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(1) Background: The use of alumina particles for surface treatment of dental implants is a common practice aimed at enhancing osseointegration. However, the biological effects of residual alumina particles on implant surfaces remain a subject of debate. This systematic review evaluates the impact of residual alumina particles on the osseointegration, biocompatibility, and bacterial adhesion of dental implants based on available in vivo experimental animal studies. (2) Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted across PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus to identify relevant studies. The inclusion criteria focused on experimental animal studies that assessed the biological effects of alumina-blasted dental implants. Data extraction was carried out, and quality assessments were performed using the SYRCLE risk-of-bias tool. (3) Results: Ten studies met the inclusion criteria, involving various animal models, such as rabbits, pigs, dogs, and sheep. The findings demonstrated that residual alumina particles did not negatively impact osseointegration. Some studies reported accelerated bone growth and improved osseointegration with residual alumina. Additionally, residual alumina showed potential bactericidal properties, reducing bacterial adhesion. (4) Conclusions: The available evidence from animal studies suggests that residual alumina particles do not adversely affect the osseointegration and biocompatibility of dental implants. These particles may even enhance bone growth and reduce bacterial adhesion. However, due to the scarcity of human studies and the impracticality of histological assessments in humans, further research, including long-term clinical trials, is necessary to confirm these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Transparent orthodontic aligners have revolutionized dentistry and orthodontics since the 1990s, offering advantages over traditional fixed appliances in terms of hygiene, comfort, and aesthetics. With the increasing demand for invisible orthodontic treatments, clear aligners have gained popularity, prompting research into materials to enhance their efficacy and performance. Materials and Methods: A scoping review was conducted using electronic databases (Pubmed, Medline, Cochrane Library, Embase, and Scopus) to identify studies on clear aligner materials published in the last decade. Selection criteria focused on studies specific to dental materials, excluding those unrelated to materials or clear aligners. Results: The review included 11 relevant studies evaluating 17 different clear aligner materials. Materials such as polyvinyl chloride derivatives, thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPU), and polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG) were commonly used. The studies assessed mechanical, physical, chemical, and optical properties, as well as thermoforming effects, stress decay, and surface characteristics. Discussion and Conclusions: Various materials exhibited distinct properties, with PETG materials offering transparency and flexibility, while TPU-based materials like Smart Track providing durability and elasticity. Thermoforming affected mechanical properties, with both PETG and TPU materials showing decreased efficacy post-thermoforming. Polymer blending improved mechanical properties, but variations existed among different brands and materials. Clear aligner materials exhibit diverse characteristics, influencing their suitability for orthodontic use. PETG-based materials offer transparency and flexibility, while TPU-based materials provide durability and elasticity. However, both materials undergo mechanical changes post-thermoforming, emphasizing the need for further research to optimize material performance for clinical use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The position and inclination of the incisors play a crucial role in achieving optimal outcomes in orthodontic and orthognathic surgical treatment, given their impact on facial aesthetics. Background/objectives: Due to numerous distorting factors that affect the reliability of the ANB angle, the aim of the present work is to evaluate a more constant parameter over time, the anterior nasal spine (ANS), and explore whether aligning the incisal margin of the upper incisors with the anterior nasal spine could be a reliable indicator for achieving appropriate labial support in pre-surgical orthodontic preparation. Methods: From a pool of 500 cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans, 50 CBCT examinations displaying a Class 1 skeletal pattern (ANB = 2° ± 2°) with an intermediate (3.2–4 mm) or mixed (4–6 mm) sagittal maxillary position (MX), as determined by the 3D multiplanar total face approach (TFA), were selected and compared with CBCT examinations randomly chosen from the initial pool. Moreover, 12 landmarks were identified, and measurements were automatically obtained, using software, and recorded. Mean and standard deviation values were calculated for each sample. A comparison was made between the two samples, aligning the results with the morphological analysis of the anterior nasal spine and the sagittal position of the upper maxilla. Results: In Class 1 subjects, the distance between the incisal margin and the plane passed in relation to the anterior nasal spine should range between −1 mm and 1 mm, aligned with or slightly ahead of the anterior nasal spine or slightly ahead of this limit. Conclusions: The anterior nasal spine can serve as a reliable reference point for planning the position of the upper incisors, with excessive proclination or retroclination from this reference point deemed unacceptable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Implant replacement is among the treatment options for severe peri-implantitis. The aim of this single-cohort study was to evaluate the feasibility of replacing compromised implants affected by advanced peri-implantitis with new implants with a porous trabecular metal (TM) structure. Materials and Methods: Patients with one or more implants in the posterior region showing a defect depth >50% of implant length, measured from the residual crest, were consecutively included. Two months after implant removal, patients received a TM implant combined with a xenograft and a resorbable membrane. The implant stability quotient (ISQ) was measured at placement and re-assessed five months later (at uncovering), then after 6, 12, and 24 months of function. Marginal bone loss was radiographically evaluated. Results: Twenty consecutive cases were included. One patient dropped out due to COVID-19 infection, and nineteen cases were evaluated up to 24 months. At placement, the mean ISQ was 53.08 ± 13.65 (standard deviation), which increased significantly to 69.74 ± 9.01 after five months of healing (p < 0.001) and to 78.00 ± 7.29 after six months of loading (p < 0.001). Thereafter, the ISQ remained stable for up to 24 months (80.55 ± 4.73). All implants successfully osseointegrated and were restored as planned. After two years, the average marginal bone level change was −0.41 ± 0.38 mm (95% confidence interval −0.60, −0.21), which was limited yet significantly different from the baseline (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The treatment of advanced peri-implant defects using TM implants inserted two months after explantation in combination with guided bone regeneration may achieve successful outcomes up to two years follow-up, even in the presence of low primary stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: A Dynamic Navigation System (DNS) is an innovative tool that facilitates the management of complex endodontic cases. Despite the number of advantages and limitations of this approach, there is no evidence-based information about its efficiency in comparison with that of the traditional method in endodontics. (2) Objectives: We aimed to explore any beneficial effects of the DNS and compare the outcomes of DNS vs. free-hand (FH) approaches for non-surgical and microsurgical endodontics. (3) Methods: A literature search was conducted in August 2023 to identify randomized, experimental, non-surgical, and microsurgical endodontic studies that compared the DNS with FH approaches. The procedural time (ΔT, s), substance loss (ΔV, mm3), angular deviation (ΔAD, °), coronal/platform linear deviation (ΔLD_C, mm), and apical linear deviation (ΔLD_A, mm) were recorded and analyzed. Quality and risk of bias assessments were conducted according to the Quality Assessment Tool For In Vitro Studies. A meta-analysis was performed using mean difference and standard deviation for each outcome, and heterogeneity (I2) was estimated. p < 0.05 was considered significant. (4) Results: One-hundred and forty-six studies were identified following duplicate removal, and nine were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. The overall risk of bias was classified as low. The DNS was found to be more accurate and efficient than the FH approach was, resulting in a significantly shorter operation time (p < 0.00001) and less angular (p ≤ 0.0001) and linear deviation (p ≤ 0.01). For substance loss, the advantage of the DNS was significant only for microsurgery (p = 0.65, and p < 0.005, for non-surgical and microsurgical procedures, respectively). A reduced risk of iatrogenic failure using the DNS was observed for both expert and novice operators. (5) Conclusions: The DNS appears beneficial for non-surgical and microsurgical endodontics, regardless of the operator's experience. However, appropriate training and experience are necessary to access the full advantages offered by the DNS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In an ever-increasing aged world, Alzheimer's disease (AD) represents the first cause of dementia and one of the first chronic diseases in elderly people. With 55 million people affected, the WHO considers AD to be a disease with public priority. Unfortunately, there are no final cures for this pathology. Treatment strategies are aimed to mitigate symptoms, i.e., acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEI) and the N-Methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonist Memantine. At present, the best approaches for managing the disease seem to combine pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapies to stimulate cognitive reserve. Over the last twenty years, a number of drugs have been discovered acting on the well-established biological hallmarks of AD, deposition of β-amyloid aggregates and accumulation of hyperphosphorylated tau protein in cells. Although previous efforts disappointed expectations, a new era in treating AD has been working its way recently. