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Objective: To histologically evaluate the effects of a novel human recombinant amelogenin (rAmelX) on periodontal wound healing/regeneration in intrabony defects. Method and mater-ials: Intrabony defects were surgically created in the mandible of three minipigs. Twelve defects were randomly treated with either rAmelX and carrier (test group) or with the carrier only (control group). At 3 months following reconstructive surgery, the animals were euthanized, and the tissues histologically processed. Thereafter, descriptive histology, histometry, and statistical analyses were performed. Results: Postoperative clinical healing was uneventful. At the defect level, no adverse reactions (eg, suppuration, abscess formation, unusual inflammatory reaction) were observed with a good biocompatibility of the tested products. The test group yielded higher values for new cementum formation (4.81 ± 1.17 mm) compared to the control group (4.39 ± 1.71 mm) without reaching statistical significance (P= .937). Moreover, regrowth of new bone was greater in the test compared to the control group (3.51 mm and 2.97 mm, respectively, P = .309). Conclusions: The present results provided for the first-time histologic evidence for periodontal regeneration following the use of rAmelX in intrabony defects, thus pointing to the potential of this novel recombinant amelogenin as a possible alternative to regenerative materials from animal origins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To describe the step-by-step procedure of a novel surgical technique consisting of a combination of the laterally closed tunnel (LCT) and the modified coronally advanced tunnel (MCAT) (ie, LCT/MCAT), designed to treat multiple mandibular adjacent gingival recessions (MAGR) and to present the clinical outcomes obtained in 11 consecutively treated patients. Method and materials: Eleven systemically and periodontally healthy patients (7 females, mean ± SD 33.62 ± 14.6 years, min. 19 years max. 67 years) with a total of 40 adjacent mandibular RT1 (ie, Miller Class 1 and 2) gingival recessions with a minimum depth = 3mm, were consecutively treated with LCT/MCAT, in conjunction with an enamel matrix derivative (EMD) and subepithelial palatal connective tissue graft (SCTG). Treatment outcomes were assessed at baseline and at 12 months postoperatively. Prior to surgery and at 12months postoperatively, recession depth (RD) and recession width (RW) were evaluated. The primary outcome variable was complete root coverage (CRC, ie 100% root coverage), the secondary outcome was mean root coverage (MRC). Results: Postoperative pain and discomfort were low and the healing was uneventful in all cases without any complications. At 12 months, statistically significant (P < .05) root coverage (RC) was obtained in all patients. CRC was obtained in five patients with a total of 21 recessions, while MRC measured 92.9% (ie, 3.75 mm). In seven patients (ie, 63.6%), RC amounted to > 93% while the minimum RC per patient measured 83.76%. Conclusion: The results of the present case series suggest that the LCT/MCAT is a valuable technique for the treatment of mandibularRT1 MAGR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To evaluate the healing of multiple adjacent type 1 and 2 gingival recessions (RT1 and RT2) treated with the modified coronally advanced tunnel (MCAT) or the laterally closed tunnel (LCT) in conjunction with a cross-linked hyaluronic acid and subepithelial palatal connective tissue grafts. Method and materials: Fifteen healthy patients exhibiting multiple adjacent mandibular or maxillary RT1 and RT2 of a depth of = 2mm, were treated with the MCAT or LCT in conjunction with cross-linked hyaluronic acid and subepithelial palatal connective tissue grafts. Results were assessed at baseline and after a minimum of 6 months. The primary outcome variable was root coverage. Esthetic outcomes were evaluated on photographs using the root coverage esthetic score. Results: Postoperative pain and discomfort were low and no complications occurred. Data analyses were performed at patient level. After a mean follow-up of 17 ± 5.4 months, statistically significant root coverage was obtained in all 15 cases (P < .0001). Complete root coverage was obtained in 3 out of 15 cases (20%). Root coverage amounted to > 95% in three patients, was between 90% and 95% in four patients, and reached 87.5% in another patient. In three further patients root coverage measured 75%, 77%, and 64.6%, respectively. Mean root coverage measured 85.1 ± 23.2%. Mean keratinized tissue width increased from 2.5 ± 1.0 mm to 3.7 ± 0.7 mm (P < .0001) from baseline to follow-up, while mean probing depth showed no statistically significant changes (1.3 ± 0.5 mm vs 1.5 ± 0.5 mm). The mean root coverage esthetic score was 7.9 ± 1.9, while in the three cases exhibiting complete root coverage, a maximum root coverage esthetic score (10) was given for all treated teeth. Conclusion: Within their limits, the present results indicate that the described treatment approach may lead to predictable root coverage of multiple mandibular and maxillary RT1 and RT2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To clinically evaluate the healing of mandibular Miller Class I and II isolated gingival recessions treated with the modified coronally advanced tunnel (MCAT) or laterally closed tunnel (LCT) combined with hyaluronic acid (HA) and subepithelial connective tissue graft (SCTG). Method and materials: Twelve healthy patients exhibiting one isolated mandibular Miller Class I or II (Cairo Class 1) gingival recession of a depth of = 3 mm, were consecutively treated with the MCAT or LCT in conjunction with HA and SCTG. Treatment outcomes were assessed at baseline and at least 6 months postoperatively. The primary outcome variable was complete root coverage (CRC). Results: Postoperative pain and discomfort were low and no complications such as postoperative bleeding, allergic reactions, abscesses, or loss of SCTG occurred. After a mean follow- up of 18.9 ± 10 months, statistically significant (P < .0001) root coverage was obtained in all 12 defects. CRC was measured in six out of the 12 cases (50%), four cases showed a root coverage of over 95%, while the remaining two cases reached 80% and 85%. Mean root coverage was 96.09%. Mean keratinized tissue width increased from 1.6 ± 0.8 mm to 4.9 ± 1.3 mm (P < .0001) from baseline to follow-up, while mean probing depth showed no statistically significant changes (1.8 ± 0.9 mm vs 1.3 ± 0.5 mm). Conclusion: Within their limits, the present results indicate that the described treatment approach may lead to predictable root coverage of isolated mandibular Miller Class I and II (Cairo Class 1) gingival recessions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To clinically evaluate the healing of multiple adjacent maxillary Miller Class I, II, and III gingival recessions (MAGR) treated with the modified coronally advanced tunnel (MCAT) in conjunction with an enamel matrix derivative (EMD) and subepithelial connective tissue graft (SCTG). Method and Materials: Twelve systemically healthy patients (6 females) with a total of 54 adjacent maxillary Miller Class I, II, or III MAGR were consecutively treated with MCAT in conjunction with EMD and SCTG. Out of the 54 recessions, 44 were classified as Miller Class I, five as Miller Class II, and five as Miller Class III. Patients were included in the study if they presented at least two adjacent recessions with a depth of ≥ 3 mm. Measurements were made at baseline (immediately before reconstructive surgery) and at 12 months postoperatively. The primary outcome variable was complete root coverage (CRC) (ie, 100% root coverage). Results: Healing was uneventful in all cases without any complications such as postoperative bleeding, allergic reactions, abscesses, or loss of SCTG. At 12 months, statistically highly significant (P < .0001) root coverage was obtained in all patients and recessions. CRC was obtained in 37 Miller Class I, three Miller Class II, and one Miller Class III recessions, respectively. Mean root coverage was 96%. Mean keratinized tissue width increased statistically highly significantly (P < .004) from 2.04 ± 0.95 mm at baseline to 2.37 ± 0.89 mm at 12 months. Conclusion: The present findings indicate that the proposed treatment concept results in predictable coverage of multiple adjacent maxillary Miller Class I, II, and III MAGR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this report is to describe symptoms that can suggest the presence of a patent nasopalatine duct and to illustrate three cases. Summary: Patent nasopalatine ducts connecting the oral cavity with the nasal cavity are extremely rare. This malformation can be considered a developmental abnormality. Clinically, patent nasopalatine ducts appear as single or double spherical or oval apertures lateral or posterior to the incisive papilla. This type of anatomical malformation can be associated with an unclear pain sensation in the anterior maxillary region, which may be misinterpreted for example as toothache of endodontic origin. However, persisting nasopalatine ducts can also exist as an asymptomatic abnormality with no clinical sign of discomfort. Accordingly, understanding the differential diagnosis of a possible patent nasopalatine duct can prevent a general practitioner from performing unnecessary interventions, such as endodontic treatments, apical surgeries, or tooth extractions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To clinically evaluate the healing of mandibular Miller Class I and II isolated gingival recessions treated with the modified coronally advanced tunnel (MCAT) in conjunction with an enamel matrix derivative (EMD) and subepithelial connective tissue graft (SCTG). Method and Materials: Sixteen healthy patients (13 women and 3 men) exhibiting one isolated mandibular Miller Class I and II gingival recessions of a depth of ≥ 3 mm, were consecutively treated with the MCAT in conjunction with EMD and SCTG. Treatment outcomes were assessed at baseline and at 12 months postoperatively. The primary outcome variable was complete root coverage (CRC) (eg, 100% root coverage). Results: Postoperative pain and discomfort were low and no complications such as postoperative bleeding, allergic reactions, abscesses, or loss of SCTG were observed. At 12 months, statistically significant (P < .0001) root coverage was obtained in all 16 defects. CRC was measured in 12 out of the 16 cases (75%) while in the remaining 4 defects root coverage amounted to 90% (in two cases) and 80% (in two cases), respectively. Mean root coverage was 96.25%. Mean keratinized tissue width increased from 1.98 ± 0.8 mm at baseline to 2.5 ± 0.9 mm (P < .0001) at 12 months, while mean probing depth did not show any statistically significant changes (ie, 1.9 ± 0.3 mm at baseline vs 1.8 ± 0.2 mm at 12 months). Conclusion: Within their limits, the present results indicate that the described treatment approach may lead to predictable root coverage of isolated mandibular Miller Class I and II gingival recessions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]