The Clinical Evaluation of the Effects of Low-Level Laser Therapy on the Donor and Recipient Sites of the Free Gingival Graft: A Case Series

Introduction: Free gingival grafting is among the most foreseeing procedures for increasing the zone of keratinized attached gingiva and enhancing soft tissue around the teeth and dental implants. Nowadays low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is a promising approach in providing patients with more pleasing results in terms of esthetics and comfort. This study aims to investigate the effects of LLLT on gingival recessions treated with free gingival graft (FGG).Methods: This case series was conducted on 12 individuals requiring a bilateral gingival graft in the mandibular region. There was a 30-day interval between the two operations. The test side was selected randomly and irradiated by a low-level laser (LLL) just before surgery. The patients did not know which side was irradiated. LLLT was applied to the donors’ as well as recipients’ site immediately after the operation and 48 hours later. The patients were instructed to record their post-operative pain in a visual analogue scale (VAS) 3 and 24 hours and 7 days after the surgical procedure. The clinical photographs were taken immediately and 30 days after surgical treatment were graded by three experienced periodontists for color matching to adjacent tissues.Results: Ten individuals could finish the study. The test group presented significantly better shade matching and wound healing at the palatal donor site on days 7, 14 and 21. There was a significant reduction in postoperative pain after 24 hours (P = 0.007). No statistically significant difference was found between both groups in terms of clinical periodontal indices.Conclusion: LLLT could reduce post-operative pain 24 hours after surgical treatment. Furthermore, the application of LLLT could improve the donors’ site healing and the recipients’ site color matching

The Effect of Deproteinized Bovine Bone Mineral on Saos-2 Cell Proliferation

Introduction: Deproteinized bovine bone mineral (Bio-Oss) is a xenogenic bone substitute, widely used in maxillofacial bone regeneration. The aim of this in vitro study was to investigate its influence on the growth behavior of human osteosarcoma cell line, Saos-2 culture, and compare it with the physiologic dose of Dexamethasone, an inductive factor for osteoblasts. Materials and Methods: Human osteosarcoma cells, Saos-2, were cultured on Bio-Oss and their growth rate was compared to Saos-2 cultures treated with Dexamethasone 10-7 M in contrast to cells cultivated in PBS, in the control group. Assessment of proliferation was performed after 24, 36, and 48 hours by counting cells using trypan blue exclusion method. Alkaline phosphatase was measured spectrophotometrically at 405 nm with paranitrophenol buffer. Results: After 48 hours, the number of Saos-2 cells increased significantly when subcultured with Bio-Oss. Bio-Oss was more effective on the enhancement of proliferation of Saos-2 cells when compared to the physiologic dose of Dexamethasone (P<0.05). Alkaline phosphatase activity increased in cells grown on Bio-Oss and dexamethasone 10-7M in contrast to cells cultivated in PBS control group. The greatest level of activity was observed in the group containing Bio-Oss after 48 hour. Conclusion: The significant increase of cell proliferation and alkaline phosphatase activity in cells cultured on Bio-Oss, compared to Dexamethasone-treated cells, suggests the important role of this bone substitute in promoting bone regeneration

The Modified Continuous Double Locking Suture: A Novel Suturing Approach in Dental Implant Surgery

Introduction: An alternative to interrupted sutures for implant surgery at sites of edentulous ridges is the continuous locking suture, however it tends to loosen and time-consuming as the result. Methods and Materials: The modified continuous double locking suture is a modification of continuous locking suture, which is designed to approximate flap margins of an edentulous area. Results: Application of modified continuous double locking suture, reduces the chance of suture loosening by adding an extra knot at each area. Conclusion: By utilizing modified continuous double locking suture, it is easier to manipulate flap margins; nonetheless, more studies are needed to evaluate its efficacy in dental practice