To study the immunological consequences of systemic thalidomide treatment in patients with Sjögre... more To study the immunological consequences of systemic thalidomide treatment in patients with Sjögren's syndrome. Cytokine (tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha), interleukin (IL) 6) and soluble receptor (sIL2R) levels were measured in patient and control plasma (n = 7), before and after thalidomide treatment. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were examined by FACS analysis for potential changes in specific cell populations (T cells, B cells, monocytes), and for the expression of activation markers (CD25, HLA-DR), costimulatory molecules (CD40, CD40L), TNF receptors, chemokine receptors, and adhesion molecules (L-selectin (L-sel)). Owing to adverse effects of thalidomide, the treatment interval was limited. None the less, statistically significant changes in markers of cell activation were recorded in the four treated patients. Before treatment, HLA-DR, TNFRI, CXCRI, and CXCRII were raised in the patients compared with healthy controls (p<0.05) and their expression was down regulated after treatment. B cell numbers and expression of the adhesion molecule L-sel also declined with thalidomide. Significant changes in measures of cell activation were detected during thalidomide treatment within this limited study, which upon further investigation may offer insight into the underlying immunoregulatory pathways of thalidomide.
ABSTRACT Objective: To compare the periodontal health of maxillary and mandibular anterior teeth ... more ABSTRACT Objective: To compare the periodontal health of maxillary and mandibular anterior teeth retained with two types of fixed retainers. Materials and Methods: A fixed straight retainer (SR) group had 39 subjects, and a fixed wave retainer (WR) group had 35 subjects. Subjects were between the ages of 13 and 22 years and had been in fixed retention for 2 to 4 years. Pocket probing depths, bleeding on probing, plaque index, calculus index, recession, and gingival crevicular fluid volume were compared between the two retainer groups. A four-question oral hygiene survey was given to each subject. The Mann-Whitney U-test and Fisher exact test was used to analyze the data. Results: There was no clinically significant difference between the retainer groups regarding plaque index, gingival crevicular fluid volume, calculus index, recession, bleeding on probing, and pocket probing depths. A statistically significant increase in the reported frequency of flossing (P = .006) and ease of flossing (P < .001) was associated with the WR group. There was no significant difference between the groups in reported frequency of brushing and comfort of the retainer. Conclusions: Under the conditions of this study, no clinical difference was found in the periodontal health of anterior teeth retained with a SR or WR for a period of 2 to 4 years. Subjects in the WR group reported an increase in frequency and ease of flossing.
This study assessed the effects of low-level laser treatment in combination with scaling and root... more This study assessed the effects of low-level laser treatment in combination with scaling and root planing (SRP) in patients with periodontitis. Sixty subjects with chronic advanced periodontitis were assigned randomly to three treatment groups (n = 20) after collecting gingival clinical parameters. Group A received SRP on a single quadrant per day for four consecutive days; on the fifth day, all quadrants were rescaled. Group B received the same treatment as Group A, followed by laser application for five days. Group C received the same treatment as Group B but the laser treatment was administered for a total of 10 days. For Groups B and C, a low-level diode laser (630 to 670 nm) was used. The plaque index, gingival index, and sulcular bleeding index were recorded for all groups. For all clinical parameters, all three groups reported statistically significant differences (p < 0.005) compared to baseline data. Compared to Group A, Groups B and C showed statistically significant improvement for all clinical parameters. These findings suggest that a low-level diode laser can have a beneficial effect for treating inflammatory chronic advanced periodontitis.
To provide insight into the clinical failure of the tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) inhib... more To provide insight into the clinical failure of the tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) inhibitor, etanercept, in primary Sjögren syndrome (pSS), an extensive analysis of the systemic immune profile of patients with pSS was carried out and the effect of etanercept treatment on these immune parameters monitored. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with pSS and healthy controls were compared by flow cytometry to determine differences in distribution of specific cell populations (T cells, B cells, monocytes), and to determine their expression of activation markers (CD25, HLA-DR), TNF receptors and chemokine receptors (CXCR1, 2) before and after treatment. Systemic cytokine levels were measured by multiplex ELISA assay in plasma and in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated whole blood from healthy controls and from patients with pSS before and after etanercept treatment. Baseline cytokine levels were correlated with clinical markers of disease. Before treatment, salivary gland inflammatory focus scores did not correlate with circulating TNF levels. Furthermore, consistent with the lack of evidence of significant clinical benefit, enhanced markers of immune activation, frequency of cell subpopulations and aberrant cytokine profiles were not restored to normal levels by etanercept treatment. Remarkably, the levels of circulating TNFalpha were significantly increased after treatment. Etanercept is an ineffective therapeutic agent in pSS consistent with the absence of suppression of TNFalpha and other indicators of immune activation in this patient population. These data suggest that TNFalpha may not be a pivotal cytokine in the pathogenesis of pSS, impelling continued molecular characterisation of disease parameters to define appropriate intervention targets.
