Clinical insights into traumatic injury of the inferior alveolar and lingual nerves: a comprehensive approach from diagnosis to therapeutic interventions.

OBJECTIVES: This scoping review explores the risk and management of traumatic injuries to the inferior alveolar and lingual nerves during mandibular dental procedures. Emphasizing the significance of diagnostic tools, the review amalgamates existing knowledge to offer a comprehensive overview. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A literature search across PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library informed the analysis. RESULTS: Traumatic injuries often lead to hypo-/anesthesia and neuropathic pain, impacting individuals psychologically and socially. Diagnosis involves thorough anamnesis, clinical-neurological evaluations, and radiographic imaging. Severity varies, allowing for conservative or surgical interventions. Immediate action is recommended for reversible causes, while surgical therapies like decompression, readaptation, or reconstruction yield favorable outcomes. Conservative management, utilizing topical anesthesia, capsaicin, and systemic medications (tricyclic antidepressants, antipsychotics, and serotonin-norepinephrine-reuptake-inhibitors), proves effective for neuropathic pain. CONCLUSIONS: Traumatic nerve injuries, though common in dental surgery, often go unrecorded. Despite lacking a definitive diagnostic gold standard, a meticulous examination of the injury and subsequent impairments is crucial. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Tailoring treatment to each case's characteristics is essential, recognizing the absence of a universal solution. This approach aims to optimize outcomes, restore functionality, and improve the quality of life for affected individuals.

Zuclopenthixol Induced Ischemic Priapism: Case Report and Review of Literature.

Objective: Present a case of zuclopenthixol associated priapism, literature review and focus on the stuttering priapism entity as a potential serious complication as well as providing information about possible preventive treatments. Case report: A 44 year-old male patient with history of cocaine abuse with associated priapism presents with acute painful erection after starting zuclopenthixol for treatment of a psychotic episode. This episode was later followed by many other similar episodes defined as stuttering priapism. Conclusion: Acute ischemic priapism is a potential serious side effect of antipsychotics that physicians especially psychiatrists needs to be aware of especially if the patient has previous episodes in order to prevent reoccurrence.

The bone lid technique in lateral sinus lift: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: This systematic review aimed at assessing the effect of the repositioned bone lid on bone augmentation in lateral sinus lift in pre-clinical in vivo and clinical studies. Secondary aims were to report on the healing of the bone window and to assess the implant survival rate. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Animal and human studies comparing lateral maxillary sinus floor elevation in combination or not with the repositioned bone lid were retrieved from MEDLINE (PubMed), Web of Science and Cochrane online library. Studies published in English up to April 2022 and reporting on histological and/or radiographic outcomes were considered. Case reports, case series and reviews were excluded. A hand search was also conducted. Risk of bias was assessed and meta-analysis performed to investigate the effect of the bone lid on new bone formation. RESULTS: After screening, 5 animal studies (4 in rabbits, 1 in sheep) and 2 clinical studies (1 RCT, 1 case-control) were included. Meta-analysis confirmed a higher new bone formation in rabbits at 2 and 8 weeks using the bone lid. The two clinical studies investigated lateral sinus lift with concomitant implant placement and reported similar results and high short-term implant success rate in both test and control groups. CONCLUSIONS: The meta-analysis provided moderate evidence that the repositioned bone lid favored the formation of new bone to a higher extent as compared to resorbable membranes in animal studies. Implant success seems not to be influenced by the technique in the short term.

The Bone Lid Technique in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery: A Scoping Review.

