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Abstract This joint report from the Italian Society of Orthopaedics and Traumatology (SIOT) and the Italian Society of Periodontology and Implantology (SIdP) aims for a consensus around the scientific rationale and clinical strategy for the management of osteoporotic patients affected by periodontitis who are undergoing anti-resorptive (AR) therapy to manage the risk of the occurrence of a medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaws (MRONJ). Osteoporosis and periodontitis are chronic diseases with a high prevalence in aging patients, and they share some of the same pathogenetic mechanisms based upon inflammation. Available evidence shows the relationship among osteoporosis, AR agents, periodontitis and implant therapy in relation to the incidence of MRONJ. Uncontrolled periodontitis may lead to tooth loss and to the need to replace teeth with dental implants. Tooth extraction and surgical dental procedures are recognized as the main risk factors for developing MRONJ in individuals taking AR therapy for osteometabolic conditions. Although the incidence of MRONJ in osteometabolic patients taking AR therapy may be as low as 0.9%, the increasing prevalence of osteoporosis and the high prevalence of periodontitis suggest that this potential complication should not be overlooked. Good clinical practice (GCP) guidelines are proposed that aim at a more integrated approach (prescriber, dentist, periodontist and dental hygienist) in the management of periodontitis patients undergoing AR therapy for osteometabolic disorders to reduce the risk of MRONJ. Dental professional and prescribers should educate patients regarding the potential risk associated with the long-term use of AR therapy and oral health behavior.

Objectives: Anti-resorptive agents have been linked to the development of MRONJ in patients undergoing dental surgical procedures. This survey aims to explore the level of knowledge and experience of Italian Society of Periodontology and Implantology members in the management of patients treated with anti-resorptive agents and with the risk of developing MRONJ., Materials and Methods: An 18-item questionnaire was submitted by e-mail to the SIdP members. Statistical analyses were carried out. Continuous variables were described as mean ± standard deviation (SD) or median, and first and third quartile according to distribution's normality. Normality of data was checked with Shapiro-Wilk test., Results: Four hundred and fifty-one questionnaires were returned by e-mail (32%). Most of the respondents were private practitioners (81.8%). Only 47.7% declared to be highly confident in managing patients on anti-resorptive therapy while 92.5% reported to have performed tooth extractions and 52.3% implant surgery in patients under anti-resorptive therapy for osteometabolic disorders. One or more MRONJ-affected patients were encountered by 63.2% of the respondents., Conclusions: This survey highlights the need to develop a "dedicated" program both for dentists and prescribers to improve the level of cooperation and to increase the level of awareness of patients treated with anti-resorptive agents., (© 2024 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Objective: To evaluate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic among a sample of Italian dentists in terms of infection, strategies for infection control, organization of the dental clinic, attitude, and behavior., Material and Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey. The sample consisted of 8000 Italian dentists selected among 63,375 using a computerized random sampling method. An electronic informed consent had to be signed. The questionnaire categories were on demographic, infection risk management, organization, and dentists' attitude and behavior. Geographic macro-areas were used for subgroup analysis., Results: Among 8000 invited dentists, 2443 agreed to participate to the survey (30.6%). Mean age was 51.2 years, women were 34.5%. A total of 6.1% self-reported COVID-19 experience and higher rate of infection was reported in north Italy compared to the south (p < 0.05). FFP2/FFP3 respirators (97.1%) and visors (97.4%) were used by almost all dentists. While, natural ventilation and mouthwashes were the most frequent approaches used to reduce the infection risk. Most of the dentists reported positive attitude, nevertheless 83.6% felt an increased responsibility., Conclusion: The self-reported COVID-19 prevalence was 6.1% with some differences among geographic areas. COVID 19 had a deep impact on preventive strategies, dental office organization, and behavior within this sample., (© 2023 The Authors. Oral Diseases published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Aim: To evaluate the changes in periodontal parameters (reduction in probing pocket depth [PPD], gain in clinical attachment level [CAL] and reduction in full-mouth bleeding on probing [BoP]) after subgingival instrumentation of periodontal pockets at different time points in systemically healthy patients suffering from periodontitis., Materials and Methods: Four databases were searched for RCTs that carried out subgingival instrumentation in periodontal pockets and evaluated PPD at a minimum of two consecutive time points other than baseline. The analysis was conducted for both all pocket depths and stratified for initially shallow (4-5 mm) and deep (≥6 mm) pockets and data were extracted for various time points, 1-2, 3-4 and 5-6 months. Weighted mean effects (WMEs) were calculated with 95% confidence interval (CI) and predictive intervals were calculated., Results: Twenty-nine RCTs were identified, and all of them were included in the meta-analysis. The results showed that for both shallow and deep pockets there was a small though clinically meaningful change between 1- to 2-month and 3- to 4-month time points and between these and 5-6 months., Conclusions: In systemically healthy patients, the greater part of reduction in PPD and gain in CAL occurs within the first 1-2 months after subgingival instrumentation. However, additional benefits in terms of pocket depth reduction occur beyond these early time points., (© 2024 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of perceived stress and poor sleep quality with periodontitis in a university-based cohort of individuals., Methods: A total of 235 individuals were included in this cross-sectional study. Perceived stress and sleep quality were evaluated through validated questionnaires, while periodontitis was identified with a full-mouth periodontal examination protocol using both European Federation of Periodontology/American Academy of Periodontology (EFP/AAP) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)/AAP case definitions. Simple and multiple linear and ordinal logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate the association between perceived stress and sleep quality with periodontitis prevalence and severity., Results: Stage III/IV periodontitis resulted associated with both moderate/high perceived stress (odds ratio [OR] = 5.4; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.2-13.5; p < 0.001) and poor sleep quality (OR = 3.0; 95% CI: 1.2-7.4; p < 0.05). The interaction between moderate/high perceived stress and poor sleep quality presented a multiplicative association with stage III/IV periodontitis (EFP/AAP; OR = 5.8; 95% CI: 1.6-21.3; p < 0.001). Multiple linear regression analyses indicated a similar trend of association also with linear periodontal parameters, that is, mean clinical attachment level (CAL) and mean probing pocket depth (PPD)., Conclusions: The findings from the present study suggest that stress and poor sleep quality may exert a multiplicative effect on periodontitis prevalence and severity., (© 2023 The Authors. Journal of Periodontology published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Academy of Periodontology.)

