Quintessence International, 09/2023

Objectives: Treatment of carious primary molars is always indicated, especially on young children; however, there are no clear guidelines that precisely explain the best treatment approach for Class II carious molars with marginal breakdown (International Caries Detection and Assessment System [ICDAS] 5). The objective of this prospective observational clinical study was to assess the efficacy of three restorative techniques in treating ICDAS 5 Class II lesions in primary molars: compomer fillings (CF), preformed metal crowns (PMC), and pulpotomy and conventional preformed metal crowns (PMC+P). The secondary goal was to evaluate the impact of some cofactors on the course of treatment. Method and materials: Overall, 92 children (female, n = 50, 54.3%; male, n = 42, 45.7%) aged 2 to 9 years old (mean age = 5.9 ± 1.9 years) with 166 treated teeth were included. The average number of decayed, missing, or filled teeth (d3mft) of the whole sample was 8.0 ± 3.4. The distribution of the sample according to type of treatment was CF = 53 (31.9%), PMC = 64 (38.6%), and PMC+P = 49 (29.5%). Paired t test, nonparametric Friedman ANOVA test, and decision tree analysis were used as the basis for the statistics. Results: After 12 months, data from 75.8% (72/95) treated patients, corresponding to 62.0% (103/166) of the treated teeth (CF = 42/53, 79.2%; PMC = 38/64, 59.4%; PMC+P = 23/49, 46.9%) were available for analysis. The mean patients age was 6.8 ± 1.8 years; 32 (47.1%) boys and 36 (52.9%) girls. The mean d3mft of the remaining sample was 7.8 ± 3.35. PMC and PMC+P arms showed the highest success rates (> 91%) as compared to the CF arm, which showed the lowest success rates (61.9%), with 9/42 teeth of the CF group (21.4%) presenting with minor failures, and 7/42 teeth (16.7%) with major failures (P < .0001). Conclusion: According to the decision tree analysis, PMC and PMC+P had a success rate of 99%, whereas CF had a success rate of only 69%. Some cofactors (treatment decision, Approximal Plaque Index, and tooth number) had a higher impact on the decision tree analysis than others (age, dmfs, and dmft values), especially when the treatment selection was CF. In future studies it is necessary to examine the impact of other cofactors on the outcomes of conventional fillings using a larger sample size. Keywords: compomer filling, marginal ridge breakdown, preformed metal crown, primary molar, proximal caries, pulpotomy

Objective: To clinically and histologically evaluate the potential effect of a cross-linked, high molecular weight hyaluronic acid (xHyA) on the outcomes of guided bone regeneration performed with a demineralized bovine bone mineral (DBBM) covered with a natural collagen membrane. Method and materials: Eleven patients (eight females and three males, mean age 53 years) with a total of 27 surgical sites were treated. Treatments were performed with either DBBM and natural collagen membrane fixed with tacks (group A) or DBBM mixed with xHyA and subsequently covered with natural collagen membrane (group B). Clinical evaluations were made at baseline (T1), immediately after guided bone regeneration (T2), and at the time of implant placement (T3). Additionally, at the time of implant placement, core biopsies were retrieved and submitted for histologic analysis. Results: Healing was uneventful in all cases. At 6 months, group B revealed a statistically significantly higher crestal ridge dimension compared to group A (P = .007). The histologic analysis revealed a tendency for greater mineralized tissue formation in group B compared to group A (67.5% versus 41.6%) and contained a higher amount of new bone (37.2%) and less DBBM residues (20.9%) than group A (12.8% new bone and 28.8% DBBM residues, respectively). Conclusions: Within their limits, the present data indicate that, during guided bone regeneration with natural collagen membrane, the combination of DBBM and xHyA may improve the quality and quantity of bone formed with DBBM alone. Keywords: bone defect, bone grafting, bovine bone–derived mineral, cross-linked hyaluronic acid, graft fixation, graft stability, guided bone regeneration, histomorphometry, resorbable membrane

Objective: To investigate the impact of supragingival scaling on the clinical outcomes of subgingival instrumentation completed after 1 week. Method and materials: In 27 patients with Stage II and Stage III periodontitis, pairs of contralateral quadrants were randomly assigned into test group 1 (single sitting scaling and root planing) and test group 2 (supragingival scaling followed by subgingival instrumentation after 1 week). Periodontal parameters were recorded at baseline, 2, 4, and 6 months; Gingival crevicular fluid vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) estimation was done at baseline in both groups and 7 days after supragingival scaling in test group 2. Results: At 6 months, significantly better improvement in test group 1 at sites with periodontal probing depth (PPD) > 5 mm; (∆PPD = 2.32 mm vs 1.41 mm, P = .001; ∆clinical attachmen level [CAL] = 2.34 mm vs 1.39 mm, P = .001) was observed. Supragingival scaling resulted in significant reduction in gingival crevicular fluid VEGF (42.46 to 27.88 pg/site) after 1 week. Regression analysis explained 14% variance in VEGF to baseline PPD at sites with PPD > 4 mm; and 21% variance in CAL improvement to VEGF at sites with PPD > 5 mm. The percentage of sites with PPD = 5 to 8 mm reaching the clinical endpoint was 52% and 40% for test group 1 and test group 2, respectively. Better results were noticed in bleeding on pocket probing-positive sites in both groups. Conclusion: The sites with PPD > 5 mm where supragingival scaling was followed by subgingival instrumentation after 1 week resulted in less favourable treatment outcomes. (Clinical trial registry NCT05449964) Keywords: inflammation, periodontitis, root planing, supragingival scaling, vascular endothelial growth factors

Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of injectable platelet-rich fibrin (i-PRF) on gingival thickness and gingival recession in individuals with thin periodontal phenotypes. Method and materials: In this prospective study, i-PRF was applied via a semisurgical method to augment 53 tooth regions with thin periodontal phenotypes. In order to ensure that sufficient blood clot formed on the side of the gingiva facing the bone and that i-PRF reached the area, a minimal incision was made with the help of a scalpel in the apical region of the relevant region, and the periosteum was elevated with a microsurgical instrument. To ensure sustained exposure to angiogenetic growth factors and enhance the histoconductive properties, i-PRF injection was applied to the relevant areas in four sessions at 10-day intervals. Results: An increase in gingival thickness was achieved in 92.5% of the areas treated with i-PRF, and the desired gingival thickness (0.8 mm) was achieved in 44.9% of these areas. In addition, significant reductions in the amount of recession were observed in 83.3% of the 12 gingival recession areas (P = .005). Moreover, complete coverage was achieved in 60% of these regions. Conclusion: With the new i-PRF semisurgical method, it was shown that gingival thickness can be increased in tooth regions with thin gingiva, and that areas of gingival recession can be covered. Further comprehensive studies are needed to fully understand the role of i-PRF in enhancing angiogenesis and the histoconductive properties of this fully autogenous blood concentrate. Keywords: blood platelet, gingival recession, gingival thickness, periodontal phenotype, platelet-rich fibrin

Objectives: Addressing a single-tooth gap in the anterior region, resulting from aplasia or trauma, poses both esthetic and functional challenges. This case report presents the restoration of a young adult with a cleft, exhibiting anterior hypoplasia and aplasia in the canine and incisor regions, using all-ceramic cantilever resin-bonded fixed dental prostheses. Method and materials: After verification of esthetic and functional considerations through a diagnostic wax-up and an intraoral mock-up, three anterior all-ceramic cantilever resin-bonded fixed dental prostheses made of veneered zirconium dioxide were planned in the region of the maxillary right lateral incisor and maxillary left canine. The impression was made with an intraoral scanner. The framework fit was evaluated. Glaze firing and full adhesive cementation under rubber dam followed. Results: The final restoration met the patients’ expectations and restored facial esthetics and function. Conclusions: All-ceramic cantilever resin-bonded fixed dental prostheses offer a promising minimally invasive therapeutic option for cleft patients. Keywords: aplasia, cantilever, cleft of lip and palate, prosthodontics, resin-bonded fixed dental prosthesis (RBFDP), veneered zirconium dioxide

The design and manufacture of a stackable surgical guide for implant placement with immediate prosthetic loading of completely edentulous cases is described in this dental technique. To achieve this, the stackable attachment is designed using free-form designing software, which is later joined to the implant placement guide and the dental prosthesis. This technique should provide the patient with a same-day implant and an esthetic restoration accurately placed in the predesigned position of the centric occluding relationship. It also reduces the number of visits and prosthetic complications related to the improper implant position. Keywords: CAD/CAM, fixed full arch, implants, surgical guide

Objective: This study aimed to compare the alveolar sealing performance between free gingival graft (FGG) and porcine collagen membrane (MS) and qualitatively assess patient-centered outcomes via a visual analog scale. Method and materials: Eighteen patients were randomly divided into control (FGG) and test (MS) groups. After extraction, all the alveoli were filled with bovine bone grafts (small granules) and sealed. Follow-up was during the immediate postoperative period and after 3, 7, 15, 30, 60, 90, and 120 days. After 180 days, before implant placement, tissue samples were obtained for histologic analysis. The epithelial tissues were morphometrically measured for each sample. Qualitative information on the patient’s perception of the treatment was collected after 7 days. Results: A faster healing was observed for the MS group. After 60 days, all the sites from the MS were partially healed, in contrast with only five from the FGG. The histologic results after 120 days showed for the FGG group a predominant acute inflammatory process, whereas chronic processes were observed for the MS group. The mean epithelial heights found for the FGG and MS were 535.69 µm and 495.33 µm, respectively (P = .54). The intragroup analysis showed significant variance among the data (P < .001) for both groups. The qualitative result showed statistically more significative comfort for the MS group (P < .05). Conclusion: Within the limitations of the study, both techniques effectively promote alveolar sealing. However, the visual analog scale result was superior and more significant for the MS group, with faster wound healing and lower discomfort. Keywords: collagen, graft, membrane, soft tissue, surgery, tooth socket

Objectives: This scoping review assessed systematic reviews on noninvasive temporomandibular disorder therapies to identify evidence gaps and formulate clinical recommendations. Method and materials: The scoping review was conducted according to the PRISMA scoping review guidelines and Joanna Briggs Institute updated scoping review methodology using a two-step process involving four reviewers. Four key databases (Embase, PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar) were thoroughly searched from January 2017 to December 2022. The selected systematic reviews were classified, charted, critically appraised, and synthesized. Results: Of the initial 522 listings, 61 systematic reviews were eligible for inclusion, with the majority bearing very low- to low-quality evidence, and meta-analysis not being conducted in about a third of them. Moderate- to high-quality evidence was available for patient self-management, botulinum toxin, manual, laser, and splint therapy. Conclusions: Further high-quality investigations with consistent patient selection, diagnostic criteria, treatment/assessment protocols, and outcome measures are needed to confirm the effectiveness of the various interventions for temporomandibular disorder pain/dysfunction. Keywords: knowledge synthesis, mapping review, scoping review, temporomandibular disorders, therapy