Clinical management of endo-perio lesion through guided tissue regeneration: a 5 year follow-Up / Manejo clínico de una lesión endo-perio a través de la regeneración tisular guiada: control post-operatorio de 5 años

ABSTRACT: Progressive periodontal disease causes loss of supporting structures of teeth resulting in deep bony defects. In this case a report of 22-year old female patient is being presented with clinical findings of vertical bone loss in two adjacent teeth, on distal surface of 2nd upper right premolar and mesial surface of upper right 1st molar. Root canal treatment, non-surgical periodontal therapy followed by guided tissue regeneration was carried out using decalcified freeze-dried bone allograft (DFDBA) and collagen membrane. Analysis of clinical and radiographic findings showed marked reduction in pocket depth up to 12mm with hard tissue repair on 3-month, 2-year and 5- year follow ups.

RESUMEN: La enfermedad periodontal progresiva provoca la pérdida de las estructuras de soporte de los dientes, lo que resulta en defectos óseos profundos. En este caso clínico se presenta un informe de una paciente de 22 años con pérdida ósea vertical en la superficie distal del segundo premolar superior derecho y en la superficie mesial del primer molar superior derecho. El tratamiento del conducto radicular, la terapia periodontal no quirúrgica seguida de la regeneración tisular guiada se llevó a cabo utilizando aloinjerto óseo liofilizado descalcificado (DFDBA) y membrana de colágeno. El análisis de los hallazgos clínicos y radiográficos mostró una marcada reducción en la profundidad de la bolsa de hasta 12 mm con reparación de tejido duro en seguimientos de 3 meses, 2 años y 5 años.

The use of crevicular fluid to assess markers of inflammation and angiogenesis, IL-17 and VEGF, in patients with solid tumors receiving zoledronic acid and/or bevacizumab.

PURPOSE: Crevicular fluid was used to assess interleukin-17 (IL-17) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in cancer patients receiving zoledronic acid and/or bevacizumab. The markers were also assessed in the serum. METHODS: Twenty-five patients were included and comprised three groups: patients who received zoledronic acid (n = 9), patients who received bevacizumab (n = 9), and patients who received zoledronic acid combined with bevacizumab (n = 5). One patient received zoledronic acid and everolimus and another received zoledronic acid, bevacizumab, and temsirolimus. IL-17 and VEGF were measured by standard quantitative ELISA kits and assessed in two study points. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients maintained good periodontal health; one had asymptomatic osteonecrosis of the jaw. First assessment: 44 samples were collected; 21 from serum and 23 from crevicular fluid. Second assessment, 6 months later: 11 samples were collected; 6 from serum and 5 from crevicular fluid. IL-17 was detected in all samples, in serum and crevicular fluid, and remained unchanged at both time points. Serum VEGF in patients with bevacizumab alone or combined with zoledronic acid was significantly lower compared with that of patients who received zoledronic acid alone. VEGF was not detected in the crevicular fluid. CONCLUSIONS: Crevicular fluid might be an easy, non-invasive means to assess IL-17. The stable values of IL-17 in crevicular fluid and serum and the lack of VEGF in the crevicular fluid could be related to the good periodontal health of our patients. Further studies are needed to assess IL-17 and VEGF in the crevicular fluid in patients with and without periodontal disease.

Assessing Effectiveness of an Audiovisual Educational Tool for Improving Dental Students' Probing Depth Consistency.

Dental students often underestimate their probing depth (PD) measurements, which emphasizes the need for effective and novel methods for teaching proper probing technique. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of audiovisual learning aids, recorded from the point of view of examiners, for improvement in PD agreement in dental students. In 2017-18, 22 third-year dental students were randomized into test and control groups. Each student and a single blinded faculty examiner performed PD measurements on a minimum of three patients. The test group viewed a video demonstrating proper probing technique, while the control group received only probing technique instruction from prior lectures. All measurements, the periodontal diagnoses, and the total time taken to complete PD measurements were recorded. A survey of student attitudes about the audiovisual tool was conducted after the intervention; all 22 students completed the survey. A total of 11,426 PD sites were measured. The test group had 10% greater accuracy in PD sites=4 mm. The control group had a minor but statistically significant increase in accuracy for 2 mm PD sites. For all incorrect measurements at sites PD≥4, the students tended to underestimate the PD. Tooth type, site location around tooth, and diagnosis had no significant effect on PD measurement agreement. No significant difference between groups was found for the proportions of gingivitis and periodontitis patients or for examination time. This study found that use of the audiovisual learning aid "Calibrated Periodontal Training Video" improved the students' probing depth accuracy for sites with PD of 4 mm.

