Risk factor assessment tools for the prevention of periodontitis progression a systematic review

Contesting the conventional wisdom of periodontal risk assessment

Over the years, several reviews of periodontal risk assessment tools have been published. However, major misunderstandings still prevail in repeated attempts to use these tools for prognostic risk prediction. Here we review the principles of risk prediction and discuss the value and the challenges of using prediction models in periodontology. Most periodontal risk prediction models have not been properly developed according to guidance given for the risk prediction model development. This shortcoming has led to several problems, including the creation of arbitrary risk scores. These scores are often labelled as 'high risk' without explicit boundaries or thresholds for the underlying continuous risk estimates of patient-important outcomes. Moreover, it is apparent that prediction models are often misinterpreted as causal models by clinicians and researchers although they cannot be used as such. Additional challenges like the critical assessment of transportability and applicability of these prediction models, as well as their impact on clinical practice and patient outcomes, are not considered in the literature. Nevertheless, these instruments are promoted with claims regarding their ability to deliver more individualized and precise periodontitis treatment and prevention, purportedly resulting in improved patient outcomes. However, people with or without periodontitis deserve proper information about their risk of developing patient-important outcomes such as tooth loss or pain. The primary objective of disseminating such information should not be to emphasize assumed treatment efficacy, hype individualization of care, or promote business interests. Instead, the focus should be on providing individuals with locally validated and regularly updated predictions of specific risks based on readily accessible and valid key predictors (e.g. age and smoking).

Efficacy of communicating periodontal risk on psychological outcomes and supragingival plaque control in patients undergoing first periodontal consultation: A parallel-arm, randomized trial

AIM

To evaluate the efficacy of the PerioRisk prognostic tool in implementing the effect of motivational interviewing (MI) on psychological outcomes and supragingival plaque control.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Participants underwent MI immediately after their first periodontal visit. According to a parallel-arm, randomized study design, MI was performed with (RISK group) or without (CTR group) information on PerioRisk level and treatment goals based on PerioRisk output. Psychological outcomes were assessed using the Positive Affect Negative Affect Scale (PANAS) and Protection Motivation Theory (PMT). Plaque index (PI) was re-evaluated after 8-12 weeks.

RESULTS

Significant improvements in PMT overall score and PI were observed in CTR and RISK groups, without inter-group difference in PANAS and PMT overall scores and PI. A sub-analysis showed that the overall PMT scores recorded immediately after MI in both CTR and RISK groups for subjects with no tooth loss due to periodontitis were higher than those recorded before MI in subjects with tooth loss due to periodontitis.

CONCLUSIONS

At first periodontal visit, MI (implemented with without PerioRisk) has tangible effects on psychological outcomes and supragingival plaque control and seems to anticipate the awareness that is commonly generated by periodontitis-related tooth loss (ClinicalTrials.gov protocol registration ID: NCT05078411).

Tooth loss during supportive periodontal care: A prospective study

AIM

To assess periodontal stability and the association between tooth- and patient-related factors and tooth loss during supportive periodontal care (SPC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A prospective observational study was carried out on previously treated periodontitis patients followed up for 5 years in SPC. The risk profile (low, moderate, high) of each patient based on periodontal risk assessment (PRA) scoring at baseline was evaluated, and tooth loss rates were analysed.

RESULTS

Two hundred patients were included in the study, and 143 had 5-year follow-up data available for analysis. The overall annual tooth loss per patient was 0.07 ± 0.14 teeth/patient/year. Older age, smoking, staging and grading were associated with increased tooth loss rates. Most patients whose teeth were extracted belonged to the PRA high-risk group. Both PRA and a tooth prognosis system used at baseline showed high negative predictive value but low positive predictive value for tooth loss during SPC.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, the tooth loss rate of periodontitis patients in this prospective cohort study under SPC in private practice was low. Both tooth-based and patient-based prognostic systems can identify high-risk cases, but their positive predictive value should be improved.

Periodontal Health among Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities Living in a Saudi Institutional Rehabilitation Centre

The aim of this study was to explore periodontal health among intellectually disabled individuals living in an institutional rehabilitation centre in the Al-Baha Region of Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2023 to January 2024. Clinical oral examinations were carried out using the World Health Organization criteria for bleeding sites and the presence of periodontal pockets. Simplified oral hygiene and community periodontal indices were employed to evaluate participants' oral health. A total of 89 participants, comprising both males and females with intellectual disabilities, were included in this study. Gender, severity of intellectual disability, type of additional physical disability, tooth brushing habits and oral hygiene status were significantly associated with the presence of periodontal disease. Additionally, poor oral hygiene, not brushing teeth and periodontal pockets of 4-5 mm and 6 mm or more were significantly more prevalent among individuals with severe and moderate intellectual disabilities (p = 0.001, p = 0.001, p = 0.001 and p = 0.001, respectively). The prevalence of periodontal disease among the studied population was 54%. The odds of having periodontal disease were significantly higher in the severe intellectual disability group compared to the mild intellectual disability group (OR = 2.328, 95% CI = 1.430-3.631, p = 0.03). It was also found that intellectually disabled participants with additional physical disabilities suffered more from periodontal disease than those without additional physical disabilities (OR = 0.971, 95% CI = 0.235-4.023, p = 0.025). Overall, individuals with intellectual disabilities had a significant demand for periodontal care. This study highlighted the need for more organised preventive programmes for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Dentists should be vigilant about improving periodontal health, focus on preventive programmes and provide comprehensive dental care with an emphasis on periodic recall and monitoring.

Supportive periodontal care in dental practice: Part 2 - perceptions of locally referring UK general dental practitioners

Background Supportive periodontal care (SPC) is important in maintaining periodontal treatment outcomes. Hospital services provide specialist periodontal care at high costs. On completion of treatment, patients are discharged back to the general dental practitioner (GDP) to provide SPC. This project aimed to evaluate the change in GDPs' understanding of SPC over more than 20 years.Method A validated questionnaire about SPC was sent to GDPs during 1996 (397) and 2020 (300), with a response rate of 74% and 52%, respectively. The anonymous data were entered on a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet for analysis.Results In total, 98.5% of the GDPs in 1996 and 97% in 2020 perceived SPC to be highly important. Additionally, 49% in 2020 had a better understanding of SPC when compared to 1996 (42%). Finally, 70-74% (1996, 2020) of the GDPs indicated that they were responsible for SPC; however, 13-16% said that they were not.Conclusion and clinical relevance Notwithstanding the lower response rate in 2020, there has been an improvement in understanding and awareness of responsibility of SPC among GDPs. Reported challenges of provision were related to education and funding. If GDPs are to effectively deliver SPC, education and current funding should be addressed to prevent compromised treatment outcomes for patients.

Periodontitis stage and grade modifies the benefit of regular supportive periodontal care in terms of need for retreatment and mean cumulative cost

AIM

This study aimed to characterize the periodontal breakdown during supportive periodontal care (SPC) and to quantify the corresponding cost-effectiveness of periodontal therapy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data were obtained from charts of patients who received active periodontal therapy (APT) with a minimum follow-up of ≥10 years. Analysis was done to identify factors associated with the incidence of additional sub-gingival instrumentation (SGI) and/or surgery (SUR) during SPC and mean cumulative cost of recurrence was calculated. All relevant data were collected.

RESULTS

In all, 442 patients were included. Over the follow-up period, 62% of Stage I and II patients and 72% of Stage III and IV patients required further treatment following the APT; 56.5% of SGI patients and 78.6% of SUR patients received a second intervention. SUR patients received more SUR during the follow-up period (p = .035). Stage III and IV patients received more SUR during SPC than Stage I and II patients (p = .001). Grade C patients received more SUR during the follow-up period (p < .05). During the 5-year period preceding retreatment, the mean SPC visits were lower for patients who did not require retreatment (p < .001). Risk factors such as regularity of maintenance, smoking and diabetes were related to a higher chance of receiving SUR during the follow-up period (p < .05). The mean cumulative costs indicated less recurrence cost for compliers in Stage III and IV or Grade B and C but not for those in Stage I and II or Grade A.

CONCLUSIONS

The risk of relapse in the maintenance population may be correlated with higher stage and grade, patient compliance, modifiable risk factors and the nature of the treatment provided during APT. The total cost of treatment of recurrences was lower for compliers in Stage III/IV and Grade B/C compared with erratic compliers with the same severity and risk.

