Biometric analysis of furcation area of molar teeth and its relationship with instrumentation.

The anatomy of furcation favours the bacterial retention and makes periodontal debridement as well as oral hygiene procedures difficult. Teeth that have lost attachment to a level of the furcation are said to have a furcal invasion or furcation involved.Involvement of furcation in a multi-rooted tooth poses a very different type of clinical situation in terms of establishment of diagnosis, determination of prognosis and of course planning the treatment modality.The present study was carried out on 200 selected extracted human first and second permanent molar teeth based on a predefined criteria. Teeth with prosthetic crowns, fused or fractured roots, those not fully developed, grossly carious or heavily restored at the cementoenamel junction (CEJ) were excluded from the study. The morphology of the root trunk was recorded by measuring various dimensions of the root trunk,including furcal angle and root trunk volume was calculated by using a custom made special apparatus. The furcation areas were debrided with different types of curettes in the market in order to see how best the instrument could be maneuvered in the furcation area. The data so obtained was statistically analysed using SPSS version 22. The highest root trunk volume and the longest root trunk length were found to be in the maxillary second molar. 48.60% furcations didn't allow instrument engagementof furcation area with standard area specific curettes. The proposal of inclusion of root trunk length (mm) is suggested in addition to classification of FI to have assess prognosis and appropriate treatment for of the involved tooth.

Identifying predictors of the tooth loss phenotype in a large periodontitis patient cohort using a machine learning approach.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to identify predictors associated with the tooth loss phenotype in a large periodontitis patient cohort in the university setting. METHODS: Information on periodontitis patients and nineteen factors identified at the initial visit was extracted from electronic health records. The primary outcome is tooth loss phenotype (presence or absence of tooth loss). Prediction models were built on significant factors (single or combinatory) selected by the RuleFit algorithm, and these factors were further adopted by regression models. Model performance was evaluated by Area Under the Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve (AUROC) and Area Under the Precision-Recall Curve (AUPRC). Associations between predictors and the tooth loss phenotype were also evaluated by classical statistical approaches to validate the performance of machine learning models. RESULTS: In total, 7840 patients were included. The machine learning model predicting the tooth loss phenotype achieved AUROC of 0.71 and AUPRC of 0.66. Age, periodontal diagnosis, number of missing teeth at baseline, furcation involvement, and tooth mobility were associated with the tooth loss phenotype in both machine learning and classical statistical models. CONCLUSIONS: The rule-based machine learning approach improves model explainability compared to classical statistical methods. However, the model's generalizability needs to be further validated by external datasets. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Predictors identified by the current machine learning approach using the RuleFit algorithm had clinically relevant thresholds in predicting the tooth loss phenotype in a large and diverse periodontitis patient cohort. The results of this study will assist clinicians in performing risk assessment for periodontitis at the initial visit.

Evaluation of Regenerative Efficacy of Amnion and Chorion Membrane in Treatment of Mandibular Molar Furcation Defects: A Clinico-radiographic Study.

AIM: Amnion and chorion membranes possess unique inherited biological properties that enhance wound healing and may accelerate periodontal regeneration. The present study aims to evaluate and compare the efficacy of amnion and chorion membranes in the treatment of furcation defects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 20 patients were selected and were randomly allocated to group I and group II with 10 subjects in each group. Amnion and chorion membranes are placental-derived membranes that accelerate regeneration by having natural growth factors with their antimicrobial and inflammation reduction properties. Group I was treated using bone grafting with decalcified freeze-dried bone allograft (DFDBA) and placement of amnion as a membrane for guided tissue regeneration (GTR) whereas group II was treated using bone grafting with DFDBA and placement of chorion as a membrane for GTR. The patients were followed for clinical and radiographic parameters and were evaluated between 3 and 6 months after surgery. RESULT: In intragroup comparison, a significant difference was evident in both the groups for all the clinical and radiographic parameters within the groups. (p = 0.01) This means both amnion and chorion membranes showed statistically significant regenerative efficacy. In intergroup comparison, the results show that all the clinical parameters and radiographic parameters show no significant difference between the groups. CONCLUSION: The amnion and chorion membranes had similar regenerative efficacy in combination with DFDBA in patients with buccal degree II furcation defects in mandibular molars. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The amnion and chorion membranes have shown significant improvement in clinical and radiographic parameters when used for the treatment of buccal degree II furcation defects in mandibular molars. How to cite this article: Mallapragda S, Gupta R, Gupta S, et al. Evaluation of Regenerative Efficacy of Amnion and Chorion Membrane in Treatment of Mandibular Molar Furcation Defects: A Clinico-radiographic Study. J Contemp Dent Pract 2024;25(2):160-167.

