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.

There is a preponderance of evidence in the literature that periodontal and other oral diseases, such as caries, can be treated and controlled by thorough mechanical plaque removal by the patient, the use of antimicrobial agents and antibiotics when necessary, and participation with the therapist in a well monitored, long-range program of supportive periodontal therapy. Recent evidence suggests that the control and prevention of oral disease, especially periodontitis, is especially important for patients with various systemic conditions that can be impacted by oral infections. It is far better for patients and therapists to practice primary and even secondary prevention with effective plaque control and regular, consistent supportive periodontal therapy, than having to rely on tertiary prevention for disease that has progressed to a level that requires costly treatment, is time-consuming and carries a greater risk of morbidity.

No abstract

Various vestibular extension procedures have been described in the literature over the past 6 decades, including the use of free gingival grafts. An acellular dermal allograft has been used as a substitute for autogenous soft tissue grafts in root coverage procedures. This clinical report describes the use of such an allograft as a substitute for palatal donor tissue in the vestibular extension of an edentulous maxillary arch with multiple frenum attachments before fabrication of a complete denture. In this patient, healing was uneventful, and 6-month clinical observations demonstrated an apical positioning of the mucogingival junction with an increase in vestibular depth, and the absence of multiple frenae. The acellular dermal allograft appears to be a useful substitute for autogenous palatal grafts in preprosthetic surgery. This approach has many advantages over the free gingival graft, including no donor site morbidity, unlimited availability, and better color match.

This study reports on the presence of a pouch-like opening between the enamel and cementum in mandibular molars with Grade III CEPs. The clinical significance of these cementum pouches has yet to be determined but bacterial contamination of these pouch-like structures in areas of furcation periodontal breakdown may serve as a nidus for recolonization and disease recurrence or for the development of furcation caries if exposed to the oral cavity after surgical procedures.