Clinical utility of locally-delivered collagen-based biodegradable tetracycline fibers in periodontal therapy: an in vivo study.

AIM: The purpose of the present investigation was to evaluate and compare the efficacy of resorbable collagen-based tetracycline fibers (Periodontal Plus AB fibers) given as an adjunct to scaling and root planing, with the clinical effects of scaling and root planning delivered as a monotherapy, in the treatment of chronic periodontitis. METHODS: A split-mouth design was used to conduct this study. Forty patients with periodontal pockets ranging from ≥ 5 mm to ≤ 7 mm, with minimum of two sites in two non-adjacent quadrants, were selected for the study. The treatment sites in each patient were randomly divided into the control and experimental groups. All of the selected sites were treated with scaling and root planning, and then collagen-based resorbable tetracycline fibers were placed adjunctively in the experimental sites at the same visit. Baseline and follow-up measurements in both treatment groups included plaque index, sulcus bleeding index, probing pocket depth, and relative attachment level. RESULTS: Although significant clinical benefits were obtained in both treatment groups, the adjunctive antimicrobial use of tetracycline fibers demonstrated better results compared to the control group over the 3-month observational period. CONCLUSIONS: The delivery of antimicrobial agent tetracycline in a collagen matrix was found to improve the benefits of scaling and root planing by a larger magnitude in patients with moderate-to-deep pockets.

A comparative evaluation of propolis and 5.0% potassium nitrate as a dentine desensitizer: A clinical study.

AIM: The purpose of this clinical study was to evaluate the efficacy of saturated ethanolic solution of Propolis for the treatment of dentin hypersensitivity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten patients aged 20-40 years with 156 hypersensitive teeth were selected for a 3-month study. Each patient was subjected to treatment with saturated ethanolic solution of Propolis, 5% potassium nitrate and distilled water. The patients were recalled at seventh day, 2 weeks and 4 weeks for the application of the agent and re-evaluation. The final re-evaluation of the patients was done after 3 months from the first application. The responses of the patients to the test temperatures were converted to a ranking and data was statistically analyzed. A statistical analysis was done using ANOVA and Bonferroni test and Tukey HSD test for multicomparison. RESULTS: The results between the Propolis group and the potassium nitrate group showed no significant difference in the immediate post-treatment period; however, the results were significant at the end of first week and second week. At 4 weeks and 3 months period, a comparison between the groups again showed no significant difference. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that Propolis was more effective than 5% potassium nitrate in relieving dentinal hypersensitivity and had an immediate and sustained effect.

Papillon-Lefevre syndrome (PLS) without cathepsin C mutation: A rare early onset partially penetrant variant of PLS.

Papillon-Lefevre syndrome (PLS) is a very rare, autosomal recessive syndrome characterized by palmar-plantar hyperkeratosis and severe destructive periodontitis. Most patients present with PLS harbor mutations in the cathepsin C gene, but recent studies have identified individuals with classic PLS symptoms without such mutations. This suggests more genetic heterogeneity for PLS than previously thought. Here we present an individual's manifesting characteristic clinical features of PLS with no mutations in the coding sequence of cathepsin C. We suggest there must be alternative genetic causes for such forms of PLS.

Aesthetic replacement of an anterior tooth using the natural tooth as a pontic; an innovative technique.

This article presents a novel technique for replacing an anterior tooth. A new modification to the clinical technique of direct fabrication of a resin-bonded bridge was employed, in which the patient's natural tooth was used as a pontic. Treatment with this modification led to overall improved aesthetics and reduced treatment cost. The natural tooth pontic was stabilized in the extraction socket with a resin-wire splint as a provisional restoration to maintain the gingival architecture while the permanent bridge was being constructed.

Multicentric peripheral ossifying fibroma: A case report and review of the literature.

A peripheral cement-ossifying fibroma is a benign fibro-osseous lesion of a reactive rather than a neoplastic nature, whose pathogenesis is uncertain. It predominantly affects adolescents and young adults, with the peak prevalence between 10 and 19 years, especially affecting females (two to four times more). Such lesions are commonly found on the maxillary bone. We hereby present and discuss a unique case of multicentric Peripheral Ossifying Fibroma (POF) affecting both the maxillary and the mandibular gingiva in an 11-year-old boy, with a disease duration of two months. This case is probably one of the first few cases discovered, which demonstrates that there may be a multicentric variant of the Peripheral Ossifying Fibroma. The purpose of this article is to present a case of POF and to briefly review the current literature on this condition.

Spiral computed tomographic evaluation and endodontic management of a mandibular second molar with four roots. A case report and literature review.

The vast majority of mandibular second molars have two roots with three root canals; however, variations in molar root canal anatomy are not uncommon. To the best of our knowledge, four rooted mandibular second molar with three mesial roots and one distal root has never been reported. Herein, we present the endodontic management of a four rooted mandibular second molar tooth, diagnosed with the assistance of spiral computed tomography (SCT) with a brief review of literature.

