Group 2 ITI Consensus Report: Technological developments in implant prosthetics.

OBJECTIVES: Group-2 reviewed the scientific evidence in the field of «Technology¼. Focused research questions were: (1) additive versus subtractive manufacturing of implant restorations; (2) survival, complications, and esthetics comparing prefabricated versus customized abutments; and (3) survival of posterior implant-supported multi-unit fixed dental prostheses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Literature was systematically screened, and 67 publications could be critically reviewed following PRISMA guidelines, resulting in three systematic reviews. Consensus statements were presented to the plenary where after modification, those were accepted. RESULTS: Additively fabricated implant restorations of zirconia and polymers were investigated for marginal/internal adaptation and mechanical properties without clear results in favor of one technology or material. Titanium base abutments for screw-retained implant single crowns compared to customized abutments did not show significant differences concerning 1-year survival. PFM, veneered and monolithic zirconia implant-supported multi-unit posterior fixed dental prostheses demonstrated similar high 3-year survival rates, whereas veneered restorations exhibited the highest annual ceramic fracture and chipping rates. CONCLUSIONS: For interim tooth-colored implant single crowns both additive and subtractive manufacturing are viable techniques. The clinical performance of additively produced restorations remains to be investigated. Implant single crowns on titanium base abutments show similar clinical performance compared to other type of abutments; however, long-term clinical data from RCTs are needed. The abutment selection should be considered already during the planning phase. Digital planning facilitates 3D visualization of the prosthetic design including abutment selection. In the posterior area, monolithic zirconia is recommended as the material of choice for multi-unit implant restorations to reduce technical complications.

Dental care providers' decision making regarding maintenance of compromised teeth and implant therapy indication: an analysis of gender and enrollment in teaching positions.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate Brazilian dentists' decision making regarding periodontally involved teeth and implant therapy indications as well as possible modifying factors such as gender, enrollment in teaching positions, and area of specialization. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted among Brazilian dentists between June and November 2012. The questionnaire comprised 27 questions divided into four different sections: socio-demographic characteristics, questions about their clinical practice toward implant therapy, decision making in four clinical cases, and agreement with different statements regarding endodontic, periodontal, and implant therapy. RESULTS: A total of 155 dentists answered the questionnaire with an average age of 35.5 years. Fifty-one percent were male, and 44.5% were involved in teaching positions. One hundred and thirty-six (87.7%) respondents had already pursued a post-graduation program or were currently involved in one. 33.5% placed dental implants, 42% provided implant maintenance care to their patients, while 30% performed treatment of peri-implant diseases themselves. Dental faculty and dentists who had not followed any further training program, preferred the use of regenerative therapies more frequently. As opposed, dentists not involved in teaching positions, and periodontists were more prone to select resective therapies. CONCLUSION: Results suggest that dentists' decision making did not follow the latest external evidence, which might be related to factors as professional expertise and patients' preferences. Considering the difficulties faced by professionals when handling complex cases, there is an urgent need to establish international protocols and guidelines to help the clinician identify this particular treatment option, which corresponds with their internal evidence and is based on good external evidence.

Impact of adhesive surface and volume of luting resin on fracture resistance of root filled teeth.

AIM: To investigate the correlation between geometric parameters of severely compromised root filled (RCT) pre-molar teeth with irregular root canals and their fracture resistance. The null hypothesis tested was that the fracture resistance of root filled teeth is not influenced by: (i) the adhesive surface of the post-space preparation (A(PS) ), (ii) the coronal tooth surface (A(A) ), (iii) the amount of resin cement (V(C) ) and (iv) the Young's modulus of the specimens. METHODOLOGY: A total of 48 noncarious human pre-molar teeth with irregular root canals were decoronated, root filled and adhesively restored with post-retained direct composite crowns. After thermomechanical loading (1,200,000×, 5-50° C), static load was applied until failure. The geometric parameters of the tooth were evaluated by microcomputed tomography (µCT) using impressions taken after post-space preparation. Linear regression analyses were performed to correlate the geometric parameters of the specimens with their fracture resistance. RESULTS: The amount of resin cement (V(C) ) comprised up to 88% of the entire post-space (mean 67%) and had no impact on the maximal load (P = 0.88). The latter was significantly influenced by post-space preparation (P = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Amongst the geometric parameters tested, the surface area in the root canal had the greatest impact on fracture resistance of root filled pre-molars restored with posts and composite crowns, whilst the fit of the post was less important.

