Osseointegration Foundation Charity Overdenture Program Study: Part 2.

This assessment evaluated the clinical feasibility of using narrow-diameter implants to support a mandibular overdenture. Twelve patients presenting with an edentulous mandible were recruited from nine dental offices. Each patient received two to four implants in the mandible. The implants were placed without additional bone augmentation, and a total of 36 implants were placed. All sites achieved satisfactory crestal bone stability and soft tissue maintenance 1 year after the final prosthetic restoration. This investigation was supported by the Osseointegration Foundation, working in conjunction with the Zest Anchors implant company. There are three basic valuable activities that emerge from a professional foundation, which were reflected in this case study. They include disseminating information to practitioners, persuading young clinicians to become research investigators, and reaching out to patients in need of treatment who cannot afford it without a charitable opportunity.

Comparison of a Novel Sonic Toothbrush to Manual Brushing on Plaque Control and Gingival Inflammation: A Multicenter, Randomized, Controlled Clinical Trial.

The goal of this multicenter randomized controlled study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a newly developed ionic-sonic electric toothbrush in terms of plaque removal and reduction of gingival inflammation. A total of 78 subjects from three dental centers were invited to join the study. They were randomized to receive either a manual toothbrush (control group) or an ionic-sonic electric brush (test group). Full-mouth prophylaxis and oral hygiene instructions based on the stationary bristle technique were provided 1 week prior to the baseline visit. At baseline and at each follow-up appointment, Plaque Index (PI) and Gingival Index (GI) were recorded. In addition, probing depth (PD) and bleeding on probing were recorded at baseline and at the last appointment (week 5). At completion of the study, subjects in the test group were given a questionnaire regarding their satisfaction with the toothbrush. Sixty-four subjects completed the study (control: 28; test: 36). The mean age of the subjects was 36.90 ± 12.19 years. No significant difference between the baseline and 5-week PD was found. Plaque removal efficacy and reduction in gingival inflammation were more significant for the test group at week 2. Both the control and test groups showed statistically significant improvement in PI and GI from baseline to week 5. The ionic-sonic toothbrush was more effective than manual toothbrush after a 1-week application.

Osseointegration Foundation Charity Overdenture Program Study.

This investigation has been stimulated by the Osseointegration Foundation, working in conjunction with the Zest Anchors implant company. There are three basic valuable activities that emerge from a professional foundation, which were reflected in this case study. They include disseminating information to practitioners, to persuade young clinicians to become research investigators, and to reach out to patients in need of treatment who cannot afford it without a charitable opportunity.

The effect of ultrasound on bone dimensional changes following extraction: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Because of bone resorption following tooth extraction, preservation of adequate bony dimension is performed often for subsequent treatment with dental implants. This study evaluated a novel, non-invasive treatment using ultrasound to accelerate healing following extraction to minimize alveolar bone loss. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of ultrasound on the dimensional healing changes of alveolar bone following tooth extraction using cone-beam volumetric tomography (CBVT). METHODS: This randomized, split-mouth trial involved 12 subjects requiring extraction of two contralateral erupted permanent teeth. Baseline CBVT scans were captured 7 to 10 days following extraction, after which time ultrasound therapy commenced in test sites. Ultrasound therapy was delivered for 20 minutes using a piezoelectric transducer for 10 sessions over the subsequent 4 weeks. Follow-up radiographic scans were obtained at 4 weeks and 3 months postextraction. Analyses of variance and covariance were performed to assess dimensional changes over the 3-month healing period. RESULTS: Analysis of dimensional changes in all measures of vertical height and horizontal width demonstrated no statistically significant differences between the ultrasound and control groups from baseline to 3 months postextraction. Evaluation of correlations between dimensional changes demonstrated a moderately strong correlation (r = 0.67; P = 0.023) in the ultrasound group between the change in buccal vertical height and the baseline crestal ridge width. Analysis of the change in buccal vertical height relative to baseline crestal width demonstrated a statistically significant benefit to ultrasound compared to control (P = 0.016). This benefit was more pronounced in wider sockets compared to narrow sockets. CONCLUSIONS: In this pilot study, there was no significant benefit to ultrasound in absolute bony dimensional changes following tooth extraction. There was a significant interaction between the treatment rendered (ultrasound versus control) and the change in buccal ridge height relative to baseline ridge width at the crest and 3 mm apical to the crest. This benefit was apparent in wide sockets compared to narrow sockets; however, the clinical importance of these relative dimensional changes in the ultrasound group are difficult to determine given the inclusion of all tooth types in a pilot study with a small sample size.

