A Prospective Clinical Assessment of BioHorizons Tissue-Level Implants

This investigation was designed to evaluate crestal bone stability and soft tissue maintenance to Laser-Lok tapered tissue-level implants. Twelve patients presenting with an edentulous site adequate for the placement of two implants were recruited from four dental offices (2 to 4 patients per office). Each patient received two Laser-Lok tissue-level implants placed with a 3-mm interimplant distance according to a surgical stent. The implants were placed so that the Laser-Lok zone sat at the junction between hard and soft tissues. A total of 24 implants were placed, and all achieved satisfactory crestal bone stability and soft tissue maintenance 1 year after receiving the final prosthetic restoration.

An Analysis of Different Techniques Used to Seal Post-Extractive Sites—A Preliminary Report

Background: Bone grafting in post-extractive site improves tissue regeneration. Soft tissue sealing of the grafted post-extractive alveolus is supposed to limit microbiological contamination from the oral cavity and to stabilize the coagulum. Several techniques are presented in the literature to reach this goal using different heterologous matrices or autogenous grafts. In addition, recently, a technique based on the use of granulation tissue in the post-extractive alveolus has been proposed. Aim: To compare the effect of different graft sealing approaches in post-extractive sites by qualitatively evaluating their healing process. Materials and Methods: This retrospective investigation included 30 patients requiring post-extractive site regeneration in the aesthetic area. Post-extractive sites were regenerated using a bovine bone matrix and patients were divided into three groups (10 patients in each group) according to the material used to seal the alveolar socket. In the UD group, the granulation tissue was used to seal the defect; in the PC group, epithelial-connective soft tissue graft was used, and in the COLL group, a collagen-based membrane was employed. Images of the post-extractive sites at different follow-up periods (2 and 12 weeks) were taken and the healing process was blindly evaluated by two independent practitioners. The Healing Index (HI) by Landry, Turnbull and Howley was used to assess the quality of the healing process. The combination of presence/absence of five clinical criteria defines an HI ranging from 1 (very poor) to 5 (excellent). Patients’ clinical-pathological variables were recorded. One-way ANOVA was used to explore the dependence of HI on the different socket preservation protocols. Results: Based on clinical-pathological characteristics of the included patients, there were no statistically significant differences among the different sealing techniques. At the 2-week follow-up appointment, HI did not differ among the socket preservation protocols evaluated. Moreover, smoking status and reason for extraction did not influence the HI among the three groups (two-way ANOVA p-value = 0.686, p-value = 0.248 respectively). At the 2-week follow-up appointment, HI was significantly different among the socket preservation protocols investigated. Specifically, the group undergoing collagen-based socket preservation procedure reported the highest HI, compared to the other two techniques (COLL mean 4.60 ± 0.5; PC mean 3.5 ± 1.2; UD mean 3.4 ± 0.5, one-way ANOVA p-value 0.006). Conclusions: The use of collagen porcine membranes may represent a suitable option to improve the patient healing process in grafted post-extractive sites together with reducing the surgical intervention time compared to alternative sealing techniques.

Selection of Collagen Membranes for Bone Regeneration: A Literature Review

Several treatment modalities have been proposed to regenerate bone, including guided bone regeneration (GBR) where barrier membranes play an important role by isolating soft tissue and allowing bone to grow. Not all membranes biologically behave the same way, as they differ from their origin and structure, with reflections on their mechanical properties and on their clinical performance. Collagen membranes have been widely used in medicine and dentistry, because of their high biocompatibility and capability of promoting wound healing. Recently, collagen membranes have been applied in guided bone regeneration with comparable outcomes to non-resorbable membranes. Aim of this work is to provide a review on the main features, application, outcomes, and clinical employment of the different types of collagen membranes. Comparisons with non-resorbable membranes are clarified, characteristics of cross-linked collagen versus native collagen, use of different grafting materials and need for membrane fixation are explored in order to gain awareness of the indications and limits and to be able to choose the right membrane required by the clinical condition.

