Biomedical subjects

H N Newman

Publications and source records attributed to H N Newman.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1997

Variations in the predominant cultivable microflora of dental plaque at defined subsites on approximal tooth surfaces in children.

The distribution and composition of the resident microflora were determined in approximal gingival margin plaque from 21 premolars extracted from schoolchildren (mean age 12.0 +/- 1.8 yr). Indigo carmine (5% w v) was used to visualize plaque to facilitate sampling. About 1 mm2 of plaque was removed from sites away from (A), to the side of (S), and below (B) the contact area. Plaque samples were dispersed, serially diluted, and cultured on selective and non-selective agar media. An average of seven to nine species was found at each subsite. Streptococcus and Actinomyces were subdivided on the basis of a range of biochemical tests. The predominant Actinomyces and streptococcal species at most subsites were A. naeslundii and Strep. mitis biovar I. A. naeslundii and A. odontolyticus were isolated more often at subsite B (90.5 and 57.1%, respectively), and A. israelii at subsite S (66.7%) Strep. mitis 1 and Strep. sanguis were found more frequently at subsite S (76.2 and 66.7% respectively), whereas Strep mutans, Strep. sobrinus, Strep. gordonii and Veillonella spp. were recovered most commonly from subsite B (85.7, 33.3, 38.1 and 76.2%, respectively). The isolation frequencies of Strep. mutans and Strep. sobrinus were significantly higher at subsite B (A B p < 0.01 and p < 0.05, respectively). Veillonella spp. were significantly higher at subsites B and S (A < B, p > 0.01; B > S, p < 0.05), while Neisseria spp. were most common at subsite A (A > B. p > 0.03). IgAl protease-producing species were found at each subsite, but they formed only a small proportion of the total Streptococcus population. This study has shown that local variations were evident at different subsites, both with respect to species prevalence and to proportions of each species within each subsite. The population shifts in gingival margin plaque appear to relate to the location of plaque in relation to the most caries-prone site below the contact area B.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMed1997

Particulate bioglass as a grafting material in the treatment of periodontal intrabony defects.

The present clinical trial was designed to evaluate the effects of a bioactive glass, Perioglas, in the treatment of periodontal intrabony defects. 20 patients, 23-55 years of age (44 sites), with intrabony defects completed the 1-year study. Teeth with furcation involvement were excluded. After completion of initial therapy, defects were randomly assigned to either a test or control procedure. Following flap reflection, root planing and removal of chronic inflammatory tissue in both groups, the test defects were restored with the bioactive glass particulate material. Mucoperiosteal flaps were replaced, sutured and a periodontal dressing was used. All the patients received postoperative antibiotics and analgesics and were seen at 1 week for suture removal. Follow-up was then carried out weekly and at 3 months, 6 months, 9 months and 1 year post-surgery. Plaque score, bleeding score, probing pocket depth (PPD), probing attachment level (PAL) and gingival recession were recorded at baseline, 3 months and 1 year. Standardised radiographs for computer-assisted densitometric image analysis (CADIA) were taken at baseline, immediately post-operatively and at 1 year. The CADIA data showed a significant increase (F-ratio: 15.67, p < 0.001) in radiographic density and volume between the defects treated with the Perioglas when compared to those treated with surgical debridement only. PPD and PAL showed significant improvements in both experimental and control sites, with a greater trend to improvement in the experimental sites. It was concluded that this bioactive glass is effective as an adjunct to conventional surgery in the treatment of intrabony defects.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

PubMed1997

The achievement and maintenance of inter-examiner consistency in the assessment of plaque and gingivitis during a multicentre study based in general dental practices.

