Stautzenberger College is a private college, for-profit, in Maumee, and Brecksville, Ohio. It is a part of American Higher Education Development Corporation..
Background:Rapid palatal expansion (RPE) effectively corrects transverse maxillary deficiencies. For adults, MARPE (Mini-Screw-Assisted RPE) and SARPE (Surgically Assisted RPE) are two methods that can be used. However, their impact on periodontal health is not well known. Knowing these differential effects can help optimize treatment. The goal of the research was to assess gingival recession, alveolar bone loss, root resorption, and other periodontal health outcomes in patients undergoing MARPE and SARPE procedures. Materials and Methods:This prospective comparative study included 40 adult patients (n = 20 per group) treated with either MARPE or SARPE. Clinical parameters (gingival recession, probing depth, clinical attachment level) and CBCT-derived radiographic parameters (buccal alveolar bone thickness/height, root resorption) were assessed at baseline (T0), postexpansion (T1), and 6 months postretention (T2). Statistical analysis used independent t-tests and repeated-measures ANOVA (P < 0.05). Results:Both groups achieved comparable maxillary expansion (MARPE 6.2 ± 0.8 mm; SARPE 6.5 ± 0.7 mm; P = 0.45). However, the SARPE group showed significantly greater gingival recession (mean change at T2: SARPE 1.1 ± 0.3 mm vs. MARPE 0.3 ± 0.1 mm; P < 0.001) and more reduction in buccal alveolar bone thickness/height (mean change at T2: MARPE -0.2 ± 0.1 mm vs. SARPE -0.8 ± 0.2 mm; P < 0.01). Root resorption was numerically higher in SARPE but not statistically significant (P = 0.09). Probing depth and clinical attachment levels showed no significant differences between groups. Conclusion:MARPE is associated with more favorable periodontal health outcomes, specifically less gingival recession and better buccal alveolar bone preservation, compared with SARPE in adult maxillary expansion. MARPE may offer a biologically gentler approach with reduced periodontal risks.
Background: Chronic periodontitis is highly prevalent among smokers, and its management is often complicated by impaired healing and increased inflammation. This study investigated the efficacy of a 940-nm diode laser as a supplement to scaling and root planing (SRP) compared to SRP alone in smokers with chronic periodontitis. Methods: This randomized controlled clinical trial included 80 smokers with chronic periodontitis. Participants were randomly allocated to either the laser group (SRP plus 940-nm diode laser) or the control group (SRP alone). Clinical parameters, including probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), and bleeding on probing (BOP), were recorded at baseline, three months, and six months posttreatment. Results: The groups showed significant improvements in all clinical parameters at three and six months. However, the laser group demonstrated statistically significantly greater reductions in PD (2.1 mm vs. 1.6 mm at three months, P = 0.02; 2.4 mm vs. 1.8 mm at six months, P = 0.01) and CAL (2.3 mm vs. 1.7 mm at three months, P = 0.03; 2.6 mm vs. 1.9 mm at six months, P = 0.008) compared to the control group. Furthermore, the laser group exhibited a higher percentage of BOP reduction at both follow-up periods (85% vs. 70% at three months, P = 0.04; 88% vs. 73% at six months, P = 0.02). Conclusions: Adjunctive use of a 940-nm diode laser with SRP provides a significant clinical advantage over SRP alone in the treatment of chronic periodontitis in smokers. This approach may lead to magnify treatment outcomes and improved long-term periodontal health in this challenging population.
Artificial intelligence (AI) as a means of enhancing and improve the early detection and diagnosis of oral cancer. While traditional diagnostic methods are effective, they are inherently subjective, not widely accessible, and often result in detection only at later stages of disease progression. The literature over the past few years has importantly identified that AI models, in particular deep learning and convolutional neural networks, displayed high diagnostic accuracy on clinical, histopathological and optical imaging data. However, challenges exist in the form of variability in the data sets, limited external validation in clinical practice and or interpretability of AI models for clinical use. In conclusion, AI presents a compelling opportunity as a supportive adjunct for oral oncology, although standardized validation and real-world implementation should occur before widespread utilization.
