Objective The present randomized controlled trial compares for the first time the vestibular socket therapy (VST) to the contour augmentation technique in the management of compromised fresh extraction sockets in the maxillary esthetic zone, regarding mid‐facial soft tissue changes (primary outcome), mesial and distal papillae dimensions, horizontal soft tissue changes and labial bone plate thickness at apical, middle and coronal levels (secondary outcomes) over 1‐year. Materials and Methods Forty participants with single nonrestorable maxillary teeth in the esthetic zone were randomized into two groups; VST (test; n = 20) utilizing vestibular access for guided bone regeneration (GBR) with immediate implant placement, or contour augmentation (control; n = 20) undergoing an initial healing period followed by implant placement with GBR through a conventional access flap. Results All implants were successfully osseo‐integrated, except for one implant in the test group. VST showed significantly less mid‐facial soft tissue changes of −0.53 ± 1.17 mm versus −1.87 ± 0.69 mm in the control group (p < 0.001). Similarly, changes in mesial papilla (test = −0.64 ± 0.95 mm, control = −1.20 ± 0.81 mm), distal papilla (test = −0.56 ± 1.17 mm, control = −1.26 ± 0.63 mm), horizontal soft‐tissue (test = −0.82 ± 0.95 mm, control = −1.84 ± 0.88 mm; p < 0.05) were significantly less in VST. Intra‐group comparisons demonstrated a significant increase in labial bone thickness, with no differences between groups. Regression analysis revealed a significant correlation between VST as well as increased coronal bone thickness with the reduction in mid‐facial soft‐tissue changes. Conclusion The VST showed less soft‐tissue changes and could represent an innovative technique for implant placement in the maxillary esthetic zone. Both techniques showed a high implant survival rate and increased bone thickness after 12 months.

Objective The objective of this randomized controlled trial was to evaluate the radiographic changes and histologic healing following alveolar ridge preservation (ARP) using autogenous whole tooth (AWTG), test group, versus autogenous demineralized dentin graft (ADDG), control group. Material and methods Twenty non‐molar teeth indicated for extraction were randomized into two groups (n = 10/group). Extracted teeth were prepared into AWTG or ADDG (0.6N HCl; 30 min), inserted into extraction sockets and covered by collagen membranes. Cone‐beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans at baseline and six months were compared to assess ridge‐dimensional changes. At six months, bone biopsies of engrafted sites were harvested and analyzed histomorphometrically. Results All sites healed uneventfully. Reduction was 0.85 ± 0.38 mm and 1.02 ± 0.45 mm in ridge width, 0.61 ± 0.20 mm and 0.72 ± 0.27 mm in buccal and 0.66 ± 0.31 mm and 0.56 ± 0.24 mm in lingual ridge height for the AWTG and ADDG group, respectively (p > .05). Histologically, no inflammatory reactions were noticeable and all samples showed new bone formation. Qualitatively, graft‐bone amalgamations were more pronounced in ADDG samples. Histomorphometrically, new bone, graft remnants and soft tissue occupied 37.55% ± 8.94%, 17.05% ± 5.58% and 45.4% ± 4.06% of the areas in the AWTG group and 48.4% ± 11.56%, 11.45% ± 4.13% and 40.15% ± 7.73% in the ADDG group of the examined areas, respectively (p > .05). Conclusions AWTG and ADDG are similarly effective in ARP. Yet, histologically ADDG seems to demonstrate better graft remodeling, integration and osteoinductive properties.

Aim To assess platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) with ascorbic acid (AA) versus PRF in intra-osseous defects of stage-III periodontitis patients. Methodology Twenty stage-III/grade C periodontitis patients, with ≥ 3 mm intra-osseous defects, were randomized into test (open flap debridement (OFD)+AA/PRF; n = 10) and control (OFD+PRF; n = 10). Clinical attachment level (CAL; primary outcome), probing pocket depth (PPD), gingival recession depth (RD), full-mouth bleeding scores (FMBS), full-mouth plaque scores (FMPS), radiographic linear defect depth (RLDD) and radiographic defect bone density (RDBD) (secondary-outcomes) were examined at baseline, 3 and 6 months post-surgically. Results OFD+AA/PRF and OFD+PRF demonstrated significant intragroup CAL gain and PPD reduction at 3 and 6 months (p < 0.001). OFD+AA/PRF and OFD+PRF showed no differences regarding FMBS or FMPS (p > 0.05). OFD+AA/PRF demonstrated significant RD reduction of 0.90 ± 0.50 mm and 0.80 ± 0.71 mm at 3 and 6 months, while OFD+PRF showed RD reduction of 0.10 ± 0.77 mm at 3 months, with an RD-increase of 0.20 ± 0.82 mm at 6 months (p < 0.05). OFD+AA/PRF and OFD+PRF demonstrated significant RLDD reduction (2.29 ± 0.61 mm and 1.63 ± 0.46 mm; p < 0.05) and RDBD-increase (14.61 ± 5.39% and 12.58 ± 5.03%; p > 0.05). Stepwise linear regression analysis showed that baseline RLDD and FMBS at 6 months were significant predictors of CAL reduction (p < 0.001). Conclusions OFD+PRF with/without AA significantly improved periodontal parameters 6 months post-surgically. Augmenting PRF with AA additionally enhanced gingival tissue gain and radiographic defect fill. Clinical relevance PRF, with or without AA, could significantly improve periodontal parameters. Supplementing PRF with AA could additionally augment radiographic linear defect fill and reduce gingival recession depth.

