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The aim of this study was to evaluate longitudinally the bone-healing process by measuring volumetric changes of the extraction sockets in head and neck cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy after tooth extraction. A total group of 15 patients (nine males, six females) undergoing tooth extraction at the Department of Periodontology (University Hospital KULeuven) were enrolled after giving informed consent. In seven patients, teeth presenting a risk for complications and eventual radionecrosis were extracted prior to the radiotherapeutical procedure. Monitoring of bone healing was performed by evaluating the volumetric changes of the alveoli by cone beam CT scanning (CBCT) at extraction and after 3 and 6 months. In parallel, a similar longitudinal evaluation of extraction sites was done in a control group of eight patients. Within this pilot-study, a total of 15 healing extraction sockets were evaluated and followed up. There was a significant difference in volumetric fill up of extraction sockets in test group vs. control group at three (37.1 +/- 7.9%) vs. (54.6 +/- 4.0%) and 6 months (47.2 +/- 8.8%) vs. (70.0 +/- 7.3%), respectively. The present pilot study demonstrated the clinical usefulness of CBCT for evaluation of extraction socket healing. The study objectively demonstrates the delayed bone healing after tooth extraction in irradiated head and neck cancer patients. Considering the limitations of this pilot study, a potential effect of radiotherapy on further jaw bone healing after pre-therapeutic tooth extractions should be further explored.

Statement of problem Data available regarding the treatment outcome for completely edentulous jaws by means of a prefabricated fixed complete denture placed immediately after flapless implant insertion using a surgical guide are only short term. Purpose The purpose of this study was to follow the survival of implants inserted in completely edentulous jaws using a flapless procedure and immediately loaded with prefabricated fixed complete dentures for several years. A second purpose was to investigate whether there is a difference in marginal bone remodeling in smoking (S) and nonsmoking (NS) patients. Material and methods During a 5-year period (mean time of follow-up 2.2 years), 30 consecutive patients, 12 women, 38–74 years of age (average 56 years) were treated for complete edentulism in 1 arch in the Department of Periodontology at the University Hospitals in Leuven. The S group included 13 and the NS group 17 patients. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. Two outcome parameters were analyzed: the cumulative survival rate (CSR) of individual implants and the marginal bone remodeling for up to 5 years in the 2 groups. Results Nine (4.9%) implants failed. Eight of the failures occurred in 3 smoking patients. The absolute survival rate for all patients was 95%, while the cumulative survival rate (CSR) after 5 years was 91.5%. For the NS group, the CSR was 98.9%, while for the S it was 81.2%. The mean marginal bone resorption was - 2.6 and - 1.2 mm in the S and NS groups, respectively. Conclusions The present findings indicate that the treatment protocol described results in good implant survival rate even after several years. Smoking may eventually compromise the efficacy of this treatment concept.

AIM: The study was set to evaluate the validity of subjective jaw bone quality assessment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 298 patients (198 females, mean age 56.4) were treated with oral implants at the Periodontology Department at the University Hospital of KUL. A total of 761 TiUnite implants have been installed. Subjective bone quality assessment was performed on radiographs and by the surgeon's tactile sensation and was compared with torque measurements. In a subset of patients, implant stability was also assessed by implant stability quotient and/or periotest values. RESULTS: Subjective assessment of bone quality was related to the PTV, ISQ and placement torque [in the crestal, the second and the apical third (N cm)], respectively; in grade 1: -5.3, 73.3 (4.2, 9.6, 15.2), and grade 3 or 4: -1.6, 55 (3.3, 5.5, 8.4). For the surgeon's tactile sensation, a good correlation was noted for the presence of a thick cortex: -4.6, 70.3 (4.2, 9.7, 15.1), or a thin one: -0.3, 65.9 (3.6, 6.9, 10.1). For dense trabecular bone, the values were -2.8, 69.4 (4.4, 9.7,14.8), while for poor trabecular bone, the values were-1.7, 66.4 (3.6, 6.4, 9.8). CONCLUSIONS: Subjective assessment of bone quality is related to PTV, ISQ and placement torque measurements at implant insertion. ispartof: Journal of clinical periodontology vol:34 issue:4 pages:359-366 ispartof: location:United States status: published

OBJECTIVES: The beneficial effects of the one-stage, full-mouth disinfection remain controversial in the scientific literature. This might be due to the fact that an entire mouth disinfection with the use of antiseptics has been confused with a full-mouth scaling and root planing. This parallel, single blind RCT study aimed to compare several full-mouth treatment strategies with each other. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Seventy-one patients with moderate periodontitis were randomly allocated to one of the following treatment strategies: scaling and root planing, quadrant by quadrant, at two-week intervals (negative control, NC), full-mouth scaling and root planing within 2 consecutive days (FRP), or three one-stage, full-mouth disinfection (FM) protocols within 2 consecutive days applying antiseptics to all intra-oral niches for periopathogens using as antiseptics: chlorhexidine (FMCHX) for 2 months, amine fluoride/stannous fluoride for 2 months (FMF), or chlorhexidine for 2 months followed by amine fluoride/stannous fluoride for another 6 months (FMCHX+F). At baseline and after 2, 4, and 8 a series of periodontal parameters were recorded. RESULTS: All treatment strategies resulted in significant (p

Background: Chlorhexidine (CHX) mouth rinse/spray can still be considered the gold standard in the chemical prevention of plaque formation and development of gingivitis. The product unfortunately has some side effects, such as extrinsic tooth staining, poor taste, taste disturbance, sensitivity changes in tongue, pain and irritation because of the alcohol content. These side effects led to the search of new formulations. Methods: In this double-blind, randomized, long-term, parallel study, 48 moderate periodontitis patients rinsed for 6 months (starting immediately after a “one-stage, full-mouth” disinfection) with one of the following products: CHX 0.2%+alcohol (Corsodyl®), CHX 0.05%+ cetyl pyridinium chloride (CPC) 0.05% and no alcohol (Perio-Aid Maintenance®, a new formulation), or the placebo of the latter. After 1, 3 and 6 months a series of clinical and microbiological parameters were recorded for the supra- and subgingival area as well as for saliva. Results: Although there was a significant treatment impact (mechanical debridement) in all groups, both CHX solutions further decreased both plaque and gingivitis indices (p

Periodontal scaling procedures commonly require some kind of anesthesia. From the patient's perspective, the choice of anesthetic method is a trade-off between the degree of anesthesia and accepting the side effects. The present study evaluates the preferences for a novel non-injection anesthetic product (a gel, containing lidocaine 25 mg/g plus prilocaine 25 mg/g and thermosetting agents) versus injection anesthesia (lidocaine 2% adrenaline) in conjunction with scaling and/or root planing (SRP).In a multicenter, crossover, randomized, open study patients were asked, after they had experienced both products, if they preferred anesthetic gel or injection anesthesia. In addition, the adequacy of anesthesia and occurrence of post-procedure problems were assessed. The patients were also asked about their willingness to return if they were offered anesthetic gel at their next visit and their maximum willingness to pay (WTP) for this option.One-hundred seventy (170) patients at eight centers in Belgium were included in the study. There were 157 per protocol (PP) patients. A vast majority of the PP patients (70%) preferred the anesthetic gel to injection anesthesia (22%). The most common reason was less post-procedure numbness. Eighty percent (80%) of the patients expressed satisfactory anesthesia with the gel and 96% with injection anesthesia (P0.001). Post-procedure problems were significantly less with the gel than with injection (P0.001): numbness 15% versus 66%, unpleasant sensations such as soreness and pain 44% versus 63%, and problems connected with daily activities 19% versus 69%. The majority of patients (60%) who preferred gel were also willing to pay for it. A conservative estimate of the median WTP was $10.00. Furthermore, anesthetic gel would make almost every second patient (45%) more or much more willing to return for the next treatment.The data suggest that a somewhat less profound anesthesia with gel is clearly preferred by the patients because of the low incidence of post-procedure problems as compared to conventional injection anesthesia. The median WTP is likely in excess of the acquisition cost of the product, which indicates a favorable cost-benefit ratio for the individual patient.

