Objective: To histologically evaluate the effects of a novel human recombinant amelogenin (rAmelX) on periodontal wound healing/regeneration in intrabony defects. Method and materials: Intrabony defects were surgically created in the mandible of three minipigs. Twelve defects were randomly treated with either rAmelX and carrier (test group) or with the carrier only (control group). At 3 months following reconstructive surgery, the animals were euthanized, and the tissues histologically processed. Thereafter, descriptive histology, histometry, and statistical analyses were performed. Results: Postoperative clinical healing was uneventful. At the defect level, no adverse reactions (eg, suppuration, abscess formation, unusual inflammatory reaction) were observed with a good biocompatibility of the tested products. The test group yielded higher values for new cementum formation (4.81 ± 1.17 mm) compared to the control group (4.39 ± 1.71 mm) without reaching statistical significance (P = .937). Moreover, regrowth of new bone was greater in the test compared to the control group (3.51 mm and 2.97 mm, respectively, P = .309). Conclusions: The present results provided for the first-time histologic evidence for periodontal regeneration following the use of rAmelX in intrabony defects, thus pointing to the potential of this novel recombinant amelogenin as a possible alternative to regenerative materials from animal origins. Keywords: amelogenin, enamel matrix derivative, intrabony defects, periodontal regeneration, recombinant, wound healing

Implant-based rehabilitation is a clinical challenge, especially in the esthetic area. Numerous factors influence the outcome of the rehabilitation; however, the two main factors are the bone and soft-tissue deficiencies at the intended implant site. Peri-implant soft tissue complications can arise from a combination of factors that can be summarized as two categories: diagnostic errors and surgical planning management errors. Most of the complications can be corrected after each step of the treatment and even after the delivery of the prosthetic restoration with adequate soft tissue management in order to give the patient an esthetically pleasing outcome. The aims of this article were: to present the current literature, to propose a clinical checklist to guide clinicians in evaluating the prognosis of the treatment utilizing soft tissue grafting, and to illustrate a case series partially employing the proposed clinical checklist. The proposed checklist could be helpful in evaluating the prognosis of the treatment utilizing only soft tissue grafting. In clinical cases in which the prognosis is classified as good, soft tissue management could be a viable treatment option before attempting more radical procedures like implant removal. Keywords: connective tissue graft, coronal advanced flap, dental implant, mucosal recession, peri-implant soft tissue deficiency, peri-implant soft tissue recession, plastic peri-implant surgery, tunnel technique

Certain bone morphologies and soft tissue thickness (ie, phenotype) are considered to be risk factors for the development of gingival recessions following orthodontic tooth movement. Preoperative evaluation of the periodontal phenotype, in the frame of orthodontic treatment plan, identify teeth at high risk for mucogingival complications related to orthodontic therapy. The new surgical technique is illustrated in a clinical case. A patient with a thin phenotype without visible gingival recession had bone dehiscences in the anterior mandible. Prior to orthodontic treatment, simultaneous bone and soft tissue augmentation was performed using the combination of a highly cross-linked ribose porcine type I collagen membrane and a subepithelial palatal connective tissue graft. Two years after augmentation surgery and initiation of orthodontic treatment, a thick buccal tissue with a wide band of attached gingiva was observed without any clinical signs of root prominences, indicating a substantial change in periodontal phenotype. The clinical findings were corroborated by the 3D analysis, demonstrating substantial bone apposition on the buccal aspect of all roots in the treated area. The described surgical technique offers a valuable approach for regenerating hard and soft tissues in deficient areas prior to orthodontic therapy, thus preventing the development of gingival recessions.

Preoperative planning and implant placement can be optimized using implant planning software followed by the creation of an individual surgical guide. Alongside clinical advantages of using guided surgery, a variability in the accuracy of implant position has been reported. This variability is even more substantial in fully edentulous patients and attributed to errors from intrinsic and extrinsic sources. The aim of this paper is to discuss the potential process errors and present two digital data registration protocols to be implemented in fully edentulous patients. The suggested protocols are aimed to improve accuracy of data acquisition, data superimposition on planning software, and therefore treatment outcome as well.

