The Mucosal Scarring Index: reliability of a new composite index for assessing scarring following oral surgery.

OBJECTIVES: A critical and uniform assessment of mucosal scarring following oral surgery is needed to refine surgical decision-making. For that purpose, the Mucosal Scarring Index (MSI) was developed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The MSI is a composite index based on five parameters: width, height/contour, color, suture marks, and overall appearance. Each parameter is assessed with a 0-1-2 score, yielding a MSI score ranging from 0 (no scar) to 10 (most extreme scar). Five periodontists, 5 prosthodontists, and 5 orthodontists assessed scarring using the new index on the basis of 30 clinical photographs of post-surgical sites. Cases had been carefully selected making sure that the complete spectrum of the index would be represented in the analysis. Duplicate evaluation was performed with a 2-h interval and in random order of cases. RESULTS: On a total of 450 assessments, the mean MSI amounted to 4.91 (SD 3.087) with no significant differences between scores given by periodontists (mean 4.65; SD 3.054), orthodontists (mean 5.04; SD 3.301), or prosthodontists (mean 4.81; SD 2.842) (p = 0.548). The MSI appeared a highly reliable index given excellent inter- as well as intra-examiner agreement (ICC > 0.9; p < 0.001). Clinicians agreed most on 'overall appearance' (kappa = 0.582; p < 0.001) and least on 'suture marks' (kappa = 0.352; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The MSI is an effective, easy-to-use, and reliable composite index to assess mucosal scarring following oral surgical procedures. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The MSI can be used as an adjunct to other indices in the esthetic evaluation of oral surgical procedures.

Four modalities of single implant treatment in the anterior maxilla: a clinical, radiographic, and aesthetic evaluation.

PURPOSE: To document the outcome of single implants in the anterior maxilla following four routine treatment modalities when performed by experienced clinicians in daily practice using the same implant system and biomaterials. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective study in patients who had been treated by two periodontists and two prosthodontists in 2006 and 2007 was conducted. The four treatment modalities practically covered every clinical situation and included standard implant treatment (SIT), immediate implant treatment (IIT), implant treatment in conjunction with guided bone regeneration (GBR), and implant treatment in grafted bone (BGR) harvested from the chin. All implants were installed via flap surgery. Patients were clinically and radiographically examined. Complications were registered and the aesthetic outcome (pink esthetic score [PES] and white esthetic score [WES]) was rated. A blinded clinician who had not been involved in the treatment performed all evaluations. Patient's aesthetic satisfaction was also registered. RESULTS: One hundred four out of 115 eligible patients (44 SIT, 28 IIT, 18 GBR, and 14 BGR) received at least one single NobelReplace tapered TiUnite® (Nobel Biocare, Göteborg, Sweden) implant in the anterior maxilla and were available for evaluation. Clinical parameters (implant survival: 93%, mean plaque level: 24%, mean bleeding on probing: 33%, and mean probing depth: 3.2 mm) and mean bone level (1.19 mm) did not differ significantly between treatment modalities. Postoperative complications were more common following GBR/BGR (>61%) when compared with SIT/IIT (<18%) (p < .001). BGR was in 4/14 patients associated with permanent sensory complications at the donor site. Technical complications occurred in 9/104 patients. SIT and IIT showed similar soft tissue aesthetics (PES: 10.07 and 10.88, respectively), however major alveolar process deficiency was common (>15%). PES was 9.65 for GBR. BGR showed inferior soft tissue aesthetics (PES: 9.00; p = .045) and shorter distal papillae were found following GBR/BGR (p = .009). Periodontal disease (odds ratio [OR]: 13.0, p < .001), GBR/BGR (OR: 4.3, p = .004), and a thin-scalloped gingival biotype (OR: 3.7, p = .011) increased the risk for incomplete distal papillae. WES was 7.98 for all patients considered. Poor agreement was found between objective and subjective aesthetic ratings. CONCLUSIONS: All treatment modalities were predictable from a clinical and radiographic point of view. However, advanced reconstructive surgery, especially BGR, increased the risk for complications and compromised aesthetics. Research is required on the prevention and minimally invasive treatment of buccal bone defects at the time of tooth loss to avoid complex therapy.

Single implant treatment in healing versus healed sites of the anterior maxilla: a clinical and radiographic evaluation.

