Resolution of peri-implant mucositis at tissue- and bone-level implants: A 6-month prospective controlled clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to compare resolution of inflammation of naturally occurring peri-implant mucositis (PM) at tissue-level (TL) and bone-level (BL) implants after non-surgical mechanical debridement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-four patients with 74 Implants with PM were allocated in two groups (39 TL and 35 BL implants) and treated by means of subgingival debridement using a sonic scaler with a plastic tip without adjunctive measures. At baseline and at 1, 3, 6 months, the full-mouth plaque score (FMPS), full-mouth bleeding score (FMBS), probing depth (PD), bleeding on probing (BOP), and modified plaque index (mPlI) were recorded. The primary outcome was BOP change. RESULTS: After 6 months, the FMPS, FMBS, PD, and number of implants with plaque decreased statistically significantly in each group (p < .05); however, no statistically significant differences were found between TL and BL implants (p > .05). After 6 months, 17 (43.6%) TL and 14 (40%) BL implants showed a BOP change in (17.9%) and (11.4%), respectively. No statistical difference was recorded between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Within the limitations of present study, the findings showed no statistically significant differences in terms of changes in clinical parameters following non-surgical mechanical treatment of PM at TL and BL implants. A complete resolution of PM (i.e., no BOP at all implant sites) was not achieved in both groups.

Knowledge, attitude, and practice in oral cancer: A national survey on 150 dental hygienists.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to explore knowledge, practice, and attitude on oral cancer (OC) among a cohort of Italian dental hygienists, in consideration of their role in the field of early diagnosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study of 150 Italian dental hygienists was performed to assess the participant's knowledge, practice, and attitude on OC. Data were collected using a structured self-administered questionnaire (through Google Forms). The questionnaire included four sections: sociodemographic information, disease knowledge, answers related to attitudes toward OC, and a questionnaire assessing the practice of dental hygienists on oral screening. RESULTS: Responses were received from 137 participants (83 women and 54 men). Overall, there is a good knowledge of the real risk factors among the participants (98.5%, 98.5%, and 94.2% regard smoking, alcohol, and HPV, respectively). The analysis related to the knowledge of non-risk factors, oral potentially malignant disorders, and clinical features of OC showed more heterogeneous results. Only 60% considered university education to be adequate. The totality of dental hygienists considered continuing education necessary, but despite this, only half took updating courses. Finally, 90% performed intraoral screening visits, and 95% and 69% investigated smoking and alcohol consumption, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our data showed the need to implement OC training courses by re-evaluating pre- and post-graduate training programs.

Post-Operative Complications and Risk Predictors Related to the Avulsion of Lower Impacted Third Molars.

Background and Objectives: This prospective cohort study aimed to evaluate the onset and severity of pain and other complications following lower impacted third molar extraction and to identify potential risk predictors. Materials and Methods: Twenty-five patients were treated with at least one lower impacted third molar extraction. The primary outcome was the onset of post-operative pain, evaluated at 6 h, 12 h, 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, and 7 days. The secondary outcomes (trismus, edema, alveolitis, dehiscence, neuralgic injury, and suppuration) were recorded at 3, 7 and 21 days after oral surgery. A correlation analysis was performed to identify potential associations between patient- and tooth-related factors and VAS (Visual Analogue Scale) scale. When a statistically significant correlation was identified, a regression analysis was performed. Results: Most of the patients were female (84%) with a mean age of 25 ± 3 years; the reason for oral surgery was dysodontiasis in 60% of cases, while the most frequent Pell and Gregory class was BII (36%). The VAS scale showed the onset of mild pain at 6 h (44%), 12 h (48%), 24 h (68%) and 48 (68%) after surgery. Trismus, edema, and alveolitis were observed at 3-day (20%, 64% and 12%, respectively) and at 7-day (16%, 12% and 4%, respectively) follow-up. Neuralgic injury was reported in one case (4%). The linear regression analysis showed a statistically significant association (p < 0.05) between the duration of oral surgery and VAS scores at 6 and 12 h. Finally, the binary logistic regression identified systemic disease, Pell and Gregory classification, duration of oral surgery, VAS at 6 and 12 h, trismus, and edema at 3 and 7 days as predictive factors of post-operative complications. Conclusions: Within their limits, the results of this study suggest that the onset of post-operative complications increases in proportion to the duration of the surgical procedure.

