B. Liljenberg

Modeling and remodeling of human extraction sockets.

INTRODUCTION The available studies on extraction wound repair in humans are affected by significant limitations and have failed to evaluate tissue alterations occurring in all compartments of the hard tissue defect. AIM To monitor during a 6-month period the healing of human extraction sockets and include a semi-quantitative analysis of tissues and cell populations involved in various stages of the processes of modeling/remodeling. MATERIAL AND METHODS Twenty-seven biopsies, representative of the early (2-4 weeks, n=10), intermediate (6-8 weeks, n=6), and late phase (12-24 weeks, n=11) of healing, were collected and analysed. RESULTS Granulation tissue that was present in comparatively large amounts in the early healing phase of socket healing, was in the interval between the early and intermediate observation phase replaced with provisional matrix and woven bone. The density of vascular structures and macrophages slowly decreased from 2 to 4 weeks over time. The presence of osteoblasts peaked at 6-8 weeks and remained almost stable thereafter; a small number of osteoclasts were present in a few specimens at each observation interval. CONCLUSIONS The present findings demonstrated that great variability exists in man with respect to hard tissue formation within extraction sockets. Thus, whereas a provisional connective tissue consistently forms within the first weeks of healing, the interval during which mineralized bone is laid down is much less predictable.

Dynamics of Bio-Oss® Collagen incorporation in fresh extraction wounds: an experimental study in the dog

AIM The objective of this experiment was to analyze processes involved in the incorporation of Bio-Oss Collagen in host tissue during healing following tooth extraction and grafting. METHODS Five beagle dogs were used. Four premolars in the mandible ((3)P(3), (4)P(4)) were hemi-sected, the distal roots were removed and the fresh extraction socket filled with Bio-Oss Collagen. The mucosa was mobilized and the extraction site was closed with interrupted sutures. The tooth extraction and grafting procedures were scheduled in such a way that biopsies representing 1 and 3 days, as well as 1, 2 and 4 weeks of healing could be obtained. The dogs were euthanized and perfused with a fixative. Each experimental site, including the distal socket area, was dissected. The sites were decalcified in EDTA, and serial sections representing the central part of the socket were prepared in the mesio-distal plane and parallel with the long axis of the extraction socket. Sections were stained in hematoxylin and eosin and were used for the overall characteristics of the tissues in the extraction socket. In specimens representing 1, 2 and 4 weeks of healing the various tissue elements were assessed using a morphometric point counting procedure. Tissue elements such as cells, fibers, vessels, leukocytes and mineralized bone were determined. In deparaffinized sections structures and cells positive for tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase activity (TRAP), alkaline phosphatase and osteopontin were identified. RESULTS The biomaterial was first trapped in the fibrin network of the coagulum. Neutrophilic leukocytes [polymorphonuclear (PMN) cells] migrated to the surface of the foreign particles. In a second phase the PMN cells were replaced by multinuclear TRAP-positive cells (osteoclasts). The osteoclasts apparently removed material from the surface of the xenogeneic graft. When after 1-2 weeks the osteoclasts disappeared from the Bio-Oss granules they were followed by osteoblasts that laid down bone mineral in the collagen bundles of the provisional matrix. In this third phase the Bio-Oss particles became osseointegrated. CONCLUSIONS It was demonstrated that the incorporation of Bio-Oss in the tissue that formed in an extraction wound involved a series of different processes.

β-tricalcium phosphate in the early phase of socket healing: an experimental study in the dog

OBJECTIVES The aim of this experiment was to analyze processes involved in the incorporation of beta-tricalcium phospate (TCP) particles in host tissue during healing following tooth extraction and grafting. MATERIAL AND METHODS Five beagle dogs were used. Four premolars in the maxilla ((3)P(3), (2)P(2)) were hemi-sected, the distal roots were removed and the fresh extraction socket filled with TCP. The tooth extraction and grafting procedures were scheduled in such a way that biopsies representing 1 and 3 days, as well as 1, 2, and 4 weeks of healing could be obtained. Tissue elements such as cells, fibers, vessels, leukocytes and mineralized bone were determined. In deparaffinized sections structures and cells that expressed Tratarate resistant acid phosphate, alkaline phosphatase, and osteopontin were identified by the use of markers. RESULTS The porosities of the TCP particles were initially filled with erythrocytes that subsequently were replaced with mineralized bone. Some of the graft material was invaded by mesenchymal and inflammatory cells and disintegrated. Thus, small membrane bound granules appeared in the granulation tissue and the provisional matrix. In the process of hard tissue formation, partly mineralized (modified) TCP particles became surrounded by ridges of woven bone. CONCLUSIONS It was demonstrated that the early healing of an extraction socket that had been grafted with beta-TCP involved (i) the formation of a coagulum that was (ii) replaced with granulation tissue and a provisional matrix in which (iii) woven bone could form. In this process the biomaterial was apparently involved.