The survival of periodontally treated molars in long-term maintenance: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

AIM: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the survival of periodontally treated molars during maintenance care and identify the risk factors associated with molar loss among patients with periodontitis who received professional periodontal therapy and maintenance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Longitudinal studies with a minimum follow-up duration of 5 years published until 28 August 2023 were retrieved from the following databases: the Cochrane Library, Embase, MEDLINE and Web of Science. All included studies reported data on molar retention. Meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.4. A modified version of the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used to evaluate the study quality. Statistical results of analyses of the overall survival rate and molar loss are presented as estimated standardized mean differences, whereas the results of the analyses of risk factors are presented as risk ratios with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). RESULTS: From among the 1323 potentially eligible reports, 41 studies (5584 patients, 29,908 molars retained at the beginning of maintenance therapy, mean follow-up duration of 14.7 years) were included. The pooled survival rate of the molars during maintenance therapy was 82% (95% CI: 80%-84%). The average loss of molars was 0.05 per patient per year (95% CI: 0.04-0.06) among the patients receiving long-term periodontal maintenance (PM) therapy. Fifteen factors were examined in this meta-analysis. Six patient-related factors (older age, lack of compliance, smoking, bruxism, diabetes and lack of private insurance) and five tooth-related factors (maxillary location, high probing pocket depth, furcation involvement, higher mobility and lack of pulpal vitality) were identified as risk factors for molar loss during maintenance therapy. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of the present study suggest that the long-term retention of periodontally compromised molars can be achieved. The average number of molars lost per decade was <1 among the patients receiving long-term PM therapy. Older age, noncompliance, smoking, bruxism, diabetes, lack of private insurance coverage, maxillary location, furcation involvement, higher mobility, increase in the probing pocket depth and loss of pulpal vitality are strong risk factors for the long-term prognosis of molars.

Vital root resection with radicular retrograde partial pulpotomy in furcation-involved maxillary molars in patients with periodontitis: Technique description and case series considering clinical and economic aspects.

AIM: Conventional root resection in periodontally compromised furcation-involved maxillary molars requires preceding endodontic treatment and is therefore associated with loss of tooth vitality, higher invasiveness, treatment time and costs, and the risk of endodontic complications. Vital root resection (VRR) could overcome these disadvantages while establishing stable periodontal and endodontic conditions. This case series aimed to introduce the concept of one-stage VRR with radicular retrograde partial pulpotomy (VRRretro). SUMMARY: Seven vital maxillary molars with residual probing pocket depths (PPD) ≥ 6 mm and furcation ≥ class 2 of five patients with stage III/IV periodontitis were treated with VRRretro using mineral trioxide aggregate. Teeth with residual through-and-through furcations were additionally tunnelled. Follow-up up to 2.5 years postoperatively during supportive periodontal care included full periodontal status, percussion and thermal sensitivity testing. Periapical radiographs were obtained to rule out possible periradicular radiolucencies. All seven treated molars were in-situ at an average of 26.84 ± 5.37 months postoperatively and were clinically and radiographically inconspicuous independent of tooth position, the resected root, the need for tunnelling and the restorative status. The mean PPD on the seven treated molars was 4.02 ± 0.85 mm (6-10 mm) preoperatively and 2.62 ± 0.42 mm (3-4 mm) at the last follow-up. Clinical attachment level and bleeding on probing could also be decreased. The teeth showed no mobility over time and furcations class 2 were reduced to class 1 while the tunnelled furcations were accessible with interdental brushes. All molars reacted negatively to percussion and positively to thermal sensitivity testing. KEY LEARNING POINTS: In carefully selected cases considering patient- and tooth-related factors, VRRretro could be a promising treatment option to establish stable periodontal and endodontic conditions in furcation-involved maxillary molars while preserving tooth vitality.

Occurrence and distribution of lost molars and furcation defects in a Bulgarian population: A retrospective three-dimensional study.

