Periodontal Probing of Dental Furcations Compared With Diagnosis by Low‐Dose Computed Tomography: A Case Series

Background: Therapeutic decisions in periodontal surgery are based on the accurate diagnosis of the furcation. Clinical probing is the basic diagnostic tool; however, the accuracy of clinical probing to distinguish Class II and Class III furcation defects is unknown. Therefore, this study compares clinical probing diagnoses to those of computed tomography (CT). Methods: Seventy‐five patients with severe periodontal disease were enrolled in this case series study. A total of 582 furcation sites in molars were assigned for the diagnosis of Class II and Class III furcation defects by clinical probing. Diagnosis based on CT served as a reference. Results: The degree of furcation involvement on clinical findings was confirmed in 57% of the sites, whereas 20% were overestimated and 23% were underestimated compared with the radiologic analysis. Only 32% of Class III furcations in the CT scan were detected clinically. The best correlation of CT scan and clinical probing was found at buccal furcation sites in the mandible, with a κ‐coefficient of 0.52, and buccal furcation sites in the maxilla, κ = 0.38. The κ‐coefficient was 0.35 for lingual furcations, 0.29 for mesial furcations, and 0.27 for distal furcations, showing weaker correlations. Conclusions: CT scans offer more detailed information on furcation involvement than clinical probing. Especially before surgical treatment, three‐dimensional radiographic imaging can be a useful tool to assess the degree of furcation involvement and optimize treatment decisions.     

Palatonasal Recess on Medial Wall of the Maxillary Sinus and Clinical Implications for Sinus Augmentation via Lateral Window Approach

Background: Anatomic variations of the maxillary sinus determine the degree of difficulty in performing sinus augmentation. Whereas some variations, e.g., the septum and morphology of the sinus, have been extensively studied, the structure of the medial wall has never been investigated. The aims of this study are to measure the location and angulation of the palatonasal recess (PNR) on the medial wall and identify risk sites that are related to the shape of the PNR. Methods: Cone‐beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans were screened from the University of Michigan School of Dentistry database. Edentulous sites with <10 mm between the floor of the maxillary sinus and the alveolar crest were selected. The residual ridge height (RH), the distance between the PNR and the alveolar crest, and the angulation of the PNR were measured on the selected sagittal planes. The percentage of sites (risk sites) with recesses that were <90°and <15 mm from the alveolar crest was calculated. The PNR location and angulation were compared among premolar and molar edentulous sites. Results: Two hundred seventy‐four sites were studied. The mean ± SE PNR location was 14.2 ± 2.8 mm, 13.1 ± 2.2 mm, and 12.5 ± 2.5 mm for the second premolar, first molar, and second molar sites, respectively, with significant differences between the second premolar and second molar sites. The mean PNR angulation was 109.8° ± 25.3°, 121.6° ± 22.1°, and 144.9° ± 23.1° in the corresponding sites, with significant differences among the site groups. The respective percentages of risk sites were 15%, 8.2%, and 2.4% in the second premolar, first molar, and second molar sites. Conclusions: Maxillary sinuses with acute‐angled PNRs might present a challenge for performing sinus augmentation. Therefore, this anatomic structure should be carefully evaluated.     

Long‐Term Stability of Contour Augmentation With Early Implant Placement Following Single Tooth Extraction in the Esthetic Zone: A Prospective,Cross‐Sectional Study in 41 Patients With a 5‐ to 9‐Year Follow‐Up

Background: Early implant placement with simultaneous contour augmentation is documented with short‐ and medium‐term studies. The long‐term stability of contour augmentation is uncertain. Methods: In this prospective, cross‐sectional study, 41 patients with an implant‐borne single crown were examined twice, in 2006 and 2010. Clinical, radiologic, and esthetic parameters were assessed at both examinations. In addition, a cone beam computed tomographic (CBCT) image was obtained during the second examination to assess the dimensions of the facial bone wall. Results: All 41 implants demonstrated ankylotic stability without signs of peri‐implant infection at both examinations. The clinical parameters remained stable over time. Satisfactory esthetic outcomes were noted, as assessed by the pink and white esthetic score (PES/WES) indices. Overall, the PES scores were slightly higher than the WES scores. None of the implants developed mucosal recession over time, as confirmed by values of the distance between implant shoulder and mucosal margin and cast measurements. The periapical radiographs yielded stable peri‐implant bone levels, with a mean distance between implant shoulder and first visible bone‐implant contact value of 2.18 mm. The CBCT analysis demonstrated a mean thickness of the facial bone wall ≈2.2 mm. In two implants (4.9%) no facial bone wall was detectable radiographically. Conclusions: This prospective cross‐sectional study demonstrates stable peri‐implant hard and soft tissues for all 41 implants examined and satisfactory esthetic outcomes overall. The follow‐up of 5 to 9 years confirmed again that the risk for mucosal recession is low with early implant placement. In addition, contour augmentation with guided bone regeneration was able to establish and maintain a facial bone wall in 95% of patients.     

