Use of fractal analysis in dental images for osteoporosis detection: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Fractal dimension (FD) calculated on oral radiographs has been proposed as a useful tool to screen for osteoporosis. This systematic review and meta-analysis firstly aimed at assessing the reliability of FD measures in distinguishing osteoporotic patients (OP) from healthy controls (HC), and secondly, to identify a standardized procedure of FD calculation in dental radiographs for the possible use as a surrogate measure of osteoporosis. A comprehensive search was conducted up to September 2020 using PubMed, Web of Science, and SCOPUS databases. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement was followed. Meta-analysis was performed on FD values calculated for HC and OP. Overall, 293 articles were identified. After a three steps screening, 19 studies were included in the qualitative appraisal and 12 were considered for meta-analysis. The methodological quality of the retrieved studies was generally low. Most of the studies included used White and Rudolph and box counting to process the images and to calculate FD, respectively. Overall, 51% of the studies found a meaningful difference between HC and OP groups. Meta-analyses showed that to date, FD measures on dental radiographs are not able to distinguish the OP from HC group significantly. From the current evidence, the use of FD for the identification of OP is not reliable, and no clear conclusion can be drawn due to the heterogeneity of studies. The present review revealed the need for further studies and provided the fundamentals to design them in order to find a standardized procedure for FD calculation (regions for FD assessment; images processing technique; methods for FD measurement). More effort should be made to identify osteoporosis using dental images which are cheap and routinely taken during periodic dental examinations.

Implant insertion torque value in immediate loading: A retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to verify if the Insertion Torque Value (ITV) of 32 Ncm for immediate loading protocol (ILP), as indicated by literature, is still, with the advance in implant research, a real significant cut-off for long-term implant survival. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this retrospective study, data from 224 patients that during three years of clinical practice, were submitted to the insertion of 322 implants with immediate loading protocol, have been recorded, pooled and analyzed. Data were organized based on Insertion Torque Value (ITV): > 32 Ncm (CG) and < 32 Ncm (LTG) and two different groups of equal sample size, 161 implants each, were distinguished. Crestal bone reabsorption, and the implant failure rate were evaluated after 2-years of follow-up. RESULTS: The bone reabsorption in LTG (0.49 ± 0.11 mm ) was significantly greater than CG (0.22 ± 0.04 mm), p<0.001. However, the survival rate after 2-years of follow-up was quite high and similar for both groups: 96.89% for LTG and 97.52% for CG and no statistically significant differences have been found among the two groups for the implant failure rate (p=0.455).The Odds Ratio (OR) of implant failure was of 1.258 (95% CI 0.332, 4.772), but results were not statistical significant, p=0.740. CONCLUSIONS: The present study showed that although implants with ITV> 32 Ncm are still characterized by a lower crestal bone resorption, there are no statistically significant differences among the two groups for what concerning the failure rate during the 2 years of follow-up and OR. These results permit us to suppose that the cut-off of ITV >32 Ncm for immediate loading implants, could be reduced to inferior values. However further studies are necessary to indicate precise clinical guidelines.

WITHDROWN: Effect of smoking habit on crestal bone height in maxillary sinus augmentation with bone grafts.

In relation to the article with reference "Carreño-Carreño J, Gómez-Moreno G, Aguilar-Salvatierra A, Menéndez-López-Mateos C, Piattelli A, Menéndez-Núñez M. Effect of smoking habit on crestal bone height in maxillary sinus augmentation with bone grafts. Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal. (2018), doi:10.4317/medoral.22439", published in Oral Medicine Oral Pathology and Oral Surgery in the modality "AHEAD OF PRINT - article in press", the authors mention that "The study was conducted according to the STROBE (Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology) Statement". However, and based on the opinion of several expert reviewers who have re-evaluated the article, it is considered that although "there has not been plagiarism", these STROBE criteria are not adequately met. In addition, the mentioned article is very similar to two articles that have already been published by the same authors in Clinical Oral Implants Research. The sample is the same; many data are repeated; and the only difference is the inclusion of a variable (smoking), which does not exert a significant effect. This outcome therefore would not justify publication of the paper in the journal. Retraction of the article is therefore decided.

