Efficacy of communicating periodontal risk on psychological outcomes and supragingival plaque control in patients undergoing first periodontal consultation: A parallel-arm, randomized trial.

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of the PerioRisk prognostic tool in implementing the effect of motivational interviewing (MI) on psychological outcomes and supragingival plaque control. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Participants underwent MI immediately after their first periodontal visit. According to a parallel-arm, randomized study design, MI was performed with (RISK group) or without (CTR group) information on PerioRisk level and treatment goals based on PerioRisk output. Psychological outcomes were assessed using the Positive Affect Negative Affect Scale (PANAS) and Protection Motivation Theory (PMT). Plaque index (PI) was re-evaluated after 8-12 weeks. RESULTS: Significant improvements in PMT overall score and PI were observed in CTR and RISK groups, without inter-group difference in PANAS and PMT overall scores and PI. A sub-analysis showed that the overall PMT scores recorded immediately after MI in both CTR and RISK groups for subjects with no tooth loss due to periodontitis were higher than those recorded before MI in subjects with tooth loss due to periodontitis. CONCLUSIONS: At first periodontal visit, MI (implemented with without PerioRisk) has tangible effects on psychological outcomes and supragingival plaque control and seems to anticipate the awareness that is commonly generated by periodontitis-related tooth loss (ClinicalTrials.gov protocol registration ID: NCT05078411).

Minimal invasiveness in the surgical treatment of intraosseous defects: A systematic review.

The modern approach to regenerative treatment of periodontal intraosseous defects should aim at maximizing the clinical outcomes while minimizing the invasiveness (pain, complications, aesthetic impairment, chair time, and costs) of the procedure. The present systematic review evaluated the effect of flap design, regenerative technology, and perioperative and postoperative adjunctive protocols on invasiveness. Overall, the results of the 13 included trials indicate that: (a) the elevation of a single (buccal or lingual) flap positively influences the intensity of postoperative pain and improves the quality of early wound healing compared with double flaps; (b) while the adjunctive use of a membrane is associated with significantly longer surgery-related chair time and higher postoperative pain, the adjunctive use of enamel matrix derivative at sites receiving a graft significantly reduces postoperative pain; also, graft materials showed no significant impact on invasiveness; (c) open flap debridement performed through the elevation of a single flap may lead to substantial clinical improvements of the lesion with reduced surgery-related chair time and costs, thus representing a promising alternative to regenerative treatment. However, for such an approach, a histological evaluation of the nature of the reconstructed tissues is still lacking, and the presurgery conditions (eg, probing depth, defect severity, and defect morphology), which may benefit in terms of invasiveness, have not yet been defined; and (d) intraoperative and postoperative low-level laser biostimulation of the defect site may favorably modulate the postoperative course.

Accuracy and applicability of periodontitis risk assessment tools: A critical appraisal.

Currently, periodontal risk assessment finds application at first visit (to identify individuals at high risk of either disease incidence, if still healthy, or disease progression, if already diseased) as well as at patient monitoring after active treatment and enrolment in a supportive periodontal care program. Although the current case definition of periodontitis embeds a prognostic determination (ie, periodontitis grade) that showed a predictive value for periodontitis-related tooth loss, some limitations of periodontitis grade call for the implementation of different risk assessment tools in clinical practice. For some of these, significantly higher accuracy in predicting tooth loss during supportive periodontal care was reported compared with periodontitis grade. Validated periodontal risk assessment tools may be functional to obtain greater adherence to the suggested preventive and treatment protocols, improve oral hygiene performance, and tailor supportive periodontal care. Interestingly, periodontal risk can also be informative of the risk of peri-implantitis in patients programmed for implant placement or rehabilitated with dental implants. A critical appraisal on the rationale behind risk assessment and the balance between the advantages and limitations of exercising risk assessment in periodontology is presented.

Minimal invasiveness in the transcrestal elevation of the maxillary sinus floor: A systematic review.

