CBCT Compared to Transgingival Probing as a Tool for Estimating Alveolar Bone Crest Level in Patients with Altered Passive Eruption.

OBJECTIVES: Alveolar bone crest level is essential in determining the need for bone removal in subjects with altered passive eruption (APE). This study assessed the validity of Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) and transgingival probing. METHODS: Patients presenting with APE were assessed. Transgingival probing was performed to clinically assess the distance between the cementoenamel junction (CEJ) and the crest of the bone at the mid-point of upper anterior teeth. CBCT was used to assess this distance at the same point. Upon reflection of a full mucoperiosteal flap the actual distance was measured. RESULTS: Similar actual and CBCT measurements of the distance between the CEJ and bone crest at upper right 3, upper left 2 and upper left 3 (P>0.05) were recorded. However, in upper right 2, upper right 1 and upper left 1 the distance was significantly greater on CBCT (P<0.05). No significant difference was detected between transgingival probing and the actual distance at all teeth assessed. CONCLUSIONS: Careful transgingival probing provides an accurate measure of the distance between the CEJ and crest of the Bone. CBCT gives an accurate estimate, However, it might not be justified for each patient in the presence of safer methods.

Determining the periodontal phenotype-Probe transparency versus actual: A diagnostic study.

AIMS: Assessment of the validity of the transparency of the periodontal probe as a tool for determining the periodontal phenotype. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The periodontal phenotype was assessed at the six upper anterior teeth of 75 subjects using two methods. One is through assessing the transparency of the periodontal probe upon insertion into the gingival sulcus. The second method was through the assessment and clustering of the width of keratinized gingiva clinically and the gingival and buccal plate thickness on Cone Beam Computed Tomography scan. RESULTS: The probe transparency approach correctly identified thick periodontal phenotype in most cases (41 out of 43 [95%]). However, this was not the case for thin periodontal phenotype; probe transparency approach identified 64% of the thin sites (261 out of 407) and misclassified nearly one third of the patients. CONCLUSION: The probe transparency approach is a valid approach in identifying the phenotype in subjects with thick phenotype but not in subjects with thin phenotype. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The definition of periodontal phenotype has recently changed. Accurate designation has been shown to affect treatment outcomes especially esthetic ones in different disciplines of dentistry. Probe transparency is commonly used by clinicians and researchers. Assessment of the validity of this method based on the most recent definition and compared to actual assessment of bone and gingival thickness is of great clinical value.

The use of diode laser in esthetic crown lengthening: a randomized controlled clinical trial.

This clinical trial assessed patient comfort, satisfaction, and the achievement and maintenance of ideal gingival margin levels using laser compared to conventional surgery in sculpting the soft tissues during esthetic crown lengthening. Eighteen patients with altered passive eruption were treated in a randomized split-mouth design by laser or scalpel crown-lengthening surgery. Patients were evaluated for intra- and postoperative pain and bleeding at 3 and 7 days. Clinical parameters including clinical crown length, probing depth, plaque index, bleeding on probing, and clinical attachment level were recorded at baseline, 3 and 6 months postoperatively. A gradual reduction in postoperative pain was recorded for both sides with no statistically significant difference at 3 (scalpel: 4.4 ± 1.33, laser: 4.8 ± 1.34; p = 0.088) and 7 days (scalpel: 1.8 ± 0.94, laser: 1.8 ± 1.10; p = 0.655). A statistically significant gain of coronal tooth structure was observed at 1, 3, and 6 months. Stability in the post-crown-lengthening level of the gingival margin was achieved one month following the procedure with no significant changes in the following months. All patients reflected acceptable results based on clinical evaluation and patient-reported outcomes. The diode laser can be used effectively as an alternative to the scalpel for the management of altered gingival contour. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE : This study demonstrated that a diode laser is an effective tool for the management of cases with altered passive eruption. In addition, it gives insight to practitioners regarding the timing of esthetic restorative procedures and emphasizes the preservation of the gingival complex dimensions.