Effect of LED photobiomodulation on dental implant osseointegration: An in vivo study.

Background: Photobiomodulation (PBM) may be prescribed after dental surgery to accelerate tissue healing and improve implant stability. The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficiency of LED-PBM on the dental implant osseointegration. Methods: A total of 48 implants (KontactTM) were inserted in 8 Yucatan minipigs (6 implants per minipig) divided into 2 groups (test and control). The test group received LED-PBM with a total energy of 124.2 J/cm2 delivered over 4 sessions (at day0, day+8, day+15 and day+28) lasting 12 minutes each. At day+28, all animals were sacrificed, and their mandibles removed to perform histologic and histomorphometric analysis. Implant osseointegration was evaluated using the computation of bone/implant contact (BIC) index and bone surface/total surface (BS/ TS) ratio. The groups were compared using Student's unpaired t test. Results: BIC index and BS/TS ratio were significantly higher within the test group as compared to the control group (P<0.01). Histologic observations on bone tissues demonstrated that LED-PBM may improve and accelerate dental implant osseointegration: 25% of dental implants analyzed within the test group were completely osseointegrated, versus 12.5% within the control group. Conclusion: This experimental study indicates that LED-PBM contributes to enhancing implant treatment outcomes.

Peri-implantitis risk factors: A prospective evaluation.

AIM: The aim of the present study was to create a tool to evaluate the risk of peri-implantitis according its severity. METHODS: After ethics committee approval, 43 patients provided signed consent and were included prospectively. Forty-five observations were recorded. The following criteria were recorded: number of implant faces showing bleeding and/or suppuration, pocket depth on at least two faces of the implant, bone loss as a function of the length of the implant evaluated on X-rays, number of implant faces with bacterial plaque, the parameters required for determination of excess cement (screwed or sealed prosthesis, burying of sealed prostheses), periodontal status, glycemia, and annual consumption of tobacco. Each of these parameters was plotted on a chart using Microsoft Excel. RESULTS: Seventeen of 45 (37.8%) cases were identified as having high peri-implantitis risk, two of 45 (4.4%) had low risk, and 11 of 45 (24.4%) had moderate risk; 33.3% patients did not have peri-implantitis and were considered at very low risk. CONCLUSION: The observed results applied to the evaluation model are an effective diagnostic tool in assessing the risk of peri-implantitis. The tool takes into account parameters, which have not been taken into account until now. The information is automatically processed and allows early management of peri-implantitis.

Peri-implantitis-associated methanogens: a preliminary report.

Methanogens have already been described in periodontitis but not in peri-implantitis. Thirty peri-implantitis samples and 28 control samples were collected in 28 consenting peri-implantitis patients. PCR-sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene was used as a broad-spectrum screening method and results were further confirmed by real-time quantitative PCR targeting the mcrA genes. Results showed a methanogen community dominated by Methanobrevibacter oralis in 31/58 (51%) samples including 16/28 (57%) control samples and 15/30 (50%) peri-implantitis samples. Methanobrevibacter massiliense was detected in 5/58 (8.6%) samples including 3/28 (1%) control samples and 2/30 (6.7%) peri-implantitis samples. The prevalence of M. oralis or M. massiliense did not significantly differ in peri-implantitis and control samples (exact Fisher test, P = 0.61 and P = 0.67, respectively). Further ponderation of the methanogen load by the real-time quantitative PCR for actin human gene again indicated non-significant difference (Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test, P = 0.48 and P = 0.40, respectively). These data show that the prevalence of methanogens does not differ in peri-implantitis lesions and healthy sites, when individuals are their own control. These data do not allow assigning a specific pathogenic role to methanogens in peri-implantitis; methanogens rather are part of the commensal and normal flora of the oral cavity.

A Numeric Analysis of Bone Density in the Edentulous Interforaminal Region.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the density of interforaminal bone using quantitative computed tomography (QCT) in simulated case histories to be prescribed an All-on-Five fixed implant treatment protocol. MATERIALS AND METHODS: QCT scans from 30 edentulous patients (15 men and 15 women; mean age 63.33 ± 9.3 years) were analyzed using the Nobel Clinician software. Densities (in Hounsfield units [HU]) were recorded at the neck, middle part of the body, and apex of the lingual and buccal parts of proposed implant sites. RESULTS: The highest bone densities were measured at the neck of the implant (1,187 ± 382 HU), with lower densities at the apex (774 ± 571 HU) (P < .01). Bone densities decreased on the lingual interforaminal portion of the implant, especially on the two intermediate implants. Bone density was lower in women (917 ± 510 HU) than in men (1,095 ± 601 HU) (P < .01). CONCLUSION: The interforaminal measured bone densities are lower on the paramedian region of the symphysis and in women. However, these levels are in accordance with immediate loading with a fixed partial denture.

Alveolar bone loss and ageing: possible association with coronary heart diseases and/or severe vascular diseases.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to utilise a new methodological approach based on radiographic examinations to demonstrate a potential association between coronary heart diseases (CHD) as well as severe hypertension and alveolar bone loss (ABL) in older adults. BACKGROUND: Many studies, primarily assessing clinical parameters, underline the association between periodontal diseases and cardiovascular diseases. The relationship between ABL and CHD/vascular diseases (VD) is potentially of high importance because of their prevalence in populations, and they represent an important issue in the fields of epidemiology and public health. Therefore, this topic was approached with new tools. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was comprised of 236 participants over 50 years. A clinical examination and a radiographic assessment of ABL were performed. Direct measures of alveolar bone level were recorded using CT scans, and different variables were studied (age, sex, Plaque index, cigarettes per day, coronary heart disease and vascular disease status). A medical examination report was attached to the investigation file. RESULTS: The results confirmed a positive association between CHD/VD and periodontal destruction; alveolar bone destruction represented a risk factor for CHD/VD [odds ratio (OR): 1.27; 95% CI: 1.01-1.60; p < 0.037]. CONCLUSION: This study supports an association between periodontal diseases and CHD/VD independent of known confounders, although an aetiological link of causality has not been established.