Fish scale-derived hydroxyapatite for alveolar ridge preservation.

Alveolar ridge resorption following tooth extraction poses significant challenges for future dental restorations. This study investigated the efficacy of fish scale-derived hydroxyapatite (FSHA) as a socket preservation graft material to maintain alveolar bone volume and architecture. FSHA was extracted from *Labeo rohita* fish scales and characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis. In vitro, biocompatibility and osteogenic potential were assessed using Saos-2 human osteosarcoma cells. Cell viability, migration, and proliferation were evaluated using MTT and scratch assays. In vivo performance was assessed in a rat model, and FSHA was compared to a commercial xenograft (Osseograft) and ungrafted controls. Histological analysis was performed at 8-week post-implantation to quantify new bone formation. FTIR confirmed the purity and homogeneity of FSHA. In vitro, FSHA enhanced Saos-2 viability, migration, and proliferation compared to controls. In vivo, FSHA demonstrated superior bone regeneration compared to Osseograft and ungrafted sites, with balanced graft resorption and new bone formation. Histological analysis revealed an active incorporation of FSHA into new bone, with minimal gaps and ongoing remodeling. Approximately 50%-60% of FSHA was resorbed by 8 weeks, closely matching the rate of new bone deposition. FSHA stimulated more bone formation in the apical socket region than in coronal areas. In conclusion, FSHA is a promising biomaterial for alveolar ridge preservation, exhibiting excellent biocompatibility, osteogenic potential, and balanced resorption. Its ability to promote robust bone regeneration highlights its potential as an effective alternative to currently used graft materials in socket preservation procedures.

Surface modification of dental zirconia implants with a low infiltration temperature glass.

The glass infiltration technique was employed for surface modification of zirconia implants in this study. The prepared glass-infiltrated zirconia with low infiltrating temperature showed excellent mechanical properties and enough infiltrating layer. The zirconia substrate was pre-sintered at 1,200°C and the glass infiltration depth reached 400 µm after infiltrating at 1,200°C for 10 h. The infiltrating glass has good wetting ability, thermal expansion match and good chemical compatibility with the zirconia substrate. Indentation fracture toughness and flexural strength of the dense sintered glass-infiltrated zirconia composite are respectively 5.37±0.45 MPa•m1/2 and 841.03±89.31 MPa. Its elasticity modulus is 163.99±7.6 GPa and has about 500 µm infiltrating layer. The glass-infiltrated zirconia can be acid etched to a medium roughness (1.29±0.09 µm) with a flexural strength of 823.65±87.46 MPa, which promotes cell proliferation and has potential for dental implants.

Scalp-Split Technique: A concept of bone splitting and expansion for thin alveolar ridges to place dental implants.

BACKGROUND: Bone expansion is where the existing bone at the implant site is split and separated to create a gap to widen it. This article introduces a novel concept of bone expansion for the ultra-thin alveolar ridges to place dental implants with zero wastage of existing natural bone in long-term edentulous arches. Instead of using twist drills and piezo surgery kits, the bone is split with a surgical scalpel blade to prevent natural bone wastage. METHODS: The split will help to expand the bone horizontally by using expanders to accommodate the smaller diameter implants. This technique was applied to 12 individuals to rehabilitate their atrophic edentulous mandibles to facilitate the implant-supported overdentures, and it revealed that all the cases achieved successful osseointegration after placing implants following this method. CONCLUSIONS: The "Scalp-Spilt Technique" is a promising technique for providing implant- retained or implant-supported prostheses over ultra-thin edentulous alveolar ridges.

