The reproducibility of electronic color measurements of the marginal gingiva

Clinical Oral Investigations - This study evaluated the reproducibility of electronic color determination system evaluations of the marginal gingiva, which could be important for adhesive cervical...     

The influence of enamel matrix derivative on the angiogenic activity of primary endothelial cells

Kasaj A, Meister J, Lehmann K, Stratul SI, Schlee M, Stein JM, Willershausen B, Schmidt M. The influence of enamel matrix derivative on the angiogenic activity of primary endothelial cells. J Periodont Res 2012; 47: 479–487. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S Background and Objective: Angiogenesis plays a crucial role in early wound healing and tissue regeneration. Although enamel matrix derivative (EMD) has demonstrated the potential to stimulate periodontal regeneration, the biological effects of EMD on angiogenesis and underlying mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. The aim of the present study was to examine the angiogenic effects of EMD in vitro. Material and Methods: Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were used to assess the effect of EMD on proliferation, survival, adhesion and migration. The effect of EMD on HUVEC angiogenesis was assessed by a three‐dimensional sprouting assay. In order to understand the signalling mechanism of altered cell proliferation of HUVECs caused by EMD, the phosphorylation status of ERK1/2 and of the serine/threonine protein kinase Akt was analysed by western blot using phospho‐specific antibodies. Results: The proliferation of HUVECs was stimulated by 50 μg/mL EMD, whereas higher concentrations (≥ 100 μg/mL) resulted in an increased apoptotic rate. The mitogenic response to EMD was associated with the activation of ERK1/2. Enamel matrix derivative did not affect cell adhesion, but all concentrations of EMD tested (0.1–250 μg/mL) promoted migration of HUVECs. Furthermore, EMD induced capillary‐like sprout formation from HUVEC spheroids in a dose‐dependent manner. Conclusion: Our data indicate that EMD acts as a proangiogenic factor in vitro and, as such, might contribute to periodontal tissue regeneration by stimulation of vessel formation during wound healing.     

Association between body mass index and dental health in 1,290 children of elementary schools in a German city

The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between caries frequency and body mass index (BMI) in German elementary school children. A total of 1,290 elementary school children (648 boys, 642 girls) were examined. The dental examination included the determination of caries frequency (DF-T/df-t values). The medical evaluation assessed the pupils’ general health and BMI. The study showed that 3.6% of the children were underweight, 74.8% had a normal weight, 11.9% were overweight, and 9.7% were obese. Underweight children showed natural healthy teeth in 44.7%, those with normal weight in 40.7%, whereas children with high weight and obese children showed natural healthy teeth in 30.5% and 31.7%, respectively. A significant association between high weight and caries frequency in the first dentition (p = 0.0067) and in the permanent dentition (p = 0.0002) could be observed. The association remains statistically significant after adjusting for age. The number of natural healthy teeth decreased with age (p = 0.001) and BMI (p = 0.0061) and was different between girls and boys (p = 0.0334). This study demonstrated a significant association between caries frequency and weight in school children. In future preventive programs, the importance of nutrition should not only be emphasized with respect to general diseases but also with regard to carious lesions.     

Clinical effects of nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite paste in the treatment of intrabony periodontal defects: a randomized controlled clinical study

The purpose of the present randomized controlled clinical study was to compare the clinical outcomes of papilla preservation flap surgery with or without the application of a novel nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite (nano-HA) bone graft substitute. Fourteen patients with paired intrabony periodontal defects of ≥4 mm participated in this split-mouth design study. The defects in each subject were randomly selected to receive nano-HA paste in conjunction with papilla preservation flaps or papilla preservation flaps alone. Probing bone levels (PBL) from a customized acrylic stent and probing pocket depths (PPD) were measured at baseline and again 6 months following surgery. No differences in any of the investigated parameters were observed at baseline between the two groups. Healing was uneventful in all patients. Both treatments resulted in significant improvements between baseline and 6 months (p < 0.05). At 6 months after therapy, the sites treated with nano-HA paste showed a reduction in mean PPD from 8.3 ± 1.2 to 4.0 ± 1.1 mm and a gain in PBL of 4.3 ± 1.4 mm, whereas in the control group, the mean PPD changed from 7.9 ± 1.2 mm to 5.0 ± 1.2 mm and PBL gain was 2.6 ± 1.4 mm. Results demonstrated statistically greater PPD reduction and PBL gain (p < 0.05) in the test group as compared with the control group. In conclusion, after 6 months, the treatment of intrabony periodontal defects with a nano-HA paste leads to significantly improved clinical outcomes when compared with papilla preservation flap surgery alone.     

