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Smokers may heal more slowly after periodontal therapy than non-smokers. Researchers gave detailed mouth examinations to 143 people with periodontal disease who were treated with scaling and root planing. These are mechanical techniques that remove all dental plaque below the gumline. Sixty of the patients were smokers and 55 were former smokers. Current smokers healed more slowly and had greater amounts of bacteria in the pocket between the teeth and gums. Former smokers had the same healing rates as non-smokers.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of subgingival scaling and root planing on healing of the distal surface of second molars following extraction of third molars. Twenty-eight patients with contralateral erupted third molars and pocket depths greater than or equal to 3 mm on the distal surface of the second molars participated in this study. Measurements of supragingival bacterial plaque, bleeding on probing, pocket depth, and relative attachment level were performed at baseline and 2 months otter treatment. Extraction of contralateral third molars was carried out simultaneousley. The experimental site received thorough scaling and root planing of the distal surface of the second molar, while the control site received extraction alone. Experimental sites showed significant improvement in all clinical parameters assessed compared to the control sites. In conclusion, periodontal lesions on the distal of second molars can be significantly improved following scaling and root planing after extraction of third molars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of barrier membrane exposure on the success of guided tissue regeneration in Class II furcation defects. Twenty-six subjects with mandibular Class II furcation defects received initial periodontal therapy followed by guided tissue regeneration surgery. The membrane was placed and the flaps were repositioned so that the membrane was totally submerged. Membranes were removed 4 to 6 weeks later, at which time the extent of their exposure was recorded. An overall improvement in all clinical parameters was observed for all subjects 1 year after surgery. Half of the patients had experienced no membrane exposure, while the other 13 subjects had experienced mild to pronounced exposure; both groups showed similar improvement in all clinical and surgical parameters. In light of the comparable results obtained in exposed sites, and the anatomic difficulties sometimes encountered in covering a membrane completely, in some of these cases the membrane may be left only partially submerged. This approach will allow for tighter occlusal "seal" of the tooth-membrane interface and preservation of the keratinized gingiva. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reviews types of preparation margins and the placement of the restoration's margins in relation to the gingival margin in prosthetic reconstruction of periodontally involved teeth. The "emergence margin," a new type of preparation margin, is presented through three case reports. The requirements for successful use of the emergence margin are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Alcohol consumption, like smoking, may be related to periodontal disease independently of oral hygiene status. This study assessed the relationship between alcohol consumption and severity of periodontal disease. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 1,371 subjects ages 25 to 74 in the Erie County, NY population was performed. Alcohol intake was assessed by means of previously validated self-reported questionnaires. Outcome variables were gingival bleeding, clinical attachment loss, alveolar bone loss, and presence of subgingival microorganisms. Results: Logistic regression analyses adjusting for age, gender, race, education, income, smoking, diabetes mellitus, dental plaque, and presence of any of 8 subgingival microorganisms showed that those consuming ≥5 drinks/week had an odds ratio (OR) of 1.65 (95% CI: 1.22 to 2.23) of having higher gingival bleeding, and OR of 1.36 (95% CI: 1.02 to 1.80) or having more severe clinical attachment loss compared to those consuming <5 drinks/week. Those consuming ≥10 drinks/week had an odds ratio (OR) of 1.62 (95% CI: 1.12 to 2.33) of having higher gingival bleeding and OR of 1.44 (95% CI: 1.04 to 2.00) of having more severe clinical attachment loss compared to those consuming <10 drinks/week. Alcohol consumption was not significantly related to alveolar bone loss nor to any of the subgingival microorganisms. Conclusions: The results suggest that alcohol consumption is associated with moderately increased severity of periodontal disease. Longitudinal studies are needed to determine whether alcohol is a true risk factor for periodontal disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prevalence of dental caries and gingivitis was assessed in schoolchildren of the Tlalpan region in Mexico City. A total of 700 children (age range: 11-17 yr) of both sexes were examined. The sample population included children attending the Middle-School System, where two shifts are run (A.M. and P.M.). Decayed, missing and filled surfaces (DMFS), and Gingival Index (GI) were recorded for all existing teeth. Analysis of the data showed that mean DMFS scores increased with chronological age in both genders, were higher in the P.M. session, and more elevated in females. Similarly the mean GI scores also increased with age, and were higher in the P.M. session. In contrast to the DMFS scores, males presented higher GI scores than females at all age intervals. The results of our study indicated a distinctively high prevalence of caries and gingivitis in Mexican schoolchildren. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The author reflects on the relationship between periodontal disease and obesity and diabetes mellitus in children and adolescents. She states that diabetic patients have a greater risk for periodontal disease and effective glucose control is not easy when periodontal disease is present. The author adds that the increase in the number of patients with chronic conditions and in oral diseases need well-trained dental and medical professionals.

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the association between the antimicrobial and clinical efficacy of minocycline hydrochloride microspheres when used adjunctively with scaling and root planing., Methods: 127 subjects with moderate-to-advanced chronic periodontitis were randomly assigned to receive either minocycline microspheres plus scaling and root planing (n = 62) or scaling and root planing alone (n = 65). Deoxyribose nucleic acid analysis and clinical data were obtained at baseline and 30 days after treatment. End points included changes in the mean sum of red complex bacteria, pocket depth, number of deep pockets, bleeding on probing, and clinical attachment level from baseline to day 30. Regression analysis determined the association between microbiological and clinical efficacy., Results: Minocycline microspheres plus scaling and root planing reduced pocket depth, the number of deep pockets and bleeding on probing, and increased clinical attachment level significantly more than scaling and root planing alone (p < 0.05). Comparing minocycline microspheres plus scaling and root planing with scaling and root planing alone, the number needed to treat for a 2 mm pocket depth reduction difference was 6.5. Pocket depth reduction correlated significantly with a decrease in the numbers and proportions of red complex bacteria. Minocycline microspheres significantly improved all clinical parameters compared to scaling and root planing alone., Conclusions: The addition of minocycline microspheres to scaling and root planing led to a greater reduction in the proportions and numbers of red complex bacteria. The reduction in pocket depth was significantly correlated with the reduction of the proportions and numbers of red complex bacteria. Additionally, there were statistically greater improvements in all clinical parameters examined.