Root surface alterations following manual and mechanical scaling: A comparative study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the morphological and surface roughness changes in dental root samples following periodontal scaling by hand curette, piezoelectric ultrasonic devices or a combination of these. METHODS: Twenty-four monoradicular teeth extracted as a result of periodontal disease were divided into 4 groups: Group A was treated by piezoelectric ultrasonic scaler Piezon® Master 400; Group P by piezoelectric ultrasonic scaler PiezoSmart® ; Group C using Gracey curette 7/8; Group AC by a combined technique of piezoelectric ultrasonic scaler Piezon® Master 400 and Gracey curette 7/8. The treated samples were then analysed using a white light interferometer and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). RESULTS: Roughness analysis revealed major surface alterations in Group C (Sa  = 24.98 µm); the samples treated using the combined technique (Group AC) showed reduced but still significant alteration (Sa  = 14.48 µm), while samples treated with the piezoelectric ultrasonic devices (Group A and Group P) presented the lowest roughness values (Sa  = 8.99 and Sa  = 4.45 µm, respectively). A significant difference was found between groups C and P (P = 0.036). SEM analysis confirmed the roughness analysis revealing non-homogeneous surfaces in Group C, while a less morphological alteration was noted in the other groups. CONCLUSION: All periodontal devices used in this in vitro study produced a certain degree of surface alteration. Hand curettes appear to have a major impact on surface integrity compared with piezoelectric ultrasonic devices.

Bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaws (Bronj)

Bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaws (BRONJ) is an extremely therapy resistant osteomyelitis-like disease exclusively involving the jaw bones of patients in treatment with bisphosphonates (BPs) OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the radiological and clinical findings and management of 51 patients with BRONJ diagnosed from 2004 to 2009 in our Reference Center. STUDY DESIGN:A prospective study was performed. The patients were examined every 2-6 months, depending on their clinical conditions. Positive outcome variables were the resolution of symptoms, persistence of bone exposure and /or fistula and the status of the lesional mucosa. RESULTS: The higher prevalence of the disease was noted in 2006 and 2007 and at the time of diagnosis 90% of patients had been treated with iv BPs. The main precipitating event leading to BRONJ was an invasive dental procedure in 61% of patients while no traumatic event could be identified in 16% of patients. The median time of follow-up was 19 months (range: 2-57), during which 31% of patients healed and 39% succumbed. In 78% of patients the therapy was medical, in 16% it consisted in surgical deep curettage and only in 6% it was necessary to perform an osteotomy to avoid a mandibular pathological fracture. All the patients in treatment with oral BPs healed from BRONJ with a median time of conservative treatment of 19 months. CONCLUSIONS: Prevention has lead to a progressive reduction in the prevalence of BRONJ. In our experience medical treatment is often sufficient to keep the disease under control and to lead to the healing of the lesions by spontaneous loss of the sequestrum. This approach seems to be very effective in patients who were in treatment with oral Bps preparations; BRONJ seems to have a more benign clinical behaviour in these patients (AU)

Effect of antenatal treatment of maternal periodontitis on early childhood neurodevelopment.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if antenatal treatment of maternal periodontitis affects early childhood neurodevelopment. STUDY DESIGN: We evaluated neurodevelopment of 331 24-month-old children born to women who participated in a randomized trial of antenatal (167) or postpartum (164) treatment of periodontitis. Children within groups defined by maternal treatment were designated as high risk for abnormal neurodevelopment (n = 96; birth at ≤34(6)/7 weeks' gestation or small for gestational age following birth at term) or low risk (n = 235; appropriate birth weight and ≥37 weeks' gestation). We measured neurodevelopment using the Bayley Scale of Infant and Toddler Development III (BSID III) and neurological examination. Treatment effect was analyzed using a chi-square or Fisher exact test. Between-group mean scores were compared using Student t test. RESULTS: There were no differences in the incidence of neuromotor or sensory (visual or hearing) impairment or scores on the BSID III between groups. Low-risk children in the antenatal treatment group had higher language scores than those in the postpartum treatment group (92.9 versus 89.2; p = 0.05). CONCLUSION: Antenatal treatment of maternal periodontitis does not appear to affect neurodevelopment at 24 months of age. The slight improvement in language development in low-risk children may be an artifact or not clinically relevant.