PURPOSE: The aim was to document the Nobelreplace tapered TiUnite® (Nobel Biocare, Göteborg, Sweden) implant system used by experienced clinicians in daily practice for replacing single maxillary anterior teeth and to compare the clinical and radiographic outcome between implants installed in healing sites (early implant placement) and fully healed sites (conventional implant placement) after on average two and a half years of function. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study in patients who had been treated by two periodontists and two prosthodontists in 2006 and 2007 was conducted. Surgical treatment involved standard flap elevation without releasing incisions and restorative procedures included cemented crowns in all patients. Only straightforward single implant treatments in healing sites (6-8 weeks following tooth extraction) and fully-healed sites (≥6 months following tooth extraction) were considered with both neighboring teeth present and without the need for hard and/or soft tissue grafting. Clinical and radiographic analyses of all implants were performed by a blinded clinician who had not been involved in the treatment. RESULTS: Forty-nine of the 53 eligible single implants (22 early and 27 conventionally placed implants) in 44/48 patients were available for scrutiny. There was no significant difference in implant survival between early (95%) and conventionally (93%) installed implants (p = 1.000). Mean bone level to the implant-abutment interface was 1.25 and 1.02 mm for early and conventional implant placement, respectively (p = .220). In spite of fairly low plaque levels (26%), overall peri-implant bleeding was quite prevalent (36%). Mean peri-implant probing depth was 3.3 mm. Five restorations had experienced technical complications. CONCLUSIONS: Single Nobelreplace tapered TiUnite® implants installed in healing as well as in healed sites of the anterior maxilla are predictable. Both strategies seem equally successful in terms of implant survival, bone remodeling, clinical response, and risk for complications.

Single implant treatment in healing versus healed sites of the anterior maxilla: an aesthetic evaluation.

PURPOSE: The aim was to compare and document in detail the aesthetic outcome of single implant treatment in healing sites (early implant placement) with fully healed sites (conventional implant placement) of the anterior maxilla. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study in patients who had been treated by two periodontists and two prosthodontists in 2006 and 2007 was conducted. Surgical treatment involved standard flap elevation without releasing incisions and restorative procedures included cemented crowns in all patients. Only straightforward single implant treatments using Nobelreplace tapered TiUnite® implants (Nobel Biocare, Göteborg, Sweden) in healing sites (6-8 weeks following tooth extraction) and fully healed sites (≥6 months following tooth extraction) were considered with both neighboring teeth present and without the need for hard and/or soft tissue grafting. The aesthetic outcome was objectively rated using the pink esthetic score (PES) and white esthetic scrore (WES) by a blinded clinician who had not been involved in the treatment. Patients rated aesthetics by means of visual analogue scales. RESULTS: Twenty-one out of 22 early and 25/27 conventional implant treatments were available for aesthetic evaluation after on average two and a half years of function (range 17-41 months). There were no significant differences for any of the criteria between the treatment concepts. Overall, papillae were most easy to satisfy, whereas alveolar process and tooth color most difficult. A thin-scalloped biotype was associated with low distal papillae (p=.041) and alveolar process deficiency (p=.039). Twenty-six percent of the cases were aesthetic failures (PES<8 and/or WES<6) and 13% showed an (almost) perfect outcome (PES≥12 and WES≥9). The remainder (61%) demonstrated acceptable aesthetics. There was no significant correlation between objective and subjective ratings. CONCLUSIONS: Early and conventional single implant treatment yielded comparable aesthetic outcome. Albeit all treatments had been performed by experienced clinicians and only straightforward cases had been selected, 1 out of 4 cases were aesthetic failures and only a strict minority showed perfection. Research is required on the aesthetic outcome of alternative surgical procedures especially in high-risk patients with a thin-scalloped biotype.

Immediate single-tooth implants in the anterior maxilla: 3-year results of a case series on hard and soft tissue response and aesthetics.

