A multicenter 12-month evaluation of single-tooth implants restored 3 weeks after 1-stage surgery.

The time-intensive, multi-step process of dental implant therapy limits patient acceptance. This 3-year prospective multicenter study sought to determine the safety of an expedited therapy that consisted of loading unsplinted maxillary anterior single-tooth implants 3 weeks after 1-stage surgical placement, and determination of the peri-implant cortical bone and mucosal responses to the expedited procedure. Fifty-two patients missing 1 or 2 maxilliary anterior teeth were enrolled in a study approved by the Institutional Committee on Human Subjects Research and based on strict inclusion and exclusion criteria. Astra Tech ST implants placed in a 1-stage procedure were restored 3 weeks later with ST abutments and a provisional crown (baseline); 7 to 9 weeks later, a porcelain-fused-to-metal or all-ceramic crown was cemented. Radiographic and clinical examinations were made at baseline and at 6 and 12 months. Implant survival was recorded. Cortical bone responses and peri-implant mucosal responses were evaluated. Fifty-eight implants were placed. During the 3-week period after implant placement, 4 patients were dismissed because of smoking cigarettes (a protocol deviation), and 1 patient was excluded because of deviation in loading time. Of the remaining 53 implants, 2 failed before definitive crown cementation. The resultant 96.2% survival rate was independent of implant length, tooth position, and bone quality/quantity. The mean change in marginal bone level was 0.4 mm at 12 months. The number of surfaces with plaque decreased from 3.4% at baseline to 0.5% at 12 months. The surfaces with inflammation also decreased. A mean gain in papilla length of 0.61 mm occurred, and a gain in buccal gingiva (x = 0.34 mm) was observed. A high success rate with positive tissue responses was achieved for maxillary anterior unsplinted single-tooth implants placed in a 1-stage surgery and restored at 3 weeks. This 2-component system is suited to a single-stage, rapid loading protocol for esthetic single-tooth replacement.

Periapical abscess formation and resolution adjacent to dental implants: a clinical report.

The vitality of teeth adjacent to dental implants should be considered in the treatment planning of dental implants. Both the restorability of an endodontically treated tooth and the risk of infection of the adjacent implant are important factors in planning for success. Given the illustrated difficulties and difficulties associated with resolving periapical infections of teeth and implants, it is essential to define the vitality of teeth by careful pulp testing and to consider the integrity of existing questionable, endodontically treated teeth before implant treatment. The risk of periapical infection at teeth adjacent to implants must be minimized.

A technique for border molding edentulous impressions using vinyl polysiloxane material.

A technique for making selective tissue placement final impressions for complete dentures using vinyl polysiloxane and custom trays with peripheral relief is presented. This technique is an alternative to the conventional method of border molding using modeling plastic impression compound.

CREST syndrome: clinical manifestations and dental management.

Scleroderma is a multisystem connective tissue disease of unknown etiology, which is characterized by inflammation, vascular, and fibrotic changes of the skin as well as various internal organs. This article will review the systemic form of scleroderma known as CREST syndrome, its clinical manifestations including the dentofacial complications, as well as provide information to assist the prosthodontist in managing the dental treatment for patients with this disease.

Dimensional accuracy of improved dental stone and epoxy resin die materials. Part II: Complete arch form.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Little information has been reported with regard to the dimensional accuracy of improved dental stone materials for reproduction of an entire arch form. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ability of an epoxy resin die material and a type IV dental stone to dimensionally reproduce an entire arch form. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Models were fabricated and measurements were made of reference marks to calculate dimensions from first molar to the midline bilaterally and between first molars. Each measurement was repeated three times and the mean measurement and percent relative change was calculated for each dimension. RESULTS: The results revealed that the difference in the relative change in two dimensions was statistically significant for the epoxy resin group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The materials provided a similar degree of dimensional accuracy in reproducing a complete arch when used with addition silicone impression material.

Dimensional accuracy of improved dental stone and epoxy resin die materials. Part I: Single die.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Improved dental stone has been widely used for producing dies for the fabrication of restorations with the lost-wax technique. Improved dental stone is used for several reasons, but it is selected most often because of its reasonable cost, ease of use, and ability to produce consistent results. PURPOSE: This study evaluated the ability of an epoxy resin die material and a type IV dental stone to dimensionally reproduce a custom-fabricated metal die. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Dies were fabricated and measurements were made from three reference lines. Measurements were repeated three times for the master die and for the specimen dies. A mean measurement and percent relative change for each dimension was calculated. RESULTS: A significant difference in the relative change for die height was found between the groups studied (p < 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: This epoxy die system will provide a degree of dimensional accuracy comparable to gypsum when used with addition silicone impression material.

Treatment of buccally placed implants in the edentulous mandible: clinical report.

The restoration of anterior buccally placed implants in an edentulous mandible, one of which extended into the movable mucosa of the patient's lip, is presented. CeraOne abutments and anterior Rothermann resilient overdenture attachments were used to retain the prosthesis.

Marginal adaptation of porcelain margins in metal ceramic restorations.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the marginal adaptation of all-porcelain labial margin metal ceramic crowns using a porcelain shoulder material containing a light-polymerizing resin and one that used a direct-lift technique. Conventional metal margin restorations served as controls. Scanning electron micrographs were made of a 1-mm mesiodistal width of the margin at midfacial and midlingual reference marks. Image processing and analysis techniques were accomplished using a computer. Statistical evaluation indicated that the mean labial marginal discrepancy of the control group was significantly less than that of either of the two porcelain shoulder methods.