Human palatal and tuberosity mucosa as donor sites for ridge augmentation.

Since different clinical outcomes of periodontal bilaminar surgeries using the palate or the maxillary tuberosity as connective tissue (CT) donor sites have been observed, tissues grafted with CT from the palate or the tuberosity 1 year after surgical procedures for ridge augmentation were compared with nongrafted tissues by using morphologic and molecular methods. Collagen content and matrix metalloproteinases 1 and 2 expression were similar in tissues and cultured fibroblasts from the palate and tuberosity, although with interindividual differences. In contrast, differences in collagen cross-linking and maturation in the tuberosity fibroblasts were observed, suggesting a possible role in determining hyperplastic responses in some patients.

Save the natural tooth or place an implant? Three periodontal decisional criteria to perform a correct therapy.

To perform advanced periodontal therapy to save a natural tooth or to extract it and place an implant-which is best? Several considerations need to be made to make the proper decision. Endodontic conditions, proper reconstruction of a devitalized tooth, and the possibility of correct prosthetic treatment are all factors to be considered. From a strictly periodontal point of view, in the presence of a stable, vital, intact, periodontally involved, single-rooted tooth, a few fundamental criteria need to be considered to make the proper decision.

Long-term clinical observation of treatment of infrabony defects with enamel matrix derivative (Emdogain): surgical reentry.

A surgical protocol for the placement of Emdogain during new attachment procedures was published in this journal in 1999. Three cases with infrabony defects were treated, and significant periodontal attachment level gain, probing depth reduction, and bone fill were evident upon clinical probing and reentry procedures after 1 year. The patients were enrolled in a maintenance protocol with 3-month recall visits.

Crestal bone resorption 5 years after implant loading: clinical and radiologic results with a 2-stage implant system.

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to assess crestal bone resorption 5 years after loading by conducting a clinical and radiographic evaluation of 112 Frialit-2 implants consecutively placed in 51 patients from January 1994 through June 1994.

Materials And Methods: All implants were placed in the same private-practice clinic by the same surgeon. Clinical assessment included plaque score monitoring, bleeding on probing, probing depth, type of occlusion, and prosthetic adaptation.

Comparison of infrabony defects treated with enamel matrix derivative versus guided tissue regeneration with a nonresorbable membrane.

Aim: The purpose of the present multicenter clinical trial was to compare the efficacy of two different procedures in the treatment of infrabony defects: guided tissue regeneration (GTR) with nonresorbable membranes and enamel matrix derivative (EMD).

Material And Methods: Six centers participated in this study. Ninety-eight patients with an interproximal infrabony defect were selected.