Background: During recent years a new treatment concept, Branemark Novum, has been developed in which implants are inserted in the edentulous lower jaw and immediately connected to a prefabricated titanium bar. A fixed prosthesis is then attached to the bar during or immediately following surgery. Purpose: The aim of the present study was to investigate the application of this concept under various settings, to determine technique sensitivity, and to evaluate the clinical outcome after 1 year of follow-up. Materials and Methods: Fifty-one patients were included in a prospective multicenter investigation and followed up for 1 year. Cumulative implant survival rates were evaluated by life table analysis. In addition, clinical comparisons were performed to evaluate implant loss in relation to patient characteristics. Questionnaires were used to evaluate the treatment protocols and to obtain patients' opinions. Results: The prosthetic treatment was completed on the same or the following day in 76% of the patients. The cumulative implant survival rates for implants and prostheses were 91% and 94%, respectively, after 12 months. Conclusions: The present study demonstrated that single-stage surgery and immediate loading of implants with prefabricated bridgework in the mandible can result in high implant success and significant reduction in treatment time, with patient satisfaction.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate over time the marginal bone level changes around implants installed to treat partial edentulism and to investigate the possible effect of several confounding variables. Consecutive intraoral radiographs taken with the paralleling technique were used. In all, 660 partially edentulous patients ever treated in the departments (248 males; 15-83 years of age) with 1655 implants, which were successfully integrated at abutment connection, were loaded by means of fixed partial prostheses. The observation period starting at abutment connection reached 16 years (mean 5.1). Implants were divided into three groups: 235 implants supported single-tooth crowns, 398 supported implant-tooth connected and 1022 free-standing fixed partial prostheses. Implants were placed in maxilla and mandible, both anteriorly and posteriorly. No significant difference in bone level evolution was predicted between the three groups of implants, either for posterior or for anterior sites. The estimated marginal bone loss for the first 6 months is 0.31 mm/year and after that 0.015 mm/year higher in the maxilla than in the mandible. More bone loss was predicted for the first 6 months when dehiscences existed, when a membrane or a bone graft were used, or when metal/ceramic prosthesis material was applied. Age and gender did not affect the change in bone level. The use of subsequently situated single-implant crowns to restore an edentulous space did not lead to more marginal bone loss than around splinted implants. Based on marginal bone height maintenance, the excellent prognosis of the presently used implants to support restorations in the treatment of partial edentulism was confirmed.

Morning breath odor is an often-encountered complaint. This double-blind, crossover, randomized study aimed to examine the bad breath-inhibiting effect of 3 commercially available mouthrinses on morning halitosis during an experimental period of 12 days without mechanical plaque control.Twelve medical students with a healthy periodontium refrained from all means of mechanical plaque control during 3 experimental periods of 12 days (with intervening washout periods of at least 3 weeks). A professional oral cleaning preceded each period. During each experimental period, as the only oral hygiene measure allowed, the students rinsed twice a day with one of the following formulations in a randomized order: CHX-Alc (a 0.2% chlorhexidine [CHX] solution); CHX-NaF (CHX 0.12% plus sodium fluoride 0.05%); or CHX-CPC-Zn (CHX 0.05% plus cetylpyridinium chloride 0.05% plus zinc lactate 0.14%). After 12 days, morning breath was scored via volatile sulfur compound (VSC) level measurements of the mouth air and organoleptic ratings of the mouth air, the expired air, and a scraping of the tongue coating. At the 12-day visit, a questionnaire (subjective ratings) was completed and samples taken from both the tongue coating and the saliva for anaerobic and aerobic culturing and vitality staining. The de novo supragingival plaque formation was also recorded. All parameters were correlated with the baseline registrations.Although oral hygiene during the 3 experimental periods was limited to oral rinses, bad breath parameters systematically improved, with the exception of a slight increase in VSC levels while using CHX-Alc, a finding which was associated with the direct influence of the CHX on the sulfide monitor. The oral microbial load after the use of CHX-NaF remained unchanged, while for the CHX-Alc and CHX-CPC-Zn, significant reductions in both aerobic and anaerobic colony forming units (CFU)/ml were noticed in comparison with baseline data for both tongue coating and saliva samples. The composition of microflora, on the other hand, did not reveal significant changes. The supragingival plaque formation was inhibited, in descending order, by CHX-Alc, CHX-CPC-Zn, and CHX-NaF. The subjective scores for the rinses indicated a higher appreciation for CHX-CPC-Alc and CHX-NaF because of a better taste and fewer side effects.The results of this study demonstrate that morning halitosis can be successfully reduced via daily use of mouthrinses. CHX-Alc and CHX-CPC-Zn mouthrinses result in a significant reduction of the microbial load of tongue and saliva.

Background/aims Recent studies reported significant additional clinical and microbiological improvements when severe adult periodontitis was treated by means of a "one-stage full-mouth" disinfection instead of a standard treatment strategy with consecutive root planings quadrant per quadrant. The one stage full-mouth disinfection procedure involves scaling and root planing of all pockets within 24 h in combination with an extensive application of chlorhexidine to all intra-oral niches such as periodontal pockets, tongue dorsum, tonsils (chairside, and at home for 2 months). This study aims to examine the relative importance of the use of chlorhexidine in the one stage full-mouth disinfection protocol. Methods Therefore, 3 groups of 12 patients each with advanced periodontitis were followed, both from a clinical and microbiological point of view, over a period of 8 months. The patients from the control group were scaled and root planed, quadrant per quadrant. at two-week intervals. The 2 other groups underwent a one stage full-mouth scaling and root planing (all pockets within 24 h) with (Fdis) or without (FRp=full-mouth root planing) the adjunctive use of chlorhexidine. At baseline and after 1, 2, 4 and 8 months, the following clinical parameters were recorded: plaque and gingivitis indices, probing depth, bleeding on probing and clinical attachment level. Microbiological samples were taken from different intra-oral niches (tongue, mucosa, saliva and pooled samples from single- and multi-rooted teeth). The samples were cultured on selective and non-selective media in order to evaluate the number of CFU/ml for the key-periodontopathogens. At baseline, an anonymous questionnaire was given to the patients to record the perception of each treatment (post operative pain, fever, swelling etc.). Results All 3 treatment strategies resulted in significant improvements for all clinical parameters, but the Fdis and FRp patients reacted always significantly more favourably than the control group, with an additional probing depth reduction of +/- 1.5 mm and an additional gain in attachment of +/- 2 mm (for pockets > or = 7 mm). Also from a microbiological point of view both the FRp and Fdis patients showed additional improvements when compared to the control group, as well in the reduction of spirochetes and motile organisms as in the number of CFU/ml of the key-pathogens, especially when the subgingival plaque samples were considered. The differences between FRp and Fdis patients were negligible. Conclusions These findings suggest that the benefits of a "one-stage full-mouth disinfection" in the treatment of patients suffering from severe adult periodontitis probably results from the full-mouth scaling and root planing within 24 h rather than the beneficial effect of chlorhexidine. The raise in body temperature the second day after the full-mouth scaling and root planing seems to indicate a Shwartzman reaction.

Background: Barrier membranes have been used to promote bone ingrowth on implants with dehiscences and fenestrations. Membranes also have been used to protect defects adjacent to implants placed at the time of extraction. The concept of guided bone regeneration relates to preferentially allowing cells from bone to migrate into various defects while excluding fibrous tissue and epithelium. The purpose of these procedures is to enhance bone-to-implant contact at the treated sites and to prevent mucosal complications. Purpose: The purpose of this article is to report clinical outcomes for implants placed at the time of extraction and augmented with expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) and followed for 5 years. The outcomes for implants with dehiscences and fenestrations augmented with ePTFE barriers and followed up to 5 years also are reported. Methods and Materials: Four treatment centers participated in this study (Tucson, Gothenburg, Spokane, and Leuven). In the extraction group, teeth were removed for varying reasons, and Branemark implants were placed and stabilized within the host bone. Defects present at the coronal implant aspect were covered with ePTFE barrier membranes. Flaps were rotated to cover the membrane-treated sites. If exposure of the material occurred prior to second-stage surgery, the membranes were removed. Barriers remaining unexposed were removed at second-stage surgery. The implants were followed up to 5 years. In the fenestration and dehiscence group, implants with exposed threads were augmented with ePTFE barrier membranes. The barriers were removed at appropriate intervals, and the patients were followed up to 5 years. Radiographic measurements were made from nonstandardized periapical radiographs at abutment connection and 1, 3, and 5-year follow-up visits. Results: Forty patients participated in the extraction group. They received a total of 49 implants. Three implants failed prior to loading. The 5-year cumulative survival rates for implants placed at the time of extraction were 93.9% and 93.8%, respectively, for maxillary and mandibular implants. The average maxillary mesial and distal marginal bone loss (1–5 yr) was 0.3 mm (standard deviation [SD] = 1.5) and 0.3 mm (SD = 1.0). In mandibles, the average mesial and distal bone loss (1–5 yr) was -0.2 mm (SD = 0.5) and -0.05 mm (SD = 0.6), respectively. The dehiscence and fenestration group included 44 patients. Twenty-six were followed for up to 5 years. Eight patients experienced total implant failure. For dehiscences and fenestrations, the cumulative survival rates were 76.8% and 83.8% for maxillary and mandibular implants, respectively. The average maxillary mesial and distal bone loss (1–5 yr) was 0.4 mm (SD = 0.8) and 0.2 mm (SD = 0.9), respectively. In mandibles, the average mesial and distal marginal bone loss was 0.3 mm (SD = 0.9) and 0.3 mm (SD = 0.8), respectively. Conclusions: Implants placed at the time of extraction and augmented with ePTFE barrier membranes have favorable long-term predictability. On the other hand, long-term evaluation of implant dehiscences and fenestrations augmented with barrier membranes indicates that they have less favorable 5-year survival rates. Membrane augmentation of these may be questioned.

