Antibiotic prescribing patterns among dentists in Italy and Albania: A comparative questionnaire analysis.

Objective: To investigate the therapeutic and prophylactic use of antibiotics in dentistry in two countries. Methods: This study used questionnaires to examine the prescribing habits of dentists in Italy (9th country in Europe for systemic antibiotic administration) and Albania an Extra European Union Country. A total of 1300 questionnaires were sent to Italian and Albanian dentists. Results: In total, 180 Italian and 180 Albanian dentists completed the questionnaire. Penicillin use was higher in Italy (96.6 %) than Albania (82.8 %). Only 26.1 % of Italian dentists and 32 % of Albanian dentists followed the national guidelines for antibiotic administration. Conclusions: Dentists tend to overprescribe antibiotics for treating existing conditions or as prophylaxis. They also highlighted a lack of adherence to established guidelines for antibiotic use. In addition, factors such as age, nationality, and sex appeared to influence the choice of antibiotics. Clinical significance: Recently, the growth of antibiotic-resistant bacteria has become a global concern. The authors of this article highlight how dentists often prescribe antibiotics without a real need. Limiting the use of antibiotics in this category may help mitigate antibiotic resistance.

Long-Term Efficacy of Chlorhexidine Gel in Single-Crown Implant Rehabilitation: A Five-Year Follow-Up Study.

Chlorhexidine digluconate (CHX) has shown the ability to significantly reduce inflammation and marginal bone loss (MBL) at the 1-year follow-up but limited data exist regarding its long-term efficacy in peri-implant stability. The objective was to compare the long-term effects (5 years of follow-up) of a placebo gel (16 patients in Group A) or a 0.20% CHX gel (15 patients in Group B) used at each previous surgical and prosthetic stage. Control visits were conducted in 2022, investigating the long-term effects by biological, radiological, and clinical evaluation. The data were statistically analyzed. The research achieved a 96.7% implant success rate over five years, but 41.9% of patients did not attend annual oral hygiene check-ups. The average MBL was 1.04 ± 0.39 mm, with no significant differences between the two groups. Notably, patients who attended regular periodontal check-ups experienced significantly less MBL than those who did not (p < 0.05). At five years, direct effects of CHX were absent, with both groups showing moderate bone loss. However, the results suggest that early disinfection could enhance both short- and long-term outcomes. In fact, patients with initial minor MBL due to use of CHX, preserve this advantage also after 5 years of follow-up. Additionally, the data underscore the importance of annual check-ups in early detection and management of biological complications.

A systematic review on removal of osseointegrated implants: un update.

BACKGROUND: Today dental implants represent an effective therapy in case of partial or total edentulism, with an excellent success rate. Despite the results obtained, there may be biological or mechanical complications during the therapy, which lead to the loss of the implant. This systematic review aims to evaluate the current state of the art in the literature on techniques used for the removal of dental implants. Various aspects will be analyzed, such as the success of the technique, any complications, and the advantages and disadvantages of their use. METHODS: Two reviewers conducted a literature analysis (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science) of the last 20 years (2003-2023). The main criterion analyzed was the success of the technique, while secondary outcomes such as complications and risks of the technique were also analyzed. 258 articles were identified in the various search databases. 42 eligible articles were subsequently identified after an article screening. Only 18 full texts were subsequently included in the review. RESULTS: A total of 18 articles were selected and 1142 implants and 595 patients were included. The main techniques used were the Counter-Torque Ratchet Technique (CTRT), Piezoelectric bone surgery (PBS), trephine drills, carbide burs, Erbium, Chromium, Yttrium, Scandium, Gallium, Garnett (Er:Cr:YSGG) laser and carbon dioxide (CO2) laser. Combined uses of techniques have been identified such as: PBS and trephine burs or carbide burs, trephine burs with the use of a 3d-printed guide, CTRT and trephine burs. The technique with the highest success rate, less morbidity for the patient, and less removal of bone appears to be the CTRT. CONCLUSIONS: The use of conservative techniques, especially CTRT, in bone removal is useful to allow for immediate implant placement in the removal area. However, further studies with a high sample size are needed to be performed on all techniques, particularly new randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that allow for the analysis of the success of alternative techniques such as Laser and Piezosurgery, which appear to be very promising.

Clinical Applications and Mechanical Properties of CAD-CAM Materials in Restorative and Prosthetic Dentistry: A Systematic Review.

Clinical outcomes of dental restorations depend primarily on the choice of materials used, and nowadays, dental CAD-CAM (Computer-Aided Design Computer-Aided Manufacturing) materials have strongly changed daily clinical practice. The aim of this systematic review is to analyze CAD-CAM dental materials according to their mechanical properties and in relation to their clinical applications. A literature review was performed on PubMed, Scopus, Web of Knowledge, and the Cochrane Library. Articles addressing at least one of the following topics regarding dental materials for CAD-CAM systems: manufacturers, mechanical features, materials' composition, optical properties, clinical indications, and/or outcomes were included in the review. A flowchart was performed as described in the PRISMA guidelines. Among the 564 articles found, 63 were analyzed and evaluated. Within the limitations of this systematic review, it can be concluded that CAD-CAM materials present a wide range of clinical applications due to their improved mechanical properties. Specifically, in addition to materials that have been in use for a long time (such as feldspathic ceramics), resin block composites can also be used for permanent restorations.

Prevalence of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome: A Single-Center Retrospective Study.

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is a sleep breathing disorder that often remains undiagnosed and untreated. OSAS prevalence is increasing exponentially. Starting on the dentist's role as an epidemiological and diagnostic "sentinel", the purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of OSAS. The clinical diaries of 4659 patients were reviewed through a single-center retrospective analytic study. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed. Only 0.26% of patients reported to suffer from sleep apnea and were then diagnosed with OSAS. It was found that, out of 4487 patients, 678 suffered from hypertension (14.80%), 188 from gastro-esophageal-reflux-disease (GERD = 4.10%) and 484 from gastritis (10.78%). These results could be related to a difficult diagnosis of OSAS and to the absence of a dedicated section on sleep disorders in medical records. Therefore, the introduction of a question dedicated to sleep disorders, the administration of questionnaires (such as the STOP-BANG questionnaire) for early diagnosis, a multidisciplinary approach and pneumological examination could support the dentist in identifying patients at risk of OSAS.