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This study investigated the prevalence of gingival hyperplasia in subjects who were undergoing treatment with a calcium channel blocker, nifedipine, in dentate and edentulous subjects. In addition, the relationship between gingival hyperplasia and 5 other variables (duration of nifedipine intake, dose, age, oral hygiene index, and number of teeth) was investigated. Results of statistical analyses showed overwhelming evidence that the percent of nifedipine subjects with gingival hyperplasia was greater than that of the control subjects (P < 0.05) and that, across treatment group, the percent of dentate subjects with hyperplasia was significantly higher than that for edentulous subjects (P < 0.05). The chi2 test showed a strong univariate relationship between gingival hyperplasia and, separately, oral hygiene and number of teeth. For 24% of the subjects with gingival hyperplasia index (GHI) values of 2 or 3, gingivectomy was performed, and the tissues were prepared for histological examination. Microscopic examination of the biopsy material showed findings similar to those from previously reported cases of nifedipine- or phenytoin-induced hyperplasia.

The purpose of this study was to determine the optimal ratio of calcium hydroxyapatite (HA) to beta tricalcium phosphate (beta TCP) in a biphasic porous calcium phosphate (BCP) ceramic for effective repair of periodontal osseous defects. Defects were surgically produced in beagle dogs and made chronic for 4 months to simulate periodontal disease. Mucoperiosteal periodontal flaps were reflected, followed by osseous defect debridement and root planing. Specially prepared ceramic with different HA/beta TCP ratios were implanted into the prepared defects. The sites were allowed to heal for 6 months, animals were euthanized, and site-blocks were removed for histological study. During the follow-up phase, scaling and polishing were done once a month, and standardized probing attachment levels were recorded pre- and 6-months postoperatively. The Duncan's multiple range test showed that all the treatments produced statistically significant higher gain in probing attachment levels than the control group (0HA/0 beta TCP) (P < 0.05). Among the 7 "active" treatment groups, 2 (65/35 and 85/15) had significantly higher gain in probing attachment levels than those in 3 groups (50/50, 100/0, and 0/100) (P < 0.05). Histologically, higher HA ratio (but not 100% HA) showed accelerated new bone formation and new attachment levels. Based on histological results, the 85HA/15 beta TCP ratio appears to demonstrate greater gain in attachment level and bone regeneration in the treatment of periodontal osseous defects.

One hundred thirty-seven V.A. patients were randomized to one of three treatment groups to evaluate the efficacy of biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) ceramic in the treatment of periodontal osseous defects. This material was tested against both autogenous bone implant and open flap curettage procedures. Baseline probing attachment level, Navy plaque index, and gingival index were recorded for all patients. These parameters were monitored for 3 years. At the end of this period, 101 patients had completed the study. Although the plaque and gingival indices steadily increased with time, there were no statistically significant differences among the treatment groups. Patients in the ceramic group had a gain in attachment level of 1.0 mm; those in the curettage group, 0.9 mm; and 0.4 mm for those in the bone implant group. Although the BCP patients had a greater gain, the difference was not statistically significant. In this veteran population, not only did BCP patients fail to outperform those in the control groups, all three treatment groups were similarly ineffective.

The purpose of this study is to determine whether the combination of biphasic calcium phosphate ceramic (BCP) and collagen and citric acid root conditioning would promote accelerated new attachment of periodontal tissue to the root surface in dogs. Intrabony defects were surgically produced for each animal and were made chronic for 16 weeks. These defects were assigned to two study treatment and one control group: ceramic-collagen without citric acid (CO-CE); ceramic-collagen with citric acid (CO-CE-CA); and control (surgical debridement and root planing only). Results showed that all groups gained new attachment level as demonstrated both clinically and histometrically. The treatment groups showed a significant mean gain greater than the control (P less than .005), but no significant difference was found between treatment groups. Small areas of ankylosis was also found in both treatments but there was no evidence of active root resorption. It is concluded that the use of combined BCP and fibrillar collagen is beneficial in promoting new attachment of periodontal tissues to the root surface in dogs. Although citric acid root conditioning did as well or better than ceramic and collagen alone, its benefits are still speculative and need further experimentation.

