Peri-implantitis Diagnosis and Prognosis Using Biomarkers: A Systematic Literature Review.

PURPOSE: To summarize the latest scientific literature regarding the concentrations of biomarkers in saliva and peri-implant crevicular fluid (PICF) of healthy implant (HI) patients and patients with peri-implant mucositis (PIM) and peri-implantitis (PI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The literature review was performed according to PRISMA guidelines. The databases used were PubMed MEDLINE, ScienceDirect, and Cochrane Library. A combination of keywords was used, and selection criteria were applied. Selected articles were published between February 1, 2017, and February 1, 2022, written in English, conducted in humans, and examined the levels of saliva and PICF biomarkers in PI patients and compared them to HI/PIM patients. RESULTS: A total of 16 publications were selected, involving a total of 1,117 patients with 1,346 implants. Qualitative analysis revealed 49 different biomarkers, the levels of which were compared between groups. After evaluating the most frequently studied biomarkers, significantly higher values of IL-1ß, RANKL, sRANKL, IL-6, TNF-α, TNFSF12, MMP2, and MMP8 levels were observed in the PI group than in the HI group. CONCLUSIONS: Of all 49 biomarkers evaluated, IL-1ß and RANKL have potentially the highest diagnostic significance in the assessment of peri-implant inflammatory conditions, as differences were observed between all three groups (HI < PIM < PI), but data from current publications were not fully sufficient to provide strong evidence.

Assessment Results of Dental Students' Knowledge about Bisphosphonates and Bisphosphonate-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw.

Objectives: The aim of this cross-sectional study is to evaluate Lithuanian fourth- and fifth-year dental students' knowledge about bisphosphonates and bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw. Material and Methods: The anonymous survey using a questionnaire was conducted from February to March 2022. The survey was sent to 173 students at Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (LSMU) and 107 of them were completed. It consisted of student data, questions about the main properties of bisphosphonates, bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ), and the necessity of additional studies for students. Chi-square test and Cramér's V coefficient were used for the analysis of variables. Results: Most of the fifth-year students knew the main properties of bisphosphonates and what diseases they are used to treat. Twenty fifth-year students (33.9%) knew the accurate definition of BRONJ, while only 11 fourth-year students (22.9%) chose the same correct answer. Statistically significant (P < 0.05) data were found about the knowledge of main properties of bisphosphonates. The vast majority of fourth- and fifth-year students (39 [81.3%] and 45 [76.3%]), agreed that the University should provide more information about bisphosphonates. Conclusions: The study revealed that fifth-year students demonstrated better knowledge about bisphosphonates compared to fourth-year students and this was due to a curriculum supplemented with information about this pathology. The overall findings of this research suggest that Universities need to expand their student curricula by providing more knowledge about bisphosphonates and its relation to bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw.

The Use of Autogenous Teeth Tissues Grafts for Alveolar Bone Reconstruction: a Systematic Review.

Objectives: Enough bone around the implant is an important factor in ensuring the stability and longevity of the implant. Therefore, alveolar bone regeneration procedures are often required. A relatively new bone substitute is made from autogenous teeth. There are more and more studies in the scientific literature that perform regenerative alveolar bone procedures using autogenous tissues substitutes made from extracted teeth. The objective of this systematic literature review is to systematize information and present conclusions about the effectiveness of this regenerative material. Material and Methods: Scientific articles were selected using the PRISMA recommendations. Publications have been carried out since January 1, 2012 to January 1, 2022. The review includes articles in English, clinical studies in humans who underwent bone augmentation prior to or during dental implantation using an autogenous teeth tissues substitute. Results: A total of 7 publications were included in this systematic literature review. Summarizing the data of the publications, 258 patients participated in the studies, 240 subjects were included in the results for various reasons, and a total of 298 implants were inserted. No statistically significant results were found in the five studies. Two studies comparing autogenous tooth graft with xenogeneic bone graft and autogenous teeth tissues showed statistically significant positive results in autogenous tooth group. Conclusions: Within the limitations of this study, autogenous tissues graft derived from teeth are an effective material and can be used as an alternative to other bone grafts existing on the market. Further studies with a longer follow-up period are needed to validate these findings.