Article one delves into the complexities of external root resorption.

Root Resorption:
In their Abstract “Root resorption – diagnosis, classification and treatment choices based on stimulation factors”, Fuss, Tsesis and Lin stated “etiology of different types of root resorption requires two phases: mechanical or chemical injury to the protective tissues and stimulation by infection or pressure.”

The Abstract classifies various types of root resorptions according to their stimulation factors:

• Pulpal infection resorption
• Periodontal infection resorption
• Orthodontic pressure resorption
• Impacted tooth or tumor pressure resorption
• Ankylotic resorption

We have found that a history of trauma including excessive occlusal loading and idiopathic pathology are also factors in external root resorption.

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The benefits of occlusal adjustment as a component of periodontal treatment have not been adequately demonstrated in the clinical research to date, according to a new systematic review in the Journal of Dentistry (December 2012, Vol. 40:12, pp. 1025-1035).

"The relationship between trauma from occlusion (TfO) and periodontal disease has been discussed for more than a century," wrote the study authors from University of São Paulo dental school. "A few observational studies reported a positive relationship between TfO and [clinical attachment loss (CAL)] and demonstrated that periodontally compromised teeth presenting TfO had less bone support and greater pocket probing depth."

Based on these studies, "if TfO had any relationship to the progression of periodontitis, then its elimination could also enhance clinical periodontal conditions," they noted.

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Diode lasers can significantly improve clinical parameters when used as an adjunct to scaling and root planing (SRP) during periodontal treatment, according to a new study in Lasers in Medical Science (November 16, 2012).

Laser treatment was performed by using a 940-nm indium-gallium-aluminum phosphate (InGaAIP) diode laser. Plaque index, gingival index, bleeding on probing, probing depth, and clinical attachment level were measured at baseline and at one, three, and six months after treatment.

The gingival crevicular fluid levels of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1), matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8), and tissue inhibitor matrix metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Here are some of the key results:

•The test group showed a significantly better outcome compared with the control group in full-mouth clinical parameters.

•MMP-1, MMP-8, and TIMP-1 showed significant differences between groups after treatment compared with baseline. The total amount of IL-1β, IL-6, MMP-1, MMP-8, and TIMP-1 decreased and IL-8 increased after treatment in both test and control groups.

•The diode laser provided significant improvements in clinical parameters, and MMP-8 was significantly impacted by the adjunctive laser treatment at the first month.

Conclusion:
Correct selection of the dental laser device, modes of irradiation, application time, the diameter of the laser fiber tip, and frequency of application may help the clinicians to get better results in treating periodontal disease, he added.

"We observed satisfactory results by using diode laser," Saglam concluded. "But there is no guarantee to achieve satisfactory results in every time. We need more evidence to use dental lasers effectively in the treatment of periodontitis."

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