Time- and Species-Dependent Bacterial Adhesion to Titanium over Short Exposure Periods: An In Vitro Study.

A considerable percentage of dental implant patients experience biofilm-mediated peri-implant disease following transmucosal abutment application. Bacterial adhesion is an early step in biofilm development. Our purpose was to assess adhesion of specific bacterial species to titanium over short exposure periods.

The Extraction Socket Management Continuum: A Hierarchical Approach to Dental Implant Site Development.

Focused Clinical Question: How should clinicians manage dental extraction sockets when immediate implant placement is contraindicated, and alveolar ridge preservation is expected to result in inadequate bone volume for implant placement?

Summary: Three fundamental options for extraction socket management form a hierarchical continuum in sites where dental implant placement is planned: place an immediate implant, perform ridge preservation, or perform ridge augmentation. The available volume and quality of bone and keratinized mucosa are the primary considerations driving the decision, and each tier in the continuum encompasses a variety of techniques with attendant advantages and disadvantages.

Conclusions: Some immediate implant protocols require no mucoperiosteal flap and possibly produce the most favorable clinical and patient-centered outcomes compared with other extraction socket management approaches.

Focus on Epithelialized Palatal Grafts. Part 2: Implant Site Development.

Introduction: The epithelialized palatal graft (EPG), introduced in 1963, has persisted as the gold standard for gingival augmentation, and in the present era, mucosal augmentation around dental implants has become an important concern. A limited body of evidence suggests peri-implant mucosal augmentation may favorably impact bone and mucosal stability and peri-implant health under some circumstances. Although more contemporary procedures for peri-implant mucosal augmentation are often preferred based on convenience and esthetic considerations, EPG augmentation at dental implant sites is distinguishable from methods which do not deepen the vestibule and eliminate unfavorable superficial soft tissue.

Preparing Dental Students and Residents to Overcome Internal and External Barriers to Evidence-Based Practice.

In recent years, evidence-based dentistry has become the ideal for research, academia, and clinical practice. However, barriers to implementation are many, including the complexity of interpreting conflicting evidence as well as difficulties in accessing it. Furthermore, many proponents of evidence-based care seem to assume that good evidence consistently exists and that clinicians can and will objectively evaluate data so as to apply the best evidence to individual patients' needs.

Gingival recession treatment with connective tissue grafts in smokers and non-smokers.

Background: Cigarette smoking can adversely affect the results of many periodontal procedures. The purpose of this study was to determine whether cigarette smoking affects wound healing of subepithelial connective tissue grafts.

Methods: Seventeen systemically healthy patients with 22 Miller Class I or II mucogingival defects were divided into a non-smoker group or smoker group.

Perioral angioedema associated with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor.

Background: Angioedema is a non-pruritic swelling usually limited to the skin and mucous membranes of the face and perioral soft tissues. It can be life threatening but usually is not, and can be managed with conservative medical treatment unless the airway is endangered. Recent reports suggest that angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors can predispose and/or precipitate angioedema, with a predilection toward patients of African American ancestry.