OBJECTIVES: To identify the ocuurrence, distribution, and factors associated with lost molars and furcation defects in a sample of the Bulgarian population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The full mouth cone-beam computed tomography of 56 male and 57 female patients, aged between 19 and 84 years, were examined. A comprehensive evaluation was performed on a total of 675 molars-339 in maxilla and 336 in mandible. Associations with variables such as age, gender, and periodontal disease were analyzed. RESULTS: With aging the number of missing teeth and interradicular lesions increased. No significant links between gender and molar loss (p = .64) or gender and furcation involvement (p = .25) was found. Periodontitis was strongly associated with both studied dental problems (p < .001). The occurrence of furcation defects was more frequently observed in the maxilla than in the mandible. CONCLUSION: The occurrence and distribution of lost molars and furcation defects is substantial within the studied sample. Further investigation with a larger patient cohort is needed. Pertinent healthcare strategies to address the observed dental health issues also have to be developed.

Cervical enamel projections from a periodontal perspective: A scoping review.

Cervical enamel projections (CEPs) represent a unique developmental and anatomical anomaly wherein the enamel structure extends apically beyond the cemento-enamel junction of the tooth. In this scoping review, the existing literature on CEPs was evaluated to delineate their characteristics, prevalence, predilection for specific teeth and surfaces, clinical significance, and management approaches. Searches were conducted on MEDLINE (PubMed), Cochrane Library, and Embase databases using the keywords "enamel projection(s)" or "ectopic enamel." In total, 24 studies meeting inclusion criteria were included in the review. The prevalence of CEPs varied widely (8.3%-85.1%), predominantly manifesting as grade I or grade III. Mandibular first and second molars exhibited a higher incidence of CEPs, with a notable predilection for buccal surfaces. The consensus in most studies was that CEPs are associated with localized periodontal diseases. Recommendations inclined toward the removal of ectopic enamel during periodontal surgery to enhance periodontal attachment formation. However, decision-making should involve careful consideration of the benefits and drawbacks based on individual circumstances.

Detection of periodontal bone loss patterns and furcation defects from panoramic radiographs using deep learning algorithm: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: This retrospective study aimed to develop a deep learning algorithm for the interpretation of panoramic radiographs and to examine the performance of this algorithm in the detection of periodontal bone losses and bone loss patterns. METHODS: A total of 1121 panoramic radiographs were used in this study. Bone losses in the maxilla and mandibula (total alveolar bone loss) (n = 2251), interdental bone losses (n = 25303), and furcation defects (n = 2815) were labeled using the segmentation method. In addition, interdental bone losses were divided into horizontal (n = 21839) and vertical (n = 3464) bone losses according to the defect patterns. A Convolutional Neural Network (CNN)-based artificial intelligence (AI) system was developed using U-Net architecture. The performance of the deep learning algorithm was statistically evaluated by the confusion matrix and ROC curve analysis. RESULTS: The system showed the highest diagnostic performance in the detection of total alveolar bone losses (AUC = 0.951) and the lowest in the detection of vertical bone losses (AUC = 0.733). The sensitivity, precision, F1 score, accuracy, and AUC values were found as 1, 0.995, 0.997, 0.994, 0.951 for total alveolar bone loss; found as 0.947, 0.939, 0.943, 0.892, 0.910 for horizontal bone losses; found as 0.558, 0.846, 0.673, 0.506, 0.733 for vertical bone losses and found as 0.892, 0.933, 0.912, 0.837, 0.868 for furcation defects (respectively). CONCLUSIONS: AI systems offer promising results in determining periodontal bone loss patterns and furcation defects from dental radiographs. This suggests that CNN algorithms can also be used to provide more detailed information such as automatic determination of periodontal disease severity and treatment planning in various dental radiographs.

Management of grade II and III furcation defects with intramarrow penetration along with indigenously prepared DFDBA and amniotic membrane: a clinical and radiographic study.

