Measurement Of Alveolar Bone Loss Research Articles

Quercetin in the Prevention of Induced Periodontal Disease in Animal Models: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Periodontitis is an inflammatory condition initiated by oral bacteria and is associated with several systemic diseases. Quercetin is an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial poly-phenol present in various foods. The aim of this meta-analysis was the evaluation of the effects of quercetin administration in animal models of experimental periodontitis. A systematic search was performed in electronic databases using the following search terms: "periodontitis" or "periodontal disease" or "gingivitis" and "quercetin" or "cyanidanol" or "sophoretin" or "pentahydroxyflavone". In vivo preclinical animal models of experimental periodontal disease with a measurement of alveolar bone loss were included in the analysis. The risk of bias of the included studies was assessed using the SYRCLE tool. The systematic search yielded 335 results. Five studies were included, four of them qualified for a meta-analysis. The meta-analysis showed that quercetin administration decreased alveolar bone loss (τ2 = 0.31, 1.88 mm 95%CI: 1.09, 2.67) in experimental periodontal disease animal models. However, the risk of bias assessment indicated that four SYRCLE domains had a high risk of bias. Quercetin diminishes periodontal bone loss and prevents disease progression in animal models of experimental periodontal disease. Quercetin might facilitate periodontal tissue hemostasis by reducing senescent cells, decreasing oxidative stress via SIRT1-induced autophagy, limiting inflammation, and fostering an oral bacterial microenvironment of symbiotic microbiota associated with oral health. Future research will show whether and how the promising preclinical results can be translated into the clinical treatment of periodontal disease.

Accuracy of convolutional neural network in the diagnosis of alveolar bone loss due to periodontal disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Periodontitis is an inflammation of the supporting structures of teeth, involving progressive alveolar bone loss. A computer-assisted detection system based on a deep convolutional neural network (CNN) algorithm was developed. This study aimed to assess the existing literature to determine the accuracy of the CNNs for diagnosing and measuring periodontal bone loss (PBL). We used a modified approach to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension diagnostic test accuracy by searching the following databases: Scopus, PubMed, Cochrane, and Web of Science, in addition to gray literature. Medical Subject Headings terms and Keywords in the title and abstract fields, as well as subject headings for both periodontal disease/bone loss and CNN/artificial intelligence, were used to search the existing literature for publications relevant to the evaluation of the accuracy of CNN for the detection and measurement of alveolar bone loss over the past three decades (January 1990–May 2021). Quality analysis was performed using the quality assessment and diagnostic accuracy tool-2. Four thousand six hundred and ninety potentially relevant titles and abstracts were found after an initial electronic and manual search and removal of duplicates. Applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria yielded 75 publications, which were further analyzed for relevance and applicability. Most of the included studies were observational. Following the critical analysis, eight publications were used to assess CNN’s precision of the CNN for PBL measurements. The CNN system successfully determined PBL. Therefore, it can facilitate the diagnosis and treatment planning for dentists in the future.

Melatonin ameliorates periodontitis-related inflammatory stress at cardiac left ventricular tissues in rats.

The aim of this experimental rat study was to investigate the potential inflammatory effects of periodontitis on cardiac left ventricular tissue and the therapeutic activity of melatonin on these effects. Twenty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups: control, experimental periodontitis (Ep), and Ep-melatonin (Ep-Mel). Experimental periodontitis was induced by placing and maintaining 3.0 silk ligatures at a peri marginal position on the left and right mandibular first molars for 5 weeks. Afterward, following the removal of ligatures, melatonin (10mg/body weight) to Ep-Mel group, and vehicle (saline) to Ep and control groups were administered intraperitoneally for 14 days. On the first day of the eighth week, mandibular and cardiac left ventricular tissue samples were obtained following the euthanasia of the rats in all groups. Alveolar bone loss measurements were made on histological and microcomputed tomographic slices. Cardiac tissue levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), and cardiac Troponin-T (cTnT) were evaluated by appropriate biochemical methods. Measurements made on the histological and microcomputed tomographic slices showed that melatonin significantly limits the ligature-induced periodontal tissue destruction (P<0.01). In addition, melatonin was detected to cause a significant decrease of MDA, MMP-9, and cTnT levels which were found to be significantly higher on rats with Ep (P<0.05) while having no significant effect on antioxidant levels (GSH, SOD, and CAT) (P>0.05). Melatonin might be regarded as an important supportive therapeutic agent to reduce the early degenerative changes and possible hypertrophic remodeling at cardiac left ventricular tissues provoked by periodontitis-related bacteria and/or periodontal inflammation.

