Seven patients with chronic moderate to severe generalized periodontitis requiring periodontal flap surgery were selected for study. Internally beveled full thickness, apically positioned flaps with osseous recontouring were performed in 20 quadrants. Half the quadrants received a noneugenol dressing, and the other half were left undressed. Fluid Index, Gingival Index, inflammatory index, pocket depth and patient comfort were studied up to 16 weeks postoperatively. Results showed no difference in these parameters between quadrants where periodontal dressings were or were not used following surgery. The patients reported more pain and discomfort and the pain and discomfort was more severe postoperatively when the dressing was used. The results of this study suggest that a surgical dressing serves no useful purpose when periodontal flap surgery is performed.
Five patients received a Proplast implant in combination two- and three-wall osseous defects. In four of the cases the implant material was removed within 6 weeks due to failure to maintain primary closure over the Proplast and subsequent inflammation. One implant remained in place for 6 months with no apparent visual signs of inflammation. However, an 8 mm pocket remained, the area was reentered, and histologic sections made. The histologic sections revealed Proplast intermixed with bone, and the presence of foreign body giant cells.
If the vertical angulation of maxillary molar roots could be reliably predicted, this might affect the choice of roots resection procedures. In an attempt to develop this prediction, angulation of palatal roots was compared to palatal vault height. Human cadaveric maxillae with molars were sectioned faciopalatally through each tooth root to the palatal midline and photographed. Root angles and palatal height were measured on the photographs in relation to a reference line connecting buccal and palatal cementoenamel junctions (CEJ). Palatal vault heights were classified as low, medium, or high according to the perpendicular distance from the midpalatal suture to the reference line. Root angles were subtended by a line following the length of pulp canals and perpendicular to the CEJ reference. Analysis by Spearman's Rank Correlation Coefficient demonstrated a weak nonsignificant relationship between palatal vault height and the angulation of the various maxillary molar roots. Thus, palatal vault height would not be a reliable predictor of root angulation if this were to be used as a basis for root retention.
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