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) gave conditional approval of the first disease-modifying therapy (DMT) for the treatment of AD, aducanumab, a monoclonal antibody (mAb) designed against Aβ plaques and oligomers in 2021, and in January 2023, the FDA granted accelerated approval for a second monoclonal antibody, Lecanemab. This review describes ongoing clinical trials with DMTs and non-pharmacological therapies. We will also present a future scenario based on new biomarkers that can detect AD in preclinical or prodromal stages, identify people at risk of developing AD, and allow an early and curative treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The aim of this systematic review was to analyze the effect of keratinized mucosa (KM) on different peri-implant health-related parameters and on patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). Material and methods: Randomized controlled trials, cohort, cross-sectional and case–control human studies with a follow-up period of at least 6 months comparing two groups of patients with presence or absence of KM, or with KM < 2 mm or ≥2 mm were included. Primary outcomes were implant failures, PROMs and BoP (BoP/mBI). Additional outcomes were PPD, plaque accumulation (mPI/PI), gingival inflammation (GI/mGI), marginal bone loss (MBL), soft tissue recession (REC) and biological complications. Results: Fifteen studies were included (one RCT, two cohort prospective and twelve cross-sectional). Meta-analysis was performed for cross-sectional studies. Implant failure and complications were not presented as outcome measures, and five studies analyzed PROMs. Results from the meta-analysis reported no evidence of any statistical significant difference between groups in PPD, BoP and MBL, while a statistical significant difference in GI/BI, PI and REC was present in favor of the group with KW ≥ 2 mm. More biological complications were present in the group with no KM/KM < 2 mm but few cases were present to draw any conclusions. Although a meta-analysis could not be performed, a consistent trend toward the worst pain/discomfort in KM < 2 mm was observed. Conclusions: No clear evidence was found supporting the role of KM in peri-implant health and PROMs, even if more plaque and marginal inflammation were present in the KM < 2 mm group. Clinical relevance: KM could have a role in patients with erratic maintenance and patient comfort. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaws (MRONJ) is a challenging situation in clinics. Previous studies have shown that pentoxifylline combined with tocopherol proved to be beneficial in patients with osteoradionecrosis, due to their antioxidant and antifibrotic properties. The aim of this randomized study was to evaluate the effect of pentoxifylline and tocopherol in patients that had developed MRONJ after tooth extractions. The study population consisted of 202 Stage I MRONJ female patients with an average age of 66.4 ± 8.3 years, who were divided into two groups. The test group (n = 108) received a pharmacological protocol with pentoxifylline and tocopherol (2 months pre-operatively and 6 months post-operatively). The control group (n = 94) had sequestrectomy operations without any pharmacological preparation. The main outcomes were clinical healing of the mucosa after 1 month, and clinical and radiographic healing of the bone lesion at 6 months. In the test group all patients had mucosal healing and there was only one relapse within 6 months. In the control group, in 17% of the patients the mucosa did not heal, 71% of the patients relapsed within two months, and 7% developed infectious complications (such as abscess or phlegmon). After 6 months, the control group patients with persisting issues were prescribed pentoxifylline and tocopherol, as in the test group. At a subsequent follow-up, all those patients healed completely. Patients were monitored for a period of 7.8 ± 0.3 years, during which no relapse or additional problems were reported. As a conclusion, pentoxifylline and tocopherol protocol seems to be beneficial in the management of MRONJ patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing customized abutments are increasingly used in everyday clinical practice. Nevertheless, solid scientific evidence is currently lacking regarding their potential advantages in terms of soft tissue stability. The main aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to compare the soft tissue outcomes of prefabricated versus customized (CAD/CAM) abutments. The present review was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42020161875) and the protocol was developed according to the PRISMA statement. An electronic search was performed on three databases (PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Central) up to May 2023. Data extraction was followed by qualitative and quantitative analysis of the included studies. Three randomized controlled clinical trials and three controlled clinical trials (number of patients = 230; number of dental implants = 230) with a follow-up of between 12 and 36 months were included. No significant differences were observed between prefabricated versus customized (CAD/CAM) abutments regarding midfacial mucosal recession, interproximal papillae and pink aesthetic score (PES) after 12 months. Conclusion: The potential benefits of CAD/CAM abutments on soft tissues should be better clarified in future investigations. The usage of customized CAD/CAM abutments in everyday clinical practice should be based on a careful case-by-case evaluation (CRD42020161875). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oral rehabilitation after maxillary oncological resection is challenging. This case report presents the rehabilitation of a 65-year-old Caucasian male adenoid cystic carcinoma patient using a myo-cutaneous thigh flap, zygomatic implant placement, and an immediate fixed provisional prosthesis made with computer-aided technologies. The patient presented complaints of asymptomatic enlarged swelling of 5-mm on the right hard hemi-palate. There was an oro-antral communication deriving from a previous local excision. Preoperative radiographs showed the involvement of the right maxilla, maxillary sinus, and nose with a suspect involvement of the maxillary division of the trigeminal nerve. Treatment was planned through a fully digital workflow. A partial maxillectomy was performed endoscopically, and maxilla was reconstructed using an anterolateral thigh free flap. Two zygomatic implants were inserted simultaneously. A provisional fix full-arch prosthesis was manufactured preoperatively through a fully digital workflow and was placed in the operating room. Following post-operative radiotherapy, the patient received a final hybrid prosthesis. During the follow-up period of two years, the patient reported good function, aesthetics, and significant enhancement in quality of life. According to the results of this case, the protocol represented can be a promising alternative for oral cancer patients with large defects, and can lead to an improved quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most prevalent demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS) with an autoimmune component affecting young adults in their third decade of life. The etiology is still undefined, but myelin damage is mainly due to an aberrant immune response of lymphocyte cells against myelin components. Therefore, inflammation, demyelination, and axonal degeneration represent the major pathologic hallmarks of the disease. There are many risk factors associated with MS, and probably the most relevant is gender-related. Women are up to four times more affected than men are. Although the female prevalence in MS is epidemiologically evident, the identification of key factors involved in this difference is under investigation. On the other side, if women are more affected, men show late onset and worse prognosis. This sexual dimorphism derives from many sources, including sex hormones, different genes on female