Treatment of chronic periodontitis decreases serum prohepcidin levels in patients with chronic kidney disease.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the impact of periodontal treatment on serum levels of prohepcidin (the prohormone of hepcidin) and systemic inflammation markers, as well as correlations among these markers, in patients with chronic periodontitis and chronic kidney disease who were not undergoing dialysis. METHODS: We included 56 chronic periodontitis patients, 36 with chronic kidney disease and 20 without systemic diseases and with normal renal function (control group). Chronic kidney disease was defined as suggested by the clinical practice guidelines in the National Kidney Foundation. Chronic periodontitis was defined through clinical attachment level and by probing pocket depth, according to the American Association of Periodontology. The inflammatory markers ultrasensitive C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, and prohepcidin were evaluated before and 3 months after periodontal treatment. RESULTS: The efficacy of periodontal treatment was confirmed by the improvement in clinical parameters of chronic periodontitis in the control and chronic kidney disease groups. Periodontal treatment resulted in significant reductions in ultrasensitive C-reactive protein, interleukin-6 and serum prohepcidin levels in both groups. Moreover, in multivariate linear regression, the reduction in prohepcidin after periodontal treatment was significantly and independently associated with interleukin-6 levels in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: By inducing a decline in the systemic inflammatory response and a decrease in serum prohepcidin, successful periodontal treatment may represent an important means of ameliorating the inflammatory burden seen in patients with chronic kidney disease. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN59866656.

Prevalence of periodontitis and optimal timing of dental treatment in patients undergoing heart valve surgery.

We investigated the prevalence, risk factors, and optimal timing of treatment for advanced periodontitis in patients undergoing elective heart valve surgery. Dental examinations were given to 209 patients (aged 65 ± 10 years) scheduled for valve surgery. Patients with no or mild periodontitis were assigned as controls (n = 105). Patients with advanced periodontitis underwent tooth extraction and curettage (n = 104), 68 of whom underwent tooth extraction within two weeks (short wait) and 36 of whom underwent extraction longer than two weeks, before surgery. The three groups (control, short, and long wait) were similar in age, gender, diseased valve, and type of surgery received. The average number of teeth extracted was 2.3 ± 2.3. In both univariate and multivariate analysis, risk factors for advanced periodontitis were history of smoking and heart failure. No complications arose from the extractions. Length of postoperative hospital stay, intrafebrile days, white blood cell count and serum C-reactive protein (assessed at postoperative days 1, 3 and 7) were similar among the three groups. During the mean follow-up period of 60 ± 16 months, no patient developed prosthetic valve endocarditis, and there were no postoperative deaths. In conclusion, we found no evidence that receipt and timing of dental treatment affected surgical success rates and postoperative course.

Treatment of chronic periodontitis decreases serum prohepcidin levels in patients with chronic kidney disease

OBJECTIVE: To determine the impact of periodontal treatment on serum levels of prohepcidin (the prohormone of hepcidin) and systemic inflammation markers, as well as correlations among these markers, in patients with chronic periodontitis and chronic kidney disease who were not undergoing dialysis. METHODS: We included 56 chronic periodontitis patients, 36 with chronic kidney disease and 20 without systemic diseases and with normal renal function (control group). Chronic kidney disease was defined as suggested by the clinical practice guidelines in the National Kidney Foundation. Chronic periodontitis was defined through clinical attachment level and by probing pocket depth, according to the American Association of Periodontology. The inflammatory markers ultrasensitive C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, and prohepcidin were evaluated before and 3 months after periodontal treatment. RESULTS: The efficacy of periodontal treatment was confirmed by the improvement in clinical parameters of chronic periodontitis in the control and chronic kidney disease groups. Periodontal treatment resulted in significant reductions in ultrasensitive C-reactive protein, interleukin-6 and serum prohepcidin levels in both groups. Moreover, in multivariate linear regression, the reduction in prohepcidin after periodontal treatment was significantly and independently associated with interleukin-6 levels in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: By inducing a decline in the systemic inflammatory response and a decrease in serum prohepcidin, successful periodontal treatment may represent an important means of ameliorating the inflammatory burden seen in patients with chronic kidney disease.

Patients' perception of pain during ultrasonic debridement: a comparison between piezoelectric and magnetostrictive scalers.