The role of surgical flap design (minimally invasive flap vs. extended flap with papilla preservation) on the healing of intrabony defects treated with an enamel matrix derivative: a 12-month two-center randomized controlled clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES: Minimally invasive flap designs have been introduced to enhance blood clot stability and support wound healing. Limited data appear to suggest, that in intrabony defects, better clinical outcomes can be achieved by means of minimally invasive flap compared to more extended flaps. The aim of this study was to evaluate the healing of intrabony defects treated with either minimally invasive surgical flaps or with modified or simplified papilla preservation techniques in conjunction with the application of an enamel matrix derivative (EMD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-seven subjects were randomly assigned to either test (N = 23) or control (N = 24) procedures. In the test group, the intrabony defects were accessed by means of either minimally invasive surgical technique (MIST) or modified minimally invasive surgical technique (M-MIST) according to the defect localization while the defects in the control group were treated with either the modified or simplified papilla preservation (MPP) or the simplified papilla preservation technique (SPP). EMD was used as regenerative material in all defects. The following clinical parameters were recorded at baseline and after 12 months: full-mouth plaque score (FMPS), full-mouth bleeding score (FMBS), probing depths (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), and gingival recession (GR). Early healing index (EHI) score was assessed in both groups 1 week following the surgery. CAL gain was set as primary outcome. RESULTS: After 12 months follow-up, the CAL gain was 4.09 ± 1.68 mm in test group and 3.79 ± 1.67 mm in control group, while the PD reduction was 4.52 ± 1.34 mm and 4.04 ± 1.62 mm for test and control sites. In both groups, a minimal GR increase (0.35 ± 1.11 mm and 0.25 ± 1.03 mm) was noted. No residual PDs ≥ 6 mm were recorded in both groups. CAL gains of 4-5 mm were achieved in 30.4% and in 29.2% of test and control group, respectively. Moreover, CAL gains ≥ 6 mm were recorded in 21.7% of experimental sites and in 20.8% of control sites. No statistically significant differences in any of the evaluated parameters were found between the test and control procedures (P > 0.05). After 1 week post-surgery, a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05) between the groups was found in terms of EHI score. CONCLUSIONS: Within the limits of this pilot RCT, the results have failed to show any differences in the measured parameters following treatment of intrabony defects with EMD, irrespective of the employed surgical technique. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In intrabony defects, the application of EMD in conjunction with either MIST/M-MIST or M-PPT/SPPT resulted in substantial clinical improvements.

Current knowledge, attitude and practice among dental hygienists in oral cancer awareness: Systematic review.

OBJECTIVES: Evidence on the awareness and knowledge level of oral cancer and its associated risk factors among dental hygienists is scarce; this systematic review aimed to synthesize their available evidence of the level of knowledge, attitude and practice. METHODS: PubMed and Scopus were searched for publications from any year up to January 2021. Studies about knowledge and/or attitudes and/or practices of dental hygienists have been taken into account. Overall, 14 studies have been selected for the systematic review. RESULTS: Excluding tobacco use (99.8%-100%), considerable variability were found among dental hygienists about important oral cancer risk factors such as alcohol consumption (30.0%-90.0%), human papilloma virus (23.0%-90.0%), oldness (37.7%-69.3%), diet (30.0%-42.2%) and betel quid chewing (5.0% and 98.0%). There was a good level of awareness among dental hygienists regarding leukoplakia (86.5%), instead less than half recognized erythroplakia as a precancerous lesion. Moderate knowledge was recorded about frequent sites of oral cancer development. Most of dental hygienists reported to perform intraoral screening (85.2%-100%). To regard attitude, a great variability was found about adequacy of undergraduate training (15.7%-75.0%) and most of dental hygienists expressed the need for continuing education (92.7%-99.0%). CONCLUSIONS: Dental hygienists play a key role in oral cancer detection. Low knowledge of oral cancer among dental hygienists is strongly associated with the low levels of early detection. These findings provide useful information to improve continuing education programmes pre- and post-graduation targeted at the prevention of oral cancer in order to reduce oral cancer morbidity and mortality.

