The peri-implant mucosa color: A systematic appraisal of methods for its assessment and clinical significance.

BACKGROUND: Peri-implant mucosa color (PMC) seems to be one of the main parameters affecting the esthetic outcome of implant therapy. However, more emphasis should be given to its assessment and reporting. PURPOSE: To describe the available evidence on methods to assess and report the color of the peri-implant mucosa (PMC) and the respective clinical relevance. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A comprehensive electronic and manual search was performed to identify clinical studies reporting on PMC. RESULTS: A total of 121 studies were included. PMC was evaluated at the time of the follow-up visit (chairside) in 45.5% studies. PMC assessment was performed qualitatively, by comparing PMC with adjacent and/or contralateral gingiva (78.6%) or quantitatively, using spectrophotometry (20.7%) or a software on clinical photographs (0.8%). The most performed method to assess PMC was through esthetic indices (76.9%), either at the time of the follow-up visit (chairside) or at later time point using photographs. Quantitative reporting of PMC included averages of points from esthetic indices or color differences to natural gingiva expressed with the CIELAB color system. PMC assessment allowed describing color discrepancies compared to natural gingiva, evaluating color changes over time, and comparing the outcomes of different treatment modalities. PMC assessment through spectrophotometry was additionally utilized to assess the role of mucosal thickness (MT) on PMC. CONCLUSIONS: Various methods for PMC assessment and reporting were described, including visual assessment, mainly through esthetic indices, and spectrophotometry. PMC evaluation has allowed to demonstrate the factors affecting the color of the peri-implant soft tissue, such as the type of abutment/restoration, MT, and soft tissue augmentation.

In vitro assessment of artifacts induced by titanium dental implants in cone beam computed tomography.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the geometric pattern and the intensity of artifacts around titanium implants in cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) using an in vitro model. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ten test models, each containing one 4.1-mm-diameter titanium implant, were cast from a human mandible using silicone impression material and dental stone. Each model contained an implant in one of the following single-tooth gaps: 37, 36, 34, 33, 31, 41, 43, 44, 46, and 47. For control purposes, three models without implants were produced. Each model was scanned five times using a CBCT scanner. Gray values (GV) were recorded at eight circumferential positions around the implants at 0.5 mm, 1 mm, and 2 mm from the implant surface (GVTest ). GV were measured in the corresponding volumes of interest (VOI) in the models without implants (GVControl ). Differences of gray values (ΔGV) between GVTest and GVControl were calculated as percentages. To detect differences between GVTest and GVControl , the 95% confidence interval (CI) was computed for the values of ΔGV. Repeated measures ANOVA was used for the comparison of ΔGV at 0.5 mm, 1 mm, and 2 mm from the implant surface. RESULTS: Artifacts reflected by altered GV were always present in the proximity of titanium implants, regardless of the implant position. When comparing GVTest and GVControl , increased GV were found at the buccal and lingual aspects of the implant sites, whereas regions with reduced GV were located along the long axis of the mandibular body of the test models. A significant decrease in artifact intensity was found with increasing distance from the buccal implant surface (ΔGV0.5 mm : 45 ± 10% [SD], ΔGV1 mm : 28 ± 14% [SD], ΔGV2 mm : 14 ± 7% [SD]) (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Artifacts around titanium implants in CBCT images were distributed according to a geometrical pattern.

Peri-implantitis prevalence and treatment in implant-oriented private practices: a cross-sectional postal and Internet survey.

This survey aimed to estimate the subjective prevalence of peri-implantitis and its management in the private with and without board certified specialization. For this purpose, a cross-sectional postal and internet survey of 521 dentists, representing all members of the Swiss Society of Oral Implantology (SGI) was conducted (year 2010). The questionnaire consisted of four sections assessing 1) general information regarding the practice setting and education, 2) general questions regarding implantation profile and 3) specific questions regarding the prevalence and experience with the management of peri-implantitis. In the fourth section, therapy options of three exemplary cases were assessed. The data were separately evaluated and compared for specialists (S) and n₋specialists (N-S). A total of 253 questionnaires could be included in the present study. The results revealed that specialists placed significantly more implants than non-specialists. The subjective prevalence of cases with peri₋implantitis was 5-6 and 7-9% after 5 and 10 years, respectively. The polled dentists perceived periodontitis (N-S: 72%; S: 80%), smoking (N-S: 71; S: 77%) and bad compliance (S: 53; N-S: 61%) as the most important risk factors for peri-implantitis. Chlorhexidine was the most frequently used antiseptic agent for disinfection. A surgical approach to treat peri-implantitis was reported by more than 80% of all dentists. Specialists used significantly more resective or regenerative approaches than non-specialists.

Assessment of the potential of growth factors for localized alveolar ridge augmentation: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: To systematically assess the literature regarding the clinical, histological, and radiographic outcome of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP-2, BMP-7), growth/differentiation factor-5 (GDF-5), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), and parathyroid hormone (PTH) for localized alveolar ridge augmentation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Five separate Medline searches were performed in duplicate for human and animal studies, respectively. The primary outcome of the included studies was bone regeneration of localized alveolar ridge defects or craniofacial defects. RESULTS: In six human studies, BMP-2 affected local bone augmentation with increasing volume for higher doses. A majority (43 of 45) of animal studies using BMP-2 showed a positive effect in favour of the growth factor (GF). In six of eight studies, a positive effect was associated with the use of BMP-7. Only one animal study was included for GDF-5 revealing statistically significantly higher bone volume. Regarding PDGF, statistically significantly higher bone volume was observed in five of 10 included studies. Four animal studies using PTH revealed statistically significantly more bone regeneration compared with controls. CONCLUSIONS: Differing levels and quantity of evidence were noted to be available for the GFs evaluated, revealing that BMP-2, BMP-7, GDF-5, PDGF, and PTH may stimulate local bone augmentation to various degrees. Human data for the potential of rhBMP-2 are supportive.