Tricalcium phosphate ceramic, with 50% porosity and 400 to 500 micrometer pore diameter, was used to augment the edentulous alveolar ridge of 10 adult mongrel dogs. The implants were evaluated histologically at different time intervals (7, 30, 90, 180, and 360 days). Preoperative and postoperative blood chemistry studies were also evaluated. The results showed that, other than for the expected acute nonspecific inflammatory response due to the surgery, the material was well tolerated by the tissues and was nontoxic. Bone and soft tissues grew into the pores, thereby creating an excellent biomechanical bond between the ceramic implant and surrounding structures. Preoperative and postoperative blood chemistry studies demonstrated no significant change.

In six patients, porous tricalcium phosphate ceramic (400 to 500 micrometer pore diameter and 50% pore volume) was used to repair naturally occurring periodontal osseous defects. These patients were evaluated clinically, radiographically and hematologically. The clinical evaluation indicated that there was no adverse inflammatory response at the implant site except the anticipated immediate postsurgical trauma. Radiographically, there was a significant increase in bone height with a mean gain of 5.2 mm. Whether or not this gain consisted of bone and/or ceramic is yet to be conclusively determined. The SMA-12 blood chemistry study revealed that no significant change occurred pre- or post-operatively (P less than 0.01). Although the number of patients in our study was limited, the results are very promising. The ceramic is nontoxic to human tissue and repair of the periodontium is most likely obtainable, the desired objective being the restoration of the natural state of the periodontium.

Two mongrel adult dogs were used in this study. The mandible was edentulated unilaterally and then augmented with porous tribasic calcium phosphate ceramic. To determine the effects of a denture over the augmented site, a unilateral distal-extension removable partial denture was constructed and inserted. At the end of the 6-month period, clinical evaluation revealed a healthy residual alveolar ridge tissue with no inflammatory reaction due to the implant. Histologic examination confirmed the clinical findings. There was no inflammation, bone and soft tissue grew into the pores, and no bone resorption occurred. It is concluded therefore that porous tribasic calcium phosphate ceramic is a potential material for residual alveolar ridge augmentation.

Data from three different sources of periodontal patients were collected and examined to find if there was a significant difference between these groups relative to the prevalence of medical problems. Data were evaluated to show if age and sex were significantly related to the existence of medical problems and to determine which problems were the most prevalent. A total of 581 periodontal patients' records were obtained. Results of the evaluation showed that the private office group had 27.6% medical problems, the academic dental center had 46.3%, and the hospital dental clinic had 74.1%. Cardiovascular disease was the most prevalent medical problem in all groups and orthopedic disease or injury was second. Within each group, sex was not significantly related to the presence of a medical problem. Age was a highly significant factor, with the prevalence of medical problems increasing with advancing age.

Tricalcium phosphate ceramic of hydroxyapatite structure with 50% porosity and 800- to 1000-mum pore diameter was implanted in surgically produced infrabony defects in dogs. The defects were evaluated histologically at different time intervals, 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, and 24 weeks. The results show that the ceramic is well tolerated by the tissue and yields no toxic reactions. Bone ingrowth into the pores and repair of the periodontium are clearly demonstrated. No significant hematological changes were observed.

Examination of the dental casts of Down's syndrome twins showed a high percentage of concordance and mirror-imaging relative to crown morphology and static occlusion. These supplemental dental findings supported an earlier diagnosis of monozygosity determined by other clinical means. Reduction of mesiodistal dimension of the dental crowns and deviations in their morphology is consistent with Down's syndrome.

Six hundred and eithty-one dried human skulls of different ethnic backgrounds or localities were examined for the presence of palatal exostosis in the molar region. Of these samples, 276 (40.53%) exhibited some form of palatal exostosis. Chi-square analysis shows that the occurrence of exostosis is: (a) Dependent upon the locality in which the subject lives; (b) Influenced by age; (c) In any age group, dependent upon the locality; (d) Dependent upon the type or class of exostosis; (e) In any type, influenced by locality. The result of this investigation may become clinically important. It suggests, for the clinicians in the field of periodontics, certain diagnostic guidelines for treatment planning of periodontal surgical procedures in the palatal molar region. Thus, an awareness of the patients' ethnic background, as well as age, may be essential in order to minimize or avoid unnecessary postoperative healing complications.