Regeneration of the periodontium using enamel matrix derivative in combination with an injectable bone cement

Objectives

Enamel matrix derivative (EMD) has proven to enhance periodontal regeneration; however, its effect is mainly restricted to the soft periodontal tissues. Therefore, to stimulate not only the soft tissues, but also the hard tissues, in this study EMD is combined with an injectable calcium phosphate cement (CaP; bone graft material). The aim was to evaluate histologically the healing of a macroporous CaP in combination with EMD.

Materials and methods

Intrabony, three-wall periodontal defects (2?×?2?×?1.7 mm) were created mesial of the first upper molar in 15 rats (30 defects). Defects were randomly treated according to one of the three following strategies: EMD, calcium phosphate cement and EMD, or left empty. The animals were killed after 12 weeks, and retrieved samples were processed for histology and histomorphometry.

Results

Empty defects showed a reparative type of healing without periodontal ligament or bone regeneration. As measured with on a histological grading scale for periodontal regeneration, the experimental groups (EMD and CaP/EMD) scored equally, both threefold higher compared with empty defects. However, most bone formation was measured in the CaP/EMD group; addition of CAP to EMD significantly enhanced bone formation with 50 % compared with EMD alone.

Conclusions

Within the limits of this animal study, the adjunctive use of EMD in combination with an injectable cement, although it did not affect epithelial downgrowth, appeared to be a promising treatment modality for regeneration of bone and ligament tissues in the periodontium.

Clinical relevance

The adjunctive use of EMD in combination with an injectable cement appears to be a promising treatment modality for regeneration of the bone and ligament tissues in the periodontium.     

Renal cell carcinoma metastases to gallbladder

A 74-year old man underwent a radical cholecystectomy for presumed gallbladder cancer. The histology of the resected specimen in fact revealed the lesion to be metastatic renal cell carcinoma from his resected right nephrectomy performed 14 years previously.     

A SIX-CENTRE INTERNATIONAL STUDY OF THE OUTCOME OF TREATMENT IN PATIENTS WITH CLEFTS OF THE LIP AND PALATE: THE RESULTS OF A CROSS-LINGUISTIC INVESTIGATION OF CLEFT PALATE SPEECH

During the period 1964–73, 286 patients were treated for mandibular fractures. 229 patients (80%) attended the follow-up examination. The length of observation was from 1 to 9 years. The treatment and the follow-up evaluations in the 229 patients are described. Early fracture treatment has been the objective, also in patients who have undergone severe cerebral traumas. Antibiotic prophylaxis was implemented in cases of compound fractures. Preservation of teeth and tooth buds in the line of fracture was attempted. Clinical infection occurred in 0.4% of the patients. At the follow-up examination 1 patient presented with a fracture displacement outside the condylar process. Neither malocclusion nor pseudarthrosis following fracture or after treatment were seen. Permanent sensory disturbances in the innervation area of the mental nerve following fracture occurred in 8%. Radiological examination of the teeth in the line of fracture revealed unnoticed apical bone lesions in 17% of 118 patients. In a further 23% there was a negative response to the vitality test. Follow-up control of mandibular fractures is advised at 12 to 18 months after treatment.