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Objectives. The aim of the study was to assess the depth and quality of the post-space reading, using an IOS without scanpost, compared to a traditional silicon technique. Methods. Six extracted bicuspids were decoronated and endodontically treated. After having prepared the space for the posts, a structure in pink acrylic resin was created with two resin elements. At the center of the structure one sample was put at a time. Digital and traditional impressions were taken for each sample. Digital impressions were developed through the Computer-aided design (CAD) software in order to integrate the scanner results into a three-dimensional grid to make the measurements. A K-file was used to measure the length of the postspace of each sample obtained through the traditional silicon impression and subsequently the measurement results were reported on a millimeter gauge. Furthermore, an assessment of the width of the entrances of the post-spaces was carried out. Results. The mean reading depth discrepancy expressed in percentages (19.58%) indicates that the digital impression with current technologies fails to impress clearly the post-space. Standard deviation of the data expressed in percentage is 13.89, suggesting that the values were not similar to each other. In two cases the digital technique has achieved less than 10% difference compared to the traditional technique, but there have been also cases in which the variation in depth has reached almost 40%. The samples that showed the minor discrepancy between the two techniques expressed the widest post-space entrance. Conclusions. In this in vitro study, the application of the IOS for the post-space reading in order to deliver an anatomic post has been proven to be still not reliable, as there are still depth reading limitations for the narrow root channels. In fact, in this type of channels it is difficult to reach with the light beam of the IOS the deepest areas of the post-space, with a consequent incomplete post-space reading. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marfan's Syndrome is a multisistemic pathology of connective tissues, a dominant autosomal transmission, first discovered by a French pediatrician, Antoine Bernard-Jean Marfan, who first found in some of his patients a disproportionate alteration of inferior infertility. This alteration was caused by the mutation of the FBN1 gene, located on the long arm of the chromosome 15, which encodes for an extracellular matrix protein, fibrin-1. Later it was discovered that the disease could occasionally be due also to the mutation of the TGFBR2 gene, which encodes for a TGF-beta receptor 1. The estimated incidence of the disease is 2-3 subjects affected every 10,000, in the absence of predilection ratial, ethnic, geographic and gender. It is believed that some 15,000 people in Italy suffer from Marfan Syndrome. The disease is characterized by a wide range of clinical manifestations that affect different organs. The study evaluates through a literature review the manifestations in the oral cavity of the marfan syndrome and the correct management of the patient during dental maneuvers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. The aim of the present study was to describe a proof of concept digital workflow for the implant-prosthetic treatment in partially edentate patients and evaluate its clinical performance. Methods. A 55-year-old woman with a Kennedy class III bilateral edentulism in the mandible has been selected for a computer guided implantology according with the Smart Fusion® protocol (NobelBiocare, Kloten, Switzerland). After the template-guided implant placement, an immediate loading of the implants has been performed. QuickTemp conical temporary abutments were selected to deliver immediately prefabricated cement-retained provisionals. Two months after an impression was taken with an intraoral digital scanner (3Shape Trios3, Copenhagen, Denmark). The provisional restoration optical scanning was used to transfer the functionalized prosthetic contour to be duplicated into the definitive porcelain fused to zirconia restoration cemented on customized titanium abutments. Results. A satisfying esthetic and functional result has been achieved. No biological and mechanical complications were recorded. Conclusions. The investigated fully digital implant-prosthetic protocol provided a smooth, complication free and time effective treatment alternative to the conventional workflow. Besides the fully digital workflow allowed the surgical and prosthetic decision making and the communication within the dental team and with the patient. Further improvements heading to a direct match between the intraoral scan and the CBCT are strongly advised in order to create the so-called virtual patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays computer-guided "flap-less" surgery for implant placement using stereolithographic tem-plates is gaining popularity among clinicians and patients. The advantages of this surgical protocol are its minimally invasive nature, accuracy of implant placement, predictability, less post-surgical discomfort and reduced time required for definitive rehabilitation. Aim of this work is to describe a new protocol (Smart Fusion by Nobel Biocare), thanks to which is now possible to do a mini-invasive static guided implant surgery, in partially edentulous patients with at least 6 remaining teeth, without the use of a radiographic guide. This is possible thanks to a procedure named surface mapping based on the matching between numerous points on the surface of patient's dental casts and the corresponding anatomical surface points in the CBCT data. The full protocol is examined focusing the attention on the clinical and laboratory procedures. Conclusions. Also with some critical points and needing an adequate learning curve, this protocol allows to select the ideal implant position in depth, inclination and mesio-distal distance between natural teeth and or other implants enabling a very safe and predictable rehabilitation compared with conventional surgery. It represents a good tool for the best compromise