Purpose: No information is available on the perception of the quality of care in patients treated for periodontitis. The purpose of this article was to assess how periodontitis-affected patients perceive the quality of periodontal treatment (PT) and to measure the factors which may influence it. Materials and Methods: 306 subjects who completed PT were invited to participate. Questionnaires and visual analogic scales (VAS) evaluating perception of quality of care, symptoms, and oral health related quality of life (OHRQoL) were handed out. Oral and periodontal indicators were collected before and after treatment. The impact of different factors on perception of quality was assessed with a regression model. Results: Quality evaluation was high yet unrelated for both patients and clinicians (p = 0.983). Quality was negatively influenced by the number of residual oral infections (p < 0.001), patient's age (p = 0.07) and presence of residual pain at completion of PT (p = 0.02). Professionalism, kindness of the staff and communication skills were the characteristics mostly appreciated. The OHRQoL was influenced by the number of residual teeth (p < 0.001), increasing age of patients (p = 0.08), number of residual infections (p < 0.01) and pain (p = 0.04). Conclusions: Patients' quality perception appeared to be influenced by clinical and emotional aspects. Oral care providers should be aware of the impact of non-clinical factors in patients' appreciation of quality of treatment. Keywords: oral health related quality of life, periodontitis, quality of care

Purpose: To retrospectively evaluate the clinical outcomes of subgingival debridement (e.g. scaling and root planing, SRP) and application of either a chlorhexidine chip (PerioChip, PC) or Arestin (AR) minocycline microspheres in patients with chronic periodontitis during supportive periodontal treatment (SPT). Materials and Methods: Patients diagnosed with moderate to severe chronic periodontitis who were treated with SRP and a slow-release device during SPT were evaluated (total n = 53; n = 37 received PC, n = 16 received AR). Clinical measurements at baseline, 3, 6 and 12 months included changes in probing pocket depth (PD), bleeding on probing (BOP) and clinical attachment level (CAL). Results: Both treatments led to a reduction in PD and gain of CAL. AR showed higher improvements in pockets of ≥7 mm compared with PC. In contrast, PC was more effective in 5-6 mm PD. At one year following treatment, both treatments reduced the need-for-surgery index (95% to 100%) of the sites at baseline to 30% for AR and 42% for PC, with no differences between PC and AR. Conclusions: In patients enrolled in SPT, the use of both PC and AR in conjunction with subgingival mechanical debridement represents an effective treatment modality for improving the clinical outcomes and reducing the need for surgery. Keywords: Arestin, chlorhexidine chip, minocycline microspheres, PerioChip

Purpose: The success of nonsurgical or surgical treatments of peri-implantitis is unpredictable, often without a clear reason. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of nonsurgical and surgical cleaning, focusing on the impact of implant design, defect size, type of superstructure, and experience of the operator. Materials and Methods: Conical and straight implants were coated with a biofilm-like material and placed in shallow/deep defects in an artificial jaw model. Treatment was done by three operators and included either healing abutments or crowns as superstructures. Analysis was done using stereomicroscopy and ImageJ software. Results: Nonsurgical treatment of peri-implantitis defects was inefficient in removing all biofilm areas, regardless of the depth of the defect. The type of implant, experience of the operator, or type of superstructure did not have a significant impact. Surgical treatment was more efficient than a nonsurgical approach with regard to biofilm residues. However, the surgical approach failed to clean the apical portion of the exposed part of the implants. Conclusion: Nonsurgical and surgical treatment were found to be ineffective in cleaning the exposed portion of implants with peri-implantitis. Treatment of periimplantitis should therefore also include other approaches, such as chemical or biological modalities. Keywords: cleaning, nonsurgical treatment, peri-implantitis, surgical treatment

The aim of this study was to analyze alveolar bone morphology following periodontally accelerated osteogenic orthodontics. Treated patients were called for a full periodontal examination and a cone beam computed tomography scan. Mean treatment time was 6.08 months. Mean probing pocket depth was 2.7 mm. No gingival recessions were noted. In the maxilla, buccal plate thickness was 0.48 to 2.14 mm. In the mandible, bone thickness was 0.2 to 1.82 mm. Root fenestrations and dehiscences were present in up to 40% of the anterior teeth. Although clinical outcomes were favorable, due to the presence of multiple posttreatment bone fenestrations and dehiscences, a revision of the treatment protocol might be considered.