[Long-term therapeutic results following the application of free mucogingival autografts]. / Rezultati primene slobodnih mukogingivnih auto-transplantata u duzem vremenskom periodu.

For the purpose of enlargement of the attached gingiva and depending of the oral vestibule, as well as of the elimination of coronally inserted frenula and mucosal folds, we used free mucogingival autografts. The study included 53 patients of both sexes and different ages, with some of the abnormalities regarding the attached gingiva and the surrounding tissues. We revealed that inherited or acquired abnormalities regarding the attached gingiva and the alveolar mucosa could be successfully corrected by free mucogingival autografts. This is particularly true in the elimination of abnormalities related to the narrowly attached gingiva, shallow vestibule and inadequately inserted frenula and mucosal folds. By graft application we were able to enlarge of the attached gingiva in our patients by 5.41 mm in average. At the same time vestibular depth in our patients was distinctly increased. This was also statistically confirmed (p less than 0.001).

[Elimination of isolated gingival atrophy by laterally positioned flap and free mucogingival autografts in combination with coronally positioned flap]. / Otklanjanje izolovane atrofije gingive pomocu lateralno pomerenog reznja i slobodnih mukogingivnih autotransplantata u kombinaciji sa koronarno pomerenim reznjem.

Mucogingival surgical procedures such as laterally (horizontally) positioned flap, double papillae positioned flap and free mucogingival autografts have been recommended for the prevention and treatment of isolated gingival atrophy. These procedures can bi performed either independently or in combination with coronally positioned flap. In our study, for covering of exposed tooth roots, we applied laterally positioned flap and free mucogingival autografts in combination with coronally positioned flap. The obtained therapeutic results showed that six months after the surgery the exposure of tooth necks in patients treated by laterally positioned flap, decreased by 2.54 mm. Somewhat better results were obtained in the group of patients treated by fre mucogingival autografts in combination with coronally positioned flap. Within the same time interval, the total surface area of exposed tooth roots decreased by 59.76% in the group of patients treated by laterally positioned flap, i.e. by 62.25% in the group of patients treated by free mucogingival autografts in combination with coronally positioned flap.

Evaluation of guided tissue regeneration in Class II furcation defects. A clinical re-entry study.

Twelve patients with two comparable furcation Class II lesions in lower molars were included in this study. After adequate presurgical preparation and pertinent clinical measurements, the areas were treated with full thickness flaps and thorough debridement and scaling and planing of the root surfaces. One of the defects was randomly selected to be covered with Gore-Tex periodontal material, held in place by sling sutures of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene. On both sites the flaps were positioned slightly coronal to their original level and sutured. After 6 months both sites were re-entered surgically and remeasured. The test sites showed a statistically significant reduction in pocket depth and gain in attachment levels while the controls had not changed from preoperative levels. No changes in bone levels were detected in test or control sites. However, because of the large variability in the measurements, and the short period of observation, there may be differences in bony changes between the two therapies. Studies with larger groups, more accurate methods, and longer time intervals are needed to better evaluate the effects of barrier membranes in periodontal healing.