Objectives: To assess the impact of COVID-19 in patients affected by OLP, in terms of level of pain, stress, depression and anxiety and their impact on the clinical manifestation of the disease., Material and Methods: A longitudinal design was employed. Psychometric evaluations of anxiety, stress, and depression were conducted using the DASS21 scale, while pain levels were measured using the VAS scale. Clinical diagnosis and phenotype evaluation were performed., Results: The study included 24 patients with an average age of 62.9 years, with 70.8% presenting erosive OLP. Results revealed a significant worsening of anxiety, stress, and depression scores during the pandemic. Pain level (1.5 ± 1.2 pre-pandemic VS 3.8 ± 1.1 during the pandemic, p < 0.0001) was also negatively affected., Conclusions: These findings highlight the potential interplay between psychological stress and oral health conditions, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive understanding of OLP's complex etiology and its response to external stressors., Clinical Relevance: Multidisciplinary care strategies to address both physical and psychological aspects of OLP patients is recommended following the present findings. Further research is warranted to confirm these observations in larger multicenter studies and to guide tailored guidance approaches for OLP patients during challenging times., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Aim: To assess the efficacy of Er:YAG laser (ERL) and erythritol powder air-polishing (AP) in addition to the submarginal instrumentation in the non-surgical treatment of peri-implant mucositis (PM)., Materials and Methods: Patients with at least one implant diagnosed with PM were included in the present 6-month randomized clinical trial (RCT). Implants were randomly assigned to one of the three treatment groups after submarginal instrumentation: AP (test 1 group), ERL (test 2 group) or no adjunctive methods (control group). The primary and secondary outcomes were, respectively, bleeding on probing (BoP) reduction and, complete disease resolution (total absence of BoP) and probing pocket depth (PPD) changes. The patient and the implant were considered the statistical unit. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed., Results: A total of 75 patients were enrolled in the study. At each time point, significant BoP and PPD reductions were observed within each group. Intergroup analysis did not show statistically significant differences. Complete disease resolution ranged between 29% and 31%. The logistic regression showed that supramucosal restoration margin, PPD < 4 mm and vestibular keratinized mucosa (KM) significantly influenced the probability to obtain treatment success., Conclusion: The adjunctive use of AP and ERL in PM non-surgical therapy does not seem to provide any significant or clinically relevant benefit in terms of BoP and PPD reductions and complete disease resolution, over the use of submarginal instrumentation alone. Baseline PPD < 4 mm, presence of buccal KM and supramucosal restoration margin may play a role in the complete resolution of PM., (© 2023 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

The aim of this study was to compare the clinical results of combining a pedicle connective palatal flap coupled with the trapezoid buccal flap against the buccal flap alone in the closure of the oroantral fistula. Individuals with oroantral communication were consecutively included and eventually randomly allocated into 2 groups. In the group test, oroantral fistula was treated with the association of a buccal flap with a pedicle palatal connective tissue flap; in group control, a classic buccal sliding flap was performed. Patients' outcomes were recorded at 48 hours, 1 week, 2 weeks, and 1 month after surgery for assessment of primary (success rate) and secondary endpoints, such as experienced pain, discomfort, and complications. The success rate was 96.6% for the test group and 86.6% for the control group. No significant difference between the 2 groups could be observed regarding discomfort and pain. More pronounced pain was detected in the test group during the early healing period. This surgical procedure was demonstrated to be successful, with a high success rate and low patient discomfort., (Copyright © 2023 by Mutaz B. Habal, MD.)

Aim: To evaluate the association between lifestyle behaviours and clinical periodontal outcomes following Steps 1/2 of periodontal therapy., Methods: A total of 120 subjects with untreated Stage II/III periodontitis participated in this study. At baseline, questionnaires were administered to assess the following lifestyle behaviours: adherence to Mediterranean diet (MD), physical activity (PA) and stress levels, sleep quality, smoking and alcohol use. Participants received Steps 1/2 of periodontal therapy and were re-evaluated after 3 months. A composite outcome of the endpoint of therapy (i.e., no sites with probing pocket depth [PPD] ≥4 mm with bleeding on probing, and no sites with PPD ≥ 6 mm) was regarded as the primary outcome. Simple and multiple regression analyses were used to evaluate the association between lifestyle behaviours and clinical periodontal outcomes. Disease severity at baseline, body mass index, diabetes, household disposable income and plaque control were considered as confounders., Results: Multiple regression analyses showed significantly lower odds of achieving the endpoint of therapy in subjects with poor sleep quality (odds ratio [OR] = 0.13; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.03-0.47; p < .01), smoking (OR = 0.18; 95% CI: 0.06-0.52; p < .05) and alcohol use above the suggested intake (OR = 0.21; 95% CI: 0.07-0.63; p < .01). Subjects with a combination of 'unhealthy lifestyles' (low adherence to MD and low PA levels and high levels of stress and poor sleep quality) showed higher proportions of residual PPD≥6 mm (MD = 1.51; 95% CI: 0.23-2.80; p < .05) and lower odds of achieving the endpoint of therapy (OR = 0.85; 95% CI: 0.33-0.99; p < .05) at re-evaluation., Conclusions: Subjects with unhealthy lifestyle behaviours showed worse clinical outcomes 3 months after Steps 1/2 of periodontal therapy., (© 2023 The Authors. Journal of Clinical Periodontology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

