Treatment of teeth with insufficient clinical crown. Long-term clinical outcomes of a minimally invasive crown lengthening approach: a retrospective analysis.

AIMS: Aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the incidence of complications and to determine the long-term survival rate of teeth with severely compromised clinical crowns treated with minimally invasive crown lengthening (MICL) and restorative treatment. METHODS: A sample of 112 teeth in 86 patients was treated with MICL and restorative dentistry. Endodontic and orthodontic therapy was applied when needed. Clinical outcomes were assessed at baseline, 1 year and long-term. RESULTS: The application of MICL resulted in very limited radiographic bone resection (RBR, 1 ± 0.1 mm on average). Limited local inflammation and shallow probing depth were detected at 1 year (2.6 ± 0.5 mm) and long-term (2.9 ± 1.0 mm). Most of the teeth (76.8%) maintained dental and periodontal health over time. The negative events observed in 26 teeth were caries (8.9%), fractures (7.1%), endodontic problems (1.8%), periodontal problems (4.5%) and restoration problems / complications (0.9%). The survival rate was 90.2%. CONCLUSIONS: the outcomes of this long-term retrospective analysis (8.9 ± 0.9 years, range 8 to 10) show high tooth survival rates and low incidence of complications of teeth treated with MICL and restoration of the clinical crown.

Longevity of teeth in patients susceptible to periodontitis: Clinical outcomes and risk factors associated with tooth loss after active therapy and 30 years of supportive periodontal care.

AIM: (i) To evaluate the efficacy of active periodontal therapy supplemented by supportive periodontal care (SPC) in retaining dentition during a 30-year follow-up period in patients susceptible to periodontitis, and (ii) to assess the prognostic factors associated with tooth loss. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One-hundred and fifty-four patients with periodontitis, retrospectively classified as stage I-IV and grade B-C periodontitis, treated between 1984 and 1986 in a private practice, were enrolled in this study. After periodontal assessment, patients received non-surgical treatment followed by surgical periodontal therapy, orthodontic treatment, and tooth-splinting, where appropriate. SPC consisted of a strict recall programme every 3-6 months over a 30-year period. Recurrences were treated either with subgingival root planing or flap surgery. Dental and periodontal variables were measured at baseline (T0), end of active therapy (T1), and after 25 (T2) and 30 (T3) years. Generalized mixed models were analysed to assess the prognostic factors associated with and survival analyses for tooth loss. RESULTS: Data on 154 patients (4083 teeth) were available at baseline (T0). Teeth considered unworthy of treatment were extracted during active therapy (160, 3.9%) and at re-assessment (13, 0.3%; T1). After 25 years of SPC, 140 teeth out of 3910 in 154 patients (3.6%) were lost (24 in 18 patients for periodontal reasons). Between 25 and 30 years, 20 patients (482 teeth) dropped out, and 61 teeth (2%) were lost (15 in 14 patients for periodontal reasons). Overall, 201 teeth (5.1%) were lost (39 for periodontal reasons) in 30 years of SPC. Generalized mixed models showed that stage III or stage IV periodontitis was associated with greater tooth loss during SPC compared to stage I or stage II (OR = 2.10; p = .048). Generalized periodontitis showed a statistically significant OR = 3.24 (p = .016) compared to the localized one. In SPC (T1-T3), age (p = .011), gender (male; p = .038), molar teeth (p = < .001), T0 and T1 pocket depth (p = < .001), tooth mobility grades 2 (p = .018) and 3 (p = .050), T0 and T1 bone loss (p = < .001), and presence of a root canal treatment (p = < .001) and a crown (p = .009) were statistically significantly associated with tooth loss. CONCLUSION: (i) Periodontal therapy and a stringent SPC are effective in maintaining most of the teeth in patients with moderate/advanced periodontitis for 30 years, and (ii) age, gender, molar teeth, pocket depth, bone loss, and the presence of a root canal treatment and a crown are prognostic factors associated with tooth loss.

