of pregnancy and 6 to 8 weeks after delivery. Levels of progesterone and C‐reactive protein (CRP) in plasma were determined, as well as periodontal indices, including: 1) plaque index (PI); 2) bleeding on probing (BOP); 3) probing depth (PD); and 4) clinical attachment level (CAL). Results: Postpartum progesterone and CRP declined sharply from 90.85 ± 42.51 ng/mL and 3.73 ± 4.01 mg/L to 0.77 ± 1.43 ng/mL and 1.43 ± 1.67 mg/L, respectively. There was also a significant improvement in all periodontal indices (P <0.05) with the exception of PI. During pregnancy mean BOP was 21.03%, mean PD 2.62 mm, and mean CAL 1.20 mm. After delivery mean BOP was 13.25%, mean PD 2.39 mm, and mean CAL 1.14 mm. Percentage of 1‐ to 3‐mm pockets increased (P <0.05), while 4‐ to 5‐mm pockets and pockets >6 mm decreased significantly (P <0.001). Reduction in CRP correlated significantly with decrease in BOP (P <0.001). Conclusions: Postpartum, there was a dramatic reduction in progesterone and CRP, together with an improvement in BOP, PD, and CAL in the absence of periodontal treatment. Decrease in CRP was related to an improvement in periodontal bleeding.     

Randomized controlled trial assessing efficacy and safety of glycine powder air polishing in moderate-to-deep periodontal pockets

Background: Supragingivally applied glycine powder air polishing (SupraGPAP) has been shown to remove biofilms in shallow periodontal pockets. This study assesses efficacy and safety of subgingivally applied glycine powder air polishing (SubGPAP) in moderate‐to‐deep periodontal pockets. Methods: Patients with chronic periodontitis and intraoral Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) and Tannerella forsythia who completed initial therapy were randomly assigned to receive SubGPAP in periodontal pockets with probing depths of 4 to 9 mm, SupraGPAP in all other shallow periodontal sites, and at mucous membranes followed by removal of calculus using curets (full‐mouth GPAP) or scaling and root planing followed by coronal polishing (SRP). Patients rinsed with 0.12% chlorhexidine gluconate after debridement, and twice daily, for 2 weeks. Results: All 30 patients enrolled completed the baseline, day 10, and day 90 visits. SubGPAP resulted in significantly lower total viable bacterial counts in moderate‐to‐deep pockets when compared to SRP immediately after debridement and at day 10 (P <0.05). Total P. gingivalis counts in the oral cavity were significantly reduced after full‐mouth GPAP compared to SRP at day 90 (P <0.05). Patients’ comfort levels were high for both treatments. There were no adverse events related to full‐mouth GPAP. Conclusions: The results indicate that SubGPAP is more efficacious in removing subgingival biofilm in moderate‐to‐deep periodontal pockets than SRP. Furthermore, full‐mouth GPAP may result in a beneficial shift of the oral microbiota and appears to be well tolerated.     

Clinical Effects of Potassium–Titanyl–Phosphate Laser and Photodynamic Therapy on Outcomes of Treatment of Chronic Periodontitis: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Background: The main objective of periodontal treatment is to control infection and thereby curb disease progression. Recent studies have demonstrated that adjunctive treatment procedures, such as laser irradiation or photodynamic therapy (PDT), may provide some additional benefit in the treatment of chronic periodontitis (CP). The aim of this randomized controlled trial is to clinically evaluate and compare the clinical effects of potassium–titanyl–phosphate (KTP) laser and PDT on outcomes of CP treatment. Methods: Twenty‐four patients with untreated CP were treated using a split‐mouth study design in which the teeth in each quadrant were randomly treated by scaling and root planing (SRP) alone (group A), PDT followed by SRP (group B), or KTP laser followed by SRP (group C). The periodontal pockets were exposed to a KTP laser with the following parameters: 0.8 W output power, 50 milliseconds time on/50 milliseconds time off, 30 seconds per irradiation at 532 nm and 11.7 J/cm² fluence, with a flexible fiberoptic tip with a diameter of 200 µm. The selected pockets were probed with a pressure‐controlled probe, guided by stents. Clinical periodontal parameters assessed included plaque index, gingival index, bleeding on probing (BOP), probing depth (PD), and clinical attachment level (CAL), which were recorded at baseline and at 6 months after therapy. Results: Statistical analysis demonstrated no differences between groups at baseline for all parameters (P >0.05). All treatments yielded significant improvements in terms of BOP and PD decrease and CAL gain compared to baseline values (P <0.05). Group C showed a greater reduction in PD compared to the other groups (P <0.05). In addition, group C showed a greater CAL gain compared to the other groups (P <0.05). Conclusion: In patients with CP, clinical outcomes from conventional periodontal treatment of deeper pockets can be improved by using adjunctive KTP laser.     

