Use of Systemic Steroids, Hormone Replacement Therapy, or Oral Contraceptives Is Associated with Decreased Implant Survival in Women.

BACKGROUND: Systemic steroids, such as prednisone, hormonal replacement therapies, or oral contraceptives, are commonly prescribed to women who might also be receiving dental implant therapy. However, the effect of these medications on dental implant survival is unknown. METHODS: The medical and dental records of individuals with dental implants (N = 1480 implants) who visited a postgraduate periodontics clinic between 2000 and 2017 were initially considered. Those younger than 21 years old, pregnant, or male were excluded according to the study's exclusion criteria. The presence of systemic diseases and conditions was assessed. Implant failure rates among female patients using systemic steroids, hormone replacement therapy, or oral contraceptives were compared with failure rates among patients not taking those medications. RESULTS: The implant failure rate for the 65 implants in patients taking steroid medications was 7.69%; the failure rate for the 712 implants in patients not taking steroids was 1.54% (p < 0.001). After adjusting for smoking and the presence of diabetes, that relationship persisted, with an 8.47% implant failure rate for the 59 implants in patients taking steroids (vs. 1.54% failure for the 585 implants in patients not taking steroids; p < 0.001). Regression analyses demonstrated that the odds of implant failure versus success were 5.31 times greater in patients taking systemic steroids, hormone replacement therapy, or oral contraceptives (p < 0.05). No statistically significant differences in patient plaque control were found between the experimental and control groups. CONCLUSIONS: Among women, the use of systemic steroids is associated with a five-fold increase in the rate of dental implant failure, regardless of the presence of smoking or diabetes.

The influence of proton pump inhibitors on tissue attachment around teeth and dental implants: A scoping review.

OBJECTIVES: Proton pump inhibitors, such as omeprazole and pantoprazole, are frequently prescribed for the treatment of acid reflux. However, those medications have been shown to affect a variety of physiologic processes, including bone homeostasis and the gastrointestinal microbiome. The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between proton pump inhibitors and attachment levels around teeth and dental implants. A scoping review was performed to assess the extent and quality of the relevant literature. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR) and searched four relevant biomedical literature databases in addition to the grey literature. Keywords in the title and abstract fields, and subject headings for proton pump inhibitors, teeth, and dental implants were included as search terms. RESULTS: Overall search results identified 791 publications which, after applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, yielded 27 publications that were further analyzed for relevance and quality of scientific evidence. The majority of eligible publications were retrospective cohort studies. Following critical analysis, 13 publications, including six abstracts, were used to assess the effect of proton pump inhibitors on tissue attachment around teeth and dental implants. CONCLUSIONS: There are few high-quality studies describing the effect of proton pump inhibitors on tissue attachment around teeth and dental implants. Nevertheless, among the included papers with the fewest confounding factors, there was a positive relationship between proton pump inhibitors and soft tissue attachment levels around teeth, and a predominantly negative but variable effect of proton pump inhibitors on the bone level around dental implants. Additional well-controlled prospective studies are required to fully elucidate those relationships.

Familial Presentation of Ankyloglossia and Localized Periodontitis.

An association between ankyloglossia and periodontitis has not previously been reported. This case series describes three sisters who each had ankyloglossia and a molar/incisor pattern of localized periodontitis. The concurrent presentation of both conditions within the family suggests that further investigation of genetic factors that might concurrently affect the pathogenesis of both disorders may be warranted.

Association between proton pump inhibitors and periodontal disease severity.

OBJECTIVES: Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are commonly prescribed for the management of acid-related gastrointestinal disorders. PPIs modulate osteoclast function, reduce gastric acid secretion, and are associated with the establishment of a more diverse gastrointestinal microbiota. Periodontitis is characterized by microbe-associated host-mediated inflammation that results in loss of periodontal attachment. The aim of this study was to assess whether a relationship exists between PPIs and periodontal disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed using patient records from a faculty periodontal practice. The proportion of elevated probing depths was used to measure periodontitis severity. Statistical analysis was performed using independent sample t-tests, and Chi-square tests of independence. RESULTS: Records from 1093 patients were initially assessed. Fourteen percent of teeth were associated with ≥6 mm probing depths among PPI users, in contrast to 24% for patients not using PPIs (P = 0.030). Similarly, 27% of teeth exhibited ≥5 mm probing depths among PPI users versus 40% for non-PPI users (P = 0.039). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that PPIs are associated with a reduced proportion of elevated probing depths. Future prospective studies are indicated to elucidate possible mechanisms through which PPIs might affect, and potentially be used in the treatment of, periodontitis.

