A multicenter 12-month evaluation of single-tooth implants restored 3 weeks after 1-stage surgery.

The time-intensive, multi-step process of dental implant therapy limits patient acceptance. This 3-year prospective multicenter study sought to determine the safety of an expedited therapy that consisted of loading unsplinted maxillary anterior single-tooth implants 3 weeks after 1-stage surgical placement, and determination of the peri-implant cortical bone and mucosal responses to the expedited procedure. Fifty-two patients missing 1 or 2 maxilliary anterior teeth were enrolled in a study approved by the Institutional Committee on Human Subjects Research and based on strict inclusion and exclusion criteria. Astra Tech ST implants placed in a 1-stage procedure were restored 3 weeks later with ST abutments and a provisional crown (baseline); 7 to 9 weeks later, a porcelain-fused-to-metal or all-ceramic crown was cemented. Radiographic and clinical examinations were made at baseline and at 6 and 12 months. Implant survival was recorded. Cortical bone responses and peri-implant mucosal responses were evaluated. Fifty-eight implants were placed. During the 3-week period after implant placement, 4 patients were dismissed because of smoking cigarettes (a protocol deviation), and 1 patient was excluded because of deviation in loading time. Of the remaining 53 implants, 2 failed before definitive crown cementation. The resultant 96.2% survival rate was independent of implant length, tooth position, and bone quality/quantity. The mean change in marginal bone level was 0.4 mm at 12 months. The number of surfaces with plaque decreased from 3.4% at baseline to 0.5% at 12 months. The surfaces with inflammation also decreased. A mean gain in papilla length of 0.61 mm occurred, and a gain in buccal gingiva (x = 0.34 mm) was observed. A high success rate with positive tissue responses was achieved for maxillary anterior unsplinted single-tooth implants placed in a 1-stage surgery and restored at 3 weeks. This 2-component system is suited to a single-stage, rapid loading protocol for esthetic single-tooth replacement.

Healing following GTR treatment of bone defects distal to mandibular 2nd molars after surgical removal of impacted 3rd molars.

AIM: The purpose of this study was to study the healing, following guided tissue regeneration (GTR) treatment, of bone defects distal to mandibular 2nd molars (M2s) after surgical removal of impacted mesioangularly or horizontally inclined third molars (M3s) in patients > or = 25 years. METHOD: 20 patients with bilateral soft tissue impacted M3s were included in the split-mouth study. The 2 sites to be treated in each patient were randomised before the 1st operation as to which would undergo the test procedure and which would be the control site. After surgical removal of M3 at test sites, a resorbable polylactic acid (PLA) barrier was attached to M2 to cover the post-surgical bone defect. The flap was then replaced and sutured to cover the barrier. Control sites underwent the same procedure, as did the test sites, with the exception that no barrier was placed. The clinical examinations performed were oral hygiene pre- and 12 months postoperatively and probing pocket depth 12 months postoperatively. The alveolar bone level (ABL) at the distal surface of the M2, as determined from radiographs taken at suture removal and 12 months postsurgery, was chosen to be the primary response variable. RESULTS: Most bone defects showed healing up to 10%-20% of the tooth length at both test and control sites. 2 test and 2 control sites showed no improvement in the bone level. The mean values of bone healing registered in mm from the cemento-enamel junction (CEJ) were 2.6 +/- 2.19 SD and 3.0 +/- 2.20 SD for test and control sites, respectively. Different factors affecting the healing result are discussed.

Healing following GTR treatment of intrabony defects distal to mandibular 2nd molars using resorbable and non-resorbable barriers.

AIMS: The objectives of the present, randomised clinical trial were (i) to evaluate the healing of periodontal intrabony defects at the distal aspect of mandibular 2nd molars using a resorbable polylactic acid (PLA) barrier and a non-resorbable polytetrafluoroethylene (e-PTFE) barrier and (ii) to compare the therapeutic effect of the bioresorbable versus the non-resorbable barrier. METHOD: 19 patients with intrabony defects distal to mandibular 2nd molars > or = 4 mm (on radiographs) were included in the study. The defects all remained 5 years after surgical removal of impacted 3rd molars. Following flap elevation and defect debridement, the defects were randomly covered with, either a resorbable PLA or a non-resorbable e-PTFE barrier. Flaps were repositioned and sutured to completely cover the barriers. Treatment was evaluated clinically after 1 year by measurements of probing depth (PD), probing attachment level (PAL), and probing bone level (PBL) and radiographically by measurements of bone levels on computer digitised images of radiographs taken immediately before and 1 year postsurgery. RESULTS: Both treatments resulted in significant PD reduction, PAL gain, and bone fill. The total PD reduction was 5.3 +/- 1.9 mm for the PLA treated sites and 3.7 +/- 1.7 mm for the e-PTFE treated sites (p<0.05). The corresponding values for PAL gain were 4.7 +/- 0.7 mm and 3.6 +/- 1.7 mm (p<0.05) and for PBL gain 5.1 +/- 1.2 and 3.3 +/- 2.0 mm (p<0.05). Radiographic bone fill averaged 3.4 +/- 1.2 for the PLA and 2.0 +/- 1.6 mm for the e-PTFE barriers (p<0.05). Radiographic bone level measurements were significantly smaller than the corresponding clinical measurements, indicating that radiographs tend to underestimate bone fill. CONCLUSIONS: GTR treatment of deep intrabony defects distal to mandibular second molars using resorbable PLA barriers resulted in significant PD reduction, PAL gain and bone fill at least equivalent to the results obtained using non-resorbable e-PTFE barriers.

