Objectives: Notch signaling pathway, known to influence bone resorption in several oral diseases, has not been analyzed in peri-implantitis yet. Therefore, the aims of the present study were to determine the levels of Notch cascade, bone remodeling mediators, and pro-inflammatory cytokines, in conjunction with clinical parameters, in subjects with peri-implant mucositis and peri-implantitis.Material and methods: Clinical parameters: peri-implant probing depth, bleeding on probing, suppuration on probing, and plaque index (PI) were recorded. Samples were collected from 130 participants, divided into peri-implantitis (PI), peri-implant mucositis (PM), and healthy implants (HI) group. Relative expression levels (REL) of Notch 1,

Background and objective Notch signalling cascade has recently been connected to alveolar bone resorption in periodontitis. Hence, the present cross‐sectional study aimed to analyze the expression of Notch signalling pathway (Notch 1, Notch 2, Jagged 1, Hes 1, Hey 1) and periodontitis‐related (tumor necrosis factor alpha‐ TNF‐α, interleukin 17‐IL‐17, receptor activator of nuclear factor‐kappa B ligand—RANKL, osteoprotegerin—OPG) molecules and correlate it with clinical parameters in aggressive (AP) and chronic (CP) periodontitis. Additionally, the aforementioned markers' expression was evaluated in periodontitis patients with different RANKL/OPG ratios. Material and methods Eighty patients were enrolled either in AP or CP group. Clinical attachment level (CAL), bleeding on probing (BOP), periodontal probing depth (PPD) and plaque index (PI) were recorded for each patient. Total RNA was extracted from gingival crevicular fluid samples. Relative gene expression of investigated markers was determined by reverse transcriptase‐real‐time polymerase chain reaction. Results Significantly higher values of PPD were observed in AP compared to CP (P = .010). Negative correlations between OPG and CAL, and OPG and PI, were found in AP (P = .045, P = .006, respectively), while Hey 1 and PI had a positive correlation (P = .049). In multivariate linear regression analysis, OPG and Notch 2 were predictors of CAL in AP group. TNF‐α and IL‐17 were higher in RANKL predominant than in OPG predominant cases (P = .007, P = .001, respectively). In RANKL predominant lesions Notch 1 and Jagged 1 were down‐regulated in AP compared to CP patients (P = .010, P = .025, respectively). Conclusion The present study demonstrated that changes in Notch 2 expression affected CAL in AP cases hence this molecule could be considered as a contributor to alveolar bone loss. In RANKL‐activated settings, the down‐regulation of Notch 1 might participate in more severe bone resorption in AP.

Background The data on polyetheretherketone (PEEK) influence on the peri-implant soft tissues in clinical settings are deficient. The aims of this pilot study were to analyze and compare soft tissues’ response to PEEK and titanium (Ti) healing abutments (HA) by means of histological and immunohistochemical analyses. Methods A total of 22 implants with PEEK or Ti HA were placed in 11 patients, applying the “split-mouth” study design. Three months later, soft tissue specimens were harvested from 20 implants for histology in order to qualitatively detect the inflammatory cells’ presence, to semi-qualitatively analyze the inflammation intensity and to assess the inflammatory responses type by immunohistochemical analysis using LCA, CD3, CD20 and CD68 antibodies. Results Epithelial infiltrate followed by an intensive inflammation in sub-epithelium was observed in 100% around PEEK HA. A number of LCA+ and CD 68+ cells was significantly higher in PEEK comparing to Ti group (p = 0.001 and p = 0.020, respectively), while CD 20+ and CD3+ counted cells were found in a significantly higher amount in Ti than in PEEK group (p = 0.006 and p = 0.010, respectively). Conclusion PEEK HA seems to evoke the more intense tissue inflammatory response demonstrated predominantly by histocytes’ and plasmacytes’ activation, while Ti HA triggers the inflammatory reaction of lower intensity, dominantly mediated by B-cells. Trial registration The study registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04436939).

The primary aim of this study was to compare the anesthetic e cacy of the intraseptal anesthesia (ISA) obtained with three doses of 4% articaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine (4%Ar + Ep) for scaling and root planing (SRP), using a computer-controlled local anesthetic delivery system (CCLADS). Secondary aims were to compare the clinical anesthetic parameters in relation to different jaw regions and examine the possible in uence of sex and smoking habits on them. Materials and MethodsSRP under ISA obtained with different doses (0.1 ml, 0.2 ml, and 0.3 ml) of 4%Ar + Ep was performed in 360 patients. The success rate, onset, duration of soft tissue anesthesia, the anesthetic eld widths were recorded by pinprick testing. ResultsThe anesthesia success was high (90-95%). The onset was immediate. The duration and anesthetic eld widths showed a dose-related signi cance, however without a consistent sex-related or smoking-related signi cance. The multiple logistic regression analysis revealed a 2-fold higher chance of anesthesia success by increasing the dose, and increased bleeding on probing-related and female sex-reduced probability of anesthesia success. ConclusionsISA obtained with 0.3 ml of 4%Ar + Ep delivered by computer-controlled local anesthetic delivery system provided a high anesthetic success and the adequate clinical anesthetic parameters for SRP in all regions of both jaws. Clinical RelevanceISA obtained with 4%Ar + Ep provides an effective anesthesia for SRP. Anesthetic success rate may be reduced in the presence of gingival in ammation and in females, as well.Study was registered in a Clinical Trials database (NCT04392804, registration date May 9 th , 2020).

Background. The data on polyetheretherketone (PEEK) influence on the peri-implant soft tissues in clinical settings are deficient. The aims of this pilot study were to analyze and compare soft tissues’ response to PEEK and titanium (Ti) healing abutments (HA) by means of histological and immunohistochemical analyses. Methods. A total of 22 implants with PEEK or Ti HA were placed in 11 patients, applying the “split-mouth” study design. Three months later, soft tissue specimens were harvested from 20 implants for histology in order to qualitatively detect the inflammatory cells’ presence, to semi-qualitatively analyze the inflammation intensity and to assess the inflammatory responses type by immunohistochemical analysis using LCA, CD3, CD20 and CD68 antibodies. Results. Epithelial infiltrate followed by an intensive inflammation in sub-epithelium was observed in 100% around PEEK HA. A number of LCA + and CD 68 + cells was significantly higher in PEEK comparing to Ti group (p = 0.001 and p = 0.020, respectively), while CD 20 + and CD3 + counted cells were found in a significantly higher amount in Ti than in PEEK group (p = 0.006 and p = 0.010, respectively). Conclusion. PEEK HA seems to evoke the more intense tissue inflammatory response demonstrated predominantly by histocytes’ and plasmacytes’ activation, while Ti HA triggers the inflammatory reaction of lower intensity, dominantly mediated by B-cells. The study registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04436939).