Minocycline-loaded PLGA electrospun membrane prevents alveolar bone loss in experimental peridontitis

Minocycline (MINO) is a tetracycline antibiotic effective against most of the bacteria microorganisms related to periodontal disease. Additionally, MINO promotes bone in vitro and in vivo. The objective of the present study was to establish the protocol for the preparation of MINO-loaded poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (MINO-PLGA) electrospun membranes and to evaluate their effect on osteogenesis in vitro and in a rat model of periodontitis. The characterization of MINO-PLGA electrospun membranes was assessed by scanning electron microscopy, laser scanning confocal microscopy, and contact angle measurement. The drug release study showed a sustained diffusion of MINO from electrospun membranes over a period of 40 d. The MINO-PLGA membranes containing 2% of the drug exhibited better support of osteoblast proliferation and adhesion and was subsequently used in vivo in an experimental periodontitis model. Its therapeutic potential was evaluated by the measurement of alveolar bone loss (ABL), bone volume analysis, histological analysis, and immunohistochemistry. MINO-PLGA membrane increased alveolar crest height in the periodontitis model, inhibited the expression of the ligand of the receptor activator for nuclear factor-κB (RANKL), and promoted the expression of its inhibitor, osteoprotegerin. The study demonstrated that MINO-PLGA electrospun membranes may be applied to stimulate bone regeneration in periodontitis.

Effects of Curcumin on Alveolar Bone Loss in Experimental Periodontitis in Rats: A Morphometric and Histopathologic Study

Background: Curcumin is found in the rhizomes of the turmeric plant that has been showed antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of systemic curcumin therapy on alveolar bone loss in an experimental periodontitis model in rats. Material and Methods: Thirty-two male Wistar rats were randomly divided to 4 groups: 75 mg/kg/daily curcumin (C75; n =8), 150 mg/kg/daily curcumin (C150; n =8), Control (n =8), and Ligated (n =8). Curcumin was administrated using gastric gavage. After 12 days, the rats were sacrificed. Right mandibles samples were histopathologically examined. Alveolar bone loss was measured. Interleukin 1β (IL-1β) and interleukin 10 (IL-10) were evaluated in the serum samples and gingival homogenates. Results: The measurements of alveolar bone loss in the mandibular molars revealed significantly higher bone-loss values in the Ligated group than the Control, C75 and C150 groups. The IL-1β levels in the gingival homogenates were significantly increased in the Ligated group compared to those of the Control, C75 and C150 groups. The serum IL-1β levels in the Ligated group were significantly higher than the Control group. The mean osteoblast numbers in the Ligated group were lower than those of the Control, C75 and C150 groups. The C150 groups showed significantly more osteoblasts than the Control group. The osteoclast numbers in the Ligated group increased significantly compared to the C75, C150 and control groups. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that systemic administration of curcumin at the 75 and 150mg/kg doses reduced alveolar bone loss in the periodontal disease in rats. Keywords: Alveolar bone loss, Antioxidant, Curcumin, Ligature-induced, Histomorphometric, Micronutrition.

Automatic methods for alveolar bone loss degree measurement in periodontitis periapical radiographs

Background and objectivePeriodontitis involves progressive loss of alveolar bone around the teeth. Hence, automatic alveolar bone loss measurement in periapical radiographs can assist dentists in diagnosing such disease. In this paper, we propose an automatic length-based alveolar bone loss measurement system with emphasis on a cementoenamel junction (CEJ) localization method: CEJ_LG. MethodThe bone loss measurement system first adopts the methods TSLS and ABLifBm, which we presented previously, to extract teeth contours and bone loss areas from periodontitis radiograph images. It then applies the proposed methods to locate the positions of CEJ, alveolar crest (ALC), and apex of tooth root (APEX), respectively. Finally the system computes the ratio of the distance between the positions of CEJ and ALC to the distance between the positions of CEJ and APEX as the degree of bone loss for that tooth. The method CEJ_LG first obtains the gradient of the tooth image then detects the border between the lower enamel and dentin (EDB) from the gradient image. Finally, the method identifies a point on the tooth contour that is horizontally closest to the EDB. ResultsExperimental results on 18 tooth images segmented from 12 periodontitis periapical radiographs, including 8 views of upper-jaw teeth and 10 views of lower-jaw teeth, show that 53% of the localized CEJs are within 3 pixels deviation (∼ 0.15 mm) from the positions marked by dentists and 90% have deviation less than 9 pixels (∼ 0.44 mm). For degree of alveolar bone loss, more than half of the measurements using our system have deviation less than 10% from the ground truth, and all measurements using our system are within 25% deviation from the ground truth. ConclusionOur results suggest that the proposed automatic system can effectively estimate degree of horizontal alveolar bone loss in periodontitis radiograph images. We believe that our proposed system, if implemented in routine clinical practice, can serve as a valuable tool for early and accurate diagnosis of alveolar bone loss in periodontal diseases and also for assessing the status of alveolar bone following various types of non surgical and surgical and regenerative therapy. For overall system improvement, a more objective comparison by using transgingival bone measurement with a periodontal probe as the ground truth and enhancing the localization algorithms of these three critical points are the two major tasks.