Changes in clinical parameters following adjunctive local sodium hypochlorite gel in minimally invasive nonsurgical therapy (MINST) of periodontal pockets: a 6-month randomized controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: The mechanical disruption and removal of the subgingival biofilm represent the most important step in the treatment of periodontitis. However, in deep periodontal pockets, mechanical removal of the subgingival biofilm is difficult and frequently incomplete. Preliminary findings indicate that the use of amino acid buffered sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) gel may chemically destroy the bacterial biofilm and facilitate its mechanical removal. OBJECTIVES: To clinically evaluate the efficacy of minimally invasive nonsurgical therapy (MINST) of periodontal pockets with or without local application of an amino acid buffered sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) gel. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty untreated patients diagnosed with severe/advanced periodontitis (i.e. stage III/IV) with a slow/moderate rate of progression (i.e. grade A/B) were randomly allocated in two treatment groups. In the test group, the periodontal pockets were treated by means of MINST and NaOCl gel application, while in the control group, treatment consisted of MINST alone. Full-mouth plaque scores (FMPS), full-mouth bleeding scores (FMBS), probing depths (PD), clinical attachment levels (CAL) and gingival recessions (GR) were assessed at baseline and at 6 months following therapy. The primary outcome variable was PD reduction at sites with PD ≥ 5 mm at baseline. RESULTS: At 6 months, statistically significant differences between the two groups were found (p = 0.001) in terms of PD and CAL change. No statistically significant differences were found in terms of GR (p = 0.81). The number of sites with PD ≥ 5 mm and BOP (+) decreased statistically significantly (p = 0.001), i.e. from 85.3 to 2.2% in the test group and from 81.6 to 7.3% in the control group, respectively. Statistically significant differences between test and control groups were recorded at 6 months (p = 0.001). MINST + NaOCl compared to MINST alone decreased statistically significantly (p = 0.001) the probability of residual PDs ≥ 5 mm with BOP- (14.5% vs 18.3%) and BOP+ (2.2% vs. 7.2%). CONCLUSIONS: Within their limits, the present results indicate that (a) the use of MINST may represent a clinically valuable approach for nonsurgical therapy and (b) the application of NaOCl gel in conjunction with MINST may additionally improve the clinical outcomes compared to the use of MINST alone. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In patients with untreated periodontitis, treatment of deep pockets by means of MINST in conjunction with a NaOCl gel may represent a valuable approach to additionally improve the clinical outcomes obtained with MINST alone.

Healing of periodontal suprabony defects following treatment with open flap debridement with or without an enamel matrix derivative: A randomized controlled clinical study.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the healing of suprabony defects following treatment with either open flap debridement (OFD) and application of an enamel matrix derivative (EMD) with OFD alone. METHODS: Eighty patients with suprabony periodontal defects were randomly assigned to treatment with OFD + EMD (test) or OFD alone (control). The primary outcome variable was the difference in clinical attachment level (CAL) gain. At baseline and after 12 months, full-mouth plaque scores (FMPS), full-mouth bleeding scores (FMBS), probing depths (PD), gingival recessions (GR), and CAL were recorded. RESULTS: Sixty-five patients were available for the 12-month follow-up examination. At 12 months, the mean FMPS was 21.9 ± 3.0% in the OFD + EMD and 21.1 ± 2.4% in the OFD group, respectively (p = 0.30), while mean FMBS measured 20.4 ± 3.4% in the OFD + EMD group and 19.9 ± 2.9% in the OFD group (p = 0.48). Mean CAL gain at sites treated with OFD + EMD was statistically significantly different (p = 0.0001) compared with sites treated with OFD alone (3.4 ± 0.6 mm vs 1.8 ± 0.6 mm). A statistically significant difference (p = 0.0001) was found between mean PD change in the OFD + EMD (3.9 ± 0.6 mm) and OFD alone (3.2 ± 0.6 mm) treated groups and also in terms of mean GR change between treatment with OFD + EMD (0.5 ± 0.7 mm) and OFD alone (1.4 ± 1.0 mm) (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Within their limits, the present results indicate that in suprabony periodontal defects, the application of EMD in conjunction with OFD may additionally improve the clinical outcomes compared with OFD alone. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In periodontal suprabony defects, the application of EMD in conjunction with OFD may additionally enhance the clinical outcomes in terms of CAL gain and PD reduction.