Instrument Selection and Application Used to Probe Dental Implants.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to survey clinicians' choice of peri-implant instrument selection and the application used to probe dental implants as well as to evaluate peri-implant probing force and pressure applied as compared to that reported in current literature. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 48 clinicians (16 periodontists/periodontal residents, 16 restorative dentists and 16 hygienists) participated in the study. A questionnaire to determine the frequency and method of probing dental implants was provided and subject to the Chi-square test. Each participant was given a choice of three periodontal probes (Marquis, UNC15, Plastic) to use on the typodont and probing force was recorded blindly. Probing force and pressure data were analyzed with ANOVA among subject groups as well as probe types per site; where statistical differences (p < .05) were detected, Tukey's posthoc test was applied. RESULTS: The questionnaire resulted in a variety of answers although the majority demonstrated an agreement on probing implants in everyday practice. There was no significant difference among provider groups in regard to instrument selection, probing forces and pressure in both maxilla and mandible although the mean probing forces and pressures in all provider groups were higher than the suggested value reported in the literature. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that there are variations among clinical provider groups with regard to peri-implant probe instrument type used and forces applied, though these are not statistically significant. Probe tip diameter should be considered to avoid BOP false positives when probing dental implants especially as the forces generally used by the clinicians may be higher than advised.

From manual periodontal probing to digital 3-D imaging to endoscopic capillaroscopy: Recent advances in periodontal disease diagnosis.

Deepened periodontal pockets exert a significant pathological burden on the host and its immune system, particularly in a patient with generalized moderate to severe periodontitis. This burden is extensive and longitudinal, occurring over decades of disease development. Considerable diagnostic and prognostic successes in this regard have come from efforts to measure the depths of the pockets and their contents, including level of inflammatory mediators, cellular exudates and microbes; however, the current standard of care for measuring these pockets, periodontal probing, is an analog technology in a digital age. Measurements obtained by probing are variable, operator dependent and influenced by site-specific factors. Despite these limitations, manual probing is still the standard of care for periodontal diagnostics globally. However, it is becoming increasingly clear that this technology needs to be updated to be compatible with the digital technologies currently being used to image other orofacial structures, such as maxillary sinuses, alveolar bone, nerve foramina and endodontic canals in 3 dimensions. This review aims to summarize the existing technology, as well as new imaging strategies that could be utilized for accurate evaluation of periodontal pocket dimensions.

Variables associated with the oral impact on daily performance of adults in the state of São Paulo: A population-based study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the oral impact on daily performance and its association with sociodemographic characteristics, tooth pain, need for prosthesis, and periodontal disease of adults in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional epidemiological study with secondary data obtained from the Oral Health Conditions Project- 2015 conducted in 163 municipalities in the state of São Paulo with the participation of 17,560 individuals. This study evaluated adults in the age-range between 35-44 years (n = 5,855), selected by means of probabilistic cluster sampling in two stages. The outcome variable was the OIDP (Oral Impacts on Daily Performances), obtained by using this instrument to assess daily activities (eating, speaking, oral hygiene, relaxation, sports practice, smile, study/work, social contact, and sleep). The independent variables were collected and grouped into three blocks: Block 1 (sex, age group, and ethnic group); Block 2 (household income and education); and Block 3 (tooth pain, need for prosthesis, bleeding, calculus, and periodontal pockets). A hierarchical multiple logistic regression analysis was performed considering the complex cluster sampling plan. Each observation was assigned a specific weight, depending on the location, which resulted in weighted frequencies adjusted for the effect of outlining. RESULTS: the female sex (p<0.0001), ethnic group black/mulatto (p<0.0001), low household income (p = 0.0112), up to 8 years of education (p<0.0001), tooth pain (p<0.0001), presence of bleeding (p<0.0001), and presence of periodontal pockets (p<0.0001) had greater oral impact on daily performance. CONCLUSION: sociodemographic characteristics, tooth pain, and presence of periodontal disease were associated with oral impact on daily performance of the adult population in the state of São Paulo, Brazil.

Photoacoustic Imaging for Noninvasive Periodontal Probing Depth Measurements.

