Avoiding implant-related complications in medically compromised patients with or without unhealthy lifestyle/Elevated oxidative stress.

Increased human life expectancy broadens the alternatives for missing teeth and played a role in the widespread use of dental implants and related augmentation procedures for the aging population. Though, many of these patients may have one or more diseases. These systemic conditions may directly lead to surgical complications, compromise implant/bone healing, or influence long-term peri-implant health and its response to biologic nuisances. Offering patients credible expectations regarding intra- and postoperative complications and therapeutic prognosis is an ethical and legal obligation. Clear identification of potential types of adverse effects, complications, or errors is important for decision-making processes as they may be related to different local, systemic, and technical aspects. Therefore, the present review structures the underlying biological mechanisms, clinical evidence, and clinical recommendations for the most common systemic risk factors for implant-related complications.

A Retrospective Multicenter Study on Short Implants With a Laser-Microgrooved Collar (≤7.5 mm) in Posterior Edentulous Areas: Radiographic and Clinical Results up to 3 to 5 Years.

PURPOSE: We aimed to retrospectively evaluate the radiographic and clinical results and the success rate of short implants with a laser-microgrooved collar (≤7.5 mm) placed in the posterior areas after up to 3 to 5 years of function and the possible influence of several variables-such as gender, periodontitis, smoking habit, location, implant stability at placement, and prosthetic fixation design-on implant marginal bone loss (MBL). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A chart review was used for this multicenter study, which involved 5 private dental clinics. All patients had been treated with short dental implants with a laser-microgrooved collar from January 2012 to December 2015. RESULTS: A total of 174 patients (99 male and 75 female patients; mean age, 51.6 ± 2.8 years) with 254 implants were evaluated. Seven short implants failed. The cumulative success rate was 97.2%, without a statistically significant difference between implants placed in the posterior maxilla and mandible. The mean MBL was 0.18 ± 0.7 mm at the mesial aspect and 0.19 ± 0.6 mm at the distal aspect. No statistical relationships were found between MBL and gender, periodontitis, smoking habit, location, implant stability at placement, and prosthetic fixation design. CONCLUSIONS: At the end of the 3- to 5-year follow-up period, short implants with a laser-microgrooved collar (≤7.5 mm) in the posterior areas yielded a relatively high cumulative success rate. The laser-microgrooved collar implant maintained stable marginal bone levels. No investigated variable was statistically associated with MBL.

Factors Influencing the Soft Tissue Changes Around Single Laser Microtextured Implants-Abutments in the Anterior Maxilla: A 5-Year Retrospective Study.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible factors that influenced the periimplant soft tissue changes around single implants-abutments with laser-microtextured surface (LMS) in the esthetic zone. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-nine units, formed by implant-abutment with LMS were studied. Variables possibly associated with the periimplant soft tissue changes were obtained from clinical measurements (plaque [present/absent], periimplant biotype [thin/thick], and probing depth); intrasurgical measurements (vertical height in millimeters of the keratinized gingiva in the vestibular part of the implant site vestibular keratinized gingiva [VKG], implant vestibular crestal exposition, vestibular crestal level, and vestibular bone width); cast models (implant position [buccal/palatal], implant abutments angle); periapical radiographs (distance from the contact point to the interproximal bone crest of the adjacent tooth [CP-BC], distance from the contact point to the implant platform [CP-P], distance from the contact point to the first bone to implant contact [CP-IB]); and digital clinical photographs. Fisher exact test was used to determine the influence of each factor on the papilla level and on the facial marginal mucosal level. RESULTS: The papillae level at the implant sites was significantly associated with the distance from the contact point to the alveolar bone crest, whereas no association was found with other variables. Periimplant biotype, differences in the VKG, CP-BC, and CP-IB were found associated with the different facial marginal mucosal level groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that the papilla level at single-tooth implants-abutments with LMS in the anterior maxilla was mainly influenced by the interproximal bone crest level of the adjacent tooth, whereas the marginal mucosal level was affected by periimplant biotype, facial bone crest level, and crestal implant exposition.

Maxillary sinus opacification after surgery in asymptomatic patients: Transient swelling of the sinus mucosa or graft dispersion into the maxillary sinus. A radiographic report of three cases after a follow-up period of at least 5 years.

