Loss of alveolar bone density in postmenopausal, osteopenic women is associated with circulating levels of gelatinases.

Objective: To determine whether circulating levels of two matrix metalloproteinases, MMP-2 and MMP-9, are associated with loss of alveolar bone density (ABD) or height (ABH), or with progression of periodontitis (relative clinical attachment level [RCAL]), among postmenopausal women with local and systemic bone loss.

Background: This study was planned as part of a 2-year randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical trial examining efficacy/safety of subantimicrobial dose doxycycline (20 mg bid) in postmenopausal osteopenic women. This study examines whether serum levels of gelatinases are associated with local changes in the periodontium.

Clinical and Radiographic Evaluation of Brånemark Implants with an Anodized Surface following Seven-to-Eight Years of Functional Loading.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and radiographic long-term outcomes of dental implants with an anodized TiUnite surface, placed in routine clinical practice. Two clinical centers participated in the study. One hundred and seven implants (80 in the maxilla and 27 in the mandible) in 52 patients were followed in the long term.

The association between clinical and radiographic periodontitis measurements during periodontal maintenance.

Background: The purpose of the present study is to examine the association between clinical and radiographic periodontitis measurements during 2 years of periodontal maintenance.

Methods: Secondary analyses were performed from a 2-year, double-masked, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of subantimicrobial dose doxycycline (SDD) in 128 postmenopausal osteopenic females with moderate-to-severe chronic periodontitis. Relative clinical attachment level (relative CAL) and probing depth (PD) measurements were made.

Serum bone biomarkers and oral/systemic bone loss in humans.

Unlabelled: We recently reported that subantimicrobial-dose doxycycline (SDD) significantly reduced serum bone-resorption biomarkers in subgroups of post-menopausal women. We hypothesize that changes in serum bone biomarkers are associated not only with systemic bone mineral density (BMD) changes, but also with alveolar bone changes over time. One hundred twenty-eight eligible post-menopausal women with periodontitis and systemic osteopenia were randomly assigned to receive SDD or placebo tablets twice daily for two years, adjunctive to periodontal maintenance.

Effect of JPEG2000 compression on landmark identification of lateral cephalometric digital radiographs.

Introduction: As digital imaging improves and digital cephalometric radiography becomes more prevalent, the need for digital storage space and transmission speed will increase. Compression of the image files is 1 method to overcome transmission overload. However, compression could compromise image quality.

Association of gingival crevicular fluid biomarkers during periodontal maintenance with subsequent progressive periodontitis.

Background: The analysis of biomarkers in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) may be helpful in forecasting patient vulnerability to future attachment loss. The purpose of this study is to correlate GCF biomarkers of inflammation and bone resorption with subsequent periodontal attachment and bone loss in a longitudinal trial of a matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) inhibitor.

Methods: GCF was collected from two periodontal pockets (mean +/- SD: 5.

A retrospective evaluation of radiographic outcomes in immature teeth with necrotic root canal systems treated with regenerative endodontic procedures.

Introduction: Several case reports on endodontic regeneration involving immature permanent teeth have recently been published. These case series have used varying treatments to achieve endodontic regeneration including triple antibiotic paste, Ca(OH)(2), and formocresol. However, no study has analyzed the overall results.

A prospective multicenter 5-year radiographic evaluation of crestal bone levels over time in 596 dental implants placed in 192 patients.

Background: Dental implants have been used to replace missing teeth to provide function and esthetics. One goal of such restorations is to maintain host tissue around the implants. The purpose of this prospective multicenter human clinical trial was to evaluate radiographic marginal bone levels around non-submerged hollow cylindrical and solid-screw implants for 5 years after loading.

Comparison of clinical, periapical radiograph, and cone-beam volume tomography measurement techniques for assessing bone level changes following regenerative periodontal therapy.

Background: Intraoral radiographs (IRs) provide a two-dimensional view of osseous structures, whereas cone-beam volumetric tomography (CBVT) images are viewable in three dimensions. The aim of this investigation was to compare the measurements from digital IR and CBVT images to direct surgical measurements for the evaluation of regenerative treatment outcomes.

Methods: Digital IR and CBVT images were taken prior to initial bone grafting and at the 6-month reentry surgery for 35 intrabony defects.