In the attempt to reduce the invasiveness of a transcrestal sinus floor elevation procedure, different aspects must be considered; that is, the minimization of intra- and postsurgery morbidity, the reduction of treatment time, and the simplification/elimination of the reconstructive technology. Within this context, a systematic literature search was performed for controlled clinical trials evaluating the impact of one or more of these aspects on transcrestal sinus floor elevation invasiveness. Nineteen articles (15 studies) were included. Overall, the results confirmed that transcrestal sinus floor elevation is a minimally invasive and effective option for bone augmentation in the edentulous, atrophic posterior maxilla. By using powered instruments rather than manual osteotomes and hand mallet, the invasiveness of transcrestal sinus floor elevation can be further reduced without affecting its clinical effectiveness. To impact effectively on morbidity, the key elements to consider when selecting instruments for transcrestal sinus floor elevation are (a) their availability as a standardized sequence, to be adapted on predetermined residual bone height, and (b) the possibility to control pressure (eg, with screwable osteotomes) and/or instrument excursion (eg, with stop devices) to fracture the maxillary sinus floor. Among powered instruments, a standardized sequence of drills incorporating a trephine drill seem to be particularly indicated, due to reduced chair time, high tolerability for the patient, and the possibility to isolate a bone core to implement histomorphometric outcomes. At molar extraction sites with an interradicular septum characterized by a height of at least 4 mm, immediate transcrestal sinus floor elevation and implant placement can be considered a valid option to shorten treatment time.

Minimal invasiveness in lateral bone augmentation with simultaneous implant placement: A systematic review.

The presence of a peri-implant bone dehiscence (BD) or fenestration (BF) is a common finding after implant placement in a crest with a reduced bucco-lingual bone dimension. The presence of a residual BD is associated with a relevant incidence of peri-implant biological complications over time. Guided bone regeneration (GBR), performed at implant placement, is the most validated treatment to correct a BD. In the present systematic review, the evidence evaluating factors which could reduce the invasiveness of a GBR procedure with respect to patient-reported outcomes, intra- and post- surgical complications, was summarized. Factors included were: technical aspects, regenerative materials for GBR, and peri- and post-operative pharmacological regimens. The available evidence seems to indicate that the use of membrane fixation and flap passivation by means of a double flap incision technique may reduce the incidence of post-surgical complications. When feasible, the coronal advancement of the lingual flap is suggested. The use of a non-cross linked resorbable membrane positively impacts on patient discomfort. The adjunctive use of autogenous bone to a xenograft seems not to improve BD correction, but could increase patient discomfort. Systemic antibiotic administration after a GBR procedure does not seem to be justified in systemically healthy patients.

Six-year extension results of a randomized trial comparing transcrestal and lateral sinus floor elevation at sites with 3-6 mm of residual bone.

OBJECTIVES: To comparatively evaluate the 6-year outcomes of transcrestal and lateral sinus floor elevation (tSFE and lSFE, respectively). METHODS: The 54 patients representing the per-protocol population of a randomized trial comparing implant placement with simultaneous tSFE versus lSFE at sites with a residual bone height of 3-6 mm were invited to participate in the 6-year follow-up visit. Study assessments included: peri-implant marginal bone level at the mesial (mMBL) and distal (dMBL) aspects of the implant, proportion of the entire implant surface in direct contact with the radiopaque area (totCON%), probing depth, bleeding on probing, suppuration on probing, and modified plaque index. Also, the conditions of the peri-implant tissues at 6-year visit were diagnosed according to the case definitions of peri-implant health, mucositis, and peri-implantitis from the 2017 World Workshop. RESULTS: Forty-three patients (21 treated with tSFE and 22 treated with lSFE) participated in the 6-year visit. Implant survival was 100%. At 6 years, totCON% was 96% (IR: 88%-100%) in tSFE group and 100% (IR: 98%-100%) in lSFE group (p = .036). No significant intergroup difference in patient distribution according to the diagnosis of peri-implant health/disease was observed. Median dMBL was 0.3 mm in tSFE group and 0 mm in lSFE group (p = .024). CONCLUSIONS: At 6 years following placement concomitantly with tSFE and lSFE, implants showed similar conditions of peri-implant health. Peri-implant bone support was high in both groups and was slightly but significantly lower in tSFE group.

Efficacy of the additional use of subgingival air-polishing with erythritol powder in the treatment of periodontitis patients: a randomized controlled clinical trial. Part II: effect on sub-gingival microbiome.