B-1a cells and plasma cells in periodontitis lesions

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Host response mechanisms in periodontal tissues are complex and involve numerous systems of interactions between cells. The B-cell lineage seems to predominate in chronic periodontitis lesions. The aim of the present investigation was to study the correlation between inflammatory cells and some functional markers in gingival lesions obtained from subjects with severe chronic periodontitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS Thirty-eight Caucasian subjects volunteered to take part in the study. A gingival biopsy from one randomly selected diseased proximal site (probing pocket depth > 6 mm and bleeding on probing positive) was obtained from each patient. Immunohistochemical preparation was used to identify inflammatory cells and functional markers. Correlations between the different percentages of cell markers were analyzed by pairwise correlation. RESULTS B cells (B-1a and B-2 cells) occurred in larger proportions than T cells and plasma cells. A statistically significant correlation was found between the percentage of B-1a cells and plasma cells and between all B lymphocytes and plasma cells. About 60% of B lymphocytes exhibited autoreactive features. CONCLUSION It is suggested that B-1a cells constitute a significant part of the host response in periodontitis lesions and that plasma cells may develop from both B-2 and B-1a cells.

Osseointegration in periodontitis susceptible individuals

OBJECTIVES The aim of the present study was to examine tissue integration of implants placed (i) in subjects who had lost teeth because of advanced periodontal disease or for other reasons, (ii) in the posterior maxilla exhibiting varying amounts of mineralized bone. MATERIAL AND METHODS Thirty-six subjects were enrolled; 19 had lost teeth because of advanced periodontitis (group P) while the remaining 17 subjects had suffered tooth loss from other reasons (group NP). As part of site preparation for implant placement, a 3 mm trephine drill was used to remove one or more 2 mm wide and 5-6 mm long block of hard tissue [biopsy site; Lindhe et al. (2011). Clinical of Oral Implants Research, DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0501.2011.02205.x]. Lateral to the biopsy site a twist drill (diameter 2 mm) was used to prepare the hard tissue in the posterior maxilla for the placement of a screw-shaped, self-tapping micro-implant (implant site). The implants used were 5 mm long, had a diameter of 2.2 mm. After 3 months of healing, the micro-implants with surrounding hard tissue cores were retrieved using a trephine drill. The tissue was processed for ground sectioning. The blocks were cut parallel to the long axis of the implant and reduced to a thickness of about 20 μm and stained in toluidine blue. The percentage of (i) implant surface that was in contact with mineralized bone as well as (ii) the amount of bone present within the threads of the micro-implants (percentage bone area) was determined. RESULTS Healing including hard tissue formation around implants placed in the posterior maxilla was similar in periodontitis susceptible and non-susceptible subjects. Thus, the degree of bone-to-implant contact (about 59%) as well as the amount of mineralized bone within threads of the micro-implant (about 45-50%) was similar in the two groups of subjects. Pearsons coefficient disclosed that there was a weak negative correlation (-0.49; P < 0.05) between volume of fibrous tissue (biopsy sites) and the length of bone to implant contact (BIC) while there was a weak positive correlation (0.51; P < 0.05) between the volume of bone marrow and BIC.

Biphasic alloplastic graft used to preserve the dimension of the edentulous ridge: an experimental study in the dog.

BACKGROUND Loss of teeth results in marked qualitative and quantitative alterations of the alveolar process at the edentulous site. It was observed that a graft comprised of bovine bone mineral placed in the fresh extraction socket delayed tissue modeling, but preserved the dimension of the ridge at edentulous sites. OBJECTIVE To analyze the influence of a biphasic synthetic graft on tissue modeling and remodeling during healing of extraction wounds. MATERIAL AND METHODS Five beagle dogs were used. Two premolars in the maxilla and two in the mandible were included. Full thickness flaps were elevated and the distal roots were removed. An alloplastic graft (BPCAP; α-TCP core coated with nanocrystalline biomimetic hydroxyapatite) embedded in porcine collagen was placed to fill the fresh extraction socket of the premolar sites. Flaps were replaced to cover the entrance of the extraction sockets during early healing. The extraction and grafting procedures were scheduled to allow for the study of 1, 2, and 3 months socket healing. The biopsies from the maxillary sites were decalcified, embedded in paraffin, and stained to allow the study of various aspects of hard tissue formation. The biopsies from the mandibular sites were processed for ground sectioning and used to evaluate alterations of ridge dimensions after 3 months of socket healing. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION It was documented that the biphasic alloplastic graft did not undergo marked resorption during tissue modeling and remodeling, but allowed large amounts of bone to form within the post-extraction site. Grafting the experimental sites with this biomaterial furthermore counteracted ridge resorption that otherwise occurs following tooth extraction.

