Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Tooth Mobility”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 289 records · Page 16Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

Does temporary splinting before non-surgical therapy eliminate scaling and root planing-induced trauma to the mobile teeth?

The objective of this study was to determine whether temporary splinting of periodontitis-affected mobile teeth, prior to non-surgical mechanical therapy, affects treatment outcome by eliminating scaling and root planing-induced trauma to the teeth. Mandibular anterior teeth of 29 patients (15 females; 14 males; age range 30 to 48 years) with adult periodontitis were evaluated. Clinical measurements were performed at 4 sites per tooth including mesial, distal, buccal and lingual aspects at baseline, 3 and 6 months after treatment. The following clinical parameters were analyzed: plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), bleeding on probing (BOP), pocket depth (PD), probing attachment level (PAL), gingival margin level (GML) and tooth mobility (TM). Patients were randomly divided into 3 groups: i) group 1 (n = 8) received scaling and root planing (SRP) only, ii) group 2 (n = 10) received scaling and root planing before splinting and iii) group 3 (n = 11) received scaling and root planing after splinting. Statistical analysis revealed that there were no significant differences among the groups for either bleeding on probing or probing attachment level values at any of the time intervals. At the end of the study, the greatest decrease in pocket depth was noted in group 2 (1.24+/-0.10 mm) which was thought to be the result of gingival recession (0.73+/-0.07 mm). Group 1 was the only group that showed reduction in tooth mobility at 3 months compared to baseline (1.67+/-0.55 PTV units). Group 3 displayed the least reduction in tooth mobility during the entire study period (0.26+/-0.44 PTV units). In conclusion, splinting of mobile teeth before SRP, and thereby elimination of potential SRP-induced trauma to the mobile teeth, did not show any adjunctive effect on healing when compared to splinting after SRP. Thorough debridement of root surfaces, even performed in the presence of increased mobility, resulted in improvements in clinical parameters, i.e. mechanical manipulation of mobile teeth during periodontal treatment did not affect clinical outcome negatively.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[Prosthetic application of a new measuring instrument of the dynamic periodontal function].

To investigate the principle of Periotest measurement, we compared PT-value and the duration of contact between the rod of the Periotest-Instrument and the tooth measured directly in an oral cavity. Then we applied this apparatus to the subjects with normal periodontium and the patients of prosthetic treatment. The conclusions are as follows: 1. We confirmed that PT-value was calculated from the duration of contact between the rod of the Periotest and the tooth and it showed mainly the dumping effect of the periodontium. 2. There was a close relationship between PT-value and the clinical degree of tooth mobility, especially in the degree of 0 and 1 of tooth mobility. 3. Periotest was very useful not only for the periodontal treatment but also prosthetic application.

Dental Occlusion↗
PubMed2004

Development of dental implant movement (IM) checker for dental implant mobility assessment.

This study aimed at developing a dental implant movement (IM) checker for assessing quantitative dental implant mobility. The design of the instrument was based on the tooth mobility (TM) tester, which was previously developed by our group. The IM checker consists of a newly developed measuring probe which has the size of a typical dental drill so that it would be easy to measure at all regions of dental implants. The probe has a bimorph ceramics transducer for actuating an implant at constant frequency and force amplitude and for detecting acceleration response. A set of strain gauges were attached to the bimorph ceramics for detecting preload during measurement. A new digital data acquisition system was used to eliminate measurement artifacts mainly due to probe handling. The IM checker could discriminate the artificial dental implant models in the range of clinical tooth mobility M0 with variation less than 6%. The measuring time needed by five operators was less than 15 s. Accordingly, the IM checker has sufficient measuring reliability and therefore it could be introduced in dental clinics.

Dental Implants↗
PubMed2002

The prognostic value of several periodontal factors measured as radiographic bone level variation: a 10-year retrospective multilevel analysis of treated and maintained periodontal patients.