Maxillary sinus grafting is a predictable regenerative technique to facilitate maxillary posterior implant placement when there is insufficient vertical bone height inferior to the maxillary sinuses to allow placement of implants of adequate dimensions. It enables an increase in vertical bone height, which makes implant placement easier. Maxillary sinus mucosal membrane perforation is one of the most common intraoperative complications during maxillary sinus grafting and may result in extrusion of graft material into the sinus. When this occurs, the mucociliary function of the maxillary sinus may expel the extruded graft material through its natural ostium, though graft particles may remain in the sinus or possibly occlude the natural ostium. After grafting, transient maxillary sinus mucosal oedema may occur. A postoperative CBCT scan may reveal varying degrees of sinus opacification, namely partial, subtotal or total. Although it is always possible to identify graft material, which may enter the sinus as a result of membrane perforation that might not even be visible to the implantologist during the surgical procedure, it is challenging to assess whether sinus opacification is due to mucosal thickening or mucus accumulation. The aim of the present case series was to offer a pragmatic approach to managing asymptomatic patients whose CBCT scans demonstrated partial, subtotal or total maxillary sinus opacification with bone graft particles that seemed to have been extruded into the sinus.

Mucosal cyst aspiration in conjunction with maxillary sinus elevation: A clinical cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with mucosal cysts in the maxillary sinus require special consideration in patients who require implant therapy for the restoration when undergoing implant therapy for the restoration of the posterior maxillary dentition. Treatment strategies for these clinical situations remain controversial in the literature. Thus, this study seeks to describe a safe and effective therapeutic strategy for sinus augmentation in patients with pre-existing maxillary antral cysts. METHODS: A total of 15 patients and 18 sinuses were consecutively enrolled in this cohort study and underwent maxillary antral cyst treatment by needle aspiration and simultaneous maxillary sinus augmentation (MSA). During surgical procedures, threeimplants (Zimmer Biomet, Indiana, USA) were positioned in 11 sinuses and two implants (Zimmer Biomet, Indiana, USA) were positioned in 5 sinuses. RESULTS: Overall implant success and survival rates were 100% and 97.8%, respectively at 1 year and 5-year follow-ups. Crestal bone resorption averaged 0.3 ± 0.2 mm 5-year post-loading, showing bone stability. Implant survival rate at 5-year follow-up expressed predictability of the technique comparable to historical data when MSA was performed alone. Crestal bone resorption averaged 0.3 ± 0.2 mm 5 years post-loading and shows bone stability utilizing mucosal cyst aspiration with concomitant MSA procedures. Quality of life evaluation at 1-week post-op showed similar results to published historical data. In 81% (13 sinuses), the CBCT examination at 5-year follow-up showed no cyst reformation, in 19% (3 sinuses) cyst reformation was visible, but smaller in size when compared to the pre-op CBCT evaluation, and all the patients were asymptomatic. CONCLUSIONS: Maxillary sinus mucosal cyst aspiration with concomitant MSA, may be a viable option to treat maxillary sinus cyst.

Indications for implant-supported rehabilitation of the posterior atrophic maxilla: A multidisciplinary consensus among experts in the field utilising the modified Delphi method.

PURPOSE: To establish consensus-driven guidelines that could support the clinical decision-making process for implant-supported rehabilitation of the posterior atrophic maxilla and ultimately improve long-term treatment outcomes and patient satisfaction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 33 participants were enrolled (18 active members of the Italian Academy of Osseointegration and 15 international experts). Based on the available evidence, the development group discussed and proposed an initial list of 20 statements, which were later evalu-ated by all participants. After the forms were completed, the responses were sent for blinded ana-lysis. In most cases, when a consensus was not reached, the statements were rephrased and sent to the participants for another round of evaluation. Three rounds were planned. RESULTS: After the first round of voting, participants came close to reaching a consensus on six statements, but no consensus was achieved for the other fourteen. Following this, nineteen statements were rephrased and sent to participants again for the second round of voting, after which a consensus was reached for six statements and almost reached for three statements, but no consensus was achieved for the other ten. All 13 statements upon which no consensus was reached were rephrased and included in the third round. After this round, a consensus was achieved for an additional nine statements and almost achieved for three statements, but no consensus was reached for the remaining statement. CONCLUSION: This Delphi consensus highlights the importance of accurate preoperative planning, taking into consideration the maxillomandibular relationship to meet the functional and aesthetic requirements of the final restoration. Emphasis is placed on the role played by the sinus bony walls and floor in providing essential elements for bone formation, and on evaluation of bucco-palatal sinus width for choosing between lateral and transcrestal sinus floor elevation. Tilted and trans-sinus implants are considered viable options, whereas caution is advised when placing pterygoid implants. Zygomatic implants are seen as a potential option in specific cases, such as for completely edentulous elderly or oncological patients, for whom conventional alternatives are unsuitable.