PURPOSE: The objective of this prospective study was to assess the overall outcome of immediate single implant treatment in the anterior maxilla after a 3-year observation period. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty consecutively treated patients with a thick gingival biotype, ideal gingival level/contour and intact socket walls at the time of tooth extraction were treated for single-tooth replacement in the aesthetic zone by two experienced clinicians. Treatment included minimal mucoperiosteal flap elevation, immediate implant placement (NobelReplace TiUnite(®)), insertion of a grafting material between the implant and the socket wall and connection of a screw-retained provisional restoration. The latter was replaced by a cemented crown 6 months thereafter. Patients were clinically and radiographically re-examined after 3 years to assess implant survival, complications and hard and soft tissue conditions. The aesthetic outcome was objectively rated using the Pink Esthetic Score (PES) and White Esthetic Score (WES) by a blinded clinician who had not been involved in the treatment. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients could be re-evaluated after 3 years. One early implant failure had occurred resulting in an implant survival rate of 96%. Radiographic examination yielded on average 1.13 mm mesial, respectively 0.86 mm distal bone loss. The clinical conditions showed fairly low peri-implant plaque (18%) and bleeding (24%) and mean probing depth was 3.17 mm. Mean mesial/distal papilla shrinkage and midfacial soft tissue recession in reference to the pre-operative status accounted for 0.05, 0.08 and 0.34 mm, respectively. Between the 1- and 3-year reassessment mesial papillae showed significant re-growth (0.36 mm; p=0.015). Advanced midfacial recession (>1 mm) was found in 2/25 (8%) cases. Five (21%) cases were aesthetic failures (PES<8 and/or WES<6) and 5/24 (21%) showed an (almost) perfect outcome (PES≥12 and WES≥9). The remainder (14/24 or 58%) demonstrated acceptable aesthetics. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed strategy seems a valuable and predictable treatment option for well-selected patients in the mid-long term as shown by almost full papillary re-growth and a low risk for advanced midfacial recession.

The gingival biotype assessed by experienced and inexperienced clinicians.

AIM: A recent cluster analysis has identified three gingival biotypes among 100 periodontally healthy subjects based on different combinations of morphometric data related to maxillary front teeth and surrounding soft tissues. Patients with a thin-scalloped biotype are considered at risk because they have been associated with a compromised soft tissue response following surgical and/or restorative therapy. Hence, an accurate identification of these high-risk patients is warranted. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the precision of simple visual inspection as a method to identify the gingival biotype by experienced and inexperienced clinicians. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifteen clinicians (five Restorative Dentists, five Periodontists and five Students) were invited to assess the gingival biotype (thin-scalloped, thick-flat, thick-scalloped) of 100 periodontally healthy subjects based on clinical slides. Cluster analysis on these subjects was used as the gold standard and the accuracy in identifying the gingival biotype was determined using percentile agreement and kappa statistics. Intra- and inter-examiner reliability were also calculated. RESULTS: The gingival biotype was accurately identified only in about half of the cases irrespective of the clinician's experience. The thick-flat biotype was mostly recognized especially by experienced clinicians (> or =70% of the cases). Nearly half of the thin-scalloped cases were misclassified. The intra-examiner repeatability was fair to substantial (kappa: 0.328-0.670) and the inter-examiner reproducibility was slight to moderate (kappa: 0.127-0.547). CONCLUSIONS: Simple visual inspection may not be considered a valuable method to identify the gingival biotype as nearly half of the high-risk patients are overlooked.

Aesthetic outcome of single-tooth implant restorations following early implant placement and guided bone regeneration: crown and soft tissue dimensions compared with contralateral teeth.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare crown and soft tissue dimensions of single-tooth implant restorations following early implant placement and guided bone regeneration (GBR) with contralateral non-restored teeth. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-seven patients treated by one and the same surgeon and prosthodontist to restore a single-tooth gap with a class I bone defect in the premaxilla by means of an implant-supported restoration were reviewed. Patients were examined at least 6 months following placement of the crown. All implants had been inserted 6-8 weeks following tooth extraction in conjunction with GBR. At evaluation, crown dimensions, soft tissue dimensions, clinical conditions and patients' aesthetic satisfaction were assessed by one clinician who had not been involved in the treatment. RESULTS: Implant-supported crowns were not significantly longer than contralateral teeth and midfacial soft tissues showed comparable levels after on average 21 months of function. Our data also indicated significant papilla loss especially at the distal aspect of the implants. As the patient's aesthetic appreciation was favourable in 88% of the cases, this appeared to be of trivial importance. CONCLUSIONS: Favourable aesthetics may be achieved for single-tooth implant restorations following early implant placement and GBR. The impact of the latter on papilla levels, however, remains to be determined in longitudinal studies.

The gingival biotype revisited: transparency of the periodontal probe through the gingival margin as a method to discriminate thin from thick gingiva.