BACKGROUND: Assigning a prognosis to a periodontal patient is one of the greatest challenges in clinical practice. Many different factors can affect the result of periodontal therapy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of some clinical, genetic, and radiographic variables in predicting bone level variation in periodontal patients (aged 40 to 60) treated and maintained for 10 years. METHODS: Sixty consecutive non-smoking patients (mean age 46.77 +/- 4.96) with moderate to severe chronic periodontitis were treated with scaling and root planing (SRP). Some patients also underwent additional surgical treatments. All patients were maintained in the same private practice for 10 years. At baseline (T0) and at least 10 years later (T2), the following clinical variables were evaluated: probing depth (PD), tooth mobility (TM), presence of prosthetic restorations (PR), and molar teeth (MT). In addition, radiographic measurements were taken of the mesial and distal distances from the cemento-enamel junction (CEJ) to the bottom of the defect (BD), to the bone crest (BC), and to the root apex (RA). At T2, a genetic test to determine the IL-1 genotype and genetic susceptibility for severe periodontal disease was performed for all 60 patients. Based on the results of this assay, the patients were categorized as IL-1 genotype positive (G+) or negative (G-). The differences between the bone levels measured at T0 and T2 (ABD), indicating the bone level variation, was used as the outcome variable. Different predictor variables were then tested using a 3-level statistical model (multilevel statistical analysis; patient, tooth, and site level). At the patient level these were: age, gender, and interaction between mean bone loss and the IL-1 genotype (mean CEJ-BD(T0) x IL-1 genotype). At the tooth level the variables were: TM(T0), PR(T0), MT(T0); and at the site level the evaluated factors were: the infrabony component of the defect (CEJ-BD(T0) - CEJ-BC(T0), PD(T0), bone level (CEJ-BD(T0)), and the residual supporting bone (BD-RA(T0)). RESULTS: Among the considered predictor parameters, the following were significantly associated with the outcome variable: 1) mean CEJ-BD(T0) x IL-1 genotype (P = 0.0019); 2) TM(T0) (P < 0.0000); 3) CEJ-BD(T0) (P < 0.0000); 4) CEJ-BD(T0) - CEJ-BC(T0) (P < 0.0000); 5) PD(T0) (P = 0.0010). Deeper probing depths at a site and tooth mobility at baseline were associated with worst prognosis. Greater CEJ-BD(T0) distance and infrabony component at a site at baseline were associated with a better prognosis. The interaction between mean CEJ-BD measurement at baseline and IL-1 genotype was significantly associated both with a good or a poor prognosis. The other parameters evaluated - age, gender, presence of molars and prosthetic restorations, and residual supporting bone - were not significantly associated with bone level variation. CONCLUSIONS: Within the scope of this study design, many traditional prognostic factors were ineffective in predicting future bone level variation and therefore were of no prognostic value. Conversely, a few specific factors at each level emerged as valuable prognostic factors. At the patient level, the prognostic factor was initial mean bone level in conjunction with a positive IL-1 genotype. At the tooth level, the prognostic factor was tooth mobility. At the site level, the significant prognostic factors were initial bone level at a site, the infrabony component of a defect, and initial probing depth at a site. The use of these factors may be of value to clinicians as predictors of bone level variation when assigning a prognosis to a patient, a tooth, or a site.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

The simplified papilla preservation flap in the regenerative treatment of deep intrabony defects: clinical outcomes and postoperative morbidity.

BACKGROUND: The aims of the present multi-center, randomized, controlled clinical trial were: 1) to compare the efficacy of the simplified papilla preservation flap with and without a barrier membrane in deep intrabony defects; 2) to evaluate the postoperative morbidity and surgical complications; and 3) to preliminarily test the impact of baseline tooth mobility on clinical outcomes. METHODS: This parallel group, randomized, multi-center, controlled clinical trial involved 112 patients in 8 periodontal practices in 4 countries. A deep intrabony defect in each patient was accessed with the simplified papilla preservation flap. In the test defects, a bioabsorbable membrane was positioned. Patients' experiences with the surgical procedure and postoperative period were evaluated with a questionnaire. Clinical outcomes included clinical attachment level (CAL) and probing depth (PD) changes. RESULTS: Complete observations were available for 55 test and 54 control defects. CAL gains at 1 year were 3.5 +/- 2.1 mm in the guided tissue regeneration (GTR) group and 2.6 +/- 1.8 mm in the control group (P = 0.0117). CAL gains > or = 4 mm were observed in 50.9% of GTR sites and 33.3% of control sites. A significant center effect of 2.1 mm was observed (P= 0.01). Initial PD (P= 0.01) and baseline tooth mobility (P= 0.036) were significant covariates. During the procedure, 30.4% of test and 28.6% of controls reported feeling moderate pain, and subjects estimated the hardship of the procedure at 24 +/- 25 visual analog scale (VAS) units in the test group, and at 22 +/- 23 VAS in controls. In terms of the investigated outcomes, differences between test and control groups were not statistically significant. Among the postoperative complications, edema was most prevalent at week 1, and more frequently associated with the test treatment (P= 0.01). In the test group, 53.6% of membranes were exposed at week 3. CONCLUSIONS: The present study further supports the added benefits of guided tissue regeneration with respect to access flap alone in the treatment of deep intrabony defects, as well as the general efficacy of GTR in different clinical settings. Furthermore, our study indicates a possible influence of baseline tooth mobility on clinical outcomes.