OBJECTIVES: To date, scarce evidence exists around the application of subgingival air-polishing during treatment of severe periodontitis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect on the health-related and periodontitis-related subgingival microbiome of air-polishing during non-surgical treatment of deep bleeding pockets in stage III-IV periodontitis patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty patients with stage III-IV periodontitis were selected, and pockets with probing depth (PD) 5-9 mm and bleeding on probing were selected as experimental sites. All patients underwent a full-mouth session of erythritol powder supragingival air-polishing and ultrasonic instrumentation. Test group received additional subgingival air-polishing at experimental sites. Subgingival microbial samples were taken from the maxillary experimental site showing the deepest PD at baseline. Primary outcome of the first part of the present study was the 3-month change in the number of experimental sites. Additional analysis of periodontal pathogens and other sub-gingival plaque bacteria sampled at one experimental site at baseline and 3 months following treatment was performed through a real-time quantitative PCR microarray. RESULTS: In the test group, a statistical increase of some health-related species was observed (Abiotropha defectiva, Capnocytophaga sputigena, and Lautropia mirabilis), together with the decrease of pathogens such as of Actinomyces israelii, Catonella morbi, Filifactor alocis, Porphyromonas endodontalis, Sele-nomonas sputigena, Tannerella forsythia, Treponema denticola, and Treponema socranskii. In the control group, statistical significance was found only in the decrease of Filifactor alocis, Tannerella forsythia, and Treponema socranskii. CONCLUSIONS: The addition of erythritol-chlorhexidine powder seems to cause a shift of the periodontal micro-biome toward a more eubiotic condition compared to a conventional treatment. The study was registered on Clinical Trials.gov (NCT04264624). CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Subgingival air-polishing could help re-establishing a eubiotic microbioma in deep bleeding periodontal pockets after initial non-surgical treatment.

Peri-implant tissue conditions following transcrestal and lateral sinus floor elevation: 3-year results of a bi-center, randomized trial.

OBJECTIVES: The present study was performed to comparatively evaluate the peri-implant bone stability and conditions of marginal tissues at 3 years following transcrestal and lateral sinus floor elevation (tSFE and lSFE, respectively). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients included in a parallel-arm randomized trial comparatively evaluating tSFE and lSFE were recalled at 3 years post-surgery. Twenty-one and 24 patients in tSFE and lSFE groups, respectively, participated in the follow-up visit. Peri-implant bone support was evaluated as the proportion of the entire implant surface in direct contact with the radiopaque area (totCON%) on 3-year periapical radiographs. The conditions of the marginal peri-implant tissues at 3-year visit were classified as peri-implant health, peri-implant mucositis, or peri-implantitis. RESULTS: At 3 years, both groups showed an implant survival rate of 100%. Median totCON% was stable at 3 years, being 100% in both groups (p = 0.124). Peri-implant health and mucositis were diagnosed in 10 (47.6%) and 11 (52.4%) patients, respectively, in the tSFE group, and in 8 (33.3%) and 16 (66.7%) subjects, respectively, in the lSFE group (p = 0.502). CONCLUSIONS: At 3 years following surgery, implants placed concomitantly with tSFE and lSFE fully maintain peri-implant bone support. Peri-implant mucositis was the most prevalent condition, with a similar prevalence between groups. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Based on 3-year data on peri-implant bone support and prevalence of peri-implant diseases, the study suggests that tSFE and lSFE represent two equally valid options for the rehabilitation of the posterior maxilla. CLINICALTRIALS: gov ID: NCT02415946.

No benefit of an adjunctive phototherapy protocol in treatment of periodontitis: A split-mouth randomized controlled trial.

AIM: To assess the efficacy of a commercially available adjunctive phototherapy protocol ("Perio-1") in treatment of periodontitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In an examiner-blind, randomized, controlled, split-mouth, multicentre study, 60 periodontitis patients received root surface debridement (RSD) in sextants either alone (control sextants) or with the adjunctive phototherapy protocol (test sextants). Re-evaluation was performed at 6, 12 and 24 weeks. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences in mean (± standard deviation) clinical attachment level (CAL) change from baseline to week 24 were observed between test (-1.00 ± 1.16 mm) and control sextants (-0.87 ± 0.79 mm) at sites with probing pocket depths (PPDs) ≥5 mm ("deep sites") at baseline (p = .212). Comparisons between test and control sextants for all other parameters (CAL change at all sites, PPD change at deep sites/all sites, bleeding on probing, plaque scores), and for all change intervals, failed to identify any statistically significant differences. CONCLUSIONS: The phototherapy protocol did not provide any additional clinical benefits over those achieved by RSD alone. (German Clinical Trials Register DRKS00011229).

