Application of a single cycle of PDT was not effective as an adjunct to ultrasonic periodontal treatment. There were no extra reductions in pocket depths and bleeding on probing. With regard to eradicating bacteria, however, there are no additional effects as compared with conventional treatment alone.

The data corroborate the thesis that periodontitis patients with inadequate stress behavior strategies (defensive coping) are at greater risk for severe periodontal disease. However, further investigations are required to confirm the significance of inappropriate coping styles with respect to the advancement of periodontal disease.

This study investigated effects of electromyographic (EMG) biofeedback (BFB) and transcutaneous electrical neuromuscular stimulation (TENS) on the EMG activity of the masticatory muscles and skin conductance level (SCL) of patients, suffering from myofacial pain syndrome. In the course of the investigation, EMG activity as well as the SCL was measured after a 20 min BFB or, respectively, after a myomonitor session in 20 patients and pre- and post-treatment values were compared. Results showed tendencies of decreased mean-EMG levels for both groups after the treatment sessions, with higher EMG values for the myomonitor group. There was no indication of a significant decrease in mean EMG levels over the sessions. Furthermore, an increase of the SCL during the period of treatment was observed for both groups in session I and II, while session III produced nearly stable values. No existing correlations for changes in SCL and EMG-activity could be established.

Transfer of the precise position of implants to a master cast is a prerequisite for accurate and passive fit of the superstructure. Implants lack the mobility of natural teeth and, therefore, inaccurate frameworks result in stress within the mechanical parts and the implant-bone interface. Various impression methods have been described to achieve accurate reproduction of the intra-oral relation of the implants. The aim of this experimental study was to compare three different impression materials (polyether, polyvinyl siloxane, hydrocolloid) with the Frialit(R)-2 system and with the indirect technique. In addition, the use of transfer caps (TCs) to improve transfer precision was tested with all three materials. All measurements were performed using a three-dimensional (3D) co-ordinate measuring machine that is capable of locating points in space and calculating the relative distortions as angles of tilt (rot-XY, rot-XZ, rot-YZ) and 3D displacement. The results suggest that addition-silicone (a-silicone) and polyether are the materials of choice for implant transfer procedures. The use of TCs resulted in a significantly reduced rotation in the XY-plane but did not improve the absolute 3D displacement. A-silicone with the use of TCs proved to be most precise. Comparison between polyether and polyvinyl siloxane showed significant differences in the XY-rotation and the 3D displacement in favour of the silicone. Because the mean distortions between the original model and the master casts were about 100 microm, absolutely precise fit may be unattainable owing to the physical properties of the materials. Further studies will have to evaluate the amount of tolerable stress at the implant-bone interface.

The present follow-up study evaluated clinical and radiographic parameters of dental implants placed with simultaneous guided bone regeneration with expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (e-PTFE) membranes. All implants were functioning well 24 months after insertion. In all, 63 patients with a total of 91 e-PTFE-augmented implants were integrated in a regular maintenance protocol. Modified periodontal data of 85 implants in 59 patients were recorded at 24 months and indicated no difference to implants placed in sufficient pristine bone. The mean plaque score (mplI) was 0.29, 74% of the sites showed no plaque. The sulcular probing depth ranged from 1 to 7 mm with a mean of 2.6 mm (SD +/- 0.8). Of the sites 96.5% were < or = 4 mm deep, in 49% of them probing resulted in bleeding. Periotest values 6 and 24 months (mean: -3.4 and -3.4) after placement revealed stable peri-implant conditions and sustained osseointegration. The radiographic evaluation performed 6, 12 and 24 months post insertion yielded a mean bone loss of 0.93, 1.36 and 1.51 mm ranging from 0 to 4 mm. The short-term results of our clinical study demonstrated stable peri-implant conditions 2 years after membrane-protected osseous regeneration. The newly formed bone seemed to be able to withstand functional loading in a predictable manner after 18 months.