Absorbable Implants↗
PubMed2002

[Dynamic method for measuring the periodontal area].

The study was carried out on 21 teeth before and after their removal in 9 patients. Mechanical parameters of the dental supporting-retaining system were studied with a two-parametrical periodontometer, which evaluates the tooth mobility and angle of losses, characterizing the internal friction in the tooth-periodontium-bone system. The in vitro area of the periodontium was evaluated using millimeter paper. A direct relationship between the angle of losses and periodontal area was revealed. The authors suggest using a coefficient of propotionateness between the periodontal area and angle of losses; this coefficient does not depend on the tooth mobility and periodontal area.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Development of a nonrigid, durable calcium phosphate cement for use in periodontal bone repair.

BACKGROUND: Calcium phosphate cement (CPC) hardens in situ to form hydroxyapatite and has been used in dental and craniofacial restorative applications. However, when CPC was used in periodontal osseous repair, tooth mobility resulted in the fracture and exfoliation of the brittle CPC implant. The objective of the authors' study was to develop a strong and nonrigid CPC to provide compliance for tooth mobility without fracturing the implant. METHODS: The authors used tetracalcium phosphate, dicalcium phosphate anhydrous and biopolymer chitosan to develop a strong and nonrigid CPC. They used a powder:liquid ratio of 2:1, compared with the 1:1 ratio of a previously developed nonrigid CPC control. Specimens were characterized using a flexural test, scanning electron microscopy and powder X-ray diffraction. RESULTS: After 28 days of immersion, the new cement had a flexural strength (mean +/- standard deviation; n = 6) of 5.2 +/- 1.0 megapascals, higher than 1.8 +/- 1.5 MPa for the control (P < .05) and overlapping the reported strengths of sintered hydroxyapatite implants and cancellous bone. This cement showed a high ductility with a strain at peak load of 6.5 +/- 1.3 percent, compared with 4.4 +/- 1.9 percent for the control; both were 20-fold higher than the 0.2 percent of the conventional CPC. Nanosized hydroxyapatite crystals, similar to those in teeth and bones, were formed in the cements. CONCLUSIONS: The new nonrigid cement, containing nanohydroxyapatite crystals, possessed a high ductility and superior fracture resistance. This strong, tough and nonrigid CPC may be useful in periodontal repair to provide compliance for tooth mobility without fracture. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: The results of this study may yield the first self-hardening and nonrigid hydroxyapatite composite with high strength and durability and large deformation capability to be useful in the regeneration of periodontal osseous defects.

Alveolar Bone Loss↗
PubMed2003

Impact of increased occlusal contact, interleukin-1 genotype, and periodontitis severity on gingival crevicular fluid IL-1beta levels.

