Immediate versus early loading of immediately placed bone-level tapered dental implants with hydrophilic surface in full arch maxillary rehabilitation: A pilot randomized clinical trial with 2-year follow-up.

This study aimed to compare implant stabilities between the immediate and early loaded, immediately placed bone-level tapered dental implants in the maxilla and to evaluate marginal bone loss (MBL), oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL), and patient satisfaction at a 2-year follow-up. A pilot, prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial was conducted on 24 maxillary failing dentition patients. The bone-level tapered implants of 12 patients were immediately loaded with temporary restorations, while the other 12 patients did not receive any kind of temporization. Implant-supported screw-retained complete porcelain-fused-to-metal prostheses were delivered to all patients in the seventh postoperative week. The insertion torque values of implants assigned to the immediate and early loading groups were 33.0 ± 4.87 and 29.26 ± 8.31 Ncm, respectively. The dynamics of implant stability changes from implant placement up to a 2-year follow-up were similar for both groups (Penguin®, p = 0.268; Ostell®, p = 0.552), while the MBL was at submillimeter level. The cumulative implant survival rate was 91.80% for immediately loaded implants and 97.22% for early loaded implants, without significant difference (p = 0.162). The total score on the Oral Health Impact Profile questionnaire significantly decreased over time in both groups, indicating improvement in OHRQoL (p < 0.001), and the high level of patient satisfaction remained after 2 years of function regardless of a loading protocol. Both loading protocols, immediate and early, of six immediately placed bone-level tapered dental implants are an adequate treatment choice for fixed rehabilitation of the maxillary failing dentition.

A Multicenter Cohort Study on 301 Tissue-Level Implants: Cumulative Implant Survival Rate and Marginal Bone Level Change up to 4.5 Years.

PURPOSE: To retrospectively determine the cumulative survival rate (CSR) and marginal bone level change (ΔMBL) around novel hybrid design tissue-level (TL) dental implants that support multiple-screw-retained restorations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Implant CSRs were analyzed at the implant and patient level using Kaplan-Meier estimates. ΔMBL was measured by comparing the periapical loading and follow-up visit radiographs using an improved standardized digital methodology based on image gray levels. ΔMBL outcomes were subject to linear mixed regression to identify potential risk factors. RESULTS: A total of 301 TL implants in 69 patients with an average age of 62.6 ± 11.7 years (range: 36 to 87 years) at the time of implant placement were considered for the analysis. All 301 implants were successfully restored and loaded. The 54-month CSRs at the implant and patient levels were 98.9% (95% CI: 96.7 to 99.6) and 95.3% (95% CI: 86.1 to 98.5), respectively. ΔMBL after a mean follow-up of 22 ± 10.7 months after loading was 0.00 ± 0.57 mm. None of the implant sites showed marginal bone loss exceeding 1.5 mm. Multivariate regression analysis revealed a significant association between ΔMBL and the loading protocol (P = .027) but not between ΔMBL and age or transgingival height. CONCLUSIONS: The high CSRs and stable peri-implant marginal bone levels support the use of recent TL implants, which have a hybrid design inherited from the bone-level implant-abutment connection, as a suitable treatment option for restoring partially or fully edentulous patients with a good mid-term prognosis. These results should be complemented by further prospective studies in a real-world multicenter private practice setup that represents the daily realities of implant treatment.

Extra-Short 4-mm Implants Splinted to 10-mm Implants in the Posterior Maxilla: 3-year Results.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the 3-year success and survival rates of fixed prostheses supported by 4-mm extra-short implants splinted to 10-mm implants in patients with shortened maxillary arches and low maxillary sinus floors. METHODS: A total of 11 patients with reduced alveolar bone heights due to low maxillary sinus floors received two or three titanium-zirconium tissue-level implants: one or two extra-short (4 mm) implants, and one implant 10 mm in length. After 6 months, prosthetic rehabilitation with splinted crowns connecting the 4- and 10-mm implants was performed. Follow-up visits and maintenance protocols were implemented every 4 to 6 months. RESULTS: The 11 patients were treated with 11 10-mm implants and 17 4-mm implants. One extra-short implant failed and was removed before loading, and its planned design was modified from three splinted crowns to a bridge between the 10- and 4-mm implants. After 36 months, all (11/11) prosthetic rehabilitations connecting the 10-mm (11/11) and 4-mm (16/16) implants were functional. At the 10-mm implant sites, the median (interquartile range [IQR]) probing depth and marginal bone loss measured 2.9 mm (2.3 to 3.2) and 1.3 mm (1.0 to 1.5), respectively. At the 4-mm implant sites, the median (IQR) probing depth and marginal bone loss measured 2.9 mm (2.4 to 3.1) and 0.3 mm (0.1 to 0.5), respectively. CONCLUSION: Prosthetic rehabilitation with splinted crowns connecting 4-mm and 10-mm implants showed promising outcomes in shortened maxillary dental arches after 3 years. Additional studies are needed to further validate these findings.