The aim of this study is to compile a comprehensive database on color range and color distributio... more The aim of this study is to compile a comprehensive database on color range and color distribution of healthy human gingiva by age, gender and ethnicity. Spectral reflection of keratinized gingiva at upper central incisors was measured by spectroradiometer and converted into CIELAB values. Lightness range (ΔL*) for all groups together was 26.8. Corresponding a* (green-red) and b* (blue-yellow) ranges (Δa* and Δb*) were 18.3 and 13.0. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were recorded by age for L* and a* coordinates, by gender for b* coordinate, and by ethnicity for L*, a* and b* coordinates. R(2)-values between color coordinates were 0.01 (L*/a*), 0.03 (L*/b*), and 0.12 (a*/b*). The smallest color differences were recorded between age groups 46-60 and 60 + (ΔE* = 0.9), and between Caucasians and Hispanics (ΔE* = 1.1). Color difference by gender was 1.3. When total L*a*b* ranges were divided into four equal segments, 51.7% of subjects had L* value within the third segment (from lig...
Secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI) is a cationic serine protease inhibitor with anti-m... more Secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI) is a cationic serine protease inhibitor with anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties found in large quantities in mucosal fluids, including saliva. SLPI is expressed during cutaneous wound healing, however, its role in oral wound repair is unknown. We have used a novel approach involving a murine buccal mucosal acute wound model to investigate the role of SLPI in oral healing. In parallel to the observed cutaneous healing phenotype, an absence of SLPI results in markedly impaired oral wound healing associated with increased inflammation and raised elastase activity. Moreover, matrix deposition was decreased, while MMP activity was enhanced in the oral SLPI null wounds suggesting deregulated proteolysis. Intriguingly, regardless of genotype, reduced collagen deposition was observed in oral compared to dermal wounds, associated with reduced TGF-beta expression and decreased fibroblast collagen expression in vitro. We propose that S...
Wound repair and regeneration : official publication of the Wound Healing Society [and] the European Tissue Repair Society
Tissue injury in the oral mucosa activates a cascade of transcriptional events important during t... more Tissue injury in the oral mucosa activates a cascade of transcriptional events important during the healing process that are not yet clearly defined. To characterize these events and identify potential gene targets for future studies, we used cDNA expression arrays in a clinical model of tissue injury. Mucosal biopsies were taken before third molar extraction, 2-4 hours postoperatively, or at 48 hours. Hybridization patterns were analyzed and validated using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Prior to extraction, the biopsied mucosal tissues were characterized by a panoply of genes that were constitutively expressed. After injury, analysis revealed differential expression of genes involved in transcription, inflammation, and remodeling. At 2-4 hours after injury, genes such as Fos, Jun, and early growth response protein were up-regulated, while genes responsible for intercellular adhesion were down-regulated. At 48 hours after injury, the gene profile had shifted toward tissue rem...
Journal of the International Academy of Periodontology, 2014
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the depth of curette sample collection from p... more The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the depth of curette sample collection from periodontal lesions on the recovery of putative periodontal pathogens using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Twenty-two periodontal pockets 6 to 8 mm deep with bleeding on probing at a single-rooted tooth were sampled, yielding 66 separate samples. Curette samples were obtained at three different levels of the periodontal lesion (orifice, shallow--2 mm into the pocket; or base of lesion), and processed using PCR to identify 10 periodontal pathogens. The chi-square procedure was used to determine whether probe depth affected the distribution of bacterial counts observed. A repeated measures analysis of variance tested the hypotheses related to level of probe and microorganism on mean rank of bacterial counts. The effect of probe level on mean bacterial counts depends on the type of microorganism. Likewise, the effect of microorganism type on mean bacterial counts significantly de...