BACKGROUND: The study of occlusal therapy in humans with periodontitis is problematic due to potential irreversible bone loss in control subjects. The hypothesis of this pilot investigation was that increased interocclusal contact initiated by short-term occlusal splint disuse would increase tooth mobility and the bone-resorptive cytokine interleukin (IL)-1beta in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF), comparable to IL-1-positive genotype and increased periodontitis severity. METHODS: Nineteen non-smoking chronic periodontitis patients using nocturnal occlusal splints and undergoing periodontal maintenance in a private practice were evaluated at five time points: 24 hours after continuous splint use; 1, 2, and 3 days after no occlusal splint use; and 14 days after resumption of customary nighttime splint use. Subjects were evaluated to confirm that the plaque index and gingival index were < or = 1.0, and to categorize past periodontitis (moderate or severe) and IL-1 genotype (1A +4845 plus IL-1B +3954). Test sites on two anterior teeth vulnerable to occlusal trauma were sampled for mobility, GCF IL-1beta, and IL-1 receptor antagonist (ra). RESULTS: Tooth mobility remained low during the 3-day period when patients were not wearing their occlusal appliance. GCF IL-1beta decreased after not wearing the appliances (P = 0.016), especially at 48 hours. At this time, genotype-positive subjects had higher levels of GCF IL-1beta/IL-1ra than genotype-negative subjects (P = 0.045), and patients who had experienced severe periodontitis had higher IL-1beta levels than moderate periodontitis subjects (P = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that short-term discontinuation of occlusal splint therapy in non-smoking periodontitis patients undergoing periodontal maintenance does not result in potential signs of early occlusal trauma (increasing mobility or GCF IL-1beta). Longer-term studies may be needed to determine appropriate therapy applications for periodontitis-susceptible patients with definable occlusal discrepancies and/or parafunction.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Association between smoking different tobacco products and periodontal disease indexes.

Six indexes of periodontal health were recorded in cigarette smokers, pipe/cigar smokers and nonsmokers from the Veterans Administration Dental Longitudinal Study. These indexes included calculus deposition, plaque accumulation, gingival inflammation, periodontal pocket depth, alveolar bone loss and tooth mobility. Cigarette smokers had significantly more calculus deposition than pipe/cigar smokers, although both smoker groups had more calculus than nonsmokers. Cigarette smokers accumulated slightly less plaque than pipe/cigar smokers, and both smoker groups accumulated less plaque than nonsmokers. Gingival inflammation and tooth mobility did not differ between smokers and nonsmokers, nor between the two smoker groups. Cigarette smokers had significantly greater pocket depth than nonsmokers, in contrast to pipe/cigar smokers who were not different from nonsmokers. Radiographic measurements indicated that cigarette smokers had significantly more alveolar bone loss than either pipe/cigar or nonsmokers. After covariance adjustment for age and calculus, all smokers had less plaque, gingival inflammation and tooth mobility than nonsmokers, similar periodontal pocket depth, but only cigarette smokers had greater bone loss. This finding of greater alveolar bone loss in cigarette smokers suggests a tobacco product-related effect in systemic physiologic action.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

[The effect of hormones on the periodontal condition--clinical studies on 300 female patients].

In this study 300 women (100 pregnant women, 100 women taking contraceptives and 100 women without contraceptive medication) were examined, recording the periodontal condition (using a computer-orientated chart) and the periodontal index according to Kötzschke. The values for the total index and the superficial and deep components of the index according to Kötzschke, the pocket depth and the degree of tooth mobility (determined for each tooth) were significantly higher in women under contraceptive medication than in the control subjects.

Clinical Trials as Topic↗
PubMed1994

Influence of arch bar splinting on periodontium and mobility of fixed teeth.

Altogether 17 patients treated with arch bar splints fixed onto teeth were tested at the time of splint removal and approximately 5 months later. Patients were treated with intermaxillary fixation (IMF) because of either orthognathic surgery (7 patients) or mandibular fractures (10). The CPITN index was used for estimating the periodontal status, and tooth mobility was measured with Periotest. Seven patients in the orthognathic surgery group could also be examined before splinting. Periodontal status, as shown with relative proportions of various CPITN indexes, worsened due to splinting but regained its original level at control examination a minimum of 5 months after splint removal. Since the mean Periotest values did not differ between the first and control examinations in the seven patients undergoing orthognathic surgery, the analysis of the effect of splinting on tooth mobility was performed from the values obtained immediately after splint removal and at control visit. Splinting was shown to increase Periotest values more in female patients, in younger ones, and in those who were splinted for a shorter period. Teeth with the smallest roots showed greater differences in Periotest values than those with large roots, and the greatest differences in mobility were observed in incisors.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Shortened dental arches and periodontal support.