PURPOSE: To compare patients' perception of discomfort, vibration and noise levels between piezoelectric and the magnetostrictive ultrasonic units during periodontal debridement. METHODS: Periodontal debridement was performed on 75 subjects using a split-mouth design. Two quadrants on the same side were instrumented with a piezoelectric ultrasonic device (EMS Swiss Mini Master® Piezon) and the remaining 2 quadrants were instrumented with a magnetostrictive ultrasonic device (Dentsply Cavitron® SPS™). Subjects marked between 0 and 100 along a visual analog scale (VAS) for each of the 3 variables immediately after treatment of each half of the dentition. Scores of the VAS were compared using a nonparametric test for paired data, the Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test. The level of significance was set at p<0.05. Descriptive statistics included the median and the first and third quartiles as a measure of variation. RESULTS: Mean scores for patient discomfort and vibration were greater for the magnetostrictive device at p=0.007 and p=0.032, respectively. The scores for noise level between the 2 ultrasonic types were almost equal. CONCLUSION: The results show that, on average, patients in this study prefer instrumentation with the piezoelectric as it relates to awareness of associated discomfort and vibration. The results of this study may assist the clinician in the decision over which ultrasonic device may prove more beneficial in decreasing patient discomfort and increasing patient compliance.

Distribution of Porphyromonas gingivalis fimA genotypes in isolates from subgingival plaque and blood sample during bacteremia.

INTRODUCTION: Porphyromonas gingivalis is considered as a major etiological agent in the onset and progression of chronic destructive periodontitis. Porphyromonus gingivalis fimA type has been correlated to the virulence potential of the strain; therefore this gene could be involved in the ability of P. gingivalis to reach blood stream. OBJECTIVE: The classifications of P. gingivalis fimA types will be compared in subgingival plaque and blood samples collected after scaling and root root planing of periodontitis patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifteen periodontitis patients requiring scaling and root planing were enrolled. P. gingivalis isolates were classed to genotype with fimA type-specific PCR assay. fimA gene was sequenced if the isolate was listed as unclassifiable after PCR technique. RESULTS: Six patients showed positive P. gingivalis bacteremia. The most frequent fimA was fimA type II, followed by Ib, III and IV. In blood strains, type II was followed by IV, Ib and III. CONCLUSION: Type II was the most frequent genotype in blood samples and in subgingival plaque samples. However, no correlation was found between the frequency of any fimA type with SRP induced bacteremia. P. gingivalis fimA type appears to be conserved within individual patients throughout the times of sample collection, fimA gene sequence results were not in agreement with results of fimA genotyping by PCR.

A comparative study between different techniques in non-surgical periodontal treatment.

AIM: This study was carried out to compare a conventional manual instrumentation with an ultrasonic technique (Odontoson M) in scaling and root planing periodontal treatment. The effects of subgingival irrigation with 10% iodised solution in association with Odontoson M were studied. METHODS: Sixty patients were selected: they were suffering from adult periodontitis, aged between 35 and 65 and non-smokers. They were randomly divided into 3 groups (Gs1, Gs2, Gs3). Gs1 was treated with curettage using Gracey curettes, Gs2 was treated with scaling and root planing using Odontoson M, while in Gs3 scaling and root planing with Odontoson M irrigated with a 10% iodised solution were performed. Clinical parameters (probing depth, bleeding on probing, dental mobility, loss of attachment level) were measured before treatment (T0), after 30 days (T1), after 90 days (T2) and after 120 days (T3). RESULTS: No statistical significant differences between Gs1 and Gs2 were observed. The improvement of clinical parameters in Gs3 was greater and statistical significant differences with other groups treated were recorded. CONCLUSIONS: There are no significant differences between the effectiveness of scaling and root planing with manual instruments and with Odontoson M. The 10% iodised solution used such as topic antiseptic carries out greater effects in not surgical periodontal treatments.

Microbial shifts after subgingival debridement and formation of bacterial resistance when combined with local or systemic antimicrobials.

Antibiotics have played a major role in the improvement of life expectancy in the last 50 years and have led many to believe that bacterial infections were about to vanish as a disease entity of any importance. Emerging problems resulting from a widespread use of antibiotics have modified the general perception of the capabilities of antimicrobial agents. Over the years, bacteria have become increasingly resistant to formerly potent antimicrobial agents, including some antiseptics. The use of antimicrobials may also disturb the delicate ecological equilibrium of the body, allowing the proliferation of resistant bacteria or non-bacterial micro-organisms. This shift may initiate new infections that are worse than the ones originally treated. No antimicrobial drug is absolutely non-toxic and the use of an agent carries accompanying risks. This paper discusses the development and occurrence of antimicrobial resistance in the subgingival flora towards antiseptics and local or systemic antibiotics and is focussed on the question: how can the outcome of periodontal therapy with/without antimicrobials be improved?