This joint report from the Italian Society of Orthopaedics and Traumatology (SIOT) and the Italian Society of Periodontology and Implantology (SIdP) aims for a consensus around the scientific rationale and clinical strategy for the management of osteoporotic patients affected by periodontitis who are undergoing anti-resorptive (AR) therapy to manage the risk of the occurrence of a medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaws (MRONJ). Osteoporosis and periodontitis are chronic diseases with a high prevalence in aging patients, and they share some of the same pathogenetic mechanisms based upon inflammation. Available evidence shows the relationship among osteoporosis, AR agents, periodontitis and implant therapy in relation to the incidence of MRONJ. Uncontrolled periodontitis may lead to tooth loss and to the need to replace teeth with dental implants. Tooth extraction and surgical dental procedures are recognized as the main risk factors for developing MRONJ in individuals taking AR therapy for osteometabolic conditions. Although the incidence of MRONJ in osteometabolic patients taking AR therapy may be as low as 0.9%, the increasing prevalence of osteoporosis and the high prevalence of periodontitis suggest that this potential complication should not be overlooked. Good clinical practice (GCP) guidelines are proposed that aim at a more integrated approach (prescriber, dentist, periodontist and dental hygienist) in the management of periodontitis patients undergoing AR therapy for osteometabolic disorders to reduce the risk of MRONJ. Dental professional and prescribers should educate patients regarding the potential risk associated with the long-term use of AR therapy and oral health behavior., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Aim: The aim of the present umbrella review was to systematically assess existing evidence on the effect of non-surgical periodontal therapy, both per se' and with adjuvants, on glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes and periodontitis and to combine quantitative data with a meta-analysis., Materials and Methods: A detailed study protocol was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42021222279). Four electronic databases (Medline via Pubmed, EMBASE, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and Scielo) were searched independently and in duplicate to identify potentially eligible systematic reviews up to March 2022. Two pre-calibrated independent reviewers performed study selection, data extraction and quality assessment with two checklists (AMSTAR 2 and PRISMA). Moreover, general characteristics of primary studies included in each systematic review were abstracted, and JADAD scale was used to assess the risk of bias for included randomized controlled trials. Data from the individual studies included in each meta-analysis were analyzed, using both fixed and random effect model. The statistical heterogeneity was calculated using the Q test and the I 2 index. The publication bias was evaluated using a funnel plot and Egger's linear regression method., Results: Sixteen systematic reviews, published between 2010 and 2021, were included for qualitative synthesis. From these systematic reviews, a total of 27 studies were included in the meta-analysis: all of them were randomized clinical trials, except 1 controlled clinical study. A statistically significant mean difference of - 0.49% and of - 0.38% HbA1c reductions was seen respectively at 3- and 6-month post-treatment, favoring the treatment group (non-surgical periodontal therapy alone) compared to the control group (no treatment). The effect of periodontal treatment with the adjunctive use of antibiotics or laser on the glycemic control was not statistically significant compared to non-surgical periodontal therapy alone., Conclusions: The findings of the present study, within its limitations, indicated that non-surgical treatment of periodontitis is an efficacious therapy for improving the glycemic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients, both at 3- and 6-month follow-up., (© 2022. Springer-Verlag Italia S.r.l., part of Springer Nature.)

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between adherence to Mediterranean diet (MD) and physical activity (PA) level with the periodontal status of a University-based cohort of individuals., Methods: A total of 235 individuals were included in the study. MD adherence and PA level were registered through validated questionnaires, together with a full periodontal examination. Crude and adjusted odds ratios (ORs) [95% confidence interval] were calculated to evaluate the association between MD adherence, PA level, and periodontitis severity. A final logistic multivariate regression model was built to evaluate the impact of the combination between low MD adherence and low PA level on the prevalence of Stage III/IV periodontitis., Results: The adjusted ORs for Stage III/IV periodontitis were 1.65 [0.84 to 3.28; P = 0.42] for low PA and 5.63 [3.21 to 9.84; P = 0.00] for low MD adherence. The final logistic multivariate regression model resulted in OR = 10.23 [4.01, 26.09; P = 0.00] of having Stage III/IV periodontitis in individuals with low MD adherence and low PA., Conclusions: Individuals conducting a lifestyle characterized by the combination of low MD adherence and lack of regular exercise had 10 times the odds to have severe forms of periodontitis., (© 2022 The Authors. Journal of Periodontology published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Academy of Periodontology.)

Abstract: This study aims to verify that the craniofacial plastic surgery robot with piezosurgery is more accurate and safer than traditional operations in genioplasty. This study chose data from the Digital Plastic Surgery of Plastic Surgery Hospital in the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College. The CT data of the patient's skull were reconstructed in the software, and the authors designed the measurement index. The surgical plan was designed as an ideal scheme (control group). Patients underwent traditional surgery according to the preoperative surgery plan (clinical group). Guided by surgical navigation, the osteotomy was operated on patients' same size plaster model using the surgery robot equipped with a piezosurgery (robot group). At last, the accuracy was calculated by CT data. There was no significant difference between the robotic group and control groups in the postoperative measurement index (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the robotic group and the control group ( P > 0.05) in the line of osteotomy, but there was a significant difference between the clinical group and the control group in the line of the osteotomy., Competing Interests: The authors report no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2022 by Mutaz B. Habal, MD.)

Background: The aim of this study is to clinically and molecularly evaluate the effect of an interproximal iuxta/subgingival direct composite restoration on periodontal tissue healing., Methods: Individuals in need of a posterior iuxta/subgingival interproximal restoration were consecutively enrolled. After enrollment, a test (site with tooth decay) and a control site (intact contralateral tooth) were identified. After a periodontal examination (probing depth [PD], clinical attachment level, recession, plaque, and bleeding on probing [BOP]) and a sampling of gingival crevicular fluid, the composite restoration was performed (T 0 ). Clinical and molecular assessments were repeated at 3 (T 3 ), 6 (T 6 ), and 12 (T 12 ) months after the restoration. Intragroup pre-post comparisons for quantitative variables were performed either through one-way ANOVA or Kruskal-Wallis test. A multivariate linear regression analysis was then modeled. With α = 0.05, a power of 80% will be reached with the inclusion of 41 individuals., Results: Biometric parameters demonstrated an increased mean PD (ΔPDT 0 -T 12 = -0.83 mm; P = 0.001) and loss of attachment (AL) (ΔCALT 0 -T 12 = -0.91 mm; P = 0.005) in the test site at 12 months. Accordingly, in the final multivariate regression model the radiographic distance between the bone crest and the restorative margin at baseline accounted for the dependent variable "attachment loss (AL)" (ΔCALT 0 -T 12 ) (P <0.05)., Conclusions: Iuxta/subgingival interproximal restorative margins jeopardized clinically and molecularly the periodontal tissue healing at least up to 1 year of follow-up., (© 2021 American Academy of Periodontology.)

