Esthetic aspects in implant-prosthetic rehabilitation

Restoring Oral Health: Implant-Supported Full-Mouth Rehabilitation for an Edentulous Patient

Edentulism, the loss of all the natural teeth, significantly impacts a patient's functional, aesthetic, and psychological well-being. Traditional dentures often fail to provide the required stability and functionality. Implant-supported full-mouth rehabilitation has emerged as an advanced solution, leveraging strategically placed dental implants to support fixed prostheses that mimic natural teeth in appearance and function. This case report details the comprehensive treatment of a 78-year-old male patient with complete edentulism, utilizing six implants in both the maxillary and mandibular arches. Following a five-month healing period, a series of precise prosthetic procedures, including abutment-level impressions, custom tray fabrication, and implant-level impressions, were performed to ensure optimal fit and functionality. The final prostheses provided significant improvements in masticatory efficiency, speech, and overall quality of life. The report underscores the transformative potential of implant-supported rehabilitation, highlighting high success rates, patient satisfaction, and the multifaceted benefits of restoring oral function and aesthetics with advanced dental technologies.

Impact of 3D imaging techniques and virtual patients on the accuracy of planning and surgical placement of dental implants: A systematic review

Aim

The integration of advanced technologies, including three-dimensional (3D) imaging modalities and virtual simulations, has significantly influenced contemporary approaches to preoperative planning in implant dentistry. Through a meticulous analysis of relevant studies, this review synthesizes findings related to accuracy outcomes in implant placement facilitated by 3D imaging in virtual patients.

Methods

A comprehensive literature search was conducted across relevant databases to identify relevant studies published to date. The inclusion criteria were studies utilizing 3D imaging techniques, virtual patients, and those focusing on the accuracy of dental implant planning and surgical placement. The selected studies were critically appraised for their methodological quality.

Results

After a rigorous analysis, 21 relevant articles were included out of 3021 articles. This study demonstrates the versatility and applicability of these technologies in both in vitro and in vivo settings. Integrating Computer-Aided Design/Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAD/CAM), cone bean computed tomography (CBCT), and advanced 3D reconstruction methodologies showcases a trend toward enhanced precision in implant planning and placement. Notably, the evaluation parameters varied, encompassing distances, discrepancies, and deviations in the implant placement. The ongoing integration of systems such as dynamic navigation systems, augmented reality, and sophisticated software platforms shows a promising trajectory for the continued refinement of virtual reality applications in dental implantology, providing valuable insights for future research and clinical implementation. Moreover, using stereolithographic surgical guides, virtual planning with CBCT data, and 3D-printed templates consistently demonstrates enhanced precision in dental implant placement compared to traditional methods.

Conclusion

The synthesis of the available evidence underscores the substantial positive impact of 3D imaging techniques and virtual patients on dental implant planning and surgical placement accuracy. Utilizing these technologies contributes to a more personalized and precise approach that enhances overall treatment outcomes. Future research directions and potential refinements to the application of these technologies in clinical practice should be discussed.

Prosthetic Design Factors Influencing Peri-Implant Disease: A Comprehensive Review

Peri-implant disease, encompassing peri-implant mucositis and peri-implantitis, presents a growing challenge in implant dentistry. This comprehensive review explores the intricate interplay between prosthetic design factors and the development of peri-implant disease. By analyzing the impact of prosthetic components on microbial colonization, mechanical stress, and soft tissue health, the review highlights their crucial role in disease prevention and management. Additionally, it emphasizes the significance of maintenance protocols, prosthetic adjustments, and patient education in ensuring favorable long-term outcomes. The review underscores the potential for future advancements in prosthetic design, including innovative materials and digital technologies, and stresses the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in optimizing patient care. Overall, the review underscores the critical role of prosthetic design in addressing the complexities of peri-implant disease, offering insights for clinicians and researchers to enhance the success and longevity of implant-supported restorations.

Comparison of Classifications and Indexes for Extraction Socket and Implant Supported Restoration in the Aesthetic Zone: a Systematic Review

OBJECTIVES

The primary objective of the present systematic review is to test the hypothesis - the revision of the complexity of the extraction sockets morphology classifications will reveal the most important parameters for implant aesthetic and functional success in case of immediate dental implant placement in aesthetic zone. The secondary objective is to revise the most important parameters of aesthetic indexes created for implant-supported restoration in aesthetic zone.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

MEDLINE (PubMed) and Cochrane Library search in combination with hand-search of relevant journals was conducted including human studies published in English between 1 January 2005 and 1 February 2022. After evaluation of the titles and abstracts in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines, risk-of-bias assessment was evaluated and data was extracted from the full papers.

RESULTS

Electronic and hand searching resulted in 477 entries. Five systematic reviews, research syntheses and 7 prospective studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the final data synthesis. Selected articles reported the different classifications complexity of the extraction sockets morphology and aesthetic indexes for implant supported restoration in aesthetic zone.

CONCLUSIONS

The most important parameters for implant aesthetics and functional success, incorporated in classifications of extraction sockets are facial soft tissue level and quality, gingival biotype, keratinized gingival, mesial and distal papillae appearance, buccal bone level and thickness, labial and buccal bone plates damage and bone lesions. The most important aesthetic indexes parameters are soft tissue contour position, including colour and texture, interdental papilla, mesial and distal interproximal bone height, gingival biotype.