sex chromosomes, and differences in bacterial species. Indeed, accumulating evidence proves a link among MS and gut microbiota where its dysbiosis could help the immune system to trigger neuroinflammation. In this context, oral biology alteration should be considered, too. This work is intended to explore current knowledge inside MS gender differences with a look towards oral–gut–brain axis involvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The oral rehabilitation of MRONJ patients represents a challenging situation. Conventional dental implant insertion is not indicated because of the risk of creating a new necrotic area. This case study describes the oral rehabilitation of a 78-year-old female patient, who developed an osteonecrotic lesion in the fourth year of bisphosphonate treatment. The patient underwent a series of surgeries, including resection of the necrotic tissue on the right maxillary region and removal of conventional implants. The patient had a large maxillary defect, and no other treatment modalities such as conventional prosthetic appliances and traditional dental implant insertions were applicable. The patient had a very poor quality of life and as a rehabilitation option, two zygomatic implant insertions were planned and performed as an anchorage for maxillary fixed prosthesis. Radiographic and clinical examination after three years of follow-up indicated that healing was achieved, and healthy tissues formed around zygomatic implants. The patient did not suffer from any additional necrotic tissues or other complications in the oral cavity. According to the results of this case report, zygomatic implantation after resective surgery might be considered as a promising alternative for MRONJ patients with large defects when other treatment alternatives fail or are not applicable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assisted reproductive technology (ART) is used to enhance pregnancy in infertile women. In this technique, the eggs are removed from the ovary and fertilized and injected with sperm to make embryos. Unfortunately, embryo implantation failures still occur in many of these women. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapies use a patient's own platelets to promote tissue healing and growth, including endometrium. The growth factors provided by the platelets play a criterial role on the regenerative ability of PRP. In the last years, PRP treatments have been gaining a lot of popularity to treat women with repeated ART failures. In this study, we collected and summarized all information published in the scientific literature to assess the evidence of the PRP effect on pregnancy. We only considered randomized controlled trials (RCT), a type of study designed to be unbiased and considered at the highest level of evidence. Our analysis indicates that PRP therapies might be an effective treatment in cases of poor responsiveness to conventional ART. However, additional studies (well-designed) are necessary to confirm this beneficial effect of PRP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aimed to identify a new measurement to diagnose the sagittal maxillary and mandibular difference that considers the patient's profile (soft tissue Wits appraisal: obtained by projecting points A and B on the occlusal plane and subsequently measuring the linear distance between the two points). This new measurement was compared to the conventional Wits appraisal obtained to diagnose sagittal jaw discrepancy. In total, 300 subjects (162 males, 138 females) aged between 6 and 50 years requiring orthodontic treatment were analyzed. The cephalometric tracings on the pre-treatment lateral cephalometric radiographs were obtained and the two measurements taken were the Wits appraisal and a new measurement which were both calculated and compared. The analysis of the linear correlations between the conventional Wits value and the measurement obtained on the soft-tissue were undertaken. The relevance was established at 5% (p < 0.05). The mean values were also calculated within sex and age classes, and comparisons between sexes were obtained employing the t test Student's for independent samples. Subsequently, chi-square analysis was also utilized to verify the sex distributions in the age groups considered. The results obtained suggested that these two measurements were significantly correlated with each other, with no characteristic patterns of sex or age. These data allowed an estimation of the reference values of the new measurement (−1.9 mm and 5.4 mm for patients with Class I molar relationship) showing that the former was more variable than the latter. The new measurement could allow for an accurate evaluation of the jaws sagittal discrepancy from soft tissue analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Different factors may affect new bone formation following maxillary sinus floor augmentation for the rehabilitation of posterior edentulous maxilla. The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of residual bone height (RBH) on new bone formation after lateral sinus augmentation utilizing different biomaterials, through a network meta-analysis (NMA). Methods. PUBMED, Scopus, and Web of Science electronic databases were searched until 31 December 2022 to obtain relevant articles. A hand search was also conducted. Randomised controlled studies on maxillary sinus augmentation comparing different grafting materials in patients with atrophic posterior maxilla, in need of prosthetic rehabilitation, were included. The risk of bias was assessed following the guidelines of the Cochrane Collaboration. The primary outcome was new bone formation (NBF), assessed histomorphometrically. The statistical analysis was performed by splitting the data according to RBH (<4 mm and ≥4 mm). Results. A total of 67 studies were eligible for conducting NMA. Overall, in the included studies, 1955 patients were treated and 2405 sinus augmentation procedures were performed. The biomaterials used were grouped into: autogenous bone (Auto), xenografts (XG), allografts (AG), alloplasts (AP), bioactive agents (Bio), hyaluronic acid (HA), and combinations of these. An inconsistency factor (IF) seen in the entire loop of the XG, AP, and Bio+AP was found to be statistically significant. The highest-ranked biomaterials for the <4 mm RBH outcome were XG+AG, XG+AP, and Auto. Similarly, the surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) of biomaterials for ≥4 mm RBH was Auto, Bio+XG, and XG+Auto. Conclusion. There is no grafting biomaterial that is consistently performing better than others. The performance of the materials in terms of NBF may depend on the RBH. While choosing a biomaterial, practitioners should consider both patient-specific aspects and sinus clinical characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To evaluate the effectiveness of hyaluronic acid (HA) gel injection with and without plasma rich in growth factors (PRGF) for the management of interdental papillary loss. Methods: A single blinded randomized clinical trial was carried out on 21 subjects with 34 sites. Patients within the age group 18–45 years who had Class I and II papillary recession in the maxillary anterior region were selected. The sites involved were randomly assigned to Group HA alone and Group HA + PRGF. The patients were recalled 4 weeks after receiving supragingival and subgingival instrumentation. HA or HA + PRGF was injected into the defective papilla at baseline and at 3 and 6 weeks. Image based measurements of Papillary Width (PW), Papillary Deficient Height (PDH), Deficient Area (DA), Deficient Volume (DV) were registered at baseline, 3 weeks, 6 weeks and 12 weeks. A vernier caliper was used to measure the papillary depth in the impression made using additional silicone impression material pre- and post-intervention. Results: There was a significant improvement in the within-group comparison of PW, PDH, DA and DV in both the groups. Group HA + PRGF showed significantly greater improvement in comparison to Group HA alone in terms of PDH, DA and DV at 6 and 12 weeks. Conclusions: Even though HA gel has already been established as a promising injectable agent in the minimally invasive treatment of interdental papillary deficiency, PRGF may also have a significant adjuvant effect when used along with HA. Further clinical studies with longer follow up duration, larger sample size and standardization of the tooth shape are required for a better understanding of the adjuvant effect of PRGF when used along with HA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Decalcification of hard tissues such as bone and teeth is a complex process that requires using chemicals such as acids and chelating agents. Acids act faster than chelating agents, but they have a greater risk of damaging biological samples. Increasing the reaction speed of the chelating agent may solve this issue. There are several strategies to speed up this process, and using microwaves seems to be one of the most effective. However, lab-dedicated microwave ovens are expensive, and their purchase may seem unjustified. Therefore, a low-cost modification of a commercial microwave oven, consisting of an Arduino automation device, has been developed. The setup has proven reliable for continuous work, thanks to implementing an electronic safety circuit. In addition, it may reduce the