Managing furcation defects constitutes a problem in successful periodontal therapy. Guided tissue regeneration (GTR) is the mainstay for the management of such defects but is expensive. This study makes use of indigenously prepared demineralized freeze-dried bone allograft (DFDBA) and amniotic membrane (AM) as a cost-effective alternative. The purpose of the study was to compare the clinical outcome of grade II and III furcation defects with and without using indigenous DFDBA and AM prepared at Central Tissue Bank, MAIDS. 18 systemically healthy patients with chronic periodontitis displaying either grade II or III furcation defects were treated with open flap debridement (OFD) + intramarrow penetration (IMP) (control group) and OFD + IMP + DFDBA + AM (test group). The clinical and radiographic parameters were recorded at 3 and 6 months postoperatively. All parameters were statistically analyzed. Both treatment modalities resulted in improvement in all clinical variables evaluated. Radiographic dimensions evaluating bone fill showed a statistically significant difference in the test group compared to the control group. Within the limitations of this study, data suggest GTR using indigenously prepared DFDBA and amniotic membrane to be an economical and viable option for treating furcation defects.

Efficacy of concentrated growth factor (CGF) in the surgical treatment of oral diseases: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Concentrated growth factor (CGF), a new autologous platelet concentrate, has been widely investigated to the adjunctive treatment of oral diseases. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of CGF in the surgical treatment of oral diseases. METHODS: MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane, and EMBASE databases were searched up to July 2023. Only randomized clinical trials were included. The methodologic quality was evaluated by the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool. RevMan 5.4 software was used for data analysis. RESULTS: In the treatment of periodontal intrabony defects, bone graft combined with CGF was significantly superior to bone graft (P < 0.01), with mean intrabony defect depth reduction of 1.41 mm and mean clinical attachment level gain of 0.55 mm. In the regenerative surgery of furcation defects, the effect of CGF group was significantly better than control group (P < 0.0001), with mean probing depth reduction of 0.99 mm, vertical bone gain of 0.25 mm, and horizontal bone gain of 0.34 mm. CGF combined with coronally advanced flap (CAF) was more effective than CAF alone (mean keratinized tissue width increase of 0.41 mm, mean gingival thickness increase of 0.26 mm, P < 0.00001), but less effective than connective tissue graft (CTG) combined with CAF (mean root coverage difference of -15.1%, mean gingival thickness difference of -0.5 mm, P < 0.0001). In the alveolar ridge preservation, additional use of CGF reduced horizontal bone resorption by 1.41 mm and buccal vertical bone resorption by 1.01 mm compared to control group (P < 0.0001). The VAS score of CGF group was significantly lower than that of the control group at the 1st and 7th day after oral surgery (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: CGF can exert a positive adjunctive effect for the regenerative surgery of periodontal intrabony defects, furcation defects, and alveolar ridge preservation procedure. CGF combined with CAF has a better therapeutic effect on gingival recession compared to CAF alone, although it is not as effective as CTG combined with CAF. CGF could promote postoperative healing and pain relief in oral surgery within a week. There is currently not enough evidence to support the clinical benefits of CGF in other oral surgeries.

Application of digital technology and platelet-rich fibrin technology in a novel regenerative treatment for posterior lingual furcation defect: a 6-year follow-up case report.

Conventional periodontal regenerative surgery has limited effect on tooth with severe periodontitis-related alveolar bone defects. This article reported a case of regenerative treatment in severe distal-bone defect of mandibular first molar. The treatment involved applying 3D printing, advanced/injectable platelet-rich fibrin, and guided tissue-regeneration technology. After the operation, the periodontal clinical index significantly improved and the alveolar bone was well reconstructed.

Adjunctive use of platelet-rich fibrin in surgical treatment of furcation defects: A systematic review.

Periodontitis is an infectious disease characterized by the inflammatory destruction of the tooth supporting tissues. In multi-rooted teeth, this process leads to periodontal destruction within furcations creating defects demanding in terms of treatment. Regeneration of class II furcation involvement, although possible, is considered an unpredictable procedure, especially in terms of the bone fill. The interest in wound healing improvement by additional use of autologous concentrates of growth factors remains high in many fields of dentistry. Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) is a second-generation platelet concentrate and biomaterial. PRF forms a solid fibrin matrix, which is slowly remodeled comparable to the natural blood clot. Its utilization is associated with release of growth factors and glycoproteins over a long period of time. PRF activates alkaline phosphates, which show osteoblastic activity and this activation influences the bone formation. The aim of this review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was to evaluate the adjunctive use of platelet-rich fibrin in surgical treatment of furcation defects.