Effects of Estrogen Deficiency and/or Caffeine Intake on Alveolar Bone Loss,Density, and Healing: A Study in Rats

Background: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of caffeine and/or estrogen deficiency on ligature‐induced bone loss (BL), trabecular bone area (TBA), and postextraction bone healing (BH). Methods: Rats were assigned into one of the following groups (15 each): 1) control = non‐ingestion of caffeine/sham surgery; 2) caffeine = ingestion of caffeine/sham surgery); 3) ovariectomized (OVX) = non‐ingestion of caffeine/ovariectomy; or 4) caffeine/OVX = ingestion of caffeine/ovariectomy. The rats were under caffeine administration for 65 days and/or estrogen deficiency for 51 days. On day 21 after ovariectomy, one first mandibular molar received a ligature and the contralateral tooth was not ligated. The first maxillary molars were extracted 8 days before sacrifice. BL, TBA, the positive cells for tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), receptor activator of nuclear factor‐κB ligand (RANKL), and osteoprotegerin (OPG) were analyzed in the furcation area of mandibular molars. Histometric BH and gene expression of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)‐2, BMP‐7, osteopontin, and bone sialoprotein were evaluated in alveolar sockets. Results: The caffeine group presented the greatest BL and the OVX group the highest number of TRAP‐positive (TRAP⁺) cells around ligated teeth (P <0.05). The control group presented higher TBA and BH than the other groups (P <0.05). All test groups presented higher RANKL/OPG⁺ cells than the control group around ligated/unligated teeth. The OVX and caffeine/OVX groups presented a greater number of TRAP⁺ cells around unligated teeth than the control group (P <0.05). There were no differences among groups for gene expression (P >0.05). Conclusions: Caffeine increased BL in ligated teeth. Caffeine and/or estrogen deficiency decreased TBA in the unligated teeth and reduced BH after tooth extraction.     

Outcome of gingivoperiosteoplasty for the treatment of alveolar clefts in patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate

Gingivoperiosteoplasty (GPP) has produced inconsistent outcomes. The purpose of this prospective study was to investigate the effects of GPP on the production of bone and maxillary growth. We analysed postoperative cone-beam computed tomographic (CT) scans and intraoral dental photographs of 25 children with complete unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) who were treated with GPP at the same time as their primary repair of the lip. Residual cleft defects and unsupported root ratios of central incisors adjacent to clefts were measured from scans. Dental arch relations were assessed from photographs using the Goslon (Great Ormond Street London and Oslo) yardstick. Eighteen children did not require secondary alveolar bone grafts. Residual cleft defects varied by site (20.4 mm³, 38.6 mm³, 88.2 mm³, and 135.2 mm³ for buccal coronal, palatal coronal, buccal apical, and palatal apical defects, respectively; p < 0.001). Unsupported root ratios did not differ significantly between coronal and apical central incisors adjacent to clefts. The mean (SD) Goslon score was 4.52 (0.51). Most participants (n = 18) who had a GPP did not need secondary alveolar bone grafting. GPP resulted in least bone on the palatal apical portion of the previous alveolar cleft and relatively good periodontal bony support of central incisors adjacent to the cleft. We no longer use GPP because of our concerns about maxillary growth.     