decalcification time using a chelating agent, achieving optimal results regarding tissue preservation and quality of histological sections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of antibiotics as adjunctive therapy in the non-surgical treatment of peri-implantitis is uncertain. The aim of this systematic review of randomized controlled trials was to assess the efficacy of antibiotic therapy, local or systemic, as an adjunctive to the non-surgical therapy of peri-implantitis. Primary outcomes were: implant success rate and complications, changes in radiographic bone level, probing pocket depth (PPD), probing attachment level (PAL), bleeding on probing (BOP) and peri-implantitis resolution. Six studies were included: two using topical and four systemic antibiotics. Adjunctive local antibiotics improved PPD (mean difference (MD) = 0.6 mm; 95% CI 0.42–0.78), BOP (MD = 0.15% (95% CI 0.10, 0.19)) and the success rate (risk ratio = 9.89; 95% CI 2.39–40.84). No significant difference in bone level and success rate were found with the use of systemic antibiotics, although they appeared to improve PPD (MD = 1.15 mm; 95% CI 0.31–1.99) and PAL (MD = 1.10 mm; 95% CI 0.13–2.08). Within the limitations of this review, the adjunctive local antibiotics showed improved outcomes in terms of success rate, PPD and BOP, while adjunctive systemic antibiotics improved PPD and PAL only. Peri-implantitis resolution was about 20–30% using adjunctive local antibiotics, whilst it ranged from 2% to 65% with adjunctive systemic antibiotics. Findings are still controversial, since they are based on few studies with high heterogeneity, at the uncertain or high risk of bias and involve few patients. Non-surgical debridement and maintenance periodontal support therapy remain pivotal and the adjunctive use of antibiotics for peri-implantitis cannot be routinely recommended, even considering the increasing concern on antibiotic resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Local eradication of periodontal infection could potentially have a much broader impact on the diabetic condition by also contributing to the modification of the lipid profile, which is directly compromised in the alteration of endothelium-dependent vasodilation. The aim of this trial was to assess the benefits of intensive periodontal treatment (IPT) on the lipid profile and endothelial function of diabetic patients. Methods: This was a 6-month, randomized controlled trial involving diabetic patients with generalized periodontitis. The study group comprised 290 individuals who were randomly assigned to receive Intensive Periodontal Treatment (IPT, Intervention Group) or conventional adult prophylaxis (Control Periodontal Treatment, CPT, Control Group). Outcomes encompassed lipid profile involving serum total cholesterol, serum triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipo-protein cholesterol, and flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) as an index of endothelium-dependent vasodilation (primary outcomes); periodontal indices and high-sensitive C-reactive protein were evaluated at baseline, 3 and 6 months after periodontal treatment. Results: An increase in endothelium-dependent flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) was observed in the Intensive Periodontal Treatment group in comparison with Control (p < 0.001), but results are not statistically different. There were no differences in lipid profile in individuals of both groups. Conclusions: An intensive periodontal treatment might improve endothelial function, suggesting a direct beneficial effect on the vasculature, possibly mediated by systemic inflammatory reduction. However, no statistically significant differences between groups were observed, and no benefits were proved on lipid profile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To assess the changes in the inclination of the premolar and molar during a maxillary expansion with a micro-implant-assisted skeletal expander (MSE). Materials and Methods: A total of 21 patients (16 females, 5 males) with a mean age of 18.6 ± 4.5 (range 11.3–26.3 years) with a transverse maxillary deficiency were included in this study. They all received an MSE appliance for the maxillary skeletal expansion. The activation protocol consisted of about 0.5 mm expansion a day until a diastema was observed and continued with about 0.25 mm a day until the desired transverse relationship between the maxilla and mandible was achieved. OnDemand3D software was used for the measurements of the inclination change in the maxillary premolars and molars, pre- and post-expansion. Graphpad was used to compare the mean change in each tooth with the zero value (no change), and the p values of these changes with every tooth were calculated. Moreover, the changes and the mean values of all the teeth on the left and right sides were calculated separately. Results: A total of sixteen measurements were conducted for each patient. The first premolars tipped palatally after the expansion, while the second premolars and molars tipped buccally. The changes were significant for the molars and the left second premolar. Conclusions: The MSE induced some changes in the tooth inclination. The first premolars moved palatally, most likely due to perioral musculature and mastication force, while the first and second molars moved buccally. The second molar buccal movement is most likely due to the craniofacial rotation caused by the MSE as they were not subject to the expansion force. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to analyse the stress distribution in the periodontal ligament and tooth structure of a cementum-reinforced tooth, a dentine-reinforced tooth and an immature tooth during orthodontic loads using a finite element analysis. A finite element model of a maxillary incisor and its supporting tissues was developed. The root was segmented into two parts: a part that represented a root in an immature state and an apical part that represented the tissue formed after regenerative endodontics. The apical part was given the mechanical properties of dentine or cementum. The three models underwent simulation of mesial load, palatal inclination and rotation. The mean stress values and stress distribution patterns of the periodontal ligament of the dentine- and cementum-reinforced teeth were similar in all scenarios. The maturation of the root, with either dentine or cementum, was beneficial for all scenarios, since the periodontal ligament of the immature tooth showed the highest mean stress values. Under the condition of this computational study, orthodontic loads can be applied in teeth previously treated with regenerative endodontics, since the distribution of stress is similar to those of physiologically mature teeth. In vivo studies should be performed to validate these results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this review was to answer the following PICO question: "Do TMJ kinematic parameters (intervention and comparison) show efficacy for assessment of mandibular function (Outcome) both in asymptomatic and TMD subjects? (Population)". PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, Central databases were searched. The inclusion criteria were (1) performed on human, (2) English only, (3) on healthy, symptomatic or surgically altered TMJ, (4) measured dynamic kinematics of mandible or TMJ (5) with six degrees of freedom. To assess the Risk of Bias, the Joanna Briggs Institute tool for non-randomised clinical studies was employed. A pairwise meta-analysis was carried out using STATA v.17.0 (Stata). The heterogeneity was estimated using the Q value and the inconsistency index. Ninety-two articles were included in qualitative synthesis, nine studies in quantitative synthesis. The condylar inclination was significantly increased in female (effect size 0.03°, 95% CI: −0.06, 0.12, p = 0.00). Maximum mouth opening (MMO) was increased significantly in female population in comparison with males (effect size 0.65 millimetres (0.36, 1.66). Incisor displacement at MMO showed higher values for control groups compared with TMD subjects (overall effect size 0.16 millimetres (−0.37, 0.69). Evidence is still needed, considering the great variety of devices and parameters used for arthrokinematics. The present study suggests standardising outcomes, design, and population of the future studies in order to obtain more reliable and repeatable values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This scoping review aimed at reporting the outcomes of the bone lid technique in oral surgery in terms of bone healing, ridge preservation, and incidence of complications. Bone-cutting instruments and stabilization methods were also considered. PubMed, Scopus, and the Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials were searched using a combination of terms, including bone lid, bony window, piezosurgery, microsaw, cysts, endodontic surgery, impacted teeth, and maxillary sinus. A hand search was also performed. The last search was conducted on 30 November 2021. No date limitation was set. Searches were restricted to human clinical studies published in English. All types of study design were considered except reviews and case reports. After a two-step evaluation, 20 (2 randomized studies, 2 case-control studies, 3 cohort studies, 13 case series) out of 647 screened studies were included, reporting on 752 bone lid procedures. The bone lid technique was associated with favorable bone healing when compared to other methods, and with a very low incidence of major complications. Clinical indications, surgical procedures, study design, follow-up duration, and outcomes varied among the studies. Overall, favorable outcomes were reported using the bone lid approach, though evidence-based studies were scarce. