Barbell Technique for Three-Dimensional Bone Augmentation.

Introduction: Appositional bone augmentation is considered a challenging surgical problem to correct for the deficient alveolar ridge. To overcome this challenge, a novel concept was recently published called "Barbell Technique." This technique has been used more commonly for horizontal bone augmentation. To our knowledge, this is the first report on using the Barbell Technique for vertical bone augmentation. Case Report. This report describes and demonstrates the clinical feasibility of the use of this concept in the reconstruction of a tridimensional alveolar ridge defect in the anterior maxilla. Due to the severity of the defect, both hard and soft tissue deficiencies required augmentation. The first surgery involved a soft tissue grafting procedure while in the second surgical procedure, hard tissue augment was performed using the Barbell device to provide both vertical and horizontal support for the hard tissue graft. The donor material consisted of equal volume of xenograft and autogenous bone used to fill the defect and covered with a collagen barrier membrane. After a healing period of 9 months, the site was reopened. Bone formation clinically verified the correction of alveolar bone contour and volume permitted placement of two titanium implants after the removal of Barbell device. Conclusion: This case report demonstrates successful vertical and horizontal bone augmentation of a critical size defect in the anterior maxilla, correcting both hard and soft tissue contours, and providing the tissues needed to support dental implants in the anterior maxilla.

Horizontal Bone Augmentation With Autogenous and Collagenated Xenogeneic Bone Blocks: A Split-Mouth Prospective Clinical, Tomographic, and Histological Pilot Study.

The aim of this study was to compare the clinical, tomographic, and histological performance of collagenated xenogeneic bone blocks (CXBB) in horizontal bone augmentations for implant placement. Five patients with an absence of the 4 upper incisors and an HAC 3 horizontal bone defect, with a remaining of 3 to 5 mm, underwent a bone-grafting procedure with CXBB (test group [TG], n = 5) and autogenous graft (control group [CG], n = 5), with one type of graft used on the right side and other type on the left side. Changes in bone thickness and density (tomographic evaluation), levels of complications (clinically), and distribution pattern between mineralized and nonmineralized tissue (histomorphometrically) were analyzed. Tomographic analysis showed a horizontal bone increase of 4.25 ± 0.78 mm in the TG and 3.08 ± 0.8 mm in the CG between baseline and 8 months postoperatively (P < .05). The horizontal loss between the day of installation of the blocks and 8 months postoperatively was 1.02 ± 0.39 mm for the TG and 1.10 ± 0.71 mm for the CG (P > .05). With regard to bone density, the TG blocks right after installation had 440.2 ± 89.15 HU, and after 8 months, the region reached 730.7 ± 130.98 HU, representing an increase of 29.05%. For the CG blocks, bone density increased from 1052.2 ± 398.35 HU to 1222.5 ± 453.28 HU, representing an increase of 17.03%. The increase in bone density was significantly higher in the TG (P < .05). Clinically, no cases of exposure of the bone blocks and no failure of incorporation were observed. Histomorphometrically, the percentage of mineralized tissue was lower in the TG than in the CG (48.10% ± 2.88% and 53.53% ± 1.05%, respectively), and the opposite was verified for the levels of nonmineralized tissue (52.79% ± 2.88% and 46.47% ± 1.05%, respectively; P < .05). The use of CXBB achieved higher levels of horizontal gain, with lower bone density and lower levels of mineralized tissue when compared with the use of autogenous blocks.

Influence of Titanium Surface Treatments on Viability of Periodontal Fibroblasts Grown in an Osteogenic Culture Medium.

Background: The integrity of the protective seal provided by the gingiva in direct contact with the implant surface is one of the main factors involved in the prevention of peri-implantitis. Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the viability of periodontal fibroblasts grown in an osteogenic culture medium in contact with titanium surfaces treated either with acid etching alone or with acid etching + anodizing. Materials and Methods: Periodontal fibroblasts grown in an osteogenic culture medium were distributed in a control group, with cells grown in culture bottles, and two experimental groups, with cells grown in contact with titanium disks measuring 6 mm in diameter. The surface of the disks was subjected to acid etching alone (AEG, n = 25) or to acid etching + anodizing (ANG, n = 25), and then evaluated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Cell viability was assessed by the [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium] bromide test on days 1, 2, 3, 7, and 14 of the cell culture. The Mann-Whitney test was used for the statistical analysis (P < 0.05). Results: The SEM assessment revealed that the surface of AEG specimens had micrometric characteristics, whereas the surface of ANG specimens had nanometric characteristics. No significant difference was observed among the groups regarding cell viability at any of the evaluation time points. Conclusion: The titanium surface treatments tested did not affect the viability of periodontal fibroblasts in an osteogenic culture medium.

Reverse torque evaluation in indexed and nonindexed abutments of Morse Taper implants in a mechanical fatigue test.

BACKGROUND: This experimental study assessed reverse torque of indexed and nonindexed (NI) abutments in Morse Taper (MT) implants in a mechanical fatigue test. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this experimental study It was used 37 implants MT and over them installed Pilar Flex abutments (4.8 mm × 6 mm × 1.5 mm). The groups were as follows: Group A used 19 MT implants with a NI Pilar Flex abutment loaded with 32 N/cm and Group B used 18 MT implants with an indexed (IN) Pilar Flex abutment loaded with 20 N/cm. The abutments were tested according to ISO standard 14801/2007. The specimens were installed at 30° from the axial axis and underwent a 133 N load, 4 Hz frequency, and 1,000,000 cycles. Once the test was completed, the reverse torque was provided by an electronic torque meter. Data were submitted to statistical analysis using the t-test for independent samples and paired t-test. The significance level was considered P < 0.05. RESULTS: Results obtained showed that the indexed Pilar Flex abutment had a percentage of torque loss from the initial torque of 49% and the NI Pilar Flex abutment lost 14%. Paired Student's t-tests revealed that for both NI (P < 0.001) and indexed (P < 0.001) abutments, the counter torque values were significantly lower than those applied at the initial torque. CONCLUSION: According on the methodology used, the NI Pilar Flex abutment was more effective regarding the reverse torque in single-unit implant prostheses versus the indexed Pilar Flex abutment. A greater loosening in the indexed Pilar Flex abutment retaining screw was noted in the reverse torque test, and the Pilar Flex abutment failed to show good outcomes related to the cold welding effect.