Clinical evaluation of nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite paste in the treatment of human periodontal bony defects--a randomized controlled clinical trial: 6-month results

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare the clinical outcome of intrabony periodontal defects following treatment with a novel nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite (NHA) paste to open flap debridement. METHODS: Twenty-eight subjects, each displaying one intrabony defect with probing depth (PD) > or =6 mm and radiographic evidence of an intraosseous component > or =3 mm participated in the present study. Subjects were allocated randomly to treatment with NHA paste (test group) or open flap debridement (control group). At baseline and at 6 months after surgery, the following clinical parameters were recorded by a masked examiner: plaque index, gingival index, PD, clinical attachment level (CAL), and gingival recession. RESULTS: A significant improvement in PD and CAL was observed at 6 months after surgery compared to baseline in both treatment groups (P <0.001). At 6 months following therapy, the test group showed a reduction in mean PD from 7.4 +/- 1.3 mm to 3.4 +/- 1.2 mm and a change in mean CAL from 8.0 +/- 1.3 mm to 4.4 +/- 1.7 mm, whereas in the control group the mean PD decreased from 7.4 +/- 0.8 mm to 4.9 +/- 0.9 mm, and mean CAL decreased from 8.1 +/- 1.2 mm to 6.4 +/- 1.3 mm. The intergroup comparison demonstrated significantly more PD reductions (P = 0.012) and CAL gains (P = 0.005) in the test group compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: Treatment of intrabony periodontal defects with NHA paste significantly improved clinical outcomes compared to open flap debridement.     

Parodontalerkrankungen bei Kindern und Jugendlichen

Dental diseases of milk teeth

In children and adolescents periodontal diseases occur considerably less often than in adults. Plaque-associated inflammation of the gingiva (gingivitis) predominates. Severe forms of periodontitis with bone and attachment loss already occurring in the first dentition and leading to a premature loss of teeth are rare and usually associated with defects in the host immune response. Genetic abnormalities in particular and certain systemic diseases can promote the onset and progression of severe periodontal diseases.

Adolescence

In adolescent patients aggressive periodontitis is of special importance, which develops during puberty and affects the first molars and central incisors. The disease is characterized by a rapid loss of attachment and bone in otherwise healthy patients.

Prophylaxis and therapy

In children and adolescents early diagnosis together with prophylactic measures and therapy are essential for treatment success, especially in cases of aggressive forms of periodontitis.     

Correction to: human periodontal ligament fibroblasts stimulated by nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite paste or enamel matrix derivative. An in vitro assessment of PDL attachment,migration, and proliferation

Clinical Oral Investigations - In the original published version of this article, the middle name for author Mirko H. H. Schmidt is missing.     

Influence of a bioceramic root end material and mineral trioxide aggregates on fibroblasts and osteoblasts

Objective

The biocompatibility of materials used in endodontic treatment is of high importance, because they can come in contact with periradicular tissues and there is a risk of possible systemic toxicity. The aim of the present study was to investigate the in vitro reaction to a bioceramic based root end material in comparison to mineral trioxide aggregates (MTA) as the established gold standard.

Design

The root end materials grey MTA Angelus (GMTA), white MTA Angelus (WMTA), ProRoot MTA, and EndoSequence Root Repair Material (ERRM) were incubated with human periodontal ligament fibroblasts and osteoblasts (10⁴ cells/ml) for up to 96 h. Cell proliferation (RFU) was determined by means of the Alamar Blue assay. In addition, fluorescence staining was carried out to visually monitor cell growth and morphology.

Results

For most of the observational time period of up to 96 h, there was no statistically significant difference between the proliferation rates of the control cells and those in contact with ERRM. In contrast, the mineral trioxide based materials caused from 24 to 96 h significantly lower proliferation rates in comparison to the controls (p < 0.001). For proliferation rates of cells in contact with MTAs and ERRM significant differences were observed throughout the whole observation time for the osteoblasts, but only up to 24 h for the human periodontal ligament fibroblasts.

Conclusion

Within the limits of this study the results suggest that the bioceramic root end material is biocompatible, but needs to be investigated in clinical studies before it can be recommended as retrograde sealer in endodontic practice.