The influence of vitamin D supplementation on local and systemic inflammatory markers in periodontitis patients: A pilot study.

Objectives: Vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency is a worldwide public health issue that has been linked to numerous inflammatory disorders, including periodontitis. There is increasing support for a role for adequate vitamin D levels in overall health. Populations with darker skin color have a higher prevalence of vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency and periodontitis.

Considerations for Incision and Flap Design With Implant Therapy in the Esthetic Zone.

The planning and design of any incision in the esthetic zone should be carried out based on biologic principles and with careful consideration of the desired esthetic outcome. Different incision and flap designs have been identified for implant and implant-related surgeries in the esthetic zone. Those include; flapless, vestibular incision, papilla sparing, envelope, triangular, and trapezoidal.

Teen driver crash risk and associations with smoking and drowsy driving.

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for young people in the United States. The goal of this study was to identify risk factor profiles of teen and young adult drivers involved in crashes. General demographic and behavioral as well as driving-related factors were considered.

The use of a bovine bone mineral in periodontal osseous defects: case reports.

This article reviews the clinical and radiographical results of 12 periodontal patients treated with a bovine bone graft, Bio-Oss. Thirty-two periodontal intrabony osseous defects of various sizes and morphology were surgically treated and evaluated at 6 months. The patients responded well to the use of the bovine bone mineral with good tissue response and an improvement of the intrabony defects.

Inhibition of experimental gingivitis in beagle dogs with topical salivary histatins.

Histatins, histidine-rich proteins found within parotid and submandibular secretions, are a novel class of endogenous peptides with antimicrobial properties. This masked, randomized, placebo-controlled preclinical investigation examined the effect of 3 topical histatins on the development of plaque and gingivitis in beagle dogs. 16, female, 1-year-old beagles were brought to optimal gingival health by mechanical scaling and polishing followed by rigorous daily tooth brushing.