Modified minimally invasive surgical technique in human intrabony defects with or without regenerative materials-10-year follow-up of a randomized clinical trial: Tooth retention, periodontitis recurrence, and costs.

AIM: The modified minimally invasive surgical technique (M-MIST) optimizes wound stability in the treatment of intrabony defects. Short-term observations show similar results as with flap alone or adjunctive regenerative materials. This study aims to compare the stability of the long-term outcomes, complication-free survival, and costs of the three treatment options. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-five intrabony defects in 45 patients were randomized to M-MIST alone (N = 15), combined with enamel matrix derivative (M-MIST + EMD, N = 15), or EMD plus bone-mineral-derived xenograph (M-MIST + EMD + BMDX, N = 15). Supportive periodontal care (SPC) and necessary re-treatment were provided for 10 years. RESULTS: Three subjects were lost to follow-up. Clinical attachment level differences between 1 and 10 years were -0.1 ± 0.7 mm for M-MIST, -0.1 ± 0.8 mm for M-MIST + EMD, and -0.3 ± 0.6 mm for M-MIST + EMD + BMDX (p > .05 for within- and between-group differences). Four episodes of recurrence occurred in the M-MIST group, four in the M-MIST + EMD group, and five in the M-MIST + EMD + BMDX group. No significant differences in complication-free survival were observed between the three groups (p = .47). Complication-free survival was 7.46 years (95% confidence interval: 7.05-7.87) for the whole population. The M-MIST + EMD + BMDX group lost one treated tooth. Data indicated no significant inter-group difference of the total cost of recurrence over 10 years. When the baseline cost of treatment was considered, the total cost was lower for M-MIST alone. CONCLUSIONS: Teeth with deep pockets associated with intrabony defects can be successfully maintained over the long term with either M-MIST alone or by adding a regenerative material in the context of a careful SPC programme. M-MIST alone provided similar short- and long-term benefits as regeneration, at a lower cost. These findings need to be confirmed in larger, independent studies.

Treatment planning of teeth with compromised clinical crowns: endodontic, reconstructive, and surgical strategy.

The present article describes a treatment planning clinical strategy based on a flowchart developed to facilitate the treatment of teeth with severely compromised clinical crowns. The study comprised a group of 978 patients presenting with 2327 teeth needing clinical crown reconstruction. The patients were screened, diagnosed, and treated with a multidisciplinary approach according to a flowchart structure. A subgroup of 75 teeth in 62 patients was considered irrational to treat when a composite risk-evaluation model was applied. Another subgroup of 168 teeth in 126 patients required periodontal surgery and received a minimally invasive crown lengthening (MICL) procedure. Endodontic treatment was necessary for 73 teeth, and retreatment for 51. Most of the teeth (124 in 94 patients) received a full crown, while the remaining 44 teeth received a direct (24 teeth) or an indirect (20 teeth) reconstruction. Six teeth were orthodontically extruded before surgery. The 1-year average probing depth and clinical attachment level at the treated teeth was 2.5 ± 0.5 mm and 2.7 ± 0.6 mm, respectively. Bleeding on probing was detected in 19 sites (11.3%). No side effects or short-term recurrences were detected in 168 treated sites. Patients described function and esthetics as extremely satisfactory, very satisfactory, or satisfactory. In conclusion, an accurate screening based on a flowchart supported the clinical decision to treat 168 teeth with MICL and to replace 75 out of 2327 teeth presented at our clinic for restorations. The use of MICL and the high-quality restorations resulted in a healthy periodontal and dental condition of all the treated teeth as well as patient satisfaction at the 1-year follow-up.

Treatment of Teeth with an Insufficient Clinical Crown. Part 2: Treatment Cost and Time and Patient Outcomes.