The effect of different spatial resolutions and enhancement filters on radiographic detection of simulated furcation defects with intraoral digital radiography.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of spatial resolution and the application of enhancement filters in the diagnosis of simulated furcation defects and image quality with intraoral radiographs. STUDY DESIGN: Periapical images were acquired with photostimulable phosphor plates of molars in dry skulls (n = 8) and mandibles (n = 10) with 4 stages of furcation defect simulation. The plates were scanned in fast scan and high resolution modes to produce different spatial resolutions. Four image filters were applied. Six observers scored the detection of furcation defects. Mean values of area under the curve in receiver operating characteristic evaluation, accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity were calculated. Mean gray value (brightness), noise, and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) were calculated for enamel, dentin, and alveolar bone to evaluate image quality. Analysis of variance compared the values between the different spatial resolutions and filters. The significance of difference was established at P < .05. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in overall diagnostic values comparing image spatial resolutions and filters. Diagnostic outcomes were significantly better for the largest defects than the smallest lesions but were generally poor in detecting lesions. All structures showed greater brightness in high resolution. . Noise was greater in all structures with all enhancement filters except inversion. Dentin and alveolar bone exhibited more noise and lower CNR in high resolution. CONCLUSIONS: Varying spatial resolution and applying enhancement filters did not significantly affect the diagnosis of furcation defects.

Complications and treatment errors related to regenerative periodontal surgery.

Regenerative periodontal surgical procedures are an important component in the treatment of advanced periodontitis. They aim to improve the long-term prognosis of teeth that are periodontally compromised by the presence of intrabony and/or furcation defects, resulting biologically in formation of root cementum, periodontal ligament, and alveolar bone and evidenced clinically by reduction of deep pockets to maintainable probing depths and/or improvements of vertical and horizontal furcation depth. Over the last 25 years, substantial clinical evidence has been accumulated to support the value of regenerative procedures in periodontally compromised dentitions. However, treatment success requires close attention to certain factors on the level of the patient, the tooth/defect, and the operator. Ignoring these factors in case selection, treatment planning, and treatment execution will increase the risk of complications that may jeopardize clinical success and may even be considered as treatment errors. Based on the currently available evidence from clinical practice guidelines, treatment algorithms, and on expert opinion, the present article provides an overview on the main factors, which influence the outcomes of regenerative periodontal surgery and gives recommendations on how to prevent complications and treatment errors.

[Clinical diagnosis and treatment of furcation involvement].

Furcation involvement (FI) is the lesion and destruction of periodontium that spread to the root furcation of multi-root teeth, where periodontal pockets, loss of periodontal attachment and resorption of alveolar bone are formed. Furcation involvement is a common concomitant lesion of periodontitis. The severity of furcation involvement can directly affect the prognosis of periodontitis. However, the specificity of the anatomical structure of the root furcation greatly increases the difficulty of treatment. Therefore, early detection and treatment of furcation involvement is crucial for the prevention and control of periodontitis. This paper briefly describes the pathogenesis of furcation involvement and discusses the diagnosis, classification and treatment of this disease, which is helpful to improve the clinical diagnosis and treatment of furcation involvement.

Bioactive glass for periodontal regeneration: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: One of the major clinical challenges of this age could be represented by the possibility to obtain a complete regeneration of infrabony defects. Over the past few years, numerous materials and different approaches have been developed to obtain bone and periodontal healing. Among all biomaterials, bioglasses (BG) are one of the most interesting due to their ability to form a highly reactive carbonate hydroxyapatite layer. Our aim was to systematically review the literature on the use and capability of BG for the treatment of periodontal defects and to perform a meta-analysis of their efficacy. METHODS: A search of MEDLINE/PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase and DOSS was conducted in March 2021 to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) using BG in the treatment of intrabony and furcation defects. Two reviewers selected the articles included in the study considering the inclusion criteria. The outcomes of interest were periodontal and bone regeneration in terms of decrease of probing depth (PD) and gain of clinical attachment level (CAL). A network meta-analysis (NMA) was fitted, according to the graph theory methodology, using a random effect model. RESULTS: Through the digital search, 46 citations were identified. After duplicate removal and screening process, 20 articles were included. All RCTs were retrieved and rated following the Risk of bias 2 scale, revealing several potential sources of bias. The meta-analysis focused on the evaluation at 6 months, with 12 eligible articles for PD and 10 for CAL. As regards the PD at 6 months, AUTOGENOUS CORTICAL BONE, BIOGLASS and PLATELET RICH FIBRIN were more efficacious than open flap debridement alone, with a statistically significant standardized mean difference (SMD) equal to -1.57, -1.06 and - 2.89, respectively. As to CAL at 6 months, the effect of BIOGLASS is reduced and no longer significant (SMD = -0.19, p-value = 0.4) and curiously PLATELET RICH FIBRIN was more efficacious than OFD (SMD =-4.13, p-value < 0.001) in CAL gain, but in indirect evidence. CONCLUSIONS: The present review partially supports the clinical efficacy of BG in periodontal regeneration treatments for periodontal purposes. Indeed, the SMD of 0.5 to 1 in PD and CAL obtained with BG compared to OFD alone seem clinically insignificant even if it is statistically significant. Heterogeneity sources related to periodontal surgery are multiple, difficult to assess and likely hamper a quantitative assessment of BG efficacy.

