Given the evidences that IgG response in AP patients correlated with bacterial infection level in GAP, but not in LAP, and that LAP patients lack a response to Tf, despite harbouring this species, our data suggest a difference in host immune defence between these two forms of aggressive periodontitis.

The aim of this study was to evaluate histomorphometrically the influence of two techniques of dental implant site preparation on bone healing around titanium implants. Fifteen male Wistar rats (±300 g) were used in the study. Each tibia was randomly assigned to receive the implant site preparation either with a conventional drilling technique (control - DRILL group) or with a piezoelectric device (PIEZO group). The animals were sacrificed after 30 days and then the following histomorphometric parameters were evaluated (percentage) separately for cortical and cancellous regions: proportion of mineralized tissue (PMT) adjacent to implant threads (500 μm adjacent); bone area within the threads (BA) and bone-implant contact (BIC). The results demonstrated that there were no statistically significant differences between both groups for cancellous BIC (p>0.05) and cortical PMT (p>0.05). On the other hand, a higher percentage of BA was observed in the PIEZO group in the cortical (71.50±6.91 and 78.28±4.38 for DRILL and PIEZO groups, respectively; p<0.05) and cancellous regions (9.62±4.06 and 19.94±14.18 for DRILL and PIEZO groups, respectively; p<0.05). The piezosurgery also showed higher PMT values in the cancellous zone (9.35±5.54 and 18.72±13.21 for DRILL and PIEZO groups, respectively; p<0.05). However, the DRILL group presented better results for BIC in cortical region (80.42±10.88 and 70.25±16.93 for DRILL and PIEZO groups, respectively; p<0.05). In conclusion, for the implant site preparation, the piezosurgery was beneficial to bone healing rates in the cancellous bone region, while the drill technique produced better results in the cortical bone.

Systemic administration of PTH(1-34) augmented bone volume in autogenous grafts.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a lower dose of parathyroid hormone- PTH (1-34) on osteogenic potential of bone healing around titanium implants inserted into the tibia of rats. A blind parallel study was conducted in 45 adult male Wistar rats. Each rat received one titanium implant (4.5 x 2.2 mm) and was randomly assigned to receive subcutaneous injections, three times/week for 30 days, of the following treatments: group 1 - 40 µg/kg of PTH (1-34) (n=15); group 2 - 2 µg/kg of PTH (1-34) (n=15) and; group 3 - only the vehicle required for hormone dissolution (n=15). Thirty days after surgery, the animals were sacrificed and specimens containing the implant and the surrounding bone were removed and processed for non-decalcified sections. The sections were evaluated according to the following histometric parameters: proportion of mineralized tissue (PMT) adjacent to the implant threads (500 µm band); bone filling within the limits of the threads (BF) and; bone-to-implant contact (BIC). For the cortical region, both hormone dosages (groups 1 and 2) promoted better results, for all parameters, when compared to control group (p<0.05). Similar results were observed for the BF parameter in the cancellous region (p=0.0394). Therefore, systemic administration of PTH (1-34) stimulates bone formation around titanium implants, even at low doses.

PTH has been investigated for its benefits on bone healing and osteoporosis treatment; however, there is poor information regarding bone grafts. This study therefore investigated the effect of PTH on autogenous bone graft healing. One bone graft was harvested from the calvarium with a trephine bur (3mm internal diameter), and placed on the cortical near the mandible angle with a titanium screw. The animals were randomly assigned to: G1-(control): subcutaneous injections of vehicle solution, three-times/week (n=15); G2-2µg/Kg of PTH(1-34), three-times/week (n=15); G3-40µg/Kg of PTH(1-34), three-times/week (n=15). These animals were killed 30 days postoperatively, the specimens (implant+bed+graft) removed and used for undecalcified sections. The following histometric parameters were evaluated: total bone thickness (bed+gap+graft-TT), graft thickness (GT) (adjacent to the implant), Bone-to-implant contact (BIC), and bone area (BA) (within the limits of the threads). Five additional animals were sacrificed immediately after surgery (zero hour-ZH) to register bed and graft sizes prior to healing. G3 presented a significantly greater bone gain when compared to G1 and G2 (TT and GT, p<0,05). In relation to initial thickness (ZH), G1 and G2 showed a total contraction of 15,91% and 20,83%, respectively, while G3 showed a slight bone gain (1.21%). Data analysis revealed a significant difference for G3, when compared to G1 and G2 (p <0.01). No differences were observed for BIC and BA (p>0,05). Systemic administration of PTH (1-34) prevented graft contraction and increased bone augmentation after the autogenous bone graft.