Identifying predictors of tooth loss using a rule-based machine learning approach: A retrospective study at university-setting clinics

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to identify predictors associated with tooth loss in a large periodontitis patient cohort in the university setting using the machine learning approach.

METHODS

Information on periodontitis patients and 18 factors identified at the initial visit was extracted from electronic health records. A two-step machine learning pipeline was proposed to develop the tooth loss prediction model. The primary outcome is tooth loss count. The prediction model was built on significant factors (single or combination) selected by the RuleFit algorithm, and these factors were further adopted by the count regression model. Model performance was evaluated by root-mean-squared error (RMSE). Associations between predictors and tooth loss were also assessed by a classical statistical approach to validate the performance of the machine learning model.

RESULTS

In total, 7840 patients were included. The machine learning model predicting tooth loss count achieved RMSE of 2.71. Age, smoking, frequency of brushing, frequency of flossing, periodontal diagnosis, bleeding on probing percentage, number of missing teeth at baseline, and tooth mobility were associated with tooth loss in both machine learning and classical statistical models.

CONCLUSION

The two-step machine learning pipeline is feasible to predict tooth loss in periodontitis patients. Compared to classical statistical methods, this rule-based machine learning approach improves model explainability. However, the model's generalizability needs to be further validated by external datasets.

Association between Periodontitis and HbA1c Levels in Non-Diabetic Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

A high detection rate of diabetes among dental visitors has been reported recently. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the association between periodontitis and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels among non-diabetic individuals.

METHODS

The EMBASE, MEDLINE, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, PubMed, and Open GREY databases were searched, and observational studies published until 1st June 2023 were identified. A methodological quality assessment was conducted based on the original and modified versions of the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. Cohort, case-control, and cross-sectional studies that performed clinical periodontal examinations and measured HbA1c levels in non-diabetic adults were included. A meta-analysis was conducted to estimate the weighted mean difference (WMD) between individuals with and without periodontitis.

RESULTS

In total, 29 case-control and 5 cross-sectional studies were selected from 2583 potentially eligible articles. Among them, sixteen case-control and three cross-sectional studies with moderate to high quality were selected for the meta-analyses. The HbA1c levels in periodontitis patients were significantly higher than those in individuals with healthy periodontal conditions (WMD = 0.16; p < 0.001) among the non-diabetic populations.

CONCLUSIONS

This study reveals a significant association between periodontitis and HbA1c levels in non-diabetic populations. Thus, HbA1c screening may be recommended to detect potential hyperglycemia in non-diabetic periodontitis patients.

Prognostic value of a composite outcome measure for periodontal stability following periodontal regenerative treatment: A retrospective analysis at 4 years

BACKGROUND

Recently, a composite outcome measure (COM) was proposed to describe the short-term results of periodontal regenerative treatment. The present retrospective study aimed at evaluating the prognostic value of COM on clinical attachment level (CAL) change over a 4-year period of supportive periodontal care (SPC).

METHODS

Seventy-four intraosseous defects in 59 patients were evaluated at 6 months and 4 years following regenerative treatment. Based on 6-month CAL change and probing depth (PD), defects were classified as: COM1 (CAL gain ≥3 mm, PD ≤4 mm); COM2 (CAL gain <3 mm, PD ≤4 mm); COM3 (CAL gain ≥3 mm, PD >4 mm); or COM4 (CAL gain <3 mm, PD >4 mm). COM groups were compared for "stability" (i.e., CAL gain, no change in CAL or CAL loss <1 mm) at 4 years. Also, groups were compared for mean change in PD and CAL, need for surgical retreatment, and tooth survival.

RESULTS

At 4 years, the proportion of stable defects in COM1, COM2, COM3, and COM4 group was 69.2%, 75%, 50%, and 28.6%, respectively, with a substantially higher probability for a defect to show stability for COM1, COM2, and COM3 compared with COM4 (odds ratio 4.6, 9.1, and 2.4, respectively). Although higher prevalence of surgical reinterventions and lower tooth survival were observed in COM4, no significant differences were detected among COM groups.

CONCLUSIONS

COM may be of value in predicting CAL change at sites undergoing SPC following periodontal regenerative surgery. Studies on larger cohorts, however, are needed to substantiate the present findings.

A retrospective epidemiological investigation of periodontitis risk and current smoking status based on the number of cigarettes per day and the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence: a preliminary pilot study

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to investigate the risk of periodontitis according to current smoking status based on the number of cigarettes smoked per day (CPD) and the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND).

METHODS

All enrolled patients were diagnosed and classified according to the new periodontal classification scheme, and current smoking status was investigated via a self-reported questionnaire. The correlation between smoking status (CPD and FTND) and periodontitis risk (severity of periodontitis and tooth loss due to periodontal reasons) was statistically assessed using Spearman correlation coefficients. Moreover, partial correlation analyses between smoking and periodontal status were performed after adjusting for age, sex, and diabetes mellitus.

RESULTS

Overall, data from 74 men and 16 women (mean age: 48.1±10.8 years) were evaluated. The mean number of missing teeth, CPD, and FTND score were 3.5±5.2, 24.6±15.5, and 3.5±2, respectively. CPD and the FTND were significantly positively correlated with each other (r=0.741, P<0.001). CPD and the FTND were also significantly correlated with the severity of periodontitis (CPD: r=0.457, P<0.05 and FTND: r=0.326, P<0.05) and the number of missing teeth due to periodontal reasons (CPD: r=0.525, P<0.05 and FTND: r=0.480, P<0.05), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Within the limitations of this study, both CPD and the FTND were significantly correlated with the severity of periodontitis and the number of periodontally compromised extracted teeth.

Developing Automated Computer Algorithms to Track Periodontal Disease Change from Longitudinal Electronic Dental Records

OBJECTIVE

To develop two automated computer algorithms to extract information from clinical notes, and to generate three cohorts of patients (disease improvement, disease progression, and no disease change) to track periodontal disease (PD) change over time using longitudinal electronic dental records (EDR).

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective study of 28,908 patients who received a comprehensive oral evaluation between 1 January 2009, and 31 December 2014, at Indiana University School of Dentistry (IUSD) clinics. We utilized various Python libraries, such as Pandas, TensorFlow, and PyTorch, and a natural language tool kit to develop and test computer algorithms. We tested the performance through a manual review process by generating a confusion matrix. We calculated precision, recall, sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy to evaluate the performances of the algorithms. Finally, we evaluated the density of longitudinal EDR data for the following follow-up times: (1) None; (2) Up to 5 years; (3) > 5 and ≤ 10 years; and (4) >10 and ≤ 15 years.

RESULTS

Thirty-four percent (n = 9954) of the study cohort had up to five years of follow-up visits, with an average of 2.78 visits with periodontal charting information. For clinician-documented diagnoses from clinical notes, 42% of patients (n = 5562) had at least two PD diagnoses to determine their disease change. In this cohort, with clinician-documented diagnoses, 72% percent of patients (n = 3919) did not have a disease status change between their first and last visits, 669 (13%) patients' disease status progressed, and 589 (11%) patients' disease improved.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrated the feasibility of utilizing longitudinal EDR data to track disease changes over 15 years during the observation study period. We provided detailed steps and computer algorithms to clean and preprocess the EDR data and generated three cohorts of patients. This information can now be utilized for studying clinical courses using artificial intelligence and machine learning methods.

Mandibular advancement device: prescription in adult dental sleep medicine - guideline of the German Society of Dental Sleep Medicine

PURPOSE

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) may result in severe health onditions, reduces quality of live, and affects high percentages of the adult population. Due to recent changes in the German health care regulations, mandibular advancement devices (MAD) will become available as a treatment option for OSA to a greater extent for general dentists and their patients.

METHODS

A guideline development group consisting of nine members representing four German dental and medical organizations was formed, in order to provide critical information and orientation to the main stakeholders (dentists and patients), regarding the use of MAD for the treatment of OSA within dental sleep medicine.

RESULTS

This guideline aims to inform physicians and dentists, particularly those with acquired qualification/specialization in sleep medicine (or in the diagnosis and treatment of sleep-related breathing disorders), as well as experts, payers, and patients. It delivers recommendations on technical requirements for MAD prescription and fabrication, clinical procedures, maintenance, and follow-up procedures.