The periodontal support of subjects with shortened dental arches (SDA, n = 74), and of subjects with SDA and free-end removable partial dentures in the lower jaw (SDA and RPD, n = 25) was compared with that of subjects with complete dental arches (CDA, n = 72). The periodontal support was determined by tooth mobility and alveolar bone height, measured on a radiograph, of the distal alveolar bone of the premolars. Significant differences in tooth mobility were found between the three groups of subjects. The relative bone height showed a trend towards lower values for the SDA group and the SDA and RPD group. For some teeth these differences were significant. Premolars that are the most posteriorly located occluding teeth in the dental arch tend to have a lower relative alveolar bone height than premolars in an intermediate location. This effect is more marked in the upper jaw than in the lower jaw. Premolars in the lower jaw, that serve as abutment teeth for free-end RPDs, tend to show lower values for the relative bone height. It is concluded that the differences between the three groups with regard to the periodontal support are small. The large amount of crowns and bridges in both the SDA and SDA and RPD groups, and the dental history of these subjects, resulting in SDA, should be taken into account. However, as indicated by the periodontal breakdown of premolars in some subjects with SDA, the combination of an existing severe periodontal involvement and a SDA is considered to be an unfavourable situation.

Alveolar Bone Loss↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Is it possible for periodontal patients to recognize periodontal disease].

The purpose of this study was the evaluation of clinical symptoms of periodontal disease in a sample of adult periodontal patients, that were presented for periodontal treatment in the private clinics of the authors during a period of ten years. A questionnaire was designed for this reason which included questions related to gingival bleeding, gingival enlargement, tooth migration and tooth mobility. 330 questionnaires were evaluated from a total of 1175 consisting a representative sample. The results have showed that the clinical symptoms that directed patients to look for periodontal treatment were (a) gingival bleeding when brushing or spontaneously (74.78%), (b) tooth mobility (65.65%), (c) presence of gingival enlargement (60%) and (d) tooth migration (36.96%). Comparison between positive answers, in all questions in relation with the presence of the clinical symptoms of periodontal disease showed significant differences between men and women. Furthermore, women were presented for appropriate periodontal treatment with the presence of two symptoms while men with the presence of three. In conclusion gingival bleeding when brushing or spontaneously is a symptom that is easily evaluated by the patient--as the results of this study indicated--provided he knows its significance. Therefore, emphasis must be given in informing the patients regarding its significance.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

A method for assessing the damping characteristics of periodontal tissues: goals and limitations.

The Periotest method, an objective, noninvasive clinical diagnostic method, is a dynamic procedure that measures the resistance of the periodontium to a defined impact load. It has been reported that Periotest values depend to some extent on tooth mobility, but mainly on the damping characteristics of the periodontium. Nevertheless, the real clinical meaning of the measurements and some important limitations of the Periotest measuring principle still seem to be poorly understood. In the present study, the relationship between damping characteristics of periodontal tissues and tooth mobility was investigated. The best correlations between tooth deflection and Periotest values were found for teeth showing a certain degree of clinical mobility (R2 from .79 to .91). Nevertheless, this correlation was clearly lower when only healthy subjects were examined (R2 from .43 to .54). The better correlation found for forces greater than 1.0 N indicates that the damping characteristics assessed with the Periotest method are related to secondary tooth movement. The Periotest methodology, measuring principle, and limitations are critically reviewed.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[Value and significance of therapy of cutting-in in occlusally loaded incisors].

With the aid of the measurements of tooth mobility the treatment success of grinding was evaluated in 208 upper incisors of 54 patients, and the results were set into correlation with different factors. The results show that decreased tooth mobility following grinding was observed both in healthy periodontium and in diseased periodontium.

Dental Occlusion, Traumatic↗
PubMed1999

Alveolar bone loss and tooth loss in male cigar and pipe smokers.