[Immediately loaded MonoType implants in the edentulous mandible]. / Sofort belastete MonoType-Implantate im zahnlosen Unterkiefer.

Results of immediately loaded implants are presented. 34 patients with 136 interforaminal MonoType implants (Straumann,Basel, Switzerland) were included in the study. The bar retention was manufactured fter the operation, inserted and covered with a hybrid prosthesis. 28 patients showed up for the follow-up study, the average time range was three years. Five implants were rated as failures, the cumulative six-year success rate being 94%. Interforaminal immediately loaded MonoType implants in edentulous patients showed very good results, comparable to similar studies with different systems.

Disruptive Innovation in Dentistry: What It Is and What Could Be Next.

Dentistry is a technically oriented profession, and the health care sector is significantly influenced by the ubiquitous trend of digitalization. Some of these digital developments have the potential to result in disruptive changes for dental practice, while others may turn out to be just a pipedream. This Discovery! essay focuses on innovations built on artificial intelligence (AI) as the center-technology influencing 1) dental eHealth data management, 2) clinical and technical health care applications, and 3) services and operations. AI systems enable personalized dental medicine workflows by analyzing all eHealth data gathered from an individual patient. Besides dental-specific data, this also includes genomic, proteomic, and metabolomic information and therefore facilitates optimized and personalized treatment strategies and risk management. Based on the power of AI, the triangular frame of "data"/"health care"/"service" is supplemented by technological advancements in the field of social media, Internet of things, augmented and virtual reality, rapid prototyping, and intraoral optical scanning as well as teledentistry. Innovation continues to be critical to tackle dental problems until its routine implementation based on sound scientific evidence. Novel technologies must be viewed critically in relation to the cost-benefit ratio and the ethical implications of a misleading diagnosis or treatment produced by AI algorithms. Highly sensitive eHealth data must be handled responsibly to enable the immense benefits of these technologies to be realized for society. The focus on patient-centered research and the development of personalized dental medicine have the potential to improve individual and public health, as well as clarify the interconnectivity of disease in a more cost-effective way.

Influence of Material and Surface Roughness of Resin Composite Cements on Fibroblast Behavior.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: A well-polished cement surface increases the viability and spreading of gingival fibroblasts. The tested resin composite cements did not reveal any cytotoxic effects. SUMMARY: Objective: This in vitro study aimed to investigate the effect of cement type and roughness on the viability and cell morphology of human gingival fibroblasts (HGF-1).Methods and Materials: Discs of three adhesive (Panavia V5 [PV5], Multilink Automix [MLA], RelyX Ultimate [RUL] and three self-adhesive (Panavia SA plus [PSA], SpeedCem plus [SCP], RelyX Unicem [RUN]) resin composite cements were prepared with three different roughnesses using silica paper grit P180, P400, or P2500. The cement specimens were characterized by surface roughness and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopic mapping. A viability assay was performed after 24 hours of incubation of HGF-1 cells on cement specimens. Cell morphology was examined with scanning electron microscopy.Results: The roughness of the specimens did not differ significantly among the different resin composite cements. Mean Ra values for the three surface treatments were 1.62 ± 0.34 µm for P180, 0.79 ± 0.20 µm for P400, and 0.17 ± 0.08 µm for P2500. HGF-1 viability was significantly influenced by the cement material and the specimens' roughness, with the highest viability for PSA ≥ RUN = MLA ≥ SCP = PV5 > RUL (p<0.05) and for P2500 = P400 > P180 (p<0.001). Cell morphology did not vary among the materials but was affected by the surface roughness.Conclusion: The composition of resin composite cements significantly affects the cell viability of HGF-1. Smooth resin composite cement surfaces with an Ra of 0.2-0.8 µm accelerate flat cell spreading and formation of filopodia.

Precision of maxillo-mandibular registration with intraoral scanners in vitro.