CONCLUSION

A MAD should be designed for long-term therapy and must be a custom made, adjustable, bimaxillary retained two-splint system equipped with adjustable protrusive elements. The fabrication in a dental laboratory should be based on dental impressions or scans and three-dimensional registrations of the starting position taken with a bite gauge.

Comparative Assessment of Modified Self-Reported Periodontal Risk Assessment Model and Periodontal Risk Assessment Model among the Adult Population

Introduction

A high burden of periodontal diseases is seen in the adult population. Hence, it is important to monitor the risk and progression of periodontal diseases. Instead of using complex clinical periodontal risk assessment models, self-reported measures would be favorable for obtaining data in order to conduct research and surveillance of population over time on the progression of periodontitis. Our aim was to compare two tools for periodontal risk assessment, the originally described periodontal risk assessment (PRA) model given by Lang and Tonetti and the modified self-reported periodontal risk assessment model, in patients, depending upon can be changed to after.

Materials and Methods

All the participants completed a questionnaire used for modified self-reported periodontal risk assessment model. Periodontal status of the participants was recorded using the periodontal risk assessment (PRA) model given by Lang and Tonetti.

Results

Among 50 patients examined 28, 14, and eight were in low-, moderate-, high-risk groups, respectively, identified by self-reported periodontal risk assessment, whereas 34, 10, and six were in low-, moderate-, high-risk groups, respectively, when identified by the PRA model given by Lang and Tonetti. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC curve) showed an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.835, and it represents good predictability of self-reported periodontal risk assessment model.

Conclusion

This is feasible method with self-reported measures; it is easier, of low cost, and requires less equipment for obtaining data for research and surveillance of the periodontal status of a population.

Impact of a Specific Collagen Peptide Food Supplement on Periodontal Inflammation in Aftercare Patients-A Randomised Controlled Trial

Background: This controlled clinical trial evaluated the impact of a specific collagen peptide food supplement on parameters of periodontal inflammation in aftercare patients. Methods: A total of 39 study patients were enrolled. At baseline, bleeding on probing (BoP; primary outcome), gingival index (GI), plaque control record (PCR), recession (REC) and probing pocket depth (PPD) for the calculation of the periodontal inflamed surface area (PISA) were documented. After subsequent professional mechanical plaque removal (PMPR), participants were randomly provided with a supply of sachets containing either a specific collagen peptide preparation (test group; n = 20) or a placebo (placebo group; n = 19) to be consumed dissolved in liquid once daily until reevaluation at day 90. Results: PMPR supplemented with the consumption of the specific collagen peptides resulted in a significantly lower mean percentage of persisting BoP-positive sites than PMPR plus placebo (test: 10.4% baseline vs. 3.0% reevaluation; placebo: 14.2% baseline vs. 9.4% reevaluation; effect size: 0.86). Mean PISA and GI values were also reduced compared to baseline, with a significant difference in favor of the test group (PISA test: 170.6 mm2 baseline vs. 53.7 mm2 reevaluation; PISA placebo: 229.4 mm2 baseline vs. 184.3 mm2 reevaluation; GI test: 0.5 baseline vs. 0.1 reevaluation; GI placebo: 0.4 baseline vs. 0.3 reevaluation). PCR was also significantly decreased in both experimental groups at revaluation, but the difference between the groups did not reach the level of significance. Conclusions: The supplementary intake of specific collagen peptides may further enhance the anti-inflammatory effect of PMPR in periodontal recall patients.

Developing and testing a prediction model for periodontal disease using machine learning and big electronic dental record data

Despite advances in periodontal disease (PD) research and periodontal treatments, 42% of the US population suffer from periodontitis. PD can be prevented if high-risk patients are identified early to provide preventive care. Prediction models can help assess risk for PD before initiation and progression; nevertheless, utilization of existing PD prediction models is seldom because of their suboptimal performance. This study aims to develop and test the PD prediction model using machine learning (ML) and electronic dental record (EDR) data that could provide large sample sizes and up-to-date information. A cohort of 27,138 dental patients and grouped PD diagnoses into: healthy control, mild PD, and severe PD was generated. The ML model (XGBoost) was trained (80% training data) and tested (20% testing data) with a total of 74 features extracted from the EDR. We used a five-fold cross-validation strategy to identify the optimal hyperparameters of the model for this one-vs.-all multi-class classification task. Our prediction model differentiated healthy patients vs. mild PD cases and mild PD vs. severe PD cases with an average area under the curve of 0.72. New associations and features compared to existing models were identified that include patient-level factors such as patient anxiety, chewing problems, speaking trouble, teeth grinding, alcohol consumption, injury to teeth, presence of removable partial dentures, self-image, recreational drugs (Heroin and Marijuana), medications affecting periodontium, and medical conditions such as osteoporosis, cancer, neurological conditions, infectious diseases, endocrine conditions, cardiovascular diseases, and gastroenterology conditions. This pilot study demonstrated promising results in predicting the risk of PD using ML and EDR data. The model may provide new information to the clinicians about the PD risks and the factors responsible for the disease progression to take preventive approaches. Further studies are warned to evaluate the prediction model's performance on the external dataset and determine its usability in clinical settings.

The Mechanistic Pathways of Periodontal Pathogens Entering the Brain: The Potential Role of Treponema denticola in Tracing Alzheimer’s Disease Pathology

Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is a complex neurodegenerative disease and remains the most common form of dementia. The pathological features include amyloid (Aβ) accumulation, neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), neural and synaptic loss, microglial cell activation, and an increased blood–brain barrier permeability. One longstanding hypothesis suggests that a microbial etiology is key to AD initiation. Among the various periodontal microorganisms, Porphyromonas gingivalis has been considered the keystone agent to potentially correlate with AD, due to its influence on systemic inflammation. P. gingivalis together with Treponema denticola and Tannerella forsythia belong to the red complex consortium of bacteria advocated to sustain periodontitis within a local dysbiosis and a host response alteration. Since the implication of P. gingivalis in the pathogenesis of AD, evidence has emerged of T. denticola clusters in some AD brain tissue sections. This narrative review explored the potential mode of spirochetes entry into the AD brain for tracing pathology. Spirochetes are slow-growing bacteria, which can hide within ganglia for many years. It is this feature in combination with the ability of these bacteria to evade the hosts’ immune responses that may account for a long lag phase between infection and plausible AD disease symptoms. As the locus coeruleus has direct connection between the trigeminal nuclei to periodontal free nerve endings and proprioceptors with the central nervous system, it is plausible that they could initiate AD pathology from this anatomical region.

Evaluation of periodontitis-related tooth loss according to the new 2018 classification of periodontitis

The new 2018 classification of periodontal diseases is reported to be related to tooth loss due to periodontal disease (TLPD) during supportive periodontal therapy (SPT). However, few reports have evaluated this relationship for Asians or have analyzed the association of the new classification and TLPD by distinguishing between active periodontal therapy (APT) and SPT. In this study, we retrospectively applied the new classification to 607 Japanese periodontitis patients and examined the relationship between the new classification and annual TLPD rates per patient during the respective periods. TLPD rates were higher in patients in stage IV and/or grade C during both APT and SPT. TLPD during SPT was not associated with the presence or absence of TLPD during APT. Multivariate analysis revealed that stage IV and grade C as independent variables were significantly associated with the number of instances of TLPD not only during the total treatment period, but also during APT or SPT. Our results suggest that the new classification has a significantly strong association with TLPD during both APT and SPT, and that patients diagnosed with stage IV and/or grade C periodontitis had a higher risk of TLPD during both periods.

Proposing a model for auditing data quality of long-term periodontal outcome studies

OBJECTIVE

The assessment of the success of conventional periodontal therapy is based on retrospective studies from private practice and university clinics. Due to their marked heterogeneity, it is difficult to assess the data quality and rate these studies. The aim is to test a model for auditing and rating the data quality of periodontal outcome studies.

METHODS

The method was adapted from the NIH Health Care Systems Collaboratory model, which uses three data quality dimensions: completeness (including all the relevant variables), consistency (ensuring that the same variables are compared) and accuracy (proportion of data in error with a gold standard). The model was applied to studies from a Norwegian specialist practice and data from the Norwegian Health database to test if the auditing process was workable using real world data.