Effect of depression and the antidepressant fluoxetine on osseointegration-A pre-clinical in vivo experimental study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore the effect of depression and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors on implant osseointegration and bone healing. METHODS: Forty-eight 6- to 8-week-old SPF Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomly divided into four groups: the Control group, the Fluoxetine group, the Depression group and the De&Flu group. The rats in the Depression group and the De&Flu group were subjected to a depression modelling process, and the rats in the Control group and the Fluoxetine group were raised normally. Then, a titanium implant was placed in the right tibia of each rat. In the Fluoxetine group and De&Flu group, fluoxetine was injected subcutaneously daily, while subcutaneously injecting physiological saline in the Control group and Depression group. Collecting serum from the rats used for ELISA. The surgical area was cut for microcomputed tomography and histology observation. RESULTS: After 12 weeks, bone mineral density was lower in the De&Flu group than in the Control group, Depression group and Fluoxetine group. Bone mineral density was also lower in the Depression group and the Fluoxetine group than in the Control group. The percentage of bone-implant contact (BIC%) in De&Flu rats was lower than in the Control, Depression and Fluoxetine groups. The BIC% in the Depression group and the Fluoxetine group was lower than in the Control group. CONCLUSIONS: Depression and fluoxetine negatively affect bone density and implant osseointegration independently, and this damaging effect is exacerbated when both factors are present. The mechanism may be related to the dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and inflammation in the body.

Clinical Performance of Implant-Supported Prostheses in the Rehabilitation of Patients Previously Treated for Medication-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaws (MRONJ): A Systematic Review.

There is a lack of consensus on managing resultant bone and soft tissue defects or on restoring oral function and aesthetics following medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaws (MRONJ) lesion healing. This clinical challenge presents a dilemma for practitioners. Removable prostheses pose a recurrence risk if poorly fitted and may inadequately restore function or aesthetics in cases of significant bone defect. Dental implant-supported prostheses could enhance function and quality of life, though their risks and indications are not well-defined. This systematic review examines the clinical outcomes and complications associated with implant-supported rehabilitations post-MRONJ surgery. This study was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement recommendations and it was pre-registered in the Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) (CRD42023492539).

Low-dose, standard, and high-resolution cone beam computed tomography for alveolar bone measurements related to implant planning: An ex vivo study in human specimens.

AIM: To evaluate the performance of low-dose cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) protocols with regard to linear bone measurements in the posterior mandible for implant planning compared with higher dose protocols. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-two edentulous posterior sites in human cadaveric mandibles were imaged in three CBCT scanners using three or four protocols with varying exposure parameters to achieve lower dose. Co-registration was performed to generate sagittal and cross-sectional image sections representative of the implant site. Three observers measured bone height, from the alveolar crest to the mandibular canal, and width, three mm from the top of the alveolar crest. Intra- and interobserver reproducibility were assessed for the cases rated as nonmeasurable as well as for completed measurements. The measurements were analyzed using paired t-tests for differences among the CBCT protocols and the frequency distribution of nonmeasurable cases with a Pearson Chi-square test. RESULTS: Reproducibility for registering nonmeasurable cases varied among observers; however, no consistent significant differences were found in the frequency distribution of these cases among observers, units, and protocols. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were >0.9 for all measurements of bone height and width. Mean differences of <0.5 mm were found regardless of protocol; however, one observer did in some cases produce larger differences. CONCLUSION: Linear bone measurements did not differ significantly and could be performed with excellent reliability, using low-dose CBCT protocols compared with standard and high-resolution ones. Varying approaches for rating nonmeasurable cases were found, indicating differences in diagnostic strategies related to implant planning among observers.

