Xenogeneic collagen matrix versus connective tissue graft for buccal soft tissue augmentation at implant site. A randomized, controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Peri-implant soft tissue may be critical to prevent inflammation and promote gingival margin stability. The purpose of this randomized clinical trial (RCT) is to compare xenogeneic collagen matrix (XCM) versus connective tissue graft (CTG) to increase buccal soft tissue thickness at implant site. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Soft tissue augmentation with XCM (test) or CTG (control) was performed at 60 implants in 60 patients at the time of implant uncovering. Measurements were performed by a blinded examiner at baseline, 3 and 6 months. Outcome measures included buccal soft tissue thickness (GT), apico-coronal keratinized tissue (KT), chair time and post-operative discomfort. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was used to evaluate patient satisfaction. RESULTS: After 6 months, the final GT increase was 0.9 ± 0.2 in the XCM group and 1.2 ± 0.3 mm in the CTG group, with a significant difference favouring the control group (0.3 mm; p = .0001). Both procedures resulted in similar final KT amount with no significant difference between treatments. XCM was associated with significant less chair-time (p < .0001), less post-operative pain (p < .0001), painkillers intake (p < .0001) and higher final satisfaction than CTG (p = .0195). CONCLUSION: CTG was more effective than XCM to increase buccal peri-implant soft tissue thickness.

Fracture resistance of composite resin restorations and porcelain veneers in relation to residual tooth structure in fractured incisors.

The aim of the present study was to investigate whether there is a direct correlation between the amount of residual tooth structure in a fractured maxillary incisor and the fracture resistance of composite resin restorations or porcelain veneers after cyclic loading. Sixty human-extracted maxillary central and lateral incisors were mounted in an acrylic block with the coronal aspect of the tooth protruding from the block surface. The teeth were assigned to two groups: 2-mm incisal fracture and 4-mm incisal fracture. Then, the teeth were further divided into two different restoration subgroups, porcelain laminate veneer and composite resin restoration, therefore obtaining four groups for the study (n=15). The specimens were subjected to 1000 cycles of thermocycling and were mechanically tested with a custom-designed cyclic loading apparatus for 2×106 cycles or until they failed. The specimens that survived the cyclic loading were loaded on the incisal edge along the long axis of the tooth with a flat stainless steel applicator until they fractured using a universal testing machine to measure the failure load. Two-way anova was used to assess the significance of restoration, amount of fracture, and interaction effect (α=0.05). During the cyclic loading, for the composite resin group, two specimens with 2-mm fracture and three specimens with 4-mm fracture failed. For the porcelain veneer group, two specimens with 2-mm fracture and one specimen with 4-mm fracture failed. The 2-way anova did not show statistical significance for restoration (P=0.584), amount of fracture (P=0.357), or interaction effect (P=0.212). A composite resin restoration and a porcelain veneer could perform similarly for replacing a fractured incisor edge up to 4mm. Other factors such as esthetic and/or cost would be considerations to indicate one treatment over the other.

Oral rehabilitation of an edentulous patient using two-segment le fort I repositioning and implant-supported fixed prostheses.

Anteroposterior (AP) deficiencies present a restorative treatment challenge. Complex, multidisciplinary planning is necessary for the success of the treatment. This clinical report describes an approach to managing a complex complete oral rehabilitation of an edentulous patient with skeletal transverse and AP deficiencies with a history of facial trauma to the left zygomaticomaxillary complex. This was further complicated by a hopeless remaining dentition and pneumatization of the maxillary sinuses. Treatment included initial bony augmentation of the vertically and horizontally deficient maxilla, dental implant placement, provisional restoration in a Class III malocclusion with bilateral posterior crossbite, and Le Fort I osteotomy with transverse widening and advancement to correct the skeletal deficiency. Definitive restoration was accomplished with implant-supported fixed prostheses that provided ideal facial balance and occlusion.