The periodontal probe is the gold standard tool for periodontal examinations, including probing depth measurements, but is limited by systematic and random errors. Here, we used photoacoustic ultrasound for high-spatial resolution imaging of probing depths. Specific contrast from dental pockets was achieved with food-grade cuttlefish ink as a contrast medium. Here, 39 porcine teeth (12 teeth with artificially deeper pockets) were treated with the contrast agent, and the probing depths were measured with novel photoacoustic imaging and a Williams periodontal probe. There were statistically significant differences between the 2 measurement approaches for distal, lingual, and buccal sites but not mesial. Bland-Altman analysis revealed that all bias values were < ±0.25 mm, and the coefficients of variation for 5 replicates were <11%. The photoacoustic imaging approach also offered 0.01-mm precision and could cover the entire pocket, as opposed to the probe-based approach, which is limited to only a few sites. This report is the first to use photoacoustic imaging for probing depth measurements with potential implications to the dental field, including tools for automated dental examinations or noninvasive examinations.

Treatment of pathologic peri-implant pockets.

Peri-implant and periodontal pockets share a number of anatomical features but also have distinct differences. These differences make peri-implant pockets more susceptible to trauma and infection than periodontal pockets. Inadequate maintenance can lead to infections (defined as peri-implant mucositis and peri-implantitis) within peri-implant pockets. These infections are recognized as inflammatory diseases, which ultimately lead to the loss of supporting bone. Diagnostic and treatment methods conventionally used in periodontics have been adopted to assess and treat these diseases. Controlling infection includes elimination of the biofilm from the implant surface and efficient mechanical debridement. However, the prosthetic supra-structure and implant surface characteristics can complicate treatment. Evidence shows that when appropriately managed, peri-implant mucositis is reversible. Nonsurgical therapy, with or without the use of antimicrobials, will occasionally resolve peri-implantitis, but for the majority of advanced lesions this approach is insufficient and surgery is indicated. The major objective of the surgical approach is to provide access and visualize the clinical situation. Hence, a more informed decision can be made regarding whether to use a resective or a regenerative surgical technique. Evidence shows that following successful decontamination, surgical treatment to regenerate the bone can be performed, and a number of regenerative techniques have been proposed. After treatment, regular maintenance and good oral hygiene are essential for a predictable outcome and long-term stability.

Microbial profile comparisons of saliva, pooled and site-specific subgingival samples in periodontitis patients.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to compare microbial profiles of saliva, pooled and site-specific subgingival samples in patients with periodontitis. We tested the hypotheses that saliva can be an alternative to pooled subgingival samples, when screening for presence of periopathogens. DESIGN: Site specific subgingival plaque samples (n = 54), pooled subgingival plaque samples (n = 18) and stimulated saliva samples (n = 18) were collected from 18 patients with generalized chronic periodontitis. Subgingival and salivary microbiotas were characterized by means of HOMINGS (Human Oral Microbe Identification using Next Generation Sequencing) and microbial community profiles were compared using Spearman rank correlation coefficient. RESULTS: Pronounced intraindividual differences were recorded in site-specific microbial profiles, and site-specific information was in general not reflected by pooled subgingival samples. Presence of Porphyromonas gingivalis, Treponema denticola, Prevotella intermedia, Filifactor alocis, Tannerella forsythia and Parvimona micra in site-specific subgingival samples were detected in saliva with an AUC of 0.79 (sensitivity: 0.61, specificity: 0.94), compared to an AUC of 0.76 (sensitivity: 0.56, specificity: 0.94) in pooled subgingival samples. CONCLUSIONS: Site-specific presence of periodontal pathogens was detected with comparable accuracy in stimulated saliva samples and pooled subgingival plaque samples. Consequently, saliva may be a reasonable surrogate for pooled subgingival samples when screening for presence of periopathogens. Future large-scale studies are needed to confirm findings from this study.

Effects of 810-nanometer diode laser as an adjunct to mechanical periodontal treatment on clinical periodontal parameters and gingival crevicular fluid volume of residual periodontal pockets.

