Evaluation of In Situ Hardening β-Tricalcium Phosphate/Poly(lactic-co-glycolide) Bone Substitute Used in Edentulous Ridge Preservation for Late Implant Placement: Case Series.

Introduction: The bioresorbable polymer poly(lactide-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) coated β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) (β-TCP/PLGA) bone substitute hardens into a stable and porous hard tissue scaffold when exposed to body fluids. Effectiveness of the novel alloplast has been examined in edentulous ridge preservation (ERP) following tooth extraction with subsequent early endosseous dental implant placement; however, it is not clear that the biomaterial is capable of maintaining the edentulous ridge volume to allow for late implant placement due to the rapid bioresorption property of β-TCP. The purpose of this case series is to determine if the β-TCP/PLGA bone substitute is a desirable material for ERP followed by late implant placement.

A gingival cul-de-sac following a root coverage procedure with a subepithelial connective tissue submerged graft.

Background: The subepithelial connective tissue graft (SCTG) used as a submerged graft in combination with a partial thickness advanced flap or rotated flap is a predictable technique for achieving coverage of the denuded root surface and/or for increasing the width of attached gingiva in Miller's class I and II marginal tissue recessions. However, even with a successful result, complications may occasionally occur.

Methods: A 4-mm marginal tissue recession with an insufficient zone of attached gingiva on the facial aspect of a mandibular left lateral incisor (#23) was covered with a submerged SCTG and an envelope partial thickness flap.

Acellular dermal matrix allografts to achieve increased attached gingiva. Part 2. A histological comparative study.

Background: In part 1 of this study, we compared the clinical efficacy of freeze-dried acellular dermal matrix (ADM) allograft in 6 patients with autogenous free gingival graft (FGG) in 6 patients for increasing the width of attached gingiva in the mandibular anterior area. The purpose of the present study was to histologically compare the microstructure of ADM and FGG treated sites from the same group.

Methods: Biopsies were harvested from all 12 patients at 6 months postsurgery.

Measurement of proteases in human subgingival dental plaque by fluorescence polarization.

Fluorescence polarization (FP) was examined as a rapid quantitative method to assay the proteases in subgingival plaque. Protease activity was measured by a decrease in FP at 0.5-min intervals over 5 min, using BODIPY-alpha-casein, a protein substrate.

Acellular dermal matrix allografts to achieve increased attached gingiva. Part 1. A clinical study.

Background: Freeze-dried acellular dermal matrix (ADM) allograft, originally used for full-thickness burn wounds, was recently introduced as an alternative to the autogenous free gingival graft (FGG) in achieving increased attached keratinized tissue. The aim of part 1 of this study was to investigate the clinical efficacy of the ADM allograft for this particular purpose.

Methods: Twelve patients, 7 males and 5 females, with attached gingiva < or =1 mm on the facial aspect of mandibular anterior teeth demonstrating a tendency of progressive marginal tissue recession, were randomly assigned to either test or control treatment.