Radiographic protrusion of dental implants in the maxillary sinus and nasal fossae: A multidisciplinary consensus utilising the modified Delphi method.

The aim of the present study was to generate an international and multidisciplinary consensus on the clinical management of implant protrusion into the maxillary sinuses and nasal fossae. A total of 31 experts participated, 23 of whom were experts in implantology (periodontologists, maxillofacial surgeons and implantologists), 6 were otolaryngologists and 2 were radiologists. All the participants were informed of the current scientific knowledge on the topic based on a systematic search of the literature. A list of statements was created and divided into three surveys: one for all participants, one for implant providers and radiologists and one for otolaryngologists and radiologists. A consensus was reached on 15 out of 17 statements. According to the participants, osseointegrated implants protruding radiographically into the maxillary sinus or nasal fossae require as much monitoring and maintenance as implants fully covered by bone. In the event of symptoms of sinusitis, collaboration between implant providers and otolaryngologists is required. Implant removal should be considered only after pharmacological and surgical management of sinusitis have failed.

Comparative Results of Single Implants With and Without Laser-Microgrooved Collar Placed and Loaded with Different Protocols: A Long-Term (7 to 10 years) Retrospective Multicenter Study.

PURPOSE: This nonrandomized, retrospective multicenter study aimed to evaluate success rates, peri-implant marginal bone loss, and clinical parameters around single implants with and without laser-microgrooved collars placed and loaded using different protocols after 7 to 10 years of function. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A chart review was used to select patients treated at five private dental clinics with single dental implants with and without laser-microgrooved collars. Cumulative success rates, peri-implant marginal bone loss, probing depth, Plaque Index, bleeding on probing, and gingival recession were recorded at baseline examinations (ie, definitive restoration delivery) and at each year during the follow-up period. RESULTS: Three hundred single implants (140 without laser-microgrooved collars and 160 with 1.7-mm laser-microgrooved collars) in 300 patients were selected. At the completion of the study period, 26 patients and 26 implants (17 with and 9 without a laser-microgrooved collar) were classified as "dropouts." Implants and restorations were categorized into two subgroups each for a total of four study groups: group 1, immediate implant placement; group 2, delayed implant placement; group 3, immediate nonocclusal loading of prostheses; and group 4, delayed loading of prostheses. Nineteen implants (6.9%) failed clinically (4 [2.7%] with and 15 [11.4%] without a laser-microgrooved collar). The difference in cumulative success rates was statistically significant (P < .05). Radiographically, at the end of the follow-up period, the laser-microgrooved group showed a mean peri-implant marginal bone loss of 0.64 mm compared with 1.82 mm for the non-laser-microgrooved group. At the same time point, a mean probing depth of 0.76 mm was observed for the laser-microgrooved group compared with 2.75 mm for the non-laser-microgrooved group. A statistically significant difference in peri-implant marginal bone loss and probing depth between the two types of implant collars was evident (P < .05). No statistically significant correlation was noted between the types of implant placement/prosthetic restoration and clinical parameters. CONCLUSION: Implants with a laser-microgrooved collar appear to influence the peri-implant soft and hard tissue stability, reducing the probing depth levels and the peri-implant marginal bone loss by more than 50% after 10 years of function, regardless of the type of implant placement and loading protocol.

Clinical application of bisphosphonates in implant dentistry: histomorphometric evaluation.

Bisphosphonates are pharmacologic compounds characterized by high tropism to bone tissue. They affect bone metabolism by inhibition of osteoclast recruitment, proliferation, differentiation, and function. Because they can reduce bone resorption, bisphosphonates are used mainly for the treatment of osteometabolic conditions, particularly osteoporosis, Paget disease, multiple myeloma, and other solid tumors with bone metastases. Their use has conferred great benefits to patients affected by these diseases, significantly improving their quality of life. Bisphosponates' inhibition of bone resorption might be exploited to maintain implant primary stability during the process of implant osseointegration. The aim of this histologic clinical study was to compare the response of bone tissue around an implant treated with a bisphosphonate solution (test) to that of the bone around an untreated implant (control). The bisphosphonate-treated implant showed more contact with newly formed bone than the control implant.

