Healing after treatment of periodontal intraosseous defects I. Comparative study of clinical methods

Abstract Four clinical methods to evaluate healing after reconstructive therapy of intraosseous periodontal defects were compared: 1. probing attachment level, 2. probing bone level, 3. entry/re-entry bone height measurements, 4, radiographic bone height determinations. Thirteen patients with a total of 33 defects volunteered for the study. It was found that the depth of the lesions recorded by the various methods showed differences which seem to relate to the varying nature of the methods, On the average, the periodontal probe penetrated 0.8 mm deeper during probing for bone level than during probing for attachment level and another O.3mm deeper after denudation of the lesions during entry/re-entry. The average- gain of periodontal support following treatment was approximately 1.4mm as recorded by probing attachment level, probing bone level and entry/re-entry bone height determinations, respectively. A high degree of correlation was found between all three probing methods when the changes following therapy for the individual sites were compared (r = 0.8 5, 0.75 and 0.81, respectively), Radiographic bone height showed lower degrees of correlation with all three probing parameters (r = 0.45, 0.46 and 0,47, respectively).     

Knowledge on periodontal disease before and after a mass media campaign

The aim of this study was to evaluate if a mass media campaign regarding periodontal disease could increase the knowledge in the general population of diagnoses, symptoms and treatment options of periodontal disease. More specifically, the aim was to investigate the number of correct answers to knowledge questions before and after the campaign. The Swedish Association of Periodontology conducted the campaign through brochures, newspapers, radio and TV. The effect of the campaign was evaluated by a pre- and post campaign questionnaire with a cohort design. From a national population register of 50-75 year olds in Sweden, 900 persons were randomly sampled for the study. A total of 64% of the sample answered both questionnaires. The result of the study showed an improvement among the respondents. There was a significant increase in the number of correct answers regarding diagnoses, symptoms and treatments of periodontitis. In the questionnaire, correct answers regarding "Mobile teeth" increased from 57% to 65% (p=0.003) and "careful dental hygiene" from 65% to 73% (p=0.001). Kappa value's were calculated for consistency in the reply and all kappa values were low especially for the questions "X-ray" (0.36) and "Cleaning between the teeth" (0.38). It was concluded that the campaign probably was successful from a public health knowledge standpoint.     

Oral health and nutritional status in a group of geriatric rehabilitation patients

The aims of this study were to evaluate the oral health status and nutritional status in a group of geriatric rehabilitation patients, and to analyse the relationship between these two parameters. Nurses at the ward performed structured assessments of oral and nutritional status using the Revised Oral Assessment Guide and the Subjective Global Assessment form in 223 newly admitted patients. Most oral health problems were found among patients who stayed longer at the hospital and were more dependent on help as compared with the healthier patients. Thirty-four per cent of the patients were either severely undernourished, at risk or suspected to be undernourished (UN). Oral health problems were more common among UN patients (p < 0.0005) compared with well-nourished patients. The most frequent oral health problem was found on teeth or dentures (48%). Problems related to the tongue and lips were also common among UN patients (56 and 44%, respectively). Oral health status was correlated (r = 0.32) to nutritional status. Problems with swallowing had the strongest association to the nutritional status (OR 6.05; 95% CI 2.41-15.18). This study demonstrated that poor oral health status was related to undernourishment.     

Treatment of peri-implant infections: a literature review

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the present paper is to review available information on the treatment of peri-implant mucositis and peri-implantitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The results of animal research and human studies are presented. Proposed strategies for the treatment of peri-implantitis presented in the literature are also included. RESULTS: Most of the information accessible at this time derives from case reports. The reports provide evidence that efforts to reduce the submucosal infection may result in short-term improvements of the peri-implant lesion. They also indicate that regenerative procedures in intrabony peri-implant defects can result in the formation of new bone. CONCLUSIONS: Several uncertainties remain regarding the treatment of peri-implantitis. Properly conducted long-term follow-ups of consecutively treated cases would seem to be a realistic avenue for accumulation of more information. This may assist in establishing the predictability, magnitude and stability of improvements that can be achieved.     

Submerged healing following surgical treatment of peri-implantitis: a case series

ObjECTIVES: The aim was to study a regenerative surgical treatment modality for peri-implantitis employing submerged healing. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twelve patients, having a minimum of one osseointegrated implant with peri-implantitis, with a progressive loss of >or=3 threads (1.8 mm) following the first year of healing were involved in the study. After surgical exposure of the defect, granulomatous tissue was removed and the implant surface was treated using 3% hydrogen peroxide. The bone defects were filled with a bone substitute (Algipore), a resorbable membrane (Osseoquest) was placed over the grafted defect and a cover screw was connected to the fixture. The implant was then covered by flaps and submerged healing was allowed for 6 months. After 6 months the abutment was re-connected to the supra-structure. RESULTS: A 1-year follow-up demonstrated clinical and radiographic improvements. Probing depth was reduced by 4.2 mm and a mean defect fill of 2.3 mm was obtained. CONCLUSION: Treatment of peri-implant defects using a bone graft substitute combined with a resorbable membrane and submerged healing results in defect fill and clinical healthier situations.     