A Prospective Clinical and Radiographic Assessment of Platform-Switched Laser-Microchannel Implants Placed in Limited Interimplant Spaces.

This multicenter clinical trial of platform-switched laser-microchannel implants supports findings from a previous preclinical trial. Previous information indicated that an interimplant distance narrower than 3 mm would result in decrease in the crestal bone level, but the results of this investigation suggest that a more optimistic clinical result can be anticipated for implants and abutments with a laser-microchannel surface.

Host Suitability of Rapeseed for Heterodera schachtii.

Because rapeseed, especially canola, has the potential to be grown in rotation with sugarbeet in the north-central region of the United States, this study was initiated to assess its susceptibility to infection by Heterodera schachtii and to develop a screening method for Brassica germplasm. Existing methodology was adapted for growing Brassica juncea, B. napus, B. rapa, Brassica hybrids, and sugarbeet, Beta vulgaris, in H. schachtii-infested soil to count the females that developed on the roots. Cysts on sugarbeet contained a mean of 130 eggs compared with 240 for B. napus, lowest for the Brassica. Viability of eggs produced was assessed in soil planted with Brassica and sugarbeet and infested with with 0, 100, 1,000, 3,000, and 5,000 eggs to count resulting females and cysts. Number of females (y) was related linearly to infestation rate (x) by the regression equations y = 2.82 + 0.07(x) for the Brassica lines (R(2) = 0.79; P < 0.001) and y = 0.43 + 0.04(x) for sugarbeet (R(2) = 0.69; P < 0.007). These data indicated the potential for H. schachtii population increase if the two crops are used in rotation. All of the 111 germplasm lines tested were susceptible. The methodology developed during this research would benefit attempts to develop rapeseed cultivars resistant to H. schachtii.

Subepithelial connective tissue graft with purified rhPDGF-BB for the treatment of mandibular recession defects: a consecutive case series.

Anatomical characteristics, such as shallow vestibular depth, high frenum attachments, and thin labial bone tend to make treatment of mandibular gingival recession defects particularly challenging. Even though a number of recent systematic reviews have identified the connective tissue graft (CTG) in combination with coronally advanced flaps (CAF) as the most consistently effective treatment procedure for Miller Class I and II defects, they did not separate maxillary vs mandibular outcomes, reporting instead aggregate results. In this prospective consecutive case series, recombinant human platelet-derived growth factor-BB (rhPDGF-BB) was combined with CTGs for the treatment of Miller Class I or II mandibular gingival recession defects in 11 healthy patients. Changes for both mean recession depth and width from baseline to week 24 were statistically significant, with mean recession depth decreasing from 3.4 ± 0.5 mm to 0.8 ± 0.8 mm and mean recession width decreasing from 3.1 ± 0.7 mm to 1.7 ± 1.3 mm. As a result of the improvement in recession depth, the mean percent root coverage seen in this mandibular prospective consecutive case series at 6 months was 79.6%. Despite treatment results that were comparable to historical norms, the outcomes, especially percent root coverage at 24 weeks, were somewhat less favorable, emphasizing the anatomical challenges of mandibular recession defects.

Subepithelial connective tissue graft with growth factor for the treatment of maxillary gingival recession defects.

Gingival recession is a challenging defect for clinicians to treat effectively. A number of recent systematic reviews have identified the connective tissue graft (CTG) in combination with coronally advanced flaps (CAFs) as the most consistently effective treatment for Miller Class I and II defects across all outcome measures. Recent advances in recombinant growth factor technology may provide opportunities for improved outcomes in conjunction with CAF + CTG procedures. In this prospective consecutive case series, recombinant human platelet-derived growth factor BB (rhPDGF-BB) was combined with CTGs for the treatment of Miller Class I or II gingival recession defects. Improved outcomes were seen for keratinized tissue gains and percent root coverage at 6 months postsurgery when compared to historic norms. All other outcome parameters appeared equivalent between the two treatment approaches. The addition of rhPDGF-BB appeared to improve early wound healing as well.