Influence of Periodontal Status and Prosthetic Treatment on Survival and Success Rates in Implant Therapy: A 5-Year Retrospective Follow-Up Study

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the 5-year outcome of dental implant therapy and assess the survival, success, and biological and technical complications. A periodontal and prosthetic-oriented evaluation was conducted on the variables that can influence the long-term predictability of implant therapy. A total of 615 patients and 1427 dental implants from a private clinic (MedArtis Dent, Cluj-Napoca, Romania) were enrolled in the study. The study was a longitudinal cohort with data collected retrospectively from physical/digital dental records in combination with a cross-sectional clinical/radiological examination. Results showed that periodontal diagnosis at baseline had a significant impact on the marginal bone loss prediction. Data showed that the cylindrical implant with an internal 45° medium taper connection experienced a higher rate of bone resorption compared to the tapered implant with the 5° internal connection. Screw-retained restorations and overdentures showed a statistical decrease in the marginal bone level height when compared to the cemented restorations. Data from our study suggest that not only is there a powerful association between recall visits and the rate of complications in dental implant treatment, but a lack of professional maintenance predicts a higher bone level loss during the 5-year interval.

High-Frequency Ultrasound Assessment of Skin and Oral Mucosa in Metabolic Syndrome Patients-A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Exogenous factors (such as sun exposure, smoking habits, and diet) and endogenous (inflammatory status, general diseases) have a direct influence on skin and soft tissue characteristics. The study’s objective was to assess the impact of metabolic syndrome (MS) on characteristics of skin layers in sun-exposed and non-exposed maxillofacial tissues evaluated by high-frequency ultrasound (HFU), as a potential diagnosis and monitoring tool for the aging process. Material and methods: The present study included 102 subjects (24 with MS; 78 without MS). Anthropometric parameters and disease history were recorded, and blood samples were harvested in order to assess biochemical parameters of MS. Sun-exposed skin (zygomatic region) and non-exposed oral mucosa of the lower lip were assessed using HFU (DUB^® cutis, Taberna Pro Medicum) with a 22 MHz probe. Results: Patients with cardiac disease had significantly lower values for epidermis density (p = 0.002). Gender was independently linked to the aged dermis depth (p < 0.001), aged dermis no. of px (pixels) (p < 0.001), dermis depth (p < 0.001), dermis no. of px (p < 0.001), and subcutaneous tissue density (p < 0.001). Patients with MS had thinner epidermis (p = 0.008) and thinner aged dermis (p = 0.037) when compared to non-MS subjects. Conclusion: Patients with MS had thinner epidermis and a lower epidermis number of pixels in sun-exposed skin. Women had lower epidermis density and thicker dermis in sun-exposed skin. Our study showed that HFU, as a non-invasive investigation approach, is useful to diagnose and monitor the aging process in skin and oral mucosa, correlated with skin phenotype pathological conditions.