The Potential Role of Titanium Allergy in Implant Failure.

Implant bone loss and implant failure are growing concerns. In some cases, a possible factor leading to bone loss may be an allergy to titanium (Ti). In this report, the existing literature on Ti allergy as a factor in implant loss is reviewed, and the current views on its potential role in implant bone loss are discussed. A case report of implant loss and retreatment in a patient with a potential Ti allergy or intolerance is presented and clinically analyzed. The subsequent success of a ceramic implant may support the finding of a Ti allergy or intolerance. Unfortunately, the lack of prospective clinical trials and lack of a reliable test for Ti allergy makes it impossible to clinically verify whether Ti allergy plays a part in implant bone loss.

Laser identification of residual microislands of calculus and their removal with chelation.

BACKGROUND: During videoscope-assisted minimally invasive surgery which uses a high magnification videoscope to treat periodontal defects, small areas resembling calculus are detected remaining on root surfaces following scaling. These are clinically termed microislands of calculus, which are removed by the use of a chelating agent. This material has not been verified as calculus and the ability of a chelating agent to remove calculus has not been proven. The purpose of this ex vivo study is to verify if the material is calculus and to determine if calculus is removed with a chelating agent. METHODS: Extracted teeth (n = 22) with heavy calculus on root surfaces were selected. A 5-mm2 area containing calculus was scribed on each root. Digital videoscope images were made of the marked areas using only white light and also with only a 655-nm diode laser that causes calculus to fluoresce. The marked areas were root planed until no calculus was visible with 3.5× surgical loupes. Digital images were again made. The test area was then burnished with a chelating agent (EDTA) for 30 seconds and images again made. Using the images, the percentage of the marked root surface containing calculus was calculated. RESULTS: Calculus remained on the roots surfaces after they were judged to be clean using 3.5× loupe magnification. Remaining calculus was reduced after burnishing for 30 seconds with EDTA. CONCLUSIONS: Calculus remains on root surfaces judged to be calculus free using surgical loupes for visualization. Small areas of calculus are reduced or eliminated with a chelating agent.

Minimally Invasive Surgery in Periodontal Regeneration: A Review of the Literature.

New techniques have emerged to achieve periodontal regeneration without the drawbacks associated with conventional flap surgery. Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) is a method of surgical access that minimizes flap reflection and tissue trauma, resulting in maintenance of critical blood supply, stability of the blood clot within the wound site, and less postoperative recession over time. As advancements in materials and techniques are made, MIS in periodontal regeneration continues to evolve. The emergence of a videoscope for use during MIS (VMIS) has improved visual access to surgical sites, facilitating improved defect debridement and root planing. As demonstrated, VMIS has resulted in an actual gain in soft-tissue height up to 3 years postoperatively.

Videoscope Assisted Minimally Invasive Surgery (VMIS): 36-Month Results.

BACKGROUND: Clinical outcomes from videoscope assisted minimally invasive surgery (VMIS) at 36 to 58 months are reported. METHODS: Fourteen patients having sites with residual probing depth (PD) of at least 5 mm and 2 mm loss of clinical attachment level (CAL) after initial non-surgical therapy were treated with VMIS. RESULTS: At 36 months or greater post-surgery there was a statistically significant improvement (P <0.001) in mean PD and CAL (PD: 3.80 ± 1.18 mm, CAL: 4.16 ± 1.18 mm) in all surgical sites compared with baseline. There was a mean improvement in soft tissue height (0.36 ± 0.64 mm, P = 0.03). In most cases, patients reported no postoperative discomfort. CONCLUSIONS: Improvements from VMIS appear to be favorable when compared with previously reported results of periodontal regenerative surgery. All improvements were stable over time. The lack of post-surgical recession after VMIS has not been reported with traditional regenerative surgery.