Diagnostic application of intraoral ultrasonography to assess furcation involvement in mandibular first molars.

OBJECTIVES: The objectives were to clarify if intraoral ultrasonography (USG) is: (1) more accurate than conventional periodontal examinations in detection of furcation involvement, and (2) comparable to conventional periodontal examinations in accurate horizontal classification of furcation involvement in comparison to cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). METHODS: The buccal furcation in 61 lower first molars were evaluated with conventional periodontal examinations, intraoral USG and CBCT. The presence and classification of the horizontal depth of furcation involvement were defined clinically by assessment with a Nabers periodontal probe and a periapical radiograph with reference to the bone loss under the fornix. The horizontal depth of furcation involvement was measured in intraoral USG and CBCT images. Based on the measurements, presence diagnosis and horizontal classification were performed. Results from conventional periodontal examinationsand intraoral USG were compared with those from CBCT. RESULTS: κ value (κ) for agreement of presence diagnosis of furcation involvement between intraoral USG and CBCT was 0.792, while agreement with conventional periodontal examinations was 0.225. Diagnostic accuracy of intraoral USG exhibited higher values (sensitivity: 98.3%, accuracy: 98.4 %) than conventional periodontal examinations (81.4% and 81.9 %). Weighted κ statistics showed substantial agreement in the classification between intraoral USG and CBCT (κ = 0.674). High agreement (ICC: 0.914) for the measurement of horizontal depth of furcation involvement was found between intraoral USG and CBCT. CONCLUSIONS: Intraoral USG may be a reliable diagnostic tool for assessment of furcation involvement of mandibular molars with a similar performance to CBCT, but without ionizing radiation.

The influence of interradicular anatomy on the predictability of periodontal regenerative therapy of furcation defects: a retrospective, multicenter clinical study.

BACKGROUND: The relationship between the anatomy of the interradicular space and success in regenerative therapy of furcation defects is discussed in this paper. The goal of this retrospective, multicenter clinical study is to clinically evaluate the relationship between the interradicular conformation and regenerative therapy success with the use of a novel measurement method. METHODS: One hundred thirty-eight radiographs of mandibular molars with furcation defects that had been treated with regenerative therapy were collected from six clinical centers. Data on the type of therapy and clinical parameters before and after treatment (follow-up of at least 12 months) were collected. The radiographs (before surgery and at least 12 months postoperatively) were measured with a visual evaluation method by a blind operator using graphics software. RESULTS: Success, defined as a reduction in horizontal and vertical furcation involvement, decrease in probing depths, and increase in clinical attachment level, was statistically assessed on 138 regenerated molars sites and were related to clinical variables such as age, sex, center, and treatment. No correlation was found between success in regenerative therapy and the conformation of the interradicular space, measured with a visual ratio method and a standard linear measurement. At the univariate analysis, the parameters that had a correlation with success were center, extent of furcation involvement, treatment, and sex. The use of enamel matrix derivative (EMD) seemed to be the most favorable therapy, with increase in CAL gain and reduction of vertical or horizontal furcation involvement. CONCLUSIONS: The regenerative outcome was not significantly influenced by the anatomy of furcation. The center, the degree of furcation involvement, sex, and treatment (EMD) were significantly associated with higher success of periodontal regeneration.