Accuracy of navigation guided implant surgery for immediate loading complete arch restorations: Prospective clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES: To assess navigation accuracy for complete-arch implant placement with immediate loading of digitally prefabricated provisional. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Consecutive edentulous and terminal dentition patients requiring at least one complete-arch FDP were treated between December 2020 and January 2022. Accuracy was evaluated by superimposing pre-operative and post-operative cone beam computed tomography (CBCT), recording linear (mm) and angular (degrees) deviations. T-tests were performed to investigate the potential effect of the registration algorithm (fiducial-based vs. fiducial-free), type of references for the fiducial-free algorithm (teeth vs. bone screws), site characteristic (healed vs. post-extractive), implant angulation (axial vs. tilted), type of arch (maxilla vs. mandible) on the accuracy with p-value <0.05. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients, 36 complete-arches, and 161 implants were placed. The overall mean angular deviation was 2.19° (SD 1.26°). The global platform and apex mean deviations were 1.17 mm (SD 0.57 mm), and 1.30 mm (SD 0.62 mm). Meaningful global platform (p = 0.0009) and apical (p = 0.0109) deviations were experienced only between healed and post-extraction sites. None of the analyzed variables significantly influenced angular deviation. Minor single-axis deviations were reported for the type of jaw (y-axis at implant platform and apex), registration algorithm (y-axis platform and z-axis deviations), and type of references for the fiducial-free algorithm. No statistically significant differences were found in relation to implant angulation. CONCLUSIONS: Within the study limitations navigation was reliable for complete-arch implant placement with immediate loading digitally pre-fabricated FDP. AI-driven surface anatomy identification and calibration protocol made fiducial-free registration as accurate as fiducial-based, teeth and bone screws equal as references. Implant site characteristics were the only statistically significant variable with healed sites reporting higher accuracy compared to post-extractive. Live-tracked navigation surgery enhanced operator performance and accuracy regardless of implant angulation and type of jaw. A mean safety room of about 1 mm and 2° should be considered.

Sinus Savvy: Exploring the Current Techniques of Maxillary Sinus Augmentation.

Sinus ridge augmentation is a surgical procedure aimed at increasing the volume of bone in the posterior maxilla to permit successful dental implant placement. The current review article presents an overview of various techniques used for sinus ridge augmentation, including the lateral window technique, crestal approach, transalveolar technique, and piezoelectric osteotomy. The article examines the advantages and limitations of each technique, such as invasiveness, surgical difficulty, and the requirement for additional procedures. Additionally, the article discusses the factors that influence the success of the procedure, including patient age, residual bone height, and the kind of bone graft substance used. The review also emphasizes the importance of proper case selection, surgical planning, and postoperative care to ensure optimal outcomes. Overall, the article provides valuable insights into the current techniques used for sinus ridge augmentation, highlighting the need for further research to improve patient outcomes and the success of placing dental implants over the long run.

Evaluation of bone apposition on surface modified titanium implant in experimental animal model: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: To evaluate the response of peri-implant bone to smooth (machined) surface and surface-modified dental implants in healthy experimental animal models. Materials and Methods: Systematic electronic search was done for using PUBMED, SCOPUS, WEB OF SCIENCE, and EMBASE databases for potentially relevant records from the last 20 years. Duplicate screening and data extraction were performed to formulate the evidence tables and meta-analysis following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. The outcome criteria were: 1. Bone Implant Contact (BIC) in percentage, 2. Removal Torque Values (RTV) in Ncm, 3. Implant stability Quotient (ISQ), Quality assessment was done using the ARRIVE (Animal Research: Reporting of In Vivo Experiments) guidelines and SYRCLE RoB (Systematic Review Centre for Laboratory Animal Experimentation Risk of Bias) tool. Results: Results were expressed as pooled mean difference for the respective groups viz. sandblasted and acid etched, laser modified, acid etched and anodized surface. The surface modified implants revealed somewhat higher BIC over machined surface (P < 0.01). Forest plot were drawn for all the outcome variables. Conclusions: Within the limitations of this study, the authors found a higher degree of osseointegration pertaining to bone to implant interface, RTV, and implant stability quotient (ISQ) with surface modified procedures which seemed to promote bone formation around peri-implant tissue during the early stages of healing. After analyzing all 37 included publications for the outcome of interest (BIC%, RTV, ISQ), a positive outcome was obtained for both subtractive and additive implant surface modifying procedures over machined implant surfaces when the data were pooled together. More advanced research work on healthy animal models needs to be investigated to review the impact of surface modifications on dental implant osseointegration.