Third molar surgery.

There have been significant advances in the diagnosis and treatment of impacted third molars with special emphasis on periodontal health in the second molar area adjacent to the extraction site. A thorough discussion addresses these advances and their impact on treatment planning of asymptomatic impacted third molars.

Periodontal healing after impacted lower third molar surgery in adolescents and adults. A prospective study.

The effects of impacted lower 3rd molar surgery on periodontal tissues in the adjacent 2nd molar area have been investigated in a prospective study comprising 176 cases from 2 age groups: less than or equal to 20 years (n = 93) and greater than or equal to 30 years (n = 83), respectively. The preoperative and 1-year postoperative examinations included both clinical and radiographic variables. All patients were subjected to a standardized surgical procedure and optimal plaque control pre-, intra- and postoperatively. Early removal of impacted lower 3rd molars with large angulation and close positional relationship to the adjacent 2nd molar proved to have a beneficial effect on periodontal health.

The influence of anatomical, pathophysiological and other factors on periodontal healing after impacted lower third molar surgery. A multiple regression analysis.

A multifactorial approach has been used to identify some predictors of postoperative intrabony defects (IBD) on the distal surface of the adjacent second molar (M2) after impacted lower third molar (M3) surgery. The material consisted of 215 lower third molar removals, performed on 144 persons (age range 16-53 years; mean 27.2 years). The postoperative examination took place 2 years after impaction surgery and included both clinical and radiographic variables. Statistically significant (5% significance level) predictors of IBD found in stepwise multiple regression analyses were: (1) preoperative intrabony defect M2 distal; (2) age at the time of surgery; (3) size of contact-area M3/M2; (4) root resorption M2 distal; (5) probing dept distal surface of adjacent first molar postoperatively; (6) pathological follicle M3. The regression model with IBD as regressand produced a total R2 of 0.45. When the regressand was the difference between IBD and the preoperative intrabony defect, the regression analysis explained 62% of the variance (R2 = 0.62). These regression models explained the variance in terms of the size of the remaining postoperative intrabony defect as well as in terms of periodontal healing after impacted lower third molar surgery.

Adjuvant chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil, vincristine and CCNU for patients with Dukes' C colorectal cancer. The Swedish Gastrointestinal Tumour Adjuvant Therapy Group.

A prospective controlled randomized trial testing adjuvant postoperative combination chemotherapy (5-fluorouracil, lomustine (CCNU) and vincristine) versus no adjuvant therapy in patients operated on for Dukes' C colorectal cancer is reported. In total 334 patients aged less than 70 years were recruited: 205 patients with colonic and 99 with rectal cancer, but there were three protocol violations and these cases are excluded from further consideration. Twenty-seven patients had a limited resection of their cancer. After 5 years' follow-up there was no significant difference in the tumour-free survival rate or in the survival rate between the treated and control groups. Twenty-nine of the 147 patients who started chemotherapy discontinued this treatment because of side-effects, mainly from the gastrointestinal tract. In 30 patients treatment was discontinued because of recurrent disease. The conclusion is that systemic administration of combination chemotherapy for colorectal cancer after operation is not worthwhile in routine clinical practice.

Periodontal healing two and four years after impacted lower third molar surgery. A comparative retrospective study.