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aligners are the common devices used in orthodontics for the correction of malocclusion. Various materials and techniques are employed to fabricate aligners. One of those includes thermoformed and 3D aligners. These aligners can be worn for several days, and their impact on periodontal health is not known. Therefore, the aim of our protocol is to determine the effectiveness of these aligners in correcting malocclusion and their impact on periodontal health and oral microbiome. A double-blinded randomized controlled clinical trial with a total of n = 60 patients will be included with n = 30 in each group (Test: 3D printed aligners and Control: Thermoformed). The evaluation of oral health indices such as basic periodontal examination (BPE), periodontal screening and recording (PSR) that provide the status of periodontal health will be recorded. The oral microbiome assessment will be conducted with polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The primary endpoint will be the correction of malocclusion, and the secondary end point will be the status of periodontal health and oral microbiome. The duration of follow-up for each group will be 7 days for periodontal health and oral microbiome and 6 months for the space closure of 5 mm by 3D and thermoformed aligners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The present systematic review and meta-analysis aims to analyse the clinical performance of short compared to longer implants inserted in sites without the need for bone augmentation. Methods: The protocol of the present PRISMA-driven meta-analysis was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42021264781). Electronic and manual searches were performed up to January 2022. All Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) comparing short (≤6 mm) to longer (≥8.5 mm) implants placed in non-atrophic and non-augmented sites were included. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool for randomized clinical trials (RoB 2) and the quality of evidence was determined with the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. A meta-analysis was performed on implant survival rate, marginal bone level change (MBLc), and technical and biological complications at the available follow-up time points. The power of the meta-analytic findings was determined by trial sequential analysis (TSA). Results: From 1485 initial records, 13 articles were finally included. No significant difference was found in the survival rate between short and long implant at any follow-up (moderate quality of evidence). Significantly more bone loss for long implants at 1 and 5 years from implant placement and more technical complications with short implants at 10 years were found. No other significant inter-group differences in terms of MBLc and biological complications were detected. Conclusions: Moderate evidence exists suggesting that short implants perform as well as longer ones in the rehabilitation of edentulous sites without the need for bone augmentation. Further long-term, well-designed RCTs, however, are still needed to provide specific evidence-based clinical recommendations for an extended use of short implants in non-atrophic sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This investigation aimed to radiographically assess the variations of graft dimension following maxillary sinus augmentation by the lateral approach. Methods: Eighteen patients (seven males), with a mean age at surgery of 66.5 ± 9.8 (range 52–82) years, were unilaterally treated. Thirty-five dental implants were positioned in the posterior maxilla simultaneously to grafting with heterologous biomaterials. Intraoral radiographs taken at the time of surgery, after six months, and at the longest follow-up (up to nine years after implant placement) were analyzed. The following distances were measured: mesio-distal width of the graft, vertical distance from implant apex to most coronal level of the graft, distance from the mesial aspect of the (mesial) implant to the mesial graft extension; distance from the distal aspect of the (distal) implant to the distal graft extension, and graft height along the implant axis. The dimensional changes with respect to baseline, after six months and at the longest follow-up were calculated. Results: The patient-based mean follow-up was 38.3 ± 30.1 months (range 12–108 months). The mean residual bone height at the mesial and distal aspect of the implants was 3.19 ± 2.05 mm and 2.65 ± 1.60 mm, respectively (p = 0.38). The mean graft width at baseline was 27.95 ± 5.23 mm, and the mean graft width reduction was 10.2 ± 12.7% (2.98 ± 3.62 mm) and 11.3 ± 14.4% (3.36 ± 4.08 mm) at six months and at the latest follow-up. The change was significant at six months (p = 0.005), but did not show significant further variation (p = 0.11). On the mesial and distal aspect, the mean graft extension decreased by 1.56 ± 2.67 mm and 0.84 ± 2.71 mm at the latest follow-up. No significant difference between mesial and distal changes was found (p = 0.24), suggesting that the biomaterial is resorbed homogeneously on both sides. The mean graft height was 11.92 ± 2.53 mm at baseline and decreased by 9.3 ± 9.05% (1.11 ± 1.09 mm) at six months (p < 0.001). Non-significant further changes were found at the latest follow-up (p = 0.10). Conclusions: after early remodeling, heterologous bone substitutes showed a good dimensional stability in the mid-term for maxillary sinus augmentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. The maxillary sinus lift is a popular and predictable technique associated with implant-supported rehabilitation of the severely atrophic maxilla. The aim of the present retrospective study was to investigate the effectiveness of transcrestal maxillary sinus augmentation and the graft resorption pattern using different heterologous bone substitutes. Methods. A total of 75 sinus-grafting procedures were performed and 89 implants were placed in 66 patients, 24 males and 42 females, with mean age 67.9 ± 10.64 years (range 43–84 years). Nineteen subjects were smokers. The mean follow-up period was 93.33 ± 54.71 months (range 14–240 months). Clinical and radiographical evaluations were performed. Graft height and width were measured at baseline and at the latest follow-up. Results. Mesiodistal and vertical resorption averaged 9.3 ± 20.7% (standard deviation), and 5.04 ± 9.9% of the postoperative size, respectively, considering the graft as the unit. Linear regression analysis showed that graft resorption in both the vertical and the mesiodistal dimension is independent of the follow-up time. Conversely, there was a trend for greater resorption when increasing the postoperative graft size, in both vertical (p = 0.001) and horizontal (p = 0.007) dimensions. When grouping the dimensional changes by graft particle size (only small (<300 μm) particles, combination of small and medium (>500 μm)/large (>1000 μm) particles, and only medium/large particles), there was a trend for greater resorption associated with smaller particles, but it was not significant; neither in the mesiodistal nor in the vertical dimension (p = 0.17 and p = 0.25, respectively). No implant was lost during the observation period. In conclusion, the transcrestal technique for maxillary sinus augmentation documented a high level of predictability. The low clinical morbidity and the contextual dental implant positioning is clinically useful in relation to a significant reduction of the time required for implant restoration, a consistent decrease of the number of surgical phases, and a cost-effectiveness approach for the rehabilitation. The graft resorption pattern in all cases was compatible with persistent implant protection and support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Nonunion is one of the most challenging problems in the field of orthopedics. The aim of this study was to perform a systematic review of the literature to evaluate the effectiveness of extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) in the treatment of nonunion in long bones. Methods: We conducted a search of three databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science) and found 646 total publications, of which 23 met our inclusion criteria. Results: Out of 1200 total long bone nonunions, 876 (73%) healed after being treated with ESWT. Hypertrophic cases achieved 3-fold higher healing rates when compared to oligotrophic or atrophic cases (p = 0.003). Metatarsal bones were the most receptive to ESWT, achieving a healing rate of 90%, followed by tibiae (75.54%), femurs (66.9%) and humeri (63.9%). Short periods between injury and treatment lead to higher healing rates (p < 0.02). Conversely, 6 months of follow-up after the treatment appears to be too brief to evaluate the full healing potential of the treatment; several studies showed that healing rates continued to increase at follow-ups beyond 6 months after the last ESWT treatment (p < 0.01). Conclusions: ESWT is a promising approach for treating nonunions. At present, a wide range of treatment protocols are used, and more research is needed to determine which protocols are the most effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Soluble CD14 (sCD14) plays an important role in the innate immune response of the oral cavity. The investigation of this biomarker for detection of carious lesions is an even more actual procedure due to its non-invasiveness and the ease of withdrawal. The purpose of the present observational case-control study was to evaluate whether the quantification of sCD14 in children and adolescent's saliva can discriminate healthy subjects from those suffering from tooth decay. Materials and Methods: 164 subjects (6 to 17 years) were selected and divided into 2 groups: those with at least 1 decayed tooth were assigned to group Decayed (n = 82) and those free from dental caries to group Healthy (n = 82). The amount of salivary soluble CD14 was quantified. Results: Mean salivary soluble CD14 was 28.3 ± 10.8 μg/mL in the Healthy group and 22 ± 9.6 μg/mL in the Decayed group. A hurdle model was applied to the data to estimate both the probability of having carious lesions and their number in relation to sCD14 levels. sCD14 was strongly associated (p < 0.01) with an inverse relation to both the probability of having caries and their number (falling rate of 5% per unit CD14 μg/mL). Conclusions: This data confirms the relationship between sCD14 and the presence of dental caries. However, there is no clear cut off level between healthy and unhealthy subjects, so it is currently not possible to use sCD14 as a biomarker to determine the risk of decays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The introduction of digital workflows and their combination with miniscrew assisted appliances has opened new and enthusiastic perspectives in modern orthodontics. However, in all digital workflows currently in use for orthodontic tooth movement, the miniscrews are inserted first in the maxillary bone, often by means of a surgical guide, and then the appliance is fabricated and secured over the miniscrews with different fixation mechanisms. By doing so, some adaptation problems can be encountered while securing the appliance over the miniscrews, and the chairside time required can therefore be significant. In the present study, we introduce a digital workflow for the design and fabrication of a new appliance, customized on the individual morphology of maxillary bone by using patient Cone Beam Computed Tomography CBCT, for sagittal and vertical orthodontic tooth movement (DIVA, divergent anchors). Differently from the existing protocols, the appliance is cemented first intraorally, serving as a surgical guide for the subsequent insertion of miniscrews. In this way, the adaptation problems are avoided and the chair-side time is reduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Featured Application: Healing enhancement in oral surgery procedures. Platelet concentrates (PCs) have been used for over 20 years in dentistry, as an adjunct to oral surgery procedures, to improve hard and soft tissue healing and control postoperative symptoms. Among various PCs, Leukocyte and Platelet-Rich Fibrin (L-PRF) has become very popular due to its excellent cost-effectiveness ratio, and to the simple preparation protocol, but comparative clinical studies with other PCs are lacking. The aim of this split-mouth cohort study was to evaluate the effect of Concentrated Growth Factors (CGF), a recently introduced PC, as compared to L-PRF for enhancing post-extraction socket healing. Methods: Patients in need of bilateral tooth extractions were included. Each side was treated with either CGF or L-PRF. Pain, socket closure and healing index were the main outcomes. Results: Forty-five patients (24 women), aged 60.52 ± 11.75 years (range 37–87 years) were treated. No significant difference in outcomes was found, except for Pain at day 1 (p < 0.001) and socket closure in the vestibulo-palatal/lingual dimension at day 7 post-extraction (p = 0.04), both in favor of CGF. Conclusions: based on the present results, CGF proved to be as effective and safe as L-PRF, representing a valid alternative option for improving alveolar socket healing and reducing postoperative discomfort. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present systematic review was to investigate the effect of residual bone height (RBH) and vertical bone gain on new bone formation (NBF) and graft shrinkage after lateral sinus lifts using different biomaterials. Methods: An electronic search was conducted on three databases to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published until January 2021 with at least one follow-up at 6 months and at least five patients treated, comparing biomaterials used for maxillary sinus augmentation with a lateral approach. Graft volumetric changes, RBH, vertical bone gain, implant failure, and post-operative complications were evaluated. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane tool. Results: We used 4010 identified studies, of which 21 were RCTs. Overall, 412 patients and 533 sinuses were evaluated. Only three publications had an overall low risk of bias. After 6 months, xenograft (XG) showed the least volume reduction (7.30 ± 15.49%), while autogenous graft (AU) was the most reabsorbed (41.71 ± 12.63%). NBF appeared to not be directly correlated with RBH; on the contrary, the overall linear regression analysis showed that NBF significantly decreased by 1.6% for each mm of postoperative vertical graft gain. This finding suggests that the greater the augmentation, the lower the NBF. A similar tendency, with a regression coefficient even higher than the overall one, was also observed with alloplast (AP) and XG. Conclusions: The present results suggested that NBF was essentially independent of preoperative bone height. On the contrary, the smaller the volume was of the graft placed, the higher the amount of new bone formed, and the smaller the graft shrinkage was. Minimizing the augmentation volume might be beneficial to graft healing and stability especially when using AP and XG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate postoperative pain (POP) following root canal filling (RCF) with gutta-percha/bioceramic sealer (BCS) vs. gutta-percha/traditional sealer (TS) techniques. Electronic databases were searched for randomized trials. Subgroup analyses were performed for analgesic intake, flare-ups, postoperative time (24/48 h), pulp status, and retreatment. The search yielded 682 records, and nine studies were selected. BCS was associated with significantly lower POP vs. TS at 24 h (P = 0.04) and 48 h (P = 0.0005). In addition, non-significant trends favoring BCS for analgesic intake at 24 h (P = 0.14), flare-ups (P = 0.24) and obturation techniques at 24 h (P = 0.41) and 48 h (P = 0.33), non-significant trends for lower POP with TS vs. BCS 24 h and 48 h in vital teeth (P = 0.50, P = 0.18, respectively), and for lower POP with BCS vs. TS in non-vital teeth at 24 h and 48 h (P = 0.16, P = 0.84, respectively). POP was numerically lower with TS vs. BCS at 24 h (P = 0.65) and 48 h after retreatment (P = 0.59). Moreover, POP did not vary between fillers when the treatment was over single (P = 0.28) or multiple visits (P = 0.50). BCS was associated with significantly lower short-term POP, and with a trend for lower analgesic intake and flare-up incidence, as compared to TS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Augmentation of the edentulous atrophic anterior region is a challenging situation. The purpose of this article was to evaluate the effectiveness of a collagenated cortical bone lamina of porcine origin for horizontal ridge augmentation in patients with inadequate alveolar ridge width undergoing immediate post-extraction implantation in the anterior sites, and to report on implant survival rates/complications. Materials and methods: The cases were extracted electronically from a large database according to these specific inclusion criteria: patients with inadequate alveolar ridge width in the anterior maxilla or mandible, who underwent immediate post-extraction implant placement and simultaneous alveolar bone reconstruction using xenogeneic cortical bone lamina. An additional layer of palatal connective tissue graft was inserted between lamina and the vestibular mucosa, for improving soft tissue healing. A collagenated bone substitute was additionally placed in the gap between the lamina and implant surface in all patients. The main outcomes were implant survival and complications. Results: Forty-nine patients with 65 implants were included. Patients' mean age at the time of implant surgery was 60.0 ± 13.6 years. The mean follow-up was 60.5 ± 26.6 months after implant placement. The implant survival was 100%. Four postoperative complications occurred in four patients. No specific factor was found to be associated with complication occurrence. Conclusion: The use of collagenated cortical bone lamina can be considered as a successful option for alveolar reconstruction in immediate post-extraction implant insertion procedures in anterior regions with inadequate alveolar ridge width. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Platelet concentrates are biological, autologous products obtained from the patient's whole blood, consisting of a supraphysiological concentration of platelets and growth factors, that have proved beneficial in different applications in the medical and dental fields. They are used in several medical and dental applications to enhance tissue healing. Previous evidence shows that platelet concentrates may be beneficial in patients with compromised systemic conditions, in which the healing process is impaired. Aim: To evaluate the 5-year clinical outcome of implant treatment using acid-etched implants with calcium ions-modified surface in association with plasma rich in growth factors, in patients with systemic diseases of a different nature. Methods: Charts of 99 medically compromised patients, who had received a total of 224 dental implants from January 2013 to June 2013, were retrospectively evaluated. Patients were divided into four groups, according to their condition: diabetes (n = 39 patients), osteoporosis (n = 36), lupus erythematosus systemic (n = 5), rheumatoid arthritis (n = 19). The main outcomes were implant survival, marginal bone level (MBL) change and complications throughout follow-up. Results: Mean follow-up was 63.06 ± 1.90 months (range 60.1 to 66.4 months). In total, eight implants failed in 6 diabetic patients and 4 in 3 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Overall 5-year implant survival was 94.6%. In total, 30 complications occurred in 24 patients, mostly transient, and no severe adverse event occurred. Overall MBL change was 0.45 ± 0.12 mm, with no significant differences among groups. Conclusions: In the present sample of medically compromised patients, rehabilitation with calcium ions-modified surface implants associated with plasma rich in growth factors proved to be a safe and effective treatment. The satisfactory results achieved after 5-year follow-up are comparable to those historically reported for healthy patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the virus responsible for the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) that emerged in December 2019 in Wuhan, China, and rapidly spread worldwide, with a daily increase in confirmed cases and infection-related deaths. The World Health Organization declared a pandemic on the 11th of March 2020. COVID-19 presents flu-like symptoms that become severe in high-risk medically compromised subjects. The aim of this study was to perform an updated overview of the treatments and adjuvant protocols for COVID-19. Methods: A systematic literature search of databases was performed (MEDLINE PubMed, Google Scholar, UpToDate, Embase, and Web of Science) using the keywords: "COVID-19", "2019-nCoV", "coronavirus" and "SARS-CoV-2" (date range: 1 January 2019 to 31st October 2020), focused on clinical features and treatments. Results: The main treatments retrieved were antivirals, antimalarials, convalescent plasma, immunomodulators, corticosteroids, anticoagulants, and mesenchymal stem cells. Most of the described treatments may provide benefits to COVID-19 subjects, but no one protocol has definitively proven its efficacy. Conclusions: While many efforts are being spent worldwide in research aimed at identifying early diagnostic methods and evidence-based effective treatments, mass vaccination is thought to be the best option against this disease in the near future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Analysis of short-term results regarding dimensional stability of post-extraction sockets managed via a preservation protocol using deproteinized bovine bone matrix and a xenogeneic collagen matrix. Materials and methods Fifteen patients needing extraction of one single-rooted premolar tooth were treated in a pilot study. Five patients were treated in each centre. After tooth extraction, sockets were filled with anorganic bovine bone matrix and covered with a xenogeneic collagen matrix. Six months later, implants were placed. Dimensional changes in the treated sites were digitally evaluated using the best-fit superimposition of pre-and post-socket preservation models. Results After six months of healing, the vertical reduction of the grafted sites was 0.31 ± 0.24 mm (p < 0.001). Volumetric analysis of superimposed models showed an average palatal-lingual contraction of 0.33 ± 0.51 mm3 (p = 0.02). At the vestibular level, the average contraction was found to be 0.8 ± 0.3 mm3 (p < 0.001). Finally, the analysis of linear variations in the treated sites on a single sagittal section at the crystal level, and at 3 and 7 mm apically respect to the crest, both towards the vestibule and palate, generally showed more marked resorption at the crestal level compared to apical measurements. Conclusion: The clinical protocol herein employed for socket preservation showed a positive effect in preventing the physiological post-extraction remodeling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims at retrospectively re-analyzing the different distribution, between males and females, in the allelic frequency of the human β T cell receptor (TCR β) single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) rs1800907 in Caucasian patients in the Milan metropolitan area. The allelic frequency significantly differed between sexes. Females showed higher frequency of C/C genotype than males, but lower T/C genotype (p < 0.0001). Heterozygous (T/C) versus homozygous (T/T + C/C) genotypes resulted in a different distribution of frequencies in males than in females, the latter possessing higher homozygosis (p < 0.0001). Within the limitations of this work (small number of included studies that concerned just a specific geographical area), allelic distribution according to sex might account the role of TCRβ-related SNPs in autoimmune diseases and further investigations are required to explain better this genetic background, in the perspective of a sex-related T cell immune responsiveness and auto-immunity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To evaluate the hypothesis of a correlation between the preoperative residual alveolar bone height (RBH) and graft maturation after maxillary sinus floor augmentation procedures using two different bone substitutes. Methods: A total of 20 patients who underwent unilateral maxillary sinus floor augmentation with either mineralized deproteinized bovine bone (DBBM) or a xenograft enriched with polymer and gelatin (NBS) were included in this prospective study. Six months after sinus surgery, bone biopsies were harvested with a 3.2 mm diameter trephine bur, prior to dental implant placement. Histomorphometric analysis was performed, and the results were correlated with the individual RBH. Implants were loaded after 5 months of insertion, and 1-year implant success and marginal bone level change were assessed. Results: RBH was 2.17 ± 1.11 mm (range 0.5–3.5 mm) and 2.14 ± 0.72 mm (range 0.5–3.0 mm) in the NBS and DBBM group, respectively. The biopsy analyses for the DBBM group showed woven bone increases by 5.08% per 1-mm increment of RBH; medullary spaces decreased by 9.02%, osteoid decreased by 4.4%, residual biomaterial decreased by 0.34%, and lamellar bone increased by 5.68% per 1-mm increase of RBH. In the NBS group, samples showed woven bone increases by 8.08% per 1-mm increase of RBH; medullary spaces decreased by 0.38%; osteoid increased by 1.34%, residual biomaterial decreased by 0.58%, and lamellar bone decreased by 5.50% per 1-mm increase of RBH. There was no statistically significant difference in the correlation between RBH and lamellar bone, woven bone, and osteoid, independently of the material used. Implant success was 100% in both groups, and marginal bone loss was 1.02 ± 0.42 mm in DBBM and 0.95 ± 0.31 mm in the NBS group after the 1-year follow-up. Conclusion: In spite of the absence of significance, the observed trend for woven bone to increase and medullary spaces to decrease when RBH increases deserves attention. Residual bone dimension might be a determinant in the bone graft maturation after maxillary sinus augmentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, the cytotoxicity and the antimicrobial activity of two silver citrate-based irrigant solutions were investigated. Cytotoxicity of various concentrations (0.25%, 0.5%, 1%, 2.5%, 5%) of both solutions (BioAKT and BioAKT Endo) was assessed on L-929 mouse fibroblasts using the MTT assay. For the quantitative analysis of components, an infrared (I.R.) spectroscopy was performed. The minimum inhibitory and minimal bactericidal concentrations (M.I.C. and M.B.C., respectively) were ascertained on Enterococcus faecalis strain ATCC 4083. For biofilm susceptibility after treatment with the irrigating agent, a minimum biofilm eradication concentration (M.B.E.C.) and confocal laser scanning microscope (C.L.S.M.) assays were performed. Quantification of E. faecalis cell biomass and percentage of live and dead cells in the biomass was appraised. Normality of data was analyzed using the D'Agostino & Pearson's test and the Shapiro–Wilk test. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's test. Both silver citrate solutions showed mouse fibroblasts viability >70% when diluted to 0.25% and 0.5%. Conversely, at higher concentrations, they were extremely cytotoxic. F.T.