Retrospective multicenter evaluation of tapered implant with a sandblasted and acid-etched surface at 1 to 4 years of function.

PURPOSE: The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the cumulative survival rate of tapered implant with a sandblasted and acid-etched surface placed in edentulous patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was performed by evaluating MIS seven implants consecutively placed from December 2004 to January 2008. Patient records were reviewed to determine gender, age at implant placement, implant location, prosthesis type, marginal bone loss according to treatment procedure, number of implants, and number of failed implants. The survival rate of the implants was analyzed, and radiographic evaluation was performed. RESULTS: A total of 294 implants were placed in 92 patients at the 3 centers. The observation period after implantation ranged from 22 to 59 months, with a mean of 38 months. The cumulative survival rate of MIS seven implants was 97.3%. After 1 year of functional loading, the mean marginal bone loss was 0.33 mm. CONCLUSION: This retrospective, multicenter study demonstrates that this dental implant system gives clinically reliable results.

Piezoelectric vertical bone augmentation using the sandwich technique in an atrophic mandible and histomorphometric analysis of mineral allografts: a case report series.

The aim of this report is to investigate the efficacy of the sandwich technique for vertical bone augmentation in the atrophic posterior mandible of three patients through clinical and histologic studies. A complete osteotomy was conducted using a piezoelectric device to create segmented bone in the atrophic edentulous area and the segmented bone was elevated 6 mm vertically. Interpositional mineral allograft materials were inserted in the space between the basal bone and the segmented bone. After a mean 5-month healing period, bone biopsies were taken in the grafted areas and implants were placed. Six millimeters of vertical bone gain was achieved in all patients by using the sandwich technique. Histomorphometric analysis of the biopsy specimens showed favorable new bone formation without inflammation.

Supporting Aging-in-Place Well: Findings From a Cluster Analysis of the Reasons for Aging-in-Place and Perceptions of Well-Being.

Prior research on gerontology and housing has frequently adopted a perspective that aging-in-place is the "goal." Despite these meaningful results and policy implications, opportunities to explore consequences of aging-in-place, such as the association of this with overall well-being, have been overlooked. This study aims to fill this gap by investigating perceptions of well-being that could act as a driver or result of aging-in-place. With a nationwide random sample of non-Hispanic White, older individuals (60+), living in their homes (N = 328), three segments of senior residents based on their reasons for aging-in-place were identified. Results reinforce the importance of community-based integrative programs and policies by indicating that the three identified clusters were not homogeneous; however, inclusive community-based supports and services can provide what each cluster needs to successfully age-in-place. Discussion provides a perspective on how to support successful aging-in-place, including the role of the federal government in funding and legislation.

The Concept of Aging in Place as Intention.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to frame the aging in place (AIP) concept within an extended theory of planned behavior (TPB) model incorporating environmental domains. The proposed model depicts the direct and indirect effects of environmental domains on AIP intention. The environmental domains related to meanings of home embrace personal, built, and interpersonal environments. As partial mediators between the environmental domains and AIP intention, TPB components (attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control toward AIP) were included to the model. METHODS: The study sample comprised older adults aged 60 and older living in their own homes in the United States. Participants (N = 650) were obtained through an online survey with a nationwide sample. Path analyses were used to test hypothesized relationships within the proposed model. RESULTS: The results confirmed the significant mediating role of the TPB components between the path from personal, built, and interpersonal environments to AIP intention. Except for one built environmental construct (housing satisfaction), personal and interpersonal environmental constructs were found to indirectly affect AIP intention. One of the interpersonal environmental constructs, social connectedness, was revealed as the strongest factor in this relationship. IMPLICATIONS: One major implication was drawn from the role of social connectedness and neighborhood satisfaction toward AIP intention. These factors operate beyond an individual level and are closely interrelated. Because social connectedness can be promoted or discouraged by community-level physical or social interventions, the findings of this study confirm the critical role of community-level planning and programs to support healthy aging among older adults.

New bone formation in the maxillary sinus without bone grafts.