This study involves a group of 168 teeth in 126 patients treated with crown lengthening and tooth reconstruction (experimental group), and a group of 75 teeth from 62 patients that were judged irrational to treat, extracted, and replaced (control group). In the control group, 13 teeth in 12 patients were not replaced; 37 were replaced with an implant-supported crown, 14 with a tooth-supported partial denture, 2 with a Maryland partial denture; and 9 patients requested a removable prosthesis. In the experimental group, 44 teeth in 37 patients received a conservative restoration (24 direct and 20 indirect), while 124 teeth in 94 patients received a full crown. All 168 teeth were surgically treated with minimally invasive crown lengthening. Endodontic treatment and orthodontic extrusion were applied when necessary. Treatment resulted in healthy periodontal and dental/implant conditions at the 1-year follow-up in both groups. Function and esthetics were described from satisfactory to extremely satisfactory by patients of both groups, with the exception of three patients in the control group who received a mobile prosthesis restoration and reported some difficulties in chewing. When comparing treatment cost and duration of the reconstructed teeth (experimental group) to the treatment cost and duration of extracted and replaced teeth (control group), the difference is significantly in favor of the preservation of natural teeth, both monetarily and in terms treatment time. Saving a tooth with a compromised crown is more favorable for the patient than extraction and replacement. This conservative approach is advisable to clinicians whenever the clinical conditions enable treatment.

Papilla preservation and minimally invasive surgery for the treatment of peri-implant osseous defects. Clinical and radiographic outcomes of a 5-year retrospective study.

OBJECTIVES: Evaluate in a case series the clinical applicability of a regenerative approach for treatment of peri-implant lesions based on papilla preservation flaps (PPF) and minimally invasive surgery (MIST). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-one deep peri-implant defects in 21 patients were surgically accessed applying PPF and MIST. The exposed implant surface was decontaminated with the sequential application of mechanical devices and chemical agents. Bone substitutes alone or in combination with a collagen barrier were applied, according to the anatomy of the peri-implant lesion. Clinical and radiographic measurements were collected at baseline, post-surgery, 1 and 5 years. RESULTS: Primary wound closure was obtained in 100% of the sites and maintained in 90% of the sites at 1 week. Bleeding on probing (BOP) was reduced from 100% at baseline to 28.6% at 1 year and to 42.8% at 5 years. The 1-year pocket reduction was 3.9 ± 1 mm. Residual probing depths (PD) were 4.1 ± 0.9 mm. PD remained stable up to 5 years. The radiographic bone gain was 2.5 ± 1.2 mm (mesial) and 2.5 ± 1.1 (distal) at 1-year and 2.3 ± 1.3 mm (mesial) and 2.6 ± 1.4 mm (distal) at 5 years. The radiographic resolution of the defect was 70.4% ± 19% (mesial) and 70.2% ± 22% (distal) at 1 year and 64.2% ± 21% (mesial) and 67.7% ± 21% (distal) at 5 years. All implants survived up to 5 years. A composite outcome of disease resolution shows consistent 1-year clinical improvements at all the treated sites and substantial 5-year stability. CONCLUSIONS: PPF and MIST can be successfully applied for the regenerative treatment of peri-implant defects.

Treatment of Teeth with Insufficient Clinical Crown. Part 1: One-Year Clinical Outcomes of a Minimally Invasive Crown-Lengthening Approach.

This study describes a clinical strategy based on a flowchart developed to facilitate the treatment of teeth with a severely compromised clinical crown. A group of 168 teeth in 126 patients required periodontal surgery and received a minimally invasive crown-lengthening procedure with the aim to reach a minimal supracrestal tissue attachment width of 2.5 mm, including a free space between the cervical margin of the restoration and the bottom of the sulcus. Surgery was performed with the aid of an operating microscope and microsurgical instruments, trying to reduce bone surgery and invasiveness as much as possible. An average postsurgical radiographic bone resection of 1 ± 0.6 mm was measured. Endodontic treatment was necessary in 73 teeth, re-treatment in 51. Most of the teeth (124 in 94 patients) received a full crown, while the remaining 44 received a direct (24 teeth) or an indirect (20 teeth) reconstruction. Six teeth were orthodontically extruded before surgery. The 1-year average pocket depth at the treated units was 2.5 ± 0.5 mm, resulting in a reduction of 0.7 ± 0.9 mm compared to the preoperative measurement (P < .0001). Bleeding on probing was detected in 19 sites (11.3%) and was significantly reduced from the preoperative condition (57 sites, 33.9%). The distance between the apical margin of the restoration and the gingival margin was 0.2 ± 0.4 mm (range: 0 to 1 mm); clinical attachment level was 2.7 ± 0.6 mm. A clinical approach based on minimally invasive crown lengthening with minimal or no ostectomy and high-quality restorative dentistry resulted in healthy periodontal and dental condition of all the treated units at the 1-year follow-up.