Human periodontal ligament stem cells cultured onto cortico-cancellous scaffold drive bone regenerative process.

The purpose of this work was to test, in vitro and in vivo, a new tissue-engineered construct constituted by porcine cortico-cancellous scaffold (Osteobiol Dual Block) (DB) and xeno-free ex vivo culture of human Periodontal Ligament Stem Cells (hPDLSCs). hPDLSCs cultured in xeno-free media formulation preserved the stem cells' morphological features, the expression of stemness and pluripotency markers, and their ability to differentiate into mesenchymal lineage. Transmission electron microscopy analysis suggested that after one week of culture, both noninduced and osteogenic differentiation induced cells joined and grew on DB secreting extracellular matrix (ECM) that in osteogenic induced samples was hierarchically assembled in fibrils. Quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) showed the upregulation of key genes involved in the bone differentiation pathway in both differentiated and undifferentiated hPDLSCs cultured with DB (hPDLSCs/DB). Functional studies revealed a significant increased response of calcium transients in the presence of DB, both in undifferentiated and differentiated cells stimulated with calcitonin and parathormone, suggesting that the biomaterial could drive the osteogenic differentiation process of hPDLSCs. These data were confirmed by the increase of gene expression of L-type voltage-dependent Ca2+ (VDCCL), subunits α1C and α2D1 in undifferentiated cells in the presence of DB. In vivo implantation of the hPDLSCs/DB living construct in the mouse calvaria evidenced a precocious osteointegration and vascularisation process. Our results suggest consideration of DB as a biocompatible, osteoinductive and osteoconductive biomaterial, making it a promising tool to regulate cell activities in biological environments and for a potential use in the development of new custom-made tissue engineering.

Osteogenic potential of dualblocks cultured with human periodontal ligament stem cells: in vitro and synchrotron microtomography study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: In the present study, the early stages of in vitro bone formation in collagenated porcine scaffolds cultured with human periodontal ligament cells were investigated. The comparison between the osteogenic potential of this structure in basal and differentiating culture media was explored to predict the mechanism of its biological behavior as graft in human defect. Results were validated by synchrotron radiation X-Ray phase contrast computed microtomography (micro-CT). As the periodontal disease plays a key role in systemic and oral diseases, it is crucial to find advanced therapeutic clinical interventions to repair periodontal defects. This has been recently explored using cells and tissues developed in vitro that should ideally be immunologically, functionally, structurally and mechanically identical to the native tissue. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In vitro cultures of human periodontal ligament cells, easily obtained by scraping of alveolar crestal and horizontal fibers of the periodontal ligament, were seeded on to collagenated porcine blocks constituted by natural cancellous and cortical bone. 3D images were obtained by synchrotron radiation micro-CT and processed with a phase-retrieval algorithm based on the transport of intensity equation. RESULTS: Starting from the second week of culture, newly formed mineralized bone was detected in all the scaffolds, both in basal and differentiating media. Bone mineralization was proved to occur preferentially in the trabecular portion and in differentiating media. CONCLUSION: The chosen method, supported by phase contrast micro-CT analysis, successfully and quantitatively monitored the early stages of bone formation and the rate of the bioscaffold resorption in basal and differentiating culture media.

Micro-topography and reactivity of implant surfaces: an in vitro study in simulated body fluid (SBF).

