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High levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-2 and angiopoietin (ANG)-2 are found in tissues from oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs). As might be expected, VEGF, FGF-2, and ANG-2 overexpression parallels the development of new blood and lymphatic vessels that nourish the growing OPMDs or OSCCs and provide the latter with metastatic routes. Notably, VEGF, FGF-2, and ANG-2 are also linked to the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a trans-differentiation process that respectively promotes or exasperates the invasiveness of normal and neoplastic oral epithelial cells. Here, we have summarized published work regarding the impact that the interplay among VEGF, FGF-2, ANG-2, vessel generation, and EMT has on oral carcinogenesis. Results from the reviewed studies indicate that VEGF, FGF-2, and ANG-2 spark either protein kinase B (AKT) or mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK), two signaling pathways that can promote both EMT and new vessels’ formation in OPMDs and OSCCs. Since EMT and vessel generation are key to the onset and progression of OSCC, as well as to its radio- and chemo-resistance, these data encourage including AKT or MAPK inhibitors and/or antiangiogenic drugs in the treatment of this malignancy.

Implant design factors and the abutment connection are correlated with crestal bone stability. The aim of the present study was to evaluate a new type of screw-retained prostheses delivered on tissue-level implants with conical external vertical seal and internal hexagon connection. Implants 4.25 mm in diameter and 10 mm in length (Prama, Sweden and Martina) were placed in partially edentulous patients needing at least one implant in the healed site, having sufficient bone volume. The implant neck was positioned above the bone crest. A healing abutment was placed according to a one-stage approach. Outcome measures were implant and prosthesis survival rate, any complications, marginal bone loss (MBL), periodontal parameters, and pink esthetic score (PES). Overall, 13 patients (4 women and 9 men; mean age 50 ± 22 years) with the same number of implants were treated and followed for one year after loading. At the 12-month follow up, no implant and no prosthesis failed, and no complications were experienced. The mean MBL experienced at the one year follow-up was 0.65 ± 0.48 mm. One year after loading, 2 out of 13 implants present bleeding on probing (15.4%), 4 out of 13 patients presented with plaque at the one year of follow-up (30.8%) and the PES was 10.5 ± 2.3 mm. Within the limitations of the present study, the analyzed implants seem to be a viable treatment option for the rehabilitation of a single tooth gap.

Purpose: To evaluate implant and prosthetic survival rates, complications, patient satisfaction, and biological outcomes of patients rehabilitated with a ball attachment system for implant retained- and supported-overdentures (IOV), which was in function for 3 to 5 years. Methods: This retrospective study evaluated data collected from patients treated between April 2001 and May 2018 with IOV on splinted and non-splinted implants and a ball attachment system. Patients were followed for 36 to 206 months (mean follow-up was 128.1 ± 51.9 months). Data were collected at the 3- and 5-year follow-up examination. Outcome measures were implant and prosthetic survival rates, technical complications, marginal bone loss (MBL), oral health impact profile (OHIP), and periodontal parameters (bleeding on probing and plaque index). Results: A total of 46 patients (16 males and 30 females) with 124 implants were included in this study. Twenty-five implant-retained overdentures were delivered on 53 unsplinted implants, while the other 21 patients received an implant-supported overdentures and the implants were splinted. At the five-year follow-up examination, one implant and one prosthesis failed in the unsplinted group, resulting in a cumulative survival rate of 97.8% at the patient level. Two minor technical complications were experienced. Conclusions: Implant overdenture retained or supported by ball attachment systems showed high implant and prosthetic survival and success rates. A low number of complications, high patient satisfaction, and successful biological parameters were experienced in the mid-term follow-up. Data need to be confirmed by further randomized trials.