Evaluation of maxillary sinus septa: a retrospective clinical study with cone beam computerized tomography (CBCT).

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence, height, location, orientation, and type of maxillary sinus septa in atrophic, non-atrophic, and partially atrophic maxillary segments using cone beam computerized tomography (CBCT). PATIENTS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on a retrospective evaluation of CBCT images of 1000 maxillary sinus with 500 subjects from December 2009 to December 2012. The differences among gender, left and right side of maxillary sinus, type of crest and feature of septa were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 297 septa was recorded in 1000 maxillary sinuses (29.7%) with a mean height was 4.62±2.50 mm. Forty-four (8.7%) septa were located in the anterior area, 123 (24.5%) in the middle area, and 131 (26.4%) in the posterior area. Seventy maxillary sinus septa (26.1%) were observed with a mediolateral type orientation. There were no significant differences between all features of maxillary sinus septa and gender or type of crest. The only significant association identified was between type of crest and type of septa. CONCLUSIONS: The maxillary sinus septa exhibited variable characteristics according to orientation and type of crest. CBCT analysis is very important and should be performed before maxillary sinus surgery to prevent possible complications.

Possible impact of inflammatory status on C-telopeptide pyridinoline cross-links of type I collagen and osteocalcin levels around oral implants with peri-implantitis: a controlled clinical trial.

Detection of progression level of peri-implantitis may help in the prevention of oral implant failure. C-telopeptide pyridinoline crosslinks of Type I collagen (ICTP) and osteocalcin (OC) are specific markers of bone turnover and bone degradation. Determination of the ICTP and OC levels in the peri-implant sulcus fluid (PISF) may predict the metabolic and/or inflammatory changes in the peri-implant bone. The aim of this clinical study was to evaluate ICTP and OC levels in the PISF for oral implants with and without peri-implant bone destruction and correlate these levels with the traditional clinical peri-implant parameters (probing depth, plaque index, gingival index and gingival bleeding time index) and radiographic bone level measurements. Fifteen patients with 30 peri-implant sites with bone destruction (radiographic bone loss) and health were included. Clinical parameters were measured and PISF was collected from the sites. Peri-implant sulcus fluid ICTP and OC levels were detected by radioimmunoassay technique from PISF samples. All clinical parameters demonstrated a significant increase in peri-implantitis sites compared with healthy sites. The PISF volume of the peri-implantitis sites was also significantly higher than of the healthy peri-implant sites. Although not statistically significant, a trend of increase was demonstrated in ICTP PISF samples sampled from peri-implantitis sites compared with healthy sites. A significant increase was noticed for OC PISF level in peri-implantitis sites compared with healthy ones. As well as peri-implant clinical measurements, volumetric changes at PISF may be counted as an important clinical parameter to distinguish the bone destruction sites from healthy sites around oral implants.

Relationships between implant stability, image-based measures and nitric oxide levels.

For monitoring of dental implants, practitioners seem to use simultaneously a variety of image-based and laboratory measurements. This longitudinal study was conducted to analyse the possible relationships between nitric oxide (NO) content of peri-implant sulcus fluid (PISF), marginal bone levels and implant stability in terms of resonance frequency analysis (RFA) at immediately (IL) and conventionally (CL) loaded mandibular molar dental implants from the same individuals. Dental implants were placed in 10 patients who had first molar loss bilaterally in the mandibular area. One site of the patient was determined as IL and the other site was CL. PISF samples, marginal bone level and RFA were taken for all dental implants during a 12-month follow-up period. For both types of loading, there were no significant changes at implant stability (ISQ) and PISF volume during the whole study period. The lowest total nitrite levels were observed at the end of 12 months. Marginal bone gain of 0.22 and 0.09 mm was noticed between 6 and 12 months in IL and CL groups, respectively. During the study period, negative correlation was noted between radiographic bone level and ISQ at both IL and CL sites; however, this correlation reached a significant level only at 6 months in CL implant group (P = 0.015). Although not significant, marginal bone loss seems to have a negative relationship with the implant stability values regardless of the mode of loading. NO metabolism around IL and CL dental implants may not demonstrate a significantly different pattern.

Clinical and pharmacological variables as a risk factor for nifedipine-induced gingival overgrowth.

BACKGROUND: Gingival enlargement is usually noted within one to two months after the initiation of nifedipine therapy. The aetiology of nifedipine-induced gingival overgrowth is uncertain. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between plasma and gingival crevice fluid (GCF) nifedipine concentrations and the degree of gingival overgrowth in patients treated with nifedipine, and also to assess the correlations between clinical and pharmacological variables. METHODS: Eighteen patients taking nifedipine in regular doses for at least six months participated in the study. Gingival enlargement was evaluated with two indices to score vertical and horizontal overgrowth. Gingival index (GI), plaque index (PI), gingival bleeding time index (GBTI), probing depth (PD) and clinical attachment level (CAL) were also evaluated. GCF and plasma nifedipine concentrations were determined by using high performance liquid chromatography. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between responders and non-responders for PI, GI and GBTI. The mean concentration of nifedipine in GCF was significantly greater than concentration in plasma. No significant difference was observed for GCF and plasma nifedipine concentration between responders and non-responders. CONCLUSIONS: The present study showed that neither GCF nor plasma nifedipine levels appeared to be a risk factor for nifedipine-induced gingival overgrowth. Improving the oral hygiene in patients using nifedipine may help control the degree of drug-induced gingival enlargement.

Effects of endogenous sex hormones on the periodontium--review of literature.

Hormones are specific regulatory molecules that have potent effects on the major determinants of the development and the integrity of the skeleton and oral cavity including periodontal tissues. It is clear that periodontal manifestations occur when an imbalance of these steroid hormones take place. The authors conducted a Medline search up to 2004 and in addition, a manual search was also performed including bibliographies of relevant papers, review articles and books. This review focuses on the effects of endogenous sex hormones on the periodontium and the goal was to inform and update practitioners' knowledge about the impact of these hormones on periodontal status. In addition, this review article will analyze how these hormones influence the periodontium at different life stages such as puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, menopause and post-menopause. Moreover, the effects of contraceptives and hormone replacement therapies on the periodontium will be discussed. It is clear that endogenous sex steroid hormones play significant roles in modulating the periodontal tissue responses. A better understanding of the periodontal changes to varying hormonal levels throughout life can help the dental practitioner in diagnosis and treatment.