Soft Tissue Volume Augmentation Using Connective Tissue Grafts via Apical Pouch: Technical Considerations and Case Reports.

The success of dental implant therapy in the esthetic zone requires not only functional osseointegration but also favorable esthetic results. The greatest challenge in the esthetic zone is to establish harmony, balance, and continuity of gingival form between implant restorations and the adjacent natural teeth. In the esthetic zone, a localized ridge defect or loss of a peri-implant papilla is common and can be corrected via soft tissue augmentation. This case report describes a novel surgical technique using connective tissue grafts via an apical pouch to increase soft tissue volume over an alveolar ridge defect or around natural teeth or implants in the maxillary anterior area. The described surgical technique successfully achieved the desirable esthetic outcomes in the reported cases.

Hereditary gingival fibromatosis--a review.

Hereditary gingival fibromatosis (HGF) is a rare gingival lesion that presents as localized or generalized enlargement of the attached gingiva. The gingiva is characterized as pink, firm, and very fibrous, with little tendency to bleed. HGF can present as an isolated feature or as part of a syndrome. Recent findings report a defect in the Son of sevenless-1 gene on chromosome 2p21-p22 (HGF1) as a possible cause of this clinical presentation. HGF inheritance is transmitted through both autosomal dominant and recessive modes. While clinicians disagree on the modalities and timing of treatment for HGF, the clinical condition generally requires repeated resective periodontal surgical procedures over the patient's lifetime. This article reviews differential diagnosis, etiology, complications, and treatment of HGF.

Unilateral severe chronic periodontitis associated with ipsilateral surgical resection of cranial nerves V, VI, and VII.

BACKGROUND: The central and peripheral nervous systems participate in several local physiological and pathological processes. There is experimental evidence that the inflammatory, local immune, and wound healing responses of a tissue can be modulated by its innervation. The aim of this clinical report is to present a case of unilateral severe periodontitis associated with ipsilateral surgical resection of the fifth, sixth, and seventh cranial nerves and to discuss the possible contribution of the nervous system to periodontal pathogenesis. METHODS: A 39-year-old female patient with a history of a cerebrovascular accident caused by a right pontine arteriovenous malformation and destruction of the right fifth, sixth, and seventh cranial nerves was diagnosed with severe chronic periodontitis affecting only the right maxillary and mandibular quadrants. The patient's oral hygiene was similar for right and left sides of the mouth. Percentages of tooth surfaces carrying dental plaque were 41% and 36% for right and left sides, respectively. Non-surgical and surgical periodontal therapy was performed, and the patient was placed on a regular periodontal maintenance schedule. RESULTS: Healing following initial periodontal therapy and osseous periodontal surgery occurred without complications. Follow-up clinical findings at 1 year revealed stable periodontal health. CONCLUSIONS: This case report suggests that periodontal innervation may contribute to the regulation of local processes involved in periodontitis pathogenesis. It also suggests that periodontal therapy can be performed successfully at sites and in patients affected by paralysis.

Traumatic lesions of the gingiva: a case series.

BACKGROUND: The most recent classification of periodontal diseases includes a new section on traumatic gingival lesions. Traumatic lesions of the gingiva are thought to be highly prevalent, yet the periodontal literature contains few references on the topic. The purpose of this article is to present a broad spectrum of traumatic gingival lesions of iatrogenic, accidental, and factitious origin. METHODS: Twelve clinical cases were selected to document chemical (due to aspirin, snuff, and peroxide), physical (due to malocclusion, flossing, removable partial denture, oral piercing, and self-inflicted trauma), and thermal (due to overheated ultrasonic scaler, hot food, and ice) injury to the gingiva. RESULTS: Chemical, physical, and thermal gingival injuries of iatrogenic, accidental, or factitious origin can have a variety of presentations with overlapping clinical features. Although the appearance and associated symptoms of a gingival lesion may be suggestive of a particular traumatic etiology, useful or confirmatory diagnostic information is often discovered through careful history-taking. The management of gingival injuries typically requires elimination of the insult and symptomatic therapy. If permanent gingival defects resulted from the injury, periodontal plastic surgery may be necessary. CONCLUSIONS: A variety of chemical, physical, and thermal injuries may involve the gingiva. Accidental and iatrogenic injuries are often acute and self-limiting, while factitious injuries tend to be more chronic in nature.

An interdisciplinary approach for improved esthetic results in the anterior maxilla.

This clinical report describes an interdisciplinary (orthodontic, periodontic, and prosthodontic) approach for the coordinated treatment of a patient diagnosed with peg-shaped maxillary lateral incisors, diastemata, short clinical crowns, excessive gingival display, and orthodontic malocclusion. The patient's specific esthetic expectations for the anterior maxilla were successfully met through phased treatment, including orthodontic tooth movement, provisional restorations, periodontal surgery for lengthening of the clinical crown, porcelain laminate veneers, and direct composite restorations. Such coordinated interdisciplinary evaluation and treatment are necessary for improved esthetic results in maxillary anterior areas esthetically compromised in several aspects.