between anatomy, function and aesthetic, able to guarantee better results in all clinical situations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is the first article in a new series on digital dental photography. Part 1 defines the aims and objectives of dental photography for examination, diagnosis and treatment planning, legal and forensic documentation, publishing, education, marketing and communication with patients, dental team members, colleagues and dental laboratory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Impaction of maxillary canine is a relatively frequent orthodontic anomaly which could represent fuctional and aesthetic problems for patients. Nowadays, the conventional technique to impacted canines consists of a combined orthodontic and surgical approach, aimed to guide cuspids at the center of the alveolar ridge in a stable position and surrounded by healthy hard and soft tissues. This article presents three cases studies with different combined surgical-orthodontic approaches for the treatment of infraosseous impacted canines. An impacted maxillary canine could be guided, after adequate space is created orthodontically, to the center of the ridge through an orthodontic traction directly applied to the crown of impacted cuspid. Several surgical techniques have been proposed to expose the crown of impacted tooth. Location (buccal or palatal side) of impactation and depth influence surgical approach in order to obtain best aesthetic and functional results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. The aim of this paper was to describe the CEREC 3 chairside system, providing the clinicians a detailed analysis of the whole digital workflow. Benefits and limitations of this technology compared with the conventional prosthetic workflow were also highlighted and discussed. Materials and methods. Clinical procedures (tooth preparation, impression taking, adhesive luting), operational components and their capabilities as well as restorative materials used with CEREC 3 chairside system were reported. Results. The CEREC system has shown many positive aspects that make easier, faster and less expensive the prosthetic workflow. The operator-dependent errors are minimized compared to the conventional prosthetic protocol. Furthermore, a better acceptance level for the impression procedure has shown by the patients. The only drawback could be the subgingival placement of the margins compared with the supra/juxta gingival margins, since more time was required for the impression taking as well as the adhesive luting phase. The biocopy project seemed to be the best tool to obtain functionalized surfaces and keep unchanged gnathological data. Material selection was related to type of restoration. Conclusions. The evidence of our clinical practice suggests that CEREC 3 chairside system allows to produce highly aesthetic and reliable restorations in a single visit, while minimizing costs and patient discomfort during prosthetic treatment. However improvements in materials and technologies are needed in order to overcome the actual drawbacks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the improved aesthetics of this type of archwires, there are differing opinions in the literature about their actual clinical validity because of the problems that may arise during their use in the oral cavity. A systematic review was performed to analyzed studies published over the last 25 years about aesthetic orthodontic archwires, in order to: analyze the technical characteristics and biotechnological properties, highlight the reliability and long-term effectiveness, and establish which are the most significant physical variables in determining the clinical efficacy during the orthodontic treatment and hypothesize future developments. A total sample of 24 articles was selected. Although initially the outer coating improves the aesthetic value of the orthodontic archwire, the wear that characterizes clinical use creates significant changes in surface, mechanical properties, such as sliding and friction, impacting negatively on the biocompatibility and aesthetics. Thermoplastic polymers could represent an excellent alternative and a good future prospect for the production of orthodontic wires characterize by an high aesthetic value and optimum mechanical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alveolar ridge, after tooth extraction, could reduce its volume up to 50% in buccal-lingual width in the first twelve months and residual dimensions could interfere with correct three dimensional placement of implants and influence negatively treatment outcomes with regard to function and aesthetic aspects. Over the last decades, several approaches have been proposed and tested in order to prevent ridge volumetric contraction and provide maximum bone availability for implant procedure. This article presents a case study with a single anterior tooth replacement, illustrating socket seal technique followed by a type 3 timing implant placement. Immediately after tooth extraction, residual socket was grafted using Deproteinized Bovine Bone Mineral and a free gingival punch harvested from palate. After 3 months, a root-form titanium implant was inserted without additional regenerative procedures. Follow-up examination revealed favourable preservation of soft tissue width and height in the aesthetic area. Socket seal approach maximizes soft tissue healing, preserving ridge envelope and the subsequent implant placement, furthermore, results simplified, as any augmentation techniques are required. Clinical advantages of this method include predictable preservation of the soft tissues, favourable healing features, easy handling of graft materials and a positive benefit-cost ratio. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An abstract of the conference paper "Persistence of increased uterine arteries resistance in the third trimester and pregnancy outcome," by E. Contro and colleagues is presented.

An abstract of the research paper "Clinical Significance of Abnormal Uteroplacental Doppler at Midtrimester in Patients With Favourable Obstetric History," by T. Ghi and colleagues is presented.