Search

The article shares views on opportunities and challenges posed by big data (BD), mobile health and artificial intelligence to dentistry and craniofacial research. Topics discussed include concerns about privacy, security and data sharing in relation to the use of BD analysis, the Dental, Oral, Medical Epidemiological (DOME) electronic records-based BD study, and the role of combining electronic health record with mobile health tools in improving data sets and in advancing BD research.

Data collection is a fundamental process in any scientific investigation. This article outlines best practices for three general elements of the data-collection process: (1) determining the specific aim, (2) design, and (3) documentation. We discuss these elements in the style of a tutorial, using extended examples specific to dental research. Each section of the tutorial concludes with a bullet-point summary for ease of reference to the readers. The supplemental material for this article includes templates designed to assist dental researchers in initiating the data-collection process in their respective research efforts, and selected references are organized by topic. Although written for an audience of clinical scientists in dentistry, the principles outlined here could be generalized to other health science research contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to keep clinical norms aligned with evidence-based practices, dental researchers need to be equipped to read and evaluate meta-analyses. Moreover, clinician scientists in dentistry should be prepared to lead investigations that incorporate meta-analysis. This article provides an overview of the principles and practices that will equip dental researchers to engage in meta-analysis work. Six elements of meta-analysis are addressed: formulating a research question, searching the literature, collecting the data, aggregating the data, analyzing the data, and interpreting results and drawing generalizations. Readers are guided through each of these stages of research so that they can recognize and implement robust, reproducible meta-analysis work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the study "Clinical, Microbiological, and Immunological, Effects of 3- or 7-Day Systemic Antibiotics Adjunctive to Subgingival Instrumentation in Patients with Aggressive (Stage III/IV Grade C) Periodontitis: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial" by Raluca Cosgarea et al, which won 2023 Clinical Research Award. The award was presented by the American Academy of Periodontology and sponsored by Quintessence Publishing Company. An overview of the study is offered.