AIM: To detect groups of subjects in a sample of 100 periodontally healthy volunteers with different combinations of morphometric data related to central maxillary incisors and surrounding soft tissues. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Four clinical parameters were included in a cluster analysis: crown width/crown length ratio (CW/CL), gingival width (GW), papilla height (PH) and gingival thickness (GT). The latter was based on the transparency of the periodontal probe through the gingival margin while probing the buccal sulcus. Every first volunteer out of 10 was re-examined to evaluate intra-examiner repeatability for all variables. RESULTS: High agreement between duplicate recordings was found for all parameters, in particular for GT, pointing to 85% (kappa=0.70; p=0.002). The partitioning method identified three clusters with specific features. Cluster A1 (nine males, 28 females) displayed a slender tooth form (CW/CL=0.79), a GW of 4.92 mm, a PH of 4.29 mm and a thin gingiva (probe visible on one or both incisors in 100% of the subjects). Cluster A2 (29 males, five females) presented similar features (CW/CL=0.77; GW=5.2 mm; PH=4.54 mm), except for GT. These subjects showed a clear thick gingiva (probe concealed on both incisors in 97% of the subjects). The third group (cluster B: 12 males, 17 females) differed substantially from the other clusters in many parameters. These subjects showed a more quadratic tooth form (CW/CL=0.88), a broad zone of keratinized tissue (GW=5.84 mm), low papillae (PH=2.84 mm) and a thick gingiva (probe concealed on both incisors in 83% of the subjects). CONCLUSIONS: The present analysis, using a simple and reproducible method for GT assessment, confirmed the existence of gingival biotypes. A clear thin gingiva was found in about one-third of the sample in mainly female subjects with slender teeth, a narrow zone of keratinized tissue and a highly scalloped gingival margin corresponding to the features of the previously introduced "thin-scalloped biotype" (cluster A1). A clear thick gingiva was found in about two-thirds of the sample in mainly male subjects. About half of them showed quadratic teeth, a broad zone of keratinized tissue and a flat gingival margin corresponding to the features of the previously introduced "thick-flat biotype" (cluster B). The other half could not be classified as such. These subjects showed a clear thick gingiva with slender teeth, a narrow zone of keratinized tissue and a high gingival scallop (cluster A2).

Instant provisionalization of immediate single-tooth implants is essential to optimize esthetic treatment outcome.

OBJECTIVE: The immediate single-tooth implant has become a viable treatment option. However, the impact of the restorative procedure on esthetics is currently unclear. The goal of this study was to compare the soft tissue outline at immediate implants following two restorative protocols: immediate connection of a temporary crown or submerged healing during which a removable partial denture is used. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A 1-year single-blind randomized clinical study was performed in 49 patients. Twenty-four patients were assigned to the immediate restoration group and 25 to the delayed restoration group. Clinical and radiographic evaluations of soft and hard tissues were carried out after 3, 6 and 12 months. RESULTS: Implant survival, bone remodeling, probing depth and bleeding tendency were not influenced by the restorative protocol. Delayed restoration resulted in initial papilla loss taking up to 1 year to attain comparable height as for immediate restoration. Midfacial recession was systematically 2.5-3 times higher following delayed restoration pointing to a 0.75 mm additional loss in comparison with immediate restoration after 1 year. CONCLUSIONS: If the primary implant stability permits it, immediate single-tooth implants should be instantly provisionalized in the interest of optimal midfacial esthetics.

Single-tooth replacement in the anterior maxilla by means of immediate implantation and provisionalization: a review.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to assess to what extent the outcome of immediate implantation and provisionalization for replacing single maxillary teeth in the esthetic zone is favorable and predictable from biologic and esthetic points of view. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An electronic search (MEDLINE and Cochrane Oral Health Group Specialized Trials Register) and a manual search were performed to detect studies concerning maxillary single-tooth replacements by means of dental implants immediately placed into fresh extraction sockets and provisionalized within the first 24 hours. Only full-text reports on clinical studies published in English up to June 2006 were included. Case reports and reviews on the topic of interest were excluded. RESULTS: Eleven studies were selected. Based on a qualitative data analysis, implant survival and even management of papilla levels seem predictable following immediate implantation and provisionalization. However, maintaining the midfacial gingival margin may be more problematic, since postextraction bone remodeling and therefore marginal gingival changes will occur irrespective of the timing of the placement of an implant. The long-term impact of this remodeling is currently unclear and needs to be elucidated in future research. CONCLUSION: The clinician is recommended to be reserved when considering immediate implant placement and provisionalization for replacing single maxillary teeth in the anterior zone. At the very least, a number of guidelines and prerequisites need to be taken into consideration.

Immediate single-tooth implants in the anterior maxilla: a 1-year case cohort study on hard and soft tissue response.