Single flap approach with or without enamel matrix derivative in the treatment of severe supraosseous defects: a retrospective study.

AIM: To comparatively evaluate the clinical effectiveness of the single flap approach (SFA) with and without enamel matrix derivative (EMD) in the treatment of supraosseous defects (SDs) associated with deep pockets. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty patients, each contributing one SD associated with a deep (≥ 6 mm) pocket and treated with buccal SFA either alone (SFA group; n = 10) or in combination with EMD (SFA+EMD group; n =10), were retrospectively selected. Clinical parameters (probing depth, PD; clinical attachment level, CAL; gingival recession, REC) had been assessed at pre-surgery and 12 months post-surgery. RESULTS: Complete wound closure was observed in 70% and 80% of defects treated with SFA and SFA+EMD, respectively. Treatments resulted in a significant PD reduction of 3.1±1.0 mm (p=0.005). In SFA+EMD group, 100% of closed pockets was obtained, while 90% of closed pockets was observed in SFA group. Both treatments resulted in a significant CAL gain of 2.1±0.9 mm and 1.9±1.7 mm in SFA and SFA+EMD group, respectively (p= 0.465). In both groups, REC significantly increased 1.0±1.1 mm in SFA group and 1.1±1.1 mm in SFA+EMD group (p= 0.722). CONCLUSIONS: Within their limits, the findings of present study suggest that SFA may represent a valuable option for the surgical treatment of SDs associated with deep pockets. EMD did not result in a significant clinical benefit to the procedure. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: SFA may represent a valuable option in obtaining pocket closure when treating SDs associated with deep residual pockets.

Tooth loss in complying and non-complying periodontitis patients with different periodontal risk levels during supportive periodontal care.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate yearly tooth loss rate (TLR) in periodontitis patients with different periodontal risk levels who had complied or not complied with supportive periodontal care (SPC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data from 168 periodontitis patients enrolled in a SPC program based on a 3-month suggested recall interval for at least 3.5 years were analyzed. For patients with a mean recall interval within 2-4 months ("compliers") or > 4 months ("non-compliers") with different PerioRisk levels (Trombelli et al. 2009), TLR (irrespective of the cause for tooth loss) was calculated. TLR values were considered in relation to meaningful TLR benchmarks from the literature for periodontitis patients either under SPC (0.15 teeth/year; positive benchmark) or irregularly complying with SPC (0.36 teeth/year; negative benchmark). RESULTS: In both compliers and non-compliers, TLR was significantly below or similar to the positive benchmark in PerioRisk level 3 (0.08 and 0.03 teeth/year, respectively) and PerioRisk level 4 (0.12 and 0.18 teeth/year, respectively). Although marked and clinically relevant in non-compliers, the difference between TLR of compliers (0.32 teeth/year) and non-compliers (0.52 teeth/year) with PerioRisk level 5 and the negative benchmark was not significant. CONCLUSION: A SPC protocol based on a 3- to 6-month recall interval may effectively limit long-term tooth loss in periodontitis patients with PerioRisk levels 3 and 4. A fully complied 3-month SPC protocol seems ineffective when applied to PerioRisk level 5 patients. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: PerioRisk seems to represent a valid tool to inform the SPC recall interval as well as the intensity of active treatment prior to SPC enrollment.