Clinical and Radiographic Outcomes of a New Fully Tapered Implant with the One-Abutment One-Time Approach: In-Line Clinical Case Series with a 1-Year Follow-up.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the bone level changes in a new implant design (fully tapered with platform switching) with the one-abutment one-time protocol after 1 year of loading. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty patients received 1 or 2 implants (6-, 8-, or 10-mm length and 3.5-, 3.75-, or 4.5-mm diameter, bone-level design) to replace one or multiple edentulous sites. Only the mesial implant was assessed. Radiographic, clinical, and esthetic results and the survival and success rates were evaluated 1 year after final loading. RESULTS: At 1 year, no peri-implant bone loss was seen in any of the cases. Mean marginal crestal bone loss between surgery and crown placement was 0.19 ± 0.17 mm (P < .0001). Between surgery and the 1-year follow-up, the mean marginal crestal bone loss was 0.25 ± 0.24 mm (P < .0001). The difference in the modified Plaque Index between 1 year of follow-up and crown placement was significant for in the mesial (0.33 ± 0.54 mm; P = .003) and distal surfaces (0.5 ± 0.73 mm; P = .001). The probing pocket depth was statistically significantly deeper at 1 year than at crown placement at the mesial and distal aspects (average depth = 0.75 mm; P < .0005). No statistically significant differences were found for any other clinical or esthetic parameters. The overall survival and success rates after 1 year were 100%. CONCLUSIONS: The fully tapered, deep-thread, platform-switched implant design placed with the one-abutment one-time protocol demonstrated minimal marginal crestal bone loss and crestal bone stability at 1 year of follow-up.

Immediate Implant Placement in the Esthetic Zone Using a Novel Tapered Implant Design and a Digital Integrated Workflow: A Case Series.

The purpose of this case series was to assess the application of a novel self-cutting, tapered implant (Straumann® BLX, Institut Straumann AG, Basel, Switzerland) in combination with a digital integrated prosthetic workflow for the immediate placement and restoration. Fourteen consecutive patients, requiring replacement of a single hopeless maxillary or mandibular tooth, meeting the clinical and radiographic indication criteria for immediate implant placement, were treated. All cases followed the same digitally-guided procedure of extraction and immediate implant placement. Immediate temporization with full contoured screw-retained provisionals was performed using an integrated digital workflow. After implant placement and dual-zone bone and soft tissue augmentation, connecting geometries and emergence profiles were finalized. The average implant insertion torque was 53.2 ± 14.9 Ncm and ranged between 35 and 80 Ncm, allowing immediate provisional restoration in all cases. Final restorations were delivered three months after implant placement. An implant survival rate of 100% was observed at the 1-year recall after loading. The results of this case series suggest that immediate placement of novel tapered implants and immediate provisionalization using an integrated digital workflow can result in predictable functional and esthetic results for the immediate transition of failing single teeth in the esthetic area.

Implant rehabilitation of a posterior maxilla with 4-mm long implants splinted to a 10-mm long implant in a patient with osteopenia taking antiresorptive drugs: A 5-year follow-up case report.

The report describes the rehabilitation of a maxillary arch with limited bone volume in a 67-year-old female taking antiresorptives due to osteopenia. One 10-mm and two extra-short 4-mm implants were inserted, and implant-supported splinted crowns were fabricated. The 5-year follow-up showed stable bone levels, despite poor initial stability (ISQ: 14-51).

Quality of life, patient preferences, and implant survival and success of tapered implant-retained mandibular overdentures as a function of the attachment system.

