Comparison of clinical and radiographic parameters around short (6 to 8 mm in length) and long (11 mm in length) dental implants placed in patients with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus: 3-year follow-up results.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical and radiographic parameters around short (6 to 8 mm in length) and long (11 mm in length) dental implants placed in patients with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty-five male patients with T2DM (Group-1) and 42 male non-diabetic controls (Group-2) who had undergone implant therapy in the posterior mandible were included. Depending upon the length of the implant, patients were divided into two subgroups: (a) patients with short implants (6-8 mm long) and (b) patients with long implants (11 mm long). Peri-implant plaque index (PI), bleeding on probing (BOP), probing depth (PD) and crestal bone loss (CBL) were measured at 18 and 36 months of follow-up in both groups. Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels were measured at baseline and after 18 and 36 months of follow-up in both groups. P-values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The mean age of patients in groups 1 and 2 was 42.5 and 40.6 years, respectively. The mean HbA1c levels at baseline among patients in groups 1 and 2 were 7.7% and 4.5%, respectively. At 18 and 36 months of follow-up, the mean HbA1c levels among patients in groups 1 and 2 were 6.6% and 4.5% and 6.5% and 4.4%, respectively. The mean duration of T2DM among patients that received short and long implants was 4.3 years and 4.1 years, respectively. There was no significant difference in PI, BOP, PD and CBL around implants placed in both groups at 18 and 36 months of follow-up. Success rate of short and long dental implants was 100% in both groups. CONCLUSION: Short implants can demonstrate clinical and radiographic stability in a manner similar to conventional long implants in patients with and without T2DM. The role of oral hygiene and glycemic maintenance in this scenario cannot be disregarded.

Accuracy of interchangeable implant impression systems: an in vitro pilot study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the accuracy of impressions on changing the implant component (coping and abutment replica) between Brånemark and BIOMET 3i and between Straumann and Allfit. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two master casts were constructed, one containing pair of Brånemark self-tap Mk II fixtures (Nobel Biocare) labeled Master cast I and the other containing pair of Straumann Standard plus implant, SLA fixtures (Straumann) labeled Master cast II. Ten impressions of each master cast were made by open tray technique using polyether impression material. Five out of 10 impressions made from master cast I contained Brånemark pair of coping and replica and the other 5 contained 3i (Implant Innovations). Five out of 10 impressions made from master cast II contained Straumann pair of copings and replica and the remaining 5 contained Allfit implants (Ihde Dental). Duplicated casts were prepared, and distances between copings were measured using traveling microscope and compared the distance in master casts. RESULT: No significant difference was observed in mean value between 2 master casts and their duplicates. CONCLUSION: The interchangeability of coping and abutment replica between Brånemark and BIOMET 3i and between Straumann and Allfit was found to be possible without compromising the quality of impressions.