The present study compared 2 different methods (direct versus indirect evaluation) for the quantification of the adhesion of Porphyromonas gingivalis strains to in vitro cultured mono-layers of pocket epithelium.The indirect culture viability assay (calculation of colony forming units) was compared to a direct microscopic evaluation using a novel fluorescent stain. The fluorescent kit was found to stain both bacteria and epithelial cells and enabled a differentiation between dead and living cells.Comparing the visual to the culture data, a high and significant correlation was found (Pearson's correlation = 0.75; P0.001). The adhesion capacity was in general higher for dead epithelial cells than for living cells (P0.01). Although comparable numbers of bacteria of 2 P. gingivalis strains (Pg 4 and Pg 5) were applied, Pg 4 showed a significantly lower adhesion capacity. This intra-strain variability was observed by the culture assay (2.3 x 10(6) versus 7.8 x 10(6)+/-2.7 x 10(6); P0.01) and by the direct microscopy (P0.01) for both live and dead epithelial cells. A second goal was to see whether there was a difference in the amount of bacterial adherence to mono- and multi-layers of in vitro cultured epithelium. No significant differences were found for the 5 examined P. gingivalis strains. However, interstrain differences in adhesion capacity were evident for both tissues.This study highlights the reproducibility of a direct microscopic evaluation of bacterial adhesion to in vitro cultured epithelial cells, and suggests both intrastrain (P. gingivalis) and inter-cell (live versus dead) variation in adhesion capacity. Studies are needed to determine the extent to which P. gingivalis strain variation is reflected in variation of other strains in humans.

A treatment for periodontal infections often consists of consecutive rootplanings (per quadrant, at a 1- to 2-week interval), without a proper disinfection of the remaining intra-oral niches (untreated pockets, tongue, saliva, mucosa and tonsils). Such an approach, could theoretically lead to a reinfection of previously-treated pockets. The present study aims to examine the effect of a full-mouth disinfection on the microbiota in the above-mentioned niches. Moreover, the clinical benefit of such an approach was investigated. 16 patients with severe periodontitis were randomly allocated to a test and a control group. The patients from the control group were scaled and rootplaned, per quadrant, at 2-week intervals and obtained oral hygiene instructions. The patients from the test group received a full-mouth disinfection consisting of: scaling and rootplaning of all pockets in 2 visits within 24 h, in combination with tongue brushing with 1% chlorhexidine gel for 1 min, mouth rinsing with a 0.2% chlorhexidine solution for 2 min and subgingival irrigation of all pockets (3x in 10 min) with 1% chlorhexidine gel. Besides oral hygiene, the test group rinsed 2x daily with 0.2% chlorhexidine and sprayed the tonsils with a 0.2% chlorhexidine for 2 months. Plaque samples (pockets, tongue, mucosa and saliva) were taken at baseline and after 2 and 4 months, and changes in probing depth, attachment level and bleeding on probing were reported. The full-mouth disinfection resulted in a statistically significant additional reduction/elimination of periodontopathogens, especially in the subgingival pockets, but also in the other niches. These microbiological improvements were reflected in a statistically-significant higher probing depth reduction and attachment gain in the test patients. These findings suggest that a disinfection of all intra-oral niches within a short time span leads to significant clinical and microbiological improvements for up to 4 months.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and clinical efficacy of controlled-release tetracycline-containing fibers in patients with refractory periodontitis versus the preceding classical treatment. One hundred twenty-one sites in 20 patients were followed from baseline to 6 months after fiber insertion. Each selected site was > or = 5 mm deep and bled on probing. All 20 patients had at least one site > or = 7 mm which bled on probing. Those pockets remained after intense and repeated conventional therapy (scaling and root planing and often surgery), often including the use of systemic antibiotics. This treatment period, the so-called control period, preceded the experimental period by at least 3 years, when the fibers were placed. Both treatments (in control and test period) were performed in the Department of Periodontology at the University Hospital in Leuven. At the start of the experimental period, all pockets > or = 5 mm were treated by the placement of fibers impregnated with 25% tetracycline. The fibers were removed after 10 days. Probing depth, clinical attachment level, gingival recession, and bleeding on probing were recorded at baseline, and at 1, 3, and 6 months following treatment. Analysis of data from all sites indicated that a significant decrease in probing depth and gain in attachment were present at all follow-up visits. The mean probing depth reduction for sites > or = 7 mm was 3.2 mm at month 6, with a gain in attachment of 2.7 mm, while this was -1.0 mm and -1.9 mm, respectively, during the preceding control period. The fraction of bleeding pockets was reduced from 77% to 27% and from 80% to 77% during the experimental and control periods, respectively. No significant adverse side-effects were observed, except for a transient redness at fiber removal in 2 sites. Fiber insertion appeared to be time-consuming even when the operator was familiarized with the procedure. The results of this study prove that tetracycline-impregnated fibers can reduce probing depth significantly for a period of 6 months in patients not responding to thorough and repeated classical periodontal treatment.

Summary The overall aim was to evaluate whether a trackball could be used for communication by people who cannot speak due to severe motor impairment. The precision of trackball control by isolated jaw movements or a combination of jaw and head movements was evaluated in 18 healthy physical-education students, free of overt symptoms of craniomandibular dysfunction. The participants were asked to operate a trackball using the chin to type a standard text of four short sentences. There were two experimental situations: nine participants performed the typewriting task with their heads fixed; the other nine performed this task with free head movements. Trackball operation moved the cursor over an alphabetical keyboard displayed on a computer screen and character selection was made by depression of the left-hand click button using the chin. Participants were asked to perform the task as quickly and accurately as possible. Results showed that those with free head movement typed the test significantly faster than those restricted to using only their jaw muscles. The mean time per character selection was 2.4 s (SD 0.3) for the group with free head movement and 2.7 s (SD 0.3) for the group using only jaw muscles. Group scores were not significantly different with regard to accuracy. It is suggested that a chin-operated trackball could be used for communication applications both with and without neck movements.

To evaluate the relative efficacy of a non-degradable osmotic slow-release dosage form containing 6.6 mg cetylpyridinium chloride (MOTS [Mucosal Oral Therapeutic System] CPC) to inhibit new plaque formation and gingivitis, a single-blind, randomised, parallel group pilot study was set up. 52 healthy volunteers were assigned to receive one of the following treatments for 18 days of non-brushing: holding 1 MOTS CPC 2 x daily for 2 h intra-orally, or rinsing 30 s with 15 ml Peridex 2 x daily, or dissolve Cepacol (each 1.6 mg CPC) lozenges 2 x daily unsupervised. Before the test period, the subjects received a thorough tooth cleaning followed by tooth polishing 1 x a week for 3 weeks to achieve clinical gingival health. After the start of therapy, the subjects were examined at day 4, 7 (+/- 2), 14 (+/- 2) and 18 (2 +/-). Relative efficacy was assessed by the modified Navy plaque index, the Quigley and Hein index, the planimetric plaque index, as well as the papillary marginal gingival index. There was an increase in both plaque formation and gingivitis over the 18 +/- 2 day period of nonbrushing for all subjects in the study. Peridex was the most effective in inhibiting plaque and gingivitis formation over that period of time. There was no difference between MOTS CPC and Cepacol at any time point in plaque accumulation and gingivitis intensity. Peridex was considered more convenient than MOTS CPC. Cepacol resulted in more staining at 18 days than MOTS CPC and Peridex.

Our aim was to unveil the cortical neural correlates of osseoperception, i.e. the tactile sensation perceived when loading a bone-anchored implant, by taking oral implants as a model. This was performed in a cross-sectional observational study with 9 volunteering patients and 10 age-matched controls. For each patient, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fRMI) recordings were made during punctate mechanical stimulation of either teeth or osseointegrated implants in the maxillary incisor area.During fMRI recordings, 1 Hz punctate tactile stimuli were applied either on a maxillary left central incisor, canine tooth or central incisor implant. A block design paradigm was used to stimulate, in 9 patients, maxillary left central incisor implants (I21-p) and maxillary left canines (T23-p). In 10 control subjects, maxillary left central incisors and canines (T21-c, T23-c) were stimulated. Random effect group analyses were performed for each stimulated site, and differences in cortical activity elicited when loading teeth or implants were examined using ANOVA.As a group, patients activated somatosensory area S2 bilaterally for both I21 and T23, while controls activated S1 and S2 bilaterally for T21 and T23. At an individual level, S1 was activated by 4/9 implants, mainly on the ipsilateral side. The stimulated implants activated a larger bilateral cortical network outside the somatosensory areas: in parietal, frontal and insular lobes, the main clusters being located in the inferior frontal gyri. Stimulation of T23 in patients resulted in an activation pattern intermediate between that of the implants and that of natural teeth.This study demonstrates that punctate mechanical stimulation of oral implants activates both primary and secondary cortical somatosensory areas. It also suggests that brain plasticity occurs when extracted teeth are replaced by endosseous implants. This cortical activation may represent the underlying mechanism of osseoperception.