RESULTS

Forty-seven risk and prognostic factors were included for completeness. Seven variables were specified for consistency: tooth loss, smoking, systemic conditions, oral hygiene, individual tooth prognosis, maintenance profiles and timing of extractions. The factors tested showed a 95.7% completeness and an average accuracy deviation from the gold standard of -2.3% for each of the risk/prognostic factors and an overall study score of 93.3%.

CONCLUSIONS

It was possible to develop a method for auditing and rating the quality of periodontal outcome studies. The model was tested using both real world data including risk and prognostic factors from individual outcome studies and national big data. The application of the model to these sets of data showed a high accuracy of the risk/prognostic factors and a close relationship with national big data.

Treatment of stage IV periodontitis: The EFP S3 level clinical practice guideline

BACKGROUND

The recently published clinical practice guideline (CPG) for the treatment of periodontitis in stages I-III provided evidence-based recommendations for the treatment of periodontitis patients, defined according to the 2018 classification. Stage IV periodontitis shares the severity and complexity characteristics of stage III periodontitis, but includes the anatomical and functional sequelae of tooth and periodontal attachment loss (tooth flaring and drifting, bite collapse, etc.), which require additional interventions following completion of active periodontal therapy.

AIM

To develop an S3 Level CPG for the treatment of stage IV periodontitis, focusing on the implementation of inter-disciplinary treatment approaches required to treat/rehabilitate patients following associated sequelae and tooth loss.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This S3 Level CPG was developed by the European Federation of Periodontology (EFP), following methodological guidance from the Association of Scientific Medical Societies in Germany and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) process. A rigorous and transparent process included synthesis of relevant research in 13 specifically commissioned systematic reviews, evaluation of the quality and strength of evidence, the formulation of specific recommendations and a structured consensus process with leading experts and a broad base of stakeholders.

RESULTS

The S3 Level CPG for the treatment of stage IV periodontitis culminated in recommendations for different interventions, including orthodontic tooth movement, tooth splinting, occlusal adjustment, tooth- or implant-supported fixed or removable dental prostheses and supportive periodontal care. Prior to treatment planning, it is critically important to undertake a definitive and comprehensive diagnosis and case evaluation, obtain relevant patient information, and engage in frequent re-evaluations during and after treatment. The periodontal component of therapy should follow the CPG for the treatment of periodontitis in stages I-III.

CONCLUSIONS

The present S3 Level CPG informs clinical practice, health systems, policymakers and, indirectly, the public on the available and most effective modalities to treat patients with stage IV periodontitis and to maintain a healthy dentition over lifetime, according to the available evidence at the time of publication.

Influence on the patient's oral hygiene depending on the treatment performed by either one or different pre-graduate practitioners - a randomized, controlled, clinical short-term trial

Objectives

Plaque control by improved domestic oral hygiene is essential in periodontal treatment. However, changing treatment providers may interfere with building a dentist-patient relationship and in turn affect treatment success. The aim of this randomized, controlled, prospective short-term study was to determine the influence of either one or four different pre-graduate practitioners on patients’ oral hygiene parameters during active periodontal therapy.

Material and Methods

A total of 55 patients with periodontitis were allocated to two groups. Within the group “continuous treatment” (CT, n = 27), each patient was treated by one individual practitioner over the treatment period. For patients of the group “discontinuous treatment” (DT, n = 28), treatment in each session was performed by a different practitioner. Periodontal parameters (BOP, PBI, and PCR) were assessed at two timepoints: T1 (baseline) and T2 (end of active therapy).

Results

With CT, the PBI improved in 93% of the patients, compared to 71% with DT (p = 0.048). T1-T2 intragroup analysis showed a statistically significant improvement of all observed clinical parameters with no differences in ∆PBI, ∆BOP, and ∆PCR. Spearman’s correlation analysis revealed a weak correlation between PCR and BOP of CT only.

Conclusions

In the present study, improvement of all parameters was comparable between the groups. PBI, as a parameter displaying patient’s domestic plaque control compliance, improved in more patients from CT than DT. This is possibly indicating an advantage of continuous treatment by one single practitioner.

Clinical relevance

Treatment by either a single practitioner or by multiple, constantly changing practitioners might influence patients’ compliance to modify their behaviour when medically necessary.

Comparison of Two Risk Assessment Scores in Predicting Peri-Implantitis Occurrence during Implant Maintenance in Patients Treated for Periodontal Diseases: A Long-Term Retrospective Study

Background: There is a need for reliable risk assessment tools to better predict peri-implantitis occurrence. This study compared the long-term prognosis value of two models of risk assessment scoring in predicting peri-implantitis. Methods: Seventy-three patients with treated periodontitis representing 232 implants and attending long-term implant maintenance were evaluated. The Periodontal Risk Assessment (PRA) score, which combines only periodontal risk factors/indicators, and the Implant Risk Assessment (IRA) score, which combines both periodontal and implant risk factors/indicators, were calculated during implant maintenance. Peri-implantitis was defined by the presence of probing depth ≥6 mm with bleeding on probing/suppuration and bone level ≥3 mm. Analyses were performed at the patient level. Results: The mean implant follow-up was 6.5 years. Peri-implantitis incidence was 17.8%, and high-risk PRA and IRA percentages were 36.9% and 27.3%, respectively. High-risk PRA and IRA were significantly associated with peri-implantitis incidence, with hazard ratio (HR) = 4.8 and 3.65, respectively. Risk factors/indicators considered separately showed reduced associations with peri-implantitis. Conclusions: The PRA score combining periodontal parameters and IRA score combining both periodontal and implant parameters have comparable value in predicting peri-implantitis. These scores could allow practicians to intercept the risk of peri-implantitis and to manage follow-up modalities in patients with treated periodontitis.

Precision dentistry—what it is, where it fails (yet), and how to get there

Objectives

Dentistry is stuck between the one-size-fits-all approach towards diagnostics and therapy employed for a century and the era of stratified medicine. The present review presents the concept of precision dentistry, i.e., the next step beyond stratification into risk groups, and lays out where we stand, but also what challenges we have ahead for precision dentistry to come true.

Material and methods

Narrative literature review.

Results

Current approaches for enabling more precise diagnostics and therapies focus on stratification of individuals using clinical or social risk factors or indicators. Most research in dentistry does not focus on predictions — the key for precision dentistry — but on associations. We critically discuss why both approaches (focus on a limited number of risk factors or indicators and on associations) are insufficient and elaborate on what we think may allow to overcome the status quo.

Conclusions

Leveraging more diverse and broad data stemming from routine or unusual sources via advanced data analytics and testing the resulting prediction models rigorously may allow further steps towards more precise oral and dental care.

Clinical significance

Precision dentistry refers to tailoring diagnostics and therapy to an individual; it builds on modelling, prediction making and rigorous testing. Most studies in the dental domain focus on showing associations, and do not attempt to make any predictions. Moreover, the datasets used are narrow and usually collected purposively following a clinical reasoning. Opening routine data silos and involving uncommon data sources to harvest broad data and leverage them using advanced analytics could facilitate precision dentistry.

The Association of Periodontitis and Alzheimer's Disease: How to Hit Two Birds with One Stone

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the leading cause of cognitive impairment in the elderly. Recent evidence suggests that preventive interventional trials could significantly reduce the risk for development of dementia. Periodontitis is the most common dental disease characterized by chronic inflammation and loss of alveolar bone and perialveolar attachment of teeth. Growing number of studies propose a potential link between periodontitis and neurodegeneration. In the first part of the paper, we overview case-control studies analyzing the prevalence of periodontitis among AD patients and healthy controls. Second, we survey observational libraries and cross-sectional studies investigating the risk of cognitive decline in patients with periodontitis. Next, we describe the current view on the mechanism of periodontitis linked neural damage, highlighting bacterial invasion of neural tissue from dental plaques, and periodontitis induced systemic inflammation resulting in a neuroinflammatory process. Later, we summarize reports connecting the four most common periodontal pathogens to AD pathology. Finally, we provide a practical guide for further prevalence and interventional studies on the management of cognitively high-risk patients with and without periodontitis. In this section, we highlight strategies for risk control, patient information, dental evaluation, reporting protocol and dental procedures in the clinical management of patients with a risk for periodontitis and with diagnosed periodontitis. In conclusion, our review summarizes the current view on the association between AD and periodontitis and provides a research and intervention strategy for harmonized interventional trials and for further case-control or cross-sectional studies.

