Osteogenic capacity of the sinus membrane following maxillary sinus augmentation procedures: A systematic review.

PURPOSE: The evidence pertaining to the contribution of the sinus membrane to new bone formation following maxillary sinus augmentation procedures is equivocal. The purpose of this study was to analyse the evidence currently available on the osteogenic capacity of the sinus membrane following maxillary sinus augmentation procedures, and the effect of local delivery of recombinant human bone morphogenic proteins (rhBMPs) on the bone-forming potential of the sinus membrane. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An electronic search was conducted using six different databases to identify controlled trials, prospective and retrospective cohort studies, case series and case reports, as well as preclinical (animal) studies reporting on new bone formation in close proximity with the sinus membrane after maxillary sinus augmentation procedures, assessed through histological and/or histomorphometrical evaluation, on the basis of pre-established eligibility criteria. RESULTS: No clinical studies were identified. Twenty-six preclinical studies were included in the review. Nine of them supported the osteogenic potential of the sinus membrane, while eight reported no evidence of osteogenicity from the sinus membrane. The nine remaining studies reported on the local effect of rhBMPs. The majority of these nine studies reported enhanced new bone formation in the sinus membrane region. CONCLUSIONS: The sinus membrane contains pluripotent mesenchymal cells with the capacity to differentiate and participate in the process of new bone formation. However, the findings from the studies selected in this systematic review do not consistently support that the sinus membrane significantly contributes to new bone formation following maxillary sinus augmentation procedures.

Effect of different concentrations of commercially available mouthwashes on wound healing following periodontal surgery: a randomized controlled clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of chlorhexidine and essential oils containing mouth rinses on oral wound healing after periodontal flap surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty subjects participated in the study and were randomly assigned to use water, 0.12% chlorhexidine (CHX), essential oils (EO), 5% CHX, and 10% EO. Subjects were examined at 1, 2, and 3 weeks postoperatively. Plaque index (PI) and the modified gingival index (GI) were recorded, while wound epithelialization was measured to evaluate the healing process. Numerical data were analyzed with parametric test for multiple comparisons (ANOVA) with Bonferroni correction. Categorical data were analyzed using Chi-square test/fisher exact test. RESULTS: All groups demonstrated a gradual GI reduction from first to third visit. Patients in the CHX group presented statistically significant lower PI scores than patients in the water group at the all-time points of the study. Wound epithelialization analysis demonstrated that 100% of the sites in the CHX group were healing by secondary intention at visit 1. This finding was statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Full strength concentrations of CHX and EO did not show any detrimental effects on healing after traditional periodontal surgery at the end of the observation period. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The use of chlorhexidine and EO containing mouthwashes does not appear to delay wound healing. Diluting these commercial mouthwashes may present an approach that could possibly reduce the adverse effects (such as tooth staining) associated with their use, while maintaining their antibacterial properties.

Dental Students' Exposure to Periodontal and Implant Placement Surgeries in U.S. Dental Schools.

The aim of this study was to assess nationwide trends in the exposure of dental students to periodontal and implant surgical procedures and to evaluate the potential factors that influence these clinical experiences. A 19-item questionnaire was sent to all 64 directors of predoctoral periodontics in U.S. dental schools. In addition to gathering information on the percentage of students who perform surgical periodontics or implant placement procedures in each program, data on student research groups, periodontics residency programs, and periodontics faculty practices were collected. A total of 33 responses were received, for a response rate of 51.5%. Among the responding institutions, 97% and 45.5% allowed dental students to perform periodontal and dental implant placement surgeries, respectively, although only 26.4% and 15.2% of the dental class ended up performing periodontal and dental implant placement surgeries, respectively. Crown lengthening was the most commonly reported (84.8%) periodontal surgical procedure performed by dental students. A negative correlation was found between the presence of a periodontics residency program and dental students' placing dental implants, while the size of the residency program positively correlated with dental students' placing dental implants. Overall, a wide variation in the exposure of dental students to periodontal and dental implant placement surgical experiences was found. Future surveys should assess clinical procedures performed in other special-ties to gain a broader picture of the experience students are gaining in these areas.

Plasma rich in growth factors (PRGF) in intraoral bone grafting procedures: A systematic review.

PURPOSE: This systematic review aimed at assessing the effects of PRGF in new bone formation, soft tissue healing and post-operative pain and swelling in sites that underwent ridge preservation, ridge augmentation and maxillary sinus augmentation procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A comprehensive literature search employing seven databases was conducted by two independent reviewers. Only randomized and non-randomized controlled clinical trials using PRGF alone or in combination with bone grafting materials were selected. RESULTS: Overall, 919 studies were identified, of which a total of 8 articles were included in the qualitative analysis. Two of the selected studies reported on ridge preservation, one on ridge augmentation and five on maxillary sinus augmentation. Positive results were recorded for soft tissue healing and post-operative pain and swelling following these procedures. However, outcomes of PRGF on new bone formation post extraction and on maxillary sinus augmentation when combined with other biomaterials were conflicting. Meta-analysis could not be conducted for any variables due to the heterogeneity of selected studies. CONCLUSION: Limited evidence exists on the effects of PRGF in different intraoral bone grafting procedures, with some benefit reported on soft tissue healing and post-operative symptomatology. As this platelet concentrate is commonly used in clinical practice, further research is needed to fully assess its clinical indications and effectiveness.