Knowledge and awareness of dental implants among Syrian refugees: a cross sectional study in Zaatari camp

Background

The popularity of implant dentistry is increasing dramatically, but the success of implant treatment depends on a patient’s knowledge and expectations.

Methods

This study aimed to assess dental implant knowledge among refugees as a treatment option (n = 565), using face-to-face interviews. The frequency distribution of the responses in general and according to age, gender and education was calculated.

Results

81.8% of the interviewees had missing teeth, however, only 26.2% replaced them. 16.6% of participants had never/hardly heard about implants. Females who never heard of implants were more than males (P < 0.001). 51.3% of participants described dental implants as a screw, and only 35.4% knew implants were placed in jawbones. 6.2% of respondents reported that implants required more care than a natural teeth, with 47.6% believing that diseases affect implant success. Friends were the main source of information (61.4%). Highly educated participants showed higher knowledge about implants.

Conclusions

The surveyed sample revealed limited knowledge about dental implants with high cost being a major obstacle, warranting more strategies to increase awareness and to make implants more affordable for this population.

Accuracy of Computer-Assisted Dynamic Navigation in Implant Placement with a Fully Digital Approach: A Prospective Clinical Trial

Background: This prospective clinical study aimed to investigate a possible deviation between the digitally planned implant position and the position achieved using dynamic navigation. The aim of the study was to establish clinical effectiveness and precision of implantation using dynamic navigation. Methods: Twenty consecutive patients received an implant (iSy-Implantat, Camlog, Wimsheim, Germany). One screw implant was placed in one jaw with remaining dentition of at least six teeth. The workflow was fully digital. Digital implant planning was conducted using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and an intraoral scan of the actual condition. Twenty implants were subsequently placed using a dynamic computer-assisted procedure. The clinical situation of the implant position was recorded using an intraoral scan. Using these data, models were produced via 3D printing, and CBCTs of these models were made using laboratory analogs. Deviations of the achieved implant position from the planned position were determined using evaluation software. Results: The evaluation of 20 implants resulted in a mean angle deviation of 2.7° (95% CI 2.2–3.3°). The 3D deviation at the implant shoulder was 1.83 mm (95% CI 1.34–2.33 mm). No significant differences were found for any of the parameters between the implantation in the upper or lower jaw and an open or flapless procedure (p-value < 0.05). Conclusion: The clinical trial showed that sufficiently precise implantation was possible with the dynamic navigation system used here. Dynamic navigation can improve the quality of implant positioning. In particular, the procedure allows safe positioning of the implants in minimally invasive procedures, which usually cannot be performed freehand in this form. A clinical benefit and effectiveness can be determined from the results.

Accuracy of Computer-Assisted Dynamic Navigation as a Function of Different Intraoral Reference Systems: An In Vitro Study

The aim of this in vitro study was to determine whether the process chain influences the accuracy of a computer-assisted dynamic navigation procedure. Four different data integration workflows using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), conventional impressions, and intraoral digitization with and without reference markers were analyzed. Digital implant planning was conducted using data from the CBCT scans and 3D data of the oral models. The restoration of the free end of the lower jaw was simulated. Fifteen models were each implanted with two new teeth for each process chain. The models were then scanned with scan bodies screwed onto the implants. The deviations between the planned and achieved implant positions were determined. The evaluation of all 120 implants resulted in a mean angular deviation of 2.88 ± 2.03°. The mean 3D deviation at the implant shoulder was 1.53 ± 0.70 mm. No significant differences were found between the implant regions. In contrast, the workflow showed significant differences in various parameters. The position of the reference marker affected the accuracy of the implant position. The in vitro examination showed that precise implantation is possible with the dynamic navigation system used in this study. The results are of the same order of magnitude that can be achieved using static navigation methods. Clinical studies are yet to confirm the results of this study.

Accuracy of Dynamic Computer-Assisted Implant Placement: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Clinical and In Vitro Studies

The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to analyze the accuracy of implant placement using computer-assisted dynamic navigation procedures. An electronic literature search was carried out, supplemented by a manual search. The literature search was completed in June 2020. The results of in vitro and clinical studies were recorded separately from each other. For inclusion in the review, the studies had to examine at least the prosthetically relevant parameters for angle deviation, as well as global deviation or lateral deviation at the platform of the implant. Sixteen of 320 articles were included in the investigation: nine in vitro and seven clinical studies. The meta-analysis showed values of 4.1° for the clinical studies (95% CI, 3.12-5.10) and 3.7° for the in vitro studies (95% CI, 2.31-5.10) in terms of the angle deviation. The global deviation at the implant apex of the implant was 1.00 mm for the clinical studies (95% CI, 0.83-1.16) and 0.91 mm for the in vitro studies (95% CI, 0.60-1.12). These values indicate no significant difference between the clinical and in vitro studies. The results of this systematic review show a clinical accuracy of dynamic computer-assisted navigation that is comparable to that of static navigation. However, the dynamic navigation systems show a great heterogeneity that must be taken into account. Moreover, currently there are few clinical data available. Therefore, further investigations into the practicability of dynamic navigation seem necessary.