External validation and comparison of the predictive performance of 10 different tooth-level prognostic systems

AIM

Tooth-level prognostic systems can be used for treatment planning and risk assessment. This retrospective longitudinal study aimed to evaluate the prognostic performance of 10 different tooth-level risk assessment systems in terms of their ability to predict periodontal-related tooth loss (TLP).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data were retrieved retrospectively from patients who received surgical and non-surgical periodontal treatment. Data on medical history and smoking status at baseline and the last maintenance visit were collected. Ten tooth-level prognostic systems were compared using both univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression models to analyse the prognostic capability of each system for predicting TLP risk.

RESULTS

One-hundred and forty-eight patients with 3787 teeth, followed-up for a mean period of 26.5 ± 7.4 years, were evaluated according to 10 different tooth-level prognostic systems, making up a total of 37,870 individual measurements. All compared prognostic systems were able to stratify the risk of TLP at baseline when different classes of association were compared. After controlling for maintenance, age, and gender, all systems exhibited excellent predictive capacity for TLP with no system scoring a Harrell's C-index less than 0.925.

CONCLUSIONS

All tooth-level prognostic systems displayed excellent predictive capability for TLP. Overall, the Miller and McEntire system may have shown the best discrimination and model fit, followed by the Nunn et al. system.

Evidence-based Recommendations on Periodontal Practice and the Management of Periodontal Patients During and After the COVID-19 Era: Challenging Infectious Diseases Spread by Airborne Transmission

Background:

Periodontal care, which was completely suspended during the peak of the SARS-Cov-2 pandemic and was delayed and recurrently discontinued during the succeeding waves, must be safely provided in the COVID-19 era.

Objectives:

The study aimed to provide recommendations on periodontal practice, optimizing safety, ergonomics, and economic resources, and the management of periodontal patients, ensuring continuity, timing, and effectiveness of periodontal care in the COVID-19 era.

Methods:

Reported protocols for the dental practice in the context of the COVID-19 and current evidence on periodontitis treatment and prevention were reviewed.

Results:

Evidence-based recommendations on contamination control and ergonomic improvements for periodontal practice and the management of periodontal patients challenging COVID-19 and airborne infectious diseases have been provided.

Conclusion:

Due to the economic, ergonomic, and ethical concerns raised by limited periodontal care due to the SARS-Cov-2 pandemic, and awareness of other emerging airborne transmitted infections, the periodontal practice should integrate measures minimizing airborne cross-infections and optimizing time-space and economic resources. The management of periodontal patients in the COVID-19 era should comprise less complex treatments and more comprehensive and definitive approaches, reducing emergencies, session length and number, and, concurrently, extending the recall and maintenance intervals. Moreover, it should implement prevention strategies through teledentistry tools and apps, improving periodontal awareness and self-care, and also through the self-reporting of periodontitis and periodontal risk assessment tools, performing both “population-based” and “high-risk” surveillance of periodontitis. Finally, it should enhance inter-professional collaboration, through telehealth networks, especially targeting subjects at high-risk of both periodontitis and systemic disorders, each of the two variously linked to COVID-19 onset and worsening.

Evaluation of the implant disease risk assessment (IDRA) tool: A retrospective study in patients with treated periodontitis and implant-supported fixed dental prostheses (FDPs)

Aim

To evaluate the Implant Disease Risk Assessment (IDRA) tool for the prediction of peri‐implantitis in treated periodontitis patients with implant‐supported fixed dental prostheses (FDPs) after at least 5 years of function.

Material and methods

From the patient pool of implant patients enrolled in a regular supportive periodontal therapy programme (SPT) for at least 5 years, 239 patients were screened. Eighty patients met the inclusion criteria and underwent evaluation through the criteria of the IDRA tool. Areas under the curve (AUCs) for receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves including 95% confidence intervals were estimated.

Results

Seventy‐nine patients (43 males and 36 females, 8 smokers), aged on average 59.0 years (range: 40–79 years) at baseline (i.e. FDP delivery) were analysed. The calculated IDRA‐risk was in 34 patients (42.5%) a moderate risk, while 45 patients (56.3%) were considered at high IDRA‐risk. One patient categorized at low IDRA‐risk was excluded from the analysis.

The AUC was 0.613 (95% CI: 0.464–0.762) if the IDRA‐risk was associated with prevalence of peri‐implantitis at the most recent follow‐up. Peri‐implantitis was diagnosed in 4 patients (12%) at moderate and in 12 patients (27%) at high IDRA‐risk, respectively. The calculated odds ratio for developing peri‐implantitis in patients with high IDRA‐risk compared with patients with moderate IDRA‐risk was 2.727 with no statistically significant difference between the two groups (95% CI: 0.793–9.376).

Conclusion

Within the limitations of the present retrospective study, the IDRA algorithm might represent a promising tool to assess patients at moderate or high risk of developing peri‐implantitis.

Association between periodontitis and vitamin D status: A case-control study

Vitamin D deficiency and periodontitis are commonly prevalent among Saudi adults. However, the association between periodontitis and vitamin D status has not been well documented. This study aims to examine the association between periodontitis and vitamin D status among adults in the Albaha region of Saudi Arabia. A case-control study of 123 Saudi adults was conducted; 60 had severe or moderate periodontitis, and 63 were periodontally healthy. Data was collected by an online self-reported sociodemographic questionnaire. All participants then underwent a full periodontal examination. Blood samples were also provided to assess participants' vitamin D statuses through serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D). A total of 60 cases and 63 controls matched for BMI (30.2 ± 4.86 kg/m²), age (40.01 ± 7.73 years), and sex (46.3% and 53.7% male and female, respectively) participated in the study. Mean levels of 25(OH)D were significantly lower in periodontitis participants than in controls (25.03 ± 8.55 ng/ml, 29.19 ± 12.82 ng/ml, p = 0.037, respectively). Lower odds of periodontitis were detected per unit of 25(OH)D level (OR 0.964, 95% CI; 0.931-0.999, p = 0.043). In conclusion, periodontitis is significantly associated with deficient and insufficient levels of vitamin D among Saudi adults in the Albaha region. Future longitudinal research with a larger sample size may be suggested to confirm these results.

Maintenance visit regularity has a different impact on periodontitis-related tooth loss depending on patient staging and grading

AIM

To assess whether maintenance variables have a differential effect on tooth loss due to periodontitis (TLP) based on staging and grading.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients treated for periodontitis for a minimum of ≥10 years follow-up were included and categorized according to their stage and grade at baseline. Impact of number, regularity, and pattern of supportive periodontal therapy visits (SPT) on TLP was explored by dividing teeth into test (5 year time periods prior to TLP events) and control groups (random 5 year periods without tooth loss).

RESULTS

The regularity of maintenance visits, but not the overall quantity, had a significant impact on risk of TLP and showed higher importance as staging and grading increased (larger impact for stages III/IV and grade C). The minimum threshold of visits below which the risk of TLP was equivalent to that of the control group was one visit every 7.4 months for stages I-II, 6.7 months for stage III-IV, 7.2 months for grade B and 6.7 months for grade C. This frequency should be increased for former and current smokers, diabetics and elderly patients. Stage III and IV patients who skip more than 1 year of maintenance in a 5 year period have an increased risk of TLP (OR = 2.55) compared to those only miss 1 year. A similar trend was noted for grade C patients, but not for stages I/II or grades A/B.

CONCLUSIONS

Lack of SPT regularity and missing multiple years of maintenance had a larger influence on risk of TLP for higher-level staging and grading.

Assessing the completeness of periodontal disease documentation in the EHR: a first step in measuring the quality of care

Background

Our objective was to measure the proportion of patients for which comprehensive periodontal charting, periodontal disease risk factors (diabetes status, tobacco use, and oral home care compliance), and periodontal diagnoses were documented in the electronic health record (EHR). We developed an EHR-based quality measure to assess how well four dental institutions documented periodontal disease-related information. An automated database script was developed and implemented in the EHR at each institution. The measure was validated by comparing the findings from the measure with a manual review of charts.