PURPOSE: A novel attachment system for implant-retained overdentures (IRODs) with novel material combinations for improved mechanical resilience and prosthodontic success (Novaloc) has been recently introduced as an alternative to an existing system (Locator). This study investigated whether differences between the Novaloc and Locator attachment systems translate into differences in implant survival, implant success, and patient-centered outcomes when applied in a real-world in-practice comparative setting in patients restored with mandibular IRODs supported by 2 interforaminal implants (2-IRODs). METHODS: This prospective, intra-subject crossover comparison compared 20 patients who received 2 intra-foraminal bone level tapered implants restored with full acrylic overdentures using either the Locator or Novaloc attachment system. After 6 months of function, the attachment in the corresponding dentures was switched, and the definitive attachment system type was delivered based on the patient's preference after 12 months. For the definitive attachment system, implant survival was evaluated after 24 months. The primary outcomes of this study were oral health-related quality of life and patient preferences related to prosthetic and implant survival. Secondary outcomes included implant survival rate and success, prosthetic survival, perceived general health, and patient satisfaction. RESULTS: Patient-centered outcomes and patient preferences between attachment systems were comparable, with relatively high overall patient satisfaction levels for both attachment systems. No difference in the prosthetic survival rate between study groups was detected. The implant survival rate over the follow-up period after 24 months in both groups was 100%. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this in-practice comparison indicate that both attachment systems represent comparable candidates for the prosthodontic retention of 2-IRODs. Both systems showed high rates of patient satisfaction and implant survival. The influence of material combinations of the retentive system on treatment outcomes between the tested systems remains inconclusive and requires further investigations.

Clinical performance of a newly developed two-piece zirconia implant system in the maxilla: A prospective multicentre study.

PURPOSE: To assess the clinical performance of a two-piece zirconia implant system (PURE Ceramic Implants, Straumann, Basel, Switzerland) in the maxilla after a follow-up period of more than 1 year. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 19 patients in three centres received 24 single-tooth implants in the maxilla. The implants were restored after a mean healing period of 7.1 ± 0.4 months (range 7 to 9 months). Implant survival, implant success, Plaque Index, probing pocket depth, bleeding on probing, mucosal recession/creeping attachment, width of keratinised mucosa, papilla index and pink aesthetic score were evaluated after prosthetic loading (T0), after 6 months (T1) and at the final follow-up (T2, mean 15.0 ± 2.1 months, range 12 to 19 months). RESULTS: All implants survived and were suitable for retaining prostheses. Low values were recorded for Plaque Index (0.38 ± 0.68) and probing pocket depth (2.49 ± 0.49 mm). Bleeding on probing increased significantly from T0 (21.7%) to T1 (50.0%) (P = 0.0342) and then remained stable (50.0% at T2). No recession was detected around any of the implants. A statistically significant increase in attachment level was observed from T0 to T2 (0.79 ± 0.88 mm; P = 0.0196). A papilla index of 2.27 ± 0.81 and pink aesthetic score of 11.67 ± 1.60 at T2 indicated a completely satisfying aesthetic result. CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of the present study, the two-piece zirconia implant system investigated achieved fully satisfying functional and aesthetic results.

Immediate Vs Early Loading of Bone Level Tapered Dental Implants With Hydrophilic Surface in Rehabilitation of Fully Edentulous Maxilla: Clinical and Patient Centered Outcomes.

The aim was to: (1) compare changes among primary and secondary implant stability between immediate and early loaded implants in edentulous maxilla, (2) evaluate oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL), and (3) determine patient satisfaction with 6 implant supported fixed full-arch dentures. A prospective, randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted on 24 edentulous maxilla patients. The BLT SLActive implants in 12 patients were immediately loaded with temporary restorations while 12 patients did not receive temporary restorations. Definitive (final) dentures were delivered to all patients after 6 weeks. Stability of the implants were assessed by insertion torque (IT) and resonance frequency analysis (RFA). Oral Health Impact Profile-19 (OHIP-19) questionnaire was used to evaluate OHRQoL and a visual analogue scale (VAS) was used for patient satisfaction. The IT value of implants assigned for immediate and early loading group was 27.17 ± 9.55 Ncm and 25.01 ± 11.06 Ncm, respectively. Changes in implant stability from baseline to week 6 were similar in both groups when measured by Penguin (P = .881) and Ostell (P = .828). Patients in the immediate loading group reported significantly lower OHIP physical pain scores (P = .016) and OHIP psychological disability score (P = .046), and the patients reported significantly higher VAS function score (P = .009) and VAS esthetics score (P = .009). Implant loading protocols do not have a significant effect on the change in implant stability 6 weeks after implantation; however, immediate loading significantly improves OHRQoL as well as satisfaction of patients with maxillary edentulism treated by fixed full-arch dentures. Future trials will determine the role of immediate loading protocol in clinical scenarios with various amounts of available jaw bone using different numbers of implants to retain a fixed prosthetic restoration in the edentulous maxilla.