PURPOSE: To compare the precision of maxillo-mandibular registration and resulting full arch occlusion produced by three intraoral scanners in vitro. METHODS: Six dental models (groups A-F) were scanned five times with intraoral scanners (CEREC, TRIOS, PLANMECA), producing both full arch and two buccal maxillo-mandibular scans. Total surface area of contact points (defined as regions within 0.1mm and all mesh penetrations) was measured, and the distances between four pairs of key points were compared, each two in the posterior and anterior. RESULTS: Total surface area of contact points varied significantly among scanners across all groups. CEREC produced the smallest contact surface areas (5.7-25.3mm2), while PLANMECA tended to produce the largest areas in each group (22.2-60.2mm2). Precision of scanners, as measured by the 95% CI range, varied from 0.1-0.9mm for posterior key points. For anterior key points the 95% CI range was smaller, particularly when multiple posterior teeth were still present (0.04-0.42mm). With progressive loss of posterior units (groups D-F), differences in the anterior occlusion among scanners became significant in five out of six groups (D-F left canines and D, F right canines, p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Maxillo-mandibular registrations from three intraoral scanners created significantly different surface areas of occlusal contact. Posterior occlusions revealed lower precision for all scanners than anterior. CEREC tended towards incorrect posterior open bites, whilst TRIOS was most consistent in reproducing occluding units.

B-1a cells and plasma cells in periodontitis lesions.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Host response mechanisms in periodontal tissues are complex and involve numerous systems of interactions between cells. The B-cell lineage seems to predominate in chronic periodontitis lesions. The aim of the present investigation was to study the correlation between inflammatory cells and some functional markers in gingival lesions obtained from subjects with severe chronic periodontitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-eight Caucasian subjects volunteered to take part in the study. A gingival biopsy from one randomly selected diseased proximal site (probing pocket depth > 6 mm and bleeding on probing positive) was obtained from each patient. Immunohistochemical preparation was used to identify inflammatory cells and functional markers. Correlations between the different percentages of cell markers were analyzed by pairwise correlation. RESULTS: B cells (B-1a and B-2 cells) occurred in larger proportions than T cells and plasma cells. A statistically significant correlation was found between the percentage of B-1a cells and plasma cells and between all B lymphocytes and plasma cells. About 60% of B lymphocytes exhibited autoreactive features. CONCLUSION: It is suggested that B-1a cells constitute a significant part of the host response in periodontitis lesions and that plasma cells may develop from both B-2 and B-1a cells.

Influence of post fit and post length on fracture resistance.

AIM: To investigate (i) the impact of post fit (form-congruence) and (ii) the influence of post length on the fracture resistance of severely damaged root filled extracted teeth. METHODOLOGY: Ninety-six single-rooted human teeth were root filled and divided into four groups (n = 24 per group). Post spaces were prepared with a depth of 6 mm (group 1, 3) and 3 mm (group 2, 4). Form-congruence with a maximal fit of the post within the root canal space was obtained in groups 1 and 2, whereas there was no form-congruence in groups 3 and 4. In all groups, glass fibre reinforced composite (FRC) posts were adhesively cemented and direct composite crown build-ups were fabricated without a ferrule. After thermo-mechanical loading (1200000x, 5-50 degrees C), static load was applied until failure. Loads-to-failure [in N] were compared amongst the groups. RESULTS: Post fit did not have a significant influence on fracture resistance, irrespective of the post length. Both groups with post insertion depths of 6 mm resulted in significantly higher mean failure loads (group 1, 394 N; group 3, 408 N) than the groups with post space preparation of 3 mm (group 2, 275 N; group 4, 237 N). CONCLUSIONS: Within the limitations of this study, the fracture resistance of teeth restored with FRC posts and direct resin composite crowns without ferrules was not influenced by post fit within the root canal. These results imply that excessive post space preparation aimed at producing an optimal circumferential post fit is not required to improve fracture resistance of roots.

Endodontics or implants? A review of decisive criteria and guidelines for single tooth restorations and full arch reconstructions.

This review describes practical criteria and a systematic process to aid the treatment planning decision of whether to preserve teeth by root canal treatment (RCT) or extract and provide an implant. Recommendations presented are based on best available evidence from the literature and the expert views of specialists in endodontics and restorative dentistry, including dental implantology. A MEDLINE search was conducted using the terms 'root canal therapy', 'dental implants', 'decision making', 'treatment planning', 'outcome' and 'human', and supplemented by hand-searching. When evaluating the outcome of root canal treatment, an observation period of 4-5 years is required for complete healing of periapical lesions. Dental implants, however, present a de novo situation and a functional period of at least 5 years is often required before peri-implant diseases are established and detected. Good long-term success rates and greater flexibility in clinical management indicate that RCT or retreatment should be performed first in most instances unless the tooth is judged to be unrestorable. When deciding if a compromised tooth of questionable prognosis should be maintained or replaced by an implant, both local, site-specific and more general patient-related factors should be considered. Following systematic evaluation and consideration of the best treatment option in a particular case, a treatment recommendation may then be given in favour or against tooth retention. Whilst single risks are possibly accepted for single tooth restorations, teeth with questionable prognosis and multiple pre-treatment requirements are better not included as abutments in fixed dental prostheses to reduce the risk to survival of the entire restoration.

