Four-years' experience with dynamic implants with internal port for minimally invasive sinus elevation.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this article is to describe long-term results of the dynamic implant valve approach (DIVA) for the dental implant procedures when the implant system with internal ports was used. METHOD AND MATERIALS: During 2012 to 2015, 378 titanium-aluminum-vanadium implants (Ti6Al4V ELI; diameter 3.75 mm; length 11.5 and 13 mm) were implanted in 172 patients (one to nine implants per patient) using the DIVA technique. The DIVA implants were used in cases when sinus membrane and/or nasal floor elevation procedures were needed. The condition of the implants was assessed during the follow-up period up to 60 months. RESULTS: Out of 378 inserted implants, 257 implants were inserted in the maxilla with the bone level < 5 mm, and 121 implants were inserted in the maxilla with the bone level > 5 mm. In 357 cases (94.5%), the implantation was totally successful both from objective CBCT clinical and subjective patients' viewpoints. The comparison of complication rates between the cases with the bone level < 5 mm and the cases with the bone level > 5 mm indicated no significant difference (P = .32). CONCLUSION: Preliminary results that the DIVA simplifies the dental implantation procedure and augmentation treatment were confirmed. The implant with an inner sealing screw can be used in cases with elevation of the maxillary sinus membrane, and simplifies the surgery and secures optimal dental implant placement. This new type of implant simplifies the maintenance phase of implant dentistry and helps to overcome possible complications.

Endoscopic approach to dental implantology.

OBJECTIVE: To describe an innovative miniature visualization surgical endoscope and endoscopic techniques applicable to dental implant procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A newly developed modular dental implant endoscope is introduced, and the first impressions from its use in different implant procedures are reported. RESULTS: Details of the device that combines an endoscope, irrigation cannulas, and a surgical microinstrument channel are presented. The advantages of using it in dental implant procedures are described, and examples of how miniature visualization and surgical endoscopic techniques can be applied to increase the success of implantation are outlined. The new modular implant endoscope accurately identified all microanatomical and pathological structures, and simplified dental implant procedures. CONCLUSION: Endoscopy should be considered not only for intraoperative observation and assessment of implant sites, but also should be applied for active assistance during implant placement procedures.

The ductal stretching technique: an endoscopic-assisted technique for removal of submandibular stones.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to describe an innovative surgical technique for the removal of posterior and hilar stones of the submandibular salivary duct. METHODS: Between 1999 and 2005, 172 patients who had sialolithiasis of the submandibular duct were treated primarily by transoral incision and marsupialization of the duct and salivary gland. The ductal stretching technique involved endoscopic location of the stone, incision of the oral mucosa above the duct, isolation of the duct from the surrounding tissues, stretching of the duct, ductal incision above the calculus, sialolithotomy, and insertion of a drain. RESULTS: Forty-one patients with stones located in the posterior aspect of the duct were symptom-free and stone free after the procedure. One hundred and five patients with stones located in the hilum were treated with a success rate of 98%. Twenty-six patients with multiple stones in the hilar region were treated with a success rate of 81%. The overall success rate of the procedure was 96%. In 48 patients (28%), an additional undetected stone was diagnosed by endoscopy after the removal of the stone in the hilum. In 62 patients (36%), strictures were diagnosed endoscopically posterior to the stone. Lingual nerve paresthesia occurred in one patient, who recovered completely. CONCLUSION: The ductal stretching technique is recommended as the procedure of choice in cases with posterior and hilar stones more than 5 mm in diameter to avoid surgical removal of the salivary gland.

Combined approach to impacted parotid stones.

PURPOSE: This article describes the use of combined endoscopic and ultrasound approach to locate and to extract impacted parotid stones, which cannot be retrieved by intraoral approach alone. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 12 parotid glands from 7 women and 5 men (age range, 35 to 62 years) with parotid sialoliths were treated with the combined method. Eleven of 12 of the procedures were performed under local anesthesia in an outpatient clinic. The identification of the calculi was done in 5 patients with 1.3-mm sialoendoscope (Nahlieli Sialoendoscope; Karl Storz, Tuttlingen, Germany) in 6 patients with the aid of high-resolution ultrasound, and in 1 patient the location was combined endoscopy and ultrasound. The removal of the calculi was performed extraorally via minimal incision. The indications for the combined approach were 1) calculus in the posterior third of the Stensen's duct with too narrow duct anterior to it, 2) obstruction of the posterior or middle third of the Stensen's ducts leading to the calculus, 3) large (>5-mm) stones in the middle or posterior part of the duct that cannot be dilated for intraductal removal, and 4) intraparenchymal stones. RESULTS: Of the 12 patients, 9 had complete removal (75%); in 1 case with 3 sialoliths, we removed 2 and the gland remained asymptomatic. In 7 cases, the glands returned to function, 3 glands became atrophic with no function, but the gland remained asymptomatic. The aesthetic results were satisfactory in all cases, no major complications were noted. CONCLUSIONS: Combined endoscopic ultrasound approach is another minimal invasive technique for identification and removal of impacted parotid sialolithiasis.