Clinicoradiographic Evaluation of Long-term Efficacy and Risk Factors Associated with Dental Implants used for Full Mouth Rehabilitation.

Background: Despite various complications and failure factors, newer implants are designed that allow placement in sub-optimal conditions to allow the operator to place implants at sites with low bone quality. These newer designs also allow improved stability with higher survival rates in the short term. Aims: The present study was undertaken to evaluate long-term efficacy and risk factors associated with dental implant placement for full mouth rehabilitation. Materials and Methods: In 24 subjects, 438 implants were placed. The data collected were surgical and were retrospectively analyzed. The data collected included medical history, local, patient satisfaction, marginal bone loss, and systemic risk factors affecting implant survival. Outcome variables assessed were peri-implantitis, implant success, and survival at the follow-up visit. The data were expressed in terms of percentage and number, and the results were derived. Results: Peri-implantitis was seen in 31.05% (n = 136) of implants. 76.02% (n = 333) of implants were considered successful at recall. Concerning survival, compromised and satisfactory survival was shown by 10.04% (n = 44) and 2.96% (n = 13) of implants, respectively. 10.95% (n = 48) of implants were considered as failures. Conclusion: The present study concludes that good, long-term survival rates are associated with full mouth rehabilitation using dental implants.

Clinical Assessment of the Bone Width Following Lateral Ridge Expansion in Augmentation of Narrow Alveolar Ridges for Placing Immediate Dental Implants.

Background: Less residual alveolar bone at extraction site at esthetic and functional tooth position is the main limitation in placing a dental implant, especially at long-span edentulous ridges. This needs ridge augmentation. Aims: To assess bone width gain and implant stability following narrow ridge augmentation using the vertical ridge split technique. Materials and Methods: In 22 subjects within the age group of 20-60 years and the mean age of 38.46 years. The vertical ridge split technique was done in all subjects for horizontal ridge augmentation. Paraesthesia, pain/discomfort, mobility, and radiographic crestal bone width were assessed 6 months postoperatively. The data were described as mean and standard deviation along with number and percentage. Paired t-test was also used keeping the level of significance at P < 0.05. Results: Implant stability was seen in 86.36% (n = 19) study subjects and were not stable in 13.63% (n = 3) subjects. Bone width preoperatively was in the range of 3.1-4.4 mm with the mean value of 3.64 ± 0.41. Postoperatively, the bone width increased and was in the range of 5.2-6.3 mm with the mean value of 5.62 ± 0.45 mm. This increase postoperatively was statistically significant with a P value of <0.001. Conclusion: The present study concludes that acceptable success results are seen using the ridge split technique with simultaneous dental implants placement in both atrophic maxilla and mandible.

Fever of Unknown Origin in Older Adults: A Prospective Observational Study from North India.

OBJECTIVES: Fever of unknown origin (FUO) has different etiology in different age groups. We aimed to determine the spectrum of FUO in older patients and to establish the underlying etiology. METHODS: This was a hospital-based prospective observational study conducted between January 2018 to June 2019 at Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India. Fifty-one consecutive patients aged 60 years and above met the qualitative criteria of FUO. RESULTS: The etiological distribution was infections in 21 patients (41.2%), malignancies in 16 (31.4%) and noninfectious inflammatory disorders in 8 (15.7%). Six patients (11.8%) remained undiagnosed. Among infections, 15 patients (29.4%) had tuberculosis, and 10 had an extrapulmonary disease. Twelve out of 16 cases with malignancies had a hematological cause, and eight had lymphoma. ;Regarding decisive methods of diagnosis, 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography was diagnostic in 17 out of 27 patients (63%) and computed tomography in 21 out of 42 cases (50%). Imaging or endoscopy-guided procedures provided a diagnostic clue in 12 out of 14 patients (85.7%), and bone marrow examination results were useful in 9 out of 19 (47.4%). CONCLUSIONS: Infections and malignancies contributed to about three-fourths of cases, with tuberculosis and lymphoma being the commonest etiologies.

The effect of mouthwashes on fluoride dentifrices in preventing dental abrasion or erosion.

Erosive tooth wear (ETW) refers to the chemical dissolution of mineralized tissues by acids of non-bacterial origin. It occurs in the primary as well as the permanent dentition. In this study, our objectives were to investigate and compare the impact of chlorhexidine gluconate (CHX), essential oils (EO), and cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) on ETW protection produced by conventional fluoride kinds of toothpaste. A clinically relevant in-vitro erosion/abrasion pH cycling model was employed to test the effect of the aforementioned mouthwashes on modulating the ability of NaF and SnF2 types of toothpaste. The mean dentin surface loss associated with NaF toothpaste was significantly lower than for the SnF2 toothpaste. On the other hand, enamel surface loss with SnF2 toothpaste was significantly lower than for the NaF toothpaste. Also, the surface loss of erosion was significantly higher when associated with abrasion than without brushing and for both enamel and dentin. There was no significant difference in the surface loss among all types of mouthwash. Commonly used types of mouthwash containing antimicrobial agents or additional fluoride do not impact fluoride toothpaste action on erosion/abrasion. Also, considering erosion only, the tested SnF2 dentifrice provided better protection against surface loss of enamel than the other.