Immediate non-occlusal vs. early loading of dental implants in partially edentulous patients: a multicentre randomized clinical trial. Peri-implant bone and soft-tissue levels.

OBJECTIVES: To compare peri-implant bone and soft-tissue levels of immediately non-occlusally loaded vs. non-submerged early loaded implants in partially edentulous patients up to 14 months after placement. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty-two patients were randomized in five Italian private practices: 25 in the immediately loaded group and 27 in the early loaded group. To be immediately loaded, single implants had to be inserted with a torque of > or = 30 N cm, and splinted implants with a torque of > or = 20 N cm. Immediately loaded implants were provided with non-occluding temporary restorations within 48 h. After 2 months, the provisional restorations were placed in full occlusion. Implants were early loaded after 2 months. Final restorations were provided 8 months after placement. Blinded assessors evaluated peri-implant bone and soft-tissue levels. RESULTS: Fifty-two implants were immediately loaded and 52 were early loaded. No drop-out occurred. One single immediately loaded implant failed 2 months after placement. Both groups gradually lost peri-implant bone in a highly statistically significant manner at 2, 8, and 14 months. After 14 months, patients of both groups lost an average of 1.1 mm of peri-implant bone. There were no statistically significant differences between the two loading strategies for peri-implant bone and soft-tissue level changes (P > 0.05). After 14 months, the position of the soft tissues did not change significantly from baseline (delivery of the final restorations 8 months after placement). CONCLUSIONS: There were no statistically or clinically significant differences between immediate and early loading of dental implants with regard to peri-implant bone and soft-tissue levels as evaluated in the present study.

Incidence of Peri-implant Diseases on Implants With and Without Laser-Microgrooved Collar: A 5-Year Retrospective Study Carried Out in Private Practice Patients.

PURPOSE: To retrospectively evaluate the incidence of peri-implant mucositis and peri-implantitis around dental implants with the same body design and surface but different collar surface (laser-microgrooved vs not laser-microgrooved) after 5 years of loading in private practice patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was carried out on patients at a private dental clinic enrolled in a periodontal maintenance program, who received at least one implant with a laser-microgrooved collar surface and one implant without a laser-microgrooved collar surface. Clinical variables such as plaque, pocket depth, bleeding on probing, suppuration, and radiographic marginal bone loss at > 5 years around implants were investigated. The correlation between the prevalence of peri-implant mucositis/peri-implantitis and biotype, keratinized tissue width, prosthetic connection type, and prosthetic design type was also analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 166 implants in 74 patients were investigated. At the end of the 5-year follow-up period, 38 implants presented peri-implant mucositis, accounting for 22.8% of the total, affecting a total of 24 patients (32.4%), while 13 implants (7.8%) in 10 patients (13.5%) were diagnosed with peri-implantitis. Sixteen of 82 laser-microgrooved implants (19.5%) and 24 of 84 implants (28.5%) without a laser-microgrooved collar presented peri-implant mucositis, while 3 of 82 (3.6%) of laser-microgrooved implants and 10 of 84 (11.9%) implants without a laser-microgrooved collar demonstrated peri-implantitis. Differences in implant-based incidence of peri-implant diseases between implants with and without a laser-microgrooved collar were statistically significant (P < .05). CONCLUSION: In private practice patients enrolled in a professional, controlled oral hygiene regimen, implants with a laser-microgrooved collar, compared with implants without a laser-microgrooved collar, presented a statistically significantly lower incidence of peri-implant diseases.

Immediate rehabilitation of the completely edentulous jaw with fixed prostheses supported by either upright or tilted implants: a multicenter clinical study.