BACKGROUND: Aim of this randomized controlled parallel-designed study was to evaluate the effects of diode laser as an adjunct to mechanical periodontal treatment on clinical parameters and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) volume of the residual pockets diagnosed following initial periodontal treatment in chronic periodontitis (CP) patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 84 residual pockets on single-rooted teeth in 11 CP patients were included and randomly assigned into three groups. Residual pockets were treated either only by mechanical treatment (Group M) (n = 28) or only by diode laser disinfection (Group L) (n = 28) or by a combination of these techniques (Group M + L) (n = 28). Plaque index, gingival index (GI), bleeding on probing (BoP), probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level and gingival recession were assessed at baseline and 8 weeks after treatment of residual pockets. GCF samples were collected at baseline, 1 and 8 weeks after treatment. RESULTS: All treatment modalities resulted in significant reductions in PD and attachment gain. GI and BoP showed a greater reduction in both Group M and Group M + L than Group L (P < 0.001), but there was no difference between the Groups M and M + L (P > 0.05). No difference was also found among groups for other clinical parameters. GCF volume decreased significantly in the Groups M and M + L (P < 0.05) but there was no difference among the groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Results demonstrated clinical improvements on residual pockets in CP patients treated with all three modalities. Moreover, our findings suggest that application of diode laser as an adjunct to mechanical periodontal treatment doesn't demonstrate any additional clinical effect on the residual pockets.

Helicobacter pylori in periodontal pockets and saliva: a possible role in gastric infection relapses.

It has been a long time since the scientific community started to speculate upon the presence of Helicobacter pylori (HP) in periodontal pockets as an extra-gastric reservoir responsible for gastric relapses after eradication therapy. The aim of this study is to evaluate the presence of oral HP in a group of patients who underwent examination for gastric infection. Sixty patients were enrolled in the current study, subdivided into two groups: 30 patients with a positive result for HP gastric infection with C-Breath Test Urea examination, and 30 patients with a negative result for HP gastric infection. Crevicular fluid and salivary samples were collected in a sterile tube and then sent to the laboratory for evaluation. Specimens were processed to quantify the levels of HP and bacterial load by real time PCR technique. Even though there was no statistically significant difference among the two groups (A vs B) with regard to the total amount of HP in saliva or in periodontal tissues, this study demonstrates that the oral cavity is an extra-gastric reservoir of HP when it is affected by periodontal disease, and that periodontal disease is correlated to gastric HP infection.

[Preliminary study of subgingival microorganism changes after glycine powder air-polishing treatment during periodontal maintenance phase].

Objective: To research the variation of subgingival microorganisms after 65 µm glycine powder air-polishing (GPAP) in patients with periodontitis during periodontal maintenance phase and make comparison with conventional method. Methods: From Department of Periodontology, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, twenty-one patients at the age of 35-72 (8 males and 13 females) who were systematically healthy were recruited in this study. According to splitting-mouth design, one side of a mouth was randomly assigned to the experiment group (21 patients, 248 teeth, 1 488 sites) with 65 µm GPAP therapy while the opposite side served as the control group (21 patients, 249 teeth, 1 494 sites) with ultrasonic scaling plus polishing paste therapy. The clinical periodontal parameters including probing depth (PD), bleeding index (BI), bleeding on probing (BOP) and plaque index (PLI) were recorded. Using sterile currette, the subgingival plaque samples were collected at the mesio-buccal site of the first or second molars at baseline, 2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks after therapy, respectively. After Congo red staining, the microorganisms were classified into cocci, bacilli and spirochetes and counted respectively. Results: All clinical periodontal parameters have no difference between two groups at baseline and after treatment 12 weeks. In the experiment group and the control group, PD ([2.33±0.90] and [2.37±1.18] mm), BI (0.96±0.70 and 0.98±0.78) and PLI (0.00[1.00] and 0.00[1.00]) of two groups after treatment 12 weeks were better than those at baseline (PD: [2.48±1.17] and [2.46±0.99] mm; BI: 1.07±0.72 and 1.08±0.75; PLI: 0.00 [1.00] and 0.00 [1.00]) (P<0.05). But BOP(+)% was observably reduced only in the control group after treatment 12 weeks ([17.25±2.21]% vs [25.23±2.83]%) (P<0.05). The percentages of cocci, bacilli and spirochetes were stable and there were not significant differences between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusions: After 65 µm GPAP therapy, the differences of proportion of subgingival microorganisms are not significant, while the control group has the same trend. The spirochetes remained at a low level, but they rebounded fasterly in the test group than that in the control group. The results indicate that 65 µm glycine powder air-polishing has the similar clinical effects compared with ultrasonic scaling plus polishing paste. However, the clinical indications should be limited to the patients with shallow pockets and without obvious dental calculus.