Dimensional changes following alveolar ridge preservation in the posterior area using bovine-derived xenografts and collagen membrane compared to spontaneous healing: a 6-month randomized controlled clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES: To assess dimensional changes following alveolar ridge preservation using bovine-derived xenograft with 10% collagen and collagen membrane compared to ridge preservation by means of bovine-derived xenograft particles and collagen membrane or spontaneous healing in posterior sites. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty subjects with 40 posterior teeth or roots candidate to extraction and presenting integrity of alveolar bone walls were randomly allocated into three groups. Patients of test group were treated by ridge preservation technique using bovine-derived xenograft with 10% collagen and collagen membrane; patients of control group 1 were treated by means of bovine-derived xenograft particles and collagen membrane while in patients of control group 2, no grafting was performed. Changes in vertical and horizontal bone dimensions were compared at baseline and after 6-month observation time. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences between baseline and 6 month were observed in all groups in terms of vertical and horizontal bone resorption (p < 0.001), except for vertical resorption in control group 2. After 6-month intergroup comparisons showed not statistically significant changes between test and control groups in terms of alveolar bone changes (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Within the limits of this study, the sites grafted using bovine-derived xenograft with 10% collagen in combination with a collagen membrane showed no statistical differences in terms of vertical and horizontal bone resorption compared to control groups. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Ridge preservation in posterior area failed to show clinically relevant benefits in sites presenting integrity of alveolar bone walls and adequate buccal bone wall thickness.

Anti-infective therapy of peri-implant mucositis with adjunctive delivery of a sodium hypochlorite gel: a 6-month randomized triple-blind controlled clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of adjunctive delivery of a sodium hypochlorite gel in the treatment of peri-implant mucositis (PM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-six subjects with 68 implants diagnosed with PM were randomly assigned to two treatment groups. Prior to mechanical debridement, a sodium hypochlorite gel was delivered to the implants of the test group while implants of the control group received a placebo gel. Application of both test and placebo gels was repeated 5 times at baseline. The primary outcome variable was the change in pocket probing depth (PPD) between baseline and 6 months. RESULTS: After 6 months, the mean PPD decreased statistically significantly from 3.93 ± 1.09 mm to 3.04 ± 0.46 mm in the test (p = 0.0001) and from 3.68 ± 0.85 mm to 3.07 ± 0.58 mm in the control (p = 0.0001) group, respectively. No statistically significant difference (p = 0.53) was observed with respect to PPD changes from baseline to 6 months between test (0.88 ± 1.04 mm) and control group (0.61 ± 0.75 mm), respectively. The number of implants with bleeding on probing (BoP) decreased statistically significantly from 33 to 18 in the test group (p = 0.0001) and from 34 to 23 in the control group (p = 0.0001) after 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion and within the limits of the present study, changes in PPD from baseline to 6 months were not statistically significantly different between groups. Complete resolution of mucosal inflammation was not achieved with either of the therapies. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The present outcomes have showed that a complete resolution of peri-implant mucositis is not possible to obtain by means mechanical debridement with or without a sodium hypochlorite gel application.