Results

The overall measure scores varied significantly across the four institutions (institution 1 = 20.47%, institution 2 = 0.97%, institution 3 = 22.27% institution 4 = 99.49%, p-value < 0.0001). The largest gaps in documentation were related to periodontal diagnoses and capturing oral homecare compliance. A random sample of 1224 charts were manually reviewed and showed excellent validity when compared with the data generated from the EHR-based measure (Sensitivity, Specificity, PPV, and NPV > 80%).

Conclusion

Our results demonstrate the feasibility of developing automated data extraction scripts using structured data from EHRs, and successfully implementing these to identify and measure the periodontal documentation completeness within and across different dental institutions.

Long term comparison of the prognostic performance of PerioRisk, periodontal risk assessment, periodontal risk calculator, and staging and grading systems

BACKGROUND

Clinicians predominantly use personal judgment for risk assessment. Periodontal risk assessment tools (PRATs) provide an effective and logical system to stratify patients based on their individual treatment needs. This retrospective longitudinal study aimed to validate the association of different risk categories of four PRATs (Staging and grading; Periodontal Risk Assessment (PRA); Periodontal Risk Calculator; and PerioRisk) with periodontal related tooth loss (TLP), and to compare their prognostic performance.

METHODS

Data on medical history, smoking status, and clinical periodontal parameters were retrieved from patients who received surgical and non-surgical periodontal treatment. A comparison of the rate of TLP and non-periodontal related tooth loss (TLO) within the risk tool classes were performed by means of Kruskal-Wallis test followed by post-hoc comparison with the Bonferroni test. Both univariate and multivariate Cox Proportional hazard regression models were built to analyze the prognostic significance for each single risk assessment tool class on TLP.

RESULTS

A total of 167 patients with 4321 teeth followed up for a mean period of 26 years were assigned to four PRATs. PerioRisk class 5 had a hazard ratio of 18.43, Stage 4 had a hazard ratio of 7.99, and PRA class 3 had a hazard ratio of 6.13 compared with class/stage I. With respect to prognostic performance, PerioRisk tool demonstrated the best discrimination and model fit followed by PRA.

CONCLUSION

All PRATs displayed very good predictive capability of TLP. PerioRisk showed the best discrimination and model fit, followed by PRA.

Tooth loss in complying and non-complying periodontitis patients with different periodontal risk levels during supportive periodontal care

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate yearly tooth loss rate (TLR) in periodontitis patients with different periodontal risk levels who had complied or not complied with supportive periodontal care (SPC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data from 168 periodontitis patients enrolled in a SPC program based on a 3-month suggested recall interval for at least 3.5 years were analyzed. For patients with a mean recall interval within 2-4 months ("compliers") or > 4 months ("non-compliers") with different PerioRisk levels (Trombelli et al. 2009), TLR (irrespective of the cause for tooth loss) was calculated. TLR values were considered in relation to meaningful TLR benchmarks from the literature for periodontitis patients either under SPC (0.15 teeth/year; positive benchmark) or irregularly complying with SPC (0.36 teeth/year; negative benchmark).

RESULTS

In both compliers and non-compliers, TLR was significantly below or similar to the positive benchmark in PerioRisk level 3 (0.08 and 0.03 teeth/year, respectively) and PerioRisk level 4 (0.12 and 0.18 teeth/year, respectively). Although marked and clinically relevant in non-compliers, the difference between TLR of compliers (0.32 teeth/year) and non-compliers (0.52 teeth/year) with PerioRisk level 5 and the negative benchmark was not significant.

CONCLUSION

A SPC protocol based on a 3- to 6-month recall interval may effectively limit long-term tooth loss in periodontitis patients with PerioRisk levels 3 and 4. A fully complied 3-month SPC protocol seems ineffective when applied to PerioRisk level 5 patients.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

PerioRisk seems to represent a valid tool to inform the SPC recall interval as well as the intensity of active treatment prior to SPC enrollment.

Efficacy of alternative or additional methods to professional mechanical plaque removal during supportive periodontal therapy: A systematic review and meta-analysis

AIMS

To systematically review the literature addressing the following focused questions: "What is the efficacy of either (#1) alternative or (#2) additional methods to professional mechanical plaque removal (PMPR) on progression of attachment loss during supportive periodontal therapy (SPT) in periodontitis patients?".

METHODS

A systematic search for randomized clinical trials was performed. Change in clinical attachment level (CAL) from baseline was the primary outcome.

RESULTS

Routine PMPR performed with either a combination of ultrasonic/hand instruments or Er:Yag laser showed similarly effective in preventing CAL loss. Moreover, a routine SPT regimen based on PMPR led to stability of CAL irrespective of a daily sub-antimicrobial doxycycline dose (SDD). Finally, an adjunctive photodynamic therapy (PDT) did not enhance the magnitude of CAL gain when sites with probing depth ≥4 mm were repeatedly treated. After pooling all data, the results of the meta-analysis showed no statistical differences in CAL change from baseline: mean overall CAL change was -0.233 mm (95% confidence interval: -1.065, 0.598; p = .351).

CONCLUSIONS

Weak evidence indicate that in treated periodontitis patients enrolled in a 3-4 month SPT based on PMPR, Er:Yag laser (as alternative), SDD and PDT (as additional) do not produce a greater clinical effect on periodontal conditions compared to PMPR.

Endpoints of active periodontal therapy

Aim

Position paper on endpoints of active periodontal therapy for designing treatment guidelines. The question was as follows: How are, for an individual patient, commonly applied periodontal probing measures—recorded after active periodontal therapy—related to (a) stability of clinical attachment level, (b) tooth survival, (c) need for re‐treatment or (d) oral health‐related quality of life.

Methods

A literature search was conducted in Ovid MEDLINE(R) and Epub Ahead of Print, In‐Process & Other Non‐Indexed Citations and Daily <1946 to 07 June 2019>.

Results

A total of 94 papers were retrieved. From the literature search, it was found that periodontitis patients with a low proportion of deep residual pockets after active periodontal therapy are more likely to have stability of clinical attachment level over a follow‐up time of ≥1 year. Other supporting literature confirms this finding and additionally reports, at the patient level, that probing pocket depths ≥6 mm and bleeding on probing scores ≥30% are risks for tooth loss. There is lack of evidence that periodontal probing measures after completion of active periodontal treatment are tangible to the patient.

Conclusions

Based on literature and biological plausibility, it is reasonable to state that periodontitis patients with a low proportion of residual periodontal pockets and little inflammation are more likely to have stability of clinical attachment levels and less tooth loss over time. Guidelines for periodontal therapy should take into consideration (a) long‐term tangible patient outcomes, (b) that shallow pockets (≤4 mm) without bleeding on probing in patients with <30% bleeding sites are the best guarantee for the patient for stability of his/her periodontal attachment, (c) patient heterogeneity and patient changes in immune response over time, and (d) that treatment strategies include lifestyle changes of the patient. Long‐term large population‐based and practice‐based studies on the efficacy of periodontal therapies including both clinical and patient‐reported outcomes (PROs) need to be initiated, which include the understanding that periodontitis is a complex disease with variation of inflammatory responses due to environment, (epi)genetics, lifestyle and ageing. Involving people living with periodontitis as co‐researchers in the design of these studies would also help to improve their relevance.

A controlled study on the diagnostic accuracy of panoramic and peri-apical radiography for detecting furcation involvement

BACKGROUND

The aims of this study were (1) to determine the accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of panoramic and peri-apical radiographs in diagnosing furcation involvement, as well as (2) to evaluate the possible impact of clinical experience on these diagnostic parameters.

METHODS

An existing radiographic dataset of periodontitis patients requiring implant surgery was retrospectively examined for furcation involvement. Criteria for inclusion were the presence of a CBCT, panoramic and peri-apical radiograph of the site of interest within a one-year time frame. All furcation sites were classified using the CBCT, which was considered as the gold standard, according to Hamp's index (1975). Ten experienced examiners and 10 trainees were asked to assess furcation involvement for the same defects using only the corresponding panoramic and peri-apical radiographs. Absolute agreement, Cohen's weighted kappa, sensitivity, specificity and ROC-curves were analyzed.

