Celeste M. Abraham

Evaluation of the levels of oral Candida in patients with Sjögren's syndrome

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to investigate the levels of oral Candida in patients with Sjögrens syndrome METHODS The Candida count and salivary flow rate of patients with Sjögrens syndrome were compared with those of healthy control subjects. Candida cultures were obtained from oral rinses. The numbers of colony-forming units were determined through use of the Spiral System. RESULTS The mean Candida count of patients with Sjögrens syndrome was 1672 +/- 1455 colony-forming units per mL; the count of healthy control subjects was 0.00 colony-forming units per mL. The mean salivary flow rate of patients with Sjögrens syndrome was significantly lower than that of healthy control subjects (0.16 +/- 0.13 mL/min/gland vs 0.55 +/- 0.24 mL/min/gland, respectively; p = 0.0001). However, Spearman rank correlation analyses did not reveal a significant correlation between salivary flow rate and Candida count (in colony-forming units per mL) among patients with Sjögrens syndrome. CONCLUSIONS Alteration in the oral microbial flora in patients with Sjögrens syndrome may be enhanced by the reduction in salivary output.

The Role of Occlusion in the Dental Implant and Peri-implant Condition: A Review

Dental implants have become a widely used dental treatment approach. It is important to identify factors that can be detrimental to dental implants and the peri-implant complex. There is controversy regarding whether occlusion plays a role in the implant and peri-implant condition. The present study aims to review the scientific literature regarding this topic. Animal and human studies, and previous reviews on the topic are included and presented. There is a wide heterogeneity among study designs. Several articles demonstrated that occlusion and occlusion overload could detrimentally affect the peri-implant condition, while other articles did not support these results. More studies are needed to help understand the mechanisms by which occlusion might play a role in the peri-implant condition.

Videoscope-Assisted Minimally Invasive Periodontal Surgery: One-Year Outcome and Patient Morbidity.

The aim of this study was to report the 1-year clinical outcomes from videoscope-assisted minimally invasive surgery (V-MIS). A sample of 18 patients having sites with residual pocket probing depth (PPD) of at least 5 mm and 2 mm loss in clinical attachment level (CAL) following initial nonsurgical therapy were treated with V-MIS. At 12 months postsurgery, there was a statistically significant improvement (P < .001) in mean PPD (4.11 ± 0.98 mm) and CAL (4.58 ± 1.19 mm) in all surgical sites. A mean improvement in soft tissue height (0.48 ± 0.65 mm, P = .006) was also observed. In most cases, patients reported no postoperative discomfort. The improvements associated with V-MIS appear to be favorable when compared with previously reported results of periodontal regenerative surgery. The lack of postsurgical recession following V-MIS has not been reported with traditional regenerative surgery.

Videoscope Assisted Minimally Invasive Surgery (VMIS): 36-Month Results

BACKGROUND Clinical outcomes from videoscope assisted minimally invasive surgery (VMIS) at 36 to 58 months are reported. METHODS Fourteen patients having sites with residual probing depth (PD) of at least 5 mm and 2 mm loss of clinical attachment level (CAL) after initial non-surgical therapy were treated with VMIS. RESULTS At 36 months or greater post-surgery there was a statistically significant improvement (P <0.001) in mean PD and CAL (PD: 3.80 ± 1.18 mm, CAL: 4.16 ± 1.18 mm) in all surgical sites compared with baseline. There was a mean improvement in soft tissue height (0.36 ± 0.64 mm, P = 0.03). In most cases, patients reported no postoperative discomfort. CONCLUSIONS Improvements from VMIS appear to be favorable when compared with previously reported results of periodontal regenerative surgery. All improvements were stable over time. The lack of post-surgical recession after VMIS has not been reported with traditional regenerative surgery.