PENG block and LIA as a possible anesthesia technique for total hip arthroplasty.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of the pericapsular nerve group block and local infiltration analgesia (LIA) combination as the only anesthesia technique for the total hip arthroplasty (THA). We considered the anesthetic plan, postoperative analgesia, hospital length of stay, functional recovery, bleeding, complications and the adverse events. We reported 10 ASA I-II patients admitted for elective primary THA, receiving LIA during (5) and at the end of surgery (5). For the PENG block we used a single injection of 40 ml levobupivacaine 0.25% and dexamethasone 4 mg. For LIA, a mixture of 0.25% levobupivacaine, ketorolac, epinephrine, and morphine was injected into periarticular tissues. The pain intensity was evaluated with a numeric rating scale. All patients were fully satisfied and improvement in pain relief, symptoms, and functional activity was remarkable. Intraoperative blood losses ranged 100-600 ml. No intraoperative complications or signs of toxicity occurred. The median duration of surgery was 59.5 ± 4.5 min and the hospital stay ranged between 2 and 3 days. PENG block and LIA could be hypothesized as an effective and safety anesthesia technique for the THA surgery, facilitating hip functional recovery and limit intraoperative blood losses and adverse events.

Effectiveness of a Piezoelectric-Assisted Distraction Osteogenesis Procedure for the Treatment of Ankylosed Permanent Front Teeth.

A common complication of tooth replantation after traumatic avulsion is tooth ankylosis causing dental malpositioning, partial loss of function, tipping of adjacent teeth and worsening of aesthetics. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of a repositioning procedure of such ankylosed permanent front teeth by a distraction osteogenesis procedure. Five patients (mean age 13.4 years), with an ankylosed permanent front tooth in the anterior area, were enrolled in the present study. After the pre-operatory orthodontic preparation, each selected site was treated with single-tooth dento-alveolar block osteotomy surgery performed with a piezoelectric surgery device with ultrasonic cuts on the buccal side. Subsequently, a custom distraction device, made by a resin splint and a sector expansion screw, was set in such a way it delivered a force with direction and sense towards the planned position of the tooth as well as the osteotomy's incision. After a latency period of 14 days, the distraction of the dento-alveolar block was started with a rate of distraction of 0.8 mm per day. The average shift obtained by the ankylosed teeth was 7.8 ±â€Š0.75 mm (±SD), and the ankylosed tooth was regularly positioned into the occlusion in 20.4 ±â€Š1.85 days (±SD), with a slight relapse (±0.5 mm) observed after 1 year. This study indicates that a therapeutic approach combining piezoelectric surgery and orthodontic therapy may be useful for the treatment of ankylosed permanent teeth in the frontal area with a long-term follow-up over 5 years.

Stage-specific therapeutic strategies of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaws: a systematic review and meta-analysis of the drug suspension protocol.

OBJECTIVE: The most debated topic about medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaws (MRONJ) is its therapy, as there are no definitive guidelines. The aims of this systematic review were (a) to outline the best therapeutic approach according to the stage at diagnosis and (b) to perform a meta-analysis to assess whether the drug-holiday protocol may be or not an effective method in the management of MRONJ patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The systematic review was performed following the PRISMA principles. Results were screened according to inclusion and exclusion criteria regarding staging before/after treatment, follow-up, and information provided by the authors. For statistical analysis, linear variables are reported as means and standard deviations, medians, and inter-quartile range (IQR); normality of data, according to the distribution of complete healing (primary outcome variable), was assessed with the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. A p value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant for all tests. RESULTS: Thirteen studies were selected out of 1480. None of them was case-controlled or randomized. Conservative approach showed good results at early stages, but heterogeneous result at advanced stages (100% stage 0, stage I range 81-97%, stage II range 63.6-100%, stage III 73%). Surgical approach showed heterogeneous results at all stages (stage I range 0-100%, stage II range 52-100%, stage III range 50-100%). Statistical analysis showed a significantly higher prevalence of completely healed sites in patients who followed the drug-holiday protocol. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that the current stage-specific approach for MRONJ therapy is based on a sound clinical rationale. Conservative treatment appears to yield better outcomes at early stages, while further investigations are needed to elucidate the best protocols for the management of advanced stages. The drug-holiday protocol statistically promotes complete healing after oral surgery procedures but the application should be dictated by the condition of each patient. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: At present, early MRONJ stages should be primarily treated by means of a conservative approach while more advanced stages must be carefully evaluated. Individual decisions should be made for every single case even with respect to the drug-holiday protocol.