Depth distortion and angular deviation of a fully guided tooth-supported static surgical guide in a partially edentulous patient: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the depth distortion and angular deviation of fully-guided tooth-supported static surgical guides (FTSG) in partially edentulous arches compared to partially guided surgical guides or freehand. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and was registered in the Open Science Framework (OSF). The formulated population, intervention, comparison, and outcome (PICO) question was: "In partially edentulous arches, what are the depth distortion and angular deviation of FTSG compared to partially guided surgical guides or freehand?" The search strategy involved four main electronic databases, and an additional manual search was completed in November 2023 by following an established search strategy. Initial inclusion was based on titles and abstracts, followed by a detailed review of selected studies, and clinical studies that evaluated the angular deviations or depth distortion in FTSG in partial arches, compared to partially guided surgical guides or freehand, were included. In FTSG, two surgical approaches were compared: open flap and flapless techniques, and two digital methods were assessed for surgical guide design with fiducial markers or dental surfaces. A qualitative analysis for clinical studies was used to assess the risk of bias. The certainty of the evidence was assessed according to the grading of recommendations, assessment, development, and evaluations (GRADE) system. In addition, a single-arm meta-analysis of proportion was performed to evaluate the angular deviation of freehand and FTSG. RESULTS: Ten studies, published between 2018 and 2023, met the eligibility criteria. Among them, 10 studies reported angular deviations ranging from -0.32° to 4.96° for FTSG. Regarding FTSG surgical approaches, seven studies examined the open flap technique for FTSG, reporting mean angular deviations ranging from 2.03° to 4.23°, and four studies evaluated flapless FTSG, reporting angular deviations ranging from -0.32° to 3.38°. Six studies assessed the freehand surgical approach, reporting angular deviations ranging from 1.40° to 7.36°. The mean depth distortion ranged between 0.19 mm to 2.05 mm for open flap FTSG, and between 0.15 mm to 0.45 mm for flapless FTSG. For partially guided surgical guides, two studies reported angular deviations ranging from 0.59° to 3.44°. Seven studies were eligible for meta-analysis, focusing on the FTSG in open flap technique, with high heterogeneity (I2 (95%CI) = 92.3% (88.7%-96.4%)). In contrast, heterogeneity was low in studies comparing freehand versus FTSG in open flap techniques (I2 (95%CI) = 21.3% (0.0%-67.8%)), favoring the FTSG surgical approach. CONCLUSION: In partially edentulous arches, FTSG systems exhibited less angular deviation than freehand and partially guided surgical guides. Flapless surgical approaches were associated with reduced angular deviation and depth distortion, suggesting a potential preference for the FTSG method in these procedures.

Radiofrequency-Induced Heating of Amalgam Restorations and Dental Implants during 1.5T Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate radiofrequency-induced heating of different amalgam restorations and dental implants during 1.5T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Materials and Methods: Standardized class I cavities (5 mm long, 3 mm wide, and 3 mm deep) were prepared on the occlusal surface of 45 extracted human third molars. The samples were restored by three different types of amalgam including Cinalux amalgam (non-gamma-2, spherical), GS-80 (non-gamma-2, admix), and GK-110 amalgam (non-gamma-2, admix in silver). As a separate intervention group (G4), five titanium mini drive-lock implants with 2mm diameter and 10mm length were also selected and mounted to the base of the Eppendorf tube with 3mm of the implants extending above the mounting putty. The box containing the specimens was placed parallel to the long axis of the standard head and neck coil of the MRI device (64MHz radio-frequency energy with 25kW amplifier, 1.5T). Temperature fluctuations of the metallic materials in each group were monitored during MRI scans using a calibrated thermometer. One-way ANOVA was used to compare temperature changes among the amalgam groups (P<0.05). Results: Temperature elevations ranged from 0.21°C to 0.70°C in amalgam restorations and from 0.35 to 0.47°C in dental implants. The temperature changes among the three amalgam agents were not statistically significant. Conclusion: According to our findings, the radiofrequency-induced heating of amalgam restorations and dental implants during MRI examination can be considered within acceptable ranges. Therefore, amalgam restorations and dental implants can be categorized as "MR safe" in terms of radiofrequency-induced heating during 1.5 T MRI.

Influence of the Surface Topography of Titanium Dental Implants on the Behavior of Human Amniotic Stem Cells.