Influence of enhancement filters in apical bone loss measurement: A cone-beam computed tomography study.

BackgroundThe use of cone-beam computed tomography images (CBCT) providing a better assessment of bone injuries, although the sensibility of lesions measurement might be improved by the use of enhancement filters. Objective: This study aimed to analyze the influence of enhancement filters in apical bone loss measurement.Material and MethodsEighteen CBCT cases randomly selected of apical bone loss were evaluated. The analyses were carried out following the evaluation in axial, coronal and sagittal protocols, using enhancement filters as Hard, Normal, and Very Sharp. The variables were statistically analyzed by Friedman and Wilcoxon test, Spearman’s rho, and intraclass correlation coefficient.ResultsThe differences between filters in axial and sagittal protocols were significant (p<0.05); however, this was not observed in the coronal slice. The use of Hard filter demonstrates better results than Very Sharp and Normal filter, improving significantly the bone loss measurement. A strong, significant and positive correlation was noted for all filters (with p< 0.001), such as a strong agreement between the variables, when the Normal filter was used as a reference.ConclusionsThe use of enhancement filters increases the sensitivity of alveolar bone loss measurement, with relative advantage for Hard filter. Key words:Cone-Beam computed tomography. endodontics. periapical periodontitis. image enhancement. alveolar bone loss.

Quantitative evaluation of alveolar bone resorption on dental panoramic radiographs by standardized dentition image transformation and probability estimation.

Alveolar bone resorption, which can be observed on dental panoramic radiographs (DPRs), is one of the most important signs of the progression of periodontal disease. However, quantitative and consistent evaluation of alveolar bone resorption is labor intense, because of a large number of DPR examinations performed each year. In our previous study, we developed an automated scheme for detection of three lines, corresponding to an occlusion line, an alveolar line and a root apex line, to measure the alveolar bone ratio (ABR), which may be useful to dentists in early detection of periodontal disease. In this study, we propose a new image transformation that maps the tooth region to a standardized dentition image for improved visualization and detection of alveolar crest points by probability estimation. The proposed method was applied to 92 DPRs with 4 degrees of alveolar bone resorption. The ABR measurement obtained by the proposed method was compared with the manual measurement of alveolar bone loss (ABL). In this preliminary investigation, the computer-estimated ABR was moderately correlated with the manual ABL. The result indicates the potential usefulness of the method for early detection and consistent diagnosis of periodontal disease.

Accuracy and precision of cone beam computed tomography in periodontal defects measurement (systematic review).

Systematic review of literature was made to assess the extent of accuracy of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) as a tool for measurement of alveolar bone loss in periodontal defect. A systematic search of PubMed electronic database and a hand search of open access journals (from 2000 to 2015) yielded abstracts that were potentially relevant. The original articles were then retrieved and their references were hand searched for possible missing articles. Only articles that met the selection criteria were included and criticized. The initial screening revealed 47 potentially relevant articles, of which only 14 have met the selection criteria; their CBCT average measurements error ranged from 0.19 mm to 1.27 mm; however, no valid meta-analysis could be made due to the high heterogeneity between the included studies. Under the limitation of the number and strength of the available studies, we concluded that CBCT provides an assessment of alveolar bone loss in periodontal defect with a minimum reported mean measurements error of 0.19 ± 0.11 mm and a maximum reported mean measurements error of 1.27 ± 1.43 mm, and there is no agreement between the studies regarding the direction of the deviation whether over or underestimation. However, we should emphasize that the evidence to this data is not strong.