Feasibility of Alloplasts in Extraction-Socket and Sinus Augmentation Procedures

Thirty-eight patients (aged 25 to 74) requesting extraction-socket and sinus augmentation procedures (27 and 11 patients, respectively) prior to implant placement volunteered to participate in this case series protocol. Surgical sites were grafted with either biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) + collagen (for extraction-socket augmentation) or BCP with a collagen barrier membrane (for maxillary sinus augmentation). All patients completed the 1-year postloading follow-up, which consisted of clinical and radiographic evaluations. No implants were lost, and both healthy soft tissue support and good radiographic evidence of supporting bone were found around implants. The result of this short-term evaluation of implants placed in areas grafted with alloplasts seemed to be favorable and promising.

The role of dental implant abutment design on the aesthetic outcome: preliminary 3-month post-loading results from a multicentre split-mouth randomised controlled trial comparing two different abutment designs

PURPOSE

To evaluate whether there are aesthetic and clinical benefits to using a newly designed abutment (Curvomax), over a conventional control abutment (GingiHue).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 49 patients, who required at least two implants, had two sites randomised according to a split-mouth design to receive one abutment of each type at seven different centres. The time of loading (immediate, early or delayed) and of prosthesis (provisional crowns of fixed prosthesis) was decided by the clinicians, but they had to restore both implants in a similar way. Provisional prostheses were replaced by definitive ones 3 months after initial loading, when the follow-up for the initial part of this study was completed. Outcome measures were: prosthesis failures, implant failures, complications, pink esthetic score (PES), peri-implant marginal bone level changes, and patient preference.

RESULTS

In total, 49 Curvomax and 49 GingiHue abutments were delivered. Two patients dropped out. No implant failure, prosthesis failure or complication was reported. There were no differences at 3 months post-loading for PES (difference = -0.15, 95% CI -0.55 to 0.25; P (paired t test) = 0.443) and marginal bone level changes (difference = -0.02 mm, 95% CI -0.20 to 0.16; P (paired t test) = 0.817). The majority of the patients (30) had no preference regarding the two abutment designs; 11 patients preferred the Curvomax, while five patients preferred the GingiHue abutments (P (McNemar test) = 0.210).

CONCLUSIONS

The preliminary results of the comparison between two different abutment designs did not disclose any statistically significant differences between the evaluated abutments. However the large number of missing radiographs and clinical pictures casts doubt on the reliability of the results. Longer follow-ups of wider patient populations are needed to better understand whether there is an effective advantage with one of the two abutment designs.

Results of Computer-Guided Bone Block Harvesting from the Mandible: A Case Series

Autogenous bone harvesting is a well-documented surgical procedure. Autogenous mandibular bone harvesting carries a risk of anatomical structural damage because the surgeon has no three-dimensional (3D) control of the osteotomy planes. The aim of this case series was to describe the results of mandibular bone block harvesting applying computer-guided surgery. A sample of 13 partially dentate patients presenting bone deficiencies in the horizontal and/or vertical plane were selected for autogenous mandibular bone block graft. The bone block dimension was planned through a computer-aided design (CAD) process, defining ideal bone osteotomy planes to avoid damage to anatomical structures (nerves, teeth roots, etc) and to generate a surgical guide that imposed the 3D working direction to the bone-cutting instrument. The bone block dimension was always related to the defect dimension to be compensated. A total of 13 mandibular bone blocks were harvested to treat 16 alveolar defects (9 vertical and 7 horizontal). The mean planned mesiodistal dimension of the bone block was 24.8 ± 7.3 mm, the mean height was 8 ± 1 mm, and the mean thickness was 4 ± 2 mm. None of the treated patients experienced neurologic alteration of their alveolar nerve function. The preliminary data from this case series suggested that computer-guided bone harvesting could be a concrete opportunity for clinicians to obtain an appropriate volume of autogenous bone in a safe manner.

Multidisciplinary management of a young female with infraoccluded dental implants: a case report

OBJECTIVE

Placement of a dental implant during early adolescence may result in an unesthetic outcome or even loss of function. The presented case describes the treatment of infraoccluded dental implants and the esthetic complications for a young adult female who had received two dental implants in the canine positions when she was 16 years old. Clinical considerations: After examination and diagnosis, a multidisciplinary approach was implemented, including the removal of one infraoccluded implant, followed by hard and soft tissue reconstruction prior to implant replacement into an ideal three-dimensional position. On the contralateral side, a subepithelial connective tissue graft was performed, in conjunction with the modification of the emergence profile of the abutment and definitive crown. The anterior sextant was treated as a comprehensive esthetic rehabilitation that involved two additional laminate veneers and two all-ceramic crowns.