The dissolving ability of different organic solvents on three different root canal sealers: in vitro study.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate three common gutta-percha solvents' effectiveness in dissolving three different types of root canal sealers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The solubility of three different root canal sealers (AH Plus, Apexit Plus and Endoflas FS) was assessed in xylene, refined orange oil, tetrachloroethylene and distilled water (control). One-hundred twenty samples of root canal sealers were prepared and then divided into three equal groups (n=40). Each group was further divided into four equal subgroups (n=10) for immersion in the respective solvents for a 10 minute immersion period. The mean amount of weight loss was determined for each material in each solvent during the specified immersion period, and the values were subjected to statistical analysis. RESULTS: Xylene exhibited the greatest dissolving efficacy for AH Plus, followed by refined orange oil and tetrachloroethylene. Xylene was also able to dissolve the greatest amount of Apexit Plus, followed by refined orange oil and tetrachloroethylene which were equally effective in dissolving Apexit Plus. For Endoflas FS, maximum dissolving efficacy was seen with tetrachloroethylene followed by refined orange oil and xylene. CONCLUSION: The results showed that xylene, refined orange oil and tetrachloroethylene can be used for the removal of AH Plus, Apexit plus and Endoflas FS sealers during endodontic retreatment. Further clinical investigations are needed to evaluate the efficacy of these solvents on different sealers.

Papillon-Lefèvre syndrome: Case report and review of the literature.

Papillon-Lefèvre syndrome is a very rare syndrome of autosomal recessive inheritance characterized by palmar-plantar hyperkeratosis and early onset of a severe destructive periodontitis leading to premature loss of both primary and permanent dentitions. Various etiopathogenic factors are associated with the syndrome; but a recent report has suggested that the condition is linked to mutations of the cathepsin C gene. Two cases of Papillon-Lefèvre syndrome in the same family, having all of the characteristic features are presented. An 11-year-old girl, and her elder sister, a 13-year-old girl complained of loose teeth and discomfort in chewing along with recurrently swollen and friable gums. Both patients also had premature shedding of their deciduous teeth. The family history revealed consanguineous marriage of the parents. Both patients presented with persistent thickening, flaking and scaling of the skin of palms and soles. Severe generalized periodontal destruction with mobility of teeth was evident on intraoral examination; orthopantomograph examination showed severe generalized loss of alveolar bone in both the patients.

Dissolving efficacy of different organic solvents on gutta-percha and resilon root canal obturating materials at different immersion time intervals.

UNLABELLED: BACKGROUND AIM: The purpose of this study was to compare and evaluate the dissolving capability of various endodontic solvents used during endodontic retreatment on resilon and gutta-percha at different immersion time intervals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 160 ISO no. 40 cones (0.06 taper), 80 each of resilon and gutta-percha were taken as samples for the study. Both resilon and gutta-percha were divided into eight experimental groups of 20 cones (four groups each of resilon and gutta-percha) for immersion in xylene, tetrachloroethylene, refined orange oil and distilled water. Each group was further divided into two equal subgroups (n=10) for 2- and 5-minute immersion time intervals at room temperature to investigate the potential of these solvents for clinical use in dissolving resilon and gutta-percha. Each sample was weighed initially before immersing in the solvent on a digital analytical scale. Distilled water served as a control. Samples were removed from the respective solvents after the specified immersion period and washed in 100 ml of distilled water and allowed to dry for 24 h at 37°C in a humidifier. The samples were then again weighed after immersion in the specific solvent on a digital analytical scale. The extent of gutta-percha or resilon removed from the specimen was calculated from the difference between the original weight of gutta-percha or resilon sample and its final weight. Means and standard deviations of percentage loss of weight were calculated at each time interval for each group of specimens. The values were compared by statistical parametric tests using SPSS 16.0 Software. The data was subjected to paired 't' test, independent 't' test, one-way ANOVA test and multiple comparisons with Scheffe's test. RESULTS: There was no significance in the amount of gutta-percha dissolved at 2- and 5-minute immersion time intervals in all groups (P>0.05) except the tetrachloroethylene group (P=0.00). There was a very high significance in the amount of resilon dissolved at 2- and 5-minute immersion time intervals in all groups (P=0.00) except the xylene and distilled water (Control) groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: The results showed that xylene, refined orange oil and tetrachloroethylene can be used for softening gutta-percha/resilon during retreatment with various techniques- xylene being the best solvent both for gutta-percha and resilon.

Spiral computed tomographic evaluation and endodontic management of a mandibular first molar with three distal canals.

The use of spiral computed tomography serves as a boon in endodontic diagnosis of complex anatomic variations. The present case demonstrates the spiral tomographic evaluation and endodontic management of a mandibular first molar with 5 canals (2 mesial and 3 distal canals), which is a very rare anatomic variant. Such anatomic variations should be taken into account in day to day endodontic practice to ensure a high degree of clinical success.