The dental implant surface plays a crucial role in osseointegration. The topography and physicochemical properties will affect the cellular functions. In this research, four distinct titanium surfaces have been studied: machined acting (MACH), acid etched (AE), grit blasting (GBLAST), and a combination of grit blasting and subsequent acid etching (GBLAST + AE). Human amniotic mesenchymal (hAMSCs) and epithelial stem cells (hAECs) isolated from the amniotic membrane have attractive stem-cell properties. They were cultured on titanium surfaces to analyze their impact on biological behavior. The surface roughness, microhardness, wettability, and surface energy were analyzed using interferometric microscopy, Vickers indentation, and drop-sessile techniques. The GBLAST and GBLAST + AE surfaces showed higher roughness, reduced hydrophilicity, and lower surface energy with significant differences. Increased microhardness values for GBLAST and GBLAST + AE implants were attributed to surface compression. Cell viability was higher for hAMSCs, particularly on GBLAST and GBLAST + AE surfaces. Alkaline phosphatase activity enhanced in hAMSCs cultured on GBLAST and GBLAST + AE surfaces, while hAECs showed no mineralization signals. Osteogenic gene expression was upregulated in hAMSCs on GBLAST surfaces. Moreover, α2 and ß1 integrin expression enhanced in hAMSCs, suggesting a surface-integrin interaction. Consequently, hAMSCs would tend toward osteoblastic differentiation on grit-blasted surfaces conducive to osseointegration, a phenomenon not observed in hAECs.

Factors affecting radiographic marginal bone resorption at dental implants in function for at least 5 years: A multicenter retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influence of patient and implant-related factors on the changes of marginal bone levels (MBL) at implants with a follow-up ≥5 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: At baseline (within 6 months from prosthetic insertion) and long-term (≥5 years after implant placement) visits, interproximal (mesial and distal) MBL were radiographically evaluated. To analyze factors predicting MBL change, the site (either mesial or distal) showing the highest MBL change (hChMBL site) was identified for each implant. Multilevel regression models were built to explain MBL change as well as the probability for a bone loss ≥2 mm at long-term. RESULTS: 942 implants in 312 patients with a mean follow-up of 8.02 ± 2.5 years were analyzed. MBL change was significantly predicted by baseline MBL, oral bisphosphonate (BP) intake, history of periodontitis, diabetes, and super-hydrophilic implant surface. Higher risk for a bone loss ≥2 mm was observed in patients with history of periodontitis (OR = 9.52, 95% CI 0.72-3.79) and taking BP (OR = 6.84, 95% CI 0.21-3.63). Mandibular implants had higher odds for bone loss ≥2 mm compared to maxillary implants (OR = 3, 95% CI 0.39-1.87). CONCLUSIONS: The findings of the present study contribute to the identification of specific clinical scenarios at higher risk for implant-supporting bone loss that need to be strictly monitored during maintenance.

Survival rate of implants performed at sites of previously failed implants and factors associated with failure: A retrospective investigation.

Background/purpose: Although reimplantation is currently a common treatment procedure, little information on reimplantation success or failure is available in the literature. The purpose of the present investigation was to evaluate the survival rate of dental implants that were performed in sites of previously failed implants and identify factors associated with the treatment outcome. Materials and methods: This retrospective study is based on a cohort of patients rehabilitated with dental implants in the dental clinics of the universities contributing data to the BigMouth network between 2011 and 2022. Implants replacing a previously failed implant at the same site were included. Cases of first and second reimplantations were included Information regarding patients' characteristics including age, gender, ethnicity, race, tobacco use, and systemic medical conditions were extracted from patients' files. Results: Records of 50,333 dental implants placed in 20,842 patients over a 12-year period were screened. Three hundred seventy implants placed in 284 patients were replaced by another implant at the same site. The cumulative survival rates of implants inserted for the first time was 98.6 %, for the first replacements was 96.1 % and for the second replacements was 91.7 %. First reimplants exhibited a significantly higher risk of failure than initial implantation (P < 0.001). Similarly, second reimplants demonstrated significantly greater risk of failure (P = 0.05) when compared to initial implants. No significant associations were detected between replaced implant failures with any of the patient related parameters evaluated (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Within the limitations of the present study, dental implants replacing failed implants exhibited lower survival rates than the rates reported for the previous attempts of implant placement. No risk indicators for implant failure were identified. Additional factors should be examined in future studies.

