Impact of dental implant diameter on the efficiency of fatigue: A systematic review analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To explain the success and failure of dental implant diameter on the efficiency of fatigue. METHODS: The systematic review was conducted using PubMed and Cochrane databases for Original Articles published in the English language from 1999 to 2019. Outcomes were evaluated to determine perceptions regarding the role of dental implant diameter in influencing the implant's fatigue performance. Data was analysed using SPSS 22. RESULTS: Of the 263 abstracts retrieved, 53(20%) were reviewed. Of them, 14(26.4%) were included; 9(64.3%) systematic reviews, and 5(35.7%) studies. The implant diameter could be categorised into wide diameter (5-6mm), regular diameter (3.75-4mm), and small/narrow diameter (3-3.4mm). The narrow diameter implants are indicated through thin alveolar ridges and mesiodistal spaces (<7mm). The implants with narrow diameter would offer greater risk of fatigue failure for clinical situations with significant functional loading (p<0.05). No significant differences were found either in success or failure of dental implant diameter on fatigue efficiency at 1-year and 3-year follow-ups (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The technical complication of dental implant included abutment screw loosening or fracture, abutment and superstructure fracture, and implant body fracture. The review mainly focussed on the impact of dental implant diameter on the efficiency of fatigue and reviewed a significant impact of dental implant diameter on the fatigue efficiency.

Knowledge and attitude toward replacing missing teeth with dental implants among the Saudi population.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the knowledge level and attitude of the Saudi population about the use of a dental implant as a treatment option for replacing the missing teeth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study adopted a quantitative approach and used an online questionnaire to collect data. Nine hundred and five participants were recruited as per the inclusion criteria (above 18 years of age, know how to read and write, and technology literate). The collected data were analyzed statistically using IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software. RESULTS: A low level of knowledge about teeth replacement methods (56%) was recorded among the participant, while 44.4% of them had heard about implant, bridges, and dentures. The oral hygiene of the participants was considered good (59.3%). The main source of information, reported by the participants, was the dentist (53.4%). The knowledge about dental implants was found to be significantly the highest (P = 0.02) among the highly educated participant who had completed postgraduate studies. CONCLUSION: There is a need for introducing comprehensive orientation programs, conducted by dentists, to communicate knowledge about dental implants. The social campaigns and official information programs should be instigated for improving the knowledge of the patients. Structured programs should be also introduced at an academic level, for enhancing the knowledge related to replacing missing teeth and dental implants.

Clinical Concerns Regarding Dentition and Connections to Osseointegrated Implants: A Systematic Review of Implant Restoration Trends and Treatment of Partial Edentulism.

Issues associated with missing teeth can be found in almost all age groups. For edentulous patients, osseointegration is a highly efficient treatment. However, certain biochemical challenges are presented when osseointegrated implants are taken into consideration due to the periodontal ligament. Therefore, the current study focuses on clinical concerns that can occur with the use of dental implants and examines different trends of implant restoration and treatment of partial edentulous patients. Data were collected from ten research articles and analyzed by means of a qualitative secondary approach. The findings of the current study indicate that restoration and preservation of natural teeth are significant in the development of dental practices. Moreover, the determinant of endodontic treatment is considered to be a key factor in the retention and reconstruction of tooth functioning that is influenced by necrosis of dental pulp. We conclude that the osseointegration method is significant and highly effective for treating edentulous patients.

Innovative Integration of Facebook Groups in Biomaterials Course: Perception of Dental Students.

BACKGROUND: Calls for incorporating Facebook into the academic process to achieve educational purposes were done since more than 10 years. OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to assess the perception of the dental students towards the use of Facebook in learning of the Biomaterials course and to determine if there is a gender-based difference in the students' perception. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This cross sectional study was conducted on the 3rd year undergraduate dental students, at one of Saudi universities during the academic year 2016-2017 using a self-administered questionnaire that was distributed to all students with a response rate 100%. Data was analyzed using the SPSS version 16. RESULTS: The female students were significantly more satisfied with the course than the male as they wanted to use Facebook to study the other topics of the Biomaterials course (p=0.01) as well as to study the other subjects (p=0.012) and they thought that Facebook can be used for scientific discussion (p=0.01).The willing to use Facebook in future learning was high among the female students but with no significant difference between both males and females. It was unexpected to find low agreement score among the participants on their preference to have assignments, movies, feedback or even reminders on Facebook with no significant difference between males and females. CONCLUSION: Integrating learning through Facebook groups into the dental courses was generally well-perceived among the dental students and specifically accepted for the Biomaterials course. Students were willing to apply such model in other dentistry subjects. Further investigation of the impact of the approach on students' performance is recommended.

Three-dimensional finite element analysis of custom-made ceramic dowel made using CAD/CAM technology.

PURPOSE: This study compares the stress distribution in the structure of a loaded endodontically treated maxillary extracted canine restored with either custom-made zirconia (Cercon) or cast gold dowel and core. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Standard treatments were implemented to prepare the gutta-percha-filled root canal and dowel space. The tooth along with the dowel and core fabricated pattern resin were prepared to receive an all-ceramic (Cercon) crown. An impression was made for the tooth preparation with the zirconia milled dowel and core in place to fabricate the Cercon crown using CAD/CAM. The restored canine was scanned, and from the scan two models were constructed with the surrounding ligament and bone. Three-dimensional finite element elastic analysis was then carried out for the stress distribution within the different regions of the two models due to a concentrated force of 100 N applied at the mid-lingual area. Analyses were made for three load angulations, vertical, buccolingual horizontal, and an in-between oblique force at 45(o) . Each region of the models was assumed isotropic and homogeneous. The two restored canines with zirconia and gold were compared in terms of the resulting maximum tensile, compressive, and Von Mises stresses. RESULTS: Generally, there were no significant differences in the maximum stresses in most regions for both models. Von Mises stresses for zirconia dowel and core was 8.966 MPa and for cast gold dowel and core was 8.752 MPa. The maximum tensile stress for zirconia dowel and core was 9.326 MPa, and for cast gold dowel and core was 8.166 MPa. CONCLUSIONS: The present work validates the use of CAD/CAM zirconia material for ceramic dowel and cores. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: CAD/CAM Zirconia can be used for a custom-made dowel and core in an esthetically demanding zone as an esthetic replacement for a metal cast dowel and core when restoring endodontically treated teeth.