This multicenter prospective study on the use of an implant system involved 9 centers and reports on the periodontal aspects after 3 years of observation. A total of 558 implants in 159 patients with 197 bridges all independent from natural teeth were originally included. Because of failures and patient withdrawals the number of implants was reduced to 460 and bridges to 174. The cumulative success rate for implants, starting from implant placement, is 94.3% after 2 years and 93.9% after 3 years indicating a leveling of implant loss. Failures concentrated in patients with a high plaque index. The loss of marginal bone was during the second and third years only 0.03 mm per year as an average while it was 0.4 mm during the first year. There were no reports of intense gingival inflammation in any of the patients and the plaque and gingivitis index behaved similarly around abutments and teeth. The probing pocket depth was significantly reduced over the observation time. The resistance towards marginal bone loss around these implants confirms the previous studies on fully edentulous patients.

Many studies have dealt with the clinical outcome of oral implants, yet none applied a randomized split-mouth design for a long-term follow-up of similar implant systems.To evaluate two oral implant systems with different surface characteristics in a randomized split-mouth design and to radiologically analyse peri-implant bone level and density over an up to 16-year period.The study comprised clinical and radiographic records of 18 partially edentulous patients treated with both implant types randomly placed in either left or right jaw sides. Outcome was evaluated over time.Clinical and radiographic parameters showed no significant differences over time for both systems. Ten years after implant placement, a significantly increasing peri-implant bone density was noted, while Periotest values were found to be significantly decreasing. Fifteen years after implant loading, mean bone loss was 0.02 mm (range -1.15 to 1.51; SD 0.45) for Astra Tech® implants (n=24) and 0.31 mm (range -0.98 to 2.31; SD 0.69) for Brånemark® implants (n=23).The study failed to demonstrate significant differences in the outcome of the peri-implant bone for two implant systems with different surface characteristics. The marginal bone level around oral implants changed0.5 mm after 15 years of loading.

The innervation of skin and oral mucosa plays a major physiological role in exteroception. This innervation is also clinically relevant as sensory changes occur after neurosurgical procedures.The goal of this study was to compare the perception of mechanical stimuli applied to the buccal mucosa in the vicinity of osseointegrated oral implants with that in the controlateral dentate side. The role of the previously reported increased innervation in the peri-implant soft tissues in the oral sensorimotor function was thus examined.Seventeen subjects with 20 implants were tested. Directional cutaneous kinaesthesia (DCK) and graphesthesia (G) were performed on the buccal side of the alveolar mucosa before and at planned intervals after implant placement. The observation was pursued until 6 months after the prosthetic rehabilitation. In each subject, the contralateral mucosa served as a control to the implant sites. Average percentages of correct responses in a four-choice task for DCK and a three-choice task for G were calculated.Despite an intersubject variation in both the DCK and G, high intraindividual correlations were found (p.005). The implant sites showed a significant difference toward the control sites at the four interval test for both tests. For DCK and G, the average of correct responses decreased after abutment connection (i.e., after the implant uncovering surgery) to increase afterwards to reach a level close to, but still lower than, the control sites 3 to 6 months after the prosthetic rehabilitation.The DCK and G are simple but reliable sensory tests that can be easily applied in the oral region. This prospective study indicates that tooth loss reduces tactile function compared with implant-supported prostheses. The peri-implant soft tissues could be partially involved in the osseoperception function.

196 Brånemark implants in 86 consecutive patients rehabilitated by means of overdentures (6 upper jaws, 80 lower jaws) were observed longitudinally. In each jaw, only 2 implants were used to anchor the overdenture. 2 implants in the lower jaw showed some mobility at the abutment installation and were removed immediately. During the loading period (mean loading time 19.1 months ranging from 4 to 48 months), none of the implants showed any signs of non-integration. The marginal tissue reaction and plaque accumulation were monitored using conventional indices. Clinical methods and standardized radiographs were used to evaluate the bone level and density. The numbers of approximal surfaces without plaque (40%) or with gingival inflammation (55%) were almost constant throughout the study. The probing pocket depths remained within the range of 2.7 to 3.2 mm during the observation time, whereas the distance of the gingival margin from the top of the abutment clearly increased (from 1.8 to 2.9 mm). For loaded lower jaw implants connected to each other with a straight bar, a radiographic bone loss of 0.8 mm was observed during the first postsurgical year followed by a mean annual bone loss of less than 0.1 mm. For the "sleeping" fixtures, 50% less bone loss was recorded. For loaded but not interconnected implants in the upper jaw, the bone loss during the first 6 months reached 2.0 mm. The loss in marginal bone height did not clearly correlate with parameters such as the plaque index, the gingivitis index, the presence or absence of gingiva around the abutment, or the implant length. The present data, with an observation time up to 4 years, showed that the failure rate for Brånemark implants supporting overdentures in the lower jaw can be limited to 1%. However, the use of 2 unconnected fixtures in the upper jaw cannot presently be advocated since considerable bone loss was observed.

Adequate bone volume is imperative for the osseointegration of endosseous implants, but postextraction resorption and remodeling may challenge implant placement. The use of bone biomaterials has been advocated to fill extraction sites and to enhance primary implant stability during osseointegration. The objective of the case series was to evaluate bone formation histologically and biomechanically in extraction sites following implantation of three commercially available bone biomaterials to compare their ability to allow guided bone regeneration.Thirty-six periodontally involved teeth were extracted from eight healthy non-smoking subjects. At least two bone biomaterials, a synthetic sponge based on polylactic-polyglycolic acid technology (FIS), bovine porous bone mineral (BPBM), or a natural coral derivative physically and chemically transformed into a calcium carbonate ceramic (COR), and one non-grafted control were applied to the extraction sockets within each subject and were covered by an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene device. The devices were removed after 2 months, and trephine biopsies were obtained from each site 4 months later. At that time, endosseous implants were placed in 25 of the sites, and healing abutments were placed; measurements were taken 4 to 6 months later with an electronic mobility testing device.The percentage of residual biomaterial was 5.6% +/- 8.9% for FIS (P0.001), 20.2% +/- 17.0% for BPBM (P0.05), and 12.0% +/- 16.4% for COR (P0.001). The amount of residual biomaterial after 6 months showed a significant relationship with the insertion torque measurements during the first third of implant insertion (P0.05) and with values of the electronic mobility testing device at the abutment connection (P = 0.05). Histologically, new bone apposition was seen on BPBM particles. FIS sites showed similar ingrowth of blood vessels and osteocytes as empty controls.All sites revealed good primary stability at implant insertion and proper implant rigidity at abutment placement, indicating that early implant osseointegration was not influenced by the application of bone biomaterials used in this study.

Background: This retrospective study was set to assess the influence of systemic and local bone and intra-oral factors on the occurrence of implant loss from abutment connection up to 2 years. Materials and methods: The files of 700 patients, have been collected randomly from the total patient group treated by means of endosseous Branemark® system implants (Nobel Biocare, Gothenburg, Sweden) at the Department of Periodontology of the University Hospital of the Catholic University of Leuven. The end point observation was evaluating the loss of the implants 2 years after abutment installation. The study involved all implants that did not encounter early loss and implants for which it was possible to evaluate its status 2 years after abutment surgery. Thus, data of 412 patients (240 females) provided with 1514 implants were analyzed. For each patient, the medical history was carefully checked. Data collection and analysis were mainly focused on endogenous factors such as hypertension, coagulation problems, osteoporosis, hypo- hyperthyroidism, chemotherapy, diabetes type I or II, Crohn's disease, some local factors [e.g. bone quality and quantity, implant (length, diameter, location), type of edentulism, PTV, radiotherapy], smoking habits, and breach of sterility during surgery. Results: Radiotherapy, implant (diameter and location), and higher PTV at implant insertion and abutment connection, all affected significantly the implant loss. Conclusion: Implant location in the oral cavity and radiotherapy seem predominant to explain the occurrence of implant loss. On the other hand, smoking and systemic health factors do not seem to be prominent players in the etiology of late implant loss.