CONCLUSIONS

This multidisciplinary approach successfully managed the complication that resulted from infraoccluded dental implants. The final esthetic outcome satisfied the patient's chief complaint, and was documented to be stable at the 1-year follow-up.

Evaluation of root coverage with and without connective tissue graft for the treatment of single maxillary gingival recession using an image analysis system: a randomized controlled clinical trial

The aim of this prospective randomized clinical study was to evaluate, by means of an image analysis system, the efficacy of two different surgical procedures for the treatment of Miller Class I and II maxillary gingival recession. Patients treated for maxillary gingival recession were recruited and randomly divided into two groups: patients who received a coronally advanced flap with connective tissue graft (CAF + CTG) or CAF alone. Outcome parameters included complete root coverage, recession reduction, and keratinized tissue amount. Twenty-five patients completed the 12-month follow-up period. Patients in the CAF + CTG group showed a better primary outcome- gingival recession at 12 months-than CAF patients (P = .0001). Gingival recession at 12 months had a median of 0.5 (interquartile range [IQR] 0.5 to 0.6) in the CAF + CTG group and a median of 1.0 (IQR 0.9 to 1.1) in the CAF group. CAF + CTG and CAF groups had similar complete root coverage at 6 and 12 months. Recession and keratinized tissue width significantly decreased over time (P < .0001), with no effect of treatment or of treatment over time. Buccal probing depth had similar values over time (P = .28) and in the two groups (P = .52). Buccal clinical attachment level had similar values in the two groups (P = .87); moreover, mesial and distal clinical attachment levels did not show any variation over time (P = .88 and P = .68, respectively). By means of a computerized image analysis system better outcomes in terms of recession reduction after 12 months of follow-up were measured for maxillary gingival recessions treated with CAF and CTG. Adjunctive application of a CTG under a CAF increased the probability of achieving complete root coverage in maxillary Miller Class I and II defects (61.5% versus 83.3%; P = .38). Both treatments were equally effective in providing a consistent reduction of the baseline recession.

Graphene based scaffolds effects on stem cells commitment

Graphene is a flat monolayer of carbon atoms, arranged in a two-dimensional hexagonal structure, with extraordinary electrical, thermal, and physical properties. Moreover, the molecular structure of graphene can be chemically modified with molecules of interest to promote the development of high-performance devices. Although carbon derivatives have been extensively employed in industry and electronics, their use in regenerative medicine is still in an early phase. Study prove that graphene is highly biocompatible, has low toxicity and a large dosage loading capacity. This review describes the ability of graphene and its related materials to induce stem cells differentiation into osteogenic, neuronal, and adipogenic lineages.

Efficacy of an Anesthetic Gel in the Reduction of Pain During Impression Making

Introduction

Gingival tissue displacement can be an uncomfortable procedure, often performed without injectable local anesthesia. The present study evaluated the efficacy of an anesthetic gel in reducing pain during this procedure.

Material and Methods

Thirty patients undergoing definitive dental impression, for fabricating full-coverage restorations, were evaluated for pain perception on displacement of the surrounding gingival tissues. All the participants were randomly divided into two groups. Five minutes before the insertion of the displacement cord, the anesthetic gel, a mixture of 5% lidocaine and 5% prilocaine, was applied in the sulcus of test group patients. Each patient was asked to complete the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and the Verbal Rating Scale (VRS).

Results

In the two scales considered, test group patients showed a statistically significant pain reduction (VAS p=0.0002, VRS p=0.01054) compared to control group patients.

Conclusions

Within the limitations of this study, a clinically significant efficacy of the anesthetic gel was noticed during gingival displacement procedures.

Three-dimensional volume change of grafted bone in the maxillary sinus

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the three-dimensional radiographic changes of 100% anorganic bovine bone xenograft volume in a grafted maxillary sinus, based on a computerized analysis of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scan.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A maxillary sinus augmentation procedure done with a lateral approach using 100% anorganic bovine bone was performed in 20 patients. A CBCT scan of the grafted area was taken immediately after the procedure (T1) and 8 to 9 months later (T2). CBCT scan data were analyzed with image processing software to evaluate differences in the volume of grafted material between T1 and T2. Residual ridge height and width were also measured at T1.