Aim: The current in vitro model aims to evaluate the adjunctive effect on artificial biofilm removal determined by the use of a glycine-powder air-polishing procedure (GPAP) over the ultrasonic debridement (USD) alone when the removal of artificial biofilm on abutment surface is performed. The procedures were carried out also evaluating the impact of the site (mesial, distal, vestibular, and oral) and three different mucosal tunnel depths (2 mm, 4 mm, and 6 mm)., Materials and Methods: Single tooth implant replacement was simulated. Three different abutment heights together with a prosthetic contour were investigated (2 mm, 4 mm, and 6 mm); custom-made gingival masks were created to mimic peri-implant soft tissue. Biofilm was simulated with an indelible ink. The protocol consisted in two intervention stages for each abutment: (a) USD with PEEK tip plus (b) GPAP. At the end of each intervention, abutments were unscrewed, and standardized photographs were taken. Statistical analysis was carried out to compare residual stain percentage between the two intervention stages and among different sites and mucosal tunnels., Results: A total of 30 abutments were instrumented. A significant reduction of the percentage of residual staining (PRS) after the combination of GPAP + USD over USD alone was demonstrated (16% vs. 32%; p < 0.05). Moreover, the better performance of the GPAP + USD protocol was observed regardless of the different mucosal tunnel heights and the sites analyzed. Intragroup analysis unveils that the smaller PRS was observed for shallow mucosal tunnels (2 mm) and vestibular sites for both protocols., Conclusion: GPAP + USD provided adjunctive effect on artificial biofilm removal in comparison to the USD alone. Furthermore, proximal surfaces and deeper mucosal tunnels (4 and 6 mm) showed a reduced instrumentation efficacy for both protocols., (© 2022 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Background: Patient's illness perception, assessed through the Brief-Illness Perception Questionnaire (Brief-IPQ), plays a decisive role in the treatment effectiveness of a wide range of chronic diseases; nonetheless, evidence is still lacking regarding periodontitis. The aim of the present pre-post quasi-experimental study was to evaluate the change in the Brief-IPQ before and after non-surgical periodontal treatment (NST) and to evaluate its ability to foresee the efficacy of NST., Methods: A total of 126 periodontitis participants starting NST were asked to participate in the study. The nine-item Brief-IPQ together with a full periodontal chart were recorded at baseline and at the 3-month follow up (reevaluation) after NST. Pre-post comparisons of psychometric and periodontal variables were carried out through the Wilcoxon signed-rank test (α = 0.05). A predictive model was built to test the ability of the Brief-IPQ items to foresee the efficacy of NST., Results: NST led to a significant reduction in all periodontal parameters (P < 0.001); the proportion of pockets closed was 64.18%. Although the overall sum score of the Brief-IPQ remained fairly stable (P = 0.0673), significant changes occurred for items seven ("understanding") (P < 0.001) and 8 ("emotional response") (P < 0.05). The best model (R 2  = 0.068, F = 2.15, P = 0.033) obtained from the multivariate linear regression analysis demonstrated that item five ("identity") (β = 2.340, P = 0.017) and item eight ("emotional response") (β = -2.569, P = 0.008) significantly predict the efficacy of NST (i.e., the proportion of pockets closed at reevaluation)., Conclusions: NST significantly ameliorates patient's understanding and emotional burden related to periodontitis. Baseline values of perceived symptoms and emotional response are predictive for the short-term efficacy of NST., (© 2021 American Academy of Periodontology.)

Background: The aim of this randomized controlled trial was to evaluate the capability of an IOS (Intra Oral Scanner) device, used in standardized conditions, to detect margins of abutments prepared with knife-edge finishing line located at three different levels in relation to the gingival sulcus., Methods: sixty abutment teeth for treatment with full crowns were selected and randomly divided in three groups accordingly to the depth of the finishing line: Group A: supragingival margin; Group B: 0.5-1.0 mm into the sulcus; Group C: 1.5-2.0 mm into the sulcus. Temporary crowns were placed for two weeks and then digital impressions (Aadva IOS 100, GC, Japan) were made of each abutment. As controls, analog impressions were taken, poured, and scanned using a laboratory scanner (Aadva lab scanner, GC, Japan). Two standard tessellation language (STL) files were generated for each abutment, subsequently processed, and superimposed by Exocad software (Exocad GmbH, Darmstadt, Germany), applying the "best-fit" algorithm in order to align the scan of the conventional with the digital impressions. The distances between each preparation margin and the adjacent gingival tissue were measured. Four measures were taken, two interproximally and buccally, for a total of six measures of each abutment considering three modes of impressions. The data were statistically evaluated using two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) for each site and the Bonferroni test., Results: there was no difference between the two kinds of impression in Group A in both sites, in Group B a difference of 0.483 mm and 0.682 mm at interproximal and buccal sites, respectively, and in Group C 0.750 mm and 0.964 mm at interproximal and buccal sites, respectively. The analysis performed on a site level (mesial/distal/vestibular) for the depth of both vertical preparations revealed significant differences ( p < 0.0001). After a post hoc analysis (Bonferroni), vestibular sites of the shallow vertical preparations resulted in significantly lower values compared to the other sites prepared deeply., Conclusions: the results showed that the location of the margin is an important factor in making a precise and complete impression when IOS (Intra Oral Scanner) is used. Moreover, deep preparation into the sulcus is not recommended for IOS (Intra Oral Scanner) impressions.

