A controlled study on the accuracy and precision of intraoral radiography in assessing interproximal bone defect morphology around teeth and implants.

PURPOSE: The primary objective of the present controlled study was to determine the accuracy and precision of intraoral radiography in assessing interproximal bone defect morphology in patients suffering from periodontal disease as well as in patients with peri-implantitis. A secondary objective was to evaluate the possible impact of clinical experience on accuracy and precision. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study sample comprised a total of 99 interproximal bony defects (40 patients) needing surgical treatment. Forty-nine defects were periodontal (17 patients), while the remaining 50 were peri-implant defects (23 patients). Following reflection of a mucoperiosteal flap and removal of granulation tissue, the type of bone defect as classified by Goldman and Cohen (1958) was determined. This intrasurgical registration was considered the true bone defect morphology. An intraoral radiograph was taken for each interproximal site. Twenty clinicians determined the bone defect morphology on each intraoral radiograph twice, with a washout period of 3 months. RESULTS: Using the Goldman and Cohen (1958) classification, the overall accuracy of intraoral radiography in assessing interproximal bone defect morphology was slight for teeth/implants (κ = 0.132; 95% CI: 0.091 to 0.173/κ = 0.126; 95% CI: 0.091 to 0.162). Duplicate evaluation indicated fair precision (κ = 0.369; 95% CI: 0.308 to 0.430/κ = 0.355; 95% CI: 0.230 to 0.414). Pooling one-, two- and three-wall defects into one category had a positive impact on accuracy (κ = 0.254; 95% CI: 0.201 to 0.307/κ = 0.387; 95% CI: 0.340 to 0.435), as well as on precision (κ = 0.504; 95% CI: 0.423 to 0.584/κ = 0.560; 95% CI: 0.463 to 0.657). A significant difference between experienced clinicians and trainees was not found (P ≥ 0.285). CONCLUSIONS: Intraoral radiography lacks accuracy for assessing interproximal bone defect morphology around teeth and implants. Clinical experience does not seem to influence this.

Loss-of-function mutations in cathepsin C in two families with Papillon-Lefèvre syndrome are associated with deficiency of serine proteinases in PMNs.

Papillon-Lefèvre syndrome (PLS) is a rare autosomal recessive disease that involves severe periodontitis and hyperkeratosis of the hand palms and foot soles. Recently it was found that PLS patients carry loss-of-function mutations in the gene encoding cathepsin C (CTSC). In the present study we have analyzed the CTSC gene in two unrelated families with PLS. In the first non-consanguineous family, mutation analysis revealed the previously reported c.815G>C/p.R272P mutation. The second consanguineous family displayed a c.1213C>A mutation which resulted in the novel mutation p.H405N and is the first mutation described in the active site of the enzyme. The PLS patients had, next to the absence of cathepsin C activity in polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs), no activity of the three serine proteinases elastase, cathepsin G and proteinase 3. Serine proteinases are supposed to be important in both the innate and adaptive immune systems. Their absence in PLS patients could explain the inadequate defense to periodontal infection.

Cervical root resorption in two patients with unilateral complete cleft of the lip and palate.

OBJECTIVE: Case reports on cervical root resorption in patients with complete cleft of the lip and palate are scarce. Moreover, cervical root resorption is sometimes diagnosed several years after a combined orthodontic and surgical therapy in patients with cleft. In this article a review of the literature is presented, and a description and the management of the cervical lesion is provided. An additional objective of this report is to advocate for alveolar bone grafting before the age of 12 years while the vulnerable cervical region of the teeth adjacent to the cleft defect is still protected by a thick layer of bone.