Shimshon Slutzkey’s research while affiliated with Tel Aviv University and other places

Background: Combination of particulate grafts and collagen membranes is widely used for augmentation of bony defects for implant placement. Fixation of the barrier membrane may avoid complications due to unfavorable mechanical properties and poor stability leading to collapse of the augmented area. Purpose: To evaluate a new simplified method for resorbable collagen membrane fixation in lateral bone augmentation procedures in narrow posterior mandibles. Materials and methods: This retrospective study analyzed 16 procedures performed in 15 patients who followed lateral ridge augmentation procedures before implant placement in the posterior mandible. A particulate mineralized bone allograft was covered with a cross-linked resorbable collagen barrier membrane, which was fixated with a single, nonresorbable pin. Complications were registered and results analyzed on pre and post op measurements on computerized tomographic scans. Descriptive statistical analysis and ANOVA with repeated measures were performed. Results: No complications were recorded. Average bone gain was 3.3 mm at implant platform level and 4.29 mm at 3 mm apically, both, statistically significant. All sites had sufficient bone width allowing implant placement. Thirty-three implants placed in the augmented areas, integrated and survived for over a 2-year follow-up. Conclusion: The simplified membrane fixation procedure enables large horizontal bone gain with minimal complications while allowing adequate implant placement.

Objective: To use a modified direct contact test (DCT) to evaluate the bacterial growth on 3 commercially available implants. Materials and methods: Streptococcus salivarius growth was tested on 1 machined surface and 2 commercial rough surface implants. Seven implants from each group were fixed to the cover of a 96-well microtiter plate. Bacterial suspension was placed on each implant, and the plate was incubated at 37°C for 1 hour to allow the suspension fluid to evaporate. Fresh medium was added to 7 corresponding wells in the microtiter plate, and the cover holding the implants was placed on the plate to enable immersion of the implant. Noncontaminated implant samples served as control. Bacterial growth was monitored spectrophotometrically at 650 nm for 24 hours. Results: There was a significant S. salivarius growth in all groups of test implants compared with the control. There was no significant difference between bacterial growth kinetics on treated and nontreated implant surfaces (P = 0.241). Conclusion: Using the DCT, we found no difference in bacterial growth between machined and rough surface implants.

The purpose of this work is to evaluate changes in temperature of one-piece titanium implant surface during the setting of acrylic resin temporary crowns and to correlate thermal changes to implant diameter. Thirty-Three one-piece implants (ARRP, Alpha-Biotec) were divided into 3 groups according to diameter size (G1=3 mm, G2=3.3 mm, G3=3.6 mm). Implants were mounted on an acrylic glass apparatus. Thermocouples were positioned at the most coronal thread. Lower incisor temporary polycarbonate crowns were filled with 80 μL of self-curing acrylic resin and positioned immediately on the implant abutment. Thermal changes of the implant surface were recorded continuously for 10 min. Data were statistically analyzed using one-way analysis of variance. The mean initial temperature (C0) of groups G1, G2 and G3 was similar (24.79±0.78C, 25.26±0.63C, 24.97±1.06C, respectively). The setting of the acrylic resin temporary crown resulted in a significant increase in the implant surface temperature of all groups. The mean thermal amplitude (ΔC) for groups G1, G2 and G3 were 6.79±1.02C, 6.61±0.94C, 6.65±1.26C, respectively. The mean time to maximum temperature (Tmax) for groups G1, G2 and G3 were 337.38±42.91 sec, 324.69±41.46 sec and 317.98±37.91 sec respectively (P>0.05). Direct application of auto-polymerizing resin to the titanium abutment of one-piece implants significantly increased the cervical implant surface temperature. Implant diameter did not influence the temperature changes.

Objectives: Radiologic and biologic assessment of immediately restored Implants combined with guided bone regeneration (GBR) and free connective tissue graft. Methods: 1-4 year retrospective study involving 34 patients treated with maxillary immediately restored anterior single-implants. Soft tissue dimensions, radiographic bone loss, and biological and prosthetic complications were assessed. Results: During the mean follow up period of 29 months the study group presented a mean mesial bone loss of 1.10 ± 0.39 mm (range: 0.5-2.4 mm), and mean distal bone loss of 1.19 ± 0.41 mm (range: 0.4-2.1 mm). Mean periimplant probing depth of 3.49 mm (SD ± 1.06) and 2.35 (SD ± 0.52) for the contralateral tooth (highly significant p < 0.001). Bleeding on probing was present in 29.4% of the examined implant supported crown sites and 10.4% of the contralateral teeth (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Anterior maxillary single-tooth replacement, using GBR and connective tissue graft according to the concept of immediate implant placement, and non-functional restoration is an accepted treatment modality achieving favorable peri-implant soft tissue condition.