Abstract 10110: Effects of Inorganic Nitrate on Endothelial Dysfunction Induced by Periodontitis

Introduction: Evidence supports an association between periodontal disease and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Periodontal disease is thought to cause vascular dysfunction contributing to atherogenesis and resulting in an increased risk of stroke and coronary heart disease. Safe therapeutics that might improve vascular function in such patients to reduce risk of CVD is a current unmet need. It is thought that a critical step in the increased CVD risk relates to a periodontitis-induced endothelial dysfunction. Evidence suggests that the intervention of dietary nitrate, to elevate circulating nitrite levels, improves endothelial function. We investigated whether dietary nitrate might provide a method for prevention or reversal of the endothelial dysfunction induced by periodontitis. Methods: Male C57BL6 mice were either untreated or randomly assigned to receive KNO3 or KCl (15 mmol/L; in the drinking water) either 7 days prior or 7 days post ligature placement (periodontitis) or a sham procedure. After 14 days blood samples were collected for assessment of circulating cell types and activation state using flow cytometry. The vasoreactivity of aortic rings were assessed ex vivo. Maxillae were removed for alveolar bone loss measurement. Results: When compared to sham animals, ligature-induced periodontitis resulted in bone loss (~2-fold increase in the distance cement enamel junction and the alveolar crest, p&lt;0.001, n=9). This was associated with neutrophilia (n=9, P&lt;0.05) and endothelial dysfunction, reflected by a reduction of acetylcholine-induced relaxation (~20% suppression of the Max response, p&lt;0.05, n=5). Vascular responses to the endothelium-independent vasorelaxant, spermine NONOate, were unchanged. Dietary nitrate treatment improved endothelial function when given either as prophylaxis (p&lt;0.01, n=5) or reversal therapy (p&lt;0.01, n=5). These improvements were not associated with any changes in ligature-induced bone loss but were associated with reduced numbers and activation of circulating neutrophils. Conclusion: Dietary nitrate improves vascular function in periodontitis in mice and thus may represent an alternative treatment in the cardiovascular complications associated with this condition.

A study of the periodontal state of a late Medieval United Kingdom population

ObjectiveTo study the severity of bone loss in a Medieval UK population, and compare this with other ancient UK populations from different time periods. DesignSkulls from a burial site in York (XI–XV century) were investigated. Skulls with a minimum of 17 teeth were included and were divided from childhood into five age groups. Direct measurements from the cement enamel junction (CEJ) to the alveolar crest (AC) were undertaken at six points around each tooth with a UNC 15 probe. The mean bone loss was calculated for each tooth type. ResultsSeventy five skulls were included in the study (12–60 years of age). Bone loss was found to increase with age, but stabilized in older individuals (>45 years). The mean CEJ-AC distance varied from 2.1mm in the youngest group to a maximum of 4.1mm in 36–45 year olds. Results were compared with a Roman–British population (Whittaker et al., 1982) where comparable values for mean bone loss were 2.2mm and 5.4mm respectively, and a population of XVIII century Londoners (Whittaker et al., 1998) where bone loss of 1.1mm and 4.0mm was reported for the youngest and oldest age groups respectively. ConclusionMeasuring the CEJ–AC distance in dried skulls from ancient populations may be used as a proxy for the levels of periodontal disease irrespective of tooth wear. The findings from the current study suggest that the severity of periodontitis as determined by measurements of alveolar bone loss on dried skulls from this ancient population, seems to have declined in the United Kingdom from the III–V century to XVIII century. This may be due to changes in environmental factors including living conditions and diet, together with individual characteristics including systemic illness and genetic make up.

The H2S-releasing naproxen derivative, ATB-346, inhibits alveolar bone loss and inflammation in rats with ligature-induced periodontitis.