AIM: The objective of the present study was to assess implant survival rate, hard and soft tissue response and aesthetic outcome 1 year after immediate placement and provisionalization of single-tooth implants in the pre-maxilla. All patients underwent the same strategy, that is mucoperiosteal flap elevation, immediate implant placement, insertion of a grafting material between the implant and the socket wall and the connection of a screw-retained provisional restoration. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty consecutive patients were treated for single-tooth replacement in the aesthetic zone by means of immediate implant placement and provisionalization. Reasons for tooth loss included caries, periodontitis or trauma. At 6 months, provisional crowns were replaced by the permanent ones. Clinical and radiographic evaluation was completed at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months to assess implant survival and complications, hard and soft tissue parameters and patient's aesthetic satisfaction. RESULTS: One implant had failed at 1 month of follow-up, resulting in an implant survival rate of 97%. Radiographic examination yielded 0.98 mm mesial, respectively, 0.78 mm distal bone loss. Midfacial soft tissue recession and mesial/distal papilla shrinkage were 0.53, 0.41 and 0.31 mm, respectively. Patient's aesthetic satisfaction was 93%. CONCLUSIONS: The preliminary results suggest that the proposed strategy can be considered to be a valuable treatment option in well-selected patients.

Two-piece implants with turned versus microtextured collars.

Implant companies have been promoting two-piece implants with microtextured collars in the interest of hard tissue preservation and/or soft tissue integration. However, this rationale may not be justified. Based on comparative studies currently available, it is unclear whether microroughened implant necks reduce crestal bone loss. A possible effect may be overruled by the establishment of a biologic width or by other factors influencing crestal bone remodeling. In addition, the orientation and attachment of the collagen fibers in the peri-implant mucosa are a little different because the surface roughness varies at the level of the implant neck. The clinician should be cautious when using these modified implants because the impact of microtextured collars on the initiation and progression of peri-implant pathology is currently unknown.

Subgingival chlorhexidine varnish administration as an adjunct to same-day full-mouth root planing. I. Clinical observations.

BACKGROUND: Chemo-mechanical treatment concepts have been developed to improve the outcome of non-surgical periodontal therapy. Recently, the clinical additive value of a supersaturated chlorhexidine varnish was shown when used as an adjunct to staged scaling and root planing. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical effects of a treatment strategy for chronic periodontitis based on a combination of same-day full-mouth root planing and subgingival chlorhexidine varnish administration. METHODS: A randomized, controlled, single-blind, parallel trial was conducted on 33 non-smoking chronic periodontitis patients. The control group received oral hygiene instructions and same-day full-mouth root planing. The test group received the same instructions and treatment; however, all pockets were disinfected using a chlorhexidine varnish. Clinical response parameters were recorded at baseline and after 1, 3, and 6 months. RESULTS: Both groups showed significant reductions in probing depth following therapy (P <0.001). There was no significant difference in full-mouth probing depth between the groups at any examination point. However, when a site-specific comparison was made, additive effects were found in the test group; an extra pocket reduction of 0.93 mm (P = 0.044) for initially deep pockets (>or=7 mm) was found at study termination. Additive clinical attachment gains seemed to be temporary. Impermanent extra pocket reductions and clinical attachment gains were found for initially medium-deep pockets (4 to 6 mm). CONCLUSION: The outcome of same-day full-mouth root planing may benefit from the subgingival administration of a highly concentrated chlorhexidine varnish, at least in terms of pocket reduction in initially deep sites (>or=7 mm).

Clinical benefits of subgingival chlorhexidine varnish application as an adjunct to same-day full-mouth root planing: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Although scaling and root planing are considered the therapeutic standard for periodontitis, weakly responding sites often occur. To improve treatment outcome, several chemomechanical treatment concepts have been developed. Recently, the clinical surplus value of a highly concentrated chlorhexidine varnish has been shown when used as an adjunct to sequential scaling and root planing. The aim of this study was to explore the clinical effects of a treatment strategy for chronic periodontitis based on a combination of same-day full-mouth root planing and subgingival chlorhexidine varnish administration. METHODS: A randomized, controlled, single-blind, parallel trial was conducted on 12 chronic periodontitis patients. The control group received oral hygiene instructions and same-day full-mouth root planing. The test group received the same instructions and treatment; however, all pockets were additionally disinfected using a chlorhexidine varnish. Clinical response parameters were recorded at baseline and subsequently after 1 and 3 months. RESULTS: Both treatment strategies showed significant reductions in probing depth at both follow-up visits in comparison with baseline levels (P or=7 mm) was found favoring the test group. CONCLUSION: These preliminary findings suggest that the outcome of same-day full-mouth root planing may benefit from the subgingival administration of a highly concentrated chlorhexidine varnish.

