Dental laser training and education in postgraduate periodontics programs in North America.

Introduction: The application of various lasers to treat periodontal and peri-implant diseases is gaining momentum. While laser-related dental research is ongoing, it is important to determine if current periodontal training programs are keeping pace with these new treatment modalities and actively incorporating them into their training.

Materials And Methods: An electronic survey was created to evaluate the extent to which lasers are currently being used in North American periodontal programs.

An in vitro comparison of four antibacterial agents with and without nicotine and their effects on human gingival fibroblasts.

Background: The purpose of the study was to compare anti-bacterial activity of 0.12% chlorhexidine (CHX), 10% povidone iodine (PVD), Vega oral care gel (VEGA), and antioxidant gel (AO) on Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sanguis, Fusobacterium nucleatum, and Porphyromonas gingivalis with and without nicotine and to evaluate their effects on human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs).

Methods: S.

Management of Recurrent Gummy Smile After 7 Years: A Case Report.

Esthetic crown lengthening is a periodontal surgical procedure to correct excess gingival display (ie, "gummy smile"). The procedure may require soft-tissue excision only, osseous resection, or a combination of both. However, the long-term healing responses, such as soft-tissue relapse or recession and hard-tissue regrowth and resorption, have not been fully reported in the literature.

In vitro comparison of root surface roughness and bacterial adhesion following treatment with three different instruments.

Background: A novel device, piezoelectric 11 Gracey curet tip, reportedly combines benefits of a piezoelectric device and manual curet. The primary objective of this study was to compare root surface roughness outcomes between traditional manual curets and piezoelectric devices, as compared with this novel device. The secondary aim was to assess the level of adhesion of Streptococcus mutans on the root surface after instrumentation.

Effects on Ridge Dimensions, Bone Density, and Implant Primary Stability with Osseodensification Approach in Implant Osteotomy Preparation.

Purpose: To compare the amount of bone expansion, bone density change, and implant primary stability with an osseodensification technique to a conventional drilling protocol.

Materials And Methods: Twenty-four bovine rib segments (20 × 25 × 4 mm) with a 1-mm outer layer of cortical bone were randomly divided into two groups: an osseodensification group and a conventional drilling group. Each bone sample received one 4.

Effect of Medical-Grade Polyurethane Sponges on Sinus Membrane Perforation With a Lateral Window Approach.

The most commonly reported complication during the sinus elevation surgical procedure is the perforation of the Schneiderian membrane. The aim of this retrospective study was to compare the rate of sinus membrane perforation during lateral window augmentation using either conventional sinus curettes or medical-grade polyurethane sponges. This retrospective study included patients who received a lateral window approach for sinus floor elevation.

Effects of platelet-rich fibrin on human gingival and periodontal ligament fibroblast proliferation from chronic periodontitis versus periodontally healthy subjects.

Background: Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF), an autogenous blood concentrate, contains multiple growth factors and is used as an adjunct in the periodontal regeneration and implant site development procedures to stimulate wound healing. Patient-related factors such as chronic periodontitis may affect the quality of PRF.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate and compare PRF's effects from patients diagnosed with generalized moderate or severe chronic periodontitis to patients who presented with intact periodontium on human gingival fibroblast (HGF) and human periodontal ligament fibroblast (HPLF) proliferation.

Amnion-Chorion Allograft Barrier Used on Root Surface for Regenerative Procedures: Case Report.

Introduction: Guided tissue regeneration (GTR) has been well documented with combination of bone graft substitutes and biologic modifiers to improve the outcomes of periodontal regenerative procedures. Amnion-chorion allograft membrane (ACM) is a placenta-derived resorbable allograft membrane which contains growth factors found in the placenta. The primary purpose of the barrier membranes for GTR was to exclude the epithelial down-growth along with the root surface, however, the ACM can be used as an additional biologic modifier because of the release of growth factors from the ACM after placement.

Alveolar Ridge Augmentation Around Exposed Mandibular Dental Implant With Histomorphometric Analysis.

Introduction: Alveolar ridge augmentation either before or during implant placement is a predictable procedure under certain conditions. A major complication during the healing phase is incision line opening and membrane exposure, which may result in reduced bone gain and reduced implant survival. This case report describes alveolar bone regeneration around three dental implants despite membrane exposure that developed during healing post-surgically.

Levels of growth factors from platelet-rich fibrin from chronic periodontitis versus periodontally healthy subjects: a pilot study.

Objectives: This study aimed to (1) compare the amounts of growth factors from platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) between chronic periodontitis and periodontally healthy subjects and (2) evaluate the relationships between the amounts of growth factors from PRF with complete blood counts (white blood cell (WBC) and platelet counts) and the serum concentrations of IL-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α).

Materials And Methods: Venous blood was collected from chronic periodontitis (test) and periodontally healthy subjects (control). PRF and serum were collected from the centrifuged blood.

Comparative evaluation of mandibular canal visibility on cross-sectional cone-beam CT images: a retrospective study.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the visibility of the mandibular canal (MC) in CBCT images and if the visibility of the MC is affected by gender, location and/or age.

Methods: CBCT images were evaluated for the visibility of the MC by a board-certified oral and maxillofacial radiologist, a board-certified periodontist and a periodontics resident. Representative slices were examined for the first premolar (PM(1)), second premolar (PM(2)), first molar (M(1)) and second molar (M(2)) sites by all examiners.

A prospective, multicenter study of bovine pericardium membrane with cancellous particulate allograft for localized alveolar ridge augmentation.