Aim The present study aimed to systematically assess current evidence on effects of locally delivered antibiotics during periodontal surgery compared to periodontal surgery alone on clinical attachment level (CAL) gain, probing pocket depth (PPD) reduction, recession depth (RD) changes, gingival index (GI), bleeding on probing (BOP), and plaque index (PI). Methodology MEDLINE-PubMed, Cochrane-CENTRAL and Scopus databases were searched up to April 2021 for randomized clinical trials (RCT), evaluating effects of locally delivered antibiotics during periodontal surgery. CAL gain served as primary, while PPD reduction, RD changes, GI and PI as secondary outcomes. The Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool was used to assess possible bias. Data were extracted, and meta-analysis was performed where appropriate. Result Screening of 2314 papers resulted in nine eligible studies. No adverse events were reported. Data on outcome variables were pooled and analyzed using generic inverse variance model and presented as weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI). Statistically significant improvements in favor of antibiotics’ delivery were observed in studies with follow-up of ≤6 months for CAL gain (WMD = 0.61 mm (95% CI [0.07, 1.14]; p = 0.03), PPD reduction (WMD = 0.41 mm (95% CI [0.02, 0.80]; p = 0.04)) and BOP (WMD = −28.47% (95% CI [−33.00, −23.94]); p < 0.001), while for GI improvements were notable for >6 to 12 months (WMD = −0.27 (95% CI [−0.49, −0.06]; p = 0.01)). Conclusion Within the current review’s limitations, locally delivered antibiotics during surgical periodontal therapy results in post-surgical improvements for CAL, PPD, and BOP (≤6 months) with a longer-lasting GI improvement. Further randomized controlled trials are needed with true periodontal end-points to assess the ideal antibiotic agent, dosage, and delivery methods. Clinical relevance Local delivery of antibiotics during periodontal surgery improved clinical parameters for up to 6-month follow-up, with beneficial longer effects on gingival inflammation. Within the current study’s limitation, the presented evidence could support the elective usage of locally delivered antibiotics during surgical periodontal therapy.

Aim The current randomized controlled trial assessed for the first time the effect of a low-speed platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) with open flap debridement (OFD) versus OFD alone in the treatment of periodontal intra-osseous defects of stage-III periodontitis patients. Methods Twenty-two periodontitis patients with ≥ 6 mm probing depth (PD) and ≥ 3 mm intra-osseous defects were randomized into test (PRF + OFD; n = 11) and control (OFD; n = 11) groups. Clinical attachment level (CAL)–gain (primary outcome), PD-reduction, gingival recession depth (GRD), full-mouth bleeding scores (FMBS), full-mouth plaque scores (FMPS), radiographic linear defect depth (RLDD), and radiographic bone fill (secondary-outcomes) were examined over 9 months post-surgically. Results Low-speed PRF + OFD and OFD demonstrated significant intra-group CAL-gain and PD- and RLDD-reduction at 3, 6, and 9 months (p < 0.01). Low-speed PRF + OFD exhibited a significant CAL-gain of 3.36 ± 1.12 mm at 6 months (2.36 ± 0.81 mm for the control group; p < 0.05), and a significantly greater PD-reduction of 3.36 ± 1.12 mm at 3 months, of 3.64 ± 1.12 mm at 6 months and of 3.73 ± 1.19 mm at 9 months (2.00 ± 0.89 mm, 2.09 ± 1.04 mm, and 2.18 ± 1.17 mm in the control group respectively; p < 0.05). No significant differences were notable regarding GRD, FMPS, FMBS, RLDD, or bone fill between both groups (p > 0.05). Conclusions Within the current clinical trial’s limitations, the use of low-speed PRF in conjunction with OFD improved CAL and PD post-surgically, and could provide a cost-effective modality to augment surgical periodontal therapy of intra-osseous defects of stage-III periodontitis patients. Clinical relevance Low-speed PRF could provide a cost-effective modality to improve clinical attachment gain and periodontal probing depth reduction with open flap debridement approaches.