The creation of micro-textured dental implant surfaces possessing a stimulating activity represents a challenge in implant dentistry; particularly, the formation of a thin, biologically active, calcium-phosphate layer on their surface could help to strengthen the bond to the surrounding bone. The aim of the present study was to characterize in terms of macrostructure, micro-topography and reactivity in simulated body fluid (SBF), the surface of titanium (Ti) implants blasted with TiO2 particles, acid etched with hydrofluoric acid, and activated with Ca and Mg-containing nanoparticles. Sandblasted and acid-etched implants were analyzed by ESEM-EDX (environmental scanning electron microscope with energy dispersive X-ray system) to study the micromorphology of the surface and to perform elemental X-ray microanalysis (microchemical analyses) and element mapping. ESEM-EDX analyses were performed at time 0 and after a 28-day soaking period in SBF Hank's balanced salt solution (HBSS) following ISO 23317 (implants for surgery­in vitro evaluation for apatite-forming ability of implant materials). Microchemical analyses (weight % and atomic %) and element mapping were carried out to evaluate the relative element content, element distribution, and calcium/phosphorus (Ca/P) atomic ratio. Raman spectroscopy was used to assess the possible presence of impurities due to manufacturing and to investigate the phases formed upon HBSS soaking. Micro-morphological analyses showed a micro-textured, highly rough surface with microgrooves. Microchemical analyses showed compositional differences among the apical, middle, and distal thirds. The micro-Raman analyses of the as-received implant showed the presence of amorphous Ti oxide and traces of anatase, calcite, and a carbonaceous material derived from the decomposition of an organic component of lipidic nature (presumably used as lubricant). A uniform layer of Ca-poor calcium phosphates (CaPs) (Ca/P ratio <1.47) was observed after soaking in HBSS; the detection of the 961 cm⁻¹ Raman band confirms this finding. These implants showed a micro-textured surface supporting the formation of CaPs when immersed in SBF. These properties may likely favor bone anchorage and healing by stimulation of mineralizing cells.

Patients attitudes towards sleep disturbances during chemotherapy.

Sleep disturbances are among the most distressing symptoms in cancer: they often co-occur with fatigue, pain and psychological distress. Despite the negative impact on quality of life, patients rarely seek help for managing their sleep disturbances. This paper presents the results of a multicentre observational study on patients' attitudes towards their sleep problems. The study also investigates symptom correlates. Patients responded to a semi-structured interview and completed the following questionnaires: Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index; Brief Fatigue Inventory; Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale; and European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life QLQ-C30 Questionnaire (QLQ-C30). Four hundred and three cancer patients were enrolled in the study. Bad sleepers constituted 66% of the sample. Thirty-eight per cent of them had not turned to any professional to solve their sleep disturbances because they had various beliefs about the importance of the problem and the possibility to be treated. The main correlates of sleep disturbances were psychological distress, reduced physical functioning and reduced overall quality of life. In conclusion, there is a need to sensitise patients to actively search for a solution to their sleep disturbances so they can be solved along with other co-occurring symptoms. Doctors could also be encouraged to dedicate more attention to routinely asking cancer patients about eventual sleep disturbances.

Pro-inflammatory cytokine release and cell growth inhibition in primary human oral cells after exposure to endodontic sealer.

AIM: To assay the toxicity of the single-methacrylate-based sealer urethane dimethacrylate (UDMA) (EndoRez) in terms of cell growth and pro-inflammatory cytokines release, in expanded ex vivo human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs), human periodontal ligament stem cells (hPDLSCs), human gingival fibroblasts (hGFs) and human osteoblasts (hOSTs). METHODOLOGY: Dental pulp and periodontal ligament stem cells, osteoblasts and fibroblasts were derived from five young donors. After in vitro isolation, hDPSCs, hPDLSCs, hGFs and hOSTs were seeded to resin-based sealers for 24, 48, 72 h up to 1 week. The morphological features and the cell growth and the release of pro-inflammatory interleukin (IL)6, IL8, IL12 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF) α were analysed. Differences in cell growth and in interleukin secretion were analysed for statistical significance with two-way anova tests for multiple comparisons. RESULTS: Exposure to endodontic sealer based on UDMA resulted in a 50% decrease in survival oral cells at 24 h of incubation. No evident morphological changes were present in cell cultures examined. After 48 h, 72 h and 1-week culture time, a progressive cell growth was evident. A significant up-regulation of IL6, IL8, IL12 and TNFα cytokines in cells in contact with the dental sealer compared to the control was observed. CONCLUSION: In vitro, EndoRez interacted with primary human hDPSCs, hPDLSCs, hGFs and hOSTs causing damage to biological system evidenced through cell growth inhibition and up-regulation of IL6, IL8, IL12 and TNFα proinflammatory mediators.

