The Clinical Significance of Immediate Mandibular Lateral Translation: Critically Appraised Topic (CAT).

PURPOSE: The purpose of this Critically Appraised Topic was to investigate the possible clinical relevance of recording the immediate mandibular lateral translation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A literature search limited to Clinical trials, Randomized Controlled Trials, Systematic Reviews, Meta Analyses, and using the PICO headings revealed no citations. Using the key words dental, occlusion, immediate side shift, also received no citations. Expanding the search criteria to include Journal Articles revealed 17 citations. Using dental occlusion, Bennett movement, revealed 21 citations. RESULTS: The cited articles were reviewed for relevance and duplicates were eliminated. The resulting 10 English language in vivo studies pertinent to the question were included. Other articles were culled from the author's library and the reference list of the aforementioned articles. There is no evidence on the prevalence of IMLT in patients in need of occlusal rehabilitation. There is agreement that the recording of the IMLT is reference point and recording instrument dependent. There is agreement that IMLT is observable on some patients and is minimal in magnitude. There is no evidence of any adverse clinical events as a result of not including IMLT in a restorative occlusal scheme. CONCLUSIONS: It is justifiable to question the necessity of attempting both to record immediate mandibular lateral translation on the average patient and reproduce it on an articulator.

Precision attachments for the 21st century.

UNLABELLED: This paper outlines the evolution of precision attachment applications from partial denture retention to the implant-retained overdenture. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Understanding precision attachments in the osseointegration era is essential to obtain optimal treatment outcomes with the new therapeutic methods available.

Cement- and screw-retained implant-supported prostheses: up to 10 years of follow-up of a new design.

PURPOSE: This retrospective study investigated treatment outcomes over 10 years of a new prosthesis design in implant prosthodontics that uses a combined cement- and screw-retained principle. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The clinical data of 78 implant-supported prostheses were examined. Each prosthesis incorporated at least 1 screw-retained element and 1 or more cement-retained telescopic units. One hundred twenty-four screw-retained and 161 cement-retained abutments were employed. RESULTS: Of the 286 implants placed, 5 were lost prior to prosthetic loading and 4 (1.4%) were lost approximately 14 months after loading. Eight (2.8%) abutment screws were retightened and 1 gold prosthetic screw was replaced after 1,372 days following fracture. No accidental dislodgment of any prosthesis occurred. DISCUSSION: The introduction of a screw retainer into a series of cement retainers permitted the use of weak cement on the telescopic abutments. This facilitated removal when required while preventing accidental dislodgment. Improved equipment and the learning curve decreased the incidence of abutment screw loosening with time. CONCLUSION: The ease of retrievability, allied with the security of seating and excellent appearance, makes the combined screw- and cement-retained prosthesis valuable in implant prosthodontics.