Gian Pietro Schincaglia

Single-Flap Approach for Surgical Debridement of Deep Intraosseous Defects: A Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND The single-flap approach (SFA) consists of the elevation of a limited mucoperiosteal flap to allow surgical access to periodontal defects from either the buccal or oral aspect only, leaving the interproximal supracrestal gingival tissues intact. The aim of the present randomized controlled trial is to assess the effectiveness of a buccal SFA used for the surgical debridement of deep intraosseous defects compared to the double-flap approach (DFA). METHODS Fourteen patients were treated according to SFA principles and 14 patients received the DFA. In all patients, root surfaces and defects were thoroughly debrided, and conditions for the primary intention healing and blood clot stability were ensured by a proper flap design and suture technique. The clinical attachment level (CAL), probing depth (PD), and gingival recession (REC) were assessed immediately before surgery and at 6 months post-surgery. RESULTS The results of the study indicate that: 1) the SFA and DFA resulted in significant CAL gains and PD reductions at 6 months post-surgery; and 2) the SFA was similarly effective compared to the DFA in terms of CAL gain and PD reduction. CONCLUSION The surgical debridement of intraosseous periodontal defects resulted in comparable, substantial CAL gains and PD reductions as well as limited postoperative REC increases when defects were accessed with the SFA or DFA.

Corticotomy-assisted molar protraction with the aid of temporary anchorage device.

This case report describes the interdisciplinary management of a 58-year-old woman who was missing lower first molars and supraerupted maxillary first molars. The treatment plan included intrusion of the upper first molars and corticotomy-assisted mandibular second molar protraction with the aid of temporary anchorage devices. Miniscrews were effective in intrusion of the maxillary first molars and protraction of the lower second molars. Although good functional outcome was achieved in 41 months, the corticotomy-assisted procedure did not significantly reduce the treatment time.

Radiographic evaluation of the maxillary sinus prior to dental implant therapy: A comparison between two-dimensional and three-dimensional radiographic imaging

Purpose This study was performed to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of panoramic radiography and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) in detecting sinus pathology. Materials and Methods This study was based on a retrospective evaluation of patients who had undergone both a panoramic radiograph and a CBCT exam. A total of 100 maxillary sinuses were evaluated. Four examiners with various levels of expertise evaluated the images using a five-point scoring system. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of the two modalities. The image analysis was repeated twice, with at least two weeks between the evaluation sessions. Interobserver reliability was assessed using Cronbachs alpha, and intraobserver reliability was assessed using Cohens kappa. Results Maxillary sinus pathology was detected in 72% of the patients. High interobserver and intraobserver reliability were observed for both imaging modalities and among the four examiners. Statistical analyses using ROC curves demonstrated that the CBCT images had a larger area under the curve (0.940) than the panoramic radiographs (0.579). Conclusion Three-dimensional evaluation of the sinus with CBCT was significantly more reliable in detecting pathology than panoramic imaging.

Single versus double flap approach in periodontal regenerative treatment.

AIM to compare the outcomes of a regenerative strategy based on recombinant human platelet-derived growth factor-BB (rhPDGF-BB, 0.3 mg/ml) and β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) in the treatment of intraosseous defects accessed with the Single Flap Approach (SFA) versus Double Flap Approach based on papilla preservation techniques (DFA). MATERIALS AND METHODS Fifteen and 13 defects, randomly assigned to SFA or DFA, respectively, were grafted with rhPDGF-BB + β-TCP. Probing parameters were assessed before and 6 months after surgery. Pain (VAS(pain)) was self-reported using a visual analogue scale. RESULTS Twelve SFA sites and DFA 6 sites showed complete flap closure at 2 weeks post-surgery. No significant differences in 6-month changes in probing parameters and radiographic defect fill were found between groups. Significantly lower VAS(pain) was observed in SFA group compared to DFA group at day +1, +2 and +6. A significantly greater number of analgesics were consumed in the DFA group compared to the SFA group at day +1. CONCLUSIONS When combined with rhPDGF-BB and β-TCP, the SFA may result in similar clinical outcomes, better quality of early wound healing, and lower pain and consumption of analgesics during the first postoperative days compared to the DFA.

Change in the Gingival Margin Profile After the Single Flap Approach in Periodontal Intraosseous Defects

BACKGROUND The aim of the present study is to evaluate the association of patient-related and site-specific factors, as well as the adopted treatment modality, with the change in buccal (bREC) and interdental (iREC) gingival recession observed at 6 months after treatment of periodontal intraosseous defects with the single flap approach (SFA). METHODS Sixty-six patients contributing 74 intraosseous defects accessed with a buccal SFA and treated with different modalities were selected retrospectively. A two-level (patient and site) model was constructed, with the 6-month changes in bREC and iREC as the dependent variables. RESULTS (1) Significant 6-month increases in bREC (-0.6 ± 0.7 mm) and iREC (-0.9 ± 1.1 mm) were observed. (2) bREC change was significantly predicted by presurgery interproximal probing depth (PD) and depth of osseous dehiscence at the buccal aspect. (3) iREC change was significantly predicted by presurgery interproximal PD and the treatment modality, with defects treated with SFA in combination with a graft material and a bioactive agent being less prone to iREC increase compared to defects treated with SFA alone. CONCLUSIONS After buccal SFA, greater post-surgery increase in bREC must be expected for deep intraosseous defects associated with a buccal dehiscence. The combination of a graft material and a bioactive agent in adjunct to the SFA may limit the postoperative increase in iREC.

Marginal Bone Response Around Immediate- and Delayed-Loading Implants Supporting a Locator-Retained Mandibular Overdenture: A Randomized Controlled Study.

PURPOSE Implant-supported mandibular overdentures (OVDs) have been proposed as the gold standard for the treatment of edentulous mandibles. There is limited evidence on the clinical outcomes of immediate loading of two unsplinted implants supporting a mandibular OVD. The purpose of this randomized controlled trial was to evaluate the performance of two unsplinted implants supporting a Locator-retained mandibular OVD over 12 months loaded immediately or after a delay. MATERIALS AND METHODS Each patient received two implants 4.0 mm in diameter and 8 to 15 mm long. Locator-retained mandibular OVDs were connected to the implants either immediately (IL) or 3 months postsurgery (DL). The primary response variable was radiographic bone loss (RBL) at 6 and 12 months postsurgery. Implant length, insertion torque, implant failure, prevalence of maintenance visits, and prosthetic complications were also recorded. RESULTS Thirty participants (15 in the IL and 15 in the DL groups) were evaluated at 12 months. The implant cumulative survival rates were 100% and 93% for DL and IL, respectively. The mean RBL from baseline to 1 year was 0.54 (± 0.5) mm and 0.25 (± 0.5) mm for DL and IL, respectively. A statistically significant difference was observed at 12 months, with less RBL in the IL group. Insertion torque and implant length were not correlated with RBL. Also, no difference in frequency of maintenance visits and prosthetic complications was reported between the groups. CONCLUSION Immediate loading of two unsplinted implants supporting a Locator-retained mandibular OVD seems to be a suitable treatment option. Significantly less RBL was observed after 1 year of loading around IL implants than around DL implants. Furthermore, neither implant length nor insertion torque seemed to affect RBL 1 year after surgical placement.