Clinical behavior of posterior fixed partial dentures with a biologically oriented preparation technique: A 5-year randomized controlled clinical trial.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Evidence of the behavior of the periodontal tissues around anterior teeth restored with the biologically oriented preparation technique (BOPT) is available. However, outcomes of this technique in posterior teeth restored with fixed partial dentures (FPDs) are lacking. PURPOSE: The purpose of this randomized controlled clinical trial was to evaluate the clinical, mechanical, and biological behavior of posterior 3-unit FPDs placed on teeth prepared with BOPT. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty participants received a 3-unit zirconia FPD in the posterior region of the mandible or maxilla. Twenty FPDs were placed on teeth prepared with BOPT (study group) and 20 on teeth with a horizontal chamfer finishing line (control group). Follow-up examinations were performed 1, 3, and 5 years after treatment to evaluate periodontal responses around the prepared teeth by means of the following parameters: plaque index, gingival index, probing depth, and marginal stability (MS). Mechanical behavior was also assessed, as were any complications. RESULTS: After the 5-year follow-up, 57.9% of the control group and 35% of the BOPT group presented a plaque index of 1. The gingival index was 1 in 68.4% of the control group and 30% of the BOPT group after the follow-up period. In the analysis of probing depth, 26.3% of teeth in the control group had pockets of more than 3 mm in depth, whereas the BOPT group had only 10%. Marginal stability appeared in 100% of the BOPT group, whereas only 10.5% of the control group exhibited gingival stability. Complications during the follow-up period were similar, 20% in the control group and 15% in the BOPT group. CONCLUSIONS: Posterior FPDs prepared by using BOPT had a good clinical response over a 5-year follow-up, with a low gingival index, a small increase in pocket depth, and a 100% marginal stability of the surrounding tissues. High survival rates after 5 years indicated that the technique produced predictable outcomes.

Could polymerase chain reaction tests on conjunctival swabs be useful to diagnose herpetic keratitis?

INTRODUCTION: Diagnosis of HSV-1 keratitis (HK) is frequently based on clinical findings. Invasive specimens (corneal scrapings, biopsies) are required for microbiological diagnosis. Methods Corneal scrapings and conjunctival swabs were collected on patients with/without clinical suspicion of HK from 2007 to 2012.ResultsThe sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values for conjunctival swabs by PCR was 77.8, 92.1, 84.4 and 88.3, respectively. Discussion Conjunctival swabs by PCR may help in the diagnosis of HK, despite the limited sensitivity

INTRODUCCIÓN: El diagnóstico de queratitis herpética (QH) está basado normalmente en hallazgos clínicos. Para el diagnóstico microbiológico se requieren muestras invasivas (raspado corneal, biopsias).MÉTODOS: Raspados corneales y exudados conjuntivales fueron obtenidos de pacientes con/sin sospecha clínica de QH del ano˜ 2007 al 2012.RESULTADOS: La sensibilidad, la especificidad y los valores predictivos positivos y negativos para la PCR enexudados conjuntivales fueron 77,8, 92,1, 84,4 y 88,3, respectivamente. DISCUSIÓN: La PCR en exudados conjuntivales puede ayudar en el diagnóstico, a pesar de su limitada sensibilidad

Could polymerase chain reaction tests on conjunctival swabs be useful to diagnose herpetic keratitis?

INTRODUCTION: Diagnosis of HSV-1 keratitis (HK) is frequently based on clinical findings. Invasive specimens (corneal scrapings, biopsies) are required for microbiological diagnosis. METHODS: Corneal scrapings and conjunctival swabs were collected on patients with/without clinical suspicion of HK from 2007 to 2012. RESULTS: The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values for conjunctival swabs by PCR was 77.8, 92.1, 84.4 and 88.3, respectively. DISCUSSION: Conjunctival swabs by PCR may help in the diagnosis of HK, despite the limited sensitivity.