Aim
To answer the following PICOS questions: in patients with periodontitis, which is the efficacy of adjunctive systemic antimicrobials, in comparison with subgingival debridement plus a placebo, in ...terms of probing pocket depth (PPD) reduction, in randomized clinical trials with at least 6 months of follow‐up?
Material and Methods
A systematic search was conducted: 34 articles (28 studies) were included. Data on clinical outcome variables changes were pooled and analysed using weighted mean differences (WMDs), 95% confidence intervals (CI) and prediction intervals (PIs), in case of significant heterogeneity.
Results
For PPD, statistically significant benefits (p < .001) were observed in short‐term studies (WMD = 0.448, 95% CI 0.324; 0.573, PI −0.10 to 0.99) and long‐term studies (WMD = 0.485, 95% CI 0.322; 0.648, PI −0.11 to 1.08). Additionally, statistically significant benefits were also found for clinical attachment level, bleeding on probing, pocket closure and frequency of residual pockets. The best outcomes were observed for the combination of amoxicillin plus metronidazole, followed by metronidazole alone and azithromycin. Adverse events were more frequently reported in groups using systemic antimicrobials.
Conclusions
The adjunctive use of systemic antimicrobials in periodontal therapy results in statistically significant benefits in clinical outcomes, with more frequent adverse events in test groups using systemic antimicrobials.
Aim
To examine the adjunctive effect of a Lactobacillus reuteri probiotic (ATCC PTA 5289 & DSM 17938) on the re‐instrumentation of residual pockets.
Materials and Methods
This randomized, ...double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study included 39 previously non‐surgically treated periodontitis patients. A re‐instrumentation was carried out, and probiotic and/or placebo drops were applied according to the study protocoll. Patients afterwards received lozenges to use 2×/day for 12 weeks. Probing pocket depth (PPD), recession, bleeding on probing and plaque levels were analysed, next to the microbiological impact.
Results
No effects of the probiotic drops could be found. However, after 24 weeks, the overall PPD in the probiotic lozenges group (2.64 ± 0.33 mm) was significantly lower compared to the control lozenges (2.92 ± 0.42 mm). This difference was even more pronounced in moderate (4–6 mm) and deep (≥7 mm) pockets. In the probiotic lozenges group, there were also significantly more pockets converting from ≥4 mm at baseline to ≤3 mm at 24 weeks (67 ± 18% versus 54 ± 17%) and less sites in need for surgery (4 ± 4% versus 8 ± 6%). However, the probiotic products did not influence the microbiological counts of the periodontopathogens.
Conclusion
The adjunctive consumption of L. reuteri lozenges after re‐instrumentation improved the PPD reduction, without an impact on pocket colonization with periodontopathogens.
Various studies have described the biological properties of the Leucocyte- and Platelet Rich Fibrin (L-PRF) such as the antimicrobial effect against wound bacteria, but less is known about the effect ...against periodontal pathogens. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial properties of the L-PRF membrane and L-PRF exudate against the main periopathogens cultured on agar plates and in planktonic solution. This study demonstrated the antibacterial effect of the L-PRF membrane against P. intermedia, F. nucleatum, and A. actinomycetemcomitans, but especially against P. gingivalis. The L-PRF exudate also showed a strong inhibition against P. gingivalis on agar plates. No inhibition could be observed for the other bacterial strains. Moreover, L-PRF exudate decreased the number of viable P.gingivalis in a planktonic solution in a dose-dependent way. However, A. actinomycetemcomitans showed an increased growth in planktonic solution when in contact with the L-PRF exudate.
Aim
To analyse the regenerative potential of leucocyte‐ and platelet‐rich fibrin (L‐PRF) during periodontal surgery.
Materials and Methods
An electronic and hand search were conducted in three ...databases. Only randomized clinical trials were selected and no follow‐up limitation was applied. Pocket depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), bone fill, keratinized tissue width (KTW), recession reduction and root coverage (%) were considered as outcome. When possible, meta‐analysis was performed.