Background: The aim of this study was to collect long-term restorative and endodontic outcomes of endodontically treated teeth (ETT)., Methods: 298 teeth were included in the study and were recalled up to 18 years with a media of 10.2 years. At baseline, 198 sample teeth (66.44%) showed symptoms and 164 (55%) had periapical radiolucency. The most frequently used obturation techniques were warm gutta-percha in 80% of cases, and by carrier in 20%. A total of 192 ETT were restored by direct resin composite restorations, and 106 posts were luted. Moreover, 75 (25.16%) direct restorations remained as final restorations, 137 single crowns (45.97%), 42 (14.09%) partial adhesive crowns, and 42 (14.09%) abutments of fixed bridges were the final treatments. Descriptive and inferential statistics were performed ( α = 0.05). A Cox regression model was made., Results: results showed success for 92.6% of ETT up to 18 years, 2.68% (8 ETT) showed irreversible failures, and 14 (4.69%) reversible complications. Four ETT (1.34%) failed because of root fracture and the other four (1.34%) because of endodontic complications. Eight ETT (2.69%) showed non-irreversible periodontal complications and the other six (2.01%) prosthodontic complications. Accordingly, with Kaplan-Meier analysis, the survival rate after 18 years was 97.3% (Interval of Confidence (IC) 95.1-98.3). The presence of a short or long (at least 1 mm related to radiographic apex) quality endodontic filling displayed a statistically significant higher risk of complication (hazard ratio (HR) = 17.00 (IC 5.68-56.84). Furthermore, a clinically detectable not precise coronal margins predicts the presence of any clinical complication with a hazard ratio almost seven times higher than endodontically treated teeth with a proper margin (HR = 6.89 (IC 2.03-23.38), while the presence of lucency at the baseline did not affect the risk of complication (HR = 0.575 (IC 0.205-1.61). The presence of post, tooth position in the arch, and the type of it did not show a high-risk rate (HR = 1.85, 1.98, and 2.24, respectively)., Conclusions: a correct filling (at the apex) of root canals combined with proper coronal margins allow obtaining a long-term high success rate in teeth with a periapical lesion at the baseline. The use of a post or not, when its placement is related to the residual amount of the crown, does not change the final outcome of the ETT.

Aim: This study aims to review the available evidence on the efficacy of behaviour change techniques to improve compliance in young orthodontic patients and to compare these with conventional oral hygiene instructions., Methods: The review was conducted according to the PRISMA statement. PICO method was used to define eligibility criteria. Two independent reviewers performed the research, examined electronic databases (MEDLINE, Scopus and CENTRAL) and manually checked relevant journals. Only RCTs with more than 10 participants and 3 months follow-up were included. Data extraction and their qualitative analysis were performed for included studies., Results: Search strategy identified 320 articles. After screening for titles, abstracts and full texts, 10 articles were then selected for qualitative analysis. High methodological heterogeneity was present among studies and therefore no meta-analysis was performed. Low risk of bias was detected for one study only. The most common intervention was "mobile phone communication," which was investigated in five studies. Motivational interviewing, repeated reinforcements and visual-aided approach were also examined., Conclusion: The interest in remote control of patients compliance appears to be fruitful, nonetheless there is no consensus as to a unique treatment protocol. Every other treatment looks beneficial but higher methodological homogeneity should be sought for in future investigations., (© 2020 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Purpose: No information is available on the perception of the quality of care in patients treated for periodontitis. The purpose of this article was to assess how periodontitis-affected patients perceive the quality of periodontal treatment (PT) and to measure the factors which may influence it., Materials and Methods: 306 subjects who completed PT were invited to participate. Questionnaires and visual analogic scales (VAS) evaluating perception of quality of care, symptoms, and oral health related quality of life (OHRQoL) were handed out. Oral and periodontal indicators were collected before and after treatment. The impact of different factors on perception of quality was assessed with a regression model., Results: Quality evaluation was high yet unrelated for both patients and clinicians (p = 0.983). Quality was negatively influenced by the number of residual oral infections (p < 0.001), patient's age (p = 0.07) and presence of residual pain at completion of PT (p = 0.02). Professionalism, kindness of the staff and communication skills were the characteristics mostly appreciated. The OHRQoL was influenced by the number of residual teeth (p < 0.001), increasing age of patients (p = 0.08), number of residual infections (p < 0.01) and pain (p = 0.04)., Conclusions: Patients' quality perception appeared to be influenced by clinical and emotional aspects. Oral care providers should be aware of the impact of non-clinical factors in patients' appreciation of quality of treatment.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of two finish lines on the fracture resistance and periodontal response of porcelain zirconia crowns. Ethical committee approval was obtained, and 50 zirconia single crowns were placed in posterior regions. Abutments were randomly distributed into two groups: Group 1 (feather-edge preparation) and Group 2 (chamfer preparation). Patients were recalled after 1 month, 6 months, and 1, 2, 3, and 4 years. The function, esthetics, and marginal adaptation of the restorations were evaluated. Bleeding on probing (BoP) and distance of margins from the bone crest were recorded. Statistical analyses were performed for survival and success rates. Group 1 had an 80% success rate (21/25 crowns) and a 96% survival rate (24/25 crowns; 1 encountered irreparable fracture of ceramic layer); Group 2 had a 76% success rate (20/25 crowns) and a 100% survival rate (25/25 crowns). Chippings were noticed on 4 crowns in Group 1 (one crown replacement). Five chippings occurred in Group 2, without any replacement. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups. BoP was found in 18 of the 25 crowns in Group 1 (72%) and in 12 of the 25 crowns in Group 2 (48%). A statistically significant correlation between BoP and the distance of the margin to the bone crest was found. It was concluded that: (1) clinical survival and success rates of the two preparation methods on crowns are not significantly different; (2) due to the statistically significant correlation between BoP and the distance of the margin to the bone crest, margins should be placed at least 3 mm from the bone crest; and (3) higher probability of BoP is expected in cases with feather-edge preparation.