Efficacy of the additional use of subgingival air polishing with erythritol powder in the treatment of periodontitis patients: a randomized controlled clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES: To date, scarce evidence exists around the application of subgingival air polishing during treatment of severe periodontitis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the benefits of subgingival air polishing during non-surgical treatment of deep bleeding pockets in stages III-IV periodontitis patients MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty patients with stages III-IV periodontitis were selected, and pockets with probing depth (PD) 5-9 mm and bleeding on probing (BoP) were selected as experimental sites. All patients underwent a full-mouth session of erythritol powder supragingival air polishing and ultrasonic instrumentation. Test group received additional subgingival air polishing at experimental sites. The proportion of experimental sites shifting to PD ≤ 4 mm and no BoP at 3 months (i.e., non-bleeding closed pockets, NBCPs) was regarded as the primary outcome variable. RESULTS: The proportion of NBCP was comparable between test and control group (47.9 and 44.7%, respectively). Baseline PD of 7-9 mm, multi-rooted teeth and the presence of plaque negatively influenced the probability of obtaining NBCP. CONCLUSIONS: The additional application of subgingival air polishing does not seem to provide any significant clinical advantage in achieving closure at moderate to deep bleeding pockets in treatment of stages III-IV periodontitis patients. The study was registered on Clinical Trials.gov (NCT04264624). CLINICAL RELEVANCE: While air polishing can play a role in biofilm removal at supragingival and shallow sites, ultrasonic root surface debridement alone is still the choice for initial treatment of deep bleeding periodontal pockets.

What periodontal recall interval is supported by evidence?

Recall sessions are an integral part of supportive periodontal therapy. The aim of the current article is to review the existing evidence to support if and to what extent a predefined frequency of periodontal recall sessions ensures periodontal health and stability. Factors that potentially affect the time interval for recall are described. Moreover, original data on the relevance of residual diseased sites (ie, bleeding pockets) at patient level to predict the progression of periodontitis are presented. Overall, wide heterogeneity was found in the published literature with regards to the proposed supportive periodontal therapy recall frequency once active periodontal therapy has been completed. Available data clearly show that a primary and secondary preventive regimen based on routine supportive periodontal therapy is beneficial to preserve a periodontally healthy dentition and prevent tooth loss. However, convincing evidence regarding the appropriateness, risk-benefit, and cost-effectiveness of different recall intervals is currently scarce. In patients affected by moderate to advanced periodontitis, a supportive periodontal therapy protocol based on a 2-4 month recall interval appears reasonable. Limited data suggest that the amount/proportion of residual diseased sites (intended as pockets or bleeding pockets) and risk assessment tools may be of value in establishing the appropriate recall frequency.

Efficacy of alternative or additional methods to professional mechanical plaque removal during supportive periodontal therapy: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

AIMS: To systematically review the literature addressing the following focused questions: "What is the efficacy of either (#1) alternative or (#2) additional methods to professional mechanical plaque removal (PMPR) on progression of attachment loss during supportive periodontal therapy (SPT) in periodontitis patients?". METHODS: A systematic search for randomized clinical trials was performed. Change in clinical attachment level (CAL) from baseline was the primary outcome. RESULTS: Routine PMPR performed with either a combination of ultrasonic/hand instruments or Er:Yag laser showed similarly effective in preventing CAL loss. Moreover, a routine SPT regimen based on PMPR led to stability of CAL irrespective of a daily sub-antimicrobial doxycycline dose (SDD). Finally, an adjunctive photodynamic therapy (PDT) did not enhance the magnitude of CAL gain when sites with probing depth ≥4 mm were repeatedly treated. After pooling all data, the results of the meta-analysis showed no statistical differences in CAL change from baseline: mean overall CAL change was -0.233 mm (95% confidence interval: -1.065, 0.598; p = .351). CONCLUSIONS: Weak evidence indicate that in treated periodontitis patients enrolled in a 3-4 month SPT based on PMPR, Er:Yag laser (as alternative), SDD and PDT (as additional) do not produce a greater clinical effect on periodontal conditions compared to PMPR.

Peri-implant tissue conditions at implants treated with Sub-periosteal Peri-implant Augmented Layer technique: A retrospective case series.

