Comparative SEM study on the effect of acid etching with tetracycline HCl or citric acid on instrumented periodontally-involved human root surfaces.

This study compared the surface characteristics of periodontally diseased single-rooted human teeth extracted after treatment with either tetracycline HCl or citric acid solutions. The study group was comprised of 30 teeth from 22 patients with advanced periodontal disease extracted before the start of periodontal therapy. Diseased surfaces were identified, outlined, and root planed by hand curet or finishing bur. The teeth were sectioned and solutions of tetracycline HCl or citric acid (pH 1) were applied to the surfaces with cotton pellets for 5 minutes. Extracted teeth were processed and root surface samples then examined by scanning electron microscope. The surfaces of both acid-treated sets of specimens differed considerably from specimens treated with root planing alone, regardless of root planing method. Acid-treated specimens exhibited dentinal tubules exposed by the removal of the smear layer, surfaces devoid of the debris normally present in root planed-only specimens, and the dense network of collagen fibers that make up the dentin structure. Although differences were seen in surface depressions and fiber-like structures among some specimens, the tetracycline HCl and citric acid solutions produced comparable morphologic characteristics.

A comparison of polylactic acid granules and decalcified freeze-dried bone allograft in human periodontal osseous defects.

The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of polylactic acid (PLA) granules as an alloplastic grafting material to that of decalcified freeze-dried bone allograft (DFDBA) and a flap procedure for debridement without graft (FPD) when treating periodontal intrabony defects. Ten patients presenting with advanced adult periodontitis, including at least 3 similar periodontal osseous defects (2- and 3-walled), comprised the study group. After completion of a hygienic phase of treatment, measurements were made with calibrated periodontal probes and stents to determine soft tissue recession, probing pocket depths, and probing attachment levels. Each defect was surgically exposed and hard tissue measurements were obtained. Defects were treated with one of the 3 methods above chosen randomly prior to the surgical appointment. Six months postsurgery, soft tissue measurements were repeated and all sites were surgically reentered to obtain hard tissue measurements. All surgical sites healed without clinical complication. The initial pocket depths and initial depth of osseous defects were compared between the groups using ANOVA and no significant differences were found. A mean osseous defect fill of 0.4 mm (11.2%) occurred with the flap procedure for debridement, 3.0 mm (65%) with DFDBA, and 0.1 mm (2.2%) with PLA. Mean crestal bone loss was 1.30 mm for FPD, 0.60 mm for DFDBA, and 1.55 mm for PLA. No statistically significant differences were found in soft tissue recession between groups or in the osseous defect measurement between PLA and FPD. A statistically significant improvement (P < 0.001) was found in the fill of the osseous defects when using DFDBA compared to the initial defect depth and to the other 2 groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)