Background: The systematic review was designed to answer the following focused question: Are enamel matrix derivatives able to improve the quantity of keratinized tissue (KT) around natural dentition in patients with recessions defects after their treatment with periodontal plastic procedures?, Methods: Only Randomized Clinical Trials (RCT) in English language evaluating root coverage procedures in combination with enamel matrix derivatives (commercially known as Emdogain ® -EMD), with at least 10 subjects and a minimum duration of six months, were included. The search was applied to PUBMED and SCOPUS and it consists of a combination of MeSH terms and free text words (from January 2000 to June 2019). Risk of bias in individual studies and across studies was also evaluated., Results: After the full text analysis and the exclusion of further 18 articles, 12 articles were finally included. In total 639 recessions were treated (334 tests and 305 control). The recessions defects were classified according to the classification of Miller (Class I, II, III, IV). Only one trial included Miller Class III recessions (7 in total). Enamel matrix derivatives were applied in conjunction with Coronally Advanced Flap (CAF), Coronally Advanced Flap + Sub Epithelial Connective Tissue Graft (CAF + CTG), Semilunar Flap (SF). For the group CAF vs CAF + EMD the mean difference between the keratinized tissue gain in the two procedures was 0.40 mm (95% Confindence Interval Lower/Upper: 0.014-0.81) (p < 0.058); for the comparison CAF + CTG + EMD vs. CAF + CTG the mean difference between the two groups resulted in -0.06 mm (95% Confindence Interval Lower Upper -0.45 to 0.33) (p = 0.7603)., Discussion: Randomized clinical trials included medium-low quality evidence. The application of Enamel Matrix Derivatives to surgical procedures aimed to cover gingival recessions does not add robust clinical benefit to conventional plastic procedure alone.

Aim: To evaluate the possible benefit on wound healing and flap stability of periosteum inclusion, comparing a "split-full-split" thickness flap elevation versus a "split" thickness approach performed during CAF for the treatment of isolated-type gingival recessions in the upper jaw., Material and Methods: Forty patients were randomized, 20 were treated with "split-full-split" (test group) and 20 with a "split" approach (control group). Analysed parameters at 1 year were CRC, percentage of recession coverage (RC), keratinized tissue (KT) gain and patient-related outcome measurements., Results: After 12 months, CRC was 80% in the test group and 35% in the control group. Percentages of RC and KT gain were higher in the test group, and a significant association between CRC and the thickness of the flap after elevation was found. Patient-related outcomes measurements were better for the test group., Conclusions: Flap thickness preservation and the presence of the periosteum in part of the flap may play a fundamental role in obtaining CRC., (© 2018 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Purpose: To compare the sealing effectiveness of four different implant-abutment connections against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). The null hypotheses stated that there was no difference on sealing ability among the implant-abutment connections tested., Methods: Five diverse commercially available dental implants were used to investigate the degree of microleakage at the implant-abutment junction (IAJ): Group 1: Torque Type conical implant with double conic connection - TTc (Winsix); Group 2: Torque Type conical implant with Cone Morse connection - TTcm (Winsix); Group 3: Free Lock connection - K type implant (Winsix); Group 4: Internal double hexagon - OsseoSpeed; Group 5: Internal hexagon - Aadva Implant. Nine implants were tested in each group and one group was used as the negative control (Group 4). The abutments were connected to implants according to manufacturers' recommendations. All procedures involving connection and disconnection of implants were performed in sterile conditions in a laminar flow biological safety cabinet. S. aureus ATCC 6538, a methicillin susceptible reference strain, was chosen for the experiments to test the degree of microleakage. Statistical analysis was performed in order to find significant differences among the five groups regarding sealing capability of the implant-abutment connections tested. The recorded data were statistically analyzed., Results: One implant from Group 4 was excluded from the study because of the growth of a contaminant after 48 hours of incubation in all three wells (i.e. Paenibacillus pabuli, environmental Gram-positive bacteria). Wells A and B (i.e. wells where the samples were passed before being located in the final well C) of all other samples (n = 46) remained sterile over the 72 hours of incubation, indicating the lack of external contamination during implant-abutment connection. Similarly, no bacterial growth was observed in the five negative controls (i.e. one implant for each type), which had been inoculated with sterile saline and processed as the others. Bacterial microleakage was demonstrated with three samples, including one sample of Group 1, one of Group 3 and one of Group 5, in which growth of S. aureus in wells C after 48 hours of incubation was demonstrated (Table 1). No statistically significant difference between groups was noticed (P> 0.05)., Clinical Significance: Within the limitations of the present in vitro model, the results obtained suggest a tendency toward a better sealing capability for conical connections and internal hexagon., Competing Interests: The authors declared no conflict of interest., (Copyright©American Journal of Dentistry.)

Background: To assess the nutraceutical effects of twice/daily intake of kiwifruit on periodontal parameters and systemic health before and after initial periodontal treatment (IPT)., Methods: At baseline, participants were randomly assigned to test and control group, and either consumed two kiwifruits/day for 5 months or no kiwifruit. In the first 2 months, no periodontal treatment was delivered (2 M). Subsequently, a session of full-mouth IPT within 24 hours was performed. Participants were then re-assessed after 3 months (5 M). Blood samples, evaluating systemic biomarkers and vital signs, were also collected atbaseline, 2 M, and 5 M., Results: Groups were balanced at baseline. At 2 M no within-groups differences could be detected for any parameter but the bleeding score, which decreased significantly in the kiwifruit group by 6.67% ± 11.90% (P < 0.01). Comparison of test and control group showed that 2 months of kiwifruit consumption resulted in significant lower values of bleeding, plaque, and attachment loss. After IPT both groups demonstrated substantial significant clinical benefits however the control group showed significant greater reductions of bleeding, plaque and attachment loss than the test group. Systemic biomarkers and vital signs did not show clinically relevant differences between test and control group., Conclusions: Kiwifruit consumption reduces gingival inflammation despite the lack of any periodontal instrumentation or patient's behavioral changes. No adjunctive effect to periodontal treatment of dietary intake of kiwifruit was noted. (NCT NCT03084484)., (© 2018 American Academy of Periodontology.)