Aim: This study aimed to assess the influence of systemic and local bone and intra-oral factors on the occurrence of early TiUnite(trade mark) implant failures. Material and Methods: A total of 283 consecutive patients (187 females; mean age 56.2), who received a total of 720 TiUnite(trade mark) implants, at the Department of Periodontology of the University Hospital of the Catholic University of Leuven, were prospectively followed. The following aspects were particularly assessed: hypertension, cardiac problems, gastric problems, osteoporosis, hypo- or hyperthyroid, hypercholesterolaemia, asthma, diabetes types I or II, Crohn's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, chemotherapy, hysterectomy and intake of medication (antidepressants, steroids, hormone replacement), radiotherapy of the concerned area, breach of sterility during surgery, implant parameters, bone (quality, quantity, dehiscence or perforation), type of edentulism, antibiotics prescription, fenestration of the implant in the sinus/nasal cavity, immediate implant placement, apical lesion detection and insertion torque. Results and Conclusion: A global failure rate of 1.9% was recorded. Owing to the very few failures, no definitive conclusion concerning statistical significance can be achieved. However, a tendency for more failures was noticed for apical lesions, vicinity with natural dentition, smoking, hormone replacement, gastric problems, Crohn's disease, diabetes I and radical hysterectomy. ispartof: Journal of clinical periodontology vol:35 issue:1 pages:51-57 ispartof: location:United States status: published

Objectives The objective of the present study was to evaluate the influence of immediate loading of implants on speech adaptation. Material and methods Ten patients (mean age 54, 6 females) were examined before surgery and 1, 3, 6 and 12 months afterwards. Articulation analysis was done using objective DAT-recoded data evaluated by two groups of speech and language therapists and a computer software program. Besides, patient VAS-scores, myofunctional problems and hearing impairment were recorded and analysed. Results In the present study only one patient suffered from deteriorated speech after immediate loading. Other patients showed unaffected or improved articulation 3 to 6 months after surgery with a strident and interdental pronunciation mostly becoming addental. Furthermore, myofunctional problems occurred in one patient, other patients adapted to the new situation after three months. Hearing impairment did not influence speech pathology in this study. Conclusion Immediate loading of oral implants does not seem to compromise the normal 3-6 months speech adaptation period. Whether such procedure presents advantages to the conventional 2-stage rehabilitation remains to be investigated.

The objective of this research was to determine if the essence of expert performance could be captured on a virtual reality simulation system. Six experts in operative dentistry, six experts in periodontology, and six novice dental students performed a Class II tooth preparation task on the lower left second premolar. All subjects performed a pre-test to assess the basic skill level of each group. During the (limited) training component of the study, the three groups practiced three tooth preparations and received augmented feedback. At both a one-minute and one-day interval, subjects performed a final test in the absence of augmented feedback. All preparations were graded by the simulation system. The results showed at pre-test a significantly better performance of the experts in operative dentistry as compared to the novices. During the practice (acquisition) phase, the experts in operative dentistry outperformed both the periodontologists and novices, whereas the experts in periodontology performed more accurately than the novices. After one minute and one day following practice, similar results were obtained. Retention performance was most accurate after a one-day delay. Based on these results, the simulator appears to be a valid and reliable tool to capture expert performance. It is an effective screening device for assessing the level of expert performance.

Our breath contains an intraoral and an alveolar part, the latter being the last to be exhaled. As such, major differences in composition can be expected, with for alveolar air the inclusion of more metabolic compounds released during the blood-air exchange. This study explored the differences between breath air from the oropharynx and from the lungs in healthy volunteers. Mouth and alveolar air of 40 volunteers was analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, together with a sample of room air. A chromatogram of a single person contains on average 145 different compounds. Altogether, 618 compounds were detected. A total of 35 compounds were common to all volunteers. The number of compounds was significantly higher in mouth air than in alveolar air. For 47 compounds, very significant differences in detection/concentration were recorded. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry offers a detailed overview of the compounds in a person's breath. One should be aware of the distinction between alveolar air and oropharyngeal air. ispartof: Analytical chemistry vol:79 issue:9 pages:3425-3429 ispartof: location:United States status: published

Background Halitosis can have an intra- or extra-oral origin. In all cases, bad breath is caused by the presence of volatile organic compounds originating from the mouth or the expired air. They can be specific for certain diseases or infections. Study objective This study explored the presence and concentration of these volatile compounds normally associated with halitosis in the breath of healthy symptomless volunteers. Methods Alveolar and mouth air of 40 healthy volunteers as well as environmental air were analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and by a commercially available GC device (OralChroma®). Results 14 compounds, associated with halitosis could be detected. All of them except carbon disulfide, appeared to be (partly) produced endogenously and/or in the mouth. Acetone, 2-butanone, 2-pentanone and 1-propanol were common to all volunteers in both alveolar and mouth air and indole and dimethyl selenide in alveolar air. Conclusions GC–MS seems a promising tool for differential diagnosis of halitosis, with the possibility to detect extra-oral causes, which often remain undetected unless characterized by a specific smell.

OBJECTIVES: Patients in need of bone augmentation procedures can be treated with a traditional hip graft or by neogenesis under a stiff occlusive titanium membrane, custom-fit on the basis of CT-scan data. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eighteen patients treated by means of a hip graft (H) were compared with 11 patients using a full titanium membrane (M) for the rehabilitation of upper jaws. In the H group, 17 patients (62 implants) in the anterior region (Ha) and 14 patients (23 implants) in the posterior region (Hp) were included. In the M group, nine patients (30 implants) in the anterior region (Ma) and seven patients (16 implants) in the posterior region (Mp) were included. RESULTS: In group Ha, the CFR was 13.3% after 14 years compared with group Ma where the CFR was 17.4% after 9 years. In group Hp, the CFR was 22.8% after 16 years compared with group Mp where the CFR was 23.4% after 6 years. The marginal bone loss for group Ha after 20 years was 2.7 mm, for group Ma it was not even 1 mm after 9 years; for group Hp, it was 2.5 mm after 15 years compared with less than 1 mm after 3 years in group Mp. CONCLUSIONS: The success rate of alveolar ridge augmentation therapy is lower than in a classical approach. These augmentation procedures, however, show acceptable results. The titanium membrane augmentation leads to less marginal bone loss probably because neo-formed bone has a better chance to adapt its mineralization to occlusal forces encountered. This technique could offer improvement if membrane exposure can be avoided. ispartof: Clinical oral implants research vol:17 issue:5 pages:481-7 ispartof: location:Denmark status: published

The aim of this report is to quantitatively and qualitatively describe the bone tissue response to Brånemark implants retrieved from grafted sites in patients.The material consists of consecutively received Brånemark implants retrieved from grafted sites. Thirty-five of these implants, retrieved from 16 patients, were suitable for the histologic evaluation of undecalcified sections in the light microscope.The unloaded implants were mainly lined with soft tissue, and sparse bone-implant contact was observed only in some sections. The loaded implants, with the exception of one implant removed due to mobility, had mature and new bone-implant contact. Resorption of graft through cutting cone structures was detected. Cement lines were found separating bone-like tissue albeit no cellular content and bone tissue with detectable osteocytes.In this heterogeneous group of implants from grafted sites, the unloaded implants showed limited bone-implant contact. The autografts showed seemingly mixed viability as judged by the cell content in the osteocyte lacunae and cement lines separating areas with filled and empty lacunae.

The purpose of the study was to compare the failure rates of implants with either a machined surface or a TiUnite surface used to replace failing implants.The files of 578 patients, ie, of all patients who were treated at the Department of Periodontology of the University Hospital in Leuven by means of oral implants during 3 recent consecutive years, were analyzed. The implants included in the study had an observation time ranging from 9 to 49 months. All patients had been provided with Brånemark System implants. Only 2 types of implant surfaces were used: machined and TiUnite. Data collection and analysis focused on the replacement implants, ie, implants placed at sites where the original implants had failed. Data were statistically analyzed by means of Statistica for Windows Software version 5.1; a Fisher exact P test was used. The level of significance was set at P = .05.A total of 41 patients experienced the nonintegration of 58 implants. Of those, 29 implants with a machined surface were replaced by implants with the same surface. Six of the replacement implants failed. Nineteen machined-surface implants were replaced by TiUnite surface implants; 1 failed. Ten TiUnite-surface implants were replaced by implants with the same surface; none failed. The difference in failure rate between machined-surface replacement implants and TiUnite replacement implants was statistically significant (P = .05).In addition to the usual patient-related compromising factors, replacement of a failing implant involves the challenge of achieving osseointegration in a nonpristine bone site. In the present study, implants with TiUnite surfaces were associated with fewer failures than machined-surface implants under the same conditions.An improved implant surface such as TiUnite may offer a better prognosis when a failed implant has to be replaced at the same site.

