Clinical and Patient-Related Outcomes of a Tapered Implant System With Switched Platform Conical Abutments: A Private Practice Field Trial.

The aim of this prospective cohort observational field trial was to examine 1-year survival and success rates of a recently introduced tapered implant system with switched platform conical abutments and to evaluate patient related outcomes of therapy. Partially edentulous patients aged between 18 and 75 years, with available bone height for dental implants ≥10 mm desiring to restore the missing tooth/teeth with implant supported restoration, were recruited by 7 periodontists in their respective private practices. Dental implants were installed according to standard implant therapy protocol. Three to 6 months postoperatively, after evaluating interim implant success, implants were restored by the referring dentists. Patient, Ramfjord teeth, and implant data, including baseline and 1-year postoperative, were collected. A total of 60 patients were recruited and received 117 implants. Complete 1-year clinical and radiographic data were available for 83 and 65 implants, respectively. Two implants failed during the first year, resulting in a 1-year survival rate of 98.3%. Mean implant probing pocket depth was 2.29 ± 0.84 mm. Mean radiographic bone distance from implant's shoulder at the mesial and distal sites at 1 year was 0.66 ± 0.5 and 0.79 ± 0.64mm, respectively, resulting in a success rate of 95.4%. Patient subjective evaluation of therapy exhibited a median pain experience of 1 and median esthetics, function, and general satisfaction evaluation of 10 on a scale of 1 to 10. The tapered conical connection dental implant system, used in private dental practices, shows good 1-year survival and success rates that are similar to other implant systems on the market.

Water jet with adjunct chlorhexidine gel for nonsurgical treatment of peri-implantitis.

BACKGROUND: Peri-implant disease following successful integration of an endosseous implant is the result of an imbalance between bacterial load and host defense, which may affect not only the peri-implant mucosa but also involve the supporting bone. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the adjunctive effect of a dental water jet rinse mixed with chlorhexidine gel to the nonsurgical treatment for peri-implantitis. METHOD AND MATERIALS: A prospective randomized interventional cohort study was conducted. Forty consecutive patients presenting with peri-implantitis were recruited and randomly assigned into two treatment groups. Initially all patients received scaling/surface debridement and oral hygiene instruction. Patients in the study group received a water jet device containing chlorhexidine gel (Silonite®) for home use twice daily while the control group performed the recommended oral hygiene measures with no water jet usage. Three months following baseline visit, patients were reevaluated clinically and radiographically. RESULTS: In total, 39 patients completed the study and were available for final examination. Three months following baseline visit the test group exhibited greater mean probing depth reduction (0.75 mm vs 0.27 mm; P = .029) as well as greater reduction in the number of sites presenting with bleeding on probing (2.26 vs 0.45 sites; P = .011). No significant change in bone level was observed at 3 months (mean bone gain was 0.18 mm). CONCLUSIONS: Water jet mixed with chlorhexidine gel might supplement the response to nonsurgical treatment for peri-implantitis lesions. Further, larger-cohort studies are warranted.