Bacterial growth on titanium versus zirconia healing caps. An In vitro study.

Objectives To evaluate and compare bacterial growth on zirconia versus titanium healing caps. Material and methods S. sanguinis (Ss) and F. nucleatum (Fn) were grown on titanium and zirconia healing caps that were fixed to the cover of a 96-well microtiter plate. A drop (10 µL) of bacterial suspension was placed on each healing cap and allowed to dry for 1h at 37°C. After this time, the cover was replaced on the plate such that the caps were completely immersed in fresh liquid medium. Each plate contained only one bacterial strain, with 2 control groups. Bacterial growth was monitored over 18h by following the optical density at 650nm. A one-way ANOVA comparison test was used for statistical analysis. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images of healing caps of each material were taken after a 48h incubation with Ss or Fn to assess bacterial attachment and with no bacteria as control. Results Ss growth was similar in both types of healing cap with no significant differences between these groups and the control (P=0.990). However, there was significantly less growth of Fn on the zirconia caps than on the titanium samples (P<0.0001) or the control (P<0.0001). SEM imaging revealed obvious differences in the surface characteristics of the titanium and zirconia caps. The number of bacteria attached to the rough apical area was particularly high. Conclusions The use of zirconia healing caps may reduce the growth of some bacterial species compared to that seen on titanium healing caps.

The nature of malpractice claims related to nerve damage after dental implants insertion in Israel during 2005-2020: A descriptive study.

INTRODUCTION: Dental implant placement is a routine practice in dentistry, with a possible uncommon risk of neurosensory injury. The present study analyzed all dental implant claims involving sensory nerve disturbances between 2005 and 2020 in Israel. The study was conducted to understand implant risk management better and improve the patient's safety. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All legal claims registered by Medical Consultant International (MCI) involving nerve damage claims between 2005 and 2020 were included in the study. The data included demographic details such as age, sex, event date, claim delivery date, and treatment settings. Information on the nerve damage included the damaged nerve, side of injury, and the number of implants performed in the same surgery. RESULTS: There were 218 claims regarding nerve damage out of 1154 claims for dental implant therapy. The mean age for nerve damage claims was 54.1 ± 11 years. There were more female than male claims (p = 0.02), with 87% of cases concerning damage to the inferior alveolar nerve (p < 0.0001), out of those molar areas being more frequently involved in nerve damage (64.3%, p < 0.0001). The left side was 1.4 times more frequent than the right side (p = 0.043). The risk for nerve injury was 7.4 times higher when placing multiple implants compared to single dental implant (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians should be aware that placement of multiple implants, left-side implant placement, and patient gender may increase risk for a malpractice claim for neurosensory disturbances.

Thermal Changes at the One-Piece Implant Surface During the Setting of Two Autopolymerized Acrylic Resins.

PURPOSE: To compare the temperature changes during the setting process of two provisional crown materials, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)-based acrylic resin (Ac) and bis-acryl composite resin (Co), at the first thread surface of one-piece implants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-two 3.3-mm-diameter one-piece implants were divided into two groups according to the provisional restoration material. Implants were mounted on a Plexiglas apparatus. A K-type thermocouple was fixed at the most coronal thread. Baseline (Bl Temp) and maximal (Max Temp) temperatures of both groups were recorded during the curing process. Total heat flux (THF) at the implant surface and thermal amplitude (Temp-Amp) were calculated. Differences between groups were compared using a t test for unpaired observations. RESULTS: Upon curing, a statistically significant increase in the Max Temp from the Bl Temp was detected in both groups, with a greater increase in the Ac compared with the Co group. The Temp-Amp and the THF were two times greater in the Ac group than the Co group. CONCLUSION: Significant heat is produced during the polymerization of PMMA-based resin and bis-acryl composite resin provisional crowns in one-piece implants. To decrease the risk of thermal challenge at the implant cervical aspect associated with restoration of immediately loaded implants, bis-acryl composite resin should be used.

Correction to: Sinus augmentation analysis of the gradient of graft consolidation: a split-mouth histomorphometric study.

Figure 1 was reused with permission from "Wiley", the publisher of a previous article by the same authors, DOI:10.1111/cid.12518.