Long-term clinical effects of a chlorhexidine varnish implemented treatment strategy for chronic periodontitis.

BACKGROUND: Scaling and root planing in combination with oral hygiene monitoring are still considered the therapeutic standards for periodontitis. Although this treatment concept customarily results in satisfactory clinical improvements, treatment outcome may become less favorable predominantly when full access to periodontal defects is compromised, thereby leaving accretions behind. The purpose of this study was to investigate, over a 9-month period, the clinical benefits of a treatment strategy for chronic periodontitis based on a combination of sequential scaling and root planing and subgingival chlorhexidine varnish administration. METHODS: This randomized controlled, single blind, parallel trial included 26 volunteers with chronic periodontitis. The control group received oral hygiene instructions and was scaled and root planed in two sessions. The test group received the same instructions and treatment; however, all pockets were additionally disinfected using a highly concentrated chlorhexidine varnish. Clinical response parameters were recorded at baseline and at 1, 3, 6, and 9 months. The impact of the initial strategy on the decision-making process for supplementary therapy at 9 months was investigated based on treatment decisions made by five independent clinicians. RESULTS: Both treatment strategies showed significant reductions in probing depth and gains in clinical attachment at study termination in comparison with baseline (P<0.001). However, combination therapy resulted in a significant additional pocket reduction of 0.62 mm (P<0.001). Initially deep pockets (>or=7 mm) around multirooted teeth seemed to benefit most from the combination strategy, resulting in an additive pocket reduction of 1.06 mm (P=0.009) and a clinical attachment gain of 0.54 mm (P=0.048) in comparison to scaling and root planing alone. A trend toward a reduction of surgical treatment needs following the varnish-implemented strategy was found (P=0.076). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that the outcome of initial periodontal therapy may benefit from the adjunctive subgingival administration of a highly concentrated chlorhexidine varnish.

Short-term anti-plaque effect of two chlorhexidine varnishes.

BACKGROUND: Chlorhexidine (CHX) varnishes have been mainly used for the prevention of caries in high-risk populations. Reports regarding their anti-plaque effect on a clinical level are limited to non-existing as opposed to their microbiological impact on plaque formation. AIM: The aim of this preliminary investigation was to evaluate the anti-plaque effect of two CHX varnishes applied on sound enamel in relation to a positive control, a negative control and to one another. METHODS: Sixteen healthy subjects volunteered for this randomized-controlled, single-blind, four-treatment-four-period crossover-designed clinical trial. A 3-day plaque re-growth model was used to determine de novo plaque accumulation following CHX rinsing, Cervitec application, EC40 application and no therapy. The amount of plaque was measured using the Quigley and Hein plaque index and "automatic image analysis" (AIA). RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Varnish treatment resulted in significantly higher plaque levels than CHX rinsing irrespective of the varnish that was used (p< or =0.002), implying that the latter is likely to remain the gold standard as an anti-plaque agent. However, highly significant differences were also found in favour of both varnish systems when compared with no therapy (p<0.001), which indicates that varnish treatment is an effective means of inhibiting plaque formation in a short time span. Cervitec exhibited slightly, yet significantly, higher plaque levels in comparison with EC40 as determined by AIA (p=0.006). Large-scale trials with a longer observation period are necessary to substantiate these results.

A chlorhexidine varnish implemented treatment strategy for chronic periodontitis: short-term clinical observations.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical outcome of a subgingivally applied chlorhexidine varnish when used as an adjunct to scaling and root planing (SRP) in the treatment of chronic periodontitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A randomized controlled, single blind, parallel trial was conducted on the basis of 16 volunteers suffering from chronic periodontitis. The control group received oral hygiene instructions and was scaled and root planed in two sessions. The test group received the same instructions and treatment, however, all pockets were additionally disinfected using a chlorhexidine varnish. The gingival index, plaque index, bleeding on probing, probing pocket depth (PPD) and clinical attachment level (CAL) were recorded at baseline and subsequently after 1 and 3 months. RESULTS: Both treatment strategies showed significant reductions in PPD and CAL at both follow-up visits by comparison with baseline levels (p<0.001). Yet, at study termination, combination therapy resulted in additional pocket reductions between 0.73 and 1.23 mm (p<0.02), and clinical attachment gains between 0.63 and 1.09 mm (p<0.02). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that a varnish-implemented strategy may improve the clinical outcome for the treatment of chronic periodontitis in comparison with SRP alone.