This scoping review aimed at reporting the outcomes of the bone lid technique in oral surgery in terms of bone healing, ridge preservation, and incidence of complications. Bone-cutting instruments and stabilization methods were also considered. PubMed, Scopus, and the Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials were searched using a combination of terms, including bone lid, bony window, piezosurgery, microsaw, cysts, endodontic surgery, impacted teeth, and maxillary sinus. A hand search was also performed. The last search was conducted on 30 November 2021. No date limitation was set. Searches were restricted to human clinical studies published in English. All types of study design were considered except reviews and case reports. After a two-step evaluation, 20 (2 randomized studies, 2 case-control studies, 3 cohort studies, 13 case series) out of 647 screened studies were included, reporting on 752 bone lid procedures. The bone lid technique was associated with favorable bone healing when compared to other methods, and with a very low incidence of major complications. Clinical indications, surgical procedures, study design, follow-up duration, and outcomes varied among the studies. Overall, favorable outcomes were reported using the bone lid approach, though evidence-based studies were scarce.

3D vertical alveolar crest augmentation in the posterior mandible using the tunnel technique: A 10-year clinical study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the short- and long-term outcomes of vertical 3D bone augmentation in the posterior mandible, performed using the split bone block technique with a tunnel technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients were treated for vertical and horizontal alveolar bone defects without simultaneous implant placement and followed up for at least 10 years postoperatively. Autogenous bone blocks were harvested from the mandibular retromolar area following the MicroSaw protocol (Dentsply Sirona, Charlotte, NC, USA). The harvested bone blocks were split longitudinally according to the split bone block technique and grafted in 3D form using a tunnel technique. Implants were inserted and exposed after 3 months and prosthetic restoration was performed. RESULTS: A total of 117 consecutively treated patients with 128 grafted sites in 3D form were enrolled in the present study and followed up over a period of up to 17 years. The 10-year results were collected with a total patient dropout rate of 24.13%. Minimal late graft exposure was documented postoperatively for 4 to 8 weeks on the lingual site in two cases but did not influence the outcome. Infection of the grafted area occurred in one other case, leading to loss of the grafted bone. The postoperative mean vertical bone gain was 7.6 ± 3.1 mm and the mean bone width achieved after surgery was 8.1 ± 1.6 mm. A total of 287 implants were inserted 3 months after the augmentation procedure. The maximum vertical bone resorption, which was calculated around implants, was 0.66 ± 0.38 mm after 1 year, 0.72 ± 0.31 mm after 5 years and 0.75 ± 0.43 mm after 10 years. Furthermore, five implants were lost during this time, due to peri-implantitis and chronic pain. After 10 years, the mean vertical bone gain was stable at 6.72 ± 2.26 mm and the resorption rate was 11.4%. CONCLUSIONS: The short- and long-term results of the present study confirm the predictability of using mandibular bone blocks according to the split bone block technique for 3D bone reconstruction in the posterior mandible.

Lunate Excision with Partial Bicolumnar Wrist Fusion: A New Alternative for Isolated Radiolunate Arthritis?: A Report of 2 Cases.

CASE: We report the case of 2 patients presenting with advanced isolated radiolunate arthritis with limited wrist strength and range of motion (ROM). After failure of conservative therapy, both patients underwent lunate excision and scaphocapitate and triquetrohamate joints fusion using compression headless screws. Improved functional outcomes are reported at 4 years of follow-up with painless wrists and increased grip strength and ROM. CONCLUSIONS: Lunate excision and partial bicolumnar wrist fusion lead to increased grip strength and wrist ROM. This is a unique alternative for people suffering isolated radiolunate osteoarthritis, for which no standard surgical care exists.

Surgical treatment of peri-implantitis - Consensus report of working group 4.