This study set out to demonstrate that it was possible to train general dental practitioners (gdps) to achieve and maintain high levels of inter-examiner consistency in the use of simple periodontal indices over a 12-month period. The gdps were trained by one trainer in the use of the plaque index (PII) and a modified version of the gingival index (mGI) which assessed gingival bleeding only. All the gdps underwent intensive training and employed a technique, when assessing inter-examiner consistency in the use of the PII, such that the 1st examiner did not disturb in situ plaque from 50% of the circumference of a tooth. The problem of variation due to repeat probing, when assessing inter-examiner consistency for mGI, was overcome by one examiner lightly probing gingival margins and both examiners scoring the results. The problems relating to the multicentre nature of the study included: distance between the centres, the need for strict adherence to the study protocol, consistency in the use of forms and instruments, in the application of periodontal indices, and of inclusion and exclusion criteria. Techniques for overcoming these problems included: the planning and application of a coherent study design, which employed simple indices, a detailed protocol, the recruitment of very well-motivated gdps of similar age and experience as examiners, the recruitment of an experienced trainer who trained the gdps thoroughly and monitored their performance throughout the study, and repeat visits to the practices involved to explain the nature of the study to all their staff members. Initially, the gdps achieved inter-examiner kappa scores of 0.78-0.85 (mean 0.81) for PII and of 0.73-0.94 (mean 0.87) for mGI when assessing 168 sites for each variable. During the following 12 months, individual kappa scores, assessed every 3 months at 42 sites, ranged from 0.51-0.90 for PII and from 0.73-1.00 for mGI. Mean kappa for PII scores achieved by the five gdps fell during the study from 0.81 to 0.76, whereas that for mGI rose from 0.87 to 0.92. It is concluded that it is possible to train gdps to achieve high levels of inter-examiner consistency in the use of PII and mGI and for these high levels to be maintained during a 12-month multicentre study.

Calibration↗

PubMed1997

The effects of a 0.12% chlorhexidine-digluconate-containing mouthrinse versus a placebo on plaque and gingival inflammation over a 3-month period. A multicentre study carried out in general dental practices.

Several previous studies have evaluated the effects of 0.12% chlorhexidine digluconate (ChD) mouthrinses on plaque and gingival inflammation. However, previously, none have been based in general dental practices. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential to conduct controlled periodontal clinical trials in co-operation with general dental practitioners (gdps). The project took place in 5 general dental practices in the South of England. 121 healthy subjects (24 at 4 sites and 25 at the 5th), aged 18-65 years, mean 35 +/- 12) years participated in a double-blind, randomised study during which they received full mouth assessments for plaque and gingival bleeding at baseline, 6 and 12 weeks. 60 subjects were randomly assigned to use the 0.12% ChD mouthwash and 61 the placebo. The assessments were carried out by 5 gpds, who had previously achieved inter-examiner kappa scores of 0.78-0.85 (mean 0.81) for the plaque index (PII), and of 0.73-0.94 (mean 0.87) for a modified gingival index (mGI), and who maintained kappa scores of 0.51-0.90 for PII and of 0.73-1.00 for mGI during the 12 months required to complete the study. 98 subjects (48 ChD and 50 placebo) completed the study. Even though the baseline levels of plaque and gingivitis were low, by week 12, mean whole mouth plaque score of the ChD mouthwash users had fallen from 1.33 at baseline to 0.96 and was significantly lower (p < 0.001) than for the placebo users, 1.31 at baseline to 1.13. Whole-mouth gingival bleeding score fell from 0.56 to 0.42 in the ChD mouthwash group but was unchanged (0.54-0.55) in the placebo group. A subsidiary data analysis which considered the effects at sites indicated that within these overall differences, the ChD users experienced almost 2 x the reduction from plaque score 2 at baseline at proximal molar sites over a 12-week period (50.6% ChD versus 27.6% placebo). It was concluded that 0.12% ChD mouthwash reduced plaque accumulation by 28% and gingival inflammation by 25% over a 12-week period, that it is feasible for a group of gdps to maintain high levels of inter-examiner consistency in the use of PII and mGI, that it is also feasible to carry out such a multicentre study in general dental practice, and that the use of mean mouth scores per subject to analyse the effects of mouthrinses may well mask variations in response throughout the mouth.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1997

Expression and splicing of the fibronectin gene in healthy and diseased periodontal tissue.

Fibronectin is a major component of the extracellular matrix and is considered to have an important role in chronic inflammatory periodontal disease. The fibronectin gene product has been shown to be subject to alternative splicing in 3 regions, each generating different mRNA transcripts associated specifically with normal adult tissue, embryogenesis, tissue regeneration, and wound healing. In the present study, using the reverse-transcribed polymerase chain reaction to examine splicing profiles of the primary transcript, we found that healthy periodontal tissue expressed all alternatively spliced embryonic isoforms, indicative of the extensive and ongoing rebuilding processes which occur in these tissues. In marked contrast, only the exon-skipped transcripts were generated in tissue from chronic inflammatory periodontal disease patients. The loss of the high molecular weight isoforms in lesional tissues may be due to the excess production of inflammatory mediators in this disease, since we observed that high concentrations of the cytokine IL-1beta caused down-regulation of these transcripts in normal periodontal cells in tissue culture. Moreover, we also demonstrated that growth factors likely to be involved in periodontal regeneration and repair, such as PDGF, IGF-1 and TGF-beta, elicited pronounced upregulation of the embryonic isoforms of fibronectin in these cells. Although the functional activities of the antigens corresponding to the alternatively spliced variants of fibronectin are not yet known, our finding that they are selectively expressed suggests that they have highly specific roles in both periodontal breakdown and repair.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Comparison of two desensitizing agents for the treatment of cervical dentine sensitivity.