Results
Twenty‐four articles fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Three subgroups were created: intra‐bony defects (IBDs), furcation defects and periodontal plastic surgery. Meta‐analysis was performed in all the subgroups. Significant PD reduction (1.1 ± 0.5 mm, p < 0.001), CAL gain (1.2 ± 0.6 mm, p < 0.001) and bone fill (1.7 ± 0.7 mm, p < 0.001) were found when comparing L‐PRF to open flap debridement (OFD) in IBDs. For furcation defects, significant PD reduction (1.9 ± 1.5 mm, p = 0.01), CAL gain (1.3 ± 0.4 mm, p < 0.001) and bone fill (1.5 ± 0.3 mm, p < 0.001) were reported when comparing L‐PRF to OFD. When L‐PRF was compared to a connective tissue graft, similar outcomes were recorded for PD reduction (0.2 ± 0.3 mm, p > 0.05), CAL gain (0.2 ± 0.5 mm, p > 0.05), KTW (0.3 ± 0.4 mm, p > 0.05) and recession reduction (0.2 ± 0.3 mm, p > 0.05).
Conclusions
L‐PRF enhances periodontal wound healing.
Aim
The aim of this randomized placebo‐controlled clinical trial was to evaluate the effects of Lactobacillus reuteri‐containing probiotic lozenges as an adjunct to scaling and root planing (SRP).
...Material and Methods
Thirty chronic periodontitis patients were recruited and monitored clinically and microbiologically at baseline, 3, 6, 9 and 12 weeks after therapy. All patients received one‐stage full‐mouth disinfection and randomly assigned over a test (SRP + probiotic, n = 15) or control (SRP + placebo, n = 15) group. The lozenges were used two times a day for 12 weeks.
Results
At week 12, all clinical parameters were significantly reduced in both groups, while there was significantly more pocket depth reduction (p < 0.05) and attachment gain (p < 0.05) in moderate and deep pockets; more Porphyromonas gingivalis reduction was observed in the SRP + probiotic group.
Conclusions
The results indicate that oral administration of L. reuteri lozenges could be a useful adjunct to SRP in chronic periodontitis.
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Background: From an ecological viewpoint, the oral cavity, in fact the oro‐pharynx, is an ‘open growth system’. It undergoes an uninterrupted introduction and removal of both microorganisms and ...nutrients. In order to survive within the oro‐pharyngeal area, bacteria need to adhere either to the soft or hard tissues in order to resist shear forces. The fast turn‐over of the oral lining epithelia (shedding 3 ×/day) is an efficient defence mechanism as it prevents the accumulation of large masses of microorganisms. Teeth, dentures, or endosseous implants, however, providing non‐shedding surfaces, allow the formation of thick biofilms. In general, the established biofilm maintains an equilibrium with the host. An uncontrolled accumulation and/or metabolism of bacteria on the hard surfaces forms, however, the primary cause of dental caries, gingivitis, periodontitis, peri‐implantitis, and stomatitis.
Objectives: This systematic review aimed to evaluate critically the impact of surface characteristics (free energy, roughness, chemistry) on the de novo biofilm formation, especially in the supragingival and to a lesser extent in the subgingival areas.
Methods: An electronic Medline search (from 1966 until July 2005) was conducted applying the following search items: ‘biofilm formation and dental/oral implants/surface characteristics’, ‘surface characteristics and implants’, ‘biofilm formation and oral’, ‘plaque/biofilm and roughness’, ‘plaque/biofilm and surface free energy’, and ‘plaque formation and implants’. Only clinical studies within the oro‐pharyngeal area were included.
Results: From a series of split‐mouth studies, it could be concluded that both an increase in surface roughness above the Ra threshold of 0.2 μm and/or of the surface‐free energy facilitates biofilm formation on restorative materials. When both surface characteristics interact with each other, surface roughness was found to be predominant. The biofilm formation is also influenced by the type (chemical composition) of biomaterial or the type of coating. Direct comparisons in biofilm formation on different transmucosal implant surfaces are scars.
Conclusions: Extrapolation of data from studies on different restorative materials seems to indicate that transmucosal implant surfaces with a higher surface roughness/surface free energy facilitate biofilm formation.