The following consensus report is based on four background reviews (Keeve et al., Implant Dent 2019 28(2): 177-186; Ramanauskaite et al., Implant Dent 2019 28(2): 187-209; Koo et al., Implant Dent 2019 28(2): 173-176; Sculean et al., Implant Dent 2019 210-216). The surgical treatment of peri-implantitis is indicated in the cases where the first choice of treatment, the non-surgical one, failed with recurrence of bleeding and suppuration. The aim of this review was to systematically screen the literature for possible surface decontamination techniques and material during surgical treatment, the surgical regenerative and non-regenerative treatments of peri-implantitis, radiological and clinical outcomes, the importance of the presence of fixed and or keratinised peri-implant gingiva, and to determine predictable therapeutic options for the clinical surgical management of peri-implantitis lesions. Existent clinical, radiographic and microbiological data do not favour any decontamination approaches and fail to show the influence of a particular decontamination protocol on surgical therapy. Using implantoplasty in surgical non-regenerative treatment leads to a significant decrease in bleeding on probing and probing depth, and may result in improvement of clinical and radiographic parameters, up to 3 years after surgery compared with mechanical debridement alone. Surgical augmentative peri-implantitis therapy resulted in improved clinical and radiographic treatment outcomes compared with the baseline in the majority of studies with 6 months to 7-10 years of follow-up. There is no evidence to support the superiority of a specific material, product or membrane in terms of long-term clinical benefits. The best treatment modality to improve the width of keratinised attached mucosa and bleeding and plaque scores, and to sustain the peri-implant marginal bone level, is the use of an apically positioned flap combined with a free gingival graft.

What's new in robotic partial nephrectomy.

OBJECTIVE: Robot assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) is a minimally invasive option for patients with small renal masses undergoing partial nephrectomy. In this review we provide an update on the oncological safety and renal functional outcomes following RAPN. We also discuss the novel techniques and technological advances that have contributed to the outcomes of RAPN.  METHODS: A Medline search using the keywords "partial nephrectomy", "robotic partial nephrectomy", "robot assisted partial nephrectomy", "robot assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy" and "laparoscopic partial nephrectomy" was conducted to identify original articles, review articles, and editorials on RAPN. RESULTS: A review of the literature suggests that RAPNis emerging as the preferred approach to minimally invasive nephron sparing surgery. RAPN is superior to laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN) and open partial nephrectomy (OPN) in terms of perioperative outcomes with equivalent mid-term oncological outcomes. RAPN has proven safety and efficacy even in complex renal tumors with equivalent oncological and functional outcomes. Novel techniques and advances in technology have contributed to the safety and efficacy of RAPN. CONCLUSION: RAPN can be considered to be the gold standard approach to minimally invasive nephronsparing surgery with equivalent oncological and  renal functional outcomes and superior perioperative outcomes when compared to OPN. Newer techniques and developments in robotic technology have contributed to improved outcomes following RAPN.

OBJETIVO: La nefrectomía parcial asistida por robot (NPAR) es una opción mínimamente invasivapara pacientes con masas renales pequeñasintervenidos mediante nefrectomía parcial. En esta revisiónpresentamos una puesta al día sobre la seguridadoncológica y los resultados funcionales después dela NPAR. También discutimos las nuevas técnicas y losavances tecnológicos que han contribuido a los resultadosde la NPAR.MÉTODOS: Se realizó una búsqueda bibliográficapara identificar artículos originales, de revisión y editorialessobre la NPAR, utilizando las palabras clave nefrectomía parcial, nefrectomía parcial robótica, nefrectomíaparcial asistida por robot, nefrectomía parciallaparoscópica asistida por robot y nefrectomía parcial laparoscópica. RESULTADOS: Una revisión de la literatura sugiere quela NPAR está emergiendo como el abordaje preferidode la cirugía conservadora de nefronas mínimamenteinvasiva. La NPAR es superior a la nefrectomía parciallaparoscópica (NPL) y la nefrectomía parcial abierta(NPA) en resultados peroperatorios con resultados oncológicosa medio plazo equivalentes. La NPAR hademostrado seguridad y eficacia, incluso en tumoresrenales complejos, con resultados oncológicos y funcionalesequivalentes. Las técnicas nuevas y los avancestecnológicos han contribuido a la seguridad y eficaciade la NPAR. CONCLUSIONES: La NPAR puede considerarse elabordaje patrón oro de referencia para la cirugía conservadorade nefronas mínimamente invasiva con resultadosoncológicos y funcionales renales equivalentes yresultados peroperatorios superiores en comparacióncon NPA. Las técnicas y desarrollos más nuevos entecnología robótica han contribuido a mejorar los resultados de la NPAR.

