Does the retention system influence the stability of implant-supported maxillary overdentures? A comparison with fixed and conventional dentures.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this in vitro study was to compare the stability of removable implant-supported maxillary overdentures with fixed complete dentures and conventional dentures. METHODS: Four types of complete dentures were tested: conventional complete dentures; overdentures retained by a male resilient attachment system; overdentures retained by a combination of clip bar and attachment system; and fixed complete dentures. Each group was placed in the posterior and anterior region and the stability was recorded by measuring the vertical displacement of the prosthesis. RESULTS: There was a difference in the vertical movement of the prosthesis according to the type of system. The results showed that the behavior of the overdenture retained by a combination of a clip bar and attachment system is comparable with the stabilization of an implant-retained fixed complete denture. CONCLUSIONS: Overdentures retained by a combination of a clip bar and attachment presented better stability and retention capacity under our experimental conditions, close to that of the positive control (fixed complete denture), with the advantages of removable overdentures.

Influence of irradiance and exposure time on the degree of conversion and mechanical properties of a conventional and silorane composite.

AIM: The aim of this study is to evaluate the influence of different combinations of irradiance and exposure time for a given radiant exposure on the degree of conversion (DC) and on the mechanical properties of two resin composites: Filtek Z250 and Filtek P90 LS (3M ESPE). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The following curing protocols were used: Standard irradiance: 400 mW/cm2 for 60 s; Medium irradiance: 700 mW/cm2 for 34 s and High irradiance: 950 mW/cm2 for 26 s. The DC was measured using Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy. Each specimen was submitted to five indentations to evaluate the Knoop microhardness (KHN). The flexural strength (FS) was obtained from the three-point bending test. Cylindrical specimens were prepared for the Diametral tensile strength (DTS) test. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Data were evaluated using two-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (α = 0.05). RESULTS: DC and DTS were not influenced by the different curing protocols. For P90, the medium irradiance showed higher values of KHN than the standard irradiance. For Z250, the high irradiance showed higher values of FS than the standard irradiance. CONCLUSION: The influence of the different combinations of irradiance and exposure time depends on the resin composite as well as the specifically evaluated mechanical property.

Natural killer cells and alterations in collagen density: signs of periradicular herpesvirus infection?

This study evaluated the presence and density of natural killer (NK) cells as well as collagen density in chronic apical periodontitis lesions and tried to find any correlations with concomitant herpesvirus infection or histopathological status of the lesion. Surgical specimens of chronic apical periodontitis lesions were surveyed for the presence and density of NK cells by immunohistochemical analysis. Collagen density in these lesions was quantified by means of histochemistry. All specimens were positive for the presence of CD57-positive cells. Topographically, CD57-positive cells were found singly or forming clusters in the granulomatous tissue, as well as subjacent and within the cystic epithelium. No significant differences in the density of CD57-positive cells were found between nonepithelialized and epithelialized lesions or between herpesvirus-positive and herpesvirus-negative lesions. Significant differences were found in volumetric density of collagen when comparing nonepithelialized and epithelialized lesions, with the latter demonstrating higher values. When no distinction of lesion type was made, there was no significant difference in collagen density between herpesvirus-positive and herpesvirus-negative lesions. When comparing the collagen density in herpesvirus-positive and herpesvirus-negative specimens from the same lesion type, a significant difference was found in nonepithelialized lesions, with herpesvirus-positive lesions showing lower values. The presence of CD57-positive cells in all chronic apical periodontitis specimens may indicate that activated NK cells play a role in the pathogenesis of this disease, possibly by participating in innate immunity events involved in the control of virus infection. Collagen density may vary in function of the type of lesion and presence of herpesvirus infection.

Herpesviruses in asymptomatic apical periodontitis lesions: an immunohistochemical approach.

INTRODUCTION: Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) have been recently detected in samples from apical periodontitis lesions by means of molecular biology techniques and a role in the pathogenesis of this disease has been suggested. The present study was designed to survey asymptomatic primary apical periodontitis lesions for the presence of HCMV- and/or EBV-infected cells by means of immunohistochemistry. METHODS: Apical periodontitis lesions were obtained from 35 patients [26 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) -seronegative patients and nine HIV-seropositive patients] after tooth extraction and subjected to immunohistochemical analysis using monoclonal antibodies specific for HCMV and EBV. RESULTS: Fifteen of the 35 apical periodontitis lesions were positive for the target herpesviruses. Overall, EBV was found in 31% of the samples and HCMV in 23%, with 14% of the lesions showing EBV and HCMV dual infection. No association was found between HCMV or EBV with any particular histopathological type of apical periodontitis (P > 0.05). HCMV was significantly more frequent in apical periodontitis lesions from HIV-positive patients (67%) than in lesions from HIV-negative patients (8%) (P = 0.001). EBV was detected in 44% of lesions from HIV-positive patients and in 27% of lesions from HIV-negative patients, but this difference was not significant (P = 0.91). CONCLUSION: Our results showed that cells infected by HCMV and EBV can be found in apical periodontitis lesions, with a higher prevalence in HIV-positive patients. The specific role that these viruses play in the pathogenesis of apical periodontitis remains to be described.