Laser curettage: where do we stand?

The literature suggests that curettage has no benefit beyond traditional scaling and root planing. However, claims abound as to the benefits of curettage with the laser, including less postoperative pain, less bleeding, and reduction in microbial count. This paper explores whether any of these claims are true and whether laser curettage has any benefit in periodontal treatment.

Pain experienced by patients during periodontal maintenance treatment.

BACKGROUND: The aims of this study were to assess the degree of pain experienced by patients during probing and debridement and to determine whether the pain responses could be predicted by the patient's age, gender, percentage of sites > or = 4 mm deep, and responses to a questionnaire on dental anxiety. METHODS: Prior to the maintenance procedures, 26 adult patients completed an anxiety questionnaire. Subsequently, measurements of probing depths were performed. The patients activated a tallying device at each probe entry that evoked pain (pain frequency). Pain levels for each quadrant were also assessed with a visual analog scale (VAS). Following probing, the same protocol was repeated during instrumentation (debridement). RESULTS: Most patients showed low pain responses to both probing and instrumentation as evaluated by both methods of measurement. However, using arbitrary thresholds of pain frequency > or = 50% and VAS > or = 40 mm, approximately 15% of the patients had a painful experience. Stepwise multiple regression analyses disclosed that significant portions of the pain levels could be predicted by gender and the patients' answers to 2 of the dental anxiety questions. CONCLUSIONS: Recognition of patients who are likely to experience pain during periodontal treatment can be facilitated by the use of 2 questions on dental anxiety and the VAS response to probing during examination.

Some effects of enamel matrix proteins on wound healing in the dento-gingival region.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to evaluate by clinical means the effect of enamel matrix proteins on the healing of a soft tissue wound produced by periodontal pocket instrumentation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was performed as an intra-individual, longitudinal trial of 3 weeks duration with a double-masked, split-mouth, placebo-controlled and randomized design. The patient material was comprised of 28 subjects with moderately advanced, chronic periodontitis. Each patient presented with 3 sites in each of 2 jaw quadrants with a probing pocket depth (PPD) of >or=5 mm and bleeding following pocket probing (BoP). Baseline examination, including assessments of plaque, gingival inflammation, PPD, BoP and root dentin sensitivity, was carried out one week after oral hygiene instruction and careful self-performed plaque control. All experimental sites were scaled and root planed, and the soft tissue wall of the pocket was curetted to remove the pocket epithelium and adjacent granulation tissue. The site was carefully irrigated with saline. When the bleeding from the pocket had ceased, a 24% EDTA gel was applied in the site and retained for 2 min. This was followed by careful irrigation with saline. Left and right jaw quadrants were then randomized to subgingival application of enamel matrix derivative (Emdogain) or vehicle-control. All sites were re-examined after 1, 2 and 3 weeks. In addition, a visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to score the degree of post-treatment discomfort. The primary endpoints of treatment success were defined as (i) pocket closure (PPD

An in vitro assessment of the dentine lost during instrumentation using the Periosonic system.

This study investigated the ability of a new instrument designed for root debridement, the Periosonic, to remove dentine compared to a hand curette and an ultrasonic scaler. The Periosonic system is a modification of the Micro-Megax endodontic system and uses modified files to remove plaque, calculus and tooth substance. The Periosonic has 2 file types; the Periosonic 1 is a more aggressive file for the removal of gross supra- and subgingival deposits, while the Periosonic 2 is a thinner more flexible file used for the removal of subgingival deposits. 40 human dentine specimens were ground flat and baseline measurements were made using a surfometer. The specimens were divided into 4 experimental groups and each group was treated with a hand curette, ultrasonic scaler, Periosonic 1 or 2 using 12, 1-s strokes. The specimens were remeasured blind in the surfometer. The curette removed 23.6 microm of dentine, the ultrasonic 6.8 microm, the Periosonic 1 18.8 microm and the Periosonic 2 12.5 microm. A qualitative assessment of the samples following mechanical preparation was also made. In conclusion, the Periosonic instrument does not remove more tooth substance than a conventional curette and may be a useful addition for the debridement of root surfaces.