What’s new in robotic partial nephrectomy / Novedades en nefrectomía parcial robótica

Objective: Robot assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) is a minimally invasive option for patients with small renal masses undergoing patrial nephrectomy. In this review we provide an update on the oncological safety and renal functional outcomes following RAPN. We also discuss the novel techniques and technological advances that have contributed to the outcomes of RAPN. Methods: A Medline search using the keywords "partial nephrectomy", "robotic partial nephrectomy", "robot assisted partial nephrectomy", "robot assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy" and "laparoscopic partial nephrectomy" was conducted to identify original articles, review articles, and editorials on RAPN. Results: A review of the literature suggests that RAPN is emerging as the preferred approach to minimally invasive nephron sparing surgery. RAPN is superior to laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN) and open partial nephrectomy (OPN) in terms of perioperative outcomes with equivalent mid-term oncological outcomes. RAPN has proven safety and efficacy even in complex renal tumors with equivalent oncological and functional outcomes. Novel techniques and advances in technology have contributed to the safety and efficacy of RAPN. Conclusion: RAPN can be considered to be the gold standard approach to minimally invasive nephron sparing surgery with equivalent oncological and renal functional outcomes and superior perioperative outcomes when compared to OPN. Newer techniques and developments in robotic technology have contributed to improved outcomes following RAPN

Objetivo: La nefrectomía parcial asistida por robot (NPAR) es una opción mínimamente invasiva para pacientes con masas renales pequeñas intervenidos mediante nefrectomía parcial. En esta revisión presentamos una puesta al día sobre la seguridad oncológica y los resultados funcionales después dela NPAR. También discutimos las nuevas técnicas y los avances tecnológicos que han contribuido a los resultados de la NPAR. Métodos: Se realizó una búsqueda bibliográfica para identificar artículos originales, de revisión y editoriales sobre la NPAR, utilizando las palabras clave nefrectomía parcial, nefrectomía parcial robótica, nefrectomía parcial asistida por robot, nefrectomía parcial laparoscópica asistida por robot y nefrectomía parcial laparoscópica. Resultados: Una revisión de la literatura sugiere que la NPAR está emergiendo como el abordaje preferido de la cirugía conservadora de nefronas mínimamente invasiva. La NPAR es superior a la nefrectomía parcial laparoscópica (NPL) y la nefrectomía parcial abierta(NPA) en resultados peroperatorios con resultados oncológicos a medio plazo equivalentes. La NPAR ha demostrado seguridad y eficacia, incluso en tumores renales complejos, con resultados oncológicos y funcionales equivalentes. Las técnicas nuevas y los avances tecnológicos han contribuido a la seguridad y eficacia de la NPAR. Conclusiones: La NPAR puede considerarse el abordaje patrón oro de referencia para la cirugía conservadora de nefronas mínimamente invasiva con resultados oncológicos y funcionales renales equivalentes y resultados peroperatorios superiores en comparación con NPA. Las técnicas y desarrollos más nuevos en tecnología robótica han contribuido a mejorar los resultados de la NPAR

Three-Dimensional Vertical Alveolar Ridge Augmentation in the Posterior Maxilla: A 10-year Clinical Study.

