The use of patient-related outcomes (PRO) and experience (PRE) in assessing the periodontal and implant patient.

The purpose of this review was to summarize the evidence with regard to behavioral and psychosocial assessment of the periodontitis patient, the candidate for implant therapy, and the peri-implantitis patient. Periodontitis has an adverse effect on quality of life and its treatment can lead to significant improvements experienced by the patient. The latter is true for rehabilitation with dental implants, although patients harbor diverse expectations and perceptions of implant therapy, which can often interfere with satisfaction and/or influence long-term success. A thorough behavioral assessment of the candidate for implant therapy is essential, which should include, perceptions, expectations, as well as risk for behavioral disorders. Remedial action is essential to correct misperceptions and any identified risks. Finally, patients have limited awareness of limited ability to identify signs of peri-implantitis. The diagnosis of peri-implantitis can be a cause of significant distress, resentment, and loss of trust to the treatment and the caregivers. Despite documented value in clinical research, currently available instruments assessing patient-reported outcomes have little application in day-to-day clinical practice. Face-to-face patient to doctor open-ended communication remains the most effective way to comprehensively establish the long-term "therapeutic alliance" essential for the long journey for the periodontitis patient.

Patient satisfaction following dental implant treatment: A survey.

PURPOSES: This aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the factors associated with patient satisfaction in patients with a dental implant-supported single crown or fixed prosthesis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and ninety-six patients with dental implants functioning more than 1 year were provided with a 13-question questionnaire to report their satisfaction regarding the functional aspects, aesthetic outcome, cleansing ability, general satisfaction, treatment cost, and overall satisfaction. Patient satisfaction was reported using a visual analogue scale (VAS). The association of these variables and each aspect of satisfaction were investigated by multivariate linear regression analysis. RESULTS: One hundred forty-four of 196 patients reported high overall satisfaction (VAS > 80%). All aspects of patient satisfaction levels were very high (mean VAS > 80%), except for satisfaction in cleansing ability and treatment cost (mean VAS < 75%). The patients with a history of implant failure had significantly lower satisfaction in the functional aspects, aesthetic outcome, and general satisfaction than patients without implant failure (p ≤ 0.001). The subjects who experienced mechanical complication were less satisfied with treatment cost (p = 0.002). Sinus augmentation negatively affected functional satisfaction compared with individuals without sinus augmentation (p = 0.041). The subjects with a higher income or a posterior implant had significantly higher overall satisfaction (p = 0.003 and p < 0.001, respectively). Moreover, restoration by specialists positively affected general satisfaction compared with being restored by post-graduate students (p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Patients restored with a dental implant-supported single crown or fixed prosthesis had very high patient satisfaction. Implant failure, mechanical complication, and sinus augmentation negatively affected patient satisfaction in multiple aspects. In contrast, the factors positively affecting patient satisfaction were a posterior implant, patient's monthly income, and restoration by specialists. These results have to be interpreted with care due to the cross-sectional study design.

Association between keratinized mucosa width and peri-implant diagnostic parameters in Asian maintenance compliers: A Cross-sectional study.

Aims: To investigate the association between the keratinized mucosa (KM) width and peri-implant diagnostic parameters in implant maintenance. Materials and methods: A total of 331 posterior implant-supported fixed prostheses in 165 patients were evaluated. Demographic data were collected from history taking and treatment records. Plaque index, bleeding index, probing depth, mucosal recession, and bone level in relation to buccal keratinized mucosa were examined. The Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney U, and multivariable models were used as the statistical tests. Results: The majority of subjects attended implant maintenance at least once a year and demonstrated optimal oral hygiene. keratinized mucosa width ranged from 0-7 mm. Considering the keratinized mucosa widths, a marked recession was determined at < 2 mm keratinized mucosa and less recession was determined at > 2 mm keratinized mucosa. The multivariate model indicated that < 2 mm keratinized mucosa was significantly associated with increased mucosal recession (B = 0.12; CI: 0.01, 0.23). Plaque accumulation, mucosal inflammation, and interproximal bone level were not related to keratinized mucosa width after adjusting for oral hygiene, smoking status, history of chronic periodontitis, and implant prosthesis type. Conclusions: The presence of more than 2 mm of KM width was associated with mucosal recession. However, other peri-implant diagnostic parameters were not associated with the width of keratinized mucosa.

Procedures Used in Managing SARS-CoV-2 Infected Dental Personnel or Patients: A Case Study From a Thai Dental Hospital.

SARS-CoV-2 can transmit undetected from asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic patients in dental clinics. Triaging dental patients using temperature and questionnaire screening cannot completely exclude asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals. Hence, asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals might visit dental hospitals/clinics seeking dental treatment without knowing that they are infected and might infect others, especially in a pandemic area. Ideally, a nasopharyngeal swab for real-time polymerase chain reaction or rapid antigen screening for dental personnel and patients prior to their appointment should be done. However, the implementation of this approach is impractical in some situations. Here, we describe the procedures for dental hospitals/clinics in case of an asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infected individual involved in dental service/treatment and later after testing positive for SARS-CoV-2. Potential closely contacted individuals were traced and classified according to their exposure risk. The recommended course of action is to identify individuals based on their risk and take the risk-appropriate action. We also discuss the implementation of these procedures in a dental setting during the COVID-19 pandemic in our school as a case study.