The Effect of Hypothyroidism on Bone Loss at Dental Implants.

Hypothyroidism (HT) is an endocrine disorder characterized by abnormally reduced thyroid gland activity and is most commonly of autoimmune etiology. HT is associated with alterations in bone metabolism, and HT patients typically experience decreased bone resorption. The objective of this study was to use dental implants as standardized reference markers to compare the extent of alveolar bone loss in implant patients with and without HT. We examined medical and dental history records and radiographic data from 635 patients receiving 1480 implants during 2000-2017. The rate of bone loss was calculated from differences in radiographic bone levels over time, corrected for radiographic distortion. Peri-implant bone loss from patients with HT was significantly lower than for those without HT (t1252= -3.42; 95% confidence interval= 0.47-1.73; P < .001; M = 0.53 and 1.63 mm/yr, respectively). A similar relationship persisted after excluding smokers and diabetics and after additionally excluding those on systemic steroids, hormone replacement therapy, hormone medications, or autoimmune diseases other than HT. Our data suggest that patients with HT have a decreased rate of bone loss around dental implants and may not be at increased risk for dental implant failure. The decreased bone metabolic rate among patients with HT might contribute to those findings.

Relationship between hypothyroidism and periodontitis: A scoping review.

AIM: The objective of this study was to assess the existing literature to determine if a relationship exists between hypothyroidism and periodontitis. METHODS: We used a modified approach to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses by searching five databases in addition to the gray literature. Keywords in the title and abstract fields, as well as subject headings for both periodontal disease and hypothyroidism, were used to search the existing literature for publications relevant to evaluation of the thyroid-periodontitis relationship. RESULTS: The authors screened 847 unique publications which, after applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, yielded 29 publications, which were further analyzed for relevance and applicability. Most of the included papers were cross-sectional studies and retrospective chart reviews. Following critical analysis, four publications, including one abstract, were used to further assess the hypothyroid-periodontitis relationship. CONCLUSIONS: There are very few high-quality studies describing the potential association between hypothyroidism and periodontitis. In general, and among the included papers with the fewest confounding factors, a positive relationship between hypothyroidism and periodontitis was found. Further well-controlled, prospective clinical and immunologic studies will be required to confirm that relationship.

Effect of Proton Pump Inhibitors on Bone Loss at Dental Implants.

PURPOSE: Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are prescribed for the treatment of gastric reflux disease, but such medications might also influence bone metabolism. Therefore, the primary goal of this study was to determine if bone loss severity at dental implants could be associated with PPI use. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Dental, medical, and radiographic history records of patients receiving dental implants at the University at Buffalo, School of Dental Medicine from 2000 to 2017 were reviewed in this retrospective clinical study. Bone loss around each implant was evaluated radiographically by direct measurement of crestal bone loss and by counting the number of radiographically evident exposed threads. PPI use was confirmed by medical record examination. The effects of systemic factors were assessed. Confidence intervals (CI) and P values of mean differences between PPI and non-PPI groups were computed via IBM SPSS Statistics v.25. RESULTS: A total of 1,480 implants from 635 patients were used in this study. Greater crestal implant bone loss was associated with patients with a history of PPI medication use. Mean crestal bone loss of 1.60 mm was noted at implants from PPI patients, in contrast to 1.01 mm of crestal implant bone loss at implants from the non-PPI group (group difference = 0.59 mm, 58.40% increase, P = .024, CI [95%] = 0.08 to 1.09 mm). Following adjustment for systemic factors, those effects persisted, with crestal implant bone loss of 1.87 mm from PPI patients, in contrast to 1.04 mm from non-PPI patients (group difference = 0.83 mm, 79.80% increase, P = .028, CI [95%] = 0.09 to 1.56 mm). Similarly, 0.63 exposed threads per implant were found in the PPI group, in contrast to 0.38 supracrestal implant threads in the non-PPI patient group (mean difference = 0.25 exposed threads, 65.8% increase, P = .039, CI [95%] = 0.01 to 0.50 mm). After excluding systemic factors, a similar pattern was observed with 0.79 vs 0.36 threads exposed from subjects taking PPIs, compared with those not taking PPIs, respectively (mean difference = 0.43 exposed threads, 119.4% increase, P = .014, CI [95%] = 0.09 to 0.77 mm). CONCLUSION: The data suggest that PPI medications are related to more loss of crestal bone at implant sites. Patients receiving implant therapy might require more frequent periodontal maintenance.