Prosthetic Maintenance Assessment for Two Implant- Retained Overdentures Reinforced with PEKK Versus Co-Cr Framework: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.

INTRODUCTION: The primary challenge associated with implant overdentures lies in the occurrence of denture fractures around the attachments. Hence, it is recommended to enhance flexural strength through reinforcement frameworks. This study aimed to assess and compare the prosthetic maintenance of mandibular implant overdentures reinforced with Co-Cr and PEKK frameworks. METHODS: Twenty-four participants with completely edentulous ridges were selected, and two implants were placed at the mandibular canine areas. After osseointegration period, ball attachments were installed. Participants were randomly assigned into two groups: Group I received a mandibular implant overdenture reinforced with a Co-Cr framework, while Group II received a mandibular implant overdenture reinforced with a PEKK framework. Prosthetic maintenance evaluations were conducted in both groups twelve months post-denture insertion. Categorical data were analyzed, and results were presented as frequency and percentage values. RESULTS: Group II exhibited a significantly higher percentage of cases with screw looseness, denture relining, and tooth separation compared to Group I. Although Group II cases showed a non-significant increase in the percentage of insert wear and retention loss. CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of this study, the findings suggest that Co-Cr, in contrast to PEKK frameworks, offers a more reliable reinforcement of the implant-retained overdentures.

An updated review and recent advancements in carbon-based bioactive coatings for dental implant applications.

BACKGROUND: Surface coating of dental implants with a bioactive biomaterial is one of the distinguished approaches to improve the osseointegration potential, antibacterial properties, durability, and clinical success rate of dental implants. Carbon-based bioactive coatings, a unique class of biomaterial that possesses excellent mechanical properties, high chemical and thermal stability, osteoconductivity, corrosion resistance, and biocompatibility, have been utilized successfully for this purpose. AIM: This review aims to present a comprehensive overview of the structure, properties, coating techniques, and application of the various carbon-based coatings for dental implant applicationswith a particular focuson Carbon-based nanomaterial (CNMs), which is an advanced class of biomaterials. KEY SCIENTIFIC CONCEPTS OF REVIEW: Available articles on carbon coatings for dental implants were reviewed using PubMed, Science Direct, and Google Scholar resources. Carbon-based coatings are non-cytotoxic, highly biocompatible, chemically inert, and osteoconductive, which allows the bone cells to come into close contact with the implant surface and prevents bacterial attachment and growth. Current research and advancements are now more focused on carbon-based nanomaterial (CNMs), as this emerging class of biomaterial possesses the advantage of both nanotechnology and carbon and aligns closely with ideal coating material characteristics. Carbon nanotubes, graphene, and its derivatives have received the most attention for dental implant coating. Various coating techniques are available for carbon-based materials, chosen according to substrate type, application requirements, and desired coating thickness. Vapor deposition technique, plasma spraying, laser deposition, and thermal spraying techniques are most commonly employed to coat the carbon structures on the implant surface. Longer duration trials and monitoring are required to ascertain the role of carbon-based bioactive coating for dental implant applications.

On the Use of Nanoparticles in Dental Implants.

Results obtained in physics, chemistry and materials science on nanoparticles have drawn significant interest in the use of nanostructures on dental implants. The main focus concerns nanoscale surface modifications of titanium-based dental implants in order to increase the surface roughness and provide a better bone-implant interfacial area. Surface coatings via the sol-gel process ensure the deposition of a homogeneous layer of nanoparticles or mixtures of nanoparticles on the titanium substrate. Nanotubular structures created on the titanium surface by anodic oxidation yield an interesting nanotopography for drug release. Carbon-based nanomaterials hold great promise in the field of dentistry on account of their outstanding mechanical properties and their structural characteristics. Carbon nanomaterials that include carbon nanotubes, graphene and its derivatives (graphene oxide and graphene quantum dots) can be used as coatings of the implant surface. Their antibacterial properties as well as their ability to be functionalized with adequate chemical groups make them particularly useful for improving biocompatibility and promoting osseointegration. Nevertheless, an evaluation of their possible toxicity is required before being exploited in clinical trials.