This study assessed the effects of low-level laser treatment in combination with scaling and root... more This study assessed the effects of low-level laser treatment in combination with scaling and root planing (SRP) in patients with periodontitis. Sixty subjects with chronic advanced periodontitis were assigned randomly to three treatment groups (n = 20) after collecting gingival clinical parameters. Group A received SRP on a single quadrant per day for four consecutive days; on the fifth day, all quadrants were rescaled. Group B received the same treatment as Group A, followed by laser application for five days. Group C received the same treatment as Group B but the laser treatment was administered for a total of 10 days. For Groups B and C, a low-level diode laser (630 to 670 nm) was used. The plaque index, gingival index, and sulcular bleeding index were recorded for all groups. For all clinical parameters, all three groups reported statistically significant differences (p < 0.005) compared to baseline data. Compared to Group A, Groups B and C showed statistically significant im...
The International journal of oral & maxillofacial implants
Zirconia ceramics, a biocompatible material with favorable mechanical properties, has been sugges... more Zirconia ceramics, a biocompatible material with favorable mechanical properties, has been suggested for use in the manufacture of dental implants instead of the commonly used titanium. Not much data exist on the early healing response around zirconia dental implants. The aim of this study was to give a descriptive histologic assessment of the degree of early bone apposition around zirconia dental implants at 2 and 4 weeks after insertion compared to surface-modified titanium implants. Four zirconia and 4 titanium implants were placed in New Zealand white male rabbits. One implant was inserted in the condyle of each distal femur. Specimens were harvested at 2 and 4 weeks and processed with light microscopic analysis. The area of bone-implant contact was evaluated histomorphometrically. A high degree of bone apposition could be observed on all implants at both time points. Differences in the percentage of implant surface covered with bone were noted between the 2 time points, with co...
Journal of the California Dental Association, 2012
This study investigated sterilization of used implant impression copings and healing abutments. C... more This study investigated sterilization of used implant impression copings and healing abutments. Components were analyzed after contamination with Enterococcus foecalis, followed by multiple rounds of sterilization by both steam autoclave and Chemiclave protocols. The authors' results demonstrated that used components showed sterility equal to new components without any visible distortion. These data suggest that component resterilization and reuse may be justified or at least considered in clinical practice. Also, implications for cost savings in the placement of implants are advanced.
ABSTRACT Objective: To compare the periodontal health of maxillary and mandibular anterior teeth ... more ABSTRACT Objective: To compare the periodontal health of maxillary and mandibular anterior teeth retained with two types of fixed retainers. Materials and Methods: A fixed straight retainer (SR) group had 39 subjects, and a fixed wave retainer (WR) group had 35 subjects. Subjects were between the ages of 13 and 22 years and had been in fixed retention for 2 to 4 years. Pocket probing depths, bleeding on probing, plaque index, calculus index, recession, and gingival crevicular fluid volume were compared between the two retainer groups. A four-question oral hygiene survey was given to each subject. The Mann-Whitney U-test and Fisher exact test was used to analyze the data. Results: There was no clinically significant difference between the retainer groups regarding plaque index, gingival crevicular fluid volume, calculus index, recession, bleeding on probing, and pocket probing depths. A statistically significant increase in the reported frequency of flossing (P = .006) and ease of flossing (P &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; .001) was associated with the WR group. There was no significant difference between the groups in reported frequency of brushing and comfort of the retainer. Conclusions: Under the conditions of this study, no clinical difference was found in the periodontal health of anterior teeth retained with a SR or WR for a period of 2 to 4 years. Subjects in the WR group reported an increase in frequency and ease of flossing.
Secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI) is a cationic serine protease inhibitor with anti-m... more Secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI) is a cationic serine protease inhibitor with anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties found in large quantities in mucosal fluids, including saliva. SLPI is expressed during cutaneous wound healing, however, its role in oral wound repair is unknown. We have used a novel approach involving a murine buccal mucosal acute wound model to investigate the role of SLPI in oral healing. In parallel to the observed cutaneous healing phenotype, an absence of SLPI results in markedly impaired oral wound healing associated with increased inflammation and raised elastase activity. Moreover, matrix deposition was decreased, while MMP activity was enhanced in the oral SLPI null wounds suggesting deregulated proteolysis. Intriguingly, regardless of genotype, reduced collagen deposition was observed in oral compared to dermal wounds, associated with reduced TGF-beta expression and decreased fibroblast collagen expression in vitro. We propose that SLPI is a pivotal endogenous factor necessary for optimal tissue repair including intra-oral wound healing. In addition, our model provides a unique opportunity to delineate the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the differences between dermal scarring and oral scar-free healing.