Profilaxis de la endocarditis infecciosa en el tratamiento quirúrgico odontológico: 1ra. parte / Prophylaxis of infective endocarditis in surgical dental treatment

En este trabajo se trata, en una forma simple y esquemática, de recordar que pequeños actos quirúrgicos, en determinados pacientes, sea en la cavidad bucal o en otras partes del organismo, son capaces de producir bacteriemia con consecuencias graves para el enfermo. Además, se señala cuáles son los principales factores de riesgo de la endocarditis bacteriana, los microorganismos más comunes causantes de lamisma, las maniobras que inducen a bacteriemias y, tomando en cuenta las últimas publicaciones, mostrar un esquema terapéutico actualizado en la prevención de la endocarditis

Topical metronidazole application compared with subgingival scaling. A clinical and microbiological study on recall patients.

The aim of this study was to compare the topical application of a metronidazole 25% dental gel with subgingival scaling. 30 patients from the recall program participated in this open randomised study with split-mouth design. Pocket probing depths (PPD) and bleeding on probing (BOP) were measured before and 2, 12 and 24 weeks after the end of the treatment period. In addition, subgingival plaque samples were taken from all mesial sites and analysed with dark-field microscopy. All patients had at least 1 tooth in each quadrant with a PPD of 5 mm or more that should bleeding on probing, when entering the study. The treatment consisted of 2 applications of the dental gel in 2 randomly selected quadrants (on days 0 and 7) as well as simultaneous subgingival scaling of the remaining quadrants. Oral hygiene instruction was given on day 21. The average PPD and the average frequency of BOP were calculated for all sites with an initial PPD of 5 mm or more and continued at each examination, using the same sites. The statistical analyses showed that both treatments were effective in reducing PPD and BOP over the 6-month period. At the end of the follow-up period, the mean reduction in PPD was 1.3 mm after gel treatment and 1.5 mm after subgingival scaling. BOP was reduced by 35% and 42%, respectively. No significant differences between the 2 treatments were detected. Dark-field microscopy showed a shift toward a more healthy microflora for both treatment modalities; this persisted throughout the 6-month period. Application of a 25% metronidazole dental gel on recall patients seems to be as effective on the investigated clinical and microbiological parameters as subgingival scaling.

Evaluation of the efficacy of a redox agent in the treatment of chronic periodontitis.

A redox dye, methylene blue, was compared with subgingival root surface debridement and sterile water in the treatment of adult periodontitis. Plaque and gingival indices, bleeding on probing, and microbiological samples were obtained at baseline, and at 1, 4, 8 and 12 weeks following treatment. All subjects had matched pockets in each of the 4 quadrants, of 5 mm or more. One treatment consisted of 0.1% methylene blue gel irrigated professionally at 0, 1 and 4 weeks, and by subjects at days in between up to 4 weeks, at chosen sites within a randomly selected quadrant (split-mouth design). A 2nd treatment was sterile water irrigation as above. A 3rd quadrant received subgingival debridement, and sites in the 4th received methylene blue incorporated into a slow-release device of a biodegradable collagen alginate vicryl composite. All sites showed improvements in clinical and microbiological parameters. However, no statistically significant differences between treatment types were found for clinical measurements. Although plaque index tended to increase after week 1, gingival index was reduced, as was the papilla bleeding index. Probing depth reductions were approximately 1.2 mm for all treatments. Microbiological variables showed an increase in cocci and a decrease in motile organisms for all groups, the latter reaching statistical significance for subgingival debridement. The reductions in spirochaetes were significant for subgingival debridement and methylene blue by slow-release. Culture demonstrated an increase in the aerobe:anaerobe ratio for all groups, which was statistically significant initially (weeks 1 and 4) for subgingival debridement. Methylene blue was also effective statistically in improving this ratio, both by irrigation and slow-release (week 4). Methylene blue also significantly reduced the numbers of black-pigmented anaerobes during the trial period, both by irrigation and slow-release, which sterile water and subgingival debridement failed to do. No serious adverse experiences were seen, however, significantly greater morbidity was associated with subgingival debridement. These results clearly demonstrate that in altering the microflora to one that is more compatible with periodontal health, methylene blue treatment is comparable, or even better, than the currently standard treatment of subgingival debridement, and is better tolerated.

A surgical approach for the periodontal treatment of maxillary anterior teeth: report of a case.

A modified technique aimed at the conservation of maxillary anterior esthetics is proposed for the surgical treatment of periodontal disease when surgery is indicated in addition to nonsurgical debridement. This technique allows access to periodontally diseased root surfaces and suggests a flap design and a method for suturing which minimize postsurgical soft tissue recessions.