[Exploration of training pattern on periodontal probing during pre-clinical periodontal practice of undergraduate students].

Objective: To explore the training pattern of periodontal probing practice so as to improve the accuracy of probing depth measurements of undergraduate students. Methods: Sixty-two undergraduate dental students in their pre-clinical training course were divided into two groups (31 students in each group): the reform group and the control group. The students in reform group learned and practiced periodontal probing by using transparent gingiva models for 30 minutes, and using conventional periodontal probing models for further 90 minutes in two sessions. The total practicing time was 2 hours. The students in control group learned and practiced periodontal probing using conventional periodontal probing models only for 1 hour of practicing time. After the training, new conventional periodontal probing models were used to evaluate the accuracy of probing depth measurements of the students in the two groups. The probing depths of Ramfjord index teeth were recorded by the students and were compared with the results of an experienced teacher's measurements. Results: The percentage of absolutely consistent sites in the reform group (63.4% [708/1 116]) was significantly higher than that of the control group (60.0% [670/1 116]) (P=0.012). In both reform group and control group, the percentages of absolutely consistent sites of the incisors (reform group: 69.1% [257/372], control group: 65.9% [245/372]) were significantly higher than those of the molars (reform group 58.9% [219/372], control group 54.3% [202/372])(P< 0.01), meanwhile, the percentages of absolutely consistent sites of the buccal-lingual sites (reform group: 88.7% [330/372], control group: 80.4% [299/372]) were significantly higher than those of the interproximal sites (reform group: 50.8% [378/744], control group: 49.9% [371/744])(P<0.01). Conclusions: The comprehensive reform of periodontal probing training could improve the accuracy of probing depth measurement of the undergraduate students. During the pre-clinical practice, probing training in the molar areas and the interproximal sites should be reinforced.

Thiolated alginate-based multiple layer mucoadhesive films of metformin forintra-pocket local delivery: in vitro characterization and clinical assessment.

INTRODUCTION: Periodontal disease broadly defines group of conditions in which the supportive structure of the tooth (periodontium) is destroyed. Recent studies suggested that the anti-diabetic drug metformin hydrochloride (MF) has an osteogenic effect and is beneficial for the management of periodontitis. OBJECTIVE: Development of strong mucoadhesive multiple layer film loading small dose of MF for intra-pocket application. METHODOLOGY: Multiple layer film was developed by double casting followed by compression method. Either 6% carboxy methyl cellulose sodium (CMC) or sodium alginate (ALG) constituted the inner drug (0.6%) loaded layer. Thiolated sodium alginate (TSA; 2 or 4%) constituted the outer drug free layers to enhance mucoadhesion and achieve controlled drug release. Optimized formulation was assessed clinically on 20 subjects. RESULTS: Films were uniform, thin and hard enough for easy insertion into periodontal pockets. Based on water uptake and in vitro drug release, CMC based film with 4% TSA as an outer layer was the optimized formulation with enhanced mucoadhesion and controlled drug release (83.73% over 12 h). SEM showed the effective fabrication of the triple layer film in which connective lines between the layers could be observed. FTIR examination suggests possibility of hydrogen bonding between the -NH groups of metformin and -OH groups of CMC. DSC revealed the presence of MF mainly in the amorphous form. Clinical results indicated improvement of all clinical parameters six months post treatment. CONCLUSION: The results suggested that local application of the mucoadhesive multiple layer films loaded with metformin hydrochloride was able to manage moderate chronic periodontitis.

Terapia fotodinámica como adyuvante en el tratamiento periodontal no quirúrgico: evaluación clínica / Photodynamic therapy as an adjuvant in nonsurgical periodontal treatment:A clinical evaluation

La terapia fotodinámica es considerada como un procedimiento no invasivo dentro de la práctica periodontal, reduciendo la morbilidad e incrementando la comodidad del paciente. Objetivo: el objetivo del presente estudio fue evaluar la eficacia clínica del uso de terapia fotodinámica como adyuvante al raspado y alisado radicular en periodontitis crónica. Material y métodos: se realizó un estudio comparativo, correlacional, aplicado a 20 pacientes con periodontitis crónica moderada-avanzada (pérdida de inserción clínica >- 6 mm) durante el raspado y alisado radicular no quirúrgico, con la adición de azul de metileno, donde se administró la terapia fotodinámica en dos sesiones, evaluando los parámetros clínicos (profundidad de bolsa, nivel de inserción clínico, índice de placa, sangrado al sondeo y recesión gingival). Resultados: tras cuatro semanas de evaluación postratamiento, no se observaron diferencias significativas en los parámetros clínicos entre el grupo experimental y control, aunque se encontró un mayor aumento de recesión gingival con el uso de la terapia fotodinámica (p=0,353). Conclusión: el uso de la terapia fotodinámica como adyuvante durante el raspado y alisado radicular convencional no proporciona beneficios adicionales al tratamiento periodontal convencional.

