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Background/Aim. Given that frequent manipulation of the abutment during immediate loading can have a negative impact on the surrounding peri-implant hard and soft tissues, the concept “one abutment at one time” (OAO) has been introduced and documented in daily clinical practice. The aim of the study was to evaluate changes in peri-implant bone levels, clinical and radiographic parameters, and patient perspectives during the six-month follow-up period. Methods. The study was designed as a randomized controlled clinical trial. Patients with bilaterally healed sites in the posterior mandible received implants with a diameter of no less than 3.5 mm and a length of at least 8 mm. Based on randomization, patients were divided into a test group and a control group. Patients who were in the test group received implants that were immediately loaded with definitive abutments. In contrast, patients in the control group received implants where healing abutments were placed, followed by temporary abutments. Implants were immediately loaded with provisional restorations within the first seven days. They were delivered over the test group’s definitive abutment and the control group’s temporary abutment. Probing depth, bleeding on probing, clinical attachment level, plaque index, and keratinized tissue width were measured. Patient-Reported Outcome Measures and the Oral Health Impact Profile - 19 (OHIP-19) questionnaires were noted. Results. Out of 24 included patients, 22 completed the six-month follow-up. Peri-implant bone loss between study groups was comparable (mesial: t = -0.798, df = 21, p = 0.434; distal: t = 1.688, df = 21, p = 0.106), without statistical inter-group significance. OHIP-19 total scores significantly decreased after three months and remained similar six months after the implant placement in both groups without statistically relevant clinical inter-group changes. Conclusion. The OAO approach and provisional abutments showed comparable effectiveness regarding the immediate loading of posterior single implants.

Background/Aim. The shortcomings of the orthopantomography (OPG) method and radiographic misinterpretations may lead to poor treatment planning and complications during or after the third molar extraction. The aim of this study was to determine the validity and reliability of OPG findings concerning post-extraction wisdom tooth root morphology, as well as whether the degree of clinical expertise affects assessment accuracy. Methods. The cross-sectional study included 200 patients who were referred for third molar extraction. Preoperative OPGs were evaluated by the examiners, who were classified by their level of experience into three groups: students, residents, and professors. True root morphologies were recorded after the extraction, and the accuracy of the assessment was evaluated using various statistical tests. Results. The majority of assessments were accurate for the lower and upper third molars with a single root. The professor group was the most accurate when compared to the assessments made by the students and residents (p = 0.0015). Weighted Cohen’s kappa (κw) values for intra-respondent accuracy gradually increased from the student to professor group (0.06, 0.28, 0.34, respectively). The highest discrepancy in inter-respondent accuracy was determined between the student and professor groups (poor; κw = 0.25584). Conclusion. In this study, the results that confirm the reliability of the OPG scan for the detection of accurate third molars root morphology have not been achieved. The level of clinical experience affects diagnostic accuracy, but complex clinical cases should be evaluated using different methods.

Introduction. Oroantral communication (OAC) closure may be accompanied by hard and soft tissue defects. Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) is the second-generation platelet concentrate that can be an effective therapeutic option for the closure of defects up to 5 mm in diameter. The aim of this investigation was to evaluate whether PRF could be a viable therapeutic option for OAC closure and provide sufficient bone quality/quantity for the forthcoming implant placement. Outlines of cases. The case series included eight patients treated with PRF due to the presence of OAC less than 3 mm in diameter. Three months after the surgery, at the time of implant placement, bone samples were harvested and taken for histological analysis. The results demonstrated success in all eight cases, obtaining both hard and soft tissue healing. Histological analysis showed that newly formed bone was present on all histological samples, without visible signs of inflammation and necrosis. Conclusion. PRF could be a viable therapeutic option for OAC closure in specific clinical cases, but future randomized, controlled, clinical studies are required for more conclusive results.

Introduction. Cementoblastoma is an uncommon tumor of the jaws that originates from odontogenic ectomesenchyme, characterized by proliferating cementum-like tissue. Case outline. We present the case of a cementoblastoma in the mandible with atypical radiographic image: no well-defined borders and no radiolucent rim. Apart from that, taking into account data from the literature review, different clinicopathological, and radiographic presentations of tumors and lesions that may resemble cementoblastoma are discussed. Conclusion. Cementoblastoma must be removed as soon as possible, together with the associated tooth. Recurrence rate is a relevant phenomenon and is estimated to 11.8%, so the long-term follow-up is mandatory.

