Teresa Alegre-Domingo

Clinical, microbiological, and immunological aspects of healthy versus peri-implantitis tissue in full arch reconstruction patients: a prospective cross-sectional study

BackgroundDue to the world-wide increase in treatments involving implant placement, the incidence of peri-implant disease is increasing. Late implant failure is the result of the inability to maintain osseointegration, whose most important cause is peri-implantitis. The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical, microbiological, and immunological aspects in the peri-implant sulcus fluid (PISF) of patients with healthy dental implants and patients with peri-implantitis.MethodsPISF samples were obtained from 24 peri-implantitis sites and 54 healthy peri-implant sites in this prospective cross-sectional study. The clinical parameters recorded were: modified gingival index (mGI), modified plaque index (mPI) and probing pocket depth (PPD). The periodontopathogenic bacteria Tannerella forsythia, Treponema denticola and Porphyromonas gingivalis were evaluated, together with the total bacterial load (TBL). PISF samples were analyzed for the quantification of Interleukin (IL)-8, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10 and Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF)-α using flow cytometry (FACS).ResultsThe mGI and PPD scores in the peri-implantitis group were significantly higher than the healthy group (p < 0.001). A total of 61.5% of the patients with peri-implantitis had both arches rehabilitated, compared with 22.7% of patients with healthy peri-implant tissues; there was no implant with peri-implantitis in cases that received mandibular treatment exclusively (p < 0.05). Concentrations of Porphyromonas gingivalis (p < 0.01), association with bacteria Porphyromonas gingivalis and Treponema denticola (p < 0.05), as well as the TBL (p < 0.05) are significantly higher in the peri-implantitis group. IL-1β (p < 0.01), IL-6 (p < 0.01), IL-10 (p < 0.05) and TNF-α (p < 0.01) are significantly higher at the sites with peri-implantitis compared to healthy peri-implant tissue, while IL-8 did not increase significantly.ConclusionThe results of the present study involving a limited patient sample suggest that the peri-implant microbiota and which dental arch was rehabilitated involved could contribute to bone loss in peri-implantitis. A significant relationship is observed between the concentration of cytokines (interleukins 1β, 6 and 10 and TNF-α) and the inflammatory response in peri-implantitis tissue.

The effect of orally administered probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri‐containing tablets in peri‐implant mucositis: a double‐blind randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Probiotics create a biofilm and protect the oral tissues against the action of periodontal pathogenic bacteria. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the oral probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri Prodentis upon the peri-implant health of edentulous patients with dental implants and peri-implant mucositis, establishing comparisons vs implants without peri-implant disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS A double-blind, placebo-controlled, prospective cross-over study was made. The patients were all edentulous and were divided into two groups, (A) no peri-implant disease, and (B) peri-implant mucositis affecting one or more implants. Patients with peri-implantitis were excluded. The dosage was one tablet every 24 h over 30 d. All patients in both groups initially received the oral probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri Prodentis, followed by placebo. Patients started with probiotic treatment during 30 d, followed by a 6 mo washout period and the administration of placebo for the same period. The following parameters were studied: crevicular fluid volume, modified plaque index, probing depth, modified gingival index, and concentrations of interleukin 1β, interleukin 6 and interleukin 8. RESULTS A total of 77 implants were evaluated in 34 patients. Group A involved 22 patients with 54 implants without peri-implant alterations, and group B, 12 patients with mucositis affecting one or more implants (23 implants). After treatment with the probiotic, both the patients with mucositis and the patients without peri-implant disease showed improvements in the clinical parameters, with reductions in cytokine levels. In contrast, no such changes were observed with placebo. CONCLUSIONS After treatment with the probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri in patients with implants presenting mucositis, the clinical parameters improved, and the cytokine levels decreased - in contraposition to the observations in the placebo group. Probiotic administration may be regarded as a good alternative for both the treatment of peri-implant mucositis and its prevention, as it also improved clinical parameters in the healthy individuals. Further studies involving larger patient series are needed regarding the effects of probiotics upon peri-implant health.

Radiographic technical quality of root canal treatment performed ex vivo by dental students at Valencia University Medical and Dental School, Spain

Objectives: To evaluate radiographically the quality of root canal fillings and compare manual and rotary preparation performed on extracted teeth by undergraduate dental students. Study Design: A total of 561 premolars and molars extracted teeth were prepared using nickel-titanium rotary files or manual instrumentation and filled with gutta-percha using a cold lateral condensation technique, by 4th grade undergraduate students. Periapical radiographs were used to assess the technical quality of the root canal filling, evaluating three variables: length, density and taper. These data were recorded, scored and used to study the “technical success rate” and the “overall score”. The length of each root canal filling was classified as acceptable, short and overfilled, based on their relationship with the radiographic apex. Density and taper of filling were evaluated based on the presence of voids and the uniform tapering of the filling, respectively. Statistical analysis was used to evaluate the quality of root canal treatment, considering p < 0.05 as a statistical significant level. Results: The percentage of technical success was 44% and the overall score was 7.8 out of 10. Technical success and overall score were greater with rotary instruments (52% against 28% with a manual one, p < 0.001; 8.3 against 6.7 respectively, p < 0.001). Conclusions: It appears that inexperienced operators perform better root canal treatment (RCT) with the use of rotary instrumentation. Key words:Dental education, endodontics, rotary instrumentation, radiographs, root canal treatment, undergraduate students.