PURPOSE: The aims of this study were to assess the treatment outcome of immediately loaded full-arch screw-retained prostheses with distal extensions supported by both upright and tilted implants for the rehabilitation of edentulous jaws and to compare the outcomes of upright versus tilted implants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: At 4 study centers, 342 Osseotite NT implants were consecutively placed in 65 patients (96 implants were placed in 24 mandibles and 246 implants in 41 maxillae). The 2 distal implants were tilted by 25 to 35 degrees. Provisional full-arch restorations made of a titanium framework and acrylic resin teeth were delivered within 48 hours of surgery and immediately loaded. The final prosthesis was delivered after 3 months of healing. RESULTS: Three implants failed during the first year and another 2 within 18 months of loading in the maxilla. The cumulative implant survival rate for the maxilla was 97.59% for up to 40 months of follow-up. No implant failure was recorded for the mandible. The prosthetic success rate was 100%. Marginal bone loss around upright and tilted implants was similar. Patients were satisfied of their esthetics, phonetics, and function. CONCLUSION: The preliminary results of this study suggest that immediate rehabilitation of the edentulous maxilla and mandible by a hybrid prosthesis supported by 6 or 4 implants, respectively, may represent a viable treatment alternative with respect to more demanding surgical procedures. The clinical results indicate that immediately loaded tilted implants may achieve the same outcome as upright implants in both jaws.

Immediate nonocclusal versus early loading of dental implants in partially edentulous patients: 1-year results from a multicenter, randomized controlled clinical trial.

PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy of immediate nonocclusal loading (test group) versus early loading (control group) in partially edentulous patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-two patients in 5 Italian private practices were randomized to 1 of the treatments: 25 to the immediately loaded group and 27 to the early loaded group. To be immediately loaded, single implants had to be inserted with a torque of > 30 Ncm, and splinted implants had to be inserted with a torque of > 20 Ncm. Implants in the immediately loaded group were provided with full acrylic resin nonoccluding temporary restorations within 48 hours after placement. After 2 months, full occluding provisional restorations were provided. Implants in the early loading group were not submerged and were loaded after 2 months. At 8 months, provisional restorations were replaced with definitive metal-ceramic prostheses. Outcome measures were prosthesis and implant failures as well as biologic and prosthetic complications recorded by nonblinded assessors. The Fisher exact test was used to compare the proportion of implant failures. RESULTS: Fifty-two implants were placed in the immediately loaded group and 52 in the early loaded group. No dropouts or complications occurred up to 14 months postinsertion. One single implant failed in the immediately loaded group 2 months after placement. There was no statistically difference for the tested outcome measures between the 2 procedures (P > .99). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this randomized controlled clinical trial with 25 patients rehabilitated with immediately restored nonocclusally loaded implant-supported prostheses compared to 27 patients restored 2 months following placement suggest that there are no major clinical differences in implant survival between these 2 protocols. No biologic or prosthetic complications occurred.

Post-extraction implant placement into infected versus non-infected sites: A multicenter retrospective clinical study.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess whether immediate implant placement into post-extraction sites presenting a chronic infection poses a greater risk of implant failure than immediate placement in non-infected sites. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Records of patients who underwent extraction and immediate implant placement into both infected and non-infected sites from January 1998 to September 2014 at 5 different dental centers were considered for inclusion. Included records were subjected to statistical analysis of survival rates, along with a number of other patient-, implant-, surgery-, and prosthesis-related variables. RESULTS: The inclusion criteria were met by 369 patients who received a total of 527 implants. The follow-up averaged 53.2 months (range 0.9-158.3) for implants placed into non-infected sockets (N = 334) and 50.1 months (range 1.6-146.1) for those placed into infected sites (N = 193). Seven implants failed in non-infected sites and 3 in infected ones. All failures occurred within 1 year of placement. Cumulative implant survival rate for non-infected and infected sites was, respectively, 97.9% ± 0.8% and 98.4% ± 0.9%, being not significantly different (P = .66). None of the investigated variables affected the outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Placement of implants into periodontally or endodontically infected sites immediately after tooth extraction is a safe option, even when the implants are loaded immediately or early.

Assessment of Long-Term Survival of Immediately Loaded Tilted Implants Supporting a Maxillary Full-Arch Fixed Prosthesis.

