Implant placement under existing removable dental prostheses and its effect on masticatory performance.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this within-subject study was to evaluate the outcome with implant-tooth-supported removable partial dental prostheses (RPDP group) and implant-supported removable complete dental prostheses (edentulous group) in terms of masticatory performance and self-assessment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty patients participated in this prospective clinical study (RPDP group: n = 12; edentulous group: n = 18). The prostheses were supported in strategically advantageous regions by placing implants with ball attachments and corresponding matrices in the existing dentures. The masticatory performance was evaluated with the Swallowing Threshold Test Index (STTI), the number of chewing strokes, and the time needed until swallowing at pre-treatment and 6 weeks after integration of ball attachments. Additionally, patients scored chewing satisfaction before and after implantation on a visual analogue scale. RESULTS: The STTI increased significantly (p ≤ 0.05) after implant therapy in the edentulous group but not in the RPDP group. Furthermore, the STTI was significantly higher (p ≤ 0.05) in the RPDP group than in the edentulous group at pre-treatment, however, not after therapy (P > 0.05). All patients were very satisfied after therapy concerning ability of speaking, chewing, and stability of their prosthesis. CONCLUSIONS: Patients of the edentulous group benefit more from strategically placed implants under the existing dentures than patients from the RPDP group. However, according to the subjective assessment, the chewing satisfaction generally increased for both groups after implant therapy. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Patients with a strongly reduced dentition and edentulous patients benefit from strategically placed implants under the existing removable dentures.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis resistance in HIV-infected patients from a tertiary care teaching hospital in Porto Alegre, southern Brazil.

Drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates are a major public health concern worldwide. There are few studies assessing tuberculosis (TB) resistance in Brazil. This study assessed the prevalence of resistance to the five first-line anti-TB drugs in TB isolates from HIV-infected patients in a tertiary care teaching hospital in southern Brazil. From September 1997 to July 2003, 398 TB complex isolates were included in the study. Resistance to one or more first-line anti-TB drugs was found in 71 (17.8%) of patients and was significantly more frequent among previously treated patients (12 [30.8%] of 39 patients) than new cases (59 [16.4%] of 359) (P=0.05). The highest resistance rates were found to isoniazid (9.9% overall; and 25.6% among previously treated patients). Multidrug-resistant TB was found in eight (2.0%) patients, with higher rates among previously treated patients than new cases: two (5.1%) patients vs. six (1.6%), respectively (P=0.18). Multidrug resistance and particularly isoniazid resistance rates among previously treated HIV patients are of great concern. Our findings indicate the need to reappraise regional TB treatment policies and support the recommendation for routine performance of in vitro TB susceptibility tests in all previously treated patients.