Implant surface roughness alterations induced by different prophylactic procedures: an in vitro study.

AIM: To evaluate surface roughness alterations at the smooth neck of dental implants after the use of eight different prophylactic procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 50 tissue level implants (Institut Straumann AG, Basel, Switzerland) were used for the present investigation. The smooth collar of each implant was divided into two segments, each treated with one of eight cleaning procedures: use of a rubber cup (RCZ) or a brush (BZ) combined with an abrasive paste containing zirconium or a paste derived from perlite (RCP, BP); use of 2 composite resin burs reinforced by zirconium glass fibers (F1, F2); and use of an air-polishing system with glycine powder and two power settings (AP1, AP2). The qualitative alterations were recorded by means of a laser profilometer and the mean roughness (Ra ) and mean roughness profile depth (Rz ) were reported. Twenty untreated surfaces were used as controls. RESULTS: The implant collars treated with RCZ (Ra  = 0.33 µm, Rz  = 2.43 µm) or BZ (Ra  = 0.30 µm, Rz  = 3.70 µm) yielded the highest roughness values, followed by the surfaces treated with RCP (Ra  = 0.28 µm, Rz  = 2.02 µm), with BP (Ra  = 0.25 µm, Rz  = 2.16 µm) and by the use of F1 (Ra  = 0.27 µm, Rz  = 2.22 µm) and F2 (Ra  = 0.27 µm, Rz  = 2.04 µm). The lowest roughness values were observed in the AP1 (Ra  = 0.23 µm, Rz  = 1.60 µm) and AP2 (Ra  = 0.16 µm, Rz  = 1.06 µm) group, respectively. Implant collars treated with AP2 yielded statistically significantly lower (P = 0.01) Rz values compared with untreated surfaces. CONCLUSION: All tested procedures did not increase implant surface roughness significantly. Treatment with an air-powder abrasive system at high-pressure setting resulted in a smoothening of the implant collar surface.

Rehabilitation of Full-Mouth Edentulism: Immediate Loading of Implants Inserted With Computer-Guided Flapless Surgery Versus Conventional Dentures: A 5-Year Multicenter Retrospective Analysis and OHIP Questionnaire.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this report is to compare satisfaction of patients rehabilitated with full-mouth fixed prostheses using computer-aided flapless implant placement and immediate loading with patients rehabilitated with conventional removable prostheses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 30 consecutive fully edentulous patients who received 312 implants and 30 matched controls treated with conventional removable prostheses. Mandible and maxilla were treated in the same surgical session with computer-guided flapless approach using NobelGuide protocol. Prefabricated screw-retained fixed prostheses were inserted at the end of surgery. Clinical and radiographic evaluations were assessed at 6, 12, and 36 months. At baseline and 5 years after prostheses delivery, patients answered OHIP-EDENT questionnaire (Oral Health Impact Profile for Edentulous subjects) to assess satisfaction. RESULTS: The implant survival rate was 97.9%, whereas the average marginal bone loss was 1.9 ± 1.3 mm after 3 years. At 6 months, patients showed significantly greater satisfaction with their fixed rehabilitation as compared to conventional dentures. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study confirm that rehabilitation with a prefabricated fixed prosthesis supported by implants placed with NobelGuide protocol significantly increases the quality of life in fully edentulous patients when compared with complete dentures.

Biofilm removal from implants supported restoration using different instruments: a 6-month comparative multicenter clinical study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of different instruments on biofilm removal from implant supported restorations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was designed as comparative multicenter clinical study including patients proceeding from the Milan, Naples, and Buenos Aires, with a peri-implant mucositis. Implants enrolled for the study were allocated in 4 groups and treated with ultrasonic scalers with plastic tips, with titanium curettes, with airflow with glycine powder, and with rubber cup and polishing paste, respectively. mPI was assessed at baseline, immediately after therapy, at 1, 3, and 6 months. mBI, PD, and REC were assessed at baseline, 1, 3, and 6 months. All parameters were recorded on six sites per implant. Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests were used to compare groups and centers. A generalized linear model for repeated measures was chosen for inter-group comparison. An intra-group comparison was performed with repeated measure ANOVA test to assess differences between baseline and recalls. RESULTS: A total of 89 patients (39 males, 50 females) were enrolled in the study, and 141 implants were available for the analysis. 55 implants were enrolled in University of Buenos Aires, 32 in University of Milan, and 54 in University of Naples. There were no significant differences between the four groups in inflammatory status reduction of peri-implant mucosa. CONCLUSIONS: Non-surgical therapy is effective in reducing peri-implant mucositis. Sonic scaler with plastic tip and rubber cup with polishing paste showed higher efficacy when compared with titanium curettes or airflow with glycine powder.