Introduction. Surgical extraction of impacted mandibular third molar can lead to the periodontal defect on distal aspect of the mandibular second molar causing pocket formation, tooth sensitivity, food retention, postoperative infections. Different surgical techniques have been proposed to reduce periodontal complications. Case outline. We presented five cases treated with Vestibular Bone Window Technique. Considering data from the literature review, benefits and limitations of the technique are discussed and compared to the Standard Surgical Technique. Conclusion. Vestibular Bone Window Technique might be recommended surgical procedure for the extraction of impacted mandibular third molar when bucco-distal bone wall is present preoperatively. Taking into account only five cases, future work should consider a randomized clinical trial with the larger stratified samples.

Introduction/Objective. Knowledge and practical skills in medical waste (MW) management are of equal importance for medical and dental doctors. The first comparative study on the knowledge and skills in the field of MW management among Belgrade students was conducted with the goal of examining whether students of medicine and dentistry are equally familiar with this extremely important field. Methods. A cross-sectional study included 558 students of the sixth year of studies (430 medical and 128 dental students) who completed an anonymous semi-structured questionnaire to determine attitudes and knowledge on MW management. Results. The majority of medical and dental students had no training in MW management (79.5% and 74.6%, respectively). Dental students use protective equipment more frequently than medical students (94.5% vs. 42%, p < 0.001). However, full vaccinal protection against hepatitis B is better among medical students compared to dental students (57.7% vs. 39.1%, p < 0.001). Complete knowledge on postexposal prophylaxis is better among medical students compared to dental students (44.5% vs. 13.3%, p < 0.001). However, dental students are more disciplined in reporting injuries (63.1% vs. 52.4%, p = 0.038). The students’ knowledge on primary separation of infectious waste (93% vs. 77.8%, p < 0.001) and used needles (80.3% vs. 70.4%, p = 0.007) is better among dental students compared to medical students’ correct answers. Conclusion. Dental students show better knowledge on MW management and are more disciplined in using personal infection protection compared to medical students. The students support continued training on MW management and investigations on this topic. [Project of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no. 175078]

Normal bone healing after tooth extraction includes the following steps: blood clot forming, granulation, bone forming and final bone reorganization. In clinical settings connective tissue infiltration of extraction socket can result in fibrous scar formation rather than bone healing. Local and systemic factors seem to be major contributors to the occurrence of erratic socket healing. The aim of this case report was to describe oral-surgery treatment of a patient with inadequate bone and soft supportive tissue for prosthetic rehabilitation. Surgical procedure and recovery are presented, including final complete denture rehabilitation.

Introduction. Association studies have shown that gene polymorphisms in various classes of genes can modulate cancer risk. The -31G/C polymorphism in the promoter of survivin gene, affects the expression of the anti-apoptotic protein survivin which in turn may predispose an individual to some types of cancer. Objective. The aim of the study was to determine whether the survivin promoter -31G/C polymorphism could be a susceptibility factor for squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the oral cavity and basal cell carcinoma (BCC) of the skin. Methods. The DNA obtained from 88 patients with SCC, 60 patients with BCC and 111 healthy individuals was subjected to polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis (PCR- RFLP) in order to determine genotype and allele frequencies in patients and control groups. Logistic regression was used for cancer risk assessment. Results. The following distribution of genotypes was obtained: CC genotype 15% in the SCC group, 13% in the BCC group and 12% in controls; CG genotype 41% in SCCs, 35% in BCCs, 48% in controls; GG genotype 44% in SCCs, 52% in BCCs and 40% in controls. Allelic frequencies were as follows: G allele 0.65 in SCCs, 0.69 in BCCs and 0.64 in the control group; C allele 0.35 in SCCs, 0.31 in BCCs and 0.36 in the control group. There was no statistically significant difference in allele or genotype frequencies between the patients and controls (p>0.05). Conclusion. In Serbian population, -31G/C polymorphism in the promoter of the survivin gene cannot be considered as a risk factor for oral squamous cell carcinoma and skin basal cell carcinoma. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. 175075]