Histologic Evidence of Oral and Periodontal Regeneration Using Recombinant Human Platelet-Derived Growth Factor.

Human histology provides critical information on the biological potential of various regenerative protocols and biomaterials, which is vital to advancing the field of periodontal regeneration, both in research and clinical practice. Outcomes of histologic studies are particularly valuable when interpreted considering additional evidence available from pre-clinical and clinical studies. One of the best-documented growth factors areproven to have positive effects on a myriad of oral regenerative procedures is recombinant human platelet-derived growth factor-BB (rhPDGF-BB). While a systematic review of clinical studies evaluating rhPDGF in oral regenerative procedures has been recently completed, a review article that focuses on the histologic outcomes is needed. Hence, this communication discusses the histologic effects of rhPDGF-BB on oral and periodontal regenerative procedures, including root coverage and soft tissue augmentation, intrabony defects, furcation defects, peri-implant bone augmentation, and guided bone regeneration. Studies from 1989 to 2022 have been included in this review.

Efficacy of treatment of class II furcation lesions using membrane associated with bone grafting in mandibular molars compared to membrane only: a systematic review and meta-analysis / Eficacia del tratamiento de lesiones de furca grado II utilizando membrana asociada con injerto óseo en molares mandibulares en comparación con solamente membrana: revisión sistemática y metanálisis

Objective: The objective of the present systematic review and meta-analysis was to compare treatment with membrane associated with bone grafting and treatment exclusively with membrane in the approach of Class II furcation defects in mandibular molars. Materials and Methods: The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses statement was followed. Searches were conducted in five databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Ovid, and Lilacs), in Septem-ber 2021, without restriction regarding publication year or language. Studies comparing membranes associated with bone grafting and membranes exclusively in the treatment of Class II furcation lesions were included. Cross-sectional, case-control studies, and reviews were excluded. Study selection, data extraction, and risk of bias assessment (MINORS) were performed by two review authors. The certainty of the evidence (GRADE) was evaluated and meta-analysis was performed. Mean difference (MD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were provided. Results: Four hundred eighty-six references were iden-tified and four studies were included. Greater reduction in probing depth [MD = 0.32 (CI = 0.09, 0.56)] and greater clinical attachment level gain [MD = 0.41 (CI = 0.24, 0.57)] were observed when membrane and bone grafting were used. The risk of bias of included studies was low. Conclusions: This present systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrated that treatment of Class II furcation defects in mandibular molars using membrane and bone grafing is significantly more efficacious than treatment with the exclusive use of membrane.

Objetivo: El objetivo de la presente revisión sistemática y metanálisis fue comparar el tratamiento con membrana asociado a injerto óseo y el tratamiento exclusivamente con membrana en el abordaje de lesiones de furca grado II en molares mandibulares. Materiales y Métodos: Se siguió la declaración de elementos de informe preferidos para revisiones sistemáticas y metanálisis (PRISMA). Las búsquedas se realizaron en cinco bases de datos (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Ovid y Lilacs), en septiembre de 2021, sin restricción de año de publicación o idioma. Se incluyeron estudios que compararon membranas asociadas con injertos óseos y membranas exclusivamente en el tratamiento de lesiones de furca de grado II. Se excluyeron los estudios transversales, de casos y controles y las revisiones. Dos revisores realizaron la selección de estudios, la extracción de datos y la evaluación del riesgo de sesgo (MINORS). Se evaluó la certeza de la evidencia (GRADE) y se realizó un metanálisis. Se proporcionaron la diferencia de medias (DM) y el intervalo de confianza (IC) del 95%. Resultados: Se identificaron 486 referencias y se incluyeron cuatro estudios. Se observó una mayor reducción en la profundidad de sondaje [DM = 0,32 (IC = 0,09, 0,56)] y una mayor ganancia en el nivel de inserción clínica [DM = 0,41 (IC= 0,24, 0,57)] cuando se utilizaron injertos de membrana y hueso. El riesgo de sesgo de los estudios incluidos fue bajo. Conclusión: La presente revisión sistemática y metanálisis demostró que el tratamiento de los defectos de furca de grado II en molares mandibulares utilizando membrana e injertos de hueso es significativamente más eficaz que el tratamiento con el uso exclusivo de membrana.