PURPOSE: The aim of this clinical study was to evaluate the long-term outcome of the split bone block (SBB) technique for vertical bone augmentation in the posterior maxilla in combination with sinus floor elevation using a tunneling approach. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients were treated for extensive vertical and horizontal alveolar bone defects without simultaneous implant placement and followed up for at least 10 years postoperatively. Autogenous bone blocks were harvested from the mandibular retromolar area following the MicroSaw protocol. The harvested bone blocks were split longitudinally according to the SBB technique. Implants were inserted and exposed after every 3 months, and prosthetic restoration was performed. RESULTS: One hundred forty-two consecutively treated patients, 154 grafted sites, and 356 inserted implants were documented. Minimal graft exposure (1 to 3 mm) 4 to 8 weeks postoperatively was documented in two sites; infection of the grafted area occurred in one other case. The mean preoperative clinical vertical defect was 7.8 ± 3.9 mm, and the mean horizontal width was 3.1 ± 2.2 mm. Postoperatively, the mean vertical gained dimension was 7.6 ± 3.4 mm (maximum: 13 mm), and the mean width was 8.3 ± 1.8 mm. Implants could be inserted in all sites, with additional local small augmentation in 21 cases. The amount of maximum vertical bone resorption was 0.21 ± 0.18 mm after 1 year, 0.26 ± 0.21 mm after 3 years, 0.32 ± 0.19 mm after 5 years, and 0.63 ± 0.32 mm after 10 years. As part of a total patient dropout of 16.9%, four implants were lost within 10 years. The mean vertically gained bone was stable at 6.82 ± 0.28 mm (maximum: 12 mm). The resorption rate after 10 years was 8.3%. CONCLUSION: The described tunneling flap approach allows a hermetic soft tissue closure, characterized by a reduction of dehiscence and a secure bone graft healing. The combination of thin autogenous bone blocks and bone particles according to the SBB technique allows an acceleration of transplant revascularization, and thus, of graft regeneration, allowing a shortening of the patient treatment time as well as long-term three-dimensional volumetric bone stability.

Soft-Tissue Management as Part of the Surgical Treatment of Periimplantitis: A Narrative Review.

BACKGROUND: The data on the importance of soft-tissue management during surgical treatment of periimplantitis are still limited, and no clinical recommendations are yet available. AIM: To give an overview on the rationale for periimplant soft-tissue augmentation procedures in the light of potential benefits/risks of the presence/absence of keratinized/attached mucosa (KAM) providing recommendations for the clinician. RESULTS: The available evidence indicates that the presence of KAM favors periimplant tissue health evidenced by improved bleeding scores and facilitation of self-performed plaque removal, less mucosal recessions, and more stable marginal bone levels over time. Therefore, the rationales to augment KAM are (a) to optimize the possibility for performing an adequate level of oral hygiene, (b) to help maintaining periimplant soft-tissue health and stability, and (c) to improve esthetics. Various techniques with autogenous or xenogeneic membranes have been described so far for KAM augmentation. Additional soft-tissue grafting in conjunction with a combined regenerative and resective surgical procedure seems to be effective in treating and controlling advanced periimplantitis lesions and improving or maintaining the esthetic outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: The limited available data seem to indicate that the best outcome to improve the width of KAM, and the bleeding and plaque scores, as well as to maintain the periimplant marginal bone level is the use of an apically positioned flap combined with a free gingival graft in nondiseased periimplant sites. However, at present, it is unknown: (a) to what extent soft-tissue grafting may additionally improve the outcomes after surgical (resective or regenerative) treatment of periimplantitis compared with the same approaches without soft-tissue grafting, and (b) if considered, when should soft-tissue grafting be performed (eg, before or during surgical treatment of periimplantitis). CLINICAL RECOMMENDATIONS: Both soft-tissue resective and regenerative approaches may lead to successful outcomes depending on the clinical indication and defect location. However, the selection of one or another surgical approach should be based on defect type (eg, intrabony and suprabony) and location (esthetic or nonesthetic areas). The presence of an adequate width and thickness of KAM may facilitate soft-tissue (flap) management. In patients with a thin phenotype or lack of an adequate width of KAM, soft-tissue grafting may improve the clinical outcomes.