The alveolar process of the edentulous maxilla in periodontitis and non‐periodontitis subjects

BACKGROUND Early implant failures may document that the bone tissue or the wound-healing process following installation surgery was compromised. Subjects who have lost teeth for periodontal reasons exhibit more earlier implant failures than subjects who had experienced tooth loss for other reasons. AIM To describe the tissue of the fully healed extraction sites in subjects who had lost teeth as a result of periodontitis or for other reasons. MATERIAL AND METHODS Thirty-six otherwise healthy, partially dentate subjects with fully healed edentulous portions in the posterior maxilla were included. Nineteen of these subjects had lost teeth because of advanced periodontitis (group P) and 17 for other reasons (group NP). Using a trephine drill, a 4-6 mm long hard tissue specimen was harvested. The biopsies were decalcified, embedded in paraffin, sectioned, stained and examined. RESULTS The edentulous posterior maxilla was comprised of 47.1 ± 11% lamellar bone, 8.1 ± 7.1% woven bone, 4.3 ± 3.1% osteoid and 16.5 ± 10.4% bone marrow. There were no significant differences in the tissue composition of post-extraction sites of (i) P and NP subjects and (ii) premolar and molar sites. CONCLUSION More than 50% of the edentulous maxilla was comprised of mineralized bone (lamellar and woven bone). The bone trabeculae frequently appeared to have a random orientation. The direction of the trabeculae rather than the lack of mineralized bone tissue may explain the clinical impression that the bone in the posterior maxilla provides limited resistance to mechanical instrumentation.

Bone tissue in different parts of the edentulous maxilla and mandible

BACKGROUND The composition of the fully healed edentulous ridge of the posterior maxilla was recently examined and was found to contain about 50% mineralized bone and 16% bone marrow. AIM The objective was to examine the composition of the tissue of the fully healed ridge in different portions of the maxilla and the mandible in partially dentate subjects. MATERIAL AND METHODS Eighty-seven healthy subjects were included. A trephine drill was used to harvest hard tissue specimens. The biopsies were decalcified, embedded in paraffin, sectioned, stained, and examined using a point-counting procedure. RESULTS The marginal portion of the jaws almost consistently contained a cortical cap that was significantly wider in the mandible than in the maxilla and twice as wide in the anterior as in the posterior segments of the mandible. Lamellar bone and bone marrow were the dominating tissue elements. Lamellar bone occupied about 63% of the tissue in the mandible and 46% in the maxilla. The maxilla contained about 23% bone marrow as compared to 16% in the mandible. In the mandible, 70% (anterior) and 57% (posterior) were made up of lamellar bone. In the maxilla, the proportion of lamellar bone in the anterior and posterior segments was similar (about 45%). Bone marrow occupied close to 40% of the anterior maxilla, while in the posterior maxilla and the anterior and posterior mandible marrow comprised between 13 and 18%. CONCLUSION Marked differences existed with respect to tissue composition of the edentulous ridge between the maxilla and the mandible. The cortical crest was wider in the mandible than in the maxilla, and widest in the symphysis region of the mandible. The proportion of bone marrow was greater in the maxilla than in the mandible. The maxillary front tooth region was poor in lamellar bone but rich in bone marrow, while the anterior mandible contained large amounts of mineralized bone but small amounts of bone marrow.

B-1a Cells in Experimental Gingivitis in Humans

BACKGROUND Although previous studies revealed the presence of autoreactive B cells (B-1a cells) in periodontitis lesions, no evidence was provided for an active role of such cells in the host response to microbial challenge. The aim of the present investigation was to study the reaction of B-1a cells to de novo plaque formation in subjects who were treated for severe chronic periodontitis. METHODS Fifteen white subjects with generalized, severe chronic periodontitis volunteered. Surgical periodontal therapy was performed in all quadrants of each subject after a period of infection control. After 6 months of healing (baseline), two gingival biopsies were harvested from each patient (probing depth <4 mm and no bleeding on probing; healed sites). The experimental gingivitis model was applied, and plaque accumulation was allowed for 3 weeks. Two additional biopsies were collected and prepared for immunohistochemical analysis on day 21. RESULTS The biopsies retrieved after 3 weeks of plaque accumulation contained larger proportions of CD19+ and CD5+ cells (B-1a cells) than biopsies representing baseline (healed sites) (7.38% +/- 2.80% versus 5.96% +/- 2.48%). The tissue fraction of cells carrying the markers for CD3 (T cells), CD19 (B cells), and Bcl2 (apoptosis-associated marker) were significantly larger in tissue samples collected after 3 weeks of plaque accumulation than in specimens from baseline (healed sites). CONCLUSION Autoreactive B cells (B-1a cells) are involved in the host response to microbial challenge in subjects with chronic periodontitis.