Evaluation of recession defects treated with coronally advanced flaps and either recombinant human platelet-derived growth factor-BB plus ß-tricalcium phosphate or connective tissue: comparison of clinical parameters at 5 years.

BACKGROUND: In a previously reported split-mouth, randomized controlled trial, Miller Class II gingival recession defects were treated with either a connective tissue graft (CTG) (control) or recombinant human platelet-derived growth factor-BB + ß-tricalcium phosphate (test), both in combination with a coronally advanced flap (CAF). At 6 months, multiple outcome measures were examined. The purpose of the current study is to examine the major efficacy parameters at 5 years. METHODS: Twenty of the original 30 patients were available for follow-up 5 years after the original surgery. Outcomes examined were recession depth, probing depth, clinical attachment level (CAL), height of keratinized tissue (wKT), and percentage of root coverage. Within- and across-treatment group results at 6 months and 5 years were compared with original baseline values. RESULTS: At 5 years, all quantitative parameters for both treatment protocols showed statistically significant improvements over baseline. The primary outcome parameter, change in recession depth at 5 years, demonstrated statistically significant improvements in recession over baseline, although intergroup comparisons favored the control group at both 6 months and 5 years. At 5 years, intergroup comparisons also favored the test group for percentage root coverage and change in wKT, whereas no statistically significant intergroup differences were seen for 100% root coverage and changes to CAL. CONCLUSIONS: In the present 5-year investigation, treatment with either test or control treatments for Miller Class II recession defects appear to lead to stable, clinically effective results, although CTG + CAF resulted in greater reductions in recession, greater percentage of root coverage, and increased wKT.

Postextraction ridge preservation and augmentation with mineralized allograft with or without recombinant human platelet-derived growth factor BB (rhPDGF-BB): a consecutive case series.

In an attempt to reduce postextraction alveolar bone resorption, ridge preservation and augmentation procedures have become standard-of-care treatment following tooth removal. This consecutive case series compares histologic and histomorphometric bone regenerative findings at 4 months following grafting for ridge preservation and augmentation in intact sockets and sockets with buccal wall defects. Sites were treated with mineralized allograft alone (control) or in combination with 0.3 mg/mL recombinant human platelet-derived growth factor BB (rhPDGF-BB) (test). Sites were allowed to heal for 4 months and then re-entered for trephine core biopsy and implant placement. At the end of 4 months, the mean percent remaining mineralized allograft was statistically significantly less in the test group than in the control group. The difference in mean percent vital bone between the groups showed a strong trend toward greater bone formation for the test group (41.8%) compared to the control group (32.5%) at the end of 4 months. Addition of growth factor signaling molecules to current grafting procedures may lead to accelerated bone regeneration, making it possible to successfully place implants at earlier time points.

Treatment of a large postextraction buccal wall defect with mineralized allograft, ß-TCP, and rhPDGF-BB: a growth factor-mediated bone regenerative approach.

Buccal wall defects following tooth removal are frequent in the anterior portions of the mandible and maxilla. Common reasons for such defects include thin buccal bone, preexisting periodontal disease, bundle bone resorption, difficult orthodontic movement, and traumatic extractions. Regeneration of the postextraction defect with vital, well-vascularized, dense bone is critical to a successful implant-supported restoration. This case report examines the effectiveness of using a composite graft of freeze-dried bone allograft and ß-tricalcium phosphate plus recombinant human platelet-derived growth factor BB to regenerate healthy, dense bone in a large mandibular anterior buccal wall defect. The importance of access to the overlying periosteum as a readily available source of osteogenic cells in growth factor-mediated bone regenerative procedures is emphasized.

SPRIX (ketorolac tromethamine) nasal spray: a novel nonopioid alternative for managing moderate to moderately severe dental pain.

In summary, SPRIX is a nonopioid alternative for the management of moderate to moderately severe pain. SPRIX offers dentists, physicians, and patients a new non-opioid option to control acute moderate to moderately severe pain in situations in which use of an IM or IV access is not feasible or not wanted. SPRIX is a valuable treatment option for patients with nausea or vomiting, those unable to take oral medications, and those unable to tolerate the side effects of opioids. In ambulatory acute pain settings, use of SPRIX will allow patients who need to remain alert to receive effective pain control. Currently, there are no nonopioid alternatives for the treatment of moderate to moderately severe pain other than ketorolac. In patients with more severe pain states, the combination of opioids and SPRIX provides unique advantages in maximizing analgesia while minimizing the unwanted adverse effects of both classes of drugs (referred to as multimodal or "balanced analgesia").