Consolidation of Tumorous Mandibular Ramus Defect During Denosumab Treatment for Rapidly Progressive Metastatic Breast Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Pharmacological inhibition of osteoclast activity is an essential component of oncological therapy for patients with bone metastases. In rare cases, medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaws (MRONJ) is observed. MRONJ can cause bone defects not inferior to primary or metastatic jaw neoplasms. Oral examination of patients on osteoclast-inhibiting medication aims to identify risk factors at an early stage and to initiate therapy. The current focus on osteoclast-inhibiting drugs in the maxillofacial region is MRONJ. Effects of the substances other than MRONJ are rarely reported. CASE REPORT: The female patient with metastatic breast cancer had developed extensive osteolysis of the mandibular ramus at the time of initial diagnosis. The patient was treated with denosumab. Seven months later, a significant reduction in the mandibular osteolytic zone was recorded. However, known bone metastases from other sites had increased in size during multimodal therapy, and further metastases were recorded. CONCLUSION: Jaw metastasis can shrink under denosumab therapy.

The Influence of an Ultrasonic Cleaning Protocol for CAD/CAM Abutment Surfaces on Cell Viability and Inflammatory Response In Vitro.

BACKGROUND/AIM: To evaluate the effect of an ultrasonic cleaning and disinfection method for CAD/CAM abutment surfaces on cell viability and inflammatory response in vitro. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Untreated and manually polished surfaces of CAD/CAM generated titanium and zirconia disks were randomly assigned, either to a 3-step ultrasonic cleaning and disinfection process (test: TiUF, TiPF, ZrUF, ZrPF) or to 30 sec steam cleaning (control: TiUS, TiPS, ZrUS, ZrPS). Pre-cleaning surface analyses using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and surface profilometry were performed. Human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) were cultured on test and control specimens and subsequently examined for cell viability and inflammatory response. Expression of acute inflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-6 and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) were assessed by means of RT-qPCR. RESULTS: Cells on all specimens exhibited a satisfactory viability, indicating firm attachment. Cells on polished zirconia samples, cleaned by means of sonication (ZrPF), exhibited significantly higher viability than cells on the same material cleaned by steam (ZrPS), p=0.019. For all other three material/ surface treatment combinations (TiU, TiP, ZrU), no such difference was observed between the cleaning methods. The messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) levels of IL-6 and VEGFA were between 50 and 105% of that of the control cells on the non-toxic control surface. mRNA levels of IL-6 and VEGFA correlated well with each other. CONCLUSION: Except for higher viability of cells cultured on polished zirconia specimens, no universally applicable advantage could be found for the ultrasonic cleaning procedure for zirconia and titanium abutment surfaces regarding cell viability, IL-6 expression or VEGFA expression. The cleaning procedures did not have any negative effect either.

Impact of different placement depths on the crestal bone level of immediate versus delayed placed platform-switched implants.

PURPOSE: The preservation of peri-implant bone is one requirement for long-term success of dental implants. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of subcrestal placement on the crestal bone level of immediate versus delayed placed implants after loading. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this retrospective study, data of 159 patients who received 330 implants was analyzed. Implants were placed subcrestally, crestally or supracrestally into fresh sockets or healed sites. Vertical bone level height was assessed radiographically and implants were followed up annually. The influence of patient and implant related risk factors for peri-implant bone loss was evaluated using a linear mixed model. RESULTS: Depth of implant placement was significantly correlated with peri-implant bone loss (P = 0.001, 95% CI). Least effective loss of crestal bone was determined when implants were placed between 1 mm and 1.99 mm subcrestally. Smoking significantly enhanced the risk of peri-implant bone loss (P = 0.04, 95% CI). Immediate implant placement was not positively correlated with peri-implant bone loss (P = 0.51, 95% CI). CONCLUSION: Within the limits of this study, implant placement 1.08 mm subcrestally may be recommendable in order to avoid supracrestal expositions of platform-switched titanium implants over time.