Maurizio Silvestri

Root Coverage Esthetic Score After Treatment of Gingival Recession: An Interrater Agreement Multicenter Study

BACKGROUND The root coverage esthetic score (RES) system was proposed for evaluating esthetic outcomes of root coverage procedures. The aim of this multicenter study is to assess the interrater agreement of the RES among expert periodontists. METHODS Eleven periodontists were selected in different clinical centers. Each operator had ≥15 years of experience in mucogingival surgery. Each periodontist was trained to use RES before the beginning of the study. Subsequently, baseline and post-treatment (6 months) photographs of 41 Class I and II gingival recessions in 41 patients were separately given to each operator who evaluated the outcomes according to the RES method. A two-way random interclass correlation coefficient and 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to assess the global interrater agreement for RESs. RESULTS The total interrater agreement for RESs was 0.92 (95% CI: 0.88 to 0.95), which indicated that an almost perfect agreement was achieved. CONCLUSION Tested individually by a group of periodontists, the RES seems to be a reliable method for assessing the esthetic outcomes of root coverage procedures.

120 Infrabony Defects Treated With Regenerative Therapy : Long Term Results

BACKGROUND The aim of this study is to evaluate the long-term benefits of regenerative therapy and which factors (i.e., smoking, oral hygiene, radiographic angle, tooth, clinical center, and biomaterial) influence results. METHODS A total of 120 infrabony defects were treated with guided tissue regeneration using bioabsorbable and non-resorbable membranes with grafts or enamel matrix derivative (EMD) proteins. At baseline, smoking, x-ray angle, probing depth (PD), recession, and clinical attachment level (CAL) were recorded. CAL was measured 1 year post-surgery and every 2 years for ≤16 years. The participation of patients in oral hygiene protocols was recorded. RESULTS The mean ± SD baseline CAL was 8.5 ± 2.3 mm, baseline PD was 7.8 ± 2.1 mm, and baseline x-ray angle was 31.8° ± 8.9°. One year post-surgery, CAL gain was 4.1 ± 2.1 mm. EMD was used in 47 defects, bioabsorbable membranes with deproteinized bovine bone were used in 41 cases, non-resorbable membranes were used in seven defects, bioabsorbable membranes and autogenous bone were used in five defects, and a combination was used in 20 defects. A total of 10% of subjects were smokers, and 20% of subjects did not participate in an oral hygiene program. The average follow-up was 9 years. A total of 90% teeth survival was achieved at 13 years, and CAL gain was maintained at 82% for 11 years. Statistical analyses demonstrated that smoking and oral hygiene maintenance influenced long-term outcomes. The x-ray angle, tooth, clinical center, and biomaterials did not influence results. CONCLUSIONS Regenerative therapy provided a high percentage of long-term success. Smoking and non-participation in oral hygiene maintenance negatively influenced the prognosis, whereas other factors did not affect long-term results.

A Prospective Multicenter Study on Radiographic Crestal Bone Changes Around Dental Implants Placed at Crestal or Subcrestal Level: One-Year Findings

PURPOSE To compare the peri-implant radiographic crestal bone changes around implants placed at the subcrestal or crestal level. MATERIALS AND METHODS Systemically healthy patients with at least two missing teeth requiring implant-supported fixed prosthetic restorations were enrolled in the study. Implants were randomly placed either 1 mm subcrestally or at the bone crest level. Radiographic examination was performed using the long-cone parallel technique and customized film holders. Digital periapical radiographs were obtained at the time of implant placement (T0), at the time of prosthesis delivery (T1), and 12 months (T2) after prosthetic loading. Marginal bone levels were measured at the mesial and distal aspects of each implant with digital image software. RESULTS A total of 54 implants were present for the radiographic analysis at the 12-month follow-up. No implant showed mechanical or biologic complications throughout the follow-up period. The implant survival percentage was 100%. After 1 year, the mean bone loss was 0.711 ± 0.721 mm in the subcrestal group and 0.224 ± 0.418 mm in the crestal group. Furthermore, only the subcrestal group showed statistically significant radiographic bone resorption at the end of the follow-up. CONCLUSION Within the limitations of this study, implants placed at the crestal level showed greater peri-implant bone stability during the 1-year follow-up. Studies with larger samples and longer follow-up are needed to confirm the results of this investigation.