Autologous connective tissue graft or xenogenic collagen matrix with coronally advanced flaps for coverage of multiple adjacent gingival recession. 36-month follow-up of a randomized multicentre trial.

AIM: To report the 36-month follow-up of a trial comparing the adjunct of a xenogenic collagen matrix (CMX) or connective tissue graft (CTG) to coronally advanced flaps (CAF) for coverage of multiple adjacent recessions. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 125 subjects (61 CMX) with 307 recessions in 8 centres from the parent trial were followed-up for 36 months. Primary outcome was change in position of the gingival margin. Multilevel analysis used centre, subject and tooth as levels and baseline parameters as covariates. RESULTS: No differences were observed between the randomized and the follow-up population. Average baseline recession was 2.6 ± 1.0 mm. 3-year root coverage was 1.5 ± 1.5 mm for CMX and 2.0 ± 1.0 mm for CTG (difference of 0.32 mm, 95% CI from -0.02 to 0.65 mm). The upper limit of the confidence interval was over the non-inferiority margin of 0.25 mm. No treatment differences in position of the gingival margin were observed between 6- and 36-month follow-up (difference 0.06 mm, 95% CI -0.17 to 0.29 mm). CONCLUSION: CMX was not non-inferior with respect to CTG in multiple adjacent recessions. No differences in stability of root coverage were observed between groups and in changes from 6 to 36 months. Previously reported shorter time to recovery, lower morbidity and more natural appearance of tissue texture and contour observed for CMX in this trial are also relevant in clinical decision-making.

Xenogenic collagen matrix or autologous connective tissue graft as adjunct to coronally advanced flaps for coverage of multiple adjacent gingival recession: Randomized trial assessing non-inferiority in root coverage and superiority in oral health-related quality of life.

AIM: To evaluate the non-inferiority of the adjunct of a xenogeneic collagen matrix (CMX) or connective tissue graft (CTG) to coronally advanced flaps (CAF) for coverage of multiple adjacent recessions and compare superiority in patient-reported outcomes (PROM). MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred and eighty-seven subjects (92 CMX) with 485 recessions in 14 centres were randomized and followed up for 6 months. Patients filled daily diaries for 15 days to monitor patient-reported experience. The primary outcome was changed in position of the gingival margin. Multilevel analysis used centre, subject and tooth as levels and baseline parameters as covariates. RESULTS: Average baseline recession was 2.5 ± 1.0 mm. The surgery was 15.7 min shorter (95%CI from 11.9 to 19.6, p < .0001) and perceived lighter (11.9 VAS units, 95%CI from 4.6 to 19.1, p = .0014) in CMX subjects. Time to recovery was 1.8 days shorter in CMX. Six-month root coverage was 1.7 ± 1.1 mm for CMX and 2.1 ± 1.0 mm for CTG (difference of 0.44 mm, 95%CI from 0.25 to 0.63 mm). The upper limit of the confidence interval was over the non-inferiority margin of 0.25 mm. Odds of complete root coverage were significantly higher for CTG (OR = 4.0, 95% CI 1.8-8.8). CONCLUSION: Replacing CTG with CMX shortens time to recovery and decreases morbidity, but the tested generation of devices is probably inferior to autologous CTG in terms of root coverage. Significant variability in PROMs was observed among centres.

