Evaluating the effect of the protector cap for castable implant abutments on reverse tightening values.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Screw loosening is the most common mechanical complication with implant prostheses. How the alteration of implant-to-abutment connection surfaces that occurs during laboratory procedures affects screw loosening is unclear. PURPOSE: The purpose of this in vitro study was to compare the reverse tightening value (RTV) differences between custom castable abutments before casting, after casting in a conventional manner, and after casting with custom protector caps and pegs. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty implants with a standard-diameter conical connection (NobelReplace Conical Connection 4.3×13 mm; Nobel Biocare AG) and 30 premachined 4.3-mm GoldAdapt abutments (GoldAdapt; Nobel Biocare AG) were selected for this study. Specimens were divided into 3 groups (n=10): the uncast custom castable abutment group (UCCA) in which abutments were new and not cast; the unprotected custom castable abutment group (UPCCA) in which abutments were cast and devested with airborne-particle abrasion; and the protected custom castable abutment group (PCCA) in which abutments were cast by using protector caps and pegs made by milling zirconia and then devested with airborne-particle abrasion. All abutments in each group were tightened to 35 Ncm with a calibrated digital tightening device. After 10 minutes, all screws were retightened to 35 Ncm. At 3 hours, each screw was loosened, and the value at which the initial loosening occurred was documented as the RTV. The results were statistically analyzed with 1-way ANOVA to explore differences, and post hoc tests with Tukey adjustment were used for multiple comparisons. RESULTS: Among the tested groups, the mean RTV ranged from 19.89 Ncm to 27.19 Ncm: UCCA 27.19 Ncm, UPCCA 19.89 Ncm, and PCCA 24.24 Ncm. A significant difference was found among the tested groups (P<.05). CONCLUSIONS: Casting procedures, especially devestment with airborne-particle abrasion, affected implant-abutment connections and the seat site of the screw. Protecting the implant connection site and the seat site of the abutment screw with protector caps and pegs prevented a significant loss of the RTV.

Clinical efficacy of polyvinyl siloxane impression materials using the one-step two-viscosity impression technique.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Impression making is a challenging clinical procedure for both patients and dentists. PURPOSE: The purpose of this clinical study was to compare a recently introduced fast-setting polyvinyl siloxane (PVS) impression material with heavy body/light body (HB/LB) combination (Imprint 4; 3M ESPE) (experimental group) with a conventional PVS impression material with HB/LB combination (Imprint 3; 3M ESPE) (control group), using the 1-step 2-viscosity impression technique. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Two definitive impressions (1 of each material combination) were made of 20 crown preparations from 20 participants. The quality of impressions was rated by 3 evaluators (clinical evaluator, clinical operator, and dental technician) and by the patients for the level of comfort and taste of the impression materials. The order in which the 2 impressions were made with each material combination was randomized for each crown preparation. A paired t test for paired means and McNemar test for paired proportions were used for statistical comparisons (α=.05). RESULTS: Participants rated the comfort of the impression making with the experimental group significantly higher than that with the control group (P=.001). No significant differences were found in participants' rating for the taste of the impression materials (P=.46). The viscosity for tray material was rated as significantly better for the control group by the clinical operator (P=.004). The readability of the impression and visibility around the finish line were rated as significantly better for the experimental group than for the control group (P<.001). Except for the ease of removal of the stone (RS), the ratings for the 2 groups by the dental technician were similar. The ease of RS was rated as significantly better for the experimental group (P<.001). Eleven dies from the control and 9 from the experimental group were selected for fabrication of the definitive crowns (P=.65). CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of this clinical study, no significant differences were found in the overall clinical performance of the experimental and the control groups. Impressions made with both materials were clinically acceptable. Participants rated the comfort provided by the experimental group significantly better than that of the control group.

A simplified technique for recording an implant-supported ovate pontic site in the esthetic zone.

Implant-supported fixed dental prostheses present an esthetic challenge, especially when an ovate pontic site has been progressively developed during the guided soft-tissue healing process with an interim restoration. This article describes a technique for an accurate capturing of the molded ovate pontic site of an implant-supported fixed dental prostheses and for transferring it to the definitive cast, which facilitates the dental ceramist's ability to design and fabricate an ovate pontic with adequate intaglio contours.