Objectives: The concept of Cervical Margin Relocation (CMR) consists on placing a base layer of direct resin composite to elevate supra-gingivally the proximal indirect bonded restorations. The aims of this clinical study were to evaluate 1. Bleeding on Probing (BoP) on posterior indirect restorations with one interproximal margin relocated cervically, and 2. possible correlation between depth of the interproximal margins and BoP., Methods: CMR (Group 1) and shoulder preparations (Group 2) were performed in 35 posterior teeth and evaluated after 12 months (T12). Cavities' margins were placed below the Cemento-Enamel-Junction (CEJ). CMR was applied in one interproximal box-slot preparation using G-Premio Bond, for dentin hybridization, and universal flow resin composite (GC Co. Tokyo, Japan). Pressed lithium disilicate crowns (LS2) (LiSi Press, GC Co. Tokyo, Japan) were made and placed with proprietary luting material. At baseline and after 12 months, clinical surrogate parameters were assessed; and measurements were recorded for the restorative margin position in relation to margo gingivae by probing, and radiographically, the distance from the bone crest was calculated (in mm). Statistical analysis was performed., Results: CMR was associated with statistically significant increased BoP scores compared to shoulder preparation at T12 (53.0% vs. 31.5% per site, respectively) (p=0.10). Gingival Index (GI) and Plaque Index (PI) were not statistically different between both groups. The linear distance between the bone crest and the restorative margin was 2mm in 13 out of 19 experimental sites of Group 1, and 6 out of 11 of Group 2., Conclusions: Higher incidence of BoP can be expected around teeth treated with the concept of CMR and in coincidence with deep margins placed at or closer than 2mm from the bone crest., Clinical Significance: CMR is a clinically sensitive-technique, especially when performed on deep subgingival margins., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Biomechanical integrity of endodontically treated teeth (ETT) is often compromised. Degree of hard tissue loss and type of final prosthetic restoration should be carefully considered when making a treatment plan. The objective of this prospective clinical trial was to assess the influence of the type of prosthetic restoration as well as the degree of hard tissue loss on 7-y clinical performance of ETT restored with fiber posts. Two groups ( n = 60) were defined depending on the type of prosthetic restoration needed: 1) single unit porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crowns (SCs) and 2) 3- to 4-unit PFM fixed dental prostheses (FDPs), with 1 healthy and 1 endodontically treated and fiber post-restored abutment. Within each group, samples were divided into 2 subgroups ( n = 30) according to the amount of residual coronal tissues after abutment buildup and final preparation: A) >50% of coronal residual structure or B) equal to or <50% of coronal residual structure. The clinical outcome was assessed based on clinical and intraoral radiographic examinations at the recalls after 6, 12, 24, 36, 48, and 84 mo. Data were analyzed by Kaplan-Meier log-rank test and Cox regression analysis ( P < 0.05). The overall 7-y survival rate of ETT restored with fiber post and either SCs or FDPs was 69.2%. The highest 84-mo survival rate was recorded in group 1A (90%), whereas teeth in group 2B exhibited the lowest performance (56.7% survival rate). The log-rank test detected statistically significant differences in survival rates among the groups ( P = 0.048). Cox regression analysis revealed that the amount of residual coronal structure ( P = 0.041; hazard ratio [HR], 2.026; 95% confidence interval [CI] for HR, 1.031-3.982) and the interaction between the type of prosthetic restoration and the amount of residual coronal structure ( P = 0.024; HR, 1.372; 95% CI for HR, 1.042-1.806) were statistically significant factors for survival ( ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01532947).