两类单侧不全唇裂鼻畸形临床特点的初步研究

目的：研究单侧不全唇裂伴有／和不伴有牙槽突裂患儿的唇、鼻部畸形特征。方法：对68例患者进行唇鼻部相关数据的测量研究,采用改良Mohler术式修复唇裂并同期矫正鼻畸形。结果：术前测量显示伴有牙槽突裂患儿的唇峰～鼻翼,唇峰～鼻小柱基底的距离,鼻孔高,鼻孔宽和鼻小柱高度与不伴有牙槽突裂的患儿相同指标有显著性差异。结论：通过测量数据的分析显示：单侧不完全性唇裂伴有牙槽突裂是一种畸形更为严重的不全唇裂。     

微小RNA与牙周炎

近十年,一类非编码蛋白的小RNA分子——微小RNA (miRNAs)证实参与免疫细胞发育以及多种疾病如肿瘤、炎症等生理和病理过程.而牙周炎作为危害人类口腔健康的常见慢性炎症,其发病机制的研究尚有不确切之处,也未能找到十分有效的治疗方法.近年,学者开始对牙周炎及miRNAs两者间的关系开展研究,以探索miRNAs参与牙周炎的发病机制.本文根据miRNAs与牙周炎研究的最新进展,就其在牙周组织及牙槽骨组织中异常表达及可能机制两方面作一综述.     

锥形束计算机体层摄影术观察下牙槽神经管形态及其临床意义

目的 应用锥形束计算机体层摄影术（CBCT）观测并分析下牙槽神经管在下颌骨内的走行特点,探讨其分布规律,为临床手术提供解剖学依据.方法 采用单纯随机抽样法选取具备下颌后部CBCT 扫描数据的患者60 例,应用CBCT 自带的KaVo eXam Vision 软件测量颏孔区、前磨牙区、磨牙区下牙槽神经管与牙槽嵴顶、下颌骨颊舌侧骨板及下缘的平均距离,对各组测量项目进行成组t 检验比较,并观察其走行特点.结果 下牙槽神经管距下颌下缘小于距牙槽嵴顶的距离,在第二磨牙区距离下颌骨下缘最近;颏孔区至第一磨牙区间,下牙槽神经管距颊侧骨板距离小于距舌侧骨板距离,自第二磨牙后,下牙槽神经管距颊侧骨板距离则大于距舌侧骨板距离;性别及左、右侧下牙槽神经管距离差异无统计学意义（t＝2.437,P ＞ 0.05）.结论 CBCT 扫描有利于更好了解下牙槽神经管的走行及结构特异性,对牙槽外科及种植外科手术方案的制定具有一定临床指导意义.     

快速诊断多房棘球蚴病胶体金免疫层析试条方法的建立与评价

目的建立快速、简便诊断多房棘球蚴病的胶体金免疫层析试条方法。方法提取多房棘球蚴原头节总RNA,通过RT-PCR获得编码Em18基因片段并克隆入pGEX-3X表达载体,异丙基-β-D-硫代半乳糖苷(IPTG)诱导表达得到重组蛋白;采用柠檬酸三钠还原法制备胶体金,标记抗人IgG单克隆抗体;将重组Em18抗原包被于硝酸纤维素膜适当位置,制成检测特异抗体的胶体金免疫层析试条。用该试条检测多房棘球蚴病(56份)、细粒棘球蚴病(87份)、囊尾蚴病(30份)、日本血吸虫病(10份)和弓形虫病(10份)患者血清,以及健康人(50份)血清,以评价其检测的敏感性和特异性,同时用ELISA法进行平行检测,以评价该试条的诊断性能。结果以重组蛋白Em18为抗原胶体金免疫层析试条检测多房棘球蚴病患者血清,敏感性为92.9%(52/56)。与细粒棘球蚴病和囊尾蚴病患者血清分别存在9.2%(8/87)和3.3%(1/30)的交叉反应,与健康人血清存在8.0%(4/50)的假阳性率,与日本血吸虫病和弓形虫病患者血清则无交叉反应,特异性为93.0%(174/187)。ELISA法检测的敏感性和特异性分别为94.6%(54/56)和92%(172/187),与试条法比较两者差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。kappa分析结果显示,试条法与ELISA法检测多房棘球蚴病患者血清的结果高度一致(κ=0.98)。结论以重组Em18抗原建立的快速诊断胶体金免疫层析试条,检测多房棘球蚴病的敏感性和特异性均较高。