Periodontitis and peri-implantitis are linked to the presence of several key pathogens. The treatment of these infectious processes therefore involves the reduction/eradication of bacteria associated with periodontitis.This prospective, split-mouth, single-blind study followed the colonization of 'pristine' sulci created in 42 partially edentulous patients during implant surgery (e.g. abutment connection). The hypothesis was that the composition of the maturing subgingival plaque in these 'fresh' peri-implant pockets would soon (within 2 weeks) be comparable to the subgingival microbiota of teeth with similar clinical parameters (reference sites), including the presence of bacteria associated with periodontitis. Per patient, four subgingival plaque samples were taken from shallow and medium pockets around implants (test sites), and teeth within the same quadrant (undisturbed microbiota as control sites), 1, 2, 4, 13, 26 and 78 weeks after abutment connection, respectively. The samples were analysed by either checkerboard DNA-DNA hybridization, or cultural techniques, or real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for intra-subject comparisons (teeth vs. implant, for comparable probing depths).Checkerboard DNA-DNA hybridization and real-time PCR revealed a complex microbiota (including several pathogenic species) in the peri-implant pockets within 2 weeks after abutment connection. After 7 days, the detection frequency for most species (including the bacteria associated with periodontitis) was already nearly identical in samples from the fresh peri-implant pockets (5% and 20% of the microbiota belonging to red and orange complex, respectively) when compared with samples from the reference teeth. Afterwards (e.g. between weeks 2 and 13), the number of bacteria in peri-implant pockets only slightly increased (+/-0.1 log value), with minor changes in the relative proportions of bacteria associated with periodontitis (8% and 33% of the microbiota belonging to red and orange complex, respectively). Although small differences were seen between teeth and implants at week 2 with cultural techniques, a striking similarity in subgingival microbiota was found with this technique from month 3 on, with nearly identical detection frequencies for bacteria associated with periodontitis for both abutment types.This study indicates that the initial colonization of peri-implant pockets with bacteria associated with periodontitis occurs within 2 weeks.

Bad breath is often caused by periodontitis and/or tongue coating. This study followed the impact of initial periodontal therapy on several halitosis-related outcome variables over a 6-month period. Organoleptic ratings are often uncomfortable for the patient and have several disadvantages. They are, for instance, influenced by external parameters (e.g., food intake and cosmetics) and need to be calibrated among researchers worldwide. A second aim was to evaluate the reliability of saliva incubation as an in vitro indirect test for breath recording.In this double-blind, randomized, medium-term, parallel study 45 moderate periodontitis patients without obvious tongue coating were enrolled. Besides a one-stage, full-mouth disinfection and oral hygiene improvement (including daily tongue scraping), patients were instructed to rinse daily for 6 months with one of the following products (randomly allocated): chlorhexidine (CHX) 0.2% + alcohol, CHX 0.05% + cetyl pyridinium chloride (CPC) 0.05% without alcohol (a new formulation), or a placebo solution. At baseline and 3 and 6 months, a series of parameters were recorded including: concentration of volatile sulfide compounds (VSC), tongue coating, and an estimation of the microbial load (at anterior and posterior parts of the tongue, saliva, dental plaque). The intraoral VSC ratings were compared to in vitro VSC recordings and organoleptic evaluations of the headspace air from 1 and 2 hours incubated saliva (0.5 ml, 37 degrees C, anaerobic chamber).Even though the initial VSC values were not high (+/-90 ppb with only 18 patients revealing more than 100 ppb), significant (P0.05) reductions could be achieved in the CHX and CHX + CPC group, and to a lower extent in the placebo group (P = 0.10). Tongue scraping resulted in a significant reduction (Por =0.05) of the tongue coating up to month 6 in the placebo and CHX + CPC group, but not in the CHX group (confusion due to staining). The CHX and CHX + CPC group showed, in comparison to baseline, significant (P0.001) reductions in the number of anaerobic species in the supragingival plaque, in the saliva, and on the anterior part of the tongue. For the posterior part of the tongue the microbial changes remainedor =0.3 log values (P0.05). For the placebo group, the microbial changes never reached a level of significance (or =0.3 log values). A strong correlation was found between the intraoral VSC ratings and the 1-hour (r = 0.48, P0.0001; r = 0.54, P = 0.0003 for baseline data only) and 2-hour (r = 0.43, P0.0001) VSC production of incubated saliva. The latter also correlated very strongly (r = 0.71) with the number of anaerobic species in the saliva. The VSC values and organoleptic ratings of the incubated saliva also correlated strongly with each other (r = 0.64 for 1-hour and 0.73 for 2-hour incubation).The results of this study indicate that in patients with moderate periodontitis, initial periodontal therapy including tongue scraping did not have a significant effect on the microbial load of the tongue and had only a weak impact on the VSC level, except when combined with a mouthrinse. Saliva incubation can be used as an indirect way to score breath odor. It offers simplicity, objectivity, and is less invasive.

The present multicenter study aimed to survey the patients' experiences in relation to the diagnosis and non-surgical treatment of periodontitis according to current treatment routine.Patients (N = 268) treated for plaque-related periodontitis were enrolled in two groups: group 1 received primary probing of pocket depths (PD 1) and/or primary scaling and root planing (SRP 1); group 2 consisted of patients who were scheduled in the different centers for recall PD/scaling/subgingival instrumentation. Data collection included a full periodontal status, anesthesia employed, procedure time, and patient self-completed questionnaires to assess their previous and current experience of pain and discomfort during anesthesia and periodontal treatment.Ninety percent of the patients received infiltration anesthesia during primary SRP, compared to only 2% during recall scaling/instrumentation and none during PD. Many patients (40% in SRP group 1 and 52% in the recall scaling/instrumentation group) were most bothered by the scaling procedure, while others (35% in the primary SRP patients) by the anesthetic injection. Painful experiences during previous primary PD and present SRP were highly correlated (r = 0.6).From these results, it is evident that subgingival instrumentation causes pain and discomfort, an aspect that should be considered in periodontal therapy. Unfortunately, the use of local infiltration anesthesia to reduce pain is in itself a cause of discomfort. Attractive alternatives for anesthetic applications are much needed.

937 Background: Breath odor is scored by different techniques, each with its own shortcomings. Organoleptic ratings are uncomfortable for the patient, subjective, influenced by external parameters including food and cosmetics, and especially lack international calibration. Portable sulphide monitors are relatively expensive and neglect several major malodorous molecules (e.g., butyric and propionic acids, putrescine, and cadaverine). Gas chromatography necessitates expensive devices and experienced technicians. This pilot study explored the applicability of a new technique (saliva incubation) by comparing its discrimination power, in a morning bad breath inhibition study of antiseptics, to those of hydrogen sulphide (H2S) measurement devices and organoleptic ratings. Methods: After a professional cleaning, 8 periodontally healthy students abstained from all means of mechanical plaque control for 5 experimental periods of 7 days, with intervening washout periods of at least 2 weeks. During each experimental period, the students rinsed only twice daily with different antiseptics. At day 7, morning breath was scored clinically (volatile sulphide compound [VSC] level and organoleptic ratings), and 1.5 ml of saliva was collected and divided between 3 glass tubes that were sealed and incubated (37°C, anaerobic chamber). Immediately after collection and after 3 and 6 hours of incubation, the headspace air in one of the tubes was examined for VSC production and organoleptic measurements. Results: The investigations of the incubated saliva correlated well with the 7-day intraoral VSC recordings and organoleptic ratings (P ≤0.005). Moreover, evaluations showed a similar interproduct ranking for their efficacy in malodor control. The power analyses indicated a higher discrimination power for the saliva incubation test than for the intraoral registrations. Conclusions: The strong correlation between odor production of incubated saliva and clinical assessments suggests that the saliva incubation test may be used as an indirect method to measure oral malodor and can be employed to investigate the antimalodor effectiveness of oral hygiene products. J Periodontol 2003;74:937-944.

This study aimed to analyse variations in the mandibular interforaminal morphology in an attempt to identify potential risks or contraindications for surgery, especially implant installation, in this particular region. A total of 210 spiral computer tomography (CT) examinations of patients requiring endosseous implant installation in the lower jaw were re-evaluated to explore anatomical variations in bone morphology (shape and contour), and to measure parameters concerning height, width and inclination of the bone in the symphyseal atrea. All measurements were performed on the cross-sectional reformatted images mesial to the mental foramina. A lingual concavity (with a depth of 6 +/- 2.6 mm) was observed in 2.4% of the jaws, with a remaining bone height in that area ranging from 4.2 to 11.9 mm. A clearly lingual tilted/inclined morphology was seen in 28.1% of jaws with a mean angle of 67.6 +/- 6.5 degrees, but a relatively constant width (8.8 mm). The remaining jaws (69.5%) showed a slight broadening in the caudal direction. The morphologic parameters were influenced neither by age nor by gender. In conclusion, mandibles with a lingual concavity or a severe slope of the lingual cortex might confer increased risks of lingual perforations during trepanation surgery or graft harvesting as well as fenestrations during implant installation. The detection frequency of such variations within the lower jaw seems to advocate a profound dissection of the lingual site and, in the case of some special treatment strategies, additional cross-sectional radiography.