Influence of implant location on titanium-zirconium alloy narrow-diameter implants: A 1-year prospective study in smoking and nonsmoking populations.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Titanium-zirconium (Ti-Zr) alloy (Roxolid) narrow-diameter implants (NDIs) have been widely used for implant-supported prostheses in anterior and posterior regions in the jaws. However, the relationship between implant location and clinical outcome remains unclear. PURPOSE: The purpose of this clinical study was to evaluate and compare the clinical and radiographic outcomes of NDIs placed in different regions of the jaws in both smokers and nonsmokers. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eighty-four participants scheduled to receive NDIs for tooth rehabilitation were included, and the inserted NDIs were divided into 3 groups depending on their locations: implants used to restore anterior teeth, implants used to restore premolars, and implants used to restore molars. Crestal bone loss (CBL), implant survival and success rates, bleeding on probing (BOP), and pocket probing depth (PPD) were evaluated 6 and 12 months after implant loading (α=.017 for implant survival and success rates after Bonferroni correction, α=.05 for other parameters). RESULTS: Statistical analysis of 6- and 12-month CBL of all participants presented no statistically significant difference among the 3 groups. For smokers, the molar group presented significantly more CBL than the premolar group (0.90 ±0.94 versus 0.16 ±0.27 mm, P=.027) at the 6-month examination. The implant survival rates were 95.65%, 100%, and 100% for anterior, premolar, and molar regions, respectively (P=.283). No statistically significant difference was observed regarding periodontal parameters (P>.05). CONCLUSIONS: Implant location has no influence on the clinical and radiographic parameters of Ti-Zr NDIs placed in a nonsmoking population. However, the combination of posterior location and smoking may induce higher risk of crestal bone loss. Caution should be taken when restoring molars for smokers with NDIs.

Osteogenic effects of microRNA-335-5p/lipidoid nanoparticles coated on titanium surface.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed to investigate the therapeutic potential of miR-335-5p lipidoid nanocomplexes coated on Titanium (Ti) SLActive surface by lyophilization. DESIGN: In our model, we coated miR-335-5p/Lipidoid nanoparticles on titanium implant, seeded GFP-labelled mouse bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) onto the functionalized Ti implant surface, and analyzed the transfection efficiency, cell adhesion, proliferation, and osteogenic activity of the bone-implant interface. RESULTS: The Ti SLActive surface displayed a suitable hydrophilicity ability and provided a large surface area for miRNA loading, enabling spatial retention of the miRNAs within the nanopores until cellular delivery. We demonstrated a high transfection efficiency of miR-335-5p lipidoid nanoparticles in BMSCs seeded onto the Ti SLActive surface, even after 14 days. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and cell vitality were significantly increased in BMSCs transfected with miR-335-5p at 7 and 14 days as opposed to cells transfected with negative controls. When miR-335-5p transfected BMSCs were induced to undergo osteogenic differentiation, we detected increased mRNA expression of osteogenic markers including Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), collagen I (COL1), osteocalcin (OCN) and bone sialoprotein (BSP) at 7 and 14 days as compared with negative controls. CONCLUSION: MiR-335-5p lipidoid nanoparticles could be used as a new cost-effective methodology to increase the osteogenic capacity of biomedical Ti implants.

Full versus partial thickness flap to determine differentiation and over keratinization of non-keratinized mucosa. A 3-year split mouth randomized pilot study.

OBJECTIVES: It was shown, that Connective Tissue Grafts (CTG) retrieved from the tuberosity tends to determine hyperplastic responses and may induce a beneficial over-keratinization of non-keratinized mucosa. Clinically evaluate and compare CTG from tuberosity ability to increase soft tissue thickness and the keratinization potential after recipient area is either prepared using split or full thickness flap in edentulous mandible. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fourty implants were placed in 10 edentulous patients with atrophied mandible (Class IV of Misch) presenting less than 1.0 mm of keratinized tissue using a flapless approach and immediately restored with acrylic temporary bridge on multi-unit abutments. The surgical sites were split-mouth randomized and prepared as CTG recipients by a tunneling procedure. Twenty benefited of a partial thickness approach and 20 of a full thickness one. The CTG was placed buccally using partial thickness or full thickness flap according to the randomization schedule. The width of keratinized tissue (KT), the horizontal soft tissue thickness (STT), the marginal hard and soft tissue levels as well as the implant success parameters were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: After a 3 year follow-up period the increase of KT was statistically significantly (p < 0.001) larger in the partial thickness group from 0.6(0.6) to 5.1(0.72) mm, while full thickness group showed very little improvement from 0.5(0.51) to 1(0.57) mm (p < 0.001). STT was significantly increased in both groups over time: from 2.4(0.88) to 5.4(0.68) mm in full thickness group and from 2.5(0.51) to 5.8(0.41) mm in partial thickness group without any significant difference between the groups. CONCLUSION: The increase of soft tissue thickness by using CTG from tuberosity was found in both groups, while keratinization of non-keratinized mucosa appeared more in the partial thickness group.