Background: Chronic periodontitis is a prevalent inflammatory disease that necessitates effective treatment strategies. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of curcumin-loaded nanofibers with metronidazole gel in treating chronic periodontitis. Methods: A double-blind, randomized controlled trial was conducted involving patients diagnosed with chronic periodontitis. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either curcumin-loaded nanofibers or metronidazole gel as an adjunct to scaling and root planning. Clinical parameters were assessed at baseline, one month, and three months post-treatment. Results: Both treatment groups exhibited significant improvements in probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), and bleeding on probing (BOP) at all follow-up intervals compared to baseline. Notably, the curcumin-loaded nanofiber group demonstrated statistically significant greater reductions in PD and CAL at three months compared to the metronidazole gel group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Curcumin-loaded metronidazole was used in nanofibers technology on chronic periodontitis patients, showing the possibility of improving therapeutic results, especially in posteriori periods, compared to the conventional metronidazole gel.
AIM:This systematic review aims to assess the effectiveness of rare earth element (REE) coatings on titanium implants in promoting osseointegration and reducing the risk of peri-implantitis, thereby enhancing overall implant performance. MATERIALS AND METHODS:A comprehensive literature search was performed across four major databases-PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar-to identify relevant studies published between 2015 and 2024. In addition, gray literature and reference lists of selected articles were manually screened to ensure thorough coverage. This systematic review was conducted in accordance with the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions and was structured based on the population, intervention, comparison, outcome (PICO) framework. The population included patients with titanium-based endosseous implants; the intervention comprised rare earth metal derivative coatings on titanium surfaces; the comparison group involved uncoated or conventionally coated titanium implants; and the outcomes focused on evaluating whether REE coatings enhance osseointegration and/or reduce the incidence of peri-implantitis. Data extraction encompassed details such as the author, year of publication, country of origin, study design, sample size, type of REE utilized, coating method, control groups, follow-up duration, and reported outcomes. These outcomes included cell proliferation, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, gene expression, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects, and implant failure. To evaluate methodological quality, the QUIN tool was employed for in vitro studies (n = 14), while the SYRCLE risk of bias (RoB) tool was used for in vivo studies (n = 2). RESULTS:A total of 628 studies were initially identified, with 339 remaining after duplicate removal. Following screening and eligibility assessment, 16 studies were included. Cerium was the most commonly studied REE, followed by samarium, yttrium, europium, and lanthanum. Coating techniques varied and included spin coating, plasma spraying, and hydrothermal methods. Eleven studies evaluated osseointegration through assays such as cell proliferation, ALP activity, and micro-CT imaging, demonstrating improved osteogenic responses and early bone formation. With respect to peri-implantitis, REE coatings-especially cerium and europium-exhibited strong antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects, including reduced bacterial adhesion, inhibition of biofilm formation, and downregulation of inflammatory cytokines [TNF-α, interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-1β], indicating potential in peri-implant disease prevention. Risk of bias assessment indicated low risk in most in vitro studies (n = 14) and both in vivo studies (n = 2). CONCLUSION:This systematic review concludes that REE coatings on titanium implants enhance osseointegration and exhibit antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that contribute to the prevention of peri-implantitis. These findings support the potential of REE coatings as a promising surface modification strategy to improve implant integration and longevity. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE:The use of REE coatings presents a novel approach in implant surface modification, offering dual benefits of enhanced bone integration and infection control. The translational value of this evidence suggests that REE-coated titanium implants could improve clinical outcomes by promoting early osseointegration, reducing peri-implant disease incidence, and ultimately increasing long-term implant success in dental and orthopedic applications. How to cite this article: Suresh N, Kaarthikeyan G, Chellappa LR, et al. Rare Earth Element Coatings on Titanium Dental Implants for Osseointegration and Peri-implantitis Prevention: A Systematic Review. J Contemp Dent Pract 2025;26(9):912-923.