Impact of heavy smoking on the clinical, microbiological and immunological parameters of patients with dental implants: a prospective cross-sectional study.

AIM The aim of the present study was to investigate how heavy smoking influences the clinical, microbiological, and host-response characteristics in peri-implant sulcus fluid of patients with healthy dental implants. METHODS A total of 29 individuals with 74 dental implants were included in the present study; 20 implants were in heavy smokers and 54 were in non-smokers. The modified gingival index, modified plaque index, and probing pocket depth were evaluated. Periodontopathogenic bacteria Tannerella forsythia, Treponema denticola, and Porphyromonas gingivalis were evaluated, together with the total bacterial load. Peri-implant sulcus fluid samples were analyzed for the quantification of interleukin-8, interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, interleukin-10, and tumor necrosis factor-α. RESULTS No significant differences in the clinical parameters evaluated were found between the groups, although smokers had poorer peri-implant parameters. Among the smokers, subgingival microbiota was composed of a greater number of periodontal pathogens; these differences were not statistically significant. Smokers showed a greater expression of interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, interleukin-10, and tumor necrosis factor-α, but interleukin-8 was slightly higher among non-smokers, but not significantly. CONCLUSIONS Although smokers presented deeper probing depths, bleeding on probing, and peri-implant microbiota composed of a greater number of periodontal pathogens than in non-smoking patients, these data did not show significant differences. In the present study, and in relation to the samples analyzed, smoking alone did not influence the immunological and microbiological parameters in dental implants with healthy peri-implant tissues. Further studies with larger samples are required to better evaluate the influence of smoking on dental implants.

Study of serum CTX in 50 oral surgical patients treated with oral bisphosphonates.

Objectives: To determine whether there is a relationship between the total BP dose administered and the variations in serum CTX concentration. Study design: The study included 50 patients requiring dental implant surgery and treated with oral BPs, seen in an Oral Surgery and Implantology Unit between January 2007 and June 2009. The patients were divided into two groups: those in which the medication was not suspended before obtaining the laboratory test sample, and those patients referred from other dental clinics in which BPs was suspended before reporting to our Unit. The total drug dosage administered and the total dose per kilogram body weight were evaluated for comparison with serum CTX. The data obtained were correlated to the osteonecrosis risk table developed by Marx et al. in 2007. Results: There were no significant differences between the two groups in relation to the total administered dose and the dose in mg/kg b.w. Likewise, in both groups no relationship was observed between the serum CTX value and the total administered dose or the dose in mg/kg b.w. No differences were found between the two patient groups regarding chemical osteonecrosis risk based on the criteria of Marx et al. Conclusions: No relationship was observed between the oral BP dose administered (total dose or expressed in mg/kg b.w.) and serum CTX concentration, and suspension of the medication did not influence the serum CTX levels. Key words:Serum CTX, osteonecrosis, oral bisphosphonates.

An in vitro comparison of cyclic fatigue resistance of ProTaper universal and GT series X files

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the cyclic fatigue resistance of two nickel-titanium (NiTi) endodontic instruments from ProTaper and GT series X files. Study Design: Cyclic fatigue test was realized with instruments from ProTaper: F1 and F3 (Denstply Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland) and GT-X: 20.06 and 30.08 (Dentsply Tulsa Dental, Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States of America). A total of 320 instruments were rotated in 4 curved artificial canals with different angles and radius of curvature. The time and cycles to failure were calculated. The data was compared using a Mann-Whitney, Kruskall-Wallis, and Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests, with a significance level of p<0.05. Results: GT-X files rotated for a significantly longer period of time before separation occurred, thus GT-X files where more resistant to the cyclic fatigue compared with ProTaper. Conclusion: GT-X files have a greater resistance to cyclic fatigue, this fact can be caused by the use of the Ni-Ti alloy “M-Wire”. Key words:Endodontics, GT-X files, ProTaper files, cyclic fatigue.

Survival of implants placed with the osteotome technique: An update

A literature review is made to analyze the survival of implants placed with the osteotome technique. A PubMed search was made based on the key words “osteotome AND dental implants”, corresponding to publications between 1998-2008. The inclusion criteria were: a) a minimum of 10 patients; b) a minimum follow-up of 6 months; c) implants placed using the osteotome technique with or without indirect sinus lift; and d) specification of the implant number and survival rate. Sixty-four articles were identified, of which 20 met the inclusion criteria. A total of 2006 implants were placed in 1312 patients using the osteotome technique. The duration of follow-up after prosthetic loading ranged from 6-144 months. Indirect sinus lift was carried out in all but one of the studies. The residual crest height ranged from 2.3-11.7 mm. with a mean gain in bone after sinus lift of 2.5-5.5 mm. The time from implant placement to prosthetic loading varied from 1.5-9 months. The percentage implant survival rate was 90.5-100%. The survival rate of implants placed with the osteotome technique is high and does not differ with respect to implant placement with the conventional technique. Key words:Osteotomes, dental implants, indirect sinus lift.

