Bone Topography Research Articles

Periodontal relevance of anterior crowding.

The periodontal relevance of anterior and posterior crowding concerns 3 main aspects: 1. oral hygiene/plaque retention, 2. altered topography of gingiva, septum and orofacial alveolar bone and 3. periodontal therapy (scaling, root planing, regenerative approaches). These aspects are discussed with regard to the literature and to the author's own clinical and histological findings. Present-day knowledge suggests that the following positive periodontal effects can be expected from correction of orthodontic crowding: better access for oral hygiene, improved morphology of soft and hard periodontal tissues; future research has to substantiate the value of this benefit, simplified mechanical and surgical therapy (scaling, root planing, curettage), more favorable conditions for periodontal regeneration.

Application of stereolithography to subperiosteal implant manufacture.

Subperiosteal implants are an accepted and proven technique with a good long-term outcome. Although a technique of computed tomography to computer-assisted machining became available to drop the number of surgeries to one for ascertainment of bone topography, the problem of accurate bone modeling remains an issue. The advent of stereolithography as a new tool for modeling anatomy for subperiosteal implants and the advances in computed tomography offer a higher degree of build accuracy and repeatability than available before.

CT scan as a radiologic data base for optimum implant orientation

There are many factors directly related to the longevity of implant osseointegration. Overload has been considered an etiologic factor in implant failure after a prosthesis has been constructed. Optimum implant orientation can be aided by the three-dimensional radiographic data base provided by a CT scan. The reformatted sectional images, when related to each other, facilitate a thorough visualization of the bone topography, sinus and nerve location, and bone density. The fundamentals of the CT imaging and the interrelationship of the cross-sectional, panoramic, and three-dimensional reformatted images are described.

The use of ultrasound for the determination of periodontal bone morphology.

The purpose of this study was to assess the value of ultrasound in the measurement of periodontal bone morphology. Four patients scheduled for periodontal surgery were selected for the study. The Ocu-Scan 400 machine was used and adjusted according to the manufacturer's instructions. Teeth involved in the study were measured on the facial aspect at three different points: mesial, midfacial and distal (except one tooth measured only at the mesial point). Two different presurgical measurements were made with the use of ultrasound. The distance between the gingival margin and the crest of alveolar bone was measured during the surgical procedure. No correlation could be made between the different measurements obtained. From the results the following was concluded: measurement of alveolar bone topography with the presently available ultrasound probe is not accurate, and ultrasound measurement is a fast and painless procedure.

The effect of plaque control and surgical pocket elimination on the establishment and maintenance of periodontal health. A longitudinal study of periodontal therapy in cases of advanced disease.

The present clinical study was initiated in 1969 to test the hypothesis that microbial plaque is the cause of periodontal disease and that hence even advanced cases of periodontitis can be cured in patients willing to exercise optimal plaque control. The material consisted of 75 patients with severe destruction of the periodontal tissues. The patients were selected for the study because of their ability to maintain plaque-free dentition. Following an initial examination, a preliminary treatment plan was presented to the patients. This plan included detailed instructions in plaque control measures, scaling, root planning and emergency dental care, including endodontic therapy and extractions. Three to six months after the termination of the so-called presurgical treatment, surgical elimination of pathologically deepened pockets was performed. The patients were recalled every 3 to 6 months after the end of the treatment. At these reexaminations the following parameters were assessed: Plaque Index, Gingival Index, Pocket Depths, Marginal alveolar bone topography and height. The results demonstrate that it is possible to treat periodontal disease successfully, even in advanced stages, in patients willing to maintain plaque-free dentition.