Numerous desensitizing agents have been utilized in an effort to alleviate the discomfort associated with cervical dentine sensitivity (CDS). Recently several new tubule-occluding and sealant systems have been marketed for treatment. The aim of this study was to compare two desensitizing agents (ALL-BOND 2 and Butler Protect) in a 3-month clinical study. Ten subjects (6F; 4M mean age 45.1 years (SD 8.81) who had provided voluntary written informed consent participated in a single-blind 3-month clinical study. Subjects were evaluated for tactile (Yeaple probe) and air sensitivity (dental air syringe) together with subjective perception of pain (VAS scores) at 0.5 min, 1, 2 and 3 months. There was an overall trend in reduction of CDS over the study period in all group with no significant differences detected between groups. The results suggested that while subjects reported overall reductions in sensitivity levels, this may not necessarily be substantiated when assessed objectively. Furthermore, there appeared to be a strong placebo effect in this study.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1997

Sustained local delivery of chlorhexidine in the treatment of periodontitis: a multi-center study.

The safety and efficacy of a degradable, subgingivally placed drug delivery system containing 2.5 mg chlorhexidine (CHX) were evaluated in a randomized, blinded, multi-center study of 118 patients with moderate periodontitis. A split-mouth design was used to compare the treatment outcomes of scaling and root planing (SRP) alone with the combined use of SRP and the CHX in pockets with probing depths of 5 to 8 mm. The two maxillary quadrants were used for the two treatment arms of the study. Scaling and root planing was performed at baseline only, while the CHX was inserted both at baseline and at 3 months. Clinical and safety measurements including probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), and bleeding on probing (BOP) as well as gingivitis, plaque, and staining indices were recorded at baseline, and at 1, 3, and 6 months. The average PD reduction in the CHX-treated sites was significantly greater than in the sites receiving SRP alone at both 3 and 6 months with a mean difference of 0.42 mm (P < or = 0.01) at 6 months. The reduction in CAL at the treated sites was greater than at the SRP sites, although the difference was statistically significant at the 6-month visit only. An analysis of patients with initial probing depths of 7 to 8 mm (n = 56) revealed a significantly greater reduction in PD and CAL in those pockets treated with CHX compared to SRP at both 3 and 6 months. The mean differences between test and control sites at 6 months were 0.71 mm and 0.56 mm PD and CAL respectively.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

The vasculature in chronic adult periodontitis: a qualitative and quantitative study.

Blood vessel features in periodontal pocket soft tissues may be significant in the pathogenesis and progression of chronic periodontitis. The aim of this study was to make a quantitative histological assessment of the vasculature in soft tissue biopsies from patients with chronic adult periodontitis and patients with healthy periodontal tissues. We have also investigated changes in tissue morphology at both the histological and ultrastructural level. Twelve interdental biopsies were obtained, 6 from chronic adult periodontitis patients and 6 from healthy volunteers. The specimens were sliced, fixed in 3% glutaraldehyde, postfixed in 1% buffered osmium tetroxide, dehydrated, and embeded in araldite. One micron semithin sections were differentially stained with a dichromatic technique. The number of blood vessels (BV) for sub-epithelial, superficial and deep connective tissue layers were then assessed. Only in the sub-epithelial connective tissue layer was there a significant increase in the number of blood vessels (95% Confidence interval [CI]) in the chronic adult periodontitis specimens when compared to healthy specimens. The results of this study seem to indicate that a dichromatic staining technique facilitates the identification and quantification of blood vessels in epoxy resin embedded specimens at light microscope level, and that there is an increase in the number of blood vessels in the chronic adult periodontitis lesions.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

A pilot assessment of alternative methods of quantifying dental pain with particular reference to dentine hypersensitivity.