Photodynamic therapy is considered a non-invasiveprocedure in periodontal practice, one which reduces morbidity andincreases patient comfort. Objective: The aim of this study was toevaluate the clinical effi cacy of photodynamic therapy as an adjuvantto scaling and root planing in chronic periodontitis. Material andmethods: A comparative and correlational study was carried out on 20patients with moderate to advanced chronic periodontitis (attachmentloss ≥ 6 mm) during nonsurgical scaling and root planing, including theaddition of methylene blue. The photodynamic therapy was applied intwo sessions, during which the clinical parameters (pocket depth, clinicalattachment level, plaque index, bleeding on probing, and gingivalrecession) were assessed. Results: After four weeks of post-treatmentassessment, no signifi cant diff erences were found between the clinicalparameters of the experimental and control groups, although a greaterincrease in gingival recession was found when photodynamic therapywas used (p = 0.353). Conclusion: The use of photodynamic therapyas an adjuvant in conventional scaling and root planing provides noadditional benefi ts to conventional periodontal treatmen.

[Prospects of endoscopic technology for diagnostics of inflammatory periodontal disease]. / Perspektivy primeneniya endoskopicheskoi tekhnologii dlya diagnostiki vospalitel'nykh zabolevanii parodonta.

The aim of the study was to analyze research methods for periodontitis severity and elaborate the most effective diagnostic combination. Twenty patients with moderate periodontal disease were included in the study. In addition to conventional diagnostic methods depth of periodontal pockets (PP) was measured by means of endoscopic system and cone bean CT. Differences in PP depth estimated by probing and endoscopic evaluation was 1.2±0.4 mm proving endoscopic method to be useful and most precise tool for periodontal diagnostics.

Non-surgical periodontal management in scleroderma disease patients.

The aim of the present study is to investigate the periodontal status of people with scleroderma and their response to non-surgical treatment protocol aimed at controlling the evolution of the disease. The response to non-surgical periodontal treatment was tested on patients belonging to a scleroderma group and a control group: the data show an improvement of the periodontal conditions of all these patients in response to treatment. When compared on the same diagram, a slight remission of the periodontal disease was obtained in both scleroderma and healthy patients. This highlights the benefit to soft tissues produced by non-surgical periodontal treatment also in patients affected by systemic diseases.

Tratamiento de defectos periodontales con matriz derivada del esmalte: serie de casos / Treatment of periodontal defects with enamel matrix derivative: case series

Objetivo: Presentar los resultados clínicos y radiográficos obtenidos a 6 meses del tratamiento de defectos intraóseos con la técnica quirúrgica mínimamente invasiva y el uso de matriz derivada del esmalte sola o en combinación con hueso bovino desmineralizado. Casos clínicos: se seleccionaron 13 sitios con profundidad de sondaje mayor a 5 mm y pérdida ósea vertical. Se evaluaron los siguientes párámetros clínicos: profundidad de sondaje, nivel de inserción clinica y recesión gingival. Los defectos se trataron con matriz derivada del esmalte sola o en combinación con hueso bovino desmineralizado. La profundidad de sondaje inicial promedio era de 6,31 (rango: 5-9) y a los 6 meses, de 3,15 (rango 1-4), lo que significa que la reducción en el promedio de la profundidad de sondaje fue de 3,16. La ganancia en el nivel de inserción clínica fue de 2,9 mm. La evaluación radiográfica evidenció llenado óseo en los sitios tratados. Conclusiones: en la serie de casos presentados, los resultados fueron exitosos y coinciden con los informados en la literatura. La estabilidad del colgajo y el cierre primario son requisitos fundamentales para el éxito y la predictibilidad de cualquier procedimiento regenerativo. Las técnicas quirúrgicas mínimamente invasivas -en comparación con el abordaje tradicional- mejoran notablemente estos parámetros, al reducir los tiempos quirúrgicos y la morbilidad, disminuyendo el malestar del paciente.