Oral-Gut-Estrobolome Axis May Exert a Selective Impact on Oral Cancer.

A subset of bacterial species that holds genes encoding for ß-glucuronidase and ß-galactosidase, enzymes involved in the metabolism of conjugated estrogens, is called the "estrobolome." There is an emerging interest embracing this concept, as it may exert a selective impact on a number of pathologies, including oral cancer. Although the estrobolome bacteria are typically part of the gut microbiota, recent experimental pieces of evidence have suggested a crosstalk among oral and gut microbiota. In fact, several oral bacterial species are well represented also in the gut microbiota, and these microbes can effectively induce the estrobolome activation. The main pathways used for activating the estrobolome are based on the induction of the expression patterns for 2 bacterial enzymes: ß-glucuronidase and aromatase, both involved in the increase of estrogen released in the bloodstream and consequently in the salivary compartment. Mechanistically, high estrogen availability in saliva is responsible for an increase in oral cancer risk for different reasons: briefly, 1) estrogens directly exert biological and metabolic effects on oral mucosa cells; 2) they can modulate the pathological profile of some bacteria, somewhere associated with neoplastic processes (i.e., Fusobacterium spp., Parvimonas ssp.); and 3) some oral bacteria are able to convert estrogens into carcinogenic metabolites, such as 4-hydroxyestrone and 16α-hydroxyestrone (16α-OHE), and can also promote local and systemic inflammation. Nowadays, only a small number of scientific studies have taken into consideration the potential correlations among oral dysbiosis, alterations of the gut estrobolome, and some hormone-dependent cancers: this lack of attention on such a promising topic could be a bias affecting the full understanding of the pathogenesis of several estrogen-related oral pathologies. In our article, we have speculated on the activity of an oral-gut-estrobolome axis, capable of synergizing these 2 important microbiotas, shedding light on a pilot hypothesis requiring further research.

Management of compound odontoma in a 10-year-old girl preserving the associated impacted permanent tooth.

AIM: Compound odontoma has been reported to be the most common of all odontogenic neoplasms and tumor- like lesions. Only rarely the treatment of this lesion in association with an impacted tooth has been reported. CASE REPORT: A compound odontoma in a 10-year-old girl, associated with an impacted permanent incisor is described, focusing on the diagnosis and the importance of early treatment of this lesion. The patient underwent surgical excision of the lesion and it was decided to wait for the spontaneous eruption of the impacted tooth. After 6 months no eruption was observed and thus the orthodontic treatment was deemed necessary. At the one-year follow-up, the tooth was brought into the maxillary arch.

Assessment of pain associated with insertion torque of dental implants. A prospective, randomized-controlled study.

This study investigated pain experience following dental implant placement in relation to insertion torque using questionnaires. A total 80 implants were placed in 20 patients. Each patient received 4 implants at different times. One implant was inserted and, then, after 40 days was placed the second implant, after 80 days was placed the third implant and after 120 days was placed the fourth implant. At each time the peri-implant bone levels were evaluated on intraoral radiographs taken with the paralleling technique. The implants were placed with a dynamometric key at 35N, 50N, 65N, 85N. Patients were asked to evaluate their pain experience during surgery, 24 hours after surgery, and at 2 days, 4 days, 1, 2, and 4 weeks after surgery on special pain assessment forms. A separate form was used for each time point. Pain was assessed using a descriptive numerical rating scale of 0 to 10, with 0 indicative of no pain and 10 representing the worst pain imaginable. Patients were instructed that a score of 1 to 3 was indicative of mild pain, 4 to 6 was indicative of moderate pain, and 7 to 10 was indicative of severe pain. A significant correlation pain scores and insertion torque was found between group III and group IV vs group II and group I during surgery, at 24 hours, 2 days, 4 days, 1 week, 2 weeks p ≤ 0.05. No statistical difference was found between group I vs. group II during surgery, at 24 hours, 2 days, 4 days, 1 week, 2 weeks p ≥ 0.05. In conclusion, elevated insertion torque values produces pain and resoption of the crestal bone around the implants.