Implant Surface Decontamination by Surgical Treatment of Periimplantitis: A Literature Review.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this review was to evaluate the available published clinical studies to understand the current data on the decontamination efficacy of various agents used in the treatment of periimplantitis and reosseointegration. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An electronic PubMed literature search was conducted for studies published from 1998 until 2018. Literature on clinical studies was included in the review. Of the 189 studies retrieved from the literature search, 33 articles were selected for the review. DISCUSSION: The available studies reviewed had great heterogeneity to conclude a single treatment of choice for implant surface decontamination for the surgical treatment of periimplantitis. CONCLUSIONS: Existent data do not favor any decontamination approaches and fail to show the influence of a particular decontamination protocol on surgical therapy. Further clinical investigations are needed to determine the superiority of a decontamination method if existing.

Surgical Treatment of Periimplantitis With Augmentative Techniques.

OBJECTIVES: To address the focused question: "In patients with osseointegrated implants diagnosed with periimplantitis, what are the clinical and radiographic outcomes of augmentative surgical interventions compared with nonaugmentative surgical measures"? MATERIAL AND METHODS: Literature screening was performed in MEDLINE through the PubMed database, for articles published until January 1, 2018. Human studies reporting on the clinical (ie, bleeding on probing [BOP] and probing depth [PD] changes) and/or radiographic (ie, periimplant defect reduction and/or fill) treatment outcomes after surgical augmentative periimplantitis therapy, and/or comparing augmentative and nonaugmentative surgical approaches were searched. RESULTS: Thirteen comparative and 11 observational clinical studies were included. Surgical augmentative periimplantitis therapy resulted in mean BOP and PD reduction ranging from 26% to 91%, and 0.74 to 5.4 mm, respectively. The reported mean radiographic fill of intrabony defects ranged between 57% and 93.3%, and defect vertical reduction varied from 0.2 to 3.77 mm. Three randomized controlled clinical studies failed to demonstrate the superiority of augmentative therapy compared with nonaugmentative approach in terms of PD and BOP reduction. CONCLUSIONS: The available evidence to support superiority of augmentative surgical techniques for periimplantitis management on the treatment outcomes over nonaugmentative methods is limited.

Surgical Treatment of Periimplantitis With Non-Augmentative Techniques.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this review was to systematically screen the literature on surgical non-regenerative treatments of periimplantitis, especially for radiologic and clinical outcomes, and to determine predictable therapeutic options for the clinical management of periimplantitis lesions. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The potentially relevant literature was assessed independently by 2 reviewers to identify clinical studies, trials, and case series in humans describing the surgical non-regenerative treatment outcomes of periimplantitis with a follow-up of at least 6 months. MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library were searched for studies reporting changes in probing depth (PD) and/or bleeding on probing (BOP) and/or radiologic marginal bone-level changes. RESULTS: A total of 10 publications were included: 6 prospective randomized controlled trials, 1 prospective cohort study, 2 retrospective controlled studies, and 1 case series. Clinical parameters can be reduced by surgical non-regenerative treatments. Concerning 3 year follow-ups, BOP and PD values decreased more efficiently after implantoplasty than using systematic administration of antibacterials. Adjunctive local chemical irrigations or diode laser have no long-term effects. The non-regenerative surgical approach in combination with implantoplasty also shows improved radiographic parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical non-regenerative treatment of periimplantitis can reduce the amount of inflammation in the short-term follow-up. Using implantoplasty may result in the improvement of clinical and radiographic parameters. Because of limited evidence and heterogeneity in study design, there is a need for randomized controlled studies with proper design and powerful sample size in the future.

Sinus Augmentation Failure and Postoperative Infections Associated with Prophylactic Clindamycin Therapy: An Observational Case Series.