BackgroundIn experimental periodontitis, non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) effectively inhibit the resultant alveolar bone loss. However, their deleterious gastric effects, observed in both animals and humans, dramatically limit their long-term use. It has been proven that the addition of a hydrogen sulfide (H2S)-releasing moiety to classical NSAID structures results in antiinflammatory compounds with improved gastric safeness. In this way, we decided to compare the effects of naproxen with its H2S-releasing derivative ATB-346 on ligature-induced periodontitis in rats.MethodsMale Holtzman rats had a cotton ligature placed subgingivally around the lower right first molar during 7 days. During this period, groups of animals were daily treated with Na2S (a spontaneous H2S donor) or equimolar oral doses of naproxen (10 mg/kg) or ATB-346 (16 mg/kg). The mandibles were finally collected for histological analysis, radiographical measurements of alveolar bone loss and micro-computed tomography (μCT) analysis. Interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and IL-10 were quantified in gingiva samples, and the stomachs were also collected for scoring of tissue damage and measurement of myeloperoxidase (MPO, a marker of granulocyte infiltration).ResultsLigature-induced bone loss was significantly inhibited by all the treatments, although only ATB-346 treatment resulted in significant inhibition of bone defect and other histological characteristics (such as flatness of the gingival epithelium, chronic inflammatory cell infiltration and loss of connective tissue in the gingival papillae). Both naproxen and ATB-346 inhibited the increase of gingival IL-1β and IL-6 secondary to periodontitis, but IL-10 was unaffected. Significant damage and increased MPO contents were only found in the stomachs of the naproxen-treated animals.ConclusionThe H2S-releasing moiety in the ATB-346 compound not only does not impair the effects of the parent naproxen on periodontitis, but also improves bone quality and prevents the gastric mucosa damage due to prostaglandin inhibition, thus configuring a potentially new adjuvant therapy for periodontal diseases.

Atorvastatin Decreases Bone Loss, Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in Experimental Periodontitis

The aim of this study is to determine the effects of Atorvastatin treatment, an inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase, in periodontal disease. Male Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into five groups of ten rats each: (1) non-ligated treatment (NL), (2) ligature only (L), (3) ligature plus 1 mg/kg Atorvastatin daily for 10 days, (4) ligature plus 5 mg/kg Atorvastatin daily for 10 days, and (5) ligature plus 10 mg/kg Atorvastatin daily for 10 days. Following the treatment course, the periodontal tissue of the animals was analyzed by Measurement of alveolar bone loss, Histopathology and immunohistochemistry to determine of the expression of COX-2, MMP-2, MMP9, and RANKL/RANK/OPG. ELISA assay was used to quantitate the levels of IL-1β, IL-10, TNF-α, myeloperoxidase, malondialdehyde, and glutathione. The periodontal group treated with 10 mg/kg of Atorvastatin (3.9±0.9 mm; p<0.05) showed reverse the alveolar bone loss caused Experimental Periodontal Disease compared to (L) (7.02±0.17 mm). The periodontal group treated with 10 mg/kg of Atorvastatin showed a significant reduction in MPO and MDA (p<0.05) compared to ligature only group (L). Similarly in this group, the levels of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β and TNF-α were significantly decreased (p<0.05). Furthermore, MMP-2, MMP-9, RANKL/RANK, and COX-2 were all downregulated by Atorvastatin treatment, while OPG expression was increased. The findings support a role of Atorvastatin for reducing the bone loss, inflammatory response, oxidative stress, and expression of extracellular matrix proteins, while reducing RANK/RANKL and increase OPG in periodontal disease.

P17 The H2S-releasing naproxen-derivative ATB-346 inhibits alveolar bone loss and inflammation in rats with ligature-induced periodontitis

Periodontitis is the result of the extension of gingival inflammation far down the periodontium, thus damaging the structures responsible for tooth-bone insertion, which may subsequently cause tooth loss. Non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are widely prescribed for control of a variety of inflammatory conditions, although gastric effects limit their use. In experimental periodontitis, NSAIDs also decrease the associated alveolar bone loss. Since the addition of an H2S-releasing moiety to classical NSAIDs result in antiinflammatory compounds with improved gastric safeness [1] , we decided to compare the effects of naproxen with its H2S-releasing derivative ATB-346 (Antibe Therapeutics Inc., Canada) on ligature-induced periodontitis in rats. All animal procedures were approved by the local ICB-USP Ethics Committee. A 3–0 cotton ligature was subgingivally placed around the lower right first molar of male Wistar rats (220–250 g), previously anesthetized with ketamine and xylazine (80 mg/kg and 16 mg/kg, i.p., respectively); sham animals had the ligature removed immediately after the procedure. After ligature placement, groups of animals (n = 8) started to receive daily equimolar oral bolus doses of naproxen (10 mg/kg), ATB-346 (16 mg/kg) or vehicle (1 ml/kg of 0.5% CMC) during the following 7 days; a non-treated group was also included. After this period, the anesthetized animals were euthanized (exsanguination) and the mandibles were collected, X-rayed for alveolar bone loss measurement (distance between the cemento-enamel junction and the alveolar bone crest at the mesial face of the ligatured tooth), and prepared for histological analysis. Samples of stomach and gingiva were also collected for measurement of myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity (a marker of granulocyte infiltration) and interleukin (IL)-1β contents. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA followed by the Student-Neuman-Keuls test. Seven days after ligature placement, both untreated or vehicle-treated animals showed similar bone loss (0.94 ± 0.06 and 0.96 ± 0.08 mm, respectively), which was significantly inhibited by either naproxen (0.74 ± 0.06 mm, P These results show that the presence of the H2S-releasing moiety in the ATB-346 compound does not impair the effects of the parent naproxen on periodontitis, but rather prevents the occurrence of deleterious effects on the gastric mucosa due to long-term prostaglandin inhibition. Financial support: CAPES, CNPq, FAPESP.