The Smile Esthetic Index (SEI): A method to measure the esthetics of the smile. An intra-rater and inter-rater agreement study.

PURPOSE: To propose a method to measure the esthetics of the smile and to report its validation by means of an intra-rater and inter-rater agreement analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten variables were chosen as determinants for the esthetics of a smile: smile line and facial midline, tooth alignment, tooth deformity, tooth dischromy, gingival dischromy, gingival recession, gingival excess, gingival scars and diastema/missing papillae. One examiner consecutively selected seventy smile pictures, which were in the frontal view. Ten examiners, with different levels of clinical experience and specialties, applied the proposed assessment method twice on the selected pictures, independently and blindly. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Fleiss' kappa) statistics were performed to analyse the intra-rater and inter-rater agreement. RESULTS: Considering the cumulative assessment of the Smile Esthetic Index (SEI), the ICC value for the inter-rater agreement of the 10 examiners was 0.62 (95% CI: 0.51 to 0.72), representing a substantial agreement. Intra-rater agreement ranged from 0.86 to 0.99. Inter-rater agreement (Fleiss' kappa statistics) calculated for each variable ranged from 0.17 to 0.75. CONCLUSION: The SEI was a reproducible method, to assess the esthetic component of the smile, useful for the diagnostic phase and for setting appropriate treatment plans.

Intra- and inter-rater agreement of a new classification system of gingival recession defects.

PURPOSE: Several classification systems have been proposed in the literature, but none of them has been validated by means of an appropriate statistical analysis and, therefore, it is unknown whether these systems work in the same manner among different clinicians. The aim of the present study is to investigate the intra- and inter-rater agreement of a new system to classify gingival recession defects and to evaluate its agreement among different clinicians. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A new classification system was proposed and tested considering the following three factors: the amount of keratinised tissue ( <2 or ≥2 mm), the presence / absence of non carious cervical lesions and the presence/ absence of interproximal attachment loss. Kappa-statistics were performed to analyse the intra-rater and inter-rater agreement among three blinded examiners. RESULTS: A total of 120 gingival recessions were evaluated using the new classification system. The intra-rater agreement ranged from 0.74 to 0.96 for the variable keratinised tissue, from 0.67 to 0.94 for the variable non-carious cervical lesions and from 0.70 to 0.92 for the variable interproximal attachment loss. The inter-rater agreement values ranged from 0.70 to 0.85 for keratinised tissue, from 0.54 to 0.59 for non-carious cervical lesions and from 0.54 to 0.77 for the interproximal attachment loss. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results of this study, the proposed new classification system showed moderate to substantial agreement among investigators when used in the present study population and was therefore able to diagnose the severity of gingival recession defects.

Lack of adjunctive benefit of Er:YAG laser in non-surgical periodontal treatment: a randomized split-mouth clinical trial.

AIM: This split-mouth, randomized, clinical trial aimed to evaluate the efficacy of erbium-doped:yttrium-aluminium-garnet (Er:YAG) laser application in non-surgical periodontal treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 27 patients underwent four modalities of non-surgical therapy: supragingival debridement; scaling and root planing (SRP)+Er:YAG laser; Er:YAG laser; and SRP. Each strategy was randomly assigned and performed in one of the four quadrants. Clinical outcomes were evaluated at 3 and 6 months. Subjective benefits of patients have been evaluated by means of questionnaires. RESULTS: Six months after therapy, Er:YAG laser showed no statistical difference in clinical attachment gain with respect to supragingival scaling [0.15 mm (95% CI -0.16; 0.46)], while SRP showed a greater attachment gain than the supragingival scaling [0.37 mm (95% CI 0.05; 0.68)]. No difference resulted between Er:YAG laser+SRP and SRP alone [0.05 mm (95% CI -0.25; 0.36)]. CONCLUSIONS: The adjunctive use of Er:YAG laser to conventional SRP did not reveal a more effective result than SRP alone. Furthermore, the sites treated with Er:YAG laser showed similar results of the sites treated with supragingival scaling.