Change of Periodontal Disease Status During and After Pregnancy

Background: This study explored whether there is any change of periodontal disease status during and after pregnancy. We also examined whether the change is different between females with a history of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and females without GDM during pregnancy. Methods: A follow‐up study was conducted at Woman's Hospital, Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Thirty‐nine females who were previously enrolled in a case‐control study during pregnancy were followed an average of 22 months postpartum. Periodontal status was assessed through dental examinations performed both during and after pregnancy. Clinical periodontal parameters included bleeding on probing (BOP), mean probing depth (PD), and mean clinical attachment level (CAL). Periodontitis was defined as the presence of ≥1 sites exhibiting PD ≥4 mm or CAL ≥4 mm. We used generalized estimating equation analysis to examine the change of periodontal status. Results: Mean number and percentage of sites with BOP decreased from 10.7 ± 11.6 (mean ± SD) and 6.5% ± 7.0% during pregnancy to 7.1 ± 8.8 and 4.3% ± 5.3% at 22 months postpartum (P <0.05), respectively. Mean levels of PD and CAL decreased from 1.8 ± 0.4 mm and 1.9 ± 0.3 mm to 1.6 ± 0.3 mm and 1.6 ± 0.3 mm (P <0.01), respectively. The prevalence of periodontitis decreased from 66.7% to 33.3% (P <0.01, adjusted risk ratio = 2.1, 95% confidence interval = 1.3 to 3.4). There was no difference in the change of periodontal status between females with GDM and females without GDM during pregnancy. Conclusions: Pregnancy may be associated with an increased risk of periodontal disease. The association is not different between females with GDM and females without GDM during pregnancy.     

Impact of the outcome of guided bone regeneration in dehiscence-type defects on the long-term stability of peri-implant health: clinical observations at 4 years

Objectives: To investigate the impact of residual defect height (RDH) following guided bone regeneration (GBR) in dehiscence‐type defects on the long‐term stability of peri‐implant health after a period of 4 years. Material and methods: The RDH values in dehiscence‐type defects at titanium implants were clinically assessed after 4 months of submerged healing following augmentation using a natural bone mineral (NBM) and a randomized application of either a cross‐linked‐ (VN) or a native collagen membrane (BG) (n=12 patients each). The RDH values were classified as absent (0 mm, control; n=8), minimal (1 mm, test 1; n=8), or advanced (>1 mm, test 2; n=8). Clinical parameters (i.e. bleeding on probing [BOP], probing pocket depth [PD], mucosal recession [MR]) were recorded (mesio‐, mid‐, and disto‐buccal aspects) at 4 years after prosthesis installation. Results: The mean PD (2.9±0.7, 2.8±0.7, 2.7±0.8 mm) values at 4 years were comparable in all the groups investigated. The mean MR values tended to be increased in both the test groups (0.5±0.7, 0.4±0.6 mm, respectively), when compared with the control group (0.2±0.3 mm) (P>0.05, respectively). The mean BOP values were also increased in both the test groups (45.8±30.5%, 54.1±24.8%, respectively), even reaching statistical significance when comparing test 2 and control (29.1±21.3%) groups (P=0.02). Conclusion: The present study indicated that (i) implants exhibiting RDH values >1 mm are at a higher risk of developing peri‐implant disease and (ii) positive RDH values may be associated with an increase in MR and may therefore compromise the overall esthetic outcome of implant therapy. To cite this article:
Schwarz F, Sahm N, Becker J. Impact of the outcome of guided bone regeneration in dehiscence‐type defects on the long‐term stability of peri‐implant health: clinical observations at 4 years. Clin. Oral Impl. Res 23 , 2012; 191–196.
doi: 10.1111/j.1600‐0501.2011.02214.x     

Evaluation of Efficacy of Chlorhexidine Intracanal Medicament on the Periodontal Healing of Concomitant Endodontic‐Periodontal Lesions Without Communication: An Interventional Study

Background: Treatment of concomitant endodontic‐periodontal lesions remains a challenge in clinical practice and requires effective endodontic and regenerative periodontal therapy. Among other factors, cross seeding and recolonization of flora may affect the outcome of periodontal therapy. Intracanal medicaments have been shown to exert antimicrobial activity on the external root surface, and local delivery of antimicrobials has been suggested to be a complementary approach in the management of periodontitis. Therefore, the objective of this study is to determine the influence of chlorhexidine (CHX) intracanal medicament on the clinical outcomes of therapy. Methods: Thirty‐one patients were divided into two treatment groups: 1) open flap debridement (OFD) in endodontically treated teeth (control); and 2) OFD in endodontically treated teeth with CHX placed in the coronal space (test). The clinical variables evaluated were probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), and percentage of sites with PD ≥5 mm. Reevaluation was performed at 3 and 6 months post‐surgery. Results: Both treatments resulted in improvement in all the clinical variables evaluated. Postoperative measurements from test and control groups showed reductions in mean PD of 2.22 ± 1.27 and 0.91 ± 0.81 mm, mean CAL gains of 2.16 ± 1.12 and 0.60 ± 0.93 mm, and 43.33% ± 31.37% and 17.71% ± 14.23% reduction in sites with PD ≥5 mm. Significantly more PD reduction, CAL gain, and percentage reduction in sites with PD ≥5 mm were observed in the test group at 6 months (P <0.05). Conclusion: CHX may be used as an effective intracanal medicament for promoting periodontal healing in concomitant endodontic‐periodontal lesions.     