Effect of andiroba oil on periodontitis in Wistar rats

To evaluate the effects of andiroba oil on the periodontitis in rats. The periodontitis was induced by the placement of cotton ligatures around the cervix of the second upper molars on fifteen rats, and waiting fifty days. The animals were randomly distributed into three groups: saline group, andiroba oil group and meloxican group, differentiated by substance used in the treatment of periodontitis. The groups received the respective substance by gavage for seven days, after the periodontitis induced. It was analyzed the score of inflammatory cells and the measurement from the cemento-enamel junction to the bone crest. The andiroba oil group (p=0.008) and meloxican group (p=0.0347) show a less score of inflammatory cells than saline group, however there weren't difference between them (p=0.2754). Regarding the analysis of measurement from the cemento-enamel junction to the bone crest, there was no difference between groups studied (p=0.3451). Andiroba oil decreased the quantity of inflammatory cells, however, it didn't have an effect on the measurement of alveolar bone loss, like the treatment with Meloxican®.

Protective effects of ginkgo biloba extract on ligature-induced periodontitis in rats

Objective. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that the systemic administration of extract of Ginkgo biloba (EGb) would prevent excessive tissue destruction in ligature-induced periodontitis in a rat model. Materials and methods. Thirty-two male Wistar albino rats were used in the current study. The rats were randomly divided into four groups of eight rats each: (1) non-ligated treatment (NL) group, (2) ligature-only (LO) group, (3) ligature plus GB28 (28 mg/kg, daily for 11 days) group and (4) ligature plus GB56 (56 mg/kg, daily for 11 days) group. Results. Measurement of alveolar bone loss in the mandibular molar tooth revealed significantly lower bone loss values in the LO group compared to groups NL, GB28 and GB56 (p < 0.05). Conclusion. The present results are the first data which suggests that host response in periodontitis can be modified by EGb administration. EGb minimized progression of periodontal disease.

Heritability of Alveolar Bone Loss From Periodontal Disease in a Baboon Population: A Pilot Study

Reports from studies of twins, disease aggregation in families, animal models for periodontal disease, and various genetic-analysis studies have determined that genetics plays a role in the susceptibility to periodontal disease. The purpose of this pilot study is to evaluate the effect of genetics on periodontal disease by evaluating the heritability of alveolar bone loss in a captive baboon population. A collection of baboon skulls from a pedigreed colony (for which scientists and veterinarians maintain complete genealogic and veterinary records) was obtained from the Southwest National Primate Research Center, San Antonio, Texas and used in this pilot study. Measurements of alveolar bone loss were performed on 390 dry baboon skulls. A periodontal probe was used to measure alveolar bone loss. Maximum likelihood methods (designed to handle complex genealogies) were used to determine the heritability of alveolar bone loss. This software used known pedigrees in the captive baboon sample and tested the relationship between pairwise kinship and alveolar bone loss data to determine the heritability of alveolar bone loss from periodontal disease. Genetic data were available for 347 of the 390 specimens. Using age and sex as covariates, genetic analysis indicated a heritability of 35% (standard error = 20%; P = 0.01). Although gender was not a significant factor in periodontal disease (P = 0.96), age was highly significantly associated with periodontal disease (P <0.0001). In this pilot study, analysis of alveolar bone loss measurements from captive baboons indicates that bone loss increases with age and that a portion of periodontal disease risk may be caused by genetic variance. These findings provide evidence that periodontal disease is heritable in captive baboons and indicate that a larger, more-detailed study is warranted.

