Indian Society of Periodontology Good Clinical Practice Recommendations for Peri-implant Care.

Current implant therapy is a frequently employed treatment for individuals who have lost teeth, as it offers functional and biological advantages over old prostheses. Concurrently, active exploration of intervention strategies aims to prevent the progression of peri-implant diseases and manage the existing peri-implant tissue damage. Indian Society of Periodontology has recognized the need for systematic documents to update the everyday clinical practice of general dental practitioners and has provided evidence-based consensus documents, namely good clinical practice recommendations from time to time to raise the oral health-related awareness and standards of oral health-care delivery across the country. The current clinical practice recommendations focused on peri-implant care to bridge the gap between academic theory and clinical practice by compiling evidence-based suggestions for preventing and treating peri-implant diseases. Twenty-eight subject experts across the country prepared these recommendations after a thorough literature review and group discussions. The document has been prepared in three sections covering peri-implant health and maintenance, peri-implant mucositis, and peri-implantitis. It will be a quick and concise reference for oral implant practitioners in patient management. The guidelines provide distinct definitions, signs, and symptoms, treatment required; recall visit specifications for plausible clinical case situations, and home-care recommendations regarding maintaining peri-implant health. The document advocates combined efforts of oral implant practitioners and the population at large with evidence-based, integrated, and comprehensive peri-implant care. By providing accessible, applicable guidance, these guidelines would empower dental professionals to uphold the well-being of implant patients and ensure the long-term success of implant therapy.

Effectiveness of vestibular incision subperiosteal tunnel access technique: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Vestibular Incision Subperiosteal Tunnel Access (VISTA) root coverage technique has experienced a surge in popularity in recent times. The methodology employed in this study is characterized by its minimally invasive nature, utilizing a single incision. The primary objective of this systematic review was to assess the effectiveness of the VISTA approach for achieving root coverage. The protocol was registered with PROSPERO and included randomized controlled clinical trials where gingival recessions were managed with VISTA technique or its modifications. Among the total of 416 records, a mere 14 studies were initially deemed eligible for consideration. Ultimately, only eight pieces of research were included in the final analysis. There were six studies that exhibited heterogeneity, while two studies showed homogeneity and were therefore included in the meta-analysis. All of the studies considered in the analysis exhibited a moderate to low risk of bias. The majority of the research included in the analysis focused on selective root coverage outcome indicators, while neglecting to incorporate patient-reported outcome measures and patient experienced outcome measures. The VISTA procedure is commonly acknowledged as the most efficacious approach for managing gingival recession. The current literature provides support for the recommendation of the procedure, with evidence of intermediate certainty. The findings of this systematic review indicates that the available data are restricted due to several methodological limitations observed in the included studies. These limitations include, small sample sizes, selective reporting of outcomes, and very short follow-up periods.

Microsurgical approach for the management of gingival cleft: A case series and decision-making process.

BACKGROUND: Gingival clefts, once known as "Stillman's Cleft", now considered an obsolete phenomenon, cannot be neglected in clinical practice, especially when it is persistent and epithelialized. The attached gingiva and alveolar mucosa are composed of epithelial layers with subjacent connective tissue. Gingival clefts, notwithstanding their intrinsic differences, may exhibit keratinized or non-keratinized tissue. Coupled with additional risk factors, it can result in progressive attachment loss and gingival recession. METHODS: Two cases with three distinct types of gingival clefts were described. Case 1 was identified as having a 2 mm white cleft coupled with lack of attached gingiva, while Case 2 was described as having a 3 mm white and red cleft which were treated with gingival cleft approximation subsequent to connective tissue grafting, non-surgical periodontal therapy and cleft approximation, respectively. The diagnostic confirmation was verified using an operating microscope set at a magnification of 5×, while the subsequent surgical stages were carried out with a magnification of 8×. These treatments yielded complete elimination and closure of the gingival clefts in addition to increased width of attached gingiva and soft tissue phenotype in Case 1 where bilaminar approach was utilized. The three clefts were effectively addressed using an operating microscope for both non-surgical and surgical interventions in the cleft management. RESULTS: All the three clefts exhibited complete elimination and closure of the gingival cleft. At 3 years follow up, there was reduction of the probing depth (1 mm) and attachment gain (1 mm) in all the three clefts. There was increase in width of attached gingiva to 3 mm and increase in soft tissue thickness in Case 1, where connective tissue graft was utilized. As microsurgical treatment approach was employed, the patients did not manifest with any intra-operative or postoperative complications. The first case showed the presence of soft tissue bulk at the treated site warranting debulking at 12 months postoperatively. The stability of the width of attached gingiva was maintained over the course of the 3-year follow-up period. The use of a microsurgical method in these settings enhances the predictability of outcomes than a macrosurgical approach. CONCLUSIONS: The utilization of microsurgical techniques for the closure of gingival clefts allows for the accurate and meticulous insertion and placement of grafts, resulting in improved outcomes and enhanced aesthetic results. These techniques also minimize tissue trauma and postoperative discomfort. The treatment technique should be personalized to the individual's specific needs, considering factors such as type and extent of cleft, etiology and amount of attached gingiva. Nonetheless, microsurgical approaches for such cases are no more a discretion but an obligation. KEY POINTS: Identification of gingival cleft should not be overlooked during routine periodontal examination. Diagnosed gingival clefts should be observed for clinical changes after completion of Phase I therapy. Only "white" gingival clefts require definitive surgical treatment. Untreated clefts can lead to root sensitivity, root caries and marginal tissue recession.