OBJECTIVE: The overall aim of this pilot study was to establish the usefulness and comparability of selected verbal and non-verbal methods in the quantification of sensory and affective aspects of dental pain associated with dentine hypersensitivity (DH). DESIGN: The assessment of dental pain was conducted during an eight week clinical study. Patients were asked to rate their perception of dental pain using selected methods of quantification following tactile (Yeaple Probe-an electronic pressure-sensitive probe) and evaporative (cold air from a dental air syringe) stimulation; together with an overall assessment of perception to daily stimuli (e.g., cold air/water, toothbrushing, sweet and sour foods). The assessment methods used to quantify pain arising from DH were a continuous visual analogue scale (VAS), a 0-10 numerical rating VAS scale (NRS), and a separate intensity verbal descriptor (IVD) and unpleasantness verbal descriptor (UVD) word scales. SETTING: A specialist department at a postgraduate dental institute and hospital in London, UK. SUBJECTS: Twenty-five adult patients (8M + 17F) with a mean age of 42.6 years (95 per cent C.I. 38.8 to 46.4 years) attending the department for a clinical study evaluating the efficacy of a desensitising toothpaste agreed to participate. OUTCOME MEASURES: The study compared a continuous visual analogue scale (VAS), a 0-10 numerical rating visual analogue scale (NRS), and a separate intensity (IVD) and unpleasantness verbal descriptor (UVD) scales to quantify sensory and affective aspects of pain. An unweighted moving average technique was used to construct graphs of the relative frequency of reported severity gradings over a range of 0-10. RESULTS: The results of the study indicated that cold air appeared to cause greater discomfort to the patient than tactile sensitivity, with the air intensity curve for both IVD and 0-10 VAS peaking at a severity score of 5 while continuous VAS peaked at a score of 3-4. All methods peaked at score 2 for tactile sensitivity. The UVD scale peaked at score 2-3 and again at 6 for air sensitivity, but conformed to the other scales by peaking at score 2 for tactile sensitivity. NRS and IVD scales therefore appeared to provide acceptable alternatives to continuous VAS, but the UVD scale, probably because of the imprecise nature of the words used in the scale, did not. CONCLUSIONS: This study partially confirms previous conclusions that both verbal and non-verbal techniques quantify sensory and affective aspects of pain. However, the imprecise nature of UVD words provided misleading information in terms of both accuracy and sensitivity (except at very low levels of discomfort), when assessing pain arising from dentine hypersensitivity. In view of the highly subjective data arising from studies of this nature, the use of a moving average technique may be considered a more pragmatic method of analysis.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

Adsorption/desorption of amine fluorides to hydroxyapatite.

This study concerned the adsorption and desorption of commercial amine fluoride (AmF) preparations to hydroxyapatite (HA). The influence of pH, ionic strength, temperature, saliva and albumin, the latter as a gingival crevicular fluid analogue, on adsorption/desorption was investigated. AmF levels were determined using a surfactant electrode. AmFs 297 and 335 were found to bind immediately and irreversibly to HA in water over a range of pH values, ionic strengths and temperatures, the amounts increasing with concentration. More monovalent AmF 335 was absorbed than divalent AmF 297. Any AmF desorbed by water from HA was at the lowest end of the minimum inhibitory concentration for oral bacteria. AmF 297 was desorbed by CaCl2, and to a lesser extent by H+, OH-, NH4+, La3+, EDTA, Triton X100 and ethanol, whereas AmF 335 was only slightly desorbed by ethanol. Preadsorption of proteins on HA had little effect on subsequent adsorption or desorption of either AmF. It is postulated that both AmF 297 and AmF 335 are inactivated by an excess of proteins in the surrounding medium, supra- or subgingivally, and not by such proteins preventing or altering the mode or rate of adsorption, or interfering with antibacterial activity, when the AmFs contact a protein-coated tooth surface.

Adsorption↗

PubMed1996

Polymerase chain reaction analysis of oestrogen and androgen receptor expression in human gingival and periodontal tissue.