Comparison of two methods for alveolar bone loss measurement in an experimental periodontal disease model in rats

There are many studies that evaluate possible risk factors for periodontal diseases in animals. Most of them have focused only on the biological aspects of disease occurrence; therefore, it has been difficult to compare studies of the different methodological approaches. The aim of the present study was to compare different methods - linear and area - of the evaluation of morphometrical alveolar bone loss. Sixty hemimaxillae, defleshed and stained with 1% methylene blue to delineate the cementoenamel junction and alveolar bone crest, were obtained from a previous study that induced periodontal disease by means of ligatures in two groups of fifteen Wistar rats during 9 weeks. Ligatures were placed around the right upper second molars, and the contra-lateral teeth remained as intra-group controls. Digital photographs were taken from the specimens and submitted to a single, calibrated, blind examiner who performed the morphometrical evaluation of alveolar bone loss using both linear and area methods. Mean values of linear and area measurements were obtained from each side - buccal and palatal - of the specimens. The degree of association between the two methods was determined by Pearson's Correlation Coefficient. An almost perfect association (0.98) was determined between the linear and area evaluations. A mathematical formula was subsequently created to estimate the total area of alveolar bone loss, from linear mean measurements. Both methods were suitable for detecting bone level alterations. The results of the present study allow for the transformation of data and better compilation of results from different studies.

Comparison of the reproducibility of storage phosphor and film bitewings for assessment of alveolar bone loss

Objective. To compare bitewing storage phosphor images and a digital measuring method with bitewing films and an analog measuring method with regard to the reproducibility of measurements of alveolar bone loss. Material and methods. Nine participants randomly selected from an epidemiological study were radiographically examined using two modalities: bitewing SP images and bitewing films. A digital measuring method was used on the bitewing SP images and an analog measuring method on the bitewing films. Alveolar bone loss was measured at 12 index sites in the premolar/molar region per participant and modality. One hundred measured sites on each modality were assessed twice by three observers. Paired t-test values and intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) were computed. Results. Comparison of the mean absolute difference of alveolar bone loss between the digital and analog measuring methods demonstrated comparable results (p=0.53). The absolute difference in millimetres between 1st and 2nd measurements was comparable for two observers and statistically different for one. Intra-observer performance between 1st and 2nd measurements was comparable for the digital (ICC=0.85) and analog (ICC=0.83) measuring methods. Inter-observer agreement for the digital measurements was higher (ICC=0.79) than for the analog measurements (ICC=0.64). Conclusions. The study demonstrates that digital and analog measuring methods are comparable with regard to absolute alveolar bone measurements and intra-observer agreement. Inter-observer comparison demonstrated significantly higher agreement for the digital measurements. Based on the overall results, the modalities with the measuring methods utilized are comparable when measuring minor alveolar bone loss.

Influence of image filters on the reproducibility measurements of alveolar bone loss

The reproducibility of measurements of alveolar bone loss on radiographs may be a problem on epidemiologic studies, as they are based on comparisons of the diagnosis of various examiners. The aim of the present research paper was to assess the inter- and intra-examiner reproducibility of measurements of the interproximal alveolar bone loss on non-manipulated digital radiographs and after the application of image filters. Five Oral Radiologists measured the distance between the cementoenamel junction (CEJ) to the alveolar crest or to the deepest point of the bony defect on 12 interproximal digital radiographs of molars and bicuspids of a dry human skull. The digital manipulation and the linear measurements were obtained with the Trophy Windows software (Throphy®). For each image, six different versions were created: 1) non-manipulated; 2) bright-contrast adjustment; 3) negative; 4) negative with brightness-contrast adjustment; 5) pseudo-colored; 6) pseudo-colored with brightness-contrast adjustment. In order to prevent interpretation bias because of the repetition of measurements, the examiners measured the radiographs in a random sequence. The two-way ANOVA test at 5% level of significance to compare the means of readings of the same operator with each filter indicated p<0.05 for the majority of operators, while the comparison between the mean values of operators using the same filter indicated p>0.05 for all filters. Based on the results, we concluded that linear measurements of interproximal alveolar bone loss on digital radiographs are highly reproducible among examiners. Nevertheless, the application of image filters significantly influenced the degree of intra-examiner reproducibility. Some filters even reduced the reproducibility of intra-examiner readings.