Posterior Vertical Bite Reconstructions of Erosively Worn Dentitions and the "Stamp Technique" - A Case Series with a Mean Observation Time of 40 Months.

PURPOSE: In the present case series, the authors report on seven cases of erosively worn dentitions (98 posterior teeth) which were treated with direct resin composite. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In all cases, both arches were restored by using the so-called stamp technique. All patients were treated with standardized materials and protocols. Prior to treatment, a waxup was made on die-cast models to build up the loss of occlusion as well as ensure the optimal future anatomy and function of the eroded teeth to be restored. During treatment, teeth were restored by using templates of silicone (ie, two "stamps," one on the vestibular, one on the oral aspect of each tooth), which were filled with resin composite in order to transfer the planned, future restoration (ie, in the shape of the waxup) from the extra- to the intraoral situation. Baseline examinations were performed in all patients after treatment, and photographs as well as radiographs were taken. To evaluate the outcome, the modified United States Public Health Service criteria (USPHS) were used. RESULTS: The patients were re-assessed after a mean observation time of 40 months (40.8 ± 7.2 months). The overall outcome of the restorations was good, and almost exclusively "Alpha" scores were given. Only the marginal integrity and the anatomical form received a "Charlie" score (10.2%) in two cases. CONCLUSION: Direct resin composite restorations made with the stamp technique are a valuable treatment option for restoring erosively worn dentitions.

[The stamp technique for direct composite restoration]. / Die Stempeltechnik für direkte Kompositversorgungen.

The indications for direct resin composite restorations are nowadays extended due to the development of modern resin materials with improved material properties. However, there are still some difficulties regarding handling of resin composite material, especially in large restorations. The reconstruction of a functional and individual occlusion is difficult to achieve with direct application techniques. The aim of the present publication was to introduce a new "stamp"-technique for placing large composite restorations. The procedure of this "stamp"-technique is presented by three typical indications: large single-tooth restoration, occlusal rehabilitation of a compromised occlusal surface due to erosions and direct fibre-reinforced fixed partial denture. A step-by-step description of the technique and clinical figures illustrates the method. Large single-tooth restorations can be built-up with individual, two- piece silicone stamps. Large occlusal abrasive and/or erosive defects can be restored by copying the wax-up from the dental technician using the "stamp"-technique. Even fiber-reinforced resin-bonded fixed partial dentures can be formed with this intraoral technique with more precision and within a shorter treatment time. The presented "stamp"-technique facilitates the placement of large restoration with composite and can be recommended for the clinical use.

Peri-implantitis susceptibility as it relates to periodontal therapy and supportive care.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the long-term survival of implants inserted in periodontally susceptible patients and to investigate the influence of residual pockets on the incidence of peri-implantitis and implant loss. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For 70 patients, comprehensive periodontal treatment was followed by installation of 165 Straumann Dental implants. Subsequently, 58 patients entered a University supportive periodontal therapy (SPT) program and 12 had SPT in a private practice. The follow-up time ranged from 3 to 23 years (mean 7.9 years). Bleeding on probing (BOP), clinical attachment level (CAL), and peri-implant probing depths (PPD) were evaluated at baseline (T0), completion of active treatment (T1), and at follow-up (T2). Peri-implant bone levels were assessed on radiographs at T2. Patients were categorized as having implants not affected by peri-implantitis (non-PIP), or affected by peri-implantitis (PIP). RESULTS: From 165 implants inserted, six implants were lost, translating into a cumulative survival rate of 95.8%. Solid screw implants yielded significantly higher survival rates than the hollow cylinder and hollow screw implants (99.1% vs. 89.7%). Implants lost due to peri-implant infection were included in the PIP groups. When peri-implantitis (PPD ≥ 5 mm, BOP+) was analyzed, 22.2% of the implants and 38.6% of patients had one or more implants affected by peri-implantitis. Using the peri-implantitis definition (PPD ≥ 6 mm, BOP+), the prevalence was reduced to 8.8% and 17.1%, respectively. Moreover, all these implants demonstrated significant (≥ 2 mm) bone loss at T2. At T1, the non-PIP group had significantly (P = 0.011) fewer residual pockets (≥ 5 mm) per patient than the PIP group (1.9 vs. 4.1). At T2, the PIP group displayed an increased number of residual pockets compared to T1, whereas in the non-PIP group, the number remained similar to T1. At T2, mean PPD, mean CAL and BOP were significantly higher in the PIP group compared with the non-PIP group. The prevalence of peri-implantitis was lower in the group that was in a well organized SPT at the University. CONCLUSIONS: In periodontitis susceptible patients, residual pockets (PPD ≥ 5 mm) at the end of active periodontal therapy represent a significant risk for the development of peri-implantitis and implant loss. Moreover, patients in SPT developing re-infections are at greater risk for peri-implantitis and implant loss than periodontally stable patients.

Impact of longitudinal plasma leucine levels on the intellectual outcome in patients with classic MSUD.

Maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) is an inherited deficiency of branched chain alpha-ketoacid dehydrogenase (BCKDH) activity impairing the degradation of the branched chain amino acids valine, leucine, and isoleucine. Classic MSUD may lead to severe neonatal encephalopathy including coma and impaired cognitive outcome in later life. Early start of dietary treatment and careful metabolic control may improve the outcome of patients with classic MSUD. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of long-term metabolic control assessed by plasma leucine levels on cognitive outcome in patients with classic MSUD. Plasma leucine levels of 24 patients were obtained retrospectively for the first 6 y of life and yearly medians of mean plasma leucine levels were calculated. At the age of 6 y, IQ tests were performed. Yearly medians of mean plasma leucine levels yielded three homogeneous clusters (low, intermediate, high). Patients of the low cluster showed statistically significant higher IQ scores compared with those of those of intermediate and high clusters. Long-term plasma leucine levels are associated with impaired cognitive outcome in patients with classic MSUD. To achieve the best possible intellectual outcome for affected individuals, we recommend that in infants and preschool children the target range for plasma leucine should not exceed 200 micromol/L.

Identification of twelve novel mutations in patients with classic and variant forms of maple syrup urine disease.

Maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) is an autosomal recessive metabolic disorder of panethnic distribution caused by a deficiency of the activity of branched-chain alpha-ketoacid dehydrogenase (BCKD) complex. Mutations in the human BCKD genes E1alpha (BCKDHA), E1beta (BCKDHB) and E2 (DBT) are known to result in MSUD, referred to as type Ia, Ib and II mutations respectively. In this study 16 patients with the classic severe form of MSUD and three patients with milder variant forms of the disease were investigated for mutations in the E1alpha-, E1beta- and E2-gene by single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis and DNA sequencing. The patients' clinical and biochemical phenotypes were well characterized. One novel type Ia missense mutation, eight novel type Ib (three missense, two nonsense, two small deletions, one small duplication) and three novel type II (two missense, one splice site) mutations were identified in patients. Moreover, eleven previously described mutations were detected: five type Ia (four missense, one nonsense), three type Ib mutations (two missense, one nonsense) and three type II mutations (two missense, one small deletion). Fourteen patients are homozygous for one single mutation, five patients are compound-heterozygous for two different mutations affecting one of the three genes. Thus, in all 19 patients the identified mutations can most probably be considered the molecular basis of the disease.