Oestrogen and androgen receptors mediate the effects of their respective hormones by acting as ligand-activated transcription factors that control a wide range of biological processes. In order to determine whether periodontal and gingival tissues could respond to oestrogen and androgen, the specific and highly sensitive reverse-transcribed polymerase chain reaction (PT-PCR) was used to examine the presence of the mRNAs corresponding to these receptors. Expression of the androgen receptor was readily detected in periodontal and gingival tissue and in fibroblasts derived from these tissues, but transcripts for the oestrogen receptor were not detected in these samples. Moreover, treatment of the cultured fibroblasts with the oestrogen diethylstilbesterol (DES) or the androgen dihydrotestosterone (DHT) did not induce the expression of the oestrogen receptor mRNA; nor did the hormones modify the activity of the androgen receptor gene. These results suggest that, while periodontal and gingival tissues are not able to respond directly to oestrogen, they may nevertheless be highly sensitive to the anabolic effects of androgens.

Cells, Cultured↗

PubMed1996

Can capillaries increase in length without any increase in the number of endothelial cells?

Generally it is believed that one of the causes of vascular expansion is the increase in length of small capillaries, which in turn is attributed to an increase in the number of endothelial cells. In this report we suggest a new hypothesis for a different mechanism for the increased length of small capillaries, which excludes an increase in the number of endothelial cells. This hypothesis is based upon the possibility of a longitudinal expansion of blood vessels, and has been explained and justified through a series of mathematical examples.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Combined treatment approach to gingival overgrowth due to drug therapy.

A case of severe gingival overgrowth associated with combined drug therapy of cyclosporin A and nifedipine is reported. The frequently increased vascularity of the gingival tissues in such cases often causes problems with bleeding both during and after surgery. Acrylic suckdown splints have been used postoperatively to assist haemostasis; however, these can interfere with function and cause discomfort. This report describes a combined treatment approach using conventional gingivectomy and carbon dioxide laser for the removal of the hypertrophic soft tissue. The benefits of such combined treatment include reduced bleeding during surgery with consequent reduced operating time and rapid post-operative haemostasis, thus eliminating the need for a splint.

Blood Loss, Surgical↗

PubMed1996

Prevalence of cervical dentine sensitivity in a population of patients referred to a specialist Periodontology Department.

The reported prevalence of cervical dentine sensitivity (CDS) ranges from 8 to 35%. Detailed epidemiology of the condition, particularly with regard to possible causal factors, is lacking. In particular, no published data appear to exist on its prevalence in periodontal patients. The aim of the present study was therefore to determine the prevalence, distribution and severity of CDS in a population of patients referred to a Periodontology Department of a specialist postgraduate hospital. 507 patients (181 M; 326F, mean age 44.2 (SD 10.31) years) attending a periodontal clinic were assessed for CDS by a questionnaire. The results demonstrated a prevalence of CDS of 84% with no significant gender difference. 71.1% of patients perceived cold as the most common cause of discomfort. A higher prevalence of self-reported discomfort was observed between 40 and 49 years. Of the patients with a reported history of periodontal surgery (34.7%), those treated within 6 months prior to assessment appeared to be more at risk to CDS. Of the patients who received hygienist treatment (88.2%), only 10.5% reported discomfort persisting > or = 3 days after treatment. Generally, patients who complained of varying degrees of discomfort over time (84.5%) did not perceive the condition as severe and consequently did not seek treatment. The prevalence of CDS in these referred patients was very high, suggesting that periodontal diseases and/or treatment effects play a rôle in its aetiology.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

Efficacy of a potassium nitrate mouthwash in alleviating cervical dentine sensitivity (CDS).

Potassium nitrate (KNO3) has been used previously in a dentifrice or gel to alleviate cervical dentine sensitivity (CDS). The aim of this study was to compare a 3% KNO3 Silica/NaF mouthwash with a NaF/silica mouthwash in a 6-week multi-centre double-blind study. 47 subjects (12M; 35F, mean age 36.2 (SD 11.46) years) participated in the study. Subjects were evaluated for tactile (Yeaple probe) and air sensitivity (dental air syringe) together with subjective perception of pain (0-10 scale) at 0, 2 and 6 weeks. Results for Yeaple probe (gm wt) (Wilcoxon paired rank test) between 6 weeks and baseline, were highly significant for both groups. Differences between groups at 6 weeks were statistically significant. Subjective Yeaple probe scores (paired t-tests) between 6 weeks and baseline were significant for both groups. There were no significant differences (unpaired t-tests) between groups over 6 weeks for subjective Yeaple probe scores. Subjective air scores (paired t-tests) between 6 weeks and baseline were significant for both groups. There were significant differences (unpaired t-tests) between groups in favour of the 3% KNO3/Silica/NaF group at 6 weeks. The 2 weeks and baseline results for both groups were the same as reported for 6 weeks and baseline. The results demonstrated that a 3% KNO3/Silica/NaF mouthwash compared to a Silica/NaF control significantly reduced CDS when evaluated by tactile and thermal stimuli. A 3% KNO3/silica/NaF mouthwash would, therefore appear to have therapeutic potential to alleviate CDS.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1996

0.1%/0.2% commercial chlorhexidine solutions as subgingival irrigants in chronic periodontitis.