Maxillary Sinus Augmentation Combining Bio-Oss with the Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate: A Histomorphometric Study in Humans.

Purpose. To investigate the regenerative results obtained with the association of bone marrow aspirate concentrate using the Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC) method to a xenogeneic bone graft (Bio-Oss) in sinus floor elevation. Materials and Methods. Using a randomized controlled study design in eight consecutive patients (age of 55.4 ± 9.2 years), 16 sinus floor lift procedures were performed with Bio-Oss alone (control group, CG, n = 8) or combined with bone marrow aspirate concentrate obtained via the BMAC method (test group, TG, n = 8). Six months after the grafting procedures, bone biopsies were harvested during implant placement and were analyzed by histomorphometry. Results. Histomorphometric analysis revealed a significantly higher amount (p < 0.05) of vital mineralized tissue in TG when compared to the CG (55.15 ± 20.91% and 27.30 ± 5.55%, resp.). For nonvital mineralized tissue, TG presented a statistically higher level of Bio-Oss resorption (p < 0.05) when compared with the CG (6.32 ± 12.03% and 22.79 ± 9.60%, resp.). Both groups (TG and CG) showed no significantly different levels (p > 0.05) of nonmineralized tissue (38.53 ± 13.08% and 49.90 ± 7.64%, resp.). Conclusion. The use of bone marrow concentrate obtained by BMAC method increased bone formation in sinus lift procedures.

Vertical bone augmentation using a polytetrafluoroethylene nonporous barrier for osseointegrated implants partially inserted in tibiae of rabbits.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the possibility of obtaining guided bone regeneration using a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) nonporous barrier for 2 endosseous implants, partially inserted in tibiae of rabbits. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Histologic characteristics of the interface between titanium implants (one group with titanium plasma-coated implants and the other group with acid-treated surfaces) and of the regenerated bone were also studied. Twenty screw-vent implants were placed in tibiae of 5 male New Zealand rabbits, 2 at the right side and 2 at the left side, protruding 3 mm from the bone level, to create a horizontal bone defect. At the experimental group the implants were protected with a PTFE nonporous barrier, whereas no barriers were used in contralateral implants. Animals were sacrificed 3 months after surgery and biopsy specimens were evaluated histologically and histomorphometrically under light microscopy. Student's t test was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The histologic measurements showed a mean gain in bone height of 2.15 and 2.42 mm for the barrier group and 1.95 and 0.43 mm for the control group, for the titanium plasma-spray and acid-treated implant surfaces, respectively. CONCLUSION: The results of the investigation revealed that the placement of implants protruding 3 mm from crestal bone defects may result in vertical bone augmentation using a nonporous PTFE barrier.

Fresh-frozen human bone graft for repair of defect after adenomatoid odontogenic tumour removal.

The aim of this paper was report the clinical, radiographic, and histological case of adenomatoid odontogenic tumour (AOT) in adolescent woman as well as present the reconstructive treatment of AOT using fresh-frozen human bone graft with guided bone regeneration. AOT is a benign, noninvasive lesion with slow but progressive growth. Biopsy and microscopic examination confirmed the presence of an AOT. Treatment was conservative and the prognosis was excellent. The patient has been followed-up for without recurrence. The use of fresh-frozen human bone graft can be a safe choice for reconstruction of the bone defects to treat AOT.

Calcium sulfate and PTFE nonporous barrier for regeneration of experimental bone defects.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the possibility to obtain guided bone regeneration with two types of physical barriers (calcium sulfate and PTFE nonporous barrier) in surgical defects created in rat parietal bones. In the right parietal bone the calcium sulfate barrier filled out the whole defect and in the left parietal bone the barrier of PTFE was positioned in the floor and externally to the surgical defect. After 7, 14, 30 and 45 days four animals were sacrificed in each period and the bone containing the defects were submitted to the microscopic analysis. The results of the study revealed that the PTFE barrier was more effective for bone regeneration in shallow transcortical defects compared to the calcium sulfate. However, additional experiments are necessary to determine if calcium sulfate would be successful in other bone defects types or the use of the material under another consistence could complement the results obtained in this work.

Guided bone regeneration with subperiosteal implants of PTFE and hydroxyapatite physical barriers in rats.

Regeneration of periodontal and alveolar ridge defects utilizing membranes is a well-established procedure in reconstructive surgery. Biomaterial characteristics and membrane design employed in guided tissue regeneration (GTR) techniques play an important role in good results. The purpose of this histologic experimental study in rats was to compare the use of two physical barriers in the osteopromotion by using GTR principles in bone defects created in tibias. Fifteen animals divided into 3 groups were used: group I (non-porous polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) barrier), group II (coral hydroxyapatite (HA) blocks), and group III (defects that received no physical barrier). Histological examination showed varied amounts of newly formed bone beneath both types of barriers. The non-porous PTFE barrier showed better results than the HA group. The results of this study suggest that bone regeneration can be successfully enhanced by a submerged membrane technique.