Surgical treatment of peri-implantitis using a bone substitute with or without a resorbable membrane: a prospective cohort study

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this prospective cohort study was to compare two regenerative surgical treatment modalities for peri-implantitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-six patients having a minimum of one osseointegrated implant, with a progressive loss of bone amounting to > or =3 threads (1.8 mm) following the first year of healing, combined with bleeding and/or pus on probing, were involved in this study. The patients were assigned to two different treatment strategies. After surgical exposure of the defect, granulomatous tissue was removed and the infected implant surface was treated using 3% hydrogen peroxide. The bone defects were filled with a bone substitute (Algipore). In 17 patients (Group 1), a resorbable membrane (Osseoquest) was placed over the grafted defect before suturing. In 19 patients (Group 2), the graft was used alone. RESULTS: One-year follow-up demonstrated clinical and radiographic improvements. Probing depths were reduced by 2.9 mm in Group 1 and by 3.4 mm in Group 2. Defect fill amounted to 1.5 and 1.4 mm, respectively. There was no significant difference between the groups. CONCLUSION: It is possible to treat peri-implant defects with a bone substitute, with or without a resorbable membrane.     

Infection at titanium implants with or without a clinical diagnosis of inflammation

OBJECTIVES: To assess the microbiota at implants diagnosed with peri-implantitis, implant mucositis, or being clinically healthy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Clinical and microbiological data were collected from 213 subjects (mean age: 65.7+/-14) with 976 implants in function (mean: 10.8 years, SD+/-1.5). Forty species were identified by the checkerboard DNA-DNA hybridization method. RESULTS: Implant mean % plaque score was 41.8+/-32.4%. Periodontitis defined by bone loss was found in 44.9% of subjects. Implant mucositis was diagnosed in 59% and peri-implantitis in 14.9% of all cases. Neisseria mucosa, Fusobacterium nucleatum sp. nucleatum, F. nucleatum sp. polymorphum, and Capnocytophaga sputigena dominated the implant sub-mucosal microbiota and the sub-gingival microbiota at tooth sites. Implant probing pocket depth at the implant site with the deepest probing depth was correlated with levels of Eikenella corrodens (r=0.16, P<0.05), the levels of F. nucleatum sp. vincentii (r=0.15, P<0.05), Porphyromonas gingivalis (r=0.14, P<0.05), and Micromonas micros (r=0.17, P=0.01). E. corrodens was found in higher levels at implants with mucositis compared with implant health (P<0.05). Subjects who lost teeth due to periodontitis had higher yields of F. nucleatum sp. vincentii (P<0.02) and N. mucosa (P<0.05). Independent of implant status subjects with teeth had higher levels of P. gingivalis (P<0.05), and Leptotrichia buccalis (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: At implant sites studied, few bacteria differed by whether subjects were dentate or not or by implant status.     

Osseointegration on implant surfaces previously contaminated with plaque. An experimental study in the dog

This study investigated whether osseointegration can occur on a surface which had previously been coated with dental plaque. The mandibular premolar regions of four young adult Labrador dogs were used for the study. The lower premolars (P1, P2, P3, and P4) were extracted on either side of the mandibles. Following a 12-week healing period, three 3.75 mm x 13 mm commercially pure titanium implants (Nobel BiocareAB, Gothenburg, Sweden) were partially inserted in one side of each mandible. This resulted in some threads protruding from the tissues into the oral cavity. Plaque was allowed to accumulate on the exposed implant surfaces. Following a 5-week healing period, the contaminated parts of each implant were treated using three different cleaning techniques: (1) swabbing with supersaturated citric acid for 30 s on a cotton pellet followed by rinsing with physiological saline, (2) cleansing with a toothbrush and physiological saline only for 1 min, and (3) swabbing with 10% hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) on a cotton pellet for 1 min followed by rinsing with physiological saline. The treated implants and one previously unused implant (control) were then placed into freshly prepared tapped sites to the full implant length on the contralateral sides of the mandibles. Following 11 weeks of healing, biopsies were obtained and ground sections prepared for histomorphometric analysis. All treatment modalities were associated with direct bone to implant contact on the portion of implant surface previously exposed to the oral environment. In conclusion, The results demonstrate that osseointegration can occur to surfaces that were plaque contaminated and cleaned by different methods.     

Carotid calcifications in panoramic radiographs are associated with future stroke or ischemic heart diseases: a long-term follow-up study

Clinical Oral Investigations - To assess if carotid calcifications detected in panoramic radiographs are associated with future events of stroke, and/or ischemic heart diseases over...