RESULTS

The mean residual bone height and width at the implant sites was 4.40±0.87 mm and 7.9±2.22 mm, respectively. The mean graft volume was 1,432±539 mm³ and 1,287±498 mm³ at T1 and T2, respectively. A significant difference in graft volume was found between T1 and T2 data by paired t test (P=.01). The mean ratio between the volume at T2 and the volume at T1 was 0.90±0.12, meaning a graft volume contraction of 10%.

CONCLUSION

Within the limits of the present investigation, good stability of anorganic bovine bone graft volume up to 8 months after the grafting procedure was demonstrated. Three-dimensional computed tomographic volumetric assessment seems to be a promising approach to quantify long-term changes in the regenerated area.

Significance of crown shape in the replacement of a central incisor with a single implant-supported crown

OBJECTIVE

When utilizing a single implant-supported crown to replace a central incisor, understanding the final shape of the implant restoration is an important factor to help achieve a successful esthetic outcome. In today's dentistry, tooth shape is a critical factor when dental implant prostheses are considered in the esthetic zone. The major esthetic goal for this type of restoration is to achieve the closest possible symmetry with the adjacent tooth, both at the soft and at the hard tissue levels. The goal of this study was to objectively analyze the significance of natural crown shape when replacing a central incisor with a single implant-supported crown.

METHOD AND MATERIALS

In this study, we investigated the shape of the crowns of maxillary central incisors in 60 individuals who presented to our clinics with an untreatable central incisor. The presence of a dental diastema, "black triangle," presence or absence of gingival symmetry, and the presence or absence of dental symmetry were recorded in the pre- and postoperative photographs.

RESULTS

Out of 60 patients, 33.3% had triangular-shaped crowns, 16.6% square/tapered, and 50% square-shaped crown form. After treatment was rendered, 65% of the triangular group, 40% of the square/tapered group, and 13.3% of the square group required an additional restoration on the adjacent central incisor in order to fulfill the esthetic needs of the patients.

CONCLUSION

Data analysis revealed that if there is a "black triangle," a diastema, or presence of dental or gingival asymmetry, an additional restoration on the adjacent central incisor is often required in order to fulfill esthetic goals. The additional restoration is highly recommended in situations with a triangular crown shape, while it is suggested in cases of square/tapered and square tooth shapes in the presence of a dental diastema.

Relationships between different tooth shapes and patient's periodontal phenotype

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

The purpose of the present study was to establish whether any correlation exists between tooth shapes and patient-related factors such as gingival and periodontal characteristics.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Clinical measurements, including the width and the height of maxillary central incisor crowns, the apico incisal height of the keratinized mucosa (KM), the buccal gingival thickness (GT), the depth of the sulcus (SD), the bone-sounding depth (BS) and the height of the interproximal maxillary central papilla (Ph), were investigated in 50 healthy individuals. These individuals were then divided into three groups based on the shape of their maxillary central incisor crowns: triangular; square; or square-tapered. The three groups were analyzed to determine any significant differences among the groups in the values obtained for clinical measurements.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences among the three groups in terms of the SD (p = 0.11) or the BS (p = 0.54), whilst statistically significant differences were observed for the KM (p < 0.001), the GT (p = 0.012) and the Ph (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The results of this study indicate that different tooth shapes are associated with significantly different values for the extent of the KM, its bucco-lingual thickness and the height of the interproximal maxillary central papilla.

Analysis of the shapes of maxillary central incisors in a Caucasian population

The purpose of this study was to objectively define and quantify triangular, square, and square/tapered maxillary central incisors. In this study, the shape of maxillary central incisor crowns was investigated in 100 healthy individuals. The results showed that when the contact surface/crown length ratio is less than 43%, the tooth is triangular in shape; when the ratio is more than 57%, the tooth is square in shape; and when the ratio is between 43% and 57%, the tooth is defined as square/tapered. Since it has been shown that the morphologic characteristics of the gingiva and periodontium are partly related to the shape of the teeth, a means of truly defining the shapes of the incisors is now available. This is significant in predicting esthetics, bone volume, and susceptibility to recession, pocketing in the natural dentition, and ridge shrinkage for prosthetic tooth replacement.