Implant surface topographies analyzed using fractal dimension.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess the fractal dimension (Df) of disks with 3 different surface topographies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty disk-shaped samples (10 × 2 mm) with 3 different surface topographies (Dental Tech, Misinto, Italy) were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy: group A, machined surface; group B, titanium plasma-spray surface; group C, acid-etched and sandblasted surface (Blasted Wrinkled Surface). RESULTS: The amplitude roughness parameter (Sa) of the machined surfaces was 0.6 µm, while the developed surface area ratio (Sdr) was 14%; for the titanium plasma-spray surfaces, the values were, respectively, 5.3 µm and 97%, and for the Blasted Wrinkled Surfaces, 1.5 µm and 63%. Images at 1.000, 20.000, and 50.000 magnifications were processed for quantitative analysis of Df using the box-counting method. At 1.000×, Df for group A, B, and C was 1.86, 1.80, and 1.81, respectively; at 20.000×, Df for group A, B, and C was 1.85, 1.71, 1.58, respectively; and at 50.000×, Df was 1.83, 1.61, and 1.51 for A, B, and C groups. Statistically significant differences were found for Df values. CONCLUSIONS: Df provides not only an index of roughness size values but also a measure of roughness spatial organization; therefore, it could be a promising method to differentiate between rough surfaces capable of supporting osseointegration.

Wear of dental sealing materials using the replication technique.

AIM: The aim of the present study was an in vivo evaluation of the wear of different sealing materials using the replication technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four different sealing materials were randomly applied on 2 out of 4 caries-free permanent first molars of each patient. Impressions were taken at T0: before the sealing material was applied; T1: right after the application; T2: 6 months after the application, and T3: 1 year after the application. The impressions were then processed for scanning electron microscopy analysis of the wear of the examined materials. Statistical analysis was used to evaluate differences among and within the 4 groups. RESULTS: At T2, the average ratio of residual material in all the groups was 62.37% ± 1.21%, while at T3 it was 49.63% ± 1.11%. At both T2 and T3 there were no statistically significant differences among the 4 groups examined (p=0.76 and p=0.50 respectively). Comparison within the same group at T2 and T3 showed that statistically significant differences were only detected in group D (p=0.015). CONCLUSION: Sealing materials do not undergo a complete loss after 1 year of application, thus indicating that they are suitable for caries prevention.

Solid variant of keratocystic odontogenic tumour: report of a case.

This case report presents a solid variant of keratocystic odontogenic tumour (KCOT), a benign uni- or multicystic intraosseous tumour of odontogenic origin, with a characteristic lining of parakeratinized stratified squamous epithelium and potential inflammatory infiltrate. A 52-year old female patient discovered occasionally, in an orthopantomography done for other reasons, the presence of a radiolucent lesion. A 2-3 cm wide lesion with well-demarcated margins was present in the premolar region of the left hemimandible. Under local anesthesia a biopsy was done and the diagnosis of odontogenic keratocyst was confirmed by histopathological examination. Under general anesthesia, the lesion was easily shelled-out and completely enucleated. The lesion had not recurred after a 6 years follow-up. The occurrence of a solid variant of KCOT could strengthen the hypothesis of a neoplastic rather than cystic nature of this lesion.

Functional assay, expression of growth factors and proteins modulating bone-arrangement in human osteoblasts seeded on an anorganic bovine bone biomaterial.

