Upper-lip laser frenectomy with a diode laser in a pediatric patient: a case report.

The case report aims to describe the parameters of performing upper labial frenectomy with the use of diode laser beams without infiltrated local anaesthesia. A 6-year-old patient was referred by the orthodontist for assessment of the upper anterior labial frenum. The dental treatment plan reported only the presence of caries on deciduous teeth and seals on the first permanent molars. The clinical examination reported the presence of a high attachments of labial frenum with a pathologically attachment and the presence of a diastema supports this theory. The laser used to remove the frenulum was a diode laser used with a wavelength of 980 nm with 320 microns of fiber in contact with a power of 2.0 W in continuous wave mode. The clinical examination showed an acceptable healing by secondary intention of the wound and the initial functional recovery of a physiological upper lip movements. The patient reported that the procedure was well tolerated. The diode laser can be used with good result for the removal of pathological frenum. The diode laser can be used in pediatric dentistry because of its application, adequate coagulation, no need for sutures and less inflammation and pain.

The health of soft tissues around four dental implants loaded immediately supporting a 4-year-old fixed screw-retained prosthesis.

The aim of this study was to assess the soft tissues health around the implant/abutment interfaces of fixed screw-retained prosthesis supported by four dental implants after at least 1-year in function. All the implants were placed between December 1, 2015 and April 30, 2019. Digital implant surgical planning was performed for all the complete-arch rehabilitations and then full-guided surgery was performed. The fixed-interim prostheses were delivered the day of the surgery and replaced by definitive prostheses after the healing period. Patients were followed-up to determinate peri-implant scores, such as Plaque Score (PS) and Bleeding on Probing (BoP). A total of 160 implants were placed in 37 patients, whereas 3 patients received both arches rehabilitated. A total of 40 complete-arch rehabilitations were performed, 26 in the maxilla and 14 in the mandible. Only 5 implants failed resulting in an overall implant survival rate of 96.9%. BoP was detected around 6 implants (3.7%) and 16 implants showed a superficial amount of plaque resulting a Plaque Score of 10%. Within the limitation of this study, it seems that the use of a fixed screw-retained prostheses supported by four dental implants to rehabilitate edentulous jaws could be a valid treatment option in the short and medium term without critical peri-implant issues. However, several perspective studies with longer follow-up are needed to achieve more predictable results.