PURPOSE: To analyze the long-term outcome of fixed prostheses supported by six implants, two of which were tilted, placed in the maxilla and immediately loaded more than 10 years earlier. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of implants placed between May 29, 2003 and February 12, 2005 and used to support immediately loaded fixed dental prostheses in the maxilla was conducted. The features of failed implants were analyzed. In the most recent follow-up visits, survival of individual implants and prostheses was verified, and modified Plaque Index as well as modified Sulcular Bleeding Index were assessed. Patients also filled out a questionnaire requiring graded responses from 0 (poor) to 10 (excellent) that was designed to assess their quality of life. RESULTS: A total of 162 implants were placed between May 29, 2003 and February 12, 2005 to support immediately loaded maxillary fixed prostheses of 27 totally edentulous patients (19 female, 8 male). Three patients (1 male, 2 female) dropped out, so 144 implants were followed up. Seven of the 144 original implants failed, corresponding to a survival rate of 95.1% over 10 years. All the failures occurred within 2 years after surgery. Patients' responses to the questionnaire produced an average score of 8.4 to 8.8, showing a relevant degree of satisfaction. CONCLUSION: Based upon this study of 27 patients who received immediately loaded maxillary full-arch fixed implant-supported prostheses supported by two tilted and four axial implants, it appears that this is a reliable procedure with a high long-term survival rate and a high level of patient satisfaction.

A 10-year report from a multicentre randomised controlled trial: Immediate non-occlusal versus early loading of dental implants in partially edentulous patients.

PURPOSE: To compare peri-implant bone and soft-tissue levels of immediate non-occlusally loaded versus non-submerged early loaded implants in partially edentulous patients 10 years after loading. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-two patients were randomised in five Italian private practices: 25 in the immediately loaded group and 27 in the early loaded group. To be immediately loaded, single implants had to be inserted with a torque of at least 30 Ncm, and splinted implants with a torque of at least 20 Ncm. Immediately loaded implants were provided with non-occluding temporary restorations within 48 h. After 2 months, the provisional restorations were put in full occlusion. Implants were early loaded after 2 months. Definitive restorations were provided 8 months after implant placement. Outcome measures were prosthesis failures, implant failures and complications, recorded by non-blinded assessors, and peri-implant bone and soft-tissue levels evaluated by blinded assessors. RESULTS: Fifty-two implants were loaded immediately and 52 early. Three patients with 8 implants dropped out from the immediate group versus two patients with 3 implants from the early loaded group; all remaining patients were followed for at least 10 years after loading. One single immediately loaded implant failed 2 months after placement. Three patients with immediately loaded implants and two with early loaded implants were affected by complications. There were no statistically significant differences for implant/prosthesis failures (Fisher's exact test: P = 0.294; difference = 4%, 95% CI: -16% to 24%) and complications between groups (Fisher's exact test: P = 0.574; difference = 4.5%, 95% CI: -12% to 21%). Both groups gradually lost peri-implant bone in a highly statistically significant way at 2, 8 and 14 months, and at 4, 5 and 10 years. After 10 years, immediately loaded patients lost an average of 1.34 mm and early loaded patients lost 1.42 mm of peri-implant marginal bone. At 10 years, there was a statistically significant recession (P < 0.001) of the vestibular soft tissues from baseline (delivery of the final restorations 8 months after implant placement) at both immediate (0.38 mm) and early (0.25 mm) loaded implants. There were no statistically significant differences in terms of peri-implant bone (difference = 0.08 mm, 95% CI: -0.49 to 0.65; P = 0.49) and soft-tissue level changes (difference = 0.07 mm, 95% CI: -0.48 to 0.62; P = 0.469) between the two groups at 10 years after loading. CONCLUSIONS: In well-maintained patients, complications are uncommon and healthy and stable peri-implant tissues can be maintained for 10 years around both immediate and early loaded implants. Conflict-of-interest statement: This trial was independently designed and initiated by the investigators. BIOMET 3i, the manufacturer of the implants used in this investigation, provided partial economic support at a later stage, and finally ZIMMER-BIOMET partially supported the present publication, however data belonged to the authors and by no means did the sponsor interfere with the conduct of the trial or the publication of its results.

A Retrospective Analysis of the Effectiveness of the Longevity Protocol for Assessing the Risk of Implant Failure.

BACKGROUND: A new, computerized diagnostic tool, called the Longevity Protocol, was recently developed to predict implant failure. The present retrospective analysis was undertaken to assess the prognostic validity of this protocol. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A selected group of patients who had been treated with implants over the past 10 years at six dental clinics and experienced implant failure were included in the analysis. Another group of patients with similar characteristics, not experiencing implant failure, was used as control. In April of 2015, data about each of the patients was entered into the Longevity Protocol database. For each patient, the risk assessment produced by the protocol was compared to whether the implants eventually failed. The implant failure predictions and actual implant failures were compared. RESULTS: The Longevity Protocol analyzed the possible failure of 595 implants placed in 221 patients (323 implants placed in 138 patients classified as low risk, 180 implants placed in 55 patients classified as moderate risk, and 92 implants placed in 28 patients classified as high risk). The actual percentage of implant failure in the three groups was 10%, 15%, and 22%, respectively. The differences between the groups were statistically significant. The sensitivity and specificity of the Longevity Protocol was 84.9% and 11.90% in the high/moderate risk group and 47.17% and 32.74% in the low risk group, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Statistically significant results were obtained. The Longevity Protocol reliably identified patients who risked implant failure. The protocol appears to be an important tool for prognosis assessment.

