Use of both the diode and Er: YAG lasers in esthetic crown lengthening with the aid of digitally guided dual technique: 3 years follow-up.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the feasibility of the usage of digital guides in combination with low- and high-power lasers for the treatment of excessive gingival display, also known as "gummy smile". CLINICAL CONSIDERATIONS: Excessive gingival display due to altered passive eruption can affect patient's perception of their own esthetics and consequently have an impact on self-confidence. Therefore, the management of this condition should offer a predictable and stable long-lasting solution. To attain these objectives, digital planning emerges as a tool in optimizing the outcomes of crown lengthening surgery for this condition by enhancing precision through the use of surgical guides. Additionally, the usage of high- and low-powered lasers can provide a safe approach because of their tissue selective removal properties. CONCLUSIONS: The technique described showed satisfactory clinical results in the short- and long-term follow-up, leading to an improvement in patients' self-esteem. This approach integrates digital and laser technologies to deliver a surgical treatment characterized by precision, efficiency, and safety. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Digital dentistry has contributed to innovative dental procedures, as personalizing surgical guides for patients, assisting and guiding incisions of the gingival margins, as well as the extension of the osteotomy, during the procedures for increasing the clinical crown. Furthermore, smile esthetics are directly related to an individual's improved emotional and social quality of life.

Simultaneous Assessment of Soft and Hard Tissue Behaviors After Alveolar Ridge Preservation Using Bone Substitutes.

This study aimed to simultaneously assess hard and soft tissues alterations and their proportions after alveolar ridge preservation (ARP). Participants (n = 65) who were previously enrolled in a clinical trial investigating ARP healing were selected. The CBCT DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine) and the cast STL (stereolithographic) files of each subject were imported, segmented, and superimposed. A cross-section view of the superimposed image presented the outlines from each DICOM and STL file. The center of preserved ridge was selected in the superimposed image and used to draw the reference lines to realize the measurements. Horizontal linear measurements determined ridge width (RW) and its respective hard/soft tissue proportion (H:S) at 1, 3, 5, and 7 mm below the buccal bone crest immediately after ARP and at the 4-month follow-up. At 1 mm, the baseline RW was 11.6 mm and reduced to 10 mm after 4 months. The baseline H:S was 65%:35% and was 43%:57% at the 4-month follow-up. Considering only the buccal half of the ridge, baseline H:S was 77%:23%, while after 4 months it shifted to 58%:42%. A similar pattern was observed at 3, 5, and 7 mm but with decreased resorption degree. The present study showed that hard tissue is mostly responsible for RW loss after healing, especially in the first 3 mm below the buccal bone crest. Soft tissue partially compensated for the hard tissue shrinkage, gaining thickness in the analyzed areas.

Peri-implant tissue changes at sites treated with alveolar ridge preservation in the aesthetic zone: Twenty-two months follow-up of a randomized clinical trial.

AIM: To compare tissue changes at implant sites previously treated with two biomaterials for alveolar ridge preservation (ARP) in the aesthetic zone, 1 year after restoration. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-six participants were treated with ARP using demineralized bovine bone mineral (DBBM) or DBBM +10% of collagen (DBBM-C), both covered with a collagen matrix (CM). Dental implants were placed, and definitive crowns were installed. Silicon impressions were taken before tooth extraction (T0), 2 weeks after crown insertion (T1) and 1 year after restoration (T2). Mid-facial mucosal level change (MLC), soft tissue thickness changes (TT), and marginal bone loss (MBL) were analysed using inter-group comparisons. RESULTS: Fifty-four participants were included in the analysis. The mid-facial level change between T0-T1 and T1-T2 showed no statistical difference between DBBM and DBBM-C. Between T0 and T1 for soft tissue thickness, DBBM performed significantly better at 3 and 5 mm below the mucosal margin. From T1 to T2, no significant differences between groups were found at any level for soft tissue thickness and MBL. CONCLUSION: At the aesthetic zone, advanced recession from tooth extraction to crown placement can be expected at sites treated with ARP regardless of biomaterial used. However, after crown insertion, tissue stability can be predicted.

Comparison between two bone substitutes for alveolar ridge preservation after tooth extraction: Cone-beam computed tomography results of a non-inferiority randomized controlled trial.