Soft and hard tissues healing at immediate transmucosal implants placed into molar extraction sites with collagen membrane uncovered: a 12-month prospective study.

PURPOSE: To assess soft and hard tissues healing at immediate transmucosal implants placed into maxillary molar region with collagen membranes uncovered. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty subjects received 20 immediate transmucosal implants placed in maxillary molar extraction sockets. Periimplant marginal defects were treated according to the principles of guided bone regeneration by means of deproteinized bovine bone mineral particles in conjunction with collagen membrane. Flaps were repositioned and sutured, allowing nonsubmerged, transmucosal soft tissues healing. The collagen membranes adapted around implant neck were uncovered. RESULTS: No implants were lost during the 1-year observation period yielding a survival rate of 100%. No postsurgical wound healing complications were observed. No degranulation of grafting material was reported. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this 12-month prospective study showed that the exposure of collagen membrane at time of the flap suturing does not represent a limitation for the soft and hard tissues healing at immediate transmucosal implants placed into maxillary molar extraction sites.

Full-mouth rehabilitation with immediate loading of implants inserted with computer-guided flap-less surgery: a 3-year multicenter clinical evaluation with oral health impact profile.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this report is to present the clinical outcomes and patients' satisfaction of full-mouth rehabilitation using computer-aided flapless implant placement and immediate loading of a prefabricated prosthesis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 30 consecutive fully edentulous patients who received 312 implants. Mandible and maxilla were treated in the same surgical session with computer-guided flapless approach using the NobelGuide protocol. Prefabricated screw-retained fixed prostheses were inserted at the end of surgery. Clinical and radiographic evaluations were assessed at 6, 12, and 36 months. At baseline and 6 months after surgery, patients answered Oral Health Impact Profile in Edentulous Adults questionnaire to assess satisfaction. RESULTS: The implant survival rate was 97.9%, whereas the average marginal bone loss was 1.9 ± 1.3 mm after 3 years. At 6 months, patients showed significantly greater satisfaction with their fixed rehabilitation when compared with conventional dentures. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study confirm that rehabilitation with a prefabricated fixed prosthesis supported by implants placed with NobelGuide protocol is a viable and predictable treatment and increases patients' satisfaction and improves oral health-related quality of life.

Clinical and radiographic changes at implants supporting single-unit crowns (SCs) and fixed dental prostheses (FDPs) with one cantilever extension. A retrospective study.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the clinical and radiographic changes at implants in posterior maxillary and mandibular areas supporting single-unit crowns (SCs) and fixed dental prostheses (FDPs) with one mesial or distal cantilever extension after an observation period of at least 3 years. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Seventeen subjects with 19 implant-supported SCs and 21 subjects with 21 implant-supported FDPs fulfilled the inclusion criteria. All FDPs were supported by two implants and had a span of 3-4 units. All reconstructions were incorporated in the posterior maxilla or mandible. The mesial and distal radiographic marginal bone loss from baseline (i.e. delivery of the reconstruction) to the follow-up examination was averaged and compared between SCs supporting one cantilever extension with that of implants supporting FDPs adjacent to or distant from the cantilever extension. Changes in mean pocket probing depth (PPD) were calculated and compared between the three groups. RESULTS: The mean observation period was 78.2 ± 34.5 months for SCs supported by one implant and 67.8 ± 29.8 months for FDPs supported by two implants. No implant loss occurred, yielding a 100% survival rate. At baseline, the mean radiographic bone levels ± SD were 2.6 ± 0.3 mm for implants supporting SCs, 2.6 ± 0.3 mm for implants of FDPs adjacent to the cantilever extension, and 2.4 ± 0.5 mm for implants of FDPs distant from the cantilever extension. At follow-up, the corresponding mean bone levels ± SD were 2.7 ± 0.4, 2.7 ± 0.5, and 2.8 ± 0.5 mm, respectively. No statistically significant differences (P > 0.05) were observed comparing the mean marginal bone loss between the three groups. Moreover, mean changes in PPD between baseline and follow-up were not statistically significantly different (P > 0.05) between the three groups. CONCLUSION: The presence of one mesial or distal cantilever extension in the posterior maxilla or mandible does not jeopardize the marginal bone levels of implants supporting SCs or short-span FDPs after a mean observation period of at least 5 years.