Prevalence of periimplant disease in partially edentulous patients: a practice-based cross-sectional study

Objectives: Evaluation of the prevalence rates of periimplant mucositis and periimplantitis in partially edentulous patients in a private dental practice. Material and methods: The data of 89 patients were collected (52 female, 37 male, age at time of implant placement: 51.8±10.3 years). All patients had been treated with dental implants of the same type and fixed superstructures between January 1999 and June 2006 (observational period: 68.2±24.8 months). Results: The patient‐related prevalence rate of periimplant mucositis (probing depth ≥4 mm and bleeding on probing [BOP]) was over all 44.9%. The respective rates in non‐smokers without periodontal history were 30.4% and in smokers with periodontal history 80%. The multiple logistic regression analysis identified a significant association of mucositis with the independent variable “smoker” (odds ratio [OR] 3.77; P=0.023). The patient‐related prevalence rate of periimplantitis (probing depth ≥5 mm, BOP/pus, radiographic bone loss) was 11.2% (smokers with periodontal history: 53.3%, non‐smokers: 2.8%). No periimplant disease was diagnosed in non‐smoking patients without periodontal history and with a good compliance after treatment. Statistical analysis identified a significant association of periimplantitis with “smoker” (OR: 31.58; P<0.001) and “compliance” (OR: 0.09; P=0.011). Periodontal history in general showed no significant association with periimplantitis. Conclusions: Smoking and compliance are important risk factors for periimplant inflammations in partially edentulous patients. To cite this article:
Rinke S, Ohl S, Ziebolz D, Lange K, Eickholz P. Prevalence of periimplant disease in partially edentulous patients: a practice‐based cross‐sectional study.
Clin. Oral Impl. Res. 22 , 2011; 826–833
doi: 10.1111/j.1600‐0501.2010.02061.x     

Microbiologic Observations After Four Treatment Strategies Among Patients With Periodontitis Maintaining a High Standard of Oral Hygiene: Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Background: The benefit of full‐mouth disinfection (FDIS) over traditional scaling and root planing (SRP), with or without adjunctive metronidazole, when treating chronic destructive periodontitis remains equivocal, as does the long‐term association between clinical and microbiologic outcomes after such strategies. The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between clinical and microbiologic outcomes of four different treatment strategies for chronic destructive periodontitis among patients who maintain excellent oral hygiene and low gingival bleeding scores. Methods: One hundred eighty‐four patients with periodontitis and capable of maintaining a high standard of oral hygiene were randomly allocated to one of four treatment groups: 1) FDIS + metronidazole; 2) FDIS + placebo; 3) SRP + metronidazole; and 4) SRP + placebo. Recordings of plaque, bleeding on probing, probing depth (PD), and clinical attachment level were carried out in four sites per tooth at baseline, 3 and 12 months after treatment. Before treatment, pooled subgingival samples were obtained from the five deepest pockets, which were sampled again 3 and 12 months after treatment. Microbiologic assessments of eight putative periodontal pathogens were performed using the checkerboard DNA‐DNA hybridization method. Results: Levels of bacterial species were already relatively low at baseline. The only microbial factor statistically significantly associated with the clinical outcomes of treatment after 12 months was the association between reductions of Tannerella forsythia and being free from PD ≥5 mm. Conclusion: In this clinical trial, the only microbial factor associated with the clinical outcomes after 12 months was a statistically significant association between the reductions of T. forsythia and being free from PD ≥5 mm.     

Treatment of intrabony periodontal defects with platelet-rich plasma versus platelet-poor plasma combined with a bovine-derived xenograft: a controlled clinical trial

Background: The purpose of this study is to assess the healing outcomes of intrabony defects after treatment with platelet‐rich plasma (PRP) versus platelet‐poor plasma (PPP) combined with bovine‐derived xenograft (BDX). Methods: Using a split‐mouth design, a total of 79 intrabony defects with an intrabony component of ≥3 mm in 20 patients were treated either with PRP/BDX (group 1) or PPP/BDX (group 2). At baseline and 12 months after surgery, plaque and sulcus bleeding indices, probing depth (PD), relative attachment level, recession, and probing and radiographic bone levels were recorded. Results: After 12 months, groups 1 and 2 presented a mean PD reduction of 3.87 ± 0.86 and 3.76 ± 0.80 mm, recession of 1.35 ± 0.68 and 1.58 ± 0.54 mm, attachment gain of 2.51 ± 0.97 and 2.18 ± 0.87 mm, clinical bone gain of 2.18 ± 0.86 and 2.09 ± 0.89 mm, and radiographic bone gain of 2.11 ± 0.87 and 2.19 ± 0.96 mm, respectively. Intergroup differences were found to be insignificant. Conclusions: Within its limits, these results suggest that the outcomes of the treatment after PRP/BDX and PPP/BDX applications in intrabony defects are similar. When the platelet counts are taken into consideration, PPP seems to demonstrate similar clinical efficacy as the PRP.