RESULTS

The study sample included 60 furcation sites in 29 multi-rooted teeth from 17 patients. On average, 20/60 furcations were correctly classified according to the panoramic radiographs, corresponding to a weighted kappa score of 0.209, indicating slight agreement. Similarly, an average of 19/60 furcations were correctly classified according to the peri-apical radiographs, corresponding to a weighted kappa score of 0.211, also indicating slight agreement. No significant difference between panoramic and peri-apical radiography was found (P = 0.903). When recategorizing FI Grades into 'no to limited FI' (FI Grade 0 and I) and 'advanced FI' (FI Grade II and III), the panoramic and peri-apical radiography showed low sensitivity (0.558 and 0.441, respectively), yet high specificity (0.791 and 0.790, respectively) for identifying advanced FI. The ROC-curves for the panoramic and peri-apical radiographs were 0.79 and 0.69 respectively. No significant difference was found between experienced periodontists and trainees (P = 0.257 versus P = 0.880).

CONCLUSION

Panoramic and peri-apical radiography are relevant tools in the diagnosis of FI and provide high specificity. Ideally, they are best used in combination with furcation probing, which shows high sensitivity. Furthermore, clinical experience does not seem to improve the accuracy of a radiological diagnosis of furcation sites.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Patient radiographic datasets were retrospectively analyzed.

Are there correlations between radiographic grade levels and modified grade levels of periodontitis?

BACKGROUND

At the 2017 World Workshop on the Classification of Periodontal and Peri-Implant Diseases and Conditions, periodontitis was reclassified according to a multidimensional staging and grading system. Grading takes variabilities in the rate of disease progression into account, relying on recognized progression risk factors, and is based on the assessment of bone loss at the worst-affected tooth in the dentition as a function of age, which is then modified by factors such as smoking and diabetes mellitus. In this context, the aim of this study was to determine whether there are correlations between radiographically calculated grades and grades modified by the presence of smoking or diabetes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this descriptive study, individuals diagnosed with periodontitis according to the 2017 classifications were examined. The grade of periodontitis was measured using periapical radiography. A modified-grade level was assigned to the patients according to their glycated hemoglobin levels (in diabetics) or their smoking status.

RESULTS

The study included 341 individuals. No statistically significant relationship was revealed by Chi-square testing (P > 0.05) or in the kappa agreement index between the modified grades and the radiographic grades.

CONCLUSIONS

Although there was no correlation between radiographic grade and modified grade in smokers and diabetic individuals, increasing the grade score in these individuals in accordance with the 2017 classification provides clinicians the opportunity to develop a risk-based treatment plan, commensurate with the severity of periodontal disease and the level of risk.

Parafunctional masseter muscle activity during waking is related to periodontitis progression: A pilot prospective cohort study

AIM

The purpose of this pilot prospective cohort study was to investigate the effects of parafunctional masseter muscle activity on periodontitis progression among patients receiving supporting periodontal therapy (SPT).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We collected data of patients treated at Okayama University Hospital from August 2014 to September 2018. The progression group was defined as patients with ≥2 teeth demonstrating a longitudinal loss of proximal attachment of ≥3 mm during the 3-year study period and/or at least one tooth extraction due to periodontitis progression. Surface electromyography of masseter muscles at baseline was continuously recorded while patients were awake and asleep.

RESULTS

We analysed 48 patients (36 females) aged 66.8 ± 9.1 years (mean ± SD). The rate of parafunctional masseter muscle activity during waking hours and sleeping hours at baseline was 60.4% and 52.1%, respectively. Cox's proportional hazards regression model showed that the incidence of periodontitis progression was significantly associated with number of teeth present (p = 0.001) and parafunctional masseter muscle activity during waking hours (p = 0.041).

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that parafunctional masseter muscle activity during waking hours is a risk factor for periodontitis progression among patients receiving SPT.

Individual predisposition and the intricate interplay between systemic biomarkers and periodontal risk in a general population

BACKGROUND

Increasing age is associated with systemic diseases as well as with periodontal diseases. We wondered whether a biological age score constructed exclusively from systemic biomarkers would reflect periodontal risk factors at baseline and tooth loss as well as periodontal outcome during 10 years follow-up.

METHODS

From the Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP) 2256 participants (1072 male, 1184 female) were studied for the relationship of the systemic biomarkers glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), fibrinogen, white blood cell count, blood pressure, and waist circumference to their age. Construction of a biological age (BA) score allowed its comparison with the participants' actual chronological age (CA) and their predisposition to periodontal disease.

RESULTS

Though nearly identical in CA, participants appearing younger than their true age had a significantly reduced burden of periodontal risk factors. If BA > CA, then risk factors were more frequent including smoking, oral hygiene, dental visits, education, and income. After 10 years, in participants with identical CA, tooth loss followed their BA calculated at baseline, that is, with BA > CA fewer teeth were preserved. Similarly, periodontal measures varied according to BA; sex differences were obvious. Most significant were BA-related differences in inflammatory and anthropometry parameters.

CONCLUSIONS

The results support the assumption that risk profiles aggregated in BA constitute a characteristic susceptibility pattern unique to each individual, common to both systemic and periodontal diseases. Although BA was constructed exclusively from systemic measures at baseline, BA reflects the oral conditions at follow-up.

Low association between bleeding on probing propensity and the salivary aMMP-8 levels in adolescents with gingivitis and stage I periodontitis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Bleeding on probing (BOP) is a widely accepted measure used in periodontal diagnostics. Previous studies suggest that several factors can affect BOP propensity. The aim of this study was to investigate the relative impact of different local and modifying factors on BOP levels.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The oral health of five hundred and forty-four adolescents (two birth cohorts) aged 15-17 years living in Kotka, Finland, was examined including periodontal probing depth, visible plaque index, root calculus, and BOP. Whole saliva samples were collected and measured for active matrix metalloproteinase-8 (aMMP-8) by time-resolved immunofluorometric assay (IFMA).

RESULTS

Bacterial plaque/calculus accumulation (oral hygiene) had a major influence on BOP levels. The relative impact was several times greater compared with the extent of periodontal pocketing, aMMP-8 levels, smoking, toothbrushing, or gender. Furthermore, BOP levels were significantly elevated among adolescents with poor oral hygiene than good oral hygiene even if adjusted for the extent of periodontal pocketing (P < .001). BOP levels could be low even if several ≥ 4 mm deep periodontal pockets existed. The difference in the extent of periodontal pocketing was not significant between the two birth cohorts of adolescents (P = .731).

CONCLUSIONS

BOP levels can be regarded as an important indicator of the extent of bacterial challenge and its adverse effects on the gingival inflammation. However, the level of oral hygiene may mask the association between the extent of gingival bleeding and the severity of the periodontal inflammatory condition. Thus, relying on BOP levels (below 10% or 20%) may provide insufficient information about the periodontal treatment need of an adolescent depending on his/her level of oral hygiene. Yet, more research is needed to confirm the results, also in adult populations.

Risk assessment for oral urgent treatment in Primary Healthcare: a cross-sectional study

Background

The World Health Organization has advocated for the integration of dental care into the primary healthcare (PHC) setting, including oral urgent treatment (OUT). However, the knowledge necessary for OUT implementation in this setting is still limited. Thus, this study aimed to describe the impact of the implementation of oral disease risk assessment tools for oral health management in PHC.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study that included individuals served by a single public PHC unit, with integrated oral healthcare teams, located in the south region of the city of São Paulo, Brazil, between April of 2015 and March of 2017. Data were collected from dental records. Three co-primary endpoints: same day treatment offered, first future appointment scheduled fulfilled, and treatment plan completed were compared before and after the implementation of oral disease risk assessment for OUT.

Results

A total of 1214 individuals that sought OUT, 599 before and 615 after the implementation of oral disease risk assessment for OUT were included in the study. All three co-primary endpoints had significant changes after the implementation of oral disease risk assessment for OUT. Individuals were significantly more likely to be offered same day treatment after (39.9%; 95% CI:36.0–43.9%) than before (9.4%; 95% CI: 7.2–12.0%), to fulfill their first future appointment scheduled after (34.9%; 95% CI:31.1–38.8%) than before (20.7%; 95% CI: 17.5–24.2%), and to have their treatment plan completed after (14.3%; 95% CI:11.6–17.4%) than before (10.0%; 95% CI: 7.7–12.7%) the intervention.

Conclusions

This study provided evidence of the positive impact oral disease risk assessment tools could have in the organization of OUT in PHC settings.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12913-020-05859-2.