PURPOSE: Various sinus augmentation procedures, using bone substitutes, have been used to place dental implants in the atrophic posterior maxilla. The aim of this article is to evaluate the possibility of new bone formation in the maxillary sinus without a bone graft. MATERIALS: Ten patients without significant sinus pathosis were selected for this study. The bony window was prepared in the lateral wall using the ultrasonic piezoelectric bone surgery device (Surgybone, Silfradent srl, Sofia, Italy). The sinus membrane was elevated superiorly and implants were placed simultaneously to maintain the space under the sinus membrane for new bone formation. As the methods of sealing the lateral access window of the sinus, patients were divided into 2 groups. Nonresorbable membrane was used to seal the lateral access window of the maxillary sinus after implant placement in 5 cases (group A). Replaceable bony window was used to seal the lateral wall of the sinus in another 5 cases (group B). Computed tomograms were taken immediately before and after surgery, at the uncovering of the implant, and after a 6 month healing period. A bone biopsy was taken on the previous bony window area to evaluate new bone formation. RESULTS: A total of 21 implants in lengths of 10 to 15 mm (mean, 13 mm) were placed, with an average residual bone height of 5 mm (range, 1-9 mm). All implants remained stable during the study period in clinical evaluations. New bone formation and new sinus floors were found in radiographic and histologic evaluations. CONCLUSIONS: The human study showed the capacity of new bone formation in the maxillary sinus with membrane elevation only and simultaneous implant placement beyond the original sinus floor. New bone formation without additional bone graft in the maxillary sinus is revealed from the clinical, radiographic, and histologic results, but furthermore long-term studies are needed to confirm this.

Piezoelectric osteotomy for intraoral harvesting of bone blocks.

Grafting with intraoral bone blocks is a good way to reconstruct severe horizontal and vertical bone resorption in future implant sites. The Piezosurgery System (Mectron) creates an effective osteotomy with minimal or no trauma to soft tissue, in contrast to conventional surgical burs or saws. In addition, piezoelectric surgery produces less vibration and noise because it uses microvibration, in contrast to the macrovibration and extreme noise that occur with a surgical saw or bur. Microvibration and reduced noise minimize a patient's psychologic stress and fear during osteotomy under local anesthesia. The purpose of this article is to describe the harvesting of intraoral bone blocks using the piezoelectric surgery device.

Housing Satisfaction of Older (55+) Single-Person Householders in U.S. Rural Communities.

This study aims to understand the housing satisfaction of older (55+) single-person householders in U.S. rural communities using the available variables from a secondary data set, the 2011 American Housing Survey (AHS). In this study, housing satisfaction was considered to be an indicator of quality of life. Based on previous studies, we developed a model to test a hypothesized relationship between older (55+) single-person householders' (N = 1,017) housing satisfaction and their personal, physical, financial, and environmental characteristics. Multiple regression results showed that the model was supported, indicating that significant variables in housing satisfaction include age, gender, health status, age of house, structure type, and unit location. Among the significant variables, health status was revealed to be the strongest factor in housing satisfaction. Housing satisfaction was discussed as potential indicators of quality of life.

Piezoelectric distraction osteogenesis in the atrophic maxillary anterior area: a case report.

The reconstruction of a maxillary anterior dentoalveolar defect in patients with trauma has been a challenge for surgeons. Extensive loss of bone and teeth in the anterior maxilla presents a complex problem for reconstruction. This is owing to the difficulty in achieving complete closure using overlying soft tissue. Tension-free sutures cannot be used after a large bone graft because the overlying soft tissue on severe bone defects of the anterior maxilla is often deficient and is attached to the underlying atrophic bone by scarring. Distraction osteogenesis provides a method to regain both hard tissue and soft tissue without any grafting. We describe a patient who had severe maxillary anterior bony defects that were restored by means of piezoelectric distraction osteogenesis, followed by dental implant placement. Clinical, radiological, and histological results showed that the reconstruction was successful.

Immediate loading with mini dental implants in the fully edentulous mandible.

The use of immediate loaded prostheses is not recommended for at least 2 weeks to prevent implants from premature loading. In addition, immediate removable prostheses are negated for at least 4 weeks at the site of guided bone regeneration or bone graft. However, patients are often not pleased with limited diets and the unaesthetic appearance during the healing period without a denture between implant placement and final prosthesis. Mini dental implants provide stable and esthetic temporary prostheses immediately after implant placement and bone grafts. The use of mini dental implants is simple and cost effective because the patient's old denture is used as a provisional prosthesis. This article shows the success of 27 mini dental implants that were placed for 11 mandibular fully edentulous patients.