The basic aspects of bone tissue engineering include chemical composition and geometry of the scaffold design, because it is very important to improve not only cell attachment and growth but especially osteodifferentiation, bone tissue formation, and vascularization. Geistlich Bio-Oss (GBO) is a xenograft consisting of deproteinized, sterilized bovine bone, chemically and physically identical to the mineral phase of human bone. In this study, we investigated the growth behaviour and the ability to form focal adhesions on the substrate, using vinculin, a cytoskeletal protein, as a marker. Moreover, the expression of bone specific proteins and growth factors such as type I collagen, osteopontin, bone sialoprotein, bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2), BMP-7 and de novo synthesis of osteocalcin in normal human osteoblasts (NHOst) seeded on xenogenic GBO were evaluated. Our observations suggest that after four weeks of culture in differentiation medium, the NHOst showed a high affinity for the three dimensional biomaterial; in fact, cellular proliferation, migration and colonization were clearly evident. The osteogenic differentiation process, as demonstrated by morphological, histochemical, energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis and biochemical analysis was mostly obvious in the NHOst grown on three-dimensional inorganic bovine bone biomaterial. Functional studies displayed a clear and significant response to calcitonin when the cells were differentiated. In addition, the presence of the biomaterial improved the response, suggesting that it could drive the differentiation of these cells towards a more differentiated osteogenic phenotype. These results encourage us to consider GBO an adequate biocompatible three-dimensional biomaterial, indicating its potential use for the development of tissue-engineering techniques.

Effects of a novel gel containing 5-aminolevulinic acid and red LED against bacteria involved in peri-implantitis and other oral infections.

Antibiotic resistance is a major public health problem worldwide and the finding of alternative methods for eliminating bacteria is one of the prerogatives of medical research. The indiscriminate use of antibiotics in dentistry, especially for the treatment of peri-implantitis, could lead to superinfections. Alternative methods, like photodynamic therapy mediated by the use of aminolevulinic acid and a red light has been largely described, especially in dentistry, but results were encouraging against Gram-positive bacteria, but limited against Gram-negative. The effectiveness of photodynamic therapy mediated by a novel product containing aminolevulinic acid, Aladent (ALAD) has been tested in this in vitro study, against different types of bacteria particularly involved in the infections of the oral cavity and peri-implantitis. The novelty of ALAD is the marked hydrophilicity that should increase the passage of the molecule through the membrane pores of Gram-negative bacteria. Considering the novelty of the product a preliminary experiment permitted to test the effectiveness against Enterococcus faecalis after 1 h of ALAD incubation at different concentrations, with or without different timings of LED irradiation. The count of CFUs and the live/dead observation with fluorescent microscopy showed a significant reduction and killing of bacterium. Then, in the second stage, that could meet the necessity of effectiveness and the clinician's requests to reduce the timing of treatment, ALAD, with and without irradiation, was tested on Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Veillonella parvula and Porphyromonas gingivalis. In particular, the efficiency of different concentrations of the product after a 25 min incubation was tested with and without the adjunctive LED irradiation for 5 min. A slight ALAD bactericidal effect was reported for all bacteria, also without LED irradiation, however, the most effective treatment was 25 min of 50% ALAD incubation followed by 5 min of a red LED. The in vitro tests demonstrated that ALAD gel with LED irradiation exerts a potent antibacterial activity on different bacteria, both Gram-positive and Gram-negative.

Prospective clinical evaluation of 1920 Morse taper connection implants: results after 4 years of functional loading.

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the survival rate and the clinical, radiographic and prosthetic success of 1920 Morse taper connection implants. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One thousand nine hundred and twenty Morse taper connection implants were inserted in 689 consecutive patients, from January 2003 until December 2006. Implants were clinically and radiographically evaluated at 12, 24, 36 and 48 months after insertion (mean follow-up per implant: 25.42 months). Modified plaque index (mPI), modified sulcus bleeding index, probing depth (PD) and the distance between implant shoulder and first crestal bone-implant contact (DIB) were measured in mm. Success criteria included the absence of suppuration and clinically detectable implant mobility, PD<5 mm, DIB<1.5 mm after 12 months of functional loading and not exceeding 0.2 mm for each following year, the absence of recurrent prosthetic complications at the implant-abutment interface. Prosthetic restorations were fixed partial prostheses (364 units), single crowns (SCs: 307 units), fixed full-arch prostheses (53 units) and overdentures (67 units). RESULTS: The overall cumulative implant survival rate was 97.56% (96.12% in the maxilla and 98.91% in the mandible). The cumulative implant success rate was 96.61% (95.25% in the maxilla and 98.64% in the mandible). Only a few prosthetic complications were reported (0.65% of loosening at implant-abutment interface in SCs). CONCLUSION: The use of Morse taper connection implants represents a successful procedure for the rehabilitation of partially and completely edentulous arches. The absence of an implant-abutment interface (microgap) is associated with minimal crestal bone loss. The high mechanical stability significantly reduces prosthetic complications.