Evaluation of high-resolution cone beam computed tomography in the detection of simulated interradicular bone lesions.

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to assess the accuracy of limited-volume high-resolution cone beam CT (CBCT) in the detection of periodontal bone loss.

Methods: 163 simulated periodontal lesions of different depths were created in dried human hemimandibles. Specimens were imaged using the intraoral paralleling technique and limited-volume CBCT (3DX Accuitomo; Morita Co.

Immediate loading of single-tooth restorations: one-year prospective results.

Immediate loading of splinted implant restorations is a growing trend, but limited clinical documentation hampers evidence-based treatment planning for single-tooth applications. This study prospectively evaluated the clinical efficacy of placing implant-supported, single-tooth restorations into immediate, full-occlusal loading. Sixty consecutive patients (intent-to-treat group) with 1 missing tooth between 2 intact teeth were treated with a total of 69 implants.

Subantimicrobial-dose doxycycline modulates gingival crevicular fluid biomarkers of periodontitis in postmenopausal osteopenic women.

Background: We recently demonstrated that a 2-year subantimicrobial-dose doxycycline (SDD) regimen (double-masked, placebo-controlled clinical trial) in postmenopausal (PM) women exhibiting mild systemic bone loss (osteopenia) and local bone loss (periodontitis) reduced the progression of periodontal attachment loss (intent-to-treat analysis) and the severity of gingival inflammation and alveolar bone loss (subgroups) without producing antibiotic side effects. We now describe SDD effects on biomarkers of collagen degradation and bone resorption in the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) of the same vulnerable subjects.

Methods: GCF was collected from SDD- and placebo-treated PM subjects (n=64 each) at the baseline and 1- and 2-year appointments; the volume was determined; and the samples were analyzed for collagenase activity (using a synthetic peptide as substrate), relative levels of three genetically distinct collagenases (Western blot), a type-1 collagen breakdown product/bone resorption marker (a carboxyterminal telopeptide cross-link fragment of type I collagen [ICTP]; radioimmunoassay), and interleukin-1beta (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay).

The effect of ultrasound on bone dimensional changes following extraction: a pilot study.

Background: Because of bone resorption following tooth extraction, preservation of adequate bony dimension is performed often for subsequent treatment with dental implants. This study evaluated a novel, non-invasive treatment using ultrasound to accelerate healing following extraction to minimize alveolar bone loss. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of ultrasound on the dimensional healing changes of alveolar bone following tooth extraction using cone-beam volumetric tomography (CBVT).

Subantimicrobial dose doxycycline effects on alveolar bone loss in post-menopausal women.

Aim: Determine the efficacy of 2-year continuous subantimicrobial dose doxycycline (SDD; 20 mg bid) on alveolar bone in post-menopausal osteopenic, oestrogen-deficient women undergoing periodontal maintenance in a 2-year double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial.

Material And Methods: One-hundred and twenty-eight subjects randomized to SDD or placebo (n=64 each). Posterior vertical bite wings taken at baseline, 1 and 2 years for alveolar bone density (ABD), using radiographic absorptiometry (RA) and computer-assisted densitometric image analysis (CADIA), and alveolar bone height (ABH).

Immediate and early loading of SLA ITI single-tooth implants: an in vivo study.

Purpose: The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether early and immediate loading of dental implants resulted in adverse consequences as determined clinically, radiographically, and histologically.

Materials And Methods: In a canine model, 48 sand-blasted, large-grit, acid-etched (SLA) surfaced implants were placed at 4 different times before definitive restoration and loading. These times were 3 months (group A), 21 days (group B), 10 days (group C), and 2 days (immediately) (group D) before loading.

The use of guided tissue regeneration principles in endodontic surgery for induced chronic periodontic-endodontic lesions: a clinical, radiographic, and histologic evaluation.

Background: Chronic periodontic-endodontic lesions are not uncommon in clinical practice and their regenerative capacity has long been questioned. However, there are no published studies investigating the application of guided tissue regeneration techniques in combination with endodontic surgery using an induced perio-endo defect model. This study evaluated the clinical, radiographic, and histologic outcomes of three surgical procedures used to treat induced perio-endo lesions.

A radiographic assessment of progressive loading on bone around single osseointegrated implants in the posterior maxilla.

