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BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: This randomized clinical trial was aimed at comparing two different means of delivering chlorhexidine digluconate (CHX) for plaque control during the 2 weeks following implant surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty patients selected for implant therapy were randomly divided into two groups: 10 subjects used 15 ml of 0.12% CHX mouthrinse (control group) and 10 used 0.2% CHX spray (test group). Professional oral hygiene was carried out immediately before surgery. During the 14 days following surgery mechanical oral hygiene was performed only at the teeth not surgically involved. Plaque index (PI), stain index (SI), modified gingival index and taste alteration were assessed on the 7th and 14th day after surgery. The clinical parameters were evaluated at four tooth surfaces by a single examiner. Teeth proximal to surgical site and teeth not involved were statistically compared. RESULTS: In both groups, the PI increased similarly, with respect to the baseline, at days 7 and 14. There was no significant difference between the two groups at either time point. On the contrary, in the control group, the SI increased significantly when compared with baseline over the 14 days both at teeth nearest to surgical sites and at not-involved sites. In the test group pigmentation was consistent only at teeth proximal to the surgical site. When considering not-involved sites, tooth staining was significantly lower in the test with respect to the control group. CONCLUSIONS: The present study indicates that the efficacy of CHX spray in the post-surgical control of dental plaque is similar to that of CHX mouthwash. Tooth staining, however, is significantly lower in the spray group at sites not surgically involved. These effects might be related to the route of CHX delivery, as well as the total dose administered that was significantly lower in the spray group with respect to the rinse group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Taschieri S, Del Fabbro M, Francetti L, Testori T. Effect of root-end resection and root-end filling on apical leakage in the presence of core-carrier root canal obturation. International Endodontic Journal, 37, 477–482, 2004. To evaluate the apical seal of canals filled with a core-carrier obturator following root-end resection with and without a root-end filling. Thirty single-rooted human teeth with single canals were used. Root canal treatment was performed and canals filled with a core-carrier obturation technique. The teeth were then randomly assigned to three groups ( n = 10). In the first group root canal filling only was performed. After orthograde filling, the teeth of the second group were resected apically, perpendicular to the major axis of the root. In the third group after apical resection, a root-end cavity was prepared using ultrasonic diamond retrotips and the cavities filled with Super-EBA cement. During a period of 3 h and with a headspace pressure of 0.12 atm, methylene-blue solution was forced through a tube that was connected to the apical end of each tooth specimen. The coronal end of the tooth was connected to a capillary tube containing an air bubble. Leakage was evaluated by observing the distal displacement of the air bubble. The roots were then sectioned along their long axis. Using a stereomicroscope, linear dye infiltration at the dentine–cement interface was determined. Kruskal–Wallis and Mann–Whitney tests were used to compare the three groups. Linear dye infiltration was significantly greater in root canals filled with the core-carrier obturators and resected apically (0.9 ± 0.9 mm) when compared with those that had root-end fillings (0.2 ± 0.4 mm). Air bubble displacement was not observed. Root-end filling improves the sealing of roots with core-carrier obturation following root-end resection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: A growing flow of recent evidence indicates enamel matrix derivative (EMD, Emdogain) as a useful tool for the regeneration of periodontal tissues. This prospective clinical study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of EMD combined with surgical treatment of periodontal intra-bony defects, as compared with surgery alone, up to 24 months of follow-up. METHODS: Twenty-four intra-bony defects were treated in 24 patients in a single clinical centre. Each defect had intra-bony depth (IBD) > or = 4 mm and probing pocket depth (PPD) > or = 6 mm. Patients were randomly assigned to either test or control group. Plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), PPD and periodontal attachment level (PAL) were assessed at baseline pre-surgical examination at the site to be treated. Full mouth plaque score (FMPS) and full mouth bleeding score (FMBS) were also evaluated. Twelve patients were treated by simplified papilla preservation flap technique (control group), while 12 patients were treated with the same surgical technique plus EMD after ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid root conditioning (test group). Any probing at the involved sites was avoided in the first year post-surgery. Radiographs were taken at baseline, 12 and 24 months after surgery using customized bite blocks. Intra-bony defect depth (IBD) and angle (IBA) were measured from X-rays by a computer-aided technique. At 12 and 24 months post-surgery, FMPS, FMBS, PI, GI, PPD, PAL and radiographic IBD and IBA were assessed. The difference between each follow-up and baseline, and between groups at each follow-up was evaluated for the above parameters by standard statistical methods. RESULTS: In both groups, clinical and radiographic parameters were improved at either 12 or 24 months when compared with baseline. The test group displayed better outcomes when compared with the control group for IBD, PPD, and PAL gain at 12 months, and only for PAL and IBD gain at 24 months. No adverse event related to the use of EMD was reported. CONCLUSIONS: The surgical procedure used in the present study, aiming for maximum preservation of the regenerative potential of periodontal tissues, showed per se excellent results. The use of EMD as an adjunct to periodontal surgery in the treatment of angular defects possibly enhances periodontal regeneration rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]