-IR spectroscopy measurements of both liquids showed the same spectra, indicating similar chemical characteristics. No substantial contrast in antimicrobial activity was observed among the two silver citrate solutions by using broth microdilution methods, biofilm susceptibility (MBEC-HTP device), and biomass screening using confocal laser scanning microscopy (C.L.S.M.) technique. Both solutions, used as root canal irrigants, exhibited significant antimicrobial activity and low cytocompatibility at dilutions greater than 0.5%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to assess the additive effect of leukocyte and platelet-rich fibrin (L-PRF) on coronally advanced flap (CAF) procedures in root coverage of Miller's class I and II gingival recession defects. Review methodology: A comprehensive search in MEDLINE (PubMed), Scopus and CENTRAL (the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials), along with an additional hand search, provided eight randomized clinical trials to be included in this review. A total of 167 patients with 470 gingival recession defects were analyzed. A meta-analysis was carried out to assess the change in gingival thickness (GT), width of keratinized gingiva (WKG), root coverage percentage (%RC), clinical attachment level (CAL) and recession depth (RD) at all follow-ups between CAF alone and CAF + L-PRF groups for all included studies. A subgroup analysis was carried out based on recession type (single/multiple). Results: Overall, a significant improvement in GT, CAL and RD was found when treated with CAF + L-PRF. There was a trend for a positive effect in terms of an increase in WKG when using L-PRF, especially in the treatment of single recession, though significance was not achieved (p = 0.08 overall). The results of heterogeneity among the subgroups were varied and were found to be greater than 91.3% for GT and 32.8% for WKG. Conclusion: L-PRF when used in addition to CAF showed favorable results for the treatment of class I and II gingival recession defects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed to perform a systematic critical appraisal of the methodological quality of systematic reviews (SRs) on the effect of autologous platelet concentrates (APCs) in the treatment of periodontal intraosseous defects and to provide a synthesis of the main clinical findings available. An electronic and hand search was performed up to February 2020; 14 systematic reviews of randomized controlled trials (RCTs), of which 11 were meta-analyses, were included. Only one SR fully satisfied all 11 items of the AMSTAR ("A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews") checklist for methodological quality evaluation, 3 SRs were classified of high quality, 8 of medium quality, and 2 of low quality. There is some evidence on the beneficial additive effect of APCs in the surgical treatment of intraosseous defects when used alone or in combination with bone grafts. APCs did not show any advantage when used together with guided tissue regeneration (GTR) or enamel matrix derivative (EMD). Undertaking SRs which adhere to rigorous standards and protocols is strongly recommended. There are increasing data on the positive adjunctive effect of APCs in the surgical treatment of intraosseous defects but, due to the heterogeneity of the available primary studies, the quality of evidence remains rather low and further long-term well-designed RCTs are encouraged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this multicenter cross-sectional study was to determine the prevalence of peri-implantitis and to assess its association with several patient- and implant-related factors. Patients with at least one implant, who came for a recall visit to one of the four centers over a period of five months, were enrolled. Presence of peri-implantitis (defined as bleeding on probing, exudate/suppuration, bone loss > 0.2 mm/year and increased pocket depth) and several other variables (e.g., smoking habits, history of periodontitis, diabetes) were recorded. Out of 248 enrolled patients (1162 implants), 10 patients had at least one implant with peri-implantitis (4.03%); a total of 14 implants were affected (1.20%). A statistically significant association between peri-implantitis and diabetes was found (OR 8.65; CI: 1.94–38.57). Smoking more than 10 cigarettes per day (OR: 0.53; CI 0.03–9.45) and history of periodontitis (OR: 2.42; CI: 0.49–11.89) were not found to be statistically associated with peri-implantitis. Even if implant therapy is a consolidated treatment, biological complications do happen. Strict supportive therapy recalls could lead to lower rates of peri-implantitis and earlier diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bioceramic scaffolds are appealing for alveolar bone regeneration, because they are emerging as promising alternatives to autogenous and heterogenous bone grafts. The aim of this systematic review is to answer to the focal question: in critical-sized bone defects in experimental animal models, does the use of a bioceramic scaffolds improve new bone formation, compared with leaving the empty defect without grafting materials or using autogenous bone or deproteinized bovine-derived bone substitutes? Electronic databases were searched using specific search terms. A hand search was also undertaken. Only randomized and controlled studies in the English language, published in peer-reviewed journals between 2013 and 2018, using critical-sized bone defect models in non-medically compromised animals, were considered. Risk of bias assessment was performed using the SYRCLE tool. A meta-analysis was planned to synthesize the evidence, if possible. Thirteen studies reporting on small animal models (six studies on rats and seven on rabbits) were included. The calvarial bone defect was the most common experimental site. The empty defect was used as the only control in all studies except one. In all studies the bioceramic materials demonstrated a trend for better outcomes compared to an empty control. Due to heterogeneity in protocols and outcomes among the included studies, no meta-analysis could be performed. Bioceramics can be considered promising grafting materials, though further evidence is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In oral biology, tissue engineering aims at regenerating functional tissues through a series of key events that occur during alveolar/periodontal tissue formation and growth, by means of scaffolds that deliver signaling molecules and cells. Due to their excellent physicochemical properties and biomimetic features, nanomaterials are attractive alternatives offering many advantages for stimulating cell growth and promoting tissue regeneration through tissue engineering. The main aim of this article was to review the currently available literature to provide an overview of the different nano-scale scaffolds as key factors of tissue engineering for alveolar bone regeneration procedures. In this narrative review, PubMed, Medline, Scopus and Cochrane electronic databases were searched using key words like "tissue engineering", "regenerative medicine", "alveolar bone defects", "alveolar bone regeneration", "nanomaterials", "scaffolds", "nanospheres" and "nanofibrous scaffolds". No limitation regarding language, publication date and study design was set. Hand-searching of the reference list of identified articles was also undertaken. The aim of this article was to give a brief introduction to review the role of different nanoscaffolds for bone regeneration and the main focus was set to underline their role for alveolar bone regeneration procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the survival rates of immediately loaded implants after at least five years. Besides implant failure, the amount of marginal bone loss around implants and the complication type were assessed. Methods: The electronic search was undertaken on Medline, Scopus, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials using key terms such as: "immediate loading", "immediate function", "immediate restoration", "immediate temporization", "dental implants", "fully edentulous patients", "partially edentulous patients". The search terms were combined using the Boolean operators AND, OR. The last electronic search was performed on 15 February 2018. Two authors independently screened the studies, extracted the data, and assessed the risk-of bias. The main outcomes recorded for each study were: implant and prosthesis success and survival, marginal bone level change, incidence and type of complications. Kaplan–Meier analysis was used to estimate cumulative survival rates. Results: Thirty-four prospective studies with at least five-year follow-up, published between 2007 and 2017 were included. A total of 5349 immediately loaded implants in 1738 patients were analyzed. The mean follow-up was 72.4 months (median 60 months, 95% confidence intervals (CI): 64.53, 80.25 months, range 60 to 147 months). The mean weighted implant survival was 97.4% (median 98.15%, 95% CI: 96.29%, 98.54%, range 83.80% to 100%). Cumulative survival rate of implants placed in the mandible was significantly higher than for the maxilla (p < 0.01). No significant difference in failure rate was found among the types of prosthesis employed (p = 0.27). The mean peri-implant bone level change at the end of the follow-up in each study ranged from 0.3 to 1.7 mm. Conclusion: Immediate loading of implants appears to have long-term predictability and success rate under well-defined circumstances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]