Patient-centered outcomes after surgical treatment of peri-implantitis: a prospective clinical study

Background: Peri-implantitis is an inflammatory process affecting soft and hard tissues surrounding dental implants, causing progressive marginal bone loss. Peri-implant surgery is the treatment of choice. However, evidence about its impact on patients' quality of life (QoL) is limited. This study aimed to assess pain and QoL in the first seven post-operative days and measure patient satisfaction at the end of this period.Material and methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted in patients with peri-implantitis. Patients reported pain on a visual analogue scale (VAS) ranging from 0 to 100mm every day during the first week after surgery. They then completed the OHIP-14sp questionnaire. A descriptive and inferential data analysis was used to assess the effect of surgical approach (resective, regenerative or combined), gender and working status on pain, satisfaction and QoL.Results: Forty-one patients (93,2%) completed the daily pain VAS; scores ranged from 0 to 95 mm. Gender, occupation, or type of surgery had no significant effect upon its evolution. The mean total OHIP-14sp score was 16.7 (range = 5 to 33), indicating low to moderate deterioration in perceived oral health. Postoperative OHRQoL was significantly higher in working patients (mean difference (MD): 3.94; P = 0.042), and with the regenerative (MD: 6.34; P = 0.044) or the combined approach (MD: 5.41; P = 0.027).Conclusions: Considering the limitations of this study, postoperative pain was mild to moderate and decreased after the third day. Surgical treatment of peri-implantitis has an impact on QoL, especially when augmentation procedures are involved. This impact is higher in working patients. (AU)

Effect of implantoplasty on fracture resistance and surface roughness of standard diameter dental implants.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of implantoplasty on the fracture resistance, surface roughness, and macroscopic morphology of standard diameter (4.1 mm) external connection dental implants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An in vitro study was conducted in 20 screw-shaped titanium dental implants with an external connection. In 10 implants, the threads and surface were removed and polished with high-speed burs (implantoplasty), while the remaining 10 implants were used as controls. The final implant dimensions were recorded. The newly polished surface quality was assessed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and by 3D surface roughness analysis using a confocal laser microscope. Finally, all the implants were subjected to a mechanical pressure resistance test. A descriptive analysis of the data was made. Also, Student's t tests were employed to detect differences regarding the compression tests. RESULTS: Implantoplasty was carried out for a mean time of 10 min and 48 s (standard deviation (SD) of 1 min 22 s). Macroscopically, the resulting surface had a smooth appearance, although small titanium shavings and silicon debris were present. The final surface roughness (Sa values 0.1 ± 0.02 µm) was significantly lower than that of the original (0.75 ± 0.08 µm Sa ) (p = .005). There was minimal reduction in the implant's inner body diameter (0.19 ± 0.03 mm), and no statistically significant differences were found between the test and control implants regarding the maximum resistance force (896 vs 880 N, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Implantoplasty, although technically demanding and time-consuming, does not seem to significantly alter fracture resistance of standard diameter external connection implants. A smooth surface with Sa values below 0.1 µm can be obtained through the use of silicon polishers. A larger sample is required to confirm that implantoplasty does not significantly affect the maximum resistance force of standard diameter external connection implants.

Short implants: a descriptive study of 273 implants.

PURPOSE: The study aims to assess the performance of short implants in a series of patients with severe alveolar resorption. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A review is made of 273 implants measuring 10 mm or less, placed by conventional surgery or using osteotomes, and with a postloading follow-up of between 18 months and 12 years (mean 81 months). RESULTS: A total of 20 failures were recorded (7.33%), with a global implant survival of 92.67%. The survival rate for 10 mm implants was 92.82%, versus 92.5% in the case of those measuring less than 10 mm. Overall, the failure rate was lowest for the treated surface implants (2.56% vs 4.76%). On considering the implants measuring under 10 mm, the failure rates were similar in both groups (3.77%). CONCLUSIONS: Short implants are a good treatment alternative for patients with severe alveolar resorption of both jaws.