Esthetic evaluation of single implant restorations, adjacent single implant restorations, and implant-supported fixed partial dentures: A 1-year prospective study

Two adjacent implant-supported restorations in the aesthetic region: A 10-year prospective case series

INTRODUCTION

The treatment outcome of two adjacent implant-supported restorations in the maxillary aesthetic region was assessed regarding peri-implant soft and hard tissues, and satisfaction during a 10-year follow-up period.

METHODS

Twenty patients missing two adjacent teeth in the maxillary aesthetic region and treated with two implant-supported restorations were followed prospectively. The patients' clinical and radiographic parameters, as well as their satisfaction, were scored for a 10-year follow-up period.

RESULTS

Seventeen patients' data were available for the 10-year follow-up. The survival rate of the implants and restorations was 100%. The 10-year mean peri-implant bone change at the side facing the adjacent tooth was +0.11 ± 0.57 mm and at the side facing the adjacent implant was -0.08 ± 0.50 mm. The peri-implant soft tissues were healthy and the patients' satisfaction was high, but the papilla-index showed compromised inter-implant papillae and low Pink Esthetic Scores. These figures were of the same magnitude at all time points.

CONCLUSION

While it is difficult to obtain sufficient inter-implant papillae and satisfactory Pink Esthetic Scores, the initial treatment results remained stable and the patients were satisfied with the final result throughout the 10-year follow-up period.

The peri-implant mucosa color: A systematic appraisal of methods for its assessment and clinical significance

BACKGROUND

Peri-implant mucosa color (PMC) seems to be one of the main parameters affecting the esthetic outcome of implant therapy. However, more emphasis should be given to its assessment and reporting.

PURPOSE

To describe the available evidence on methods to assess and report the color of the peri-implant mucosa (PMC) and the respective clinical relevance.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A comprehensive electronic and manual search was performed to identify clinical studies reporting on PMC.

RESULTS

A total of 121 studies were included. PMC was evaluated at the time of the follow-up visit (chairside) in 45.5% studies. PMC assessment was performed qualitatively, by comparing PMC with adjacent and/or contralateral gingiva (78.6%) or quantitatively, using spectrophotometry (20.7%) or a software on clinical photographs (0.8%). The most performed method to assess PMC was through esthetic indices (76.9%), either at the time of the follow-up visit (chairside) or at later time point using photographs. Quantitative reporting of PMC included averages of points from esthetic indices or color differences to natural gingiva expressed with the CIELAB color system. PMC assessment allowed describing color discrepancies compared to natural gingiva, evaluating color changes over time, and comparing the outcomes of different treatment modalities. PMC assessment through spectrophotometry was additionally utilized to assess the role of mucosal thickness (MT) on PMC.

CONCLUSIONS

Various methods for PMC assessment and reporting were described, including visual assessment, mainly through esthetic indices, and spectrophotometry. PMC evaluation has allowed to demonstrate the factors affecting the color of the peri-implant soft tissue, such as the type of abutment/restoration, MT, and soft tissue augmentation.

Knowledge, awareness, and perception of dental students, interns, and freshly graduated dentists regarding dental implant complications in Saudi Arabia: a web-based anonymous survey

BACKGROUND

It is necessary for dental students and freshly graduated dentists to apply their education and practice to different clinical and preclinical procedures. The implant success rate and durability are high. Therefore, this study was designed to assess the level of knowledge, awareness and perception of dental students, interns and freshly graduated students regarding dental implant complications in Saudi Arabia.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study design using a web-based method was conducted at different dental institutions in Saudi Arabia from December 2019 to March 2020. Data were collected from all (n = 288) undergraduate students, interns and freshly graduated dentists using a pretested standardized self-administered web-based questionnaire that was prepared and circulated using a template provided by Google Forms (Google, Inc., USA). Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were performed to analyse the data using SPSS (version 20).

RESULTS

A total of 288 participants completed the questionnaire, with a response rate of 83.4%. Of the total participants, 37.5% showed a good level of knowledge regarding dental implant procedures, and 38.9% showed the same level of knowledge regarding implant complications. The most important cause of complications associated with dental implants was case selection, which accounted for 54.17%. Most participants (58.33%) chose massive bone loss related to implant failure as the most common late dental complication, while 26.39% chose postoperative infection as the most common early dental complication. In addition, 30.56% of the participants selected screw loosening as the most frequent mechanical complication. However, lack of implant primary stability was the most common hard-tissue implant complication. Based on aesthetic and reversible complications, restorations that were too buccal or too palatal and prosthetic-related, respectively, were the least common dental implant complications.

CONCLUSIONS

The level of knowledge among participants regarding dental implant complications differed among the institutions participating in this study. This difference reflects a significant variation that necessitates reviewing and standardizing dental implant curricula among these institutions.