Immediate loading of dental implants in edentulous mandibles using Locator attachments or Dolder bars: A 9-year prospective randomized clinical study.

AIM: To evaluate the long-term survival, incidence of prosthetic/technical and biological complications and the oral-health-related quality of life in patients with an edentulous mandible who were fitted with overdentures on two immediately loaded implants in the symphyseal area. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-six patients with edentulous mandibles received two immediately loaded implant-retained dentures with either two Locator attachments or egg-shaped bar attachments. Implant outcomes were recorded after a period of observation of 9 years and included prosthetic complications, modified gingiva index (mGI), modified plaque index (mPI), oral health impact profile (OHIP-G) and radiographic estimation of bone loss. RESULTS: In 2020/2021, 27 patients with 54 implants were still available for follow-up. In total, nine implants in six patients were lost. Survival was 89.1% in the bar group and 91.3% in the Locator group. Implant success was 84.6% in the Locator group and 76.9% in the bar group. The mPI values were significantly higher in the bar group than in the Locator group, whereas no difference was seen in the mGI values. During the observation period, 152 prosthetic complications occurred, but the OHIP-G score did not differ significantly. CONCLUSIONS: There was no difference in implant survival between Locator or joint bar attachments over a 9-year observation period. Joint bar attachments were associated with slightly more complications, while patients in the Locator group were able to maintain better oral hygiene. The study was registered in the German Register of Clinical (Trials DRKS00004245).

How Do Changes in Oral Health and Chewing Efficiency Affect the Changes of Oral-Health-Related Quality of Life of Nursing-Home Residents in the Short Term?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate how changes in oral health and chewing efficiency affect the changes in oral-health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of nursing-home residents over six months. METHODS: The study was conducted in nine nursing homes. Sociodemographic and general data were collected for all eligible individuals (n = 150). Of these, 114 participants (mean age 82.0 [± 9.5] years, 77.2% women) were available for the following tests at baseline and six months later: a comprehensive examination of dental and general health, a two-colour mixing-ability test (to assess chewing efficiency), the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI; to evaluate the OHRQoL), and the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE; to diagnose the presence and severity of dementia). Univariate and multivariate linear regression models were compiled to analyse possible factors affecting OHRQoL. RESULTS: For the final analysis, 108 participants were available. For the study cohort as a whole, a decrease in the number of functional occluding pairs (C: 0.195; p = 0.034) and an increase in dental-treatment needs (C: -1.968; p = 0.056) had the greatest negative effects on OHRQoL as expressed by the GOHAI score. For denture wearers, a deterioration of denture condition (C: -2.946; p = 0.003) was the most important predictor for a decline in OHRQoL. CONCLUSION: A short-term decline in oral health and function affects the OHRQoL of nursing-home residents. The most important dental variables in this regard are the number of functional occluding pairs and dental and denture-related treatment needs.

Tissue Retraction for Head and Neck Radiotherapy in Edentulous Patients.

Tissue retraction devices (TRDs) are used for head and neck radiotherapy to displace soft tissues and fixate the mandible. They can increase the accuracy of irradiation and reduce its side effects, such as oral mucositis. However, no method has been described for fabrication of TRDs in edentulous patients. In this case report, an edentulous 67-year-old patient undergoing radiotherapy of the tongue was provided with a TRD. The tongue was immobilized, ensuring irradiation consistency and the retraction of healthy oral tissues. Using 3D printing, an efficient workflow for fabrication of TRDs based on the patient's existing complete prostheses can be realized.

Minimization of Tooth Substance Removal in Normally Calcified Teeth Using Guided Endodontics: An In Vitro Pilot Study.

INTRODUCTION: This study evaluated the success rate of and tooth substance removal required for computer-guided preparation of endodontic access cavities. METHODS: Thirty acrylic typodont teeth with root canals (10 each of tooth numbers 11, 14, and 17) were randomly allocated to a study or control group (15 teeth per group). In the study group, teeth were fixed in acrylic resin and subsequently digitized using a laboratory scanner. A cone-beam computed tomographic scan was then taken. Access cavity preparations were planned virtually, and a template was 3-dimensionally printed. In the control group, access cavities were prepared using the conventional access technique. Tooth substance removal was assessed by weighing teeth before and after preparation. Volume loss was analyzed statistically by use of the Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test at a significance level of P < .05. RESULTS: Using guided endodontics, 93.3% of root canals were located successfully compared with 100% of root canals using the conventional technique. In the control group, the mean tooth substance removal was 16.1 ± 3.7 mm³ for incisors, 44.2 ± 8.9 mm³ for premolars, and 99.3 ± 3.1 mm³ for molars. In the study group, significantly less tooth substance was removed; substance loss was 10.3 ± 1.1 mm³ for incisors, 29.3 ± 4.2 mm³ for premolars, and 51.8 ± 5.3 mm³ for molars. CONCLUSIONS: The use of guided endodontics in normally calcified teeth enables the preservation of a significant amount of tooth substance. However, this advantage must be carefully balanced against a greater radiation burden and risk of perforation, higher costs, and more difficult debridement and visualization of the pulp chamber and root canals.

A 3D Morphometrical Evaluation of Brow Position After Standardized Botulinum Toxin A Treatment of the Forehead and Glabella.

BACKGROUND: Botulinum toxin treatment for forehead wrinkles has been extensively studied and found to be a safe and reproducible procedure. However, the effect on the position of the eyebrows, which relies on the dynamic positioning of the treated muscles, has received less attention and has not been studied with 3-dimensional (3D) technology. OBJECTIVES: The authors sought to evaluate the changes of eyebrow position after standardized botulinum toxin treatment of glabella or glabella and frontalis muscles with 3D imaging. METHODS: In a prospective study, 2 groups of adult females were treated with botulinum toxin A at the glabella only (G) or at the glabella and the frontalis muscle (F/G). The brow position was measured at 5 positions with 3D photography before injection and 2 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months after injection. Results were statistically analyzed and related to patient age. RESULTS: In the F/G group, the brow descended significantly almost across the whole brow length after 2 weeks. The descent lessened after 3 months and moved medially. No clear trend was evident in the G group. There was no significant change attributed to patient age in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Botulinum toxin treatment of the glabella and frontalis muscle impacts the position and configuration of the eyebrow. The degree of change is affected by the amount of frontalis weakening rather than by treatment of the glabella. While age in general is not a reliable predictor, individual factors play the major role in how pronounced a change of the brow can be expected.