Incidence and risk factors associated to Medication-Related Osteo Necrosis of the Jaw (MRONJ) in patients with osteoporosis after tooth extractions. A 12-months observational cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the 12-months incidence of MRONJ after tooth extractions and possible related risk factors in patients with osteoporosis treated by means of oral bisphosphonates. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty-five records of osteoporotic patients on therapy with oral bisphosphonates and treated with at least one dental extraction at the Department of Oral Surgery of University of Naples Federico II were selected. All patients were treated using a standardized surgical extraction protocol. At baseline and after 12-months follow-up, the following variables were recorded: "mucosal healing", "gender", "type of drug"; "duration of therapy"; "drug holiday". The collected data were analyzed and a linear regression analysis was performed to assess a possible correlation with onset MRONJ. RESULTS: A total of 159 tooth extraction in 43 females (95.6%) and in 2 males (4.4%) with a mean age of 67.5 ± 3 years were available for the analysis. The majority part of patients was on therapy with alendronate (23; 51.2%), 11 patients (24.4%) were treated with risedronate and 11 (24.4%) with ibandronate. Before oral surgery, 84% of the patients showed a low-medium risk of MRONJ, while in 16% of the patients a medium-high risk was recorded. After 12-months follow-up, osteonecrosis was observed in 1 patient, with an overall incidence of MRONJ of 0.6%. The linear regression showed a significant correlation with MRONJ onset only for "gender" variable, with a R2 of 0.489. CONCLUSIONS: Within their limitations, the outcomes of the study indicate that the risk of MRONJ after tooth extraction in osteoporotic patients taking bisphosphonates for OS is very low. A prolonged and specific antibiotic and antiseptic therapy, in addition to a surgical procedure as little traumatic as possible, will allow to perform oral surgery safely.

Influence of the Antithrombotic Therapy in the Healing of Simple Post-Extraction Sockets: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background: An adequate blood supply plays a leading role in the healing process of the post-extractive socket; its coagulation leads to fibrin clot formation, which acts as a physical barrier able to prevent postoperative bleeding and microbial infection. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of antiaggregant drugs in healing post-extraction sockets compared to natural wound healing. Methods: This was a single-center prospective clinical trial. Extraction sockets allocated in healthy patients and in patients assuming antiplatelet drugs were considered. Thirty consecutive patients under (treated with/in treatment with) oral antiplatelet treatment were enrolled in the test group. In order to provide a control group, 30 consecutive patients meeting all the exclusion and inclusion criteria were enrolled. The extraction of the mono-radicular tooth was atraumatically performed without gingivoplasty or osteotomy procedures that could influence the healing process. Photographs were obtained before and immediately after surgery and at 3-, 7-, 14- and 28-days follow-up. Results: All patients assumed the prescribed therapy and their post-operative recovery was uneventful without any kind of post-extractive complications. The results of inter-group comparison show that on the third and seventh days of follow-up, the antiplatelet group expressed a statistically significant higher level of healing compared to the control group (p < 0.05), while no statistically significant differences were recorded at 14- and 28-days follow-up. Conclusions: Patients treated with antiplatelet agents seemed to show that this therapy can positively affect the healing process after tooth extractions.