Morphometric study of the interproximal unit in the esthetic region to correlate anatomic variables affecting the aspect of soft tissue embrasure space.

BACKGROUND: The presence of a normal papilla is crucial to avoid the unpleasant esthetic defects that are of major concern to periodontists, restorative dentists, and patients. During the course of progressive periodontitis and following periodontal treatment, it is not uncommon to have a partial loss of the interdental papilla. This loss can lead to an unesthetic gingival appearance. This study evaluated different anatomic variables in an effort to determine their role in the papillary appearance of maxillary incisors. METHODS: A total of 178 interdental embrasures in 58 patients were selected randomly for examination. For each patient, a digital photograph and a modified periapical radiograph of the interdental embrasure of the four maxillary incisors were taken by using a special metric device fixed to a centrator as a reference marker. Clinical and radiographic data were obtained for the distance from the contact point to the alveolar crest and for the interradicular distance. We used a classification system with regard to peri-implant soft tissue based on esthetic assessments related to the space between reference lines through the highest gingival curvature of the crown-tooth margin and the contact point. RESULTS: In the group of interdental sites with an interradicular distance of less than approximately 2.4 mm, an increase in the distance between the contact point and the bone crest corresponded to a marked increase in the interdental black triangle's dimensions and, therefore, a less esthetic smile. In particular, when the interradicular distance was >2.4 mm, we statistically estimated that the other anatomic variable considered, the distance from the contact point to the alveolar crest, lost its influence on whether the interdental papilla would be present or absent. CONCLUSION: The interradicular distance and the distance between the contact point and the alveolar crest have independent and combined effects on the presence or absence of the interdental papilla.

Volatile components of cigarette smoke: effect of acrolein and acetaldehyde on human gingival fibroblasts in vitro.

BACKGROUND: Tobacco and some of its volatile and non-volatile components have been found to affect many types of cells including gingival fibroblasts. Since normal gingival fibroblast functioning is fundamental to the maintenance of the periodontal connective tissue, as well as to wound healing, we examined the effect of acrolein and acetaldehyde, volatile components of cigarette smoke, on proliferation, attachment, and ultrastructure of human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) in culture. METHODS: Human gingival fibroblast (HGF) strains derived from healthy individuals with non-inflamed gingiva were used in this study. The cells were incubated in the presence of different concentrations of acrolein and acetaldehyde. Cell attachment and proliferation were evaluated after incubation for 3 hours and 5 days, respectively. In addition, the cells were examined with a transmission electron microscope in order to evaluate their morphology. RESULTS: The results show that acrolein and acetaldehyde produced dose-dependent inhibition of HGF attachment and proliferation. The cytotoxic effect was, however, reversible when both substances were removed, after 3 days, from the medium. The main ultrastructural finding for the HGF cytoplasm was the presence of vacuoles and lysosomal structures that became prominent with increasing concentration of acrolein and acetaldehyde. CONCLUSIONS: Our experimental data suggest that acrolein and acetaldehyde, volatile components of tobacco smoke, are detrimental to HGF survival and consequently to the oral connective tissue. According to our morpho-functional evidence, these findings corroborate clinical and epidemiological investigations demonstrating smoke as a risk factor in the development of periodontal disease.

[Epidemiological studies of malocclusion in the school population of a mountain district]. / Indagine epidemiologica sulle malocclusioni nella popolazione scolastica di un comprensorio montano.

Authors report the prevalence of malocclusions in 2227 school children of a mountain district. The frequency of this pathology is very high especially in the first and third class of Angle's classification. The prevalence in this sample results also statistically higher than in a sample of school children of the plane in the province of Pavia, particularly in six years old children and in the Angle's classes we have mentioned. Authors remember the importance that preventing medicine, through sanitary education, can play in the pathology depending on personal behaviours.

[Ectodermal dysplasia. Clinical case]. / Displasia ectodermica. Caso clinico

A case of ectodermal dysplasia with anodontia, and severe hypotrichosis is described. Clinical aspects and differential diagnosis with Huth-chinson-Gildorf syndrome are also discussed.

[Applications of the ETCH technic and orthodontic brackets in some clinical cases]. / Applicazione della tecnica ETCH e attacchi ortodontici in alcuni casi clinici

The Authors shawed how the sealants having a resin base that can establish with tooth surfaces treated with acid, a sound connection among these and orthodontic brackets, originally used in orthodontic treatment, can also be used for fixation of fractures. The case described concern seven patients with a fracture of maxillaries. It was demonstrated that such a procedure was easy to execute for the operator and did not give any trouble to the patient. The results obtained were satisfactory.

[Taste changes in patients with AL amyloidosis. Preliminary studies]. / Le alterazioni gustative dei pazienti affetti da amiloidosi AL. Ricerche preliminari.

Taste acuity in 20 subjects affected by AL amyloidosis without oral complications was investigated by threshold determination. Sixteen cases did not recognize one or more fundamental tastes. Sour was the most frequently lost taste, as it was not recognized by 10 out of 20 cases. So, sensorial neuropathy, altering taste generation and/or transmission, seems frequently associated to AL amyloidosis. Further researches will show if taste losses realize typical symptomatic features in this disease.

[Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and microanalysis (EDS) applied to the study of biomaterials for dental use. 6]. / La microscopia elettronica a scansione (SEM) e microanalisi (EDS) applicata allo studio dei biomateriali per uso odontostomatologico. Nota 6.

The study considers the use of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and EDS microanalysis applied to the study of numerous mineral-based biomaterials of common use in odontostomatology. The products studied are the following: reabsorbable Dac Blu, non reabsorbable Dac Blu, non reabsorbable atomized Dac Blu, non rabsorbable fine Dac Blu, reabsorbable Biocoral 450, Calcitite 2040-12, Orthogel, Apagen, BTF 65, Calcitite 4060-2, Osprogel, Bio-Oss, Biostite, Ospro-vit, Merck Hydroxyapatite. By means of SEM it was possible to study the morphology and the microchemistry of the various biomaterials so as to have information about their physical and chemical characteristics, such as the crystalline form, the crystalline aggregations, the space dimensional distribution of the pores and check the possibilities of composition variability. All of these factors are fundamental to evaluate the functional biocompatibility of a biomaterial, once that its performance in a biological environment is known.

[A critical note on bioceramics]. / Nota critica sulle bioceramiche.

In this note I, the authors point out the uncertainty and confusion which exists in the bioceramics field. They then list the calcium phosphate biomaterials today in use.

[Diagnostic problems in a case of pyostomatitis vegetans]. / Problemi diagnostici in un caso di piostomatite vegetante.

After a clinical and histo-pathological introduction, the paper presents a case of Piostomatitis Vegetans, a rare stomatitis coexisting with chronic inflammatory disease of the intestinal tract, that was treated with local corticosteroids.