To study the immunological consequences of systemic thalidomide treatment in patients with Sjögre... more To study the immunological consequences of systemic thalidomide treatment in patients with Sjögren&amp;amp;#39;s syndrome. Cytokine (tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha), interleukin (IL) 6) and soluble receptor (sIL2R) levels were measured in patient and control plasma (n = 7), before and after thalidomide treatment. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were examined by FACS analysis for potential changes in specific cell populations (T cells, B cells, monocytes), and for the expression of activation markers (CD25, HLA-DR), costimulatory molecules (CD40, CD40L), TNF receptors, chemokine receptors, and adhesion molecules (L-selectin (L-sel)). Owing to adverse effects of thalidomide, the treatment interval was limited. None the less, statistically significant changes in markers of cell activation were recorded in the four treated patients. Before treatment, HLA-DR, TNFRI, CXCRI, and CXCRII were raised in the patients compared with healthy controls (p&amp;amp;lt;0.05) and their expression was down regulated after treatment. B cell numbers and expression of the adhesion molecule L-sel also declined with thalidomide. Significant changes in measures of cell activation were detected during thalidomide treatment within this limited study, which upon further investigation may offer insight into the underlying immunoregulatory pathways of thalidomide.
ABSTRACT Objective: To compare the periodontal health of maxillary and mandibular anterior teeth ... more ABSTRACT Objective: To compare the periodontal health of maxillary and mandibular anterior teeth retained with two types of fixed retainers. Materials and Methods: A fixed straight retainer (SR) group had 39 subjects, and a fixed wave retainer (WR) group had 35 subjects. Subjects were between the ages of 13 and 22 years and had been in fixed retention for 2 to 4 years. Pocket probing depths, bleeding on probing, plaque index, calculus index, recession, and gingival crevicular fluid volume were compared between the two retainer groups. A four-question oral hygiene survey was given to each subject. The Mann-Whitney U-test and Fisher exact test was used to analyze the data. Results: There was no clinically significant difference between the retainer groups regarding plaque index, gingival crevicular fluid volume, calculus index, recession, bleeding on probing, and pocket probing depths. A statistically significant increase in the reported frequency of flossing (P = .006) and ease of flossing (P &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; .001) was associated with the WR group. There was no significant difference between the groups in reported frequency of brushing and comfort of the retainer. Conclusions: Under the conditions of this study, no clinical difference was found in the periodontal health of anterior teeth retained with a SR or WR for a period of 2 to 4 years. Subjects in the WR group reported an increase in frequency and ease of flossing.
This study assessed the effects of low-level laser treatment in combination with scaling and root... more This study assessed the effects of low-level laser treatment in combination with scaling and root planing (SRP) in patients with periodontitis. Sixty subjects with chronic advanced periodontitis were assigned randomly to three treatment groups (n = 20) after collecting gingival clinical parameters. Group A received SRP on a single quadrant per day for four consecutive days; on the fifth day, all quadrants were rescaled. Group B received the same treatment as Group A, followed by laser application for five days. Group C received the same treatment as Group B but the laser treatment was administered for a total of 10 days. For Groups B and C, a low-level diode laser (630 to 670 nm) was used. The plaque index, gingival index, and sulcular bleeding index were recorded for all groups. For all clinical parameters, all three groups reported statistically significant differences (p < 0.005) compared to baseline data. Compared to Group A, Groups B and C showed statistically significant improvement for all clinical parameters. These findings suggest that a low-level diode laser can have a beneficial effect for treating inflammatory chronic advanced periodontitis.
To provide insight into the clinical failure of the tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) inhib... more To provide insight into the clinical failure of the tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) inhibitor, etanercept, in primary Sjögren syndrome (pSS), an extensive analysis of the systemic immune profile of patients with pSS was carried out and the effect of etanercept treatment on these immune parameters monitored. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with pSS and healthy controls were compared by flow cytometry to determine differences in distribution of specific cell populations (T cells, B cells, monocytes), and to determine their expression of activation markers (CD25, HLA-DR), TNF receptors and chemokine receptors (CXCR1, 2) before and after treatment. Systemic cytokine levels were measured by multiplex ELISA assay in plasma and in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated whole blood from healthy controls and from patients with pSS before and after etanercept treatment. Baseline cytokine levels were correlated with clinical markers of disease. Before treatment, salivary gland inflammatory focus scores did not correlate with circulating TNF levels. Furthermore, consistent with the lack of evidence of significant clinical benefit, enhanced markers of immune activation, frequency of cell subpopulations and aberrant cytokine profiles were not restored to normal levels by etanercept treatment. Remarkably, the levels of circulating TNFalpha were significantly increased after treatment. Etanercept is an ineffective therapeutic agent in pSS consistent with the absence of suppression of TNFalpha and other indicators of immune activation in this patient population. These data suggest that TNFalpha may not be a pivotal cytokine in the pathogenesis of pSS, impelling continued molecular characterisation of disease parameters to define appropriate intervention targets.