Aim: To evaluate the impact that immediate implant placement may have on bone remodelling in comparison with adjacent sockets left to heal spontaneously., Materials and Methods: In a beagle dog model (N = 16 dogs), mandibular premolars were extracted, and implants were placed in each distal socket (test) with the corresponding mesial site left to heal undisturbed (control). Healing was assessed measuring both the vertical distance between buccal and lingual crest (B'L') and the width of buccal and lingual walls at different levels. Five healing periods were evaluated. Differences between means for each variable and for each healing period between test and control were compared (Kruskal-Wallis test; Friedman test)., Results: At 2 and 8 weeks of healing, the B'L' distance revealed significant higher values at test compared to control sites, being this difference three times higher at the end of the study (P < 0.05). In the test group, the width of the crest was reduced between baseline (0.37 [0.04]) and 8 weeks healing (0.13 [0.64]), demonstrating a 62% reduction of the initial width. These differences were not observed in the control group., Conclusions: Immediate implant placement into fresh extraction sockets may jeopardize the vertical bone remodelling of the socket. Furthermore, a tendency towards greater buccal horizontal resorption was observed in the most coronal aspect of the buccal bone crest., (© 2014 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Objective: To review the effectiveness of enamel matrix derivative (EMD) in the treatment of periodontal pockets of suprabony defects., Methods: Randomized Clinical Trials comparing open flap debridement (OFD) versus EMD in periodontal suprabony defects were identified through electronic and manual search. Screening, data extraction and quality assessment were conducted. The primary outcome measures were tooth survival (TS) and clinical attachment level (CAL) gain. Pocket probing depth (PPD) reduction and recession (REC) increase were secondary outcome measures. Information concerning clinical and radiological bone gain was also collected., Results: The search identified 1170 studies, three articles reporting on (99 subjects/358 teeth) met the inclusion criteria and were included. No tooth was lost during follow-up (8-12 months). The adjunctive mean benefit of EMD was: 1.2 mm for CAL gain [confidence interval (CI): (0.9, 1.4), p < 0.00001, I(2) = 66%], 1.2 mm for the PPD reduction (CI: [0.8, 1.5], p < 0.0001, I(2) = 0%), -0.5 mm for the REC increase (CI: [-0.8, -0.2], p = 0.003, I(2) = 0%). Potential risk of bias was identified., Conclusions: No differences were noted in TS but EMD application resulted in clinical and radiographic additional benefits compared to OFD alone. Nevertheless, the paucity of data, the risk of methodological and potential publication bias suggests caution in interpreting these results while supporting multicenter studies for this specific application., (© 2013 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Objective: To systematically review the efficacy of periodontal plastic procedures (PPP) in the treatment of multiple gingival recessions (MGR)., Methods: Randomized clinical trials (RCT) on MGR treatment with at least 6 months duration were identified through electronic databases and hand-searched journals. Primary outcomes were complete root coverage (CRC) and percentage of root coverage (PRC). Weighted means and forest plots were calculated for all PPP. Subgroup analysis was performed according to the type of flap. A Bayesian network meta-analysis (NM) on secondary outcomes was also performed., Results: Nine trials including 208 subjects and 858 recessions were identified. CRC after PPP was 24-89%. Mean weighted PRC was 86.27% (95% CI 80.71-91.83; p < 0.01). Heterogeneity of the literature prevented inter-techniques comparison. Coronally advanced flap (CAF) shows the higher variability in terms of CRC. Modified CAF and tunnel approaches show higher level of CRC. The NM suggests that CAF plus graft showed the higher probability of being the best treatment., Conclusions: Limited evidence is available for MGR coverage. PPP are associated with high level of efficacy, in terms of PRC, and high variability of CRC. Indirect evidence indicates that CAF may benefit from newer variations of the technique and by the additional use of grafting., (© 2014 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Aim: To describe the early healing events in the alveolar socket during the first 8 weeks of spontaneous healing after tooth extraction., Materials and Methods: 16 adult beagle dogs were selected and five healing periods were analysed (4 h, 1 week, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 weeks). Mandibular premolars were extracted and each socket corresponding to the mesial root was left to heal undisturbed. In each healing period, three animals were euthanatized, each providing four study sites. Healing was assessed by descriptive histology and by histometric analysis using as landmarks: the vertical distance between buccal and lingual crest (B'L') and the width of buccal and lingual walls at three different levels. Differences between means for each variable for each healing period were compared (ANOVA; p < 0.05)., Results: B'L' at baseline was 0.45 (0.18) mm and decreased during the healing period to a final value of 0.18 (0.08) mm. The lingual width (Lw) remains almost unchanged while the buccal width (Bw) at 1 (Bw1) and 2 (Bw2) mm was reduced in about 40% of its initial value., Conclusions: Minor vertical bone reduction in both the buccal and lingual socket walls were observed. A marked horizontal reduction of the buccal bone wall was observed mostly in its coronal aspect., (© 2013 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Objectives: The purpose of this investigation is to describe histologically the undisturbed healing of fresh extraction sockets when compared to immediate implant placement., Methods: In eight beagle dogs, after extraction of the 3P3 and 4P4, implants were inserted into the distal sockets of the premolars, while the mesial sockets were left to heal spontaneously. Each animal provided four socket sites (control) and four implant sites (test). After 6 weeks, animals were sacrificed and tissue blocks were dissected, prepared for ground sectioning., Results: The relative vertical buccal bone resorption in relation to the lingual bone was similar in both test and control groups. At immediate implant sites, however, the absolute buccal bone loss observed was 2.32 (SD 0.36) mm, what may indicate that while an apical shift of both the buccal and lingual bone crest occurred at the implant sites, this may not happen in naturally healing sockets., Conclusions: The results from this investigation showed that after tooth extraction the buccal socket wall underwent bone resorption at both test and control sites. This resorption appeared to be more pronounced at the implant sites, although the limitations of the histological evaluation method utilized preclude a definite conclusion., (© 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.)

Aim: To describe the histological and clinical outcomes of the use of a xenogeneic collagen matrix (CM) in combination with the coronally advanced flap (CAF) in the treatment of localized Miller class-I gingival recessions., Material and Methods: Gingival recession defects were surgically created on 12 minipigs. The defects were randomly treated with either the CAF procedure and the interposition of a CM (test) or the CAF alone (control). Clinical and histological outcomes at 1, 4 and 12 weeks were evaluated., Results: Histometrically, in the test group, there was a shorter junctional epithelial dimension [2.26 (SD 0.23) mm] compared with the control [2.79 (SD 0.77) mm]. On the contrary, the amount of newly formed cementum was larger in the test group [1.08 (SD 0.41) mm] than in the control group [0.75 (SD 0.25) mm], although the differences were not statistically significant., Conclusions: Both techniques rendered similar clinical outcomes, achieving complete root coverage at the end of the study. Nevertheless, the CM graft attained more tissue regeneration, characterized by a shorter epithelium and a larger new cementum formation. The use of a xenogeneic CM resulted in the incorporation of the xenograft within the adjacent host connective tissues in the absence of significant inflammation., (© 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.)

Objectives: To evaluate whether different implants placed immediately upon tooth extraction may affect the dimension and composition of the peri-implant soft tissues., Material and Methods: Eight beagle dogs received implants randomly installed into the distal socket of 3P3 and 4P4. Four commercially available implant systems were evaluated: 3i Osseotite Certain straight; Astra MicroThread-OsseoSpeed; Thommen SPI Element; and Straumann ITI standard. Each animal provided four test implant sites. All animals were sacrificed 6 weeks after implant placement, providing specimens for the evaluation of the soft tissue dimensions by histometric analysis., Results: The biological width at 6 weeks after implant placement consisted of a junctional epithelium measuring between 2 and 2.7 mm and a connective tissue component between 1 and 1.8 mm with no statistical differences among the four implant systems., Conclusion: This study failed to demonstrate differences in the soft tissue healing outcome when placing four different implant systems into fresh extraction sockets. Nevertheless, the length of the epithelium achieved with the four implant systems is longer than what has been reported when placing implants in healed-ridge experimental models.

Objectives: To describe the differences in bone healing, when placing four different implant systems in fresh extraction sockets., Material and Methods: Eight beagle dogs received implants randomly installed into the distal socket of three P3 and four P4. Four-implant systems were evaluated. Each animal provided four test implant sites. All animals were sacrificed at 6 weeks after implant placement, providing specimens for histo-morphometric analysis of bone to implant contact (BIC), bone area, new bone formation, as well as histometric measurements of the ridge alterations., Results: No statistically significant difference was observed among the four-implant systems. The mean BIC % ranged between 58.5% and 72.1%. Bone modelling of the buccal plate was marked and amounted approximately to 2.5 mm, independently of the system used., Conclusion: This study failed to demonstrate differences in the healing pattern after 6 weeks when placing four different implant systems in fresh extraction sockets. In spite of achieving predictable osteointegration with the four implants studied, the occurrence of buccal bone resorption may limit the use of this surgical approach.