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The healing events of 7 patients with generalized chronic periodontitis were monitored clinically during 3 consecutive phases of treatment: 1) tooth brushing and flossing, 2) subgingival use of the Perio-Aid®, and 3) supra and subgingival instrumentation. The clinical parameters evaluated were plaque score, bleeding score, probing pocket depth, probing attachment level, and gingival recession. Each phase continued until maximum effects were achieved (5, 3, and 9 months respectively) determined by minimal or no changes in bleeding scores and probing pocket depths between 3 successive examinations. The results showed limited improvement in the bleeding scores and probing pocket depths with tooth brushing and flossing only (Phase 1). During use of the Perio-Aid (Phase 2), there was no additional improvement, but the initial limited gains made during Phase 1 were maintained. By the end of Phase 2, however, a slight loss of probing attachment level was noticeable. After instrumentation (Phase 3), there was further and more pronounced improvement in bleeding scores and probing pocket depths, as well as a reversal of the probing attachment loss. The results of this study indicate that significant improvement in periodontal pockets should not be expected following home care procedures alone, and that instrumentation may account for the bulk of improvement seen following a combined therapy of plaque control and instrumentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ten cats were immunized with subcutaneous injections of keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH). After it was determined that the experimental animals had developed circulating antibodies to KLH, challenge doses of KLH were administered via the root canal system. The radiographic and histologic findings suggest that antigen-antibody complex reactions can occur in periapical tissues of teeth, and that they can play a role in the pathogenesis of periapical lesions. In contrast, no radiographic and histologic changes were noted in non-immunized cats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Through-and-through furcation defects were experimentally created in one group of mon- keys (Study 1) and in one group of dogs (Study 2). The effect of reconstructive periodontal surgery using citric acid conditioning of the instrumented root surfaces was studied. Two experimental variables were investigated: (1) variation of the placement and suturing of the flaps and (2) variation of the size of the furcation defects. The results of these studies indicate that adequate postoperative flap coverage of the furcations seems to be critical for successful bealing of the furcation defects. Variations in the vertical dimension of the defects seems to play a secondary role. Future studies in experimental animals should evaluate methods which will provide improved post-operative coverage of the furcation area during healing of furcation defects in human patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]