Despite etiological differences between aggressive and chronic periodontitis, the treatment concept for aggressive periodontitis is largely similar to that for chronic periodontitis. The goal of ...treatment is to create a clinical condition that is conducive to retaining as many teeth as possible for as long as possible. When a diagnosis has been made and risk factors have been identified, active treatment is commenced. The initial phase of active treatment consists of mechanical debridement, either alone or supplemented with antimicrobial drugs. Scaling and root planing has been shown to be effective in improving clinical indices, but does not always guarantee long‐term stability. Antimicrobials can play a significant role in controlling aggressive periodontitis. Few studies have been published on this subject for localized aggressive periodontitis, but generalized aggressive periodontitis has been subject to more scrutiny. Studies have demonstrated that systemic antibiotics as an adjuvant to scaling and root planing are more effective in controlling disease compared with scaling and root planing alone or with supplemental application of local antibiotics or antiseptics. It has also become apparent that antibiotics ought to be administered with, or just after, mechanical debridement. Several studies have shown that regimens of amoxicillin combined with metronidazole or regimens of clindamycin are the most effective and are preferable to regimens containing doxycycline. Azithromycin has been shown to be a valid alternative to the regimen of amoxicillin plus metronidazole. A limited number of studies have been published on surgical treatment in patients with aggressive periodontitis, but the studies available show that the effect can be comparable with the effect on patients with chronic periodontitis, provided that proper oral hygiene is maintained, a strict maintenance program is followed and modifiable risk factors are controlled. Both access surgery and regenerative techniques have shown good results in patients with aggressive periodontitis. Once good periodontal health has been obtained, patients must be enrolled in a strict maintenance program that is directed toward controlling risk factors for disease recurrence and tooth loss. The most significant risk factors are noncompliance with regular maintenance care, smoking, high gingival bleeding index and poor plaque control. There is no evidence to suggest that daily use of antiseptic agents should be part of the supportive periodontal therapy for aggressive periodontitis.
There is evidence that pathogenic bacteria can adapt to antiseptics upon repeated exposure. More alarming is the concomitant increase in antibiotic resistance that has been described for some ...pathogens. Unfortunately, effects of adaptation and cross-adaptation are hardly known for oral pathogens, which are very frequently exposed to antiseptics. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the in vitro increase in minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) in oral pathogens after repeated exposure to chlorhexidine or cetylpyridinium chloride, to examine if (cross-)adaptation to antiseptics/antibiotics occurs, if (cross-)adaptation is reversible and what the potential underlying mechanisms are. When the pathogens were exposed to antiseptics, their MICs significantly increased. This increase was in general at least partially conserved after regrowth without antiseptics. Some of the adapted species also showed cross-adaptation, as shown by increased MICs of antibiotics and the other antiseptic. In most antiseptic-adapted bacteria, cell-surface hydrophobicity was increased and mass-spectrometry analysis revealed changes in expression of proteins involved in a wide range of functional domains. These in vitro data shows the adaptation and cross-adaptation of oral pathogens to antiseptics and antibiotics. This was related to changes in cell surface hydrophobicity and in expression of proteins involved in membrane transport, virulence, oxidative stress protection and metabolism.
The buccal bone plate is a component of the alveolar process tightly related to the tooth it supports. A plethora of physiological and pathological events can induce its remodeling. Understanding ...this remodeling process and its extent is of major importance for the practitioner as it can affect the functional and esthetic outcome of implant surgery at the involved sites. Bone remodeling and resorption of the buccal bone plate are inevitable after tooth loss or extraction. To limit resorption, several ridge‐preservation techniques of varying efficacy have been described. Bone resorption is equally found to occur upon implant placement and is thought to be a result of the surgical trauma inflicted as well as an adaptation process of the tissues to the new foreign body. Because of the implications of bone resorption on the soft‐tissue levels and the general esthetic outcome, it is of primary importance for the practitioner to be able to evaluate the hard tissues and the inherent resorption risks in an effort to optimize the treatment strategies. Based on limited short‐term data, the present general opinion advises the need for a 2‐mm‐thick buccal bone plate in order to avoid vertical bone resorption.