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Background: Stem cell‐based therapy for bone regeneration has received attention in medical settings but has not yet been used in clinical practice for treating alveolar bone defects. The objectives of this study were to explore whether periodontists had heard about this approach, and if so how, how interested they were to learn about it, which attitudes and behavioral intentions they had related to using stem cell‐based grafting, and what they would like to know before using this approach. Methods: Anonymous survey data were collected from 481 members of the American Academy of Periodontology (response rate: 19.41%). Results: Responses showed 35.3% had heard about stem cell‐based therapy, mostly from publications (9.6%) and meetings (8.3%); 76.1% wanted to learn about it through in‐person continuing education (CE) courses, 68.6% in online CE courses, and 57.1% from manuals; 73% considered this approach promising; and 54.9% preferred it to traditional approaches. It was important to them that it would result in more bone volume (93%), better bone quality (90.4%), and accelerated healing (83.2%). Also, 60.1% considered it likely/very likely that they would adopt this approach, 54% that patients would prefer it, and 62.1% that it would benefit their practice. When asked what they would like to know about this approach, information about short‐ and long‐term outcomes, cost, and logistical considerations were most frequently named. Conclusions: These findings provide the basis to develop educational interventions for periodontists about this novel approach and inform future research activities aimed to translate this approach to clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ObjectivesGiven that the nature and presence of voids present within grafted sinuses following maxillary sinus elevation procedures were not known, nor was the contribution of these factors to implant success, the purpose of this study was to investigate these parameters and their relationship to implant success.Materials and methodsThis study evaluated data from 25 subjects who had a lateral window maxillary sinus augmentation procedure. Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) was performed at baseline and 4 months after surgery. CBCT images were used to evaluate grafted sites prior to implant placement. Using CBCT images, three examiners independently measured bone-grafted areas (BG), void areas (V), and percentage of void areas (V%) from six different sections within grafted sites. The six sections were defined as a cross-sectional (CS) midpoint, CS mesial point, CS distal point, horizontal section (HS) low point, HS midpoint, and HS high point. Implant success was also determined.ResultsThe calculated V% (V/BG) for the CS midpoint, CS mesial point, CS distal point, HS low point, HS midpoint, and HS high point were 5.30 ± 6.67%, 5.79 ± 8.51%, 6.67 ± 7.12%, 2.07 ± 2.56%, 5.30 ± 6.62%, and 4.92 ± 5.17% respectively. Implant success after 6 months of follow-up approximated 100%.ConclusionsAlthough voids within grafts varied in terms of distribution and size, the V% within the HS low point were significantly smaller compared to those within the CS midpoint and CS distal point, which had the most intra-subject V%. Thus, more attention should be given to the distal aspect of the sinus when compacting graft materials in the lateral wall sinus augmentation procedure. Implant success was not influenced by the existence of voids as implant success remained high.

Kinetic stem cell (KSC) counting is a recently introduced first technology for quantifying tissue stem cells in vertebrate organ and tissue cell preparations. Previously, effective quantification of the fraction or dosage of tissue stem cells had been largely lacking in stem cell science and medicine. A general method for the quantification of tissue stem cells will accelerate progress in both of these disciplines as well as related industries like drug development. Triplicate samples of human oral alveolar bone cell preparations, which contain mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), were used to estimate the precision of KSC counting analyses conducted at three independent sites. A high degree of intra-site precision was found, with coefficients of variation for determinations of MSC-specific fractions of 8.9% (p < 0.003), 13% (p < 0.006), and 25% (p < 0.02). The estimates of inter-site precision, 11% (p < 0.0001) and 26% (p < 0.0001), also indicated a high level of precision. Results are also presented to show the ability of KSC counting to define cell subtype-specific kinetics factors responsible for changes in the stem cell fraction during cell culture. The presented findings support the continued development of KSC counting as a new tool for advancing stem cell science and medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: A disharmonious smile results from excessive gingival exposure or gingival margin misalignment is a frequent finding in patients. The most common cause is altered passive eruption; however, in the case presented here, the esthetics of the smile is compromised also due to an inadequate implant placement and crown fabrication. Case presentation: This case presented a combination of altered passive eruption and a buccally as well as deeply placed implant crown (#10) that led to disproportionate dimensions of an upper lateral incisor. Dual digitally guided crown lengthening surgical procedure for teeth #5 to #12 was performed aiming a better harmony of the smile. Treatment also included placement of tooth veneers and re‐made of implant crown. A pleasant smile with appropriate colors and proportions was achieved. All esthetic and periodontal health parameters were maintained throughout the follow‐up period (1 year). Conclusion: The use of dual digitally guided crown lengthening help to accomplish precision and stability of esthetic outcome, as it guides for both, bone and soft tissue removal. Particularly, in challenging cases with high esthetic demand and complicated factors present, such as the case presented here, the digital approach provides tools to attain excellent treatment outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Periodontitis affects nearly half of the adult population in the United States and leads to periodontium destruction, tooth loss, and tooth mobility. Novel bioengineering has become an area of interest in dentistry, as various approaches aim to regenerate attachment apparatus around diseased teeth with the use of barriers, scaffolds, bone grafts, or biologics. This article emphasizes recent findings in the fields of stem cell/gene therapy, 3-dimensional printing, and innovative scaffold designs for future applications in clinical care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]