The lack of keratinized mucosa is associated with poor peri-implant tissue health: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this cross-sectional study is to determine the association between the absence of keratinized mucosa and peri-implant tissue health. METHODS AND MATERIALS: This cross-sectional study comprised 412 implants from 200 patients from faculty-based clinics. Demographic, medical, and clinical information were collected. The modified sulcus bleeding index, modified plaque index, mucosal recession, probing depth, bone level, the width of keratinized mucosa, and implant status were evaluated by three calibrated examiners. Each implant was categorized into either of two peri-implant mucosa groups: keratinized mucosa (KM) or non-keratinized mucosa (NKM). The chi-square test was performed to the association between the keratinized mucosa groups and peri-implant clinical parameters and peri-implant status. Multiple logistic regression models were analyzed to test potential associations between peri-implant clinical parameters and the presence or absence of keratinized mucosa. RESULTS: Thirty-two implants (7.8%) were categorized into the NKM group. The prevalence of peri-implantitis was 12.5% and 8.3% at the subject level and implant level, respectively. The NKM group was associated with more plaque accumulation, mucosal recession, interproximal bone level ≥ 3 mm, and peri-implantitis (p < 0.05). After controlling for confounding factors, the NKM group demonstrated higher plaque accumulation, mucosal recession, and interproximal bone level ≥ 3 mm with adjusted odds ratios of 2.98 (1.33-6.66), 3.20 (95% CI, 1.03-9.90), and 4.62 (1.70-12.58), respectively. CONCLUSION: Within the limitation of this study, the lack of keratinized mucosa around the dental implants was significantly associated with more plaque accumulation, mucosal recession, interproximal bone level ≥ 3 mm, and peri-implantitis.

The effect of factors related to periodontal status toward peri-implantitis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between periodontal status and peri-implant diseases in patients with osseointegrated dental implants of different implant systems. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study evaluated 200 consecutive implant patients using clinical and radiographic examinations during periodontal maintenance visits. The demographic data and treatment history were obtained from history taking and chart record review. The association between periodontal status and peri-implant diseases was analyzed using chi-square and logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Patients with a history of chronic periodontitis had a significantly higher prevalence of peri-implantitis compared with those without a history of periodontal disease (25% vs. 10.9%). The highest prevalence of peri-implantitis was observed in patients with a history of severe chronic periodontitis. Data analysis revealed that peri-implant health status was significantly associated with past periodontal status, maintenance status, and present periodontal status. However, multivariate analysis indicated that only a history of chronic periodontitis was significantly associated with peri-implantitis (adjusted OR = 2.55, 95% CI 1.14-5.70, p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with a history of chronic periodontitis, especially those with severe periodontal disease had a 2.5-fold increased risk of peri-implantitis.

Maternal periodontal disease and risk of preeclampsia: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: We examined whether pregnant women with periodontal disease have an increased risk of preeclampsia, and we empirically evaluated the extent to which associations between periodontal disease and preeclampsia are dependent upon diagnostic criteria used to define periodontal disease operationally. METHODS: One hundred and fifty preeclampsia cases and one-fifty normotensive controls who delivered a singleton infant at term were enrolled. Periodontal examinations were performed within 48 h after delivery. Participants' periodontal health status was classified, a priori, into four categories according to the extent and severity of periodontal disease. Putative risk factors for periodontal disease and preeclampsia were ascertained during in-person postpartum interviews using a structured questionnaire and by medical record abstraction. Logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). RESULTS: No clinically meaningful differences were observed between cases and controls with regard to periodontal parameters. After controlling for known confounders, severe clinical periodontal disease was not associated with an increased risk of preeclampsia (OR = 0.92, 95% CI: 0.26-3.28). In addition, there was no evidence of a linear increase in risk of preeclampsia with increasing severity of periodontal disease (P for trend = 0.65). When different diagnostic criteria previously used in other studies were used, the prevalence of periodontal disease varied substantially. However, the magnitude and direction of associations between periodontal disease and preeclampsia were largely similar regardless of the diagnostic criteria used to define periodontal disease. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides no convincing evidence that periodontal disease is associated with preeclampsia risk among Thai women.

Is maternal periodontal disease a risk factor for preterm delivery?

Several studies have suggested an association between maternal periodontal disease and preterm delivery, but this has not been a consistent finding. In 2006-2007, the authors examined the relation between maternal periodontal disease and preterm delivery among 467 pregnant Thai women who delivered a preterm singleton infant (<37 weeks' gestation) and 467 controls who delivered a singleton infant at term (> or =37 weeks' gestation). Periodontal examinations were performed within 48 hours after delivery. Participants' periodontal health status was classified into 4 categories according to the extent and severity of periodontal disease. Logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Preterm delivery cases and controls were similar with regard to mean probing depth, mean clinical attachment loss, and mean percentage of sites exhibiting bleeding on probing. After controlling for known confounders, the authors found that severe clinical periodontal disease was not associated with an increased risk of preterm delivery (odds ratio = 1.20, 95% confidence interval: 0.67, 2.16). In addition, there was no evidence of a linear increase in risk of preterm delivery or its subtypes associated with increasing severity of periodontal disease (P(trend) > 0.05). The results of this case-control study do not provide convincing evidence that periodontal disease is associated with preterm delivery or its subtypes among Thai women.