One-Year Results Assessing the Performance of Prosthetic Rehabilitations in the Posterior Maxilla Supported by 4-mm Extrashort Implants Splinted to 10-mm Implants: A Prospective Case Series.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the survival and success rates of oral rehabilitations in a shortened maxillary dental arch and expanded maxillary sinus with 4-mm extrashort implants splinted to longer ones. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One 10-mm and one/two extrashort 4-mm titanium-zirconium SLActive tissue-level dental implants were inserted into 11 patients with limited vertical bone availability due to an expanded maxillary sinus antrum. Immediately and 6 months after insertion, implant stability resonance frequency analysis (RFA) values were assessed with an Osstell device. Splinted crowns combining 4- and 10-mm implants were supplied to all 11 cases. RESULTS: In 10 cases, the bone quality was type III, and in one case, type IV. Among 17 4-mm and 11 10-mm implants, the median RFA values were 61 (interquartile ranges [IQR]: 59 to 64) and 66 (IQR: 64 to 72). One 4-mm implant failed to osseointegrate and was removed. After 6 months of healing, secondary-stability measurements of 16 of the remaining 4-mm implants increased to 68 (IQR: 62 to 72) and of 10-mm implants to 78 (IQR: 77 to 80). After 1 year, all (11/11) oral rehabilitations supported by 10-mm (11/11) and 4-mm (16/16) implants were functional. The medians and IQRs of the probing depths (median: 2.8 mm, IQR: 2.3 to 3.1 mm vs median: 2.9 mm, IQR: 2.4 to 3.1 mm) and the crestal bone loss (median: 0.75 mm, IQR: 0 to 0.9 mm vs median: 0.22 mm, IQR: 0 to 0.4 mm) for the 10-mm and 4-mm implants, respectively, were similar. CONCLUSION: Rehabilitations with splinted crowns combining 4- and 10-mm implants demonstrated a favorable 1-year performance in a shortened maxillary dental arch.

The Use of 4-mm Implants Splinted to 10-mm Implants for Replacement of Multiple Missing Teeth in the Posterior Maxilla Region with Expanded Maxillary Sinus. An Observational Cases Series: Patient Characteristics and Preliminary Results.

This study aimed to rehabilitate shortened maxillary dental arch with splinted crowns by connecting ultra-short implants with longer ones. In the posterior maxilla of 11 patients, one 10-mm (n = 11) and one or two ultra-short 4-mm (n = 17) dental implants were inserted. The insertion torque was lower than 20 Ncm in 55% of the 10-mm implants and in 94% of the 4-mm implants (P > .05). Median (range) implant stability quotients at the time of insertion and after 6 months were 61 (14 to 72) and 68 (51 to 79), respectively, for 4-mm implants, and 66 (52 to 78) and 78 (60 to 83), respectively, for 10-mm implants (P < .05). One 4-mm implant failed to integrate. All patients were restored with splinted metal-ceramic crowns connecting 4- and 10-mm implants. Median (range) clinical crown/implant ratios of 4-mm and 10-mm implants were 2.79 (1 to 3.66) and 1.06 (0.85 to 1.46), respectively (P < .05). Six months after prosthetic rehabilitation, the median (range) crestal bone loss was 0.3 mm (-0.7 to 1.7 mm) for 4-mm implants and was 0.5 mm (-0.8 to 3.5 mm) for 10-mm implants (P > .05). Splinted crowns combining 4- and 10-mm implants may contribute to a better force distribution in the treatment with ultra-short implant-supported prosthesis in the posterior maxilla.