PURPOSE: This observational study was based on a series of clinical cases in which failure of sinus augmentations occurred in patients who received prophylactic clindamycin therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between the years 2006 and 2010, a retrospective observational study was performed. The study consisted of 1,874 patients (723 males and 1,151 females) in whom sinus augmentations were performed prior to placement of dental implants. RESULTS: In nine (0.48%) patients (four males and five females), infection of the graft material inside the sinus floor occurred, and six patients developed an abscess in the site of surgery, 4 to 6 weeks postoperatively. In three patients, a buccal fistula with pus draining was observed 5 to 8 weeks postoperatively. In all patients, the source of infection was from the grafted material within the sinus. A common manifestation in all nine patients was that they had self-reported penicillin allergy and had been prescribed clindamycin (300 mg every 6 hours for 10 days). CONCLUSION: Prophylactic clindamycin therapy following sinus augmentation procedures seems to be a risk factor for infections and loss of grafting material following these surgical techniques.

The Bone Core Technique for the Augmentation of Limited Bony Defects: Five-Year Prospective Study with a New Minimally Invasive Technique.

The aim of this study was to evaluate a new minimally invasive surgical technique for the reconstruction of critical-size bony defect with local harvested bone core with simultaneous implant placement. In a prospective study, 186 consecutively treated patients were included and controlled clinically and radiologically for at least 5 years postoperative. Every patient presented a bony defect affecting the buccal, lingual, or palatal wall. In all cases, the alveolar crest was wide enough to allow implant placement inside the bony contours. During implant bed preparation, a trephine bur (3.5 mm external diameter and 2.5 mm internal diameter) was used to harvest a bone core from the socket. After implant insertion, the buccal/palatal/lingual bony defect was grafted with bone chips covered with the bone core stabilized through compression with microscrews. After 3 months of healing, the implants and the grafted bone were exposed and the width of the grafted area was measured. After prosthetic restoration, the patients were recalled regularly. A total of 223 grafted sites were documented. Minor primary healing complications were observed in 3 sites (1.4%), all in smoker patients, and were treated locally without any influence on the prognosis. All other sites healed uneventfully. In 19 cases (4.4%), exposure of the screw heads was detected 1 to 3 months postoperatively without any inflammation or consequences for the grafted bone. The average width of the reconstructed area at the end of the grafting procedure was 2.4 ± 0.8 mm, and at the reentry, 2.1 ± 0.6 mm. There was a difference of remodeling between bone cores grafted totally inside or partially outside the bony contours. Bone cores grafted completely inside the bony contours demonstrated no resorption at 3 months postoperative, while bone cores grafted partially outside the bony contours in most cases showed partial resorption of the bone outside the bony contours. After 3 months of healing, all 223 implants had achieved primary healing and osseointegration and were restored after an average time of 4 months. No implant failed during the control period. According to this study, the use of an autogenous bone core harvested during the implant bed preparation is a simple and safe method for the reconstruction of small bone defects.

Stability of Grafted Implant Placement Sites After Sinus Floor Elevation Using a Layering Technique: 10-Year Clinical and Radiographic Results.

PURPOSE: To evaluate long-term survival rates and radiographic stability of sinus floor elevations carried out using a two-layer grafting technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Records were analyzed for patients treated with sinus floor elevations using a modified technique. Phycogenic hydroxyapatite (Algipore, Dentsply Sirona Implants) and autogenous bone particles harvested from intraoral sites were grafted in two distinct layers after elevation of the sinus mucosae. In this approach, the basal part of the sinus floor is grafted with autogenous bone, while the cranial part is grafted with the phycogenic hydroxyapatite. In some cases, implants were placed simultaneously, such that the entire surface of each implant was covered by autogenous bone particles. A titanium membrane was used to close the sinus window, and the implants were loaded 3 months later. In two-stage approaches, the implants were inserted 3 to 4 months after the grafting and loaded after 3 additional months. Panoramic radiographs were taken after the grafting procedure, after implant insertion, after the prosthetic restoration, and then annually for 10 years. These radiographs were used to measure the height between the implant shoulders and the top of the graft. RESULTS: Of the 214 sinus floor elevations performed on 129 patients using the bilayering technique, 198 procedures in 118 patients were included in the study (136 one-stage and 62 two-stage). Membrane perforations during surgery occurred in 17.9% of the procedures and were sutured and sealed with fibrin glue. A total of 487 implants were placed in the grafted areas. No severe postoperative complications occurred, but three implants were lost throughout the 10-year follow-up period. A small decrease of vertical height was observed between the grafting surgery and the stage-two surgery (mean: 1.8 mm). After that, no bone height was lost over the 10 years. CONCLUSION: The layer grafting technique in combination with sinus floor elevation resulted in radiographically stable vertical bone height for 10 years. This technique enabled early placement and loading of implants in the grafted areas. The survival rate obtained with this procedure is similar to that expected for implants placed in nongrafted areas.