BACKGROUND: While cigarette smoking is recognized as being detrimental to oral health, the effects of cigar and pipe smoking on tooth-loss risk, alveolar bone loss and periodontal disease are not known. The authors conducted this study to determine whether cigar and pipe smokers were at greater risk of experiencing tooth loss and alveolar bone loss than were nonsmokers. METHODS: The authors studied 690 dentate men who participate in the Veterans Affairs Dental Longitudinal Study. Subjects are not VA patients, and they receive medical and dental care in the private sector. A board-certified periodontist conducted clinical examinations triennially for 23 years. These examinations included the number of teeth remaining, number of decayed and filled surfaces per tooth, and indicator scores for plaque, calculus, pocket probing depth, gingival bleeding and tooth mobility. Alveolar bone loss was assessed at each examination on intraoral periapical radiographs using the Schei ruler method, which measures loss of bone height in 20 percent increments. Multivariate analyses of tooth-loss rates and alveolar bone loss controlled for demographic and oral hygiene measures. RESULTS: The relative risk, or RR, of tooth loss compared with that of nonsmokers was significantly elevated in cigar smokers (RR = 1.3, 95 percent confidence interval, or CI, = 1.2, 1.5), pipe smokers (RR = 1.6, 95 percent CI = 1.4, 1.9) and cigarette smokers (RR = 1.6, 95 percent CI = 1.5, 1.7). The percentages of mesial and distal sites with moderate-to-severe progression of alveolar bone loss (a change of 40 percent or more from baseline) were 8 +/- 1 percent (mean +/- standard error) in nonsmokers, 16 +/- 3 percent in cigar smokers (P < .05), 13 +/- 4 percent in pipe smokers (P = .17), and 16 +/- 3 percent in cigarette smokers (P < .001). Pipe and cigar smokers did not differ significantly from nonsmokers with respect to the percentage of sites at baseline with moderate-to-severe scores for calculus, pocket probing depth, gingival bleeding or tooth mobility. Pipe smokers had fewer sites with moderate-to-severe plaque accumulation than did nonsmokers (7 +/- 11 vs. 13 +/- 17, P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: The authors found that men who smoke cigars or pipes were at increased risk of experiencing tooth loss. Cigar smokers also were at increased risk of experiencing alveolar bone loss. These elevations in risk are similar in magnitude to those observed in cigarette smokers. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: The increases in risk related to cigar and pipe smoking provide a strong rationale for targeting smoking prevention and smoking cessation programs to smokers of all tobacco products.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

A comparison of a composite restorative material and wire ligation as methods of stabilizing excessively mobile mandibular anterior teeth.

Eighteen patients with mobile mandibular anterior teeth were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups in order to determine the relative effectiveness of two modalities of temporary stabilization. The two groups were well matched for initial horizontal tooth mobility, age and sex. Patients in Group I had their stabilized in the conventional fashion with extracoronal wire ligation. The Group II subjects' mandibular anterior teeth were acid-etched and then had composite restorative material applied to the lingual, facial and interproximal surfaces. Horizontal tooth mobility utilizing the periodontometer was recorded prior to, immediately after, and then at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months poststabilization. Löe's Gingival Index and the Silness and Löe Plaque Index were recorded for the same time periods. All subjects were instructed in oral hygiene techniques appropriate for splinted teeth. The mobility scores for both Group I and II dropped to significantly lower levels immediately after the splints were placed and then remained relatively unchanged for the next 12 months. There were no statistically significant changes in the gingival or plaque indices throughout the study. Three splints required repairs or adjustments in Group I subjects. Six fractures occurred in Group II subjects.

Acid Etching, Dental↗
PubMed1989

[Application of synthetic hydroxyapatite to periodontal therapy].

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of granular hydroxyapatite as an alloplastic bone implant material in infrabony periodontal defects. Thirty-five infrabony defects in 28 subjects with marginal periodontitis were used. The patients were instructed in oral hygiene and received several sessions of scaling and root planing. Granular hydroxyapatite was implanted into test sites with infrabony defects following application of internally beveled full thickness flaps, root planing, and defect debridement. Pocket depth and attachment level were recorded before and 3 and 6 months after surgery. Gingival recession, mobility of the tooth, plaque index, and gingival index were also recorded before and 1 and 2 weeks, and 1, 3 and 6 months after surgery. Redness and swelling of the gingiva and increase in tooth mobility appeared transiently after surgery, however, they disappeared in a short time. A significant reduction of mean pocket depth of 3.4 mm and a significant increase in the mean attachment level of 2.5 mm were observed at 6 months after surgery. The mean gingival recession during the experimental period was only 0.9 mm. The amount of hydroxyapatite remaining implanted in the infrabony defect was 73% 6 months after surgery. The data and clinical impression suggest that hydroxyapatite has a potential as an alloplastic implant with clinically apparent acceptance by soft and hard tissue.

Bone Resorption↗