Periopathogens and cariogenic species survive more than 48 hours on toothbrushes even under dry storage. This study examined a decontamination of toothbrushes by means of the bactericidal effect of different toothpastes or a special coating of the tufts.Eight untreated periodontitis patients were professionally brushed, using a new toothbrush per quadrant and 3 different toothpastes containing either amine/stannous fluoride (AmF/SnF2), amine fluoride (AmF), or a mild surfactant as major antibacterial component (excipient), or no paste (C). The brushes were rinsed and stored dry at room temperature. At different time intervals, 4 tufts per toothbrush were processed for selective and non-selective culturing procedures. The protocol was repeated comparing AmF/SnF2 and C with 2 toothbrushes with coated tufts (coat1 and coat2).At baseline, C brushes (n = 16) harbored 10(7), 10(8), and 10(6) colony forming units (CFU) of aerobic, anaerobic, and black pigmented species, respectively. After 24 hours 10(6) CFU of aerobic and anaerobic species could still be cultured from 14 of the 16 brushes. Black-pigmented species remained detectable up to 4 hours; detection frequencies for Fusobacterium nucleatum and Streptococcus mutans at 24 hours were 5/16. With AmF/SnF2 and AmF toothpaste the number of adhering bacteria was already 2 log lower at baseline (P0.05), but not for the excipient (0.5 log, P = 0.7). With AmF/SnF2 no vital species could be detected after 8 hours. AmF reduced the bacterial survival rate significantly more than the excipient, but less than AmF/SnF2 (P0.05). The bactericidal effect of coat1 and coat2 was negligible when compared to C (P0.20), and clearly inferior to the AmF/SnF2 paste (P0.0001). After 24 hours these brushes still harbored10(5) CFU.Toothpastes can significantly reduce contamination of toothbrushes, but their bactericidal activity is dependent on their composition. Coated tufts failed to limit the bacterial contamination.

It has already been shown that occlusive titanium barriers have osteoconductive properties. These barriers, however, cover only a limited surface area and have only been used in animal experiments. The aim of this study was to evaluate bone neogenesis under a pre-shaped titanium barrier placed over the top of the rabbit skull and the top of highly resorbed edentulous upper-jaw bone in patients. Computed tomography (CT) scans made it possible to pre-shape the titanium barrier according to individual bone shape in human experiments. On the rabbit skull, tissue augmentation of up to 6 mm 1 year after barrier placement was observed, while the original thickness of skull bone was on average between 1.5 and 2.5 mm. The bone, which remained histologically immature for 1 year, grew systematically along the titanium surface, illustrating its osteoconductivity. Even after removal of the barrier, on average, 75.3 and 59.4% of the newly created tissue volume was maintained after 3 and 9 months, respectively. Clinical observations on 10 consecutive patients showed that, in those (5/10) in which the barrier remained unexposed for several months, an increase of the jawbone height and width of up to 16 mm could be observed when the barrier was removed after 12-18 months. As in the rabbits at barrier removal, the bone demonstrated a limited degree of mineralization as ascertained from biopsies. This newly formed osteoid tissue allowed the insertion of 33 screw-shaped titanium implants which in most cases (30/33) successfully osseointegrated to support a fixed prosthesis. The surrounding marginal bone level remained stable even up to 5 years after implant placement. Both animal and clinical data demonstrate that guided bone neogenesis under a subperiosteally placed titanium barrier can reach large volumes.

The aim of the present study was to assess the influence of endogenous and local factors on the occurrence of implant failure up to the abutment stage. The study comprised a group of 399 consecutive patients, which represented the total of patients who had been treated from 1995 to 1997 (with a total of 1263 Brånemark Brån-system implants) at the Department of Periodontology of the University Hospital, Catholic University Leuven. For each patient, the medical history was carefully examined. Data collection and analysis were mainly focused on endogenous factors such as hypertension, osteoporosis, hypo- or hyperthyroid function, chemotherapy, diabetes type I or II, Crohn's disease, some local factors (e.g. bone quality, reason for tooth loss) and breach of sterility during surgery. The reason for tooth loss, smoking habits, radiotherapy and other local bone factors (bone quality and quantity) were also recorded. Implant failures were recorded up to the abutment connection. The present study indicated a success rate until this stage of 97.8%. General factors such as heavy smoking, chemotherapy plus poor bone quality increased implant failure rate. Radiotherapy, limited bone volume and claustrophobia, which led to breaching the strict preoperative rules of asepsis, appeared to be the most relevant local factors for early implant failures.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of electronic dental analgesia (EDA) during sonic scaling. The clinical trial included 30 healthy adult subjects and was conducted as a randomised single-blind split-mouth design. The applied procedure consisted of periodontal scaling by means of a sonic sealer, while using the EDA device either in an active or placebo state. Rather similar results were obtained for the subjective pain rating in both the active and the placebo trials. When patients rated their discomfort on a scale 0-4 from no pain to very severe pain, the mean (s.d.) score for both the EDA and the placebo was 1.2 (0.6). The subjective pain estimate was positively correlated to the electrical current intensity provided. This implied that with a stronger pain experience, patients tried to administer more anaesthesia by turning the dial of the control box to an increased intensity of the electrical current. This remained insufficient to eliminate pain sensation. It was concluded that application of electronic dental anaesthesia in periodontal treatment remains questionable.

Breath odour is a complaint encountered worldwide, often linked to microbial overload in the oral cavity. This double blind, crossover, randomised study assessed the efficacy of several antiseptic mouthrinses or slurry vs. a control solution in the prevention of morning bad breath during an experimental period of 7 days without mechanical plaque control.Sixteen dental students with a healthy periodontium abolished, after a thorough professional cleaning, all means of mechanical plaque control during five experimental periods of 7 days, interleaved by washout periods of at least 3 weeks. During each experimental period, as the only oral hygiene measure, the students rinsed twice a day with one of the following formulations (in a randomised order): a 0.2% chlorhexidine-alcohol mouthrinse (CHX-Alc), a 0.05% CHX + 0.05% cetylpyridinium chloride + 0.14% zinc lactate mouthrinse (CHX-CPC-Zn), an amine fluoride/stannous fluoride (125 ppm F-/125 ppm F-) containing mouthrinse (AmF/SnF2Mr), a slurry of a tooth paste (AmF/SnF2Sl) containing amine fluoride (350 ppm F-) and stannous fluoride (1050 ppm F-) and a placebo solution (placebo). At days 0, 3 and 7, morning breath was scored via VSC level measurements of the mouth air, and organoleptic ratings of the mouth air and tongue coating. At the same visits both the degree of gingival inflammation and the de novo plaque formation were rated. At the end of each period a questionnaire for subjective ratings was completed and microbiological samples were taken from the tongue dorsum, the saliva and the supragingival plaque for anaerobic and aerobic culturing.Although oral hygiene during the experimental periods was limited to rinsing, bad breath parameters systematically improved (P0.001) with the three mouthrinses (CHX-Alc, CHX-CPC-Zn, AmF/SnF2Mr), with a superiority of the CHX-CPC-Zn solution when only VSC values were considered (P0.003). The AmF/SnF2 slurry and the placebo solution showed only minor changes with time. The three mouthrinses reduced significantly (P0.001) the bacterial load (aerobicanaerobic) in the saliva (or= 0.5 log reduction with a superiority (P0.005) for the CHX-Alc when compared to the two others). Changes in the bacterial load on the tongue dorsum could only be detected for the CHX-Alc solution (0.5 log). The antibacterial effect of the placebo solution and the slurry were negligible. The composition of microflora on the other hand did not reveal significant changes. The de novo supragingival plaque formation was significantly (P0.05) inhibited by the three mouthrinses with a slight superiority for the CHX-Alc solution. The degree of gingival inflammation at day 7 remained low (0.16) for all products. The CHX-Alc solution scored significantly worse for the subjective evaluation (questionnaires) concerning taste and sensitivity of tongue).The results of this study demonstrate that morning breath odour can be successfully reduced by the sole twice daily use of CHX-Alc, CHX-CPC-Zn or AmF/SnF2Mr mouthrinses, which all significantly reduced the bacterial load in the saliva and retarded the de novo plaque formation.