Resorption of the alveolar ridge may lead to ridge deformities that make dental implant placement difficult or impossible. Augmentation of the alveolar ridge may restore appropriate ridge form to allow implant placement. Forty-four patients with edentulous spaces completed this multicenter prospective trial to clinically and radiographically evaluate the efficacy of a bovine pericardium membrane and a particulate mineralized cancellous bone allograft in promoting lateral ridge augmentation.

A clinical and histomorphometric study of calcium sulfate compared with freeze-dried bone allograft for alveolar ridge preservation.

Background: Many materials have been found to be effective in ridge preservation. The purpose of this study is to determine whether calcium sulfate (CS) is as effective as freeze-dried bone allograft (FDBA) in preserving postextraction ridge dimensions and to evaluate the amount of new bone formation and graft clearance through histologic analysis.

Methods: Thirty-one extraction sites were selected.

Cervical enamel projections and associated pouch-like opening in mandibular furcations.

Background: Cervical enamel projections (CEPs) have been listed among the tooth-associated risk factors that could lead to isolated furcation defects around molar teeth. This is more likely when Grade III CEPs are present. However, the histologic aspects of the CEP interface with regard to the presence or absence of cementum over the enamel projection within the furcation have not been well described.

Microbial contamination and the sterilization/disinfection of surgical guides used in the placement of endosteal implants.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was twofold: (1) to estimate the level of microbial contamination found on commercial guides (CG) and in-house laboratory guides (LG) prior to use, and (2) to evaluate the antimicrobial potential of disinfectants commonly used in dentistry to decontaminate heat-sensitive surgical guides. Ethylene oxide gas was used as the positive control; sterile water served as a negative control.

Materials And Methods: Evaluation of CGs and LGs for bacterial contamination occurred soon after their arrival in the laboratory.

Peripheral quantitative computer tomographic, histomorphometric, and removal torque analyses of two different non-coated implants in a rabbit model.

Objective: The objectives of this study were (1) to investigate the bone-tissue response to zirconia and titanium implants at the implant-to-bone interface and at the periosteal level and (2) to quantitatively measure the mineral density of the peri-implant bone using peripheral quantitative computer tomography (pQCT).

Material And Methods: Ten 3.5 mm × 6.

A survey of United States periodontists' knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to tobacco-cessation interventions.

Background: Because of the clear causal relationship between smoking and periodontal disease, and the negative effect of smoking on wound healing, it is of great importance to evaluate the tobacco-cessation interventions provided by periodontal practices. The use of tobacco-cessation interventions in clinical practice can be measured by whether the practitioner uses any of the "5 A's" defined by the 2008 United States Public Health Services Clinical Practice Guideline.

Methods: Surveys were mailed to 1,000 active members of the American Academy of Periodontology.

Periodontal-endodontic lesion of a three-rooted maxillary premolar: report of a case.

Background: A 43-year-old African American male initially presented for a dental evaluation of a recurrent swelling on the buccal aspect of tooth #12. His medical history was unremarkable except for a 20-pack year history of smoking. He was eventually diagnosed as having a necrotic pulp #12, and received root canal treatment.

Changes in gingival dimensions following connective tissue grafts for root coverage: comparison of two procedures.

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes in gingival dimensions and root coverage using the same surgical procedure but varying the amount of the connective tissue graft left uncovered.

Methods: Twenty-five Class I or II recession defects in 20 healthy subjects were randomly assigned to test (exposed connective tissue group; E group) or control (fully covered connective tissue group; FC group) groups and treated with a connective tissue graft procedure. In the E group, 1 to 2 mm of the graft was left uncovered at the completion of the surgery, whereas the FC group had the graft completely covered by the flap.

The relationship between acute otitis media and the anatomic form of the hard palate.

Purpose: Acute otitis media (AOM) is a serious health concern for millions of children. This study was conducted to determine the relationship between AOM and the shape of the hard palate.

Methods: Intraoral examinations were performed on 175 pediatric dental patients ages 4-6.

Periodontal assessment by right- and left-handed examiners: is there a difference?

Background: Multiple factors that influence the precision of periodontal probing measurements have been identified. These factors can be categorized as being dependent upon host-related, probe-related, or examiner-related variables. However, the potential influence of examiner handedness (right or left) on the measurement of periodontal probing depths (PDs) has not been addressed.

The prevalence of mentoring programs in the transition from student to practitioner among U.S. dental hygiene programs.

Mentoring of students to assist them in the transition to clinical practice has been utilized in a number of health professions but has only been recently introduced in dental and dental hygiene education. A survey was sent to all U.S.

Papillary squamous cell carcinoma presenting on the gingiva.

Background: Papillary squamous cell carcinoma (PSCC) is a rare variant of squamous cell carcinoma. PSCC can occur as either an in situ or invasive tumor. The sites of occurrence in order of the most to least prevalent are the larynx, oropharynx, and nasopharynx.

Periodontal-endodontic interdisciplinary treatment--a case report.

Periodontal-endodontic lesions pose a difficult diagnostic and therapeutic challenge to the dental practitioner. A careful diagnostic examination consisting of a thorough patient and dental history, comprehensive clinical examination, and use of appropriate dental radiographs is necessary to arrive at a proper diagnosis of the periodontal-endodontic lesion. Despite these measures, it is not always possible to make an accurate diagnosis, which is imperative to provide the proper therapy in the correct treatment sequence.