The long-term effects on periodontal tissues of impacted lower 3rd molar surgery have been investigated in a retrospective study comprising 51 cases. The postoperative examinations took place 2 and 4 years after the surgical treatment and included both clinical and radiographic variables. Assessments were made regarding the oral hygiene status, gingival condition and periodontal tissue breakdown in terms of increased probing depths and intrabony defects. Comparing the results of the two examinations, no significant changes of the incidence of plaque and gingivitis were seen on the distal surface of the 2nd molar, nor any significant change concerning the probing depth. The proximal bone level distal to the second molar was recorded by radiographic examination with a cut-off periodontal probe as indicator. Two years postoperatively, 16.7% of the cases aged less than or equal to 25 years showed intrabony defects exceeding 4 mm, compared with 40.7% in the age group greater than or equal to 26 years. At the 4-year re-examination, the corresponding figures were 4.2% and 44.4%, respectively. The improvement concerning the alveolar bone level was mainly seen in individuals under 25 years. Some factors affecting the periodontal healing after impacted lower 3rd molar surgery are discussed.

Impacted lower third molars and periodontal health. An epidemiological, methodological, retrospective and prospective clinical, study.

The main objective of this series of investigations was to study periodontal health of the adjacent second molars (M2) in cases of impacted lower third molars (M3) and after impacted lower third molar surgery. An epidemiological study, comprising 693 dentate individuals, was undertaken in order to obtain the prevalence, impaction and positional relationship of third molars in a normal Swedish population. The prevalence of all third molars in individuals aged 20 years was 77.0%. One in four of the vertically positioned third molars, three in four of the mesioangular, nine in ten of the distoangular and all those horizontally placed were impacted to some extent. 68.5% of the impacted third molars were in close proximity to the root of the adjacent second molars. In order to evaluate the precision and accuracy of the radiographic assessment of intrabony defects (IBD), i.e. the distance between the cemento-enamel junction and the bottom of the pocket to firm osseous contact, on the distal surface of M2, a methodological study was performed on 25 subjects. Using conventional free hand technique, intraoral radiographs were taken in the deepest part of IBD with and without a probe as indicator. Comparing the two sets of radiographs, the deviation was 1 mm or less in 87.9% of the cases. The radiopaque marker enhanced the accuracy of assessment of IBD to 96.7%. The effects of impacted lower third molar surgery on periodontal tissues of the M2 area were investigated in a retrospective clinical study comprising 215 subjects. The results two years postoperatively showed a higher prevalence of plaque, gingivitis and periodontal pockets on the distal surface of M2 than on other surfaces of the two molars adjacent to the extraction site. IBD greater than or equal to 4 mm were registered in 32.1% of the cases. The long term effects on periodontal tissues after impacted lower third molar surgery was investigated in a comparative retrospective study, two and four years postoperatively, comprising 51 cases. The improvement concerning postoperative IBD, between the two examinations, was mainly seen in individuals less than or equal to 25 years of age. No case in this age group increased in depth, while 29.6% of postoperative IBD deteriorated in individuals greater than or equal to 26 years. A multiple regression analysis was used to identify some predictors of postoperative IBD, and the material consisted of the 215 cases from the retrospective study.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Periodontal healing after impacted lower third molar surgery. Precision and accuracy of radiographic assessment of intrabony defects.

The effect of periodontal tissues of impacted lower 3rd molar surgery has been investigated in a retrospective study comprising 215 cases, 2 years postoperatively. In order to evaluate the precision and accuracy of the radiographic assessment of intrabony defects on the distal surface of the lower 2nd molar using conventional free hand technique, a methodological study was performed on 25 patients. The error variance due to variability in the radiographic reproduction and examiner inconsistency was between 3 and 4% of the total variance. In order to evaluate the radiographic assessment of intrabony defects, intraoral radiographs were taken in the deepest part of the intrabony defect with and without a probe as an indicator. Comparing the 2 sets of radiographs, the deviation was 1 mm or less in 87.9% of the cases. The radiopaque marker enhanced the accuracy of assessment of intrabony defects to 96.7%. The study shows the intraoral freehand technique to be sufficiently reliable as regards radiographic reproduction of the mandibular molar area. It also demonstrates that the radiographic method describes the depth of postoperative intrabony defects on the distal surface of the lower 2nd molar more accurately than probing depth measurements alone.

Periodontal healing after impacted lower third molar surgery. A retrospective study.

The effect on periodontal tissues of lower third molar surgery, due to impaction or semi-impaction, has been investigated in a retrospective study comprising 215 cases. The post-operative examination took place 2 years after the surgical treatment and included both clinical and radiographic variables. Clinical registrations included the amount of plaque, and presence of gingivitis and periodontal pockets. The results showed a higher incidence of plaque, gingivitis and pockets on the distal surface of the second molar than on other surfaces of the first and second molars. The alveolar bone level distal to the second molar was registered by radiographic examination with a periodontal probe as indicator. 2 years post-operatively, 43.3% of the cases exhibited pocket depths exceeding 7 mm and 32.1% showed intrabony defects exceeding 4 mm. Some factors affecting the periodontal healing after lower third molar surgery are discussed.