Augmented and virtual reality in dental medicine: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this systematic review was to provide an update on the contemporary knowledge and scientific development of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) in dental medicine, and to identify future research needs to accomplish its clinical translation. METHOD: A modified PICO-strategy was performed using an electronic (MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL) plus manual search up to 12/2018 exploring AR/VR in dentistry in the last 5 years. Inclusion criteria were limited to human studies focusing on the clinical application of AR/VR and associated field of interest in dental medicine. RESULTS: The systematic search identified 315 titles, whereas 87 abstracts and successively 32 full-texts were selected for review, resulting in 16 studies for final inclusion. AR/VR-technologies were predominantly used for educational motor skill training (n = 9 studies), clinical testing of maxillofacial surgical protocols (n = 5), investigation of human anatomy (n = 1), and the treatment of patients with dental phobia (n = 1). Due to the heterogeneity of the included studies, meta-analyses could not be performed. CONCLUSIONS: The overall number of includable studies was low; and scientifically proven recommendations for clinical protocols could not be given at this time. However, AR/VR-applications are of increasing interest and importance in dental under- and postgraduate education offering interactive learning concepts with 24/7-access and objective evaluation. In maxillofacial surgery, AR/VR-technology is a promising tool for complex procedures and can help to deliver predictable and safe therapy outcomes. Future research should focus on establishing technological standards with high data quality and developing approved applications for dental AR/VR-devices for clinical routine.

Patient assessment and diagnosis in implant treatment.

As in any dental treatment procedure, a thorough patient assessment is a prerequisite for adequate treatment planning including dental implants. The literature was searched for references to patient assessment in implant treatment up to September 2007 in Medline via PubMed and an additional handsearch was performed. Patient assessment included the following aspects: (1) evaluation of patient's history, his/her complaints, desires and preferences; (2) extra-and intra-oral examination with periodontal and restorative status of the remaining dentition; (3) obligatory prerequisites were a panoramic radiograph and periapical radiographs (at least from the adjacent teeth) for diagnosis and treatment planning. Additional tomographs are required depending on the anatomic situation and the complexity of the planned restoration; (4) study casts are needed especially in more complex situations also requiring a diagnostic set-up, which can be tried-in and transferred into a provisional restoration as well as into a radiographic and surgical template. The current review clearly revealed the necessity for a thorough, structured patient assessment. Following an evaluation, a recommendation is given for implant therapy or, if not indicated, conventional treatment alternatives can be presented.

Performance of Monolithic and Veneered Zirconia Crowns After Endodontic Treatment and Different Repair Strategies.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate failure loads of monolithic and veneered all-ceramic crowns after root canal treatment and to analyze marginal integrity of repair fillings. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Seventy-two human molars were restored with monolithic (Zr-All) or veneered (Zr-Ven) zirconia crowns. Molars were assigned to six groups (n=12 per group) depending on restoration material, access type (no access cavity [control] or endodontic treatment [test]), and type of filling (one-step [1-st] or two-step [2-st]). For type of filling, molars were treated using a self-etch universal adhesive and cavities were either filled with layered composite (1-st) or filled until the crown material was reached, which was additionally conditioned and then filled (2-st). Scanning electron microscopic analysis of the restoration margins was performed before and after thermomechanical loading (TML), and the percentage of continuous margins was assessed. Crowns were then loaded to failure. RESULTS: Preparation of the access cavity required more time in monolithic (445 s) than in veneered crowns (342 s). Loads to failure were higher in control groups (Zr-All: 5814 N; Zr-Ven: 2133 N) and higher in monolithic test (2985 N) than in veneered test crowns (889 N). In monolithic crowns, 1-st had lower fracture loads than 2-st fillings (2149 N vs 3821 N). Continuous margins of 66% to 71% were achieved, which deteriorated after TML by 39% to 40% in Zr-All, by 34% in Zr-Ven-1-st, and by 24% in Zr-Ven-2-st. CONCLUSIONS: Endodontic access and adhesive restorations resulted in reduced fracture load in monolithic and veneered zirconia crowns. Two-step fillings provided higher fracture loads in Zr-All and better marginal quality in Zr-Ven crowns.

