Relationship Between Sagittal Root Position and Alveolar Wall Thickness of Maxillary Teeth in the Esthetic Area for Immediate Implant Treatment Planning in a Peruvian Population.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this retrospective study was to assess facial and palatal alveolar wall thickness (AWT) in relation to sagittal root position (SRP) of maxillary anterior teeth using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). METHODOLOGY: 102 CBCT images (60 females, 42 males) of anterior maxillary teeth were reviewed. SRP was classified according to Kan's classification, and AWT was evaluated at coronal (4 mm from the cementoenamel junction), mid-root, and apical (2 mm from the apex) levels of the facial and palatal. Secondary variables of sex, age and tooth type were analyzed. RESULTS: The SRP distribution was 76.6% class I, 11.3% class II, 0.8% class III, and 11.3% class IV. AWT, from thickest to thinnest, was found in palatal apical>mid>coronal, followed by facial coronal>mid>apical. CONCLUSIONS: AWT was thickest in SRP class II, followed by class I and III, and least thick in class IV at all measured areas (P<.05). A significantly higher AWT was associated with class I in central incisors, class II in canine teeth and in males, and class IV in central incisors and canines.

Association Between Periodontal Disease and the Risk of COVID-19 Complications and Mortality: A Systematic Review.

AIM: The COVID-19 pandemic has strained the world's healthcare systems. Studies have identified how the COVID-19 infections are linked to several co-morbidities such as hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, renal and pulmonary disease. It is known that periodontal disease (PD) shares the same risk factors. Moreover, both diseases are characterized by an exaggerated immune response. The aim of the study was to investigate the available evidence of a potential association between PD and the risk of COVID-19 complications and mortality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MEDLINE/PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and ProQuest were searched. Studies that assess the association between PD and the risk of COVID-19 complications and mortality were eligible for inclusion. Two independent reviewers performed the selection of articles and data extraction. The New Castle Ottawa Scale was used to assess the quality of the selected studies, and the GRADE system was used to evaluate the level of confidence to support the conclusions. RESULTS: Only two studies met the eligibility criteria. One study had a low risk of bias, whereas the other had a high risk of bias. CONCLUSION: The level of confidence in the available evidence is very low. A close association between periodontitis and the risk of COVID-19 complications and mortality can neither be supported nor refuted.