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Background Gingival biotypes have been reported to influence the outcome of restorative therapies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation of different morphometric parameters with the thickness of the buccal gingiva and alveolar bone at different apico-coronal levels. Methods In 60 periodontally healthy subjects, the central maxillary incisor was examined. Clinical parameters included the crown width/crown length ratio ( CW/ CL), gingival width ( GW), gingival scallop ( SC) and transparency of the periodontal probe through the gingival sulcus ( TRAN). Gingival and alveolar bone dimensions were assessed on parallel profile radiographs. Results Crown width/crown length ratio was positively correlated with the thickness of the gingiva at the cementoenamel junction (G3) ( r = 0.47) and to the thickness of the alveolar crest (A1) ( r = 0.46); whereas SC had a weak negative and GW had a moderate positive correlation with all radiographic measurements. TRAN had a stronger negative relation to the thickness at the free gingiva ( r = −0.42) than to other tissue thicknesses. All gingival thickness values were correlated with A1 value. Multivariate models identified CW/ CL and GW as significant predictors for G3 value, whereas CW/ CL was a significant predictor for A1 value. Conclusion Crown width/crown length ratio and GW could represent surrogate parameters to anticipate the gingival thickness at the cementoenamel junction, whereas CW/ CL might also be an indicator for alveolar bone crest thickness. Periodontal probing has a limited prognostic value for these tissue dimensions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The authors report preliminary results from a prospective multicenter study (Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma [NPC] 2003 German Society of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology/German Children's Oncology Group [NPC-2003-GPOH/DCOG]). METHODS: From 2003 to 2010, 45 patients (ages 8-20 years), including 1 patient with stage II NPC and 44 patients with stage III/IV NPC, were recruited to the study. The patient with stage II disease received radiotherapy (59.4 grays [Gy]). The patients with stage III/IV disease received 3 courses of neoadjuvant chemotherapy with cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil, and folinic acid. The cumulative irradiation dose was 54 Gy in 5 patients, who achieved complete remission after neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and 59.4 Gy in the remaining 40 patients. All patients received concomitant cisplatin during the first week and last week of irradiation. After irradiation, all patients received interferon beta for 6 months. Tumor response was evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging studies and positron emission tomography scans. RESULTS: After the completion of treatment, 43 of 45 patients were in complete remission. In 2 patients, only a partial response was achieved, followed by distant metastases (1 patient) or local progression and distant metastases (1 patient), 6 months and 10 months after diagnosis, respectively. Another patient developed a solitary pelvic bone metastasis 21 months after diagnosis. After a median follow-up of 30 months (range, 6-95 months), the event-free survival rate was 92.4%, and the overall survival was 97.1%. Acute toxicity consisted mainly of leucopenia, mucositis, and nausea; and late toxicity consisted of hearing loss and hypothyroidism. CONCLUSIONS: Combined therapy with neoadjuvant chemotherapy, radiochemotherapy, and interferon beta was well tolerated and resulted in a very good outcome that was superior to the outcomes of published results from all other pediatric NPC study groups. Cancer 2012. © 2012 American Cancer Society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]