Dental implants at sites of focal high and mixed density osseous lesions: Treatment strategies.

FOCUSED CLINICAL QUESTION: Under what circumstances may a clinician consider dental implant placement at a site exhibiting a focal high or mixed density (HMD) osseous lesion radiologically? SUMMARY: Some conditions and pathologic entities exhibiting high and mixed density radiological appearance pose low risk for dental implant failure or complications following implant surgery. However, other lesions represent contraindications to implant placement, and implant surgery at such sites can result in severe morbidity. CONCLUSION: Potential implant sites exhibiting focal HMD osseous lesions/conditions present varying levels of risk. In most cases, optimal management will include advanced imaging of the site, multidisciplinary consultations, and detailed informed consent to assure full understanding of procedural risks, benefits, and complications. Currently, clinical recommendations rely on case reports, opinion, and usual practice (level 3 evidence). The strength of each recommendation provided in this report is categorized as level C.

Rational Prophylactic Antibiotic Selection for Sinus Elevation Surgery.

FOCUSED CLINICAL QUESTION: For a generally healthy patient with no risk indicators for postoperative infection, what is the most appropriate perioperative antibiotic regimen for sinus elevation surgery in terms of reducing postoperative infection risk and minimizing untoward effects? CLINICAL SCENARIO: A 38-year-old female patient in good general and periodontal health presents missing tooth #14 (Fig. ). She reports no systemic conditions, no history of sinusitis, and no allergies. Medications include acetaminophen and ibuprofen as needed for pain. The patient's dentition is minimally restored, with no active caries. Cone-beam computed tomography reveals a clear, pneumatized left maxillary sinus and inadequate bone volume to support dental implant placement (Fig. ). No septa or pathologic lesions are present, the ostium appears patent, and no thickening of the Schneiderian membrane is appreciable. The patient states that she wants to replace her missing molar without restoring adjacent teeth (Figs. and ). [Figure: see text] [Figure: see text] [Figure: see text] [Figure: see text].