A cost-effectiveness analysis of implant overdentures.

Placement of dental implants may improve the retention and stability of complete dentures in edentulous patients. Treatment costs, however, substantially increase with implant treatment. We therefore performed a stochastic cost-effectiveness analysis, comparing implant-supported over-denture prostheses (4 implants), implant-retained overdentures (2 implants), and complete dentures, from the patient's perspective in Switzerland, to assess whether implant treatment in the mandible represents value for money spent. Twenty patients were included in each treatment group and were followed up for three years. Health outcomes were expressed in Quality-adjusted Prosthesis Years, and dental health care costs and time costs were recorded in year 2000 Swiss Francs (CHF 100 = US dollars 61). The cost per Quality-adjusted Prosthesis Year gained for implant treatment was CHF 9100 (2 implants) and CHF 19,800 (4 implants) over 3 years. Over a ten-year period, these threshold ratios were reduced to CHF 3800 (2 implants) and CHF 7100 (4 implants) per Quality-adjusted Prosthesis Year gained.

Resorbable versus nonresorbable membranes in combination with Bio-Oss for guided bone regeneration.

The purpose of this clinical investigation was to compare the new resorbable collagen membrane, Bio-Gide, to the conventional expanded polytetrafluoroethylene material (Gore-Tex) for guided bone regeneration in situations involving exposed implant surfaces. Over a 2-year period, 25 split-mouth patients were treated randomly: one defect site was treated with Bio-Gide and the other defect site with Gore-Tex; all 84 defects were filled with Bio-Oss and covered with the respective membrane. The defect types, their dimensions, and their morphology were measured in detail initially and at re-entry to allow for calculation of the exposed implant surface. Changes in defect surface for both types of membranes were statistically significant (P < .0001); however, no statistical significance (P > .94) could be detected between the two membranes. The mean average percentage of bone fill was 92% for Bio-Gide and 78% for Gore-Tex sites. In the latter group, 44% wound dehiscences and/or premature membrane removal occurred. The resorbable membrane, Bio-Gide, in combination with a bone graft, can be a useful alternative to the well-established expanded polytetrafluoroethylene membranes.

Long-term results of implants treated with guided bone regeneration: a 5-year prospective study.

The aim of this prospective 5-year longitudinal study was to follow endosteal implants in which guided bone regeneration (GBR) was applied during implant placement. In 75 patients, defects around implants (Branemark System) were treated with Bio-Oss and Bio-Gide (112 implants). In split-mouth patients in this group, Bio-Oss and Gore-Tex were used in the second defect site (41 implants). All 75 patients had at least 1 implant that was entirely surrounded by bone and served as the control (112 implants). After placement of the definitive prostheses (single-tooth, fixed, or removable implant prostheses), patients were recalled after 6 months and then every 12 months during a 5-year observation period. The following variables were investigated: implant survival, marginal bone level (MBL), presence of plaque, peri-implant mucosal conditions, height of keratinized mucosa (KM), and marginal soft tissue level (MSTL). The cumulative implant survival rate after 5 years varied between 93% and 97% for implants treated with or without GBR. The mean MBL after 60 months was 1.83 mm for sites treated with Bio-Oss and Bio-Gide, 2.21 mm for sites treated with Bio-Oss and Gore-Tex, and 1.73 mm for the control sites. The MBL values were found to increase significantly with time and differed significantly among the treatment groups. During the observation period, KM varied between 3.16 and 3.02 mm. A slight recession of 0.1 mm was observed, and plaque was found in 15% of all sites and was associated with inflammatory symptoms of the peri-implant mucosa. It was observed that such symptoms and recession correlated more strongly with the type of restoration than with the type of treatment. This study demonstrated that implants placed with or without GBR techniques had similar survival rates after 5 years, but that bone resorption was more pronounced in sites with GBR treatment. It was assumed that the use of GBR is indeed indicated when the initial defect size is larger than 2 mm in the vertical dimension.

Bone and soft tissue integration to titanium implants with different surface topography: an experimental study in the dog.