Long-Term Results of Peri-implant Conditions in Periodontally Compromised Patients Following Lateral Bone Augmentation.

PURPOSE: The aim of this retrospective study was to compare long-term (≥ 5 years) outcomes of implants placed in patients treated for chronic periodontitis versus those placed in periodontally healthy patients. In both groups, the implants were placed in alveolar ridges that were laterally augmented with autogenous bone block grafts using a split bone block technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred ninety-two patients were screened in the course of supportive periodontal treatment examinations. Nonsmoking patients without any severe systemic diseases who had adhered to regular supportive periodontal treatment for a minimum of 5 years after undergoing autogenous lateral grafting (using the split bone block technique), implant placement, and prosthetic reconstructions were classified into two groups based on their presurgical status: periodontally healthy patients (PHP) and periodontally compromised patients (PCP). RESULTS: Clinical outcomes for 77 patients, 38 PHP and 39 PCP, were examined. All had been successfully treated for severe lateral atrophy and received a total of 241 endosseous implants between 2002 and 2008. At the final examination, mean bleeding on probing was 7.08% ± 7.27% in PHP and 14.49% ± 18.14% in PCP, a statistically significant difference. Significantly higher Plaque Index and more recession were associated with a narrow (< 2 mm) width of keratinized mucosa. CONCLUSION: Implants in alveolar ridges laterally augmented using a split bone block technique revealed similar clinical peri-implant conditions in both PHP and PCP. Using autogenous bone block grafts without biomaterials resulted in long-term peri-implant tissue stability.

Alveolar Ridge Contouring with Free Connective Tissue Graft at Implant Placement: A 5-Year Consecutive Clinical Study.

This study evaluated volume stability after alveolar ridge contouring with free connective tissue grafts at implant placement in single-tooth gaps. A total of 52 single-tooth gaps with labial volume deficiencies in the maxilla (incisors, canines, and premolars) were consecutively treated with implants and concomitant free palatal connective tissue grafts in 46 patients between 2006 and 2009. Implants had to be covered with at least 2 mm peri-implant local bone after insertion. At implant placement, a free connective tissue graft from the palate was fixed inside a labial split-thickness flap to form an existing concave buccal alveolar ridge contour due to tissue volume deficiency into a convex shape. Standardized volumetric measurements of the labial alveolar contour using a template were evaluated before connective tissue grafting and at 2 weeks, 1 year, and 5 years after implantprosthetic incorporation. Tissue volume had increased significantly (P < .05) in all six reference points representing the outer alveolar soft tissue contour of the implant before connective tissue grafting to baseline (2 weeks after implant-prosthetic incorporation). Statistically, 50% of the reference points (P > .05) kept their volume from baseline to 1 year after prosthetic incorporation and from baseline to 5 years after prosthetic incorporation, respectively, whereas reference points located within the area of the implant sulcus showed a significant (P < .05) decrease in volume. Clinically, 5 years after prosthetic incorporation the originally concave buccal alveolar contour was still convex in all implants, leading to a continuous favorable anatomical shape and improved esthetic situation. Intraoral radiographs confirmed osseointegration and stable peri-implant parameters with a survival rate of 100% after a follow-up of approximately 5 years. Implant placement with concomitant free connective tissue grafting appears to be an appropriate long-term means to contour preexisting buccal alveolar volume deficiencies in single implants.