International Journal of Periodontics & Restorative Dentistry, 01/1993

Although the short-term, success of guided tissue regeneration has been widely reported, few studies on the long-term, success of treatment have been published. The present investigation assessed the 5-year results of guided tissue regeneration procedures used alone or in combination with root conditioning and osseous composite grafts. Results indicated that the long-term success of guided tissue regeneration was significantly enhanced by the addition of root conditioning and grafting procedures.

A new surgical technique for localized ridge augmentation prior to the placement of dental implants has been developed. The technique is based on the principle of guided bone regeneration utilizing barrier membranes. In the present article, the currently used surgical procedure is presented through two case reports. In addition, the different aspects of the surgical technique needed to achieve a predictable success are discussed.

The surgical and prosthetic protocols for use of dental implants were originally developed for the treatment of complete edentulism. Implants are now widely used to treat partial edentulism, but the necessary adjustments to the prosthetic protocol have been developed largely on a trial-and-error basis. This paper reviews the efficacy of commonly used restorative techniques for partially edentulous arches and relates these techniques to Brånemark's original prosthetic protocol.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of resorboble collagen membrane for guided tissue regeneration. Dehiscences were surgically induced in dog mandibles Hydroxyapatite-coated or grit-blast-ed implants were then placed in a random pattern in both sides of the mandibles (two of each type of implant in each side of the mandible). A resorbable collagen bonier membrane was placed around one pair of implants on each side. The other two implants on each side served as controls. The sites were examined clinically and histologically after 4 or 8 weeks to assess bone regeneration. Sites around experimental hydroxyapatite-coated and grit-blasted implants showed significantly more bone fill than did control sites. In addition to its apparent ability to encourage bone regeneration, the collagen membrane is resorbable obviating the need for a second surgery to allow removal.

The epithelium-melanin unit is formed by the melanocytes and keratinocytes. There is little information available about the behavior of melonocytes after surgical injury Five white patients with comparable gingival pigmentation underwent gingivectomy to remove bandlike melanin pigmentations for cosmetic reasons Biopsy specimens were taken from gingvectomy sites and healing areas 2, 3, 6, 7, 75, 50, and 780 days and 15, 3, and 5 years after the procedure. Transmission electron microscopic study revealed melanocytes in the process of migration and undergoing mitosis 6 and 7 days postoperatively. These cells exhibited, in the 15-day specimens, renewal of their dendritic processes and the four different stages of melanosome development. Kerotinocytes were devoid of pigmented material until 50 days postoperatively. Clinically, the intensity of the pigmentation varied among the patients. Two reached baseline coloration 1.5 years post-surgery, white three returned to baseline coloration by 3 years postsurgery. Thus, gingival resective procedures, if performed solely for cosmetic reasons, offer no permanent results.