Effect of enamel matrix derivative liquid combined with synthetic bone substitute on bone regeneration in a rabbit calvarial model.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to verify the effectiveness of EMD-liquid in combination with a synthetic bone substitute in a rabbit calvarial model. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Four 7-mm outer diameter circular slits were created in the calvaria of 10 New Zealand white rabbits, and polycarbonate cylinders were inserted into the slits. Two experimental groups were established: (1) EMD-liquid + bone substitute (Osteon III®; biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP), ß-TCP/HA = 40:60) and (2) saline + bone substitute (Osteon III®; BCP). The cylinders were filled with saturated graft materials and covered with polycarbonate caps. Micro-CT and histomorphometric evaluation were conducted. RESULTS: In the histomorphometric analysis, new bone formation was significantly higher in the bone substitute (BS) + EMD-liquid group than in the BS only group at both 5 and 10 weeks (p < 0.01). There were statistically significant differences in the material area between the bone substitute and bone substitute + EMD-liquid groups at only 5 weeks (p < 0.05). The BS + EMD-liquid group demonstrated reduced material area to a greater extent. In micro-CT analysis, the BS + EMD-liquid group (27.04 ± 8.06 at 5 weeks, 28.49 ± 9.22 at 10 weeks) showed a significantly higher percentage of mineralized tissue volume at both 5 and 10 weeks (p < 0.05) than the BS only group. CONCLUSION: EMD-liquid enhances new bone formation when combined with BCP bone substitute in an animal model. Moreover, the EMD-liquid + BS has significantly lesser material area than BS alone, indicating accelerated graft degradation. Further studies on types of graft materials are required to verify the effect of EMD-liquid and to optimize its regenerative potential. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This study suggests that EMD-liquid may have beneficial effect on bone regeneration with synthetic bone substitute.

Comparing the Bone Healing After Cold Ablation Robot-Guided Er:YAG Laser Osteotomy and Piezoelectric Osteotomy-A Pilot Study in a Minipig Mandible.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To take major advantage of erbium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet (Er:YAG) lasers in osteotomy-like freedom of cutting geometries and high accuracy-the integration and miniaturization of the robot, laser, and navigation technology was tried and applied to minipigs. The investigators hypothesized laser osteotomy would render acceptable bone healing based on the intraoperative findings and postoperative cut surface analysis. STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS: We designed and implemented a comparative bone-cutting surgery in the minipig mandible with a cold ablation robot-guided Er:YAG laser osteotome (CARLO) and a piezoelectric (PZE) osteotome. The sample was composed of different patterns of defects in the mandibles of six grown-up female Goettingen minipigs. The predictor variable was Er:YAG osteotomy and PZE osteotomy. The outcome variable was the cut surface characteristics and bone healing at 4 and 8 weeks postoperatively. Descriptive and qualitative comparison was executed. RESULTS: The sample was composed of four kinds of bone defects on both sides of the mandibles of six minipigs. We observed more bleeding during the operation, open-cut surfaces, and a faster healing pattern with the laser osteotomy. There was a possible association between the intraoperative findings, postoperative cut surface analysis, and the bone healing pattern. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that characteristic open-cut surfaces could explain favorable bone healing after laser osteotomy. Future studies will focus on the quantification of the early healing characteristics after laser osteotomy, its diverse application, and the safety feature. Lasers Surg. Med. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

A decade of the socket-shield technique: a step-by-step partial extraction therapy protocol.

Ten years have passed since Hürzeler and coworkers first introduced the socket-shield technique. Much has developed and evolved with regard to partial extraction therapy, a collective concept of utilizing the patient's own tooth root to preserve the periodontium and peri-implant tissue. The specifications, steps, instrumentation, and procedures discussed in this article are the result of extensive experience in refining the socket-shield technique as we know it today. A repeatable, predictable protocol is requisite to providing tooth replacement in esthetic dentistry. Moreover, a standardized protocol provides a better framework for clinicians to report data relating to the technique with procedural consistency. This article aims to illustrate a reproducible, step-by-step protocol for the socket-shield technique at immediate implant placement and provisionalization for single-rooted teeth.

Evaluation of the Treatment of Partially Edentulous Patients With Bone Level Tapered Implants: 24-Month Clinical and Radiographic Follow-Up.