To retrospectively evaluate and compare two regenerative periodontal procedures in young individuals with aggressive periodontitis(AgP). Thirty-two patients aged 14-25 years (mean±SD 19.3±5.7) were diagnosed as having AgP with multiple intrabony defects (IBDs) and treated by one of two regenerative modalities of periodontal therapy: guided-tissue regeneration (GTR) using deproteinized bone xenograft (DBX) particles and a resorbable membrane (the GTR group), or an application of enamel matrix derivatives (EMD) combined with DBX (the EMD/DBX group). Periodic monitoring of treated sites included recording of probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), and gingival recession. Pretreatment and 1-year postoperative findings were statistically analyzed within and between groups. The PD and CAL values decreased significantly with time, but not those between study groups. The mean pretreatment and 1-year post-treatment PDs of the IBDs of the GTR group (n=16; sites=67) were 8.93±1.14mm and 3.58±0.50mm, respectively, and the mean CALs were 9.03±1.03mm and 4.16±0.53mm, respectively. The mean PDs of the EMD/DBX group (n=16; sites=73) were 8.77±1.04mm mm and 3.61±0.36mm, respectively, and the mean CALS were 8.79±1.04mm and 3.77±0.22mm, respectively (p<0.001 for all). Surgical treatment of AgP patients by either GTR or by application of EMD/DBX yielded similarly successful clinical results at 1-year post-treatment. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Objectives: Evaluate the antibacterial properties of three commercial collagen membranes for guided bone regeneration (GBR). Method and materials: BioGide®, OsseoGuard®, and CopiOs® membranes were tested for antibacterial properties against Streptococcus sanguinis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Staphylococcus epidermidis using a direct contact test (DCT). Samples of each membrane, sized 5 × 2 mm, were fixed to the side wall of 6 wells in a 96-well microtiter plate. Bacterial suspension was placed on each sample. The plate was incubated at 37°C for 1 hour to allow suspension fluid evaporation. Fresh medium was added to each well and the plate was mixed. Non-contaminated membrane samples served as negative control. Bacterial growth was monitored spectrophotometrically at 650 nm for 24 hours. ANOVA and Tukey's comparison tests were used for the statistical analysis. Results: The presence of the membrane samples did not disrupt bacterial growth. However, the presence of OsseoGuard membrane accelerated bacterial growth rate of S sanguinis and S epidermidis as compared to the other two membranes and control samples (P < .001), and of S aureus as compared to the control alone (P < .001). Conclusions: The tested collagen membranes have no antibacterial properties. However, OsseoGuard presents a significant bacterial growth enhancement effect with possible significant clinical implications on the success of regenerative procedures around teeth and implants.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial properties of 3 resorbable Collagen membranes using the direct contact test (DCT). Methods: 6 samples of each of the following tested collagen membranes: BioGuide® (non-crosslinked porcine collagen membrane, OsseoGuard® (long fiber matrix bovine collagen membrane) and CopiOs® (Bovine pericardium membrane) were placed on the sidewalls of wells in a 96 microtiter plate. freshly grown streptococcus sanguinis cells (1X106) were placed on the surface of each sample for 1 hr at 370C. Fresh medium was then added to each well and bacterial growth was followed for 24 hrs. in a temperature-controlled spectrophotometer. Similarly the DCT was repeated with freshly grown Staphylococcus aureus and freshly grown Staphylococcus epidermidis .Statistical analysis was done with two-way analysis of variance, one-way analysis of variance, and Tukey multiple comparisons were applied to the data Results: None of the membranes showed antibacterial properties. However (OsseoGuard ®) Showed higher bacterial colonization rate as compared to the other membranes and control (p<0.001). Conclusions: None of the tested membranes in this study possesses antibacterial properties. However one of the membranes (OsseoGuard®) may enhance bacterial growth.

Buccal Bony Exostoses (BBE) is a local benign osseous overgrowth continuous with the facial aspect of the jaw. Post operative BBE may be the result of dermal grafts used to restore the buccal vestibulum, of connective tissue graft placement, and of Free Gingival Grafts (FGG) procedures. In 46 patients in whom 72 FGG procedures were performed by the senior author (HT) over the past 12 years, BBE was clinically and radiographically diagnosed. In one case the tumor was surgically removed. The etiology, pathogenesis and frequency of BBE following FGG procedures was reviewed and discussed. We suggest that the BBE may develop owing to periosteal surgical trauma during FGG procedures, and suggest that this phenomenon receives further attention.

Bone regeneration may be enhanced when invasion of soft tissue into osseous defect is mechanically impeded by barrier membrane. Several studies have reported successful clinical outcomes for regenerative treatment of intrabony and furcation defects following use of free subepithelial connective tissue graft (SCTG) as biological barrier membrane. The current study introduces the use of SCTG as a barrier in following clinical situations: (1) Guided bone regeneration (GBR) of peri-implant bone lost due to early spontaneous exposure of submerged implants (2) Socket preservation combined with ridge augmentation (3) Guided tissue regeneration (GTR) of periodontal circumferential intrabony defect. Each of the above indication is presented to the reader by description in details of clinical cases in which SCTG was applied.

Gingival recession can be localized or generalized and associated with at least 1 tooth surface. As a result, gingival recession leads to root surface exposure, often causing esthetic impairment, fear of tooth loss, increased susceptibility for root caries, and dentin hypersensitivity. The prevalence, extent, and severity of gingival recession in a young adult Israeli population were evaluated, and the relationship between orthodontic therapy and other potential risk indicators and gingival recession was assessed. Our cohort included 303 consecutive healthy patients who had routine dental examinations at a military dental center. Information was collected regarding age, smoking habits, oral piercing, oral hygiene habits, and past orthodontic treatment. Clinical examination included visible gingival inflammation, visible dental plaque, and gingival recession on the facial aspects of all teeth. Gingival recession was found in 14.6% of the subjects and in 1.6% of all examined teeth. The prevalence, extent, and severity of recession correlated with past orthodontic treatment. A negative correlation was found between plaque on the buccal tooth aspect and gingival recession. There was no correlation between gingivitis or smoking habits and recession. Prevalence was related to oral piercing. Gingival recession is not uncommon in young adults and is related to past orthodontic treatment and oral piercing. Patients undergoing orthodontic treatment or about to pierce the tongue or lips should be advised regarding these findings.