Clinical ArticlesMicrobial complexes detected in the second/third molar region in patients with asymptomatic third molars☆,☆☆
Section snippets
Patients and methods
The 329 patients in Blakey et al's study were enrolled in an institutional review board–approved trial at 2 clinical centers (University of Kentucky and University of North Carolina) over a 30-month period.4 Inclusion criteria dictated that patients be healthy (ASA Classes I and II), between the ages of 14 and 45 years, and have 4 asymptomatic third molars with adjacent second molars. Patients with the most severe form of periodontal disease (AAP Class IV), who were pregnant, who had taken
Results
Patients with a PD equal to or greater than 5 mm at the distal of second molars or around third molars were older than those without increased PD, median age 28 years versus 24 years (Table 1).Empty Cell PD <5 mm PD ≥5 mm Empty Cell n % n % Patients 218 100 77 100 Female 116 53 34 44 Male 102 47 43 56
Discussion
Salvi1 presented a current model of periodontitis and discussed risk factors for the disease. The model indicates that the acquisition of recognized periodontal pathogens is critical for the progression of periodontal disease. If a patient's neutrophils control these microorganisms colonized in the accumulated plaque, gingivitis does not progress to periodontitis. Specific bacterial species, including P gingivalis and B forsythus, possess a virulence trait empowering the microorganisms to
Acknowledgements
The authors wish to thank Ms. Debora Price for assistance in managing data for this project and Ms Sharon Williams, Ms Robin Hambly, Ms Charlotte Stokley, and Ms Tiffany Hambright for their assistance as clinical coordinators, Ms Frances Smith for her effort in coordinating the analysis of the subgingival plaque samples and Ms. Sanda Elmore for processing the samples.
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The impact of Anatomic Features of Asymptomatic Third Molars on the Pathologies of Adjacent Second Molars: A Cross-sectional Analysis
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2017, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Clinics of North AmericaCitation Excerpt :While looking for microbial complexes in the subgingival plaque samples in the M3 areas, Blakey and coworkers found that if M3s were at or above the occlusal plane and vertical or distal in position, targeted microorganisms were as likely to be detected at levels of equal to or greater than 104 compared with M3s below the occlusal plane and mesioangular or horizontal in position. This was true whether a PD equal to or greater than 5 mm was found in the M3 region or not.9 Even in the groups of essentially healthy young people without periodontitis studied, the clinical findings of increased periodontal PDs and loss of periodontal attachment compounded by detection of presence of periodontal pathogens suggest that clinical and microbial changes in periodontitis may begin at the M3 sites.
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Supported by the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Foundation, American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, Dental Foundation of North Carolina.
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Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr White: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Dentistry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7450; e-mail: [email protected]