This study compared 2 proprietary chlorhexidine (CH) products, Corsodyl (CO-0.2% CH, then ICI, U.K.) and Eludril (EL-0.1% CH, Pierre Fabre, France) as subgingival irrigants adjunctive to Simplified Oral Hygiene. 19 subjects, 8M, 11F, aged 30-57 years, mean 44 years, took part. Probing pocket depth (PPD) ranged from 5-10 mm, mean 6.5 mm (CO and EL), with 60 CO and 65 EL sites. After oral hygiene instruction, without stress on interdental cleaning, patients received on visit supra- and subgingival debridement, and instruction in subgingival irrigation using the Max-I-Probe system (Smith & Nephew MPL, USA). For baseline, days 28 (end of irrigation), 56 and 84, data were respectively: GI (medians): 1.7, 1.2, 1.2, 1.0 (CO), 1.9, 1.5, 1.3, 1.0 EL); BOP (medians): 1.2, 0.4, 0.7, 0.4 (CO), 1.5, 0.6, 0.6, 0.25 (EL); PPD (mm) (means): 6.3, 4.8, 4.2, 4.5 (CO), 6.8, 5.2, 5.3, 4.7 (EL); PAL (mm) (means-change relative to day 0): 0.6, 0.5, 0.8 (CO), 0.8, 0.8, 1.5 (EL). By Wilcoxon for non-parametric and t-tests for parametric data, both groups showed significant improvement for all variables at all times relative to baseline, with only one significant difference between the groups, in favour of EL, for PAL at day 84 (p < 0.05). This pilot study indicates that both simplified oral hygiene regimes are effective in periodontitis, but that there was no difference between the 2 commercial irrigants as adjunctives.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

Psychosocial factors and adult onset rapidly progressive periodontitis.

On the basis of clinical observations, some periodontologists have suggested an association between psychosocial factors such as depression, stress and anxiety, and adult onset rapidly progressive periodontitis (RPP). This study investigated more formally possible associations between a number of relevant psychosocial factors and RPP. The significance of the psychosocial variables was assessed by comparing 3 groups: 50 patients with RPP, 50 patients with routine chronic adult periodontitis (RCAP), and 50 patients without significant periodontal destruction (controls). It was anticipated that the RPP group would show higher levels of psychosocial maladjustment than the RCAP and control groups. A between-subjects multivariate analysis of covariance indicated that the combined psychosocial variables were significantly related to the periodontal diagnosis. 2 psychosocial factors, depression and loneliness, were significant in distinguishing between groups. The RPP group presented significantly increased depression and loneliness compared to the RCAP and control groups. Future research is indicated to further clarify the significance of these psychosocial differences in relation to the onset and progression of RPP.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1996

Evaluation of the healing response following placement of Coe-pak and an experimental pack after periodontal flap surgery.

2 periodontal dressings, Coe-pak and RD8 (a product under development), were assessed following periodontal surgery, using a double-blind study of randomised split-mouth design, with each patient acting as their own control. Matched sites were selected for periodontal flap surgery under local analgesia. Sites were randomly allocated to each group. The dressings were applied by a single operator and both patients and clinical assessors were blind as to the dressing employed. The dressings were assessed as to their handling properties, in addition to a 7-day post-operative assessment of the surgical sites and a subjective patient report. Maximum pain levels were relatively low (4 in a scale 0-10); subjects reported more pain and analgesics required with RD8 than with Coe-pak. This was reflected in the results of the patient assessment which indicated that 50% preferred Coe-pak, compared to 25% who preferred the RD8 dressing. The results showed RD8 to be an acceptable periodontal dressing when compared to Coe-pak. There were no statistically significant differences between treated sites in both groups with regard to post-operative plaque scores, bleeding scores or tissue healing.

Adult↗