Objectives: The aim of this clinical study was to determine the effectiveness of progressive loading procedures on preserving crestal bone height and improving peri-implant bone density around maxillary implants restored with single premolar crowns by an accurate longitudinal radiographic assessment technique.

Materials And Methods: Twenty-three HA-coated, endosseous dental implants were placed in 20 subjects and permitted to heal for 5 months before surgical uncovering. The implants were randomly assigned to either an experimental or control group.

Local biochemical markers of bone turnover: relationship to subsequent density of healing alveolar bone defects.

Objectives: This pilot study was designed to test whether biochemical markers of bone turnover in washes of periosteal or trabecular alveolar bone surfaces could be correlated with increases in bone density of an adjacent healing implant socket.

Methods: Ten subjects had a canula inserted into the alveolar crest and sterile phosphate-buffered saline was washed over the periosteal and trabecular surfaces and collected. Surgical flaps were reflected, 5 mm diameter bone cores were removed from the bone wash site, and standardized radiographs were taken.

Healing of periapical lesions with complete loss of the buccal bone plate: a histologic study in the canine mandible.

This study evaluated periapical healing of induced apical lesions with concomitant loss of the buccal bone plate in a dog model using four foxhounds. In an initial surgery, pulp cavities of mandibular premolars were exposed to induce apical lesions. In the same session, the cortical bone covering the buccal root surfaces was surgically removed to simulate buccal bone loss.

Crestal bone changes around titanium implants: a methodologic study comparing linear radiographic with histometric measurements.

Generally, endosseous implants can be placed according to a nonsubmerged or a submerged technique and in 1-piece or 2-piece configurations. Recently, it has been shown that peri-implant crestal bone reactions differ significantly radiographically as well as histometrically under such conditions and are dependent on a rough/smooth implant border in 1-piece implants and on the location of a microgap (interface) between the implant and the abutment/restoration in 2-piece configurations. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether standardized radiography as a noninvasive clinical diagnostic method correlates with peri-implant crestal bone levels as determined by histometric analysis.

The association of cigarette smoking with alveolar bone loss in postmenopausal females.

Background, Aims: The purpose of this 2-year longitudinal clinical study was to determine the impact of smoking on alveolar bone height and density changes in postmenopausal females.

Methods: 59 postmenopausal women completed this study, including 38 non-smokers and 21 smokers. All subjects had a history of periodontitis, participated in 3- to 4-month periodontal maintenance programs and were within 5 years of menopause at the study outset.

Clinical validation of a new subtraction radiography technique for periodontal bone loss detection.

Background: Diagnostic subtraction radiography (DSR) is a new digital radiographic image subtraction method designed to enhance detection of crestal or periapical bone density changes and to help evaluate caries progression in teeth. In this clinical study, the performance of the DSR method was evaluated for its ability to detect periodontal bone loss and was compared with that of conventional evaluation of radiographs and the standardized cephalostat-guided image acquisition and subtraction technique (LRA) which served as the "gold standard."

Methods: In each of 25 subjects with alveolar crestal bone loss created by periodontal surgery, one set of DSR radiographs and one set of LRA radiographs were obtained before and after the surgery.

Radiographic absorptiometry method in measurement of localized alveolar bone density changes.

Objective: The objective of this study was to measure the accuracy and precision of a radiographic absorptiometry method by using an occlusal density reference wedge in quantification of localized alveolar bone density changes.

Study Design: Twenty-two volunteer subjects had baseline and follow-up radiographs taken of mandibular premolar-molar regions with an occlusal density reference wedge in both films and added bone chips in the baseline films. The absolute bone equivalent densities were calculated in the areas that contained bone chips from the baseline and follow-up radiographs.

The accuracy of radiographic methods in assessing the outcome of periodontal regenerative therapy.

Background: The study of regenerative therapy in the periodontal intrabony defect has relied upon surgical re-entry as the gold standard of outcome assessment. The search for a non-invasive method has led to the application of various radiographic techniques in evaluating post-treatment bone fill.

Methods: The purpose of this study was to determine the ability of 2 forms of radiographic analyses (linear measurement and computer assisted densitometric image analysis, CADIA) to assess postsurgical bone fill as measured at a re-entry procedure.