Measurement of the percentage of root filling in oval-shaped canals obturated with Thermafil Obturators and Beefill 2in1: In vitro study

Background The aim of the study was to measure the percentage of root canal fillings in long oval canals obturated with thermoplasticized gutta-percha techniques, Beefill 2in1® and Thermafil Obturators®. Material and Methods Fifty four mandibular incisors were selected after bucco-lingual and mesio-distal radiographs showed at 5 mm from apex an internal long:short diameter ≥2. Teeth were instrumented with Protaper Universal and divided in two groups of 27. Group 1 was obturated with Thermafil Obturators® and group 2 with Beefill 2in1®. Two horizontal sections were cut at 5 and 7 mm from the apex and photographed in a stereo-microscope. The total area of the canal and filled canal in cross-sections were measured with AutoCad and the percentages of gutta-percha-sealer and voids in the canal were obtained. Results Both systems achieved high percentage of filled canal, Thermafil 96.8% and Beefill 2in1 98.9%. The percentages of voids in both groups were very low. No significant differences were found between the two groups . The percentage obtained at 5 and 7 mm from the apex in both groups showed no significant difference. Conclusions The percentages of filled canal (gutta-percha-sealer) were high and these two thermoplasticized techniques are suitable for long oval canals obturation. Key words:Long oval canal, oval canal, thermoplasticized obturation.

Treatment of multiple traumatized anterior teeth associated with an alveolar bone fracture in a 20-year-old patient: A 3-year follow up

Intrusive luxation is a type of recognizable luxation injury represented by a deeper axial displacement of the tooth toward the alveolar bone. Treatment strategies include waiting for the tooth to return to its position, immediate surgical repositioning, and repositioning through dental traction by orthodontic devices. The aim of this case report was to present the management of severe dental trauma and later restoration following IADT. A 20-year-old patient was presented after fainting at home four hours before, resulting in a dento-alveolar trauma. Clinical examinations revealed a traumatic intrusion, in 1.2, 1.1 and 2.1, uncomplicated crown fractures in 1.1 and 2.1 and a complicated crown-root fracture in 2.2. The diagnosis was confirmed with CBCT. Following IADT protocol, the emergency treatment consisted of the surgical repositioning and semi-rigid splinting using orthodontic wire-composite, replacing the buccal bone plate, and postoperative instructions to the patient regarding oral hygiene. After 2 weeks the root canal treated and filled with fiberglass posts in 1.2, 1.1, 2.1 and 2.2. Splint was removed after 4 weeks and the IADT reassessment protocol followed, with revisions at 6-8 weeks, 6 months, a year and annual reviews for 5 years. A year after the treatment, the traumatized teeth were restored with minimally invasive preparations of feldspathic ceramic. Esthetics and function were recorded with a 3-year follow-up period. Key words:Intrusive luxation, dental trauma, crown-root fracture, dento-alveolar trauma, permanent tooth, CBCT.

An in vitro cyclic fatigue resistance comparison of conventional and new generation nickel-titanium rotary files

Background New designs and processing of Niquel-Titanium (NiTi) have been introduced to increase resistance to cyclic fatigue. The purpose of this study was to compare the cyclic fatigue resistance of 3 NiTi rotary instruments, ProTaper Next (PTN; Dentsply Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland), Profile Vortex Blue (PVB; Dentsply Tulsa Dental, Tulsa, OK, USA) and ProTaper Universal (PTU; Dentsply Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland). Material and Methods A cyclic fatigue test was conducted operating instruments from ProTaper Next X2, Profile Vortex Blue 25.06 and ProTaper F2. A total of 234 instruments were rotated in 2 simulated stainless steel curved canals with different angles of curvature (45º and 60°) and 5-mm radius of curvature. The number of cycles to fracture (NCF) was calculated. Data were compared using 2-way analysis of variance and post-hoc Bonferroni test in software (SPSS 15.0, Chicago, IL). Statistical significance was set at P<0.05. Results Profile Vortex Blue showed higher resistance to cyclic fatigue in both curved canals than ProTaper Next and ProTaper Universal (P<0.001). ProTaper Universal obtained the lowest resistance to cyclic fatigue in both canals (P<0.001). Conclusions Profile Vortex Blue was the most resistant to cyclic fatigue failure, followed by ProTaper Next and ProTaper Universal. Anatomical complexity (angle of curvature) and manufacturing process of NiTi are important factors for resistance to cyclic fatigue. Key words:Cyclic fatigue, M-Wire, Protaper Next, ProTaper Universal, Profile Vortex Blue.