AIM: To test the non-inferiority of demineralized bovine bone mineral (DBBM) compared to DBBM with 10% collagen (DBBM-C) for maintenance of bone volume after tooth extraction in the anterior maxilla. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-six patients were randomly treated with DBBM or DBBM-C, both of which were covered with a collagen matrix for ridge preservation in the anterior maxilla. Cone-beam computed tomographic analysis was performed immediately and 4 months after treatment. The primary outcome, for which non-inferiority of DBBM was tested, was change in the horizontal ridge width 1 mm below the buccal alveolar crest (HW-1) 4 months after extraction. RESULTS: Four months after extraction, HW-1 measured -1.60 mm ± 0.82 mm for DBBM-C, while the DBBM group showed a mean loss of -1.37 mm ± 0.84 mm (p = 0.28, 0.23 [95% CI: -0.19; 0.64]). The horizontal ridge width at 3 mm (HW-3) showed -0.98 mm (±0.67 mm) for DBBM-C and -0.84 mm (±0.62 mm) for DBBM (p = 0.40, 0.12 [95% CI: -0.19; 0.45]), and the horizontal ridge width at 5 mm (HW-5) showed -0.67 mm (±0.47 mm) for DBBM-C and -0.56 mm (±0.48 mm) for DBBM (p = 0.36, 0.11 [95% CI: -0.13; 0.34]). CONCLUSIONS: The present clinical trial demonstrated non-inferiority of DBBM compared to DBBM-C for maintenance of alveolar bone volume 4 months after tooth extraction in the anterior maxilla.

Oral manifestations and rehabilitation in Fraser syndrome: A case report.

Fraser syndrome (FS) is a rare recessive autosomal genetic disorder characterized by multisystemic malformations typically comprising cryptophthalmos, syndactyly, and renal defects. We report the case of a 16-year-old patient who exhibited facial asymmetry, short roots, hypodontia, and malocclusion. Oral rehabilitation included orthodontics, exodontia, and osseointegrated dental implants to improve the patient's self-esteem and eating function. We suggest short roots and hypodontia assessment in patients with FS.

Impact of aggressive periodontitis and chronic periodontitis on oral health-related quality of life.

The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the effect of different forms of periodontal diseases on Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL). Fifty-two patients with Aggressive Periodontitis (AP) or Chronic Periodontitis (CP) were included: nine patients with Localized Aggressive Periodontitis (LAP), thirty-three patients with Generalized Aggressive Periodontitis (GAP) and ten patients with Generalized Chronic Periodontitis (GCP). Oral Health Impact Profile questionnaires (OHIP-14) were distributed after a clinical examination that measured the following periodontal parameters: tooth loss, bleeding on probing (BoP), probing depth (PD), gingival recession (REC) and clinical attachment level (CAL). The global OHIP-14 score means were 10.6 for LAP, 16.5 for GAP, and 17.5 for GCP. A statistically significant difference (p < 0.01) was observed between the LAP group and the other two groups. There was significantly less bleeding and recession in the LAP group than in the patients with the generalized forms of periodontitis. LAP, GAP and GCP have an impact on patient quality of life when measured using the OHIP-14. Patients with GAP and GCP had poorer OHRQoL than LAP patients.

Impact of aggressive periodontitis and chronic periodontitis on oral health-related quality of life

Abstract The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the effect of different forms of periodontal diseases on Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL). Fifty-two patients with Aggressive Periodontitis (AP) or Chronic Periodontitis (CP) were included: nine patients with Localized Aggressive Periodontitis (LAP), thirty-three patients with Generalized Aggressive Periodontitis (GAP) and ten patients with Generalized Chronic Periodontitis (GCP). Oral Health Impact Profile questionnaires (OHIP-14) were distributed after a clinical examination that measured the following periodontal parameters: tooth loss, bleeding on probing (BoP), probing depth (PD), gingival recession (REC) and clinical attachment level (CAL). The global OHIP-14 score means were 10.6 for LAP, 16.5 for GAP, and 17.5 for GCP. A statistically significant difference (p < 0.01) was observed between the LAP group and the other two groups. There was significantly less bleeding and recession in the LAP group than in the patients with the generalized forms of periodontitis. LAP, GAP and GCP have an impact on patient quality of life when measured using the OHIP-14. Patients with GAP and GCP had poorer OHRQoL than LAP patients.