The aim of this study was to determine interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) levels and neutrophil elastase (NE) activity in peri-implant crevicular fluid (PICF) of smoker and nonsmoker patients, and to investigate their relationships with clinical parameters. A total of 42 endosseous root-form dental implants of 14 patients were clinically examined by modified Plaque index (PI), modified Gingival index (GI) and probing depth (PD). Smoking habits of the patients were recorded. PICF of implants were collected by Periopaper strips and IL-1beta, TNF-alpha levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). NE was analyzed with a neutrophil specific chromogenic substrate, N-methoxysuccinyl-Ala-Ala-Pro-Val-p-nitroanilide. The cytokine and enzyme levels in PICF were expressed as total amount/activity and as concentrations. NE activity in PICF significantly correlated with GI and PD, and IL-1beta levels with GI and PICF volume (P < 0.05). The correlations were stronger when the PICF levels were expressed as total IL-1beta amount and as total NE activity. The implants with inflamed gingiva (GI > 1) had higher levels of IL-1beta and NE activity than implants with noninflamed or slightly inflamed gingiva (GI 3 mm) was greater than the implants with shallow pockets (PD

The purpose of this study was to investigate the beneficial effects of particulate ostrich eggshell grafting on the healing of experimentally induced skull defects. The clinical, radiological, histological, and histomorphometrical findings of this material were compared with the results of commercially available demineralized bone matrix (DBM). The study was conducted on 18 adult New Zealand rabbits. One defect served as a control and the remaining ones either were filled with different sized eggshell particles or DBM, in each animal. Clinical and radiological inspections and histologic investigations of the animals were done at the 1st, 3rd, and 6th months of postoperative period. Radiologically, minimal bone regeneration was observed at the empty, control defect sites. The most advanced bone regeneration was in the DBM grafted defects. The eggshell particle grafted defect sites displayed weak bone regeneration at earlier stages, at 1st and 3rd months after operation when compared with demineralized bone matrix. Nevertheless, ossification was satisfactory at 6th month after operation when compared with the control defects. Within the limitations of this study, it was concluded that Ostrich eggshell powder (OSP) is a worth-while bone substitute because it is a safe, cheap, and easily available material. Long-term studies will clarify its possible role in maxillofacial surgery. Further sophisticated experiments should be undertaken before human implantation concerning its osteoproductive activity alone or in combination with other materials.

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Potential beneficial effects of outer and inner ostrich eggshell membranes alone and in combination with the shell powder on bone regeneration in cranial defects of 18 rabbits were investigated using radiological, clinical and histological methods. Three 6 mm wide, half-thickness defects were made in the calvarial bones of each rabbit. One defect remained empty as a control; prepared eggshell membranes were extended across the other two defects; and prepared eggshell powder was inserted inside the membrane in one case. Either alone or in combination with eggshell powder, the outer and inner ostrich eggshell membranes produced little adjunctive effect under the conditions and duration of this experiment.

No abstract