OBJECTIVES: To assess peri-implant tissue conditions on the short term in patients receiving the Sub-periosteal Peri-implant Augmented Layer (SPAL) technique and in patients with adequate thickness (≥2 mm) of the peri-implant buccal bone plate (PBBP) at placement. METHODS: Patients where either a dehiscence defect or thin PBBP at implant placement was corrected by SPAL technique (SPALdehiscence and SPALthin groups, respectively) and patients presenting a residual PBBP thickness ≥2 mm at implant placement (control group) were retrospectively selected. The number of peri-implant sites positive to bleeding on probing (BoP) at 6 months following prosthetic loading was the primary outcome. Also, height of keratinized mucosa, marginal soft tissue level, Plaque Index, peri-implant probing depth, suppuration on probing, and interproximal radiographic bone level (RBL) were evaluated. RESULTS: Thirty-four patients (11 in the SPALdehiscence group, 11 in the SPALthin group, and 12 in the control group) were included. In each SPAL group, 10 patients (90.9%) showed peri-implant tissue thickness ≥2 mm at the most coronal portion of the implant at uncovering. The prevalence (number) of BoP-positive sites was 2, 1, and 0 in the SPALdehiscence , SPALthin , and control groups, respectively. RBL amounted to 0.3 mm in the SPALdehiscence group, 0.2 mm in the SPALthin group, and 0 mm in the control group. CONCLUSION: After 6 months of prosthetic loading, patients treated with SPAL technique show limited peri-implant mucosal inflammation in association with shallow PD and adequate KM. At implants receiving SPAL technique, however, interproximal RBL was found apical to its ideal position.

The impact of graft remodeling on peri-implant bone support at implants placed concomitantly with transcrestal sinus floor elevation: A multicenter, retrospective case series.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the impact on peri-implant bone support (as assessed on periapical radiographs) of the remodeling dynamics of varying graft biomaterials used for transcrestal sinus floor elevation (tSFE). METHODS: The study is a multicenter, retrospective series of cases undergone tSFE (performed according to the Smart Lift technique) and concomitant implant placement. At operator's discretion, tSFE was performed with bone core (BC) alone or supplemented by deproteinized bovine or porcine bone mineral (DBBM and DPBM, respectively), synthetic hydroxyapatite in a collagen matrix (S-HA), or ß-tricalcium phosphate (ß-TCP). Immediately after surgery, at 6-12 months post-surgery, and at later (≥24 months) follow-up intervals, the percentage proportion of the implant surface in direct contact with the radiopaque area was calculated for the entire implant surface (totCON%). Also, the height of the graft apical to the implant apex (aGH) was assessed. RESULTS: At 6-12 months following tSFE, median totCON% was 100%, with a median aGH of 1.4 mm. A tendency of aGH to decrease in height was observed at later follow-up intervals for sites treated with all grafting procedures. In all treatment groups, the majority of the implant surface was still surrounded by the radiopaque area at the longest follow-up visits. CONCLUSIONS: Although the height of the peri-implant radiopaque area apical to the implant apex tends to reduce overtime at sites which have received tSFE, the peri-implant bone support seems to be maintained long term irrespective of the graft material used.

Radiographic outcomes of transcrestal and lateral sinus floor elevation: One-year results of a bi-center, parallel-arm randomized trial.

OBJECTIVES: To comparatively evaluate the radiographic outcomes of transcrestal and lateral sinus floor elevation (tSFE and lSFE, respectively) when applied concomitantly with implant placement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with at least 1 edentulous site with residual bone height (RBH) of 3-6 mm were enrolled in a bi-center, parallel-arm, randomized trial. Both tSFE and lSFE were associated with a bovine-derived xenograft, and implants were inserted concomitantly. In lSFE group, the antrostomy was covered with a resorbable collagen membrane. Marginal bone loss and the maturation of the grafted area were evaluated on periapical radiographs at 6 and 12 months. Twelve-month CT/CBCT was used to assess the effect of grafting procedures circumferentially around the implant. A per-protocol analysis was performed. RESULTS: The per-protocol study population consisted of 26 patients in the tSFE group and 28 patients in the lSFE group. At 12 months, the median proportion of the implant surface in contact with the peri-implant radiopaque area was 100% in both groups, with no significant inter-group difference. Suboptimal bone-to-implant contact was observed in 13% and 3.6% of tSFE and lSFE cases, respectively. In both groups, marginal bone loss was minimal (≤1 mm) and infrequent, and the radiographic aspect was suggestive of an advanced stage of maturation. CONCLUSIONS: At sites with RBH of 3-6 mm where implants are placed concomitantly with sinus floor elevation, tSFE and lSFE are both highly predictable in obtaining an implant surface completely embedded in a radiopaque area at 12 months post-surgery. (ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT02415946).