The aim of this case series was to assess, over a period of 24 months, the clinical and radiographic outcomes in partially edentulous patients receiving bone-level tapered implants. In total, 33 partially edentulous patients and 50 implants were evaluated. Patients received single or multiple implants in the posterior maxilla. Clinical and radiographic measurements of vertical bone levels were assessed at surgery, at loading, and 6, 12, and 24 months after surgery. The success and survival rates of the implants were also evaluated. Within the 24-month follow-up, only 1 implant failed (2.0%). Other biological or technical complications were not observed. The mean insertion torque was 34 ± 5.3 Ncm. Bone-level changes of 0.35 ± 0.23 mm were found between surgery and 12 months after surgery, and changes of 0.03 ± 0.05 mm were found between 12 months and 24 months after surgery. The overall change from surgery to 24 months after implant placement was 0.38 ± 0.24 mm. Most of the bone loss occurred between surgery and 3 months (0.28 ± 0.19 mm; P < .001); thereafter, the loss was minimal and statistically nonsignificant. Bone-level tapered implants yielded a high survival and success rate with minimal bone-level changes. Tapered implants could be considered as a predictable treatment option for partially edentulous patients with different types of bone qualities and loading protocols.

Maxillary Sinus Floor Elevation Surgery With BioOss Mixed With Enamel Matrix Derivative: A Human Randomized Controlled Clinical and Histologic Study.

Xenograft bone substitutes are commonly used to increase bone volume and height in the deficient posterior maxilla. The addition of enamel matrix derivate (Emdogain) could increase the efficiency of the bone healing process. The aim of this prospective randomized, controlled split-mouth design study was to compare the percentage of newly formed bone in sinus floor augmentation with deproteinized bovine bone mineral with or without the addition of enamel matrix derivative after 6 months of healing. Sixteen bilateral sinus floor augmentation procedures were performed. Deproteinized bovine bone mineral combined with enamel matrix derivative (test) and deproteinized bovine bone mineral alone (control) groups were randomly allocated within each patient. Six months after augmentation and concurrent to implant placement, bone biopsies were taken for histomorphometric analysis. Additionally, implant survival and peri-implant bone levels were radiographically assessed at baseline and 24 months after functional loading. Histomorphometric analysis revealed a significantly higher amount of newly formed bone in the test group compared with the control group (22.6% and 15.5%, respectively; P = .033). No significant differences in the amount of remaining graft or connective tissue was found. Enamel matrix derivative added to deproteinized bovine bone mineral particles significantly increased new bone formation in sinus lift procedures in edentulous or partially edentulous patients with deficient bilateral posterior alveolar ridges requiring augmentation for implant placement.

Evaluation of a novel dog animal model for peri-implant disease: clinical, radiographic, microbiological and histological assessment.

OBJECTIVE: To assess longitudinal peri-implant tissue evaluation in a plaque compromised ligature free dog model, clinically, radiographically, microbiologically and histologically. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six beagle mandibular premolars and first molars were extracted. Plaque accumulated for 16 weeks. Two implants were placed per hemi-mandible. For 17 weeks, control implants (CI) in one hemi-mandible were brushed daily; test implants (TI) in the other were not. These parameters were then assessed: clinically, probing depth (PD), bleeding-on-probing (BOP), presence of plaque (PP) and clinical attachment level (CAL); radiographically, marginal bone level; microbiologically, counts for Streptococcus spp., Fusobacterium spp., Porphyromonas gingivalis, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Prevotella intermedia and total bacterial load. At week 17, histomorphometric analysis was performed (MM-ISH (mucosal margin-implant shoulder); ISH-fBIC (implant shoulder-first bone-to-implant contact); MM-aJE (mucosal margin-apical area junctional epithelium); MM-aINF (mucosal margin-apical limit of the inflammatory infiltrate); %INF (percentage of inflammatory infiltrate)). RESULTS: At week 17, TI had significant increased PD, BOP, PP and CAL versus baseline. All clinical variables presented intergroup differences. There was no intergroup difference for radiographic bone loss (p > 0.05). Total bacteria, Fusobacterium spp., A. actinomycetemcomitans and P. gingivalis had intergroup differences. There was no statistically significant intergroup difference for ISH-fBIC. CONCLUSIONS: Longitudinal microbiology evaluation detected a shift period. Final intergroup microbiological differences were the basis of W17 clinical intergroup differences, with higher values in TI. Microbiological and clinical changes detected in peri-implant tissues were compatible with onset of peri-implant disease. Despite histological inflammatory intergroup difference, no histological or radiographic intergroup bone loss was detected. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This study set-up describes a valuable method for generating "true" early peri-implant defects without mechanical trauma.