ABSTRACT
Self-inflicted gingival injuries have been known to occur in children and adolescents secondary to a number of causes, including accidental trauma; fingernail biting; digit sucking; or sucking on objects such as pens, pencils, thread, or toothpicks. Of these causes, the one documented as the most common cause is habitual fingernail biting or onychophagia. This case report describes the gingival injury caused by habitual fingernail biting and the findings noted at the time of periodontal surgery. The potential ramifications of fingernail biting are discussed, and the steps necessary to ensure and preserve the dental health of the patient are identified.
Subject(s)
Gingiva/injuries , Nail Biting/adverse effects , Self-Injurious Behavior/etiology , Child , Follow-Up Studies , Foreign Bodies/etiology , Foreign Bodies/surgery , Humans , Male , Nails , Subgingival Curettage , Surgical FlapsABSTRACT
The relationships between periodontitis and systemic disease and conditions, environmental factors, and behavioral influences are evolving rapidly. Success in preventing and treating periodontal diseases may well rest to a large extent on our understanding of the relevant influences which may exacerbate and perpetuate the disease process. As researchers work to clarify these relationships, we as practitioners must continue to alter our treatment in the best interests of the patient's overall health. The impact of recent findings on the development and progression of periodontitis relevant to diabetes mellitus, HIV, genetic susceptibility, smoking, stress, and osteoporosis is reviewed.
Subject(s)
Periodontitis/etiology , Diabetes Complications , Disease Progression , Disease Susceptibility , Environment , Genetic Predisposition to Disease , HIV Infections/complications , Health Behavior , Humans , Osteoporosis/complications , Risk Factors , Smoking/adverse effects , Stress, Psychological/complicationsABSTRACT
Osteoporosis, by definition, is a generalized progressive reduction in both bone mineral and bone matrix which results in bone of normal composition but decreased mass. Functionally, osteoporotic bone is characterized by greater fragility and an increased propensity to fracture. It ranks as the most common metabolic bone disease and the most common skeletal disorder in the world. As such, it constitutes a major public health problem. Due to the extent of the disease, many have questioned its relevance to the maxilla and mandible and its possible relationship to periodontitis. The purpose of this paper is to review both osteoporosis and periodontitis and to present the research completed to date which has investigated the possible interrelationships between the two diseases.
Subject(s)
Osteoporosis/etiology , Periodontal Diseases/etiology , Age Factors , Calcium/deficiency , Female , Humans , Male , Osteoporosis/classification , Osteoporosis/physiopathology , Osteoporosis/therapy , Periodontal Diseases/classification , Periodontal Diseases/physiopathology , Periodontal Diseases/therapy , Risk FactorsABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of a synthetic nonporous hydroxyapatite graft material (OrthoMatrix HA-500), a porous replamineform hydroxyapatite graft material (Interpore 200), and a debrided control with respect to defect fill. Twelve adult patients having periodontitis and three similar angular osseous defects as verified by radiographic analysis and clinical probe depths greater than or equal to 5 mm were selected. Clinical parameters gathered prior to surgical intervention and at identified postoperative visits included plaque index, probing depth, and standardized radiographic examination. Customized acrylic stents were used as fixed reference guides for the insertion of endodontic silver points to the base of each defect during both initial and 6-month reentry surgeries. A total of 36 defects were randomly assigned to one of three treatment modalities such that 12 defects received OrthoMatrix HA-500, 12 received Interpore 200, and 12 served as debrided controls. Comparison of nonporous hydroxyapatite, porous replamineform hydroxyapatite, and debrided control treatment modalities revealed a statistically significant improvement (P less than 0.05) in the mean per cent of defect resolved in only those sites treated with nonporous hydroxyapatite. Similar positive trends were seen in the sites treated with nonporous hydroxyapatite for mean reentry defect depth and mean defect fill although these were not statistically significant (P greater than 0.05). No other significant differences were noted.