Simplified procedures to treat periodontal intraosseous defects in esthetic areas.

Successful treatment of deep intraosseous defects in esthetic areas implies clinical improvement of the lesion consistent with long-term tooth survival as well as the preservation (or improvement) of esthetics. It is hoped that such treatment end points may be reached through procedures (which we have termed as 'simplified') that, on the one hand can be easily and successfully applied by the majority of clinicians, and, on the other hand, are well tolerated by patients in terms of postsurgical pain and discomfort, adverse events and cost. In this review, we describe the technical aspects of the simplified procedures currently available (i.e. nonsurgical therapy and the single flap approach and its variants). Also, we analyze the effect of such procedures on clinical parameters and patient-centered outcomes. While nonsurgical therapy seems to be appropriate per se in lesions with a probing depth of < 7 mm and a limited intraosseous component, severe intraosseous defects can be successfully treated using simplified surgical procedures. Overall, data support the effectiveness of simplified surgical procedures and indicate that they result in minimal esthetic impairment (i.e. post-treatment recession) and a more tolerable postoperative course when compared with conventional surgical (double flap) approaches. In particular, the single flap approach was shown to be at least as effective as traditional papilla-preservation techniques when evaluated either as a stand-alone protocol or in combination with regenerative devices. Bioactive agents have shown the most appropriate regenerative technology when used in association with simplified surgical procedures.

Plaque-induced gingivitis: Case definition and diagnostic considerations.

OBJECTIVE: Clinical gingival inflammation is a well-defined site-specific condition for which several measurement systems have been proposed and validated, and epidemiological studies consistently indicate its high prevalence globally. However, it is clear that defining and grading a gingival inflammatory condition at a site level (i.e. a "gingivitis site") is completely different from defining and grading a "gingivitis case" (GC) (i.e. a patient affected by gingivitis), and that a "gingivitis site" does not necessarily mean a "GC". The purpose of the present review is to summarize the evidence on clinical, biochemical, microbiologic, genetic markers as well as symptoms associated with plaque-induced gingivitis and to propose a set of criteria to define GC. IMPORTANCE: A universally accepted case definition for gingivitis would provide the necessary information to enable oral health professionals to assess the effectiveness of their prevention strategies and treatment regimens; help set priorities for therapeutic actions/programs by health care providers; and undertake surveillance. FINDINGS: Based on available methods to assess gingival inflammation, GC could be simply, objectively and accurately identified and graded using bleeding on probing score (BOP%) CONCLUSIONS: A patient with intact periodontium would be diagnosed as a GC according to a BOP score ≥ 10%, further classified as localized (BOP score ≥ 10% and ≤30%) or generalized (BOP score > 30%). The proposed classification may also apply to patients with a reduced periodontium, where a GC would characterize a patient with attachment loss and BOP score ≥ 10%, but without BOP in any site probing ≥4 mm in depth.

Morbidity following transcrestal and lateral sinus floor elevation: A randomized trial.

AIM: To comparatively evaluate the morbidity following maxillary sinus floor elevation according to either transcrestal (tSFE) or lateral (lSFE) approach with concomitant implant placement. MATERIALS & METHODS: Patients with ≥1 edentulous maxillary posterior site with residual bone height (RBH) of 3-6 mm were enrolled. tSFE was performed in association with a xenograft and a collagen matrix. For lSFE, the sinus was grafted with the xenograft, and the antrostomy was covered with a membrane. Implants were inserted concomitantly. The postoperative course was assessed through questionnaires. Pain level (VASpain ) was recorded using a 100-mm visual analogue scale. RESULTS: Twenty-nine and 28 patients were included in tSFE and lSFE group, respectively. On the day of surgery, VASpain was significantly higher for tSFE compared to lSFE, and similar from day 1 to 14. tSFE was characterized by significantly lower incidence of swelling, bruising and nasal discharge/bleeding. Significantly less severe limitation in swallowing, continuing daily activities, eating, speaking, opening the mouth and going to school/work was found for tSFE only at specific postsurgery intervals. CONCLUSIONS: lSFE was associated with lower pain on the day of surgery, and tSFE revealed lower postoperative morbidity as well as more tolerable postoperative course.