Incidental Finding of a Suspected Horizontal Root Fracture During Mucogingival Surgery.

Periapical and bitewing radiographs lack the sensitivity to reliably diagnose horizontal root fractures, and, therefore, asymptomatic teeth with root fractures may remain undetected for years. This article reports a case in which a patient presented with a mucogingival defect on tooth No. 24 with no apparent history of dental trauma. During a free gingival graft procedure, a horizontal root fracture was observed in the apical third of the aforementioned tooth. After the clinician communicated this finding to the patient, the patient recollected two instances of trauma that had occurred to this area more than 30 years earlier. The presence of the horizontal root fracture did not affect the postoperative healing from the mucogingival procedure, and the tooth remained stable at the 1-year follow-up.

The Effect of Platelet-Rich Fibrin, Calcium Sulfate Hemihydrate, Platelet-Rich Plasma and Resorbable Collagen on Soft Tissue Closure of Extraction Sites.

Rapid and complete soft tissue healing after tooth extraction minimizes surgical complications and facilitates subsequent implant placement. We used four treatment methods and assessed changes in soft tissue socket closure following tooth extraction in humans. The effects of platelet-rich fibrin-calcium sulfate hemihydrate (PRF-CSH), platelet-rich plasma-calcium sulfate hemihydrate (PRP-CSH), a resorbable collagen dressing (RCD), and no grafting material were compared in a randomized, controlled pilot study with a blinded parallel design (N = 23). Patients with a hopeless tooth scheduled for extraction were randomly assigned to one of the four treatment groups. Socket measurements were obtained immediately after extraction and treatment, as well as after 21 days. There was a significant decrease in the total epithelialized external surface area of the extraction sockets in each group at all time points. However, there were no significant differences in soft tissue closure (p > 0.05) at any time point and PRF-CSH or PRP-CSH did not provide any additional benefit to enhance the soft tissue closure of extraction sockets compared with either RCD or sites without graft.

Oral rehabilitation of a patient with bruxism and cluster implant failures in the edentulous maxilla: a clinical report.

For most patients with failed dental implants, the placement of new implants is the only option that allows for retreatment with a fixed dental prosthesis. This clinical report describes the rehabilitation of a patient with a history of bruxism and cluster implant failures in the edentulous maxilla 10 years after the insertion of a milled bar overdenture. Seven failed implants were removed and simultaneous bone grafting was performed. After an 8-month healing period, 8 dental implants with new surfaces were placed. These supported a metal ceramic fixed complete denture with a metal occlusal surface. The prosthesis was retained with 3 sections of milled bars and 3 set screws. This clinical report describes the details of the treatment with an emphasis on prosthetics.

Differentiation of mucous membrane pemphigoid subgroups with confocal imaging.

OBJECTIVE: Mucous membrane pemphigoid is an immune-mediated subepithelial blistering disease consisting of immunologically heterogeneous subgroups. Differentiation between these subgroups is important because they differ in prognosis. This study uses oral mucosal pemphigoid specimens to investigate the utility of computer-aided fluorescence overlay antigen mapping and laser scanning confocal microscopy to differentiate subgroups of mucous membrane pemphigoid. STUDY DESIGN: Thirty oral mucosal biopsy specimens were cryosectioned and immunostained, although only 13 could be analyzed due to technical difficulties. In vivo bound antibodies and molecular markers of the basement membrane zone were differentially labeled with fluorescent antibodies. Fluorescent signals were imaged, and the spatial localization of in vivo bound antibodies was compared with the markers and analyzed. RESULTS: In vivo bound IgG antibodies colocalized with beta4-integrin in 3 cases, with laminin-5 in 8 cases, and with collagen VII in 2 cases. CONCLUSION: Fluorescence overlay antigen mapping and laser scanning confocal microscopy are useful techniques to differentiate pemphigoid subgroups in oral biopsy specimens.