Oral mucosal changes induced by adjuvant endocrine therapies in breast cancer patients: clinical aspects and proposal for management

Adjuvant systemic treatments in breast cancer are indicated to reduce the risk of relapse. Their systemic side effects have been well documented and include menopausal symptoms such as impaired libido and vaginal dryness, increased risk of endometrial cancer, stroke, musculoskeletal symptoms including arthralgia and myalgia, osteopenia and fractures, skin rashes, and hypercholesterolemia. However, few articles have focused on the oral mucosal reactions related to adjuvant endocrine therapies (AETs) which clearly differ from those reported with chemotherapies or other targeted therapies used for breast cancer. AETs primarily expose patient to a higher risk of worsened periodontal health, salivary flow modifications, taste disturbance, and global deterioration of oral health-related quality of life. Although the rate of permanent discontinuation of AETs because of oral mucosal changes remains low, an interdisciplinary approach to evaluate oral health and to optimize oral supportive care appears essential to ensure an appropriate management and limit dose adjustment in treated patients. In this respect and based on our clinical experience, we propose recommendations to allow oncologists, nurses, and attending practitioners to implement appropriate measures rapidly and/or refer patients to dentists.

Use of digital periodontal data to compare periodontal treatment outcomes in a practice-based research network (PBRN): a proof of concept

Background

Scientific studies in dentistry are mainly conducted at universities. However, most patients are treated in dental practices, which differ in many ways from treatment at the university. Through the establishment of practice-based research networks, however, it is also possible to examine studies in a real-world setting in dental practices. For this reason the aim of this non-interventional, observational study was to develop and evaluate a digital procedure to access, extract and analyse recorded clinical data in practices to assess periodontal treatment outcomes.

Methods

Participating periodontists were former or active postgraduate students of a master’s course in periodontics in Freiburg who routinely used a digital periodontal diagnostic program. All available stored periodontal patient charts were extracted, anonymized and digitally sent to the study centre.

Results

In this study, data were collected from 6301 patients from 9 different practices. Information such as probing depth (PD), bleeding on probing (BOP), mobility, furcation and gingival attachment for 153,163 teeth at first visit were successfully transferred to the study centre. During the average observational period of 9.77 years, only 2.8% of all teeth were lost. The number of visits was significantly negatively correlated with BOP (p < 0.0001), and the number of BOP-positive sites was significantly correlated with deeper PDs (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

The presented procedure was able to gather a large amount of practice-based periodontal data, and thus this study may support practice-based research networks. The data indicate that systematic and supportive periodontal therapy is successful on a practice-based level.

Trial registration The study was internationally registered on 4 January 2017 in the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS 00011448). https://www.drks.de/drks_web/navigate.do?navigationId=trial.HTML&TRIAL_ID=DRKS00011448

Self-reported bleeding on brushing as a predictor of bleeding on probing: Early observations from the deployment of an internet of things network of intelligent power-driven toothbrushes in a supportive periodontal care population

BACKGROUND

Bleeding on brushing (BoB) is an important sign of gingival inflammation. Recently, the use of intelligent toothbrushes and oral health Apps has shown potential to improve oral and periodontal health. In the context of the introduction of an Internet of things network of intelligent power-driven toothbrushes in a supportive periodontal care programme, the aim of this study was (a) to audit the adoption and retention of this new technology; and (b) to preliminarily assess the feasibility to gather data on BoB and associate them with clinical periodontal parameters.

METHODS

100 subjects with different periodontal case diagnoses participating in supportive periodontal care (SPC) were provided with and instructed on the use of an intelligent power-driven toothbrush connected with an App (I-Brush). Brushing sessions and occurrence of BoB were recorded through the App and stored in a data protection compliant backend. Subject retention was audited over time. BoB recorded in the two weeks before the SPC appointment was associated with clinical parameters observed by the clinician blind to App data.

RESULTS

75% of subjects provided data from using the power toothbrush and the App for a minimum of 10 brushing sessions over an average period of 362 days. Compared with baseline, subjects' oral hygiene, bleeding on probing and prevalence of residual pockets improved gradually while using the I-Brush. The number of BoB episodes in the two weeks leading to the SPC appointment and the number of residual pockets predicted BOP (p < .001) detected during the examination. App use in the previous two weeks was associated with lower plaque scores at SPC.

CONCLUSIONS

These preliminary observations indicate good adoption and retention of a mobile health system built around an intelligent power toothbrush in a SPC population. The App was able to gather clinically relevant information predicting the observed degree of gingival inflammation. Deployment of mHealth systems seems feasible in dental practice and may bring significant oral health benefits. More investigations are needed in this area.

Rapid diagnosis of periodontitis, a feasibility study using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry

AIM

The aim of the present study was to assess the feasibility and diagnostic contribution of protein profiling using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry applied to saliva, gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and dental plaque from periodontitis and healthy subjects. We hypothesized that rapid routine and blinded MALDI-TOF analysis could accurately classify these three types of samples according to periodontal state.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Unstimulated saliva, GCF and dental plaque, collected from periodontitis subjects and healthy controls, were analyzed by MALDI-TOF MS. Based on the differentially expressed peaks between the two groups, diagnostic decision trees were built for each sample.

RESULTS

Among 141 patients (67 periodontitis and 74 healthy controls), the decision trees diagnosed periodontitis with a sensitivity = 70.3% (± 0.211) and a specificity = 77.8% (± 0.165) for saliva, a sensitivity = 79.6% (± 0.188) and a specificity = 75.7% (± 0.195) for GCF, and a sensitivity = 72.1% (± 0.202) and a specificity = 72.2% (± 0.195) for dental plaque. The sensitivity and specificity of the tests were improved to 100% (CI 95% = [0.91;1]) and 100% (CI 95% = [0.92;1]), respectively, when two samples were tested.

CONCLUSION

We developed, for the first time, diagnostic tests based on protein profiles of saliva, GCF and dental plaque between periodontitis patients and healthy subjects. When at least 2 of these samples were tested, the best results were obtained.

Examining Bias and Reporting in Oral Health Prediction Modeling Studies

Recent efforts to improve the reliability and efficiency of scientific research have caught the attention of researchers conducting prediction modeling studies (PMSs). Use of prediction models in oral health has become more common over the past decades for predicting the risk of diseases and treatment outcomes. Risk of bias and insufficient reporting present challenges to the reproducibility and implementation of these models. A recent tool for bias assessment and a reporting guideline—PROBAST (Prediction Model Risk of Bias Assessment Tool) and TRIPOD (Transparent Reporting of a Multivariable Prediction Model for Individual Prognosis or Diagnosis)—have been proposed to guide researchers in the development and reporting of PMSs, but their application has been limited. Following the standards proposed in these tools and a systematic review approach, a literature search was carried out in PubMed to identify oral health PMSs published in dental, epidemiologic, and biostatistical journals. Risk of bias and transparency of reporting were assessed with PROBAST and TRIPOD. Among 2,881 papers identified, 34 studies containing 58 models were included. The most investigated outcomes were periodontal diseases (42%) and oral cancers (30%). Seventy-five percent of the studies were susceptible to at least 4 of 20 sources of bias, including measurement error in predictors ( n = 12) and/or outcome ( n = 7), omitting samples with missing data ( n = 10), selecting variables based on univariate analyses ( n = 9), overfitting ( n = 13), and lack of model performance assessment ( n = 24). Based on TRIPOD, at least 5 of 31 items were inadequately reported in 95% of the studies. These items included sampling approaches ( n = 15), participant eligibility criteria ( n = 6), and model-building procedures ( n = 16). There was a general lack of transparent reporting and identification of bias across the studies. Application of the recommendations proposed in PROBAST and TRIPOD can benefit future research and improve the reproducibility and applicability of prediction models in oral health.

Factors affecting decision making at reassessment of periodontitis. Part 4: treatment options for residual periodontal pockets

This paper is the final in a four-part series outlining treatment planning at periodontal reassessment. The first article (part 1) focused on the information that should be gathered at the reassessment appointment. Parts 2 and 3 discussed systemic and local factors that can relate to residual periodontal probing depths. Treatment can involve a range of non-surgical and surgical approaches. A variety of general, practical and local site factors can affect the choice of one option over another in choosing the most predictable treatment option. Decision-making can be challenging and this paper aims to aid this process by discussing the assessment of prognosis, factors that need to be considered in decision-making and treatment options available. A flow chart to summarise this process is presented.