VEGF and MVD expression in sinus augmentation with autologous bone and several graft materials.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression and microvessel density (MVD) in maxillary sinus augmentation with autogenous bone and different graft materials for evaluating their angiogenic potential. METHODS: Biopsies were harvested 10 months after sinus augmentation with a combination of autogenous bone and different graft materials: hydroxyapatite (HA, n = 6 patients), demineralized freeze-dried bone allograft (DFDBA, n = 5 patients), calcium phosphate (CP, n = 5 patients), Ricinus communis polymer (n = 5 patients) and control group--autogenous bone only (n = 13 patients). RESULTS: In all the samples, higher intensities of VEGF expression were prevalent in the newly formed bone, while lower intensities of VEGF expression were predominant in the areas of mature bone. The highest intensity of VEGF expression in the newly formed bone was expressed by HA (P < 0.001) and CP in relation to control (P < 0.01) groups. The lowest intensities of VEGF expression in newly formed bone were shown by DFDBA and polymer groups (P < 0.05). When comparing the different grafting materials, higher MVD were found in the newly formed bone around control, HA and CP (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Various graft materials could be successfully used for sinus floor augmentation; however, the interactions between bone formation and angiogenesis remain to be fully characterized.

Prospective longitudinal comparison study of surgical therapies for peri-implantitis: 3-year follow-up.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare different surgical therapies to treat peri-implantitis. METHODS: Twenty-three patients presenting one implant affected by peri-implantitis were divided into three groups: (i) open flap debridement (OFD) and citric acid decontamination (CAD); (ii) OFD, CAD and subepithelial connective tissue graft (SCTG); (iii) OFD, CAD and implantoplasty. Modified plaque index (MPI), gingival bleeding index (GBI), keratinized mucosa (KM) width, probing depth (PD), bleeding or suppuration on probing (B/SOP), and radiographic crestal bone level were registered 1(T1), 2(T2) and 3(T3) years after treatment. RESULTS: In Group 1 there was a significant improvement in MPI from baseline to T1, and a significant reduction in PD over time. In Group 2, none of the assessed clinical parameters showed any statistically significant variation over time. In Group 3, there was a significant decrease in PD and B/SOP over time. When comparing the 3 Groups, KM was significanlty greater in Group 2 vs. Group 1 and Group 3 at T1 and T2, and in Group 2 vs. Group 3 at T3. CONCLUSION: All therapies were successful in the management of peri-implantitis; however, SCTG maintained the greatest KM width. Surgical therapies combined with mechanical and chemical decontamination contributed to peri-implant tissue health.

Periodontitis and cytokine patterns in HIV positive patients.

OBJECTIVE: Oral and dental problems are common among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected individuals, particularly the periodontitis is common in HIV-infected subjects. AIM: To evaluate the cytokine patterns in HIV+ patients with periodontitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this study we analysed: HIV+ patients with and without periodontitis and HIV negative patients with and without periodontitis. The clinical periodontal evaluation was based on periodontal disease index and radiographic and clinical evidence of alveolar bone loss. The CD4- and CD8-T cell counts and the plasma viral load were measured. The Interferon (IFN)-gamma, Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF)-alpha, Interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-10 and IL-6 were evaluated by Cytometric Bead Array Assay and the IL-18 plasmatic levels were calculated by ELISA. RESULTS: The group of HIV+ with periodontitis shown levels of IL-2 and IL-18 statistically higher that the group of HIV+ without periodontitis. A positive correlation between the degree of the periodontitis and IFN-gamma, IL-2, IL-18 and CD8+ cells in the group of HIV+ with periodontitis has been shown. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study confirm that the IL-18, together with other cytokines, has a potential role in aetiopathogenesis of periodontitis in HIV+ patients.