Histological and whole-genome sequencing analysis of coronally advanced flap with connective tissue graft for the treatment of gingival recession-A case study.

BACKGROUND: Oral tissue morphogenesis is innately determined and genetically controlled by underlying connective tissue. The connective tissue graft (CTG) harvested from palatal donor sites originally retains "regional specificity" and is considered to be responsible for epithelial keratinization. METHODS: This case study presents histological and genomic outcomes of coronally advanced flap (CAF) with CTG for the management of marginal tissue recession (MTR). The tissue samples harvested at 12-month postoperative period, during the debulking procedure of the treated site were subjected to Masson's trichrome staining (MTS) and whole-genome sequencing (WGS). RESULTS: Clinically, the mean root coverage as compared to baseline at 6 months (90%), 12 months (95%), and 24 months (95%) postoperatively was achieved. Overbulking of treated site was evident even after 12 months. Nevertheless, clinically discernible alterations in epithelial keratinization were not present. Although MTS revealed areas of non-keratinization and para-keratinization, WGS revealed a significant expression of keratinization genes, neural crest, and positional marker genes. CONCLUSIONS: CAF with CTG is still considered the "gold standard" in treatment of MTR. The keratinization of overlying epithelium at sites hitherto where non-keratinized mucosa is advanced over CTG may not be complete even after 12 months. It is evident from the analysis of the reported case that clinically such sites may appear non-keratinized despite the expression of genes for keratinization. The complex interplay between genomic and phenotypic expressions serves as a foundation of biological concepts. Nevertheless, it is imperative to acknowledge that the phenotype of an organism is not solely determined by genetic expression and is often influenced by a complex interaction between genetic background and environmental factors. KEY SUMMARY: The connective tissue serves as a medium for transmitting the genetic code and exerting an influence on the properties of the overlying epithelial tissue. Concrete evidence implies connective tissue plays a significant role in influencing the keratinization process of the overlying epithelium. Epithelial keratinization following a coronally advanced flap with connective tissue graft is also governed by environmental factors in addition to inherent potential within the graft. Differences in gene expression profiles may vary from individuals, teeth and among sites.

Envelope coronally advanced flap with site-specific bilaminar acellular dermal matrix or connective tissue graft for management of multiple marginal tissue recessions: A retrospective analysis of cases.

BACKGROUND: A proper case selection and decision making is essential for management of multiple marginal tissue recessions (MTR) using a conventional or bilaminar approach. Coronally advanced flap (CAF) is one of the commonly used methods for management of MTR. CAF has been advocated in combination with soft tissue grafts as bilaminar technique, which had showed significant success in terms of root coverage. METHODS AND RESULTS: Aim of this case series was to retrospectively evaluate Zucchelli's modification of envelope CAF (eCAF) and site-specific bilaminar methods using Acellular Dermal Matrix (ADM) and Connective Tissue Graft (CTG) for management of MTR. A total of 15 subjects (five subjects/25 sites per technique, total number of sites = 75) who were managed by three different techniques with 12 months postoperative records were retrospectively evaluated. All patients showed significant clinical improvement in root coverage outcomes when compared to baseline. Mean root coverage achieved at 3 months (90%), 6 months (95%) and 12 months (95%) postoperatively did not reveal significant difference between three methods. Complete root coverage was observed in 86.6% of eCAF cases and in 86.6% and 95% of ADM/CTG with eCAF, respectively. There was an increase in width of keratinised tissue, both individually and collectively across all of the groups. CONCLUSION: Clinical outcomes suggested that bilaminar techniques should be used only in specific cases. Predictable results can be obtained without the use of a soft tissue graft or substitute if a careful treatment plan for technique selection is developed on an individual case-by-case basis. KEY POINTS: Why is this case new information? Comparison of site-specific bilaminar modalities with modified coronally advanced flap alone What are the keys to successful management of such cases? Flap advancement and mobilisation Flap passivity What are the primary limitations to success in such cases? Case selection Flap tension Soft tissue phenotype Thickness of graft Operator skills.

Pinhole Surgical Technique for treatment of marginal tissue recession: A case series.

The field of periodontal plastic surgery is always a subject of fascination for periodontists, and the importance of pink esthetics is gaining its pace. Preservation of what is existing is more important than its replacement. The same principle also applies to soft-tissue esthetic procedures thereby the concept of minimal surgical invasion came into existence. This article presents a series of five cases with 18 recession sites which were treated with a minimally invasive Pinhole Surgical Technique which resulted in overall root coverage of 96.7% after 6-month follow-up with minimal complications.

Carotid type of Eagle's syndrome.

Eyes don't see what mind does not know. It is important for a clinician to refresh his knowledge frequently to recognize some of the conditions that one may come across rarely no matter how insignificant the condition may seem. Especially in a dental outpatient department setting, individuals may complain of varied symptoms which the clinician, often tends to correlate to one of the oral diseases. We present a case of Eagle's syndrome with vague clinical presentation which could have easily gone undiagnosed if not for the application of simple diagnostic procedures and aids like Orthopantamogram (OPG).