An evaluation of angiography, 75Se-methionine scintigraphy and the Lundh test in the diagnosis of pancreatic disease.

In order to asses accuracy and consistency of diagnostic opinion in suspected pancreatic disease, using available diagnostic procedures 74 patients, subjected to selective angiography, pancreatic function test (Lundh test), and scintigraphy, were studied retrospectively. The patients were divided into four diagnostic subgroups, three of which represented defined pancreatic disease, the fourth serving as a control group since such disease could be excluded. The primary diagnostic results were compared. After a stipulated minimum of six months the angiographic films and scintigraphic recordings were re-appraised in a randomized manner without access to clinical data. The evaluations thus achieved were compared to those delivered primarily. The results of the present study seem to indicate that the Lundh test and pancreatic scintigraphy are screening tests with a high level of diagnostic reliability and consistency; when normal, practically ruling out pancreatic disease. Angiography is recommendable only if one or both of the above mentioned screening methods yield pathologic results, supported by clinical evidence. The principal aims of selective angiography in suscepted pancreatic disease, are to map vascular anatomy, to differentiate non-neoplastic disease from cancer and to assist estimation of operability. The results of the reappraisal indicate that the diagnostic accuracy of angiography, more than that of scintigraphy, is dependent on the experience of the examiner.

Intestinal activities of trypsin, lipase, and phospholipase after a test meal. An evaluation of 474 examinations.

After indirect stimulation of the pancreas by means of a test meal the intestinal activities of trypsin were determined in 452 subjects, lipase in 117, and phospholipase in 57. Trypsin levels were subnormal in 88%, lipase levels in 80%, and phospholipase levels in 81% of patients with chronic pancreatic disease. The outcome of repeated tests (trypsin) was completely consistent in 20 out of 22 patients. Calculations of ratios between the enzymes studied suggested that lipase was the enzyme most susceptible to pancreatic damage. Also in cases of celiac disease and after Polya gastric resection, the decrease of the intestinal lipase concentrations was more marked than that of the other enzymes. In 9% of the cases of chronic pancreatic insufficiency the diagnosis would have been overlooked if either lipase or trypsin had been determined as the sole enzyme. In clinical practice it is recommended to estimate at least two enzymes, because abnormal ratios may be of diagnostic value and because the two different groups of enzymes provide a mutual check on the secretory capacity of pancreatic enzymes. On the whole, the test was found to be reliable, simple, physiological, and inexpensive in terms of resources, and it is highly recommended as a routine test of the pancreatic function.

Endoscopic pancreatography in evaluating results of pancreatico-jejunostomy.

It has been difficult, employing clinical methods, to establish whether pancreatico-enteric drainage shunts for chronic pancreatitis have remained patent and how the operation has affected the inflammatory changes and ductal pathological morphology. In an attempt objectively to evaluate postoperative results, 13 patients with two different types of pancreatico-jejunostomies were examined with endoscopic pancreatography. Progress of the inflammatory changes was noted to a varying degree in the majority of cases. In four patients subjected to longitudinal split of the pancreatic duct, shunt patency was evidenced. In the remaining nine patients with caudal pancreatico-jejunostomy, no contrast medium could be made to pass the shunts in six cases, whereas passage was clearly demonstrated in one and uncertain in two. All the patients reported clinical improvement after operation.

Pancreatico-jejunostomy in chronic pancreatitis. An appraisal of 29 cases.

Pancreatico-jejunostomy end to side after resection of the pancreatic tail, or side to side following longitudinal cleaving of the pancreatic duct, was performed in 29 patients suffering from chronic relapsing or acute recurring pancreatitis. A follow-up study with observation time ranging from 6 months to 10 years is presented. The patients were allotted to three groups according to the severity and extent of the inflammatory involvement at operation. The diagnostic findings obtained at the preoperative evaluation correlated well to these groupings. In some patients, however, the inflammatory process was mainly confined to the ductal system, as revealed by pancreatography, while in others the changes were most marked in the parenchyma, as found at histologic examination. 21 caudal pancreatico-jejunostomies and 8 longitudinal anastomoses were performed. Overall results were excellent in 20 patients, good in 6, fair in 3, and poor in none. The rate of postoperative complications was low; no mortality, one spontaneously healed anastomosis insufficiency, subphrenic abscess developed in 2 instances and postoperative diabetes in 5. Only one patient had a recurrent attack of acute pancreatitis postoperatively. Re-anastomosis was successfully performed.