The aim of the present experiment was to study the peri-implant soft and hard tissues formed at titanium implants with 2 different surface configurations and to give a topographic description of the surfaces examined. In 5 beagle dogs, the mandibular premolars were extracted. Three months later, 4 self-tapping standard implants (SI) and 4 Osseotite implants (OI) of the 3i Implant System were placed. The marginal 3 mm of the OI is turned, while the remaining part has an acid-etched surface structure. Abutments were connected after 3 months. A plaque control period was initiated, and after 6 months block biopsies were obtained. From each animal 2 units of each implant type were processed and embedded in EPON. The remaining biopsies were processed for ground sectioning. The histometric measurements performed on the EPON sections revealed that the peri-implant soft tissues and the marginal level of bone-to-implant contact were similar for SI and OI sites. In the ground sections, bone-to-implant contact (BIC%) and bone density assessments were made in 2 different zones. Zone I represented the contact area measured from the marginal level of bone-to-implant contact (B) to a position 4 mm above the apex of the implant, and zone II represented the apical 4 mm of the implant. For the SI sites, the BIC% was 56.1% in zone II and 58.1% in zones I + II. The corresponding figures for the 01 sites were 76.7% and 72.0%. The BIC% was significantly larger at OI than at SI sites. Bone density values were similar at the SI and OI sites.

Sinus elevation procedures in the resorbed posterior maxilla. Comparison of the crestal and lateral approaches.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to compare three different methods for sinus elevation: (1) the lateral antrostomy as a two-step procedure, (2) the lateral antrostomy as a one-step procedure, and (3) the osteotome technique with a crestal approach. Indication criteria were defined, based on the residual bone height measured from computed tomography scans, for the sake of applying the appropriate technique. STUDY: In 30 patients designated for implant treatment in the resorbed posterior maxilla, 79 implants were placed in combination with a bone-grafting material for sinus augmentation. The final bone heights were measured from panoramic radiographs or post-operative computed tomography scans. RESULTS: The success rate for the osteotome technique was 95% during the 30-month study period; no failures occurred in any site treated with a lateral antrostomy. The gain in bone height was comparable for the one-step (median = 10 mm) and two-step (median = 12.7 mm) lateral antrostomies. These sites exhibited a significantly greater increase in bone height (p < 0.001) than did the sites in which the osteotome technique was applied (mean = 3.5 mm). The histologic sections showed both bone apposition in intimate contact with the bone-grafting material particles and initial signs of its remodeling. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that the osteotome technique can be recommended when more than 6 mm of residual bone height is present and an increase of about 3 to 4 mm is expected. In cases of more advanced resorption a one-step or two-step lateral antrostomy has to be performed.

Alveolar ridge augmentation with Bio-Oss: a histologic study in humans.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the healing of alveolar ridge defects augmented with cancellous bovine bone mineral. In six partially edentulous patients, bone augmentation was necessary prior to implant placement because of severe alveolar ridge resorption. The defect sites, all located in the maxilla, were filled with Bio-Oss and covered with the resorbable collagen membrane Bio-Gide. Biopsies were obtained from the defect sites 6 to 7 months following grafting and were processed for ground sectioning. The histologic analysis revealed that the Bio-Oss particles occupied 31% of the total biopsy area. An intimate contact between woven bone and Bio-Oss was detected along 37% of the particle surfaces. A mixed type of bone was found; it contained woven bone and parallel-fibered bone, which demonstrates features of remodeling activity. Signs of resorption of the grafting material were observed in the histologic sections, which indicates that the material takes part in the remodeling process. It is suggested that Bio-Oss may be a very suitable material for staged localized ridge augmentation in humans.

[The Procera Allceram all-ceramic system. The clinical and technical laboratory aspects in the use of a new all-ceramic system]. / Das Vollkeramiksystem Procera AllCeram. Klinische und labortechnische Aspekte bei der Anwendung eines neuen vollkeramischen Systems.

The aim of this article was to present the CAD/CAM-assisted Procera system as a new all-ceramic full-coverage crown system. New technologies need to be evaluated technically and clinically to be able to fulfill the requests for aesthetics, physical strength and biocompatibility when restoring the anterior and posterior region. The Procera AllCeram system offers the opportunity to fabricate densely sintered, high-purity, tooth-colored copings. Mechanical properties of the Procera alumina coping, indications and contraindications and additional applications are discussed. The clinical and technical procedures and any specific limitations and peculiarities are summarized and documented with clinical cases in a step-by-step illustration.