Bernard H. Wasserman

Bio: Bernard H. Wasserman is an academic researcher from Columbia University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Dental occlusion & Occlusion. The author has an hindex of 14, co-authored 20 publications receiving 1333 citations.

A Long-Term Survey of Tooth Loss in 600 Treated Periodontal Patients

Abstract: 1. Six hundred patients in a private periodontal practice were reexamined an average of 22 years after their active treatment and the patterns of tooth loss were observed. 2. During the post-treatment period, 300 patients had lost no teeth from periodontal disease, 199 had lost one to three teeth, 76 had lost 4 to 9 teeth and 25 had lost 10 to 23 teeth. 3. Of 2,139 teeth that originally had been considered of questionable prognosis, 666 were lost. Of these, 394 were lost by one sixth of the patients and only 272 by the other five-sixths. 4. Of 1,464 teeth which originally had furcation involvements, 460 were lost, 240 of them by one-sixth of the patients who deteriorated most. 5. The mortality of teeth which were treated with periodontal surgery was compared with that of teeth which did not have surgery. Tooth retention seemed more closely related to the case type than the surgery performed. 6. In general, periodontal disease is bilaterally symmetrical and there is a predictable order of likelihood of tooth loss according to position in the arch.

The relationship of initial clinical parameters to the long‐term response in 112 cases of periodontal disease

Abstract: The purpose of the present study was to determine whether any of the clinical parameters recorded during an initial periodontal examination would relate to the course of periodontal cases maintained for long periods of time. Based on available documentation, cases which had a downhill course were assembled from a population previously studied. In addition, long-term cases currently under maintenance care were drawn from our private practice. On average, the patients had been under care for 23 years. The study population was heavily weighted toward downhill cases to better compare these cases with those usually found in periodontal practice. Positive statistical correlations were found between the amount of subgingival calculus and the degree of gingival inflammation at initial examination. Disease severity initially was positively correlated to long-term course of disease. The amount of subgingival calculus did not relate to the long-term result. There was a strong correlation between inflammatory gingival hyperplasia initially and good long-term maintenance. The results suggest that, in combination, initial characteristics of periodontal cases coupled with long-term results of treatment may aid in further subclassifying the periodontal diseases.

Staging and grading of periodontitis: Framework and proposal of a new classification and case definition.

Abstract: Background Authors were assigned the task to develop case definitions for periodontitis in the context of the 2017 World Workshop on the Classification of Periodontal and Peri-Implant Diseases and Conditions. The aim of this manuscript is to review evidence and rationale for a revision of the current classification, to provide a framework for case definition that fully implicates state-of-the-art knowledge and can be adapted as new evidence emerges, and to suggest a case definition system that can be implemented in clinical practice, research and epidemiologic surveillance. Methods Evidence gathered in four commissioned reviews was analyzed and interpreted with special emphasis to changes with regards to the understanding available prior to the 1999 classification. Authors analyzed case definition systems employed for a variety of chronic diseases and identified key criteria for a classification/case definition of periodontitis. Results The manuscript discusses the merits of a periodontitis case definition system based on Staging and Grading and proposes a case definition framework. Stage I to IV of periodontitis is defined based on severity (primarily periodontal breakdown with reference to root length and periodontitis-associated tooth loss), complexity of management (pocket depth, infrabony defects, furcation involvement, tooth hypermobility, masticatory dysfunction) and additionally described as extent (localized or generalized). Grade of periodontitis is estimated with direct or indirect evidence of progression rate in three categories: slow, moderate and rapid progression (Grade A-C). Risk factor analysis is used as grade modifier. Conclusions The paper describes a simple matrix based on stage and grade to appropriately define periodontitis in an individual patient. The proposed case definition extends beyond description based on severity to include characterization of biological features of the disease and represents a first step towards adoption of precision medicine concepts to the management of periodontitis. It also provides the necessary framework for introduction of biomarkers in diagnosis and prognosis.

A Long-Term Survey of Tooth Loss in 600 Treated Periodontal Patients

Abstract: 1. Six hundred patients in a private periodontal practice were reexamined an average of 22 years after their active treatment and the patterns of tooth loss were observed. 2. During the post-treatment period, 300 patients had lost no teeth from periodontal disease, 199 had lost one to three teeth, 76 had lost 4 to 9 teeth and 25 had lost 10 to 23 teeth. 3. Of 2,139 teeth that originally had been considered of questionable prognosis, 666 were lost. Of these, 394 were lost by one sixth of the patients and only 272 by the other five-sixths. 4. Of 1,464 teeth which originally had furcation involvements, 460 were lost, 240 of them by one-sixth of the patients who deteriorated most. 5. The mortality of teeth which were treated with periodontal surgery was compared with that of teeth which did not have surgery. Tooth retention seemed more closely related to the case type than the surgery performed. 6. In general, periodontal disease is bilaterally symmetrical and there is a predictable order of likelihood of tooth loss according to position in the arch.

The long-term effect of a plaque control program on tooth mortality, caries and periodontal disease in adults. Results after 30 years of maintenance

Abstract: Background: The biofilm that forms and remains on tooth surfaces is the main etiological factor in caries and periodontal disease. Prevention of caries and periodontal disease must be based on means that counteract this bacterial plaque. Objective: To monitor the incidence of tooth loss, caries and attachment loss during a 30-year period in a group of adults who maintained a carefully managed plaque control program. In addition, a comparison was made regarding the oral health status of individuals who, in 1972 and 2002, were 51–65 years old. Material and Methods: In 1971 and 1972, more than 550 subjects were recruited. Three hundred and seventy-five subjects formed a test group and 180 a control group. After 6 years of monitoring, the control group was discontinued but the participants in the test group was maintained in the preventive program and was finally re-examined after 30 years. The following variables were studied at Baseline and after 3, 6, 15 and 30 years: plaque, caries, probing pocket depth, probing attachment level and CPITN. Each patient was given a detailed case presentation and education in self-diagnosis. Once every 2 months during the first 2 years, once every 3–12 months during years 3–30, the participants received, on an individual need basis, additional education in self-diagnosis and self-care focused on proper plaque control measures, including the use of toothbrushes and interdental cleaning devices (brush, dental tape, toothpick). The prophylactic sessions that were handled by a dental hygienist also included (i) plaque disclosure and (ii) professional mechanical tooth cleaning including the use of a fluoride-containing dentifrice/paste. Results: Few teeth were lost during the 30 years of maintenance; 0.4–1.8 in different age cohorts. The main reason for tooth loss was root fracture; only 21 teeth were lost because of progressive periodontitis or caries. The mean number of new caries lesions was 1.2, 1.7 and 2.1 in the three groups. About 80% of the lesions were classified as recurrent caries. Most sites, buccal sites being the exception, exhibited no sign of attachment loss. Further, on approximal surfaces there was some gain of attachment between 1972 and 2002 in all age groups. Conclusion: The present study reported on the 30-year outcome of preventive dental treatment in a group of carefully monitored subjects who on a regular basis were encouraged, but also enjoyed and recognized the benefit of, maintaining a high standard of oral hygiene. The incidence of caries and periodontal disease as well as tooth mortality in this subject sample was very small. Since all preventive and treatment efforts during the 30 years were delivered in one private dental office, caution must be exercised when comparisons are made with longitudinal studies that present oral disease data from randomly selected subject samples.