Three-Year Outcome of Full-Arch Fixed Prosthetic Rehabilitation through the All-on-4® Concept Using Dynamic 3D Navigated Surgery (X-Guided™): A Retrospective Study.

Background/Objectives: The insertion of dental implants using dynamic 3D navigated surgery while applying immediate function protocols for full-arch rehabilitations warrants further research. This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of All-on-4® rehabilitations using 3D Dynamic navigated surgery (X-Guide™). Methods: This study included 10 patients (women: 7; men: 3; average age: 59.9 years) rehabilitated with full-arch prostheses through the All-on-4® concept, with 48 dental implants inserted using navigated surgery. The primary outcome evaluation was prosthetic/implant cumulative survival (CS), estimated using life tables. Secondary outcome evaluations were marginal bone resorption (MBR), biological complications, and mechanical complications. The evaluation parameters were measured between 1 and 3 years. Results: No patients were lost to follow-up. Two implants (4.2%) were lost in one patient (10%) with smoking habits, resulting in an implant CS rate of 95.8%. The average MBR was 0.51 mm ± 0.62 mm at the 1-year follow-up. The incidence rate of mechanical complications was 40% (n = 4 patients), all occurring in provisional prosthesis. No biological complications were registered. The patients maintained their prostheses in function throughout the follow-up of the study. Conclusions: Within the limitations of this study and based on the results, it can be concluded that the insertion of dental implants assisted by dynamic navigation for full-arch rehabilitation through the All-on-4® concept may be a valid treatment alternative in the short-term follow-up. However, more studies are necessary to validate this treatment modality.

Influence of Schneiderian Membrane Perforation on Implant Survival Rate: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Maxillary sinus lift is a well-documented and accepted technique in the rehabilitation of the posterior maxilla. Schneiderian membrane perforation is the most common complication and may occur in between 7% and 56% of cases. Different materials and techniques have been described to achieve reparation of the perforation. The aim of this study was to establish whether the perforation of the Schneiderian membrane and its repair during maxillary sinus lift surgery results in a lower implant survival rate compared to those cases where the membrane has not been perforated. Materials and methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis of studies assessing the survival rate of implants placed in regenerated sinus using the lateral window approach, where the perforation of the Schneiderian membrane occur, was carried out. Statistical analysis was performed with Open Meta-Analyst, calculating the odds ratio of implants placed in perforated sinuses and non-perforated sinuses. Results: Ten articles were included in the qualitative analysis and seven articles in the quantitative analysis or meta-analysis. A total of 1224 maxillary sinus augmentation surgeries were performed without perforation of the Schneiderian membrane and 2725 implants were placed; 62 implants failed during the follow-up period with an overall survival rate of 97.7%. In 480 perforated sinuses, 1044 implants were placed, of which 30 failed; the overall survival rate was 97.1%. There were no significant differences between the implant survival rate of the implants in the two groups (OR = 0.78; CI = 0.49-2.23; p = 0.28 and I2 heterogeneity: 0%, p = 0.44). Conclusions: Schneiderian membrane perforation, as long as it is repaired, does not appear to negatively influence implant survival rate. Membrane perforation should not be considered a reason to abort the procedure or an absolute contraindication to implant placement.

The role of bone ring technique for bone augmentation in implant surgery: A Narrative Review.

Bone grafting with simultaneous implant placement using the novel bone ring technique was a procedure introduced with the intention of three-dimensional bone augmentation with simultaneous implant placement in both maxilla and mandible. A ring-shaped bone is placed in the socket, which is secured by an implant placed through the ring. The current narrative review was planned to provide a concise summary of the core concepts surrounding bone augmentation, to provide context for understanding the bone ring technique, and to highlight the basics of bone grafting and the origin of the technique to its advancement and its importance in the light of current literature.