Results of this trial demonstrate that treatment of periodontitis with subgingivally delivered doxycycline in a biodegradable polymer is equally effective as scaling and root planing and superior in effect to placebo control and oral hygiene in reducing the clinical signs of adult periodontitis over a 9-month period. This represents positive changes resulting from the use of subgingivally applied doxycycline as scaling and root planing was not limited regarding time of the procedure or use of local anesthesia.

No abstract

Based on the results of this study, the application of enamel matrix derivative to denuded root surfaces receiving coronally advanced flaps significantly increased the percentage of root coverage compared to CAF without EMD. In addition, EMD application was accompanied by a significant increase in keratinized tissue 6 months after surgery.

The clinical, histopathologic and functional consequences of the genetic deficiency of leukocyte Mac‐1, LFA‐1 and p150,95 were assessed among (1) three affected patients, (2) heterozygotes and (3) unaffected individuals among two generations of a single kindred. Longitudinal assessments of this family afforded the unique opportunity to characterize the natural history of severe periodontal manifestations associated with this disorder. Features uniformly observed among each patient included recurrent, necrotic soft tissue infections, impaired pus formation, delayed wound healing, constant granulocytosis, severe abnormalities of adhesion‐dependent granulocyte functions and a profound deficiency (3%–6% of normal) of Mac‐1 glycoproteins on granulocyte surfaces. Characteristic features of generalized prepubertal periodontitis including rapidly progressive alveolar bone loss affecting the primary and permanent dentitions (leading to premature tooth loss), recession, clefting and migration in association with intense gingival inflammation were uniformly observed. Biopsies of inflamed periodontal tissues in these individuals demonstrated dense infiltrates of mononuclear leukocytes but a striking absence of extravascular neutrophil granulocytes. Heterozygous family members demonstrated approximately half normal Mac‐1 protein expression but no susceptibility to systemic infections and normal, adhesion‐dependent leukocyte functions. Prepubescent heterozygotes demonstrated no periodontal manifestations but a 31‐year‐old heterozygous female exhibited clinical and radiographic features typical of postjuvenile periodontitis. The profound periodontal manifestations recognized in this clinical‐pathologic model emphasize the physiologic importance of leukocyte adhesion reactions in defense of the periodontium and further suggest a possible pathologic role for Mac‐1 proteins in other forms of early‐onset periodontitis.

The OELP lesion size in the 1% pimecrolimus group decreased and the pimecrolimus cream was found to significantly reduce the patient's pain scores. Further study of 1% pimecrolimus as therapy for OELP is warranted since it was shown to be effective, relatively safe, and well tolerated by patients within the limits of this short-term study.