The purpose of the present investigation was to examine to what extent precision data from 3-dimensional planning software for oral implants can be transferred to the operative field by means of a drilling template, containing high-precision drilling sleeves, fitted on the jawbone. It was investigated whether this procedure would allow advance preparation of a fixed definitive prosthesis that could be placed at the completion of surgery.This procedure was experimentally carried out in 2 cadavers and later in 8 consecutive human patients.The results indicated a nearly perfect match between the positions and axes of the placed implants and those planned.This procedure permitted the placement of a definitive fixed prosthesis with limited freedom of space between the abutments and the metallic cylinders incorporated into the prosthesis.These encouraging results of the Leuven information technology-based oral rehabilitation by means of implants (LITORIM) are presently being further investigated at the clinical level.

The purpose of this study was to predict the outcome of implant restorations in the treatment of partial edentulism, taking into account implant interdependency and the effect of several confounding variables. Between December 1982 and June 1998, 1956 Brånemark system implants (1212 and 744 in the maxilla and mandible, respectively, 846 distal to first premolars) were installed in 660 patients (248 males) at the Department of Periodontology of the University Hospitals of the Catholic University of Leuven. Of the 810 restorations installed at the Department of Prosthetic Dentistry of the same hospital, 235 were single crowns, 166 were supported by implants and teeth and 409 were free-standing fixed partial prostheses. An additional 87 restorations was placed in private dental offices and were not included. The patients were followed from implant installation until June 1999. The estimated cumulative survival rates were 91.4% for all implants and 95.8% for all restorations over a period of 16 years. Estimated cumulative survival rates from loading for implant-tooth connected and free-standing implants were, respectively, 93.6% and 97.2%. Neither jaw site nor implant position (anterior-posterior) had any significant effect on the outcome. Short implant length, high number of implants per patient, low number of implants per prosthesis, implants loaded by acrylic-veneered restorations and implants combined with bone grafting present a higher risk hazard for implant failure. The idea of not splinting the implants in a fixed partial prosthesis is promising but needs replication before accepting it.

The objective of this study was to determine whether patients with phantom tooth symptoms have an altered sensory perception as compared to pain-free subjects. Ten patients (mean age 56, range 32–71, nine females) were diagnosed as suffering from "phantom tooth" according to a specifically designed phantom tooth questionnaire including components of the McGill Pain Questionnaire. An SCL-90 form was completed and assessment of sensory perception was carried out by determination of the threshold level for light touch sensation, two-point discrimination, and thermal sensation in a case-control design. Results. Of all the observed questionnaires, 5.7% seemed to deal with phantom tooth, with a female preponderance (ratio 9:1). Complaints were predominantly reported in the upper jaw (ratio 8:2) with the majority in the molar region (ratio 5:3). Phantom tooth subjects showed significantly lower threshold levels for light touch sensation, most markedly on the affected side. The average psychoneurotic profile showed a tendency towards higher scores for the phantom tooth subjects. Conclusion. The phantom tooth phenomenon may show a number of features which might aid differential diagnosis. To verify influences such as upper molar predominance and increased light touch sensation, another study should be performed on a larger patient sample.

Background: The innervation of skin and oral mucosa plays a major physiologic role in exteroception. It is also of interest clinically, as illustrated by sensory changes after neurosurgical procedures. Purpose: The goal of this study was to assess the perception of mechanical stimuli applied to the anterior maxilla in denture wearers and subjects rehabilitated with osseointegrated implants compared with that in subjects with a natural dentition. Materials and Methods: Five groups of subjects were selected and tested in the maxillary region only. Test groups included patients with a complete denture, an implant-supported fixed prosthesis (full or partial), or a single-tooth replacement. Light-touch sensation and two-point discrimination were performed on the buccal side of the alveolar mucosa and vibrotactile function was determined for natural teeth, full dentures, or implant-supported prostheses. Results: For light-touch sensation, no significant differences could be found between the groups. For two-point discrimination, full-denture patients showed higher threshold levels than the other groups. The threshold levels for vibrotactile function were higher in both full dentures and implant-supported prostheses compared with natural dentitions. Conclusion: Natural dentitions offer superior vibrotactile function compared to any other dental status. Full dentures often show a stronger deterioration of the (vibro)tactile function compared with implant-supported prostheses.

BACKGROUND Chlorhexidine (CHX) 0.2% solution, still the golden standard as mouthrinse for the prevention of plaque formation and development of gingivitis, has some limited side-effects such as extrinsic tooth staining, poor taste, taste disturbance, sensitivity changes in tongue, pain, and the content of alcohol. These side effects led to the search of new formulations. METHODS In this double-blind, randomised, cross-over study, 16 young dental students with a healthy periodontium, abolished all means of mechanical plaque control during 4 experimental periods of 11 days (separated from each other by a washout period of 3 weeks). During each experimental period, they rinsed 2x daily with one of the following mouthrinses in a randomised order: CHX 0.2% + alcohol (Corsodyl), CHX 0.12% + alcohol (Perio.Aid), CHX 0.12% + sodium fluoride 0.05% (Cariax Gingival) and CHX 0.12% + CPC 0.05% (Perio.Aid, new formulation). After 7 and 11 days of undisturbed plaque formation, clinical parameters were recorded, questionnaires completed and plaque samples (supragingivally and saliva) collected. RESULTS The CHX 0.12% + alcohol and the CHX 0.12% + CPC 0.05% formulations were as efficient as the CHX 0.2% mouthrinse in retarding de novo plaque formation (proven by clinical observations as well as by anaerobic and aerobic culture data), and always superior (p

Background: The original protocol or Branemark to achieve predictable osseointegration for oral implants has substantially been modified. One may question whether results are influenced by those modifications, especially for the longterm prognosis. Purpose: The goal of the present study was to investigate the impact of those parameters that deviate from the original protocol as defined by P-I Branemark. Materials and Methods: In this study, 246 patients with 263 fixed partial prostheses supported by 668 Branemark implants were followed from 1 to 15 years (mean:6.3 yr). Radiographs were taken at the time of abutment connection, at 3 to 6 months, at 12 months, and then every 3 years. The bone level was rated mesially and distally from the implants on a total of 2588 radiographs. Results: A positive relation between abutment length and marginal bone level was found (p >.0001). The maxilla (p =.03), porcelain (p =.007), long abutments (p =.008), and regular-sized diameter implants (p =.001) all exhibited more bone loss in the first 6 months. After 6 months, only long implants showed more bone loss (p =.03). Conclusions: Overall, the marginal bone level remained stable around Branemark implants, never surpassing 2.2 mm, even after 15 years. Although longer implants lost more bone over time, this has to be interpreted with respect to higher resorption rates in less resorbed jaws.

In 123 patients, 339 implants were connected to 313 teeth by means of fixed partial prostheses (test) and followed up for 1.5–15 years (mean: 6.5). In another ad random selected 123 patients, 329 implants were connected to each other by means of 123 freestanding fixed partial prostheses (control) and were followed up for 1.3–14.5 years (mean: 6.2). The aim of this study was to compare both treatment modalities with each other based on implant, tooth and prosthesis complications. The cumulative implant success, based on implant immobility and/or lack of implant fractures after loading, in the test and control groups amounted to 95% and 98.5%, respectively. Although in the test group 10 implants versus only 1 in the control group failed, a regression analysis of the survival data, based on the cox proportional hazards model, revealed no significant difference. In the test group periapical lesions (3.5%), tooth fracture (0.6%) and tooth extraction due to fatal decay or periodontitis (1%) were observed, besides tooth intrusion (3.4%) and crown cement failure (8%). Framework fracture occurred in 3 patients. In the control group, only 2 abutment screws fractured. The treatment of partial edentulism by means of oral implants was beneficial for our patients. Because of a clear tendency of more implant failures (mobility or fractures) and tooth complications in the tooth-implant connected prostheses, the freestanding solution is the primary option to be considered. To avoid intrusion of abutment teeth, the connection, if made, should be completely rigid.

Background: The replacement of a single tooth or several teeth by means of single-implant restorations is an increasingly used method that needs long-term validation. Purpose: The goal of this study was to evaluate the outcome of single-implant restorations by means of fixed restorations and to define the prognosis through marginal bone level estimations. Materials and Methods: From November 1986 to June 1998, 270 Branemark implants (215 in the upper jaw) were installed in 219 patients (106 males). Both anterior and posterior sites were involved. Of the 263 single restorations, 28 were placed in private dental offices. The patients were followed until June 1999. Results: Twelve implants failed before or at abutment connection or within 6 months afterward. Only four implants failed later. The cumulative success rates were 93% for the implants and 96.5% for the restorations over a period of 11 years. The marginal bone loss during the first 6 months after abutment connection reached 0.71 mm and then dropped to 0.036 mm annually over a period of 10 years. Conclusions: Single-implant restorations (Branemark System) are a reliable treatment with a good long-term prognosis. Failures were concentrated during the healing period and early loading phase.