The role of cements in dental lant success, Part I.

Peri-implant disease can be the result of residual excess cement. While there is no ideal implant restorative cement, the clinician must be aware that the material selection for implant restorations should not be based on properties which are more suited to restoration of the natural dentition. More appropriate criteria would be those unique to implants and the specific challenges these medical devices bring to the restorative dentist.

Clinical trial investigating success rates for polyether and vinyl polysiloxane impressions made with full-arch and dual-arch plastic trays.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Success rates for making fixed prosthodontic impressions based on material and tray selection are not known. PURPOSE: The purpose of this clinical study was to compare first impression success rates for 2 types of impression material and 2 impression tray systems. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Dual-viscosity impressions were made with a vinyl polysiloxane (VPS) (Aquasil Ultra Monophase/Aquasil Ultra XLV) and a polyether (PE) (Impregum Penta Soft HB/Impregum Garant Soft LB) impression material. The first impression made was evaluated for success or failure using developed criteria. Fifty senior dental students participated. The type of impression material alternated for each new patient. A full-arch perforated plastic (President Tray) or a plastic dual-arch impression tray (Tri-Bite) was used based on clinical guidelines. Impression success rates were compared using logistic regression, fitted using the method of generalized estimating equations (alpha=.05). RESULTS: One hundred ninety-one impressions were evaluated, and the overall success rate was 61% for VPS and 54% for PE (P=.39). Additional regression analyses, adjusted for potential confounders, did not indicate a difference between the 2 systems (P=.35). There was little difference in success rates between the 2 materials when a full-arch tray was used (50% versus 49% success, P=.89), whereas a larger difference was apparent with the use of dual-arch trays (70% success with VPS versus 58% success with PE, P=.21). The most common critical defect was located on the preparation finish line (94%), and the most common operator error was inadequate gingival displacement (15%). CONCLUSIONS: There was little difference in success rates between VPS and PE when full-arch impression trays were used, but there was greater success when using VPS with dual-arch trays. For single teeth, the trend favored VPS, but when more than one prepared tooth per impression was involved, the success rate was higher for PE.

Direct technique for the fabrication of acrylic provisional restorations.

Provisional restorations are fabricated to protect the prepared tooth structure during the period between tooth preparation and insertion of the definitive restoration. These restorations are also referred to in the literature as interim, temporary, or provisional restorations (prostheses). Such restorations should be uncomplicated and inexpensive to fabricate in a short period of time. Several laboratory and clinical techniques for the fabrication of provisional restorations have been described in the literature, such as the indirect technique, direct technique, and indirect-direct techniques for both single and multiple unit restorations. This article describes a step by step clinical technique for the fabrication of a direct provisional restoration to satisfy the issues of esthetics, patient comfort, speech and function, maintenance of periodontal health, and maxillomandibular relationships while wearing the restoration.

A technique for locating implant abutment screws of posterior cement-retained metal-ceramic restorations with ceramic occlusal surfaces.

With the increased use of cement-retained implant-supported restorations for the replacement of missing teeth, clinicians may choose to use a definitive cement to lute the definitive restoration. A complication that may occur, especially for a single-tooth replacement, is loosening of the abutment screw. In those situations, it may be difficult to locate the abutment-screw access to remove the restoration. The purpose of this article is to describe a technique that may facilitate the clinician's ability to locate the abutment-screw access in the event of abutment-screw loosening, thus reducing the need for refabricating the restoration.

A crown venting technique for the cementation of implant-supported crowns.

With the increased use of implant systems for the replacement of single teeth, some dental practitioners are choosing to permanently cement the final restoration instead of using the screw-retention modality. Many of these restorations have subgingival margins; therefore, the cementation technique becomes a critical procedure because incomplete seating of the restoration or excess cement can be lodged in the gingival sulcus. The use of a cement escape way or venting technique for the cementation of an implant-supported restoration is described.