The aim of this study is to compile a comprehensive database on color range and color distributio... more The aim of this study is to compile a comprehensive database on color range and color distribution of healthy human gingiva by age, gender and ethnicity. Spectral reflection of keratinized gingiva at upper central incisors was measured by spectroradiometer and converted into CIELAB values. Lightness range (ΔL*) for all groups together was 26.8. Corresponding a* (green-red) and b* (blue-yellow) ranges (Δa* and Δb*) were 18.3 and 13.0. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were recorded by age for L* and a* coordinates, by gender for b* coordinate, and by ethnicity for L*, a* and b* coordinates. R(2)-values between color coordinates were 0.01 (L*/a*), 0.03 (L*/b*), and 0.12 (a*/b*). The smallest color differences were recorded between age groups 46-60 and 60 + (ΔE* = 0.9), and between Caucasians and Hispanics (ΔE* = 1.1). Color difference by gender was 1.3. When total L*a*b* ranges were divided into four equal segments, 51.7% of subjects had L* value within the third segment (from lig...
Secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI) is a cationic serine protease inhibitor with anti-m... more Secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI) is a cationic serine protease inhibitor with anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties found in large quantities in mucosal fluids, including saliva. SLPI is expressed during cutaneous wound healing, however, its role in oral wound repair is unknown. We have used a novel approach involving a murine buccal mucosal acute wound model to investigate the role of SLPI in oral healing. In parallel to the observed cutaneous healing phenotype, an absence of SLPI results in markedly impaired oral wound healing associated with increased inflammation and raised elastase activity. Moreover, matrix deposition was decreased, while MMP activity was enhanced in the oral SLPI null wounds suggesting deregulated proteolysis. Intriguingly, regardless of genotype, reduced collagen deposition was observed in oral compared to dermal wounds, associated with reduced TGF-beta expression and decreased fibroblast collagen expression in vitro. We propose that S...
Wound repair and regeneration : official publication of the Wound Healing Society [and] the European Tissue Repair Society
Tissue injury in the oral mucosa activates a cascade of transcriptional events important during t... more Tissue injury in the oral mucosa activates a cascade of transcriptional events important during the healing process that are not yet clearly defined. To characterize these events and identify potential gene targets for future studies, we used cDNA expression arrays in a clinical model of tissue injury. Mucosal biopsies were taken before third molar extraction, 2-4 hours postoperatively, or at 48 hours. Hybridization patterns were analyzed and validated using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Prior to extraction, the biopsied mucosal tissues were characterized by a panoply of genes that were constitutively expressed. After injury, analysis revealed differential expression of genes involved in transcription, inflammation, and remodeling. At 2-4 hours after injury, genes such as Fos, Jun, and early growth response protein were up-regulated, while genes responsible for intercellular adhesion were down-regulated. At 48 hours after injury, the gene profile had shifted toward tissue rem...
Journal of the International Academy of Periodontology, 2014
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the depth of curette sample collection from p... more The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the depth of curette sample collection from periodontal lesions on the recovery of putative periodontal pathogens using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Twenty-two periodontal pockets 6 to 8 mm deep with bleeding on probing at a single-rooted tooth were sampled, yielding 66 separate samples. Curette samples were obtained at three different levels of the periodontal lesion (orifice, shallow--2 mm into the pocket; or base of lesion), and processed using PCR to identify 10 periodontal pathogens. The chi-square procedure was used to determine whether probe depth affected the distribution of bacterial counts observed. A repeated measures analysis of variance tested the hypotheses related to level of probe and microorganism on mean rank of bacterial counts. The effect of probe level on mean bacterial counts depends on the type of microorganism. Likewise, the effect of microorganism type on mean bacterial counts significantly de...