Implant aesthetic score for evaluating the outcome: immediate loading in the aesthetic zone.

Implant restorations delivered according to the Brånemark protocol have proven to be highly predictable. To shorten the length of treatment associated with the Brånemark protocol, as well as to preserve soft and hard tissues, newer protocols have focused on reducing or even eliminating the time between tooth extraction and implant placement and between implant placement and prosthetic restoration delivery. The authors present a case in which control of postextraction implant placement, optimal implant positioning, and immediate loading contributed to clinical success.

The topical administration of bisphosphonates in implant surgery: a randomized split-mouth prospective study with a follow-up up to 5 years.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of the topical administration of bisphosphonates in implant therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-nine consecutive patients were selected for a split-mouth study. Inclusion criteria were: presence of a bilateral or total edentulism, ability to tolerate conventional implant procedures, older than 18 years. Ten patients were smokers. Ten patients were fully edentulous in both maxilla and mandible, 12 patients had fully edentulous maxilla or mandible, and 17 were bilaterally partially edentulous (9 in the mandible and 8 in the maxilla). A one-stage procedure was adopted in all cases. The prosthetic phase started 10 weeks after implant insertion. Each patient received implants on the control side and the test side, with insertion performed in the conventional way on the control side; on the test side, a 3% clodronate solution mixed with a surfactant (Tween-20) at a 1:3 ratio was topically administered both at the implant surface and at the implant site. RESULTS: One hundred fifty-five implants were inserted. The test and control groups included 75 and 80 implants, respectively. The implant insertion torque was no less than 30 Ncm. A total of 7 implants failed in the control group (6 before loading and one after 12 months of loading). No failure occurred on the test side. By the 5-year follow-up, no further implant failure had been recorded. Overall, implant survival rates at 5 years for the test and control groups were, respectively, 100% and 91.3%, the difference being significant (p < .01). Mean marginal bone loss was 0.85 ± 0.71 mm in the test group and 1.12 ± 0.85 mm in the control group after 1 year of loading and stable thereafter. The difference was not significant. CONCLUSIONS: The topical administration of bisphosphonates may positively affect implant survival in the preloading and postloading phases in partially and fully edentulous patients. However, a larger study population is needed to verify these promising clinical results.

Immediate versus conventional loading of post-extraction implants in the edentulous jaws.

PURPOSE: This retrospective study deals with the issue of how to realize the transition from a failing dentition to an implant-supported prosthesis. The main aim was to assess the reliability of immediate implant and immediate loading (IL) protocols in the edentulous jaws. A further aim was to investigate the role of patient-related, implant-related, and surgery-related secondary variables in the occurrence of implant failure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with at least a 4-year post-loading follow-up undergoing the transition from a failing dentition to an implant-supported prosthesis were retrospectively investigated. Primary variables of implant failure were immediate placement and IL. Secondary variables were categorized as demographic, anatomic, site, and prosthetically related. Cumulative survival rates (CSRs) were compared using the Kaplan-Meier survival estimate method. Predictors of failure were included in a multivariate Cox regression model to evaluate the simultaneous effects of multiple covariates and control for correlated observation. Crestal bone loss was also measured at the delayed and the immediately loaded implants. RESULTS: Five hundred nineteen implants rehabilitating 91 jaws in 80 patients were followed. The Kaplan-Meier survival estimate method showed that immediate implant and IL decreased the CSR significantly in the maxilla but not in the mandible. Some secondary variables were found to affect the CSR: maxillary location, age over 70 years, prostheses supported by only immediate implants or a majority of them, temporary cementation, implant diameter, and length. Crestal bone loss was not significantly related to the outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: The present data may provide clinical recommendations to the practitioner treating the transitional patient. In the mandible, the use of immediate implants and IL does not increase the failure rate. In the maxilla however, combining immediate placement and IL may significantly increase the failure rate.