This study assessed the effects of low-level laser treatment in combination with scaling and root... more This study assessed the effects of low-level laser treatment in combination with scaling and root planing (SRP) in patients with periodontitis. Sixty subjects with chronic advanced periodontitis were assigned randomly to three treatment groups (n = 20) after collecting gingival clinical parameters. Group A received SRP on a single quadrant per day for four consecutive days; on the fifth day, all quadrants were rescaled. Group B received the same treatment as Group A, followed by laser application for five days. Group C received the same treatment as Group B but the laser treatment was administered for a total of 10 days. For Groups B and C, a low-level diode laser (630 to 670 nm) was used. The plaque index, gingival index, and sulcular bleeding index were recorded for all groups. For all clinical parameters, all three groups reported statistically significant differences (p < 0.005) compared to baseline data. Compared to Group A, Groups B and C showed statistically significant im...
The International journal of oral & maxillofacial implants
Zirconia ceramics, a biocompatible material with favorable mechanical properties, has been sugges... more Zirconia ceramics, a biocompatible material with favorable mechanical properties, has been suggested for use in the manufacture of dental implants instead of the commonly used titanium. Not much data exist on the early healing response around zirconia dental implants. The aim of this study was to give a descriptive histologic assessment of the degree of early bone apposition around zirconia dental implants at 2 and 4 weeks after insertion compared to surface-modified titanium implants. Four zirconia and 4 titanium implants were placed in New Zealand white male rabbits. One implant was inserted in the condyle of each distal femur. Specimens were harvested at 2 and 4 weeks and processed with light microscopic analysis. The area of bone-implant contact was evaluated histomorphometrically. A high degree of bone apposition could be observed on all implants at both time points. Differences in the percentage of implant surface covered with bone were noted between the 2 time points, with co...
Journal of the California Dental Association, 2012
This study investigated sterilization of used implant impression copings and healing abutments. C... more This study investigated sterilization of used implant impression copings and healing abutments. Components were analyzed after contamination with Enterococcus foecalis, followed by multiple rounds of sterilization by both steam autoclave and Chemiclave protocols. The authors' results demonstrated that used components showed sterility equal to new components without any visible distortion. These data suggest that component resterilization and reuse may be justified or at least considered in clinical practice. Also, implications for cost savings in the placement of implants are advanced.
ABSTRACT Objective: To compare the periodontal health of maxillary and mandibular anterior teeth ... more ABSTRACT Objective: To compare the periodontal health of maxillary and mandibular anterior teeth retained with two types of fixed retainers. Materials and Methods: A fixed straight retainer (SR) group had 39 subjects, and a fixed wave retainer (WR) group had 35 subjects. Subjects were between the ages of 13 and 22 years and had been in fixed retention for 2 to 4 years. Pocket probing depths, bleeding on probing, plaque index, calculus index, recession, and gingival crevicular fluid volume were compared between the two retainer groups. A four-question oral hygiene survey was given to each subject. The Mann-Whitney U-test and Fisher exact test was used to analyze the data. Results: There was no clinically significant difference between the retainer groups regarding plaque index, gingival crevicular fluid volume, calculus index, recession, bleeding on probing, and pocket probing depths. A statistically significant increase in the reported frequency of flossing (P = .006) and ease of flossing (P &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; .001) was associated with the WR group. There was no significant difference between the groups in reported frequency of brushing and comfort of the retainer. Conclusions: Under the conditions of this study, no clinical difference was found in the periodontal health of anterior teeth retained with a SR or WR for a period of 2 to 4 years. Subjects in the WR group reported an increase in frequency and ease of flossing.
Secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI) is a cationic serine protease inhibitor with anti-m... more Secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI) is a cationic serine protease inhibitor with anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties found in large quantities in mucosal fluids, including saliva. SLPI is expressed during cutaneous wound healing, however, its role in oral wound repair is unknown. We have used a novel approach involving a murine buccal mucosal acute wound model to investigate the role of SLPI in oral healing. In parallel to the observed cutaneous healing phenotype, an absence of SLPI results in markedly impaired oral wound healing associated with increased inflammation and raised elastase activity. Moreover, matrix deposition was decreased, while MMP activity was enhanced in the oral SLPI null wounds suggesting deregulated proteolysis. Intriguingly, regardless of genotype, reduced collagen deposition was observed in oral compared to dermal wounds, associated with reduced TGF-beta expression and decreased fibroblast collagen expression in vitro. We propose that SLPI is a pivotal endogenous factor necessary for optimal tissue repair including intra-oral wound healing. In addition, our model provides a unique opportunity to delineate the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the differences between dermal scarring and oral scar-free healing.
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Papers by Nikola Angelov