It is important for dental researchers to have a general idea of the different types of data that can be collected from a study and the available statistical tools that can be used with such data. By knowing about what is available, researchers will have an informed idea of the types of studies that should be conducted, the data that should be collected, and the proper statistical methods for analyzing collected data. In the first part of this general overview of statistical methods, we walked through the various types of data that traditional statistical techniques, such as t tests and linear regression, can handle. In this second part, we explore more complex types of data that traditional statistical techniques are unable to handle. Specifically, we discuss longitudinal and time-to-event data because both occur frequently in dental studies and require special modeling techniques in order to analyze correctly. Using two different simulated dental datasets, the proper application of techniques such as repeated measures ANOVA, linear mixed modeling, generalized estimating equations, log-rank test, and Cox proportional hazards models are discussed and illustrated in depth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the most important parts of any research project is the statistical analysis through which results are described and deemed significant or otherwise. Given this role of statistical analyses, it is imperative to understand what statistical tests are available and, most importantly, when they are appropriate. This is because choosing an improper statistical test can lead to inaccurate results and meaningless conclusions. We have written this data analysis guide to assist dental researchers with carrying out a proper analysis plan in consultation with a statistician. In this first part, we detail common types of outcome and predictor variables and include some common tests that can be used for each scenario. Using different simulated datasets, we also provide examples of common data visualization techniques and how a proper statistical test can be applied. We hope this guide provides some general background knowledge on common statistical techniques and allows for easier and more effective conversations with your statistician. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In dental research, it is particularly common for studies to collect data that are fundamentally correlated. Some common dental situations in which correlation arises include patients being observed across multiple teeth and/or across multiple time points, such as before and after treatment, or groups of patients being clustered (ie, familial units). For a number of traditional statistical tests and modeling techniques, the assumption of independence between observations is imperative in order to receive valid results and make accurate conclusions. This article describes how ignoring inherent correlations in data can lead to erroneous results when using traditional methods as well as the types of modeling techniques that are available to handle correlated data. Furthermore, two simulation studies are performed to further illustrate and prove the advantages of adequately handling correlated data in statistical analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Time-to-event (survival) analysis is an integral tool in the wheelhouse of the dental researcher. While there are many references available for the study of time-to-event analysis, they tend to be written for audiences trained in statistical methodology. Moreover, the canonical examples offered by most time-to-event analysis references are focused on outcomes that do not translate directly to dentistry. This article provides a tutorial of time-to-event analysis for the specific context of dental research. Our tutorial assumes no statistical training or computing experience. Using real data from a dental study as our extended example, we explain foundational concepts, including median survival, Nth-year survival, the log-rank test, and the Cox model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate the effects of acidic solutions on the surface roughness (SR) and surface microhardness (SMH) of indirect restorative materials by analyzing in vivo and in vitro studies.Materials and Methods: Studies comparing the SR and SMH of indirect restorative materials after erosion were included in the meta-analysis. Meta-analyses were conducted with a random-effects model at a significance level of P < .05 using Review Manager software (Cochrane Collaboration). The literature search was conducted using Web of Science, MEDLINE (PubMed), and the Cochrane Library, with no limitations on publication year.Results: Of the 1,097 potentially relevant studies, 32 full-text articles were assessed for eligibility. A total of 16 articles were included in the systematic review, and 15 were included in the meta-analyses. The kappa score between the two reviewers was 0.80. The effects of erosion on ceramics, indirect composites, and hybrid ceramics were evaluated by immersion in or rinsing with acidic solutions (eg, hydrochloric acid [HCl], cola drinks, and juices). An increase in the SR (Ra values) (P < .00001; mean difference [MD] = -0.04; 95% CI = -0.06 to -0.03) and a decrease in the SMH (Vickers microhardness) (P < .00001; MD = 13.94; 95% CI = 12.33 to 15.55) were found after erosion. Subgroup analyses revealed that in vitro erosion led to significantly higher Ra values and lower VHN values than in vivo erosion; cola drinks and juices led to more surface degradation than HCl; and the SR and SMH of polymer-infiltrated ceramic network (PICN) materials remained unchanged after erosion.Conclusion: After acidic challenges, a significantly rougher and softened surface was found for indirect restorative materials. Among all the indirect restorative materials, PICN showed the best acid resistance. Nevertheless, the changes in the SR and SMH of indirect restorative materials after erosion detected in the present study were minor and may not have any clinical significance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of different treatments applied to titanium implant abutment surfaces on the retention of implant-supported crowns retained using resin cement. Materials and Methods: A total of 72 titanium implant abutments were divided into six groups (n = 12 each) based on the selected surface treatment: (1) untreated; (2) sandblasted; (3) hydrogen peroxide-etched; (4) atmospheric plasma; (5) chemical mechanical polishing; and (6) titanium dioxide nanocoating. After the surface treatments, scanning electron microscopy analyses and roughness measurements of the abutment surfaces were performed. Then, 72 metal copings were fabricated and cemented onto the abutments with dual-curing resin cement. After the thermocycling process, crown retention was measured by using a universal testing machine. The experimental results were statistically evaluated with one-way analysis of variance, Tukey honest significant difference, and Tamhane T2 tests. Results: The highest surface roughness values were obtained in the sandblasted group (1.44 um), which also showed in the highest retention values (828.5 N), followed by the hydrogen peroxide etching group (490.7 N), the atmospheric plasma group (466.5 N), the chemical mechanical polishing group (410.8 N), and the control group (382.6 N). Conclusion: Sandblasting, hydrogen peroxide, etching, and atmospheric plasma treatments significantly increased crown retention, and all alternative treatments, with the exception of TiO2 nanocoating, worked better than the control samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This case report describes a new digital workflow for computer-assisted implant surgery in an edentulous patient using transitional implants to support a fixed surgical template and interim prosthesis. The accuracy of the final implant position using the described protocol was evaluated and compared to the outcomes obtained using other types of surgical templates. This novel digital approach appears to enhance the accuracy of implant positioning for edentulous patients and seems to be comparable to a tooth-supported surgical template. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To provide a 1-year assessment of friction-retention abutments used to retain a single lithium disilicate (LS2) monolithic restoration. Materials and Methods: A total of 522 implants were placed to treat a mandibular or a maxillary single-tooth premolar or molar edentulous site. Three types of implants were used. The tested abutments were connected 3 months after implant placement. A single pressed LS2 monolithic restoration was cemented to a dedicated titanium cap and engaged to the abutment without the use of screws or cement. Any complications affecting the restoration or the opposing dentition, any soft tissue dimensional changes, the distance between the implant platform and the bone peak, and pocket probing depths were recorded at the time of restoration placement (T0), after 6 months of function (T1), and after 1 year of function (T2). Esthetic, functional, and biologic parameters were recorded at T0 and T2. Results: A total of 507 patients (284 women and 223 men) received a restoration at T0, and 504 reached the 1-year follow-up at T2. One restoration fractured after 10 months in function. No statistically significant differences were seen in the soft tissue measurements or in the measurements of the distance between the supporting implant platform and the bone peak. None of the restorations detached during the observation period. Conclusion: The friction retention abutment is a viable option to retain an implantsupported monolithic LS2 glass-ceramic restoration in cases of premolar or molar single-tooth edentulism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To compare the marginal gap and internal fit of fixed dental prostheses (FDPs) fabricated using intraoral vs extraoral scanning methods. Materials and Methods: MEDLINE/PubMed and the Cochrane database were searched. The focused PICO question was: For the fabrication of FDPs, does an intraoral scanning technique result in a different marginal gap than an extraoral scanning technique? The secondary outcome assessed was internal fit. Studies were selected based on the inclusion criteria, and a meta-analysis was performed. Results: A total of 14 studies (10 in vitro and 4 in vivo) were included in the meta-analysis. Marginal gap in single crowns was evaluated in 5 studies, copings for single crowns in 5 studies, three-unit FDPs in 3 studies, and both single-crown and three-unit FDPs in 1 study. Significantly lower marginal gap was found with intraoral scanning compared to impression scanning (P < .001) and cast scanning (P < .001), and for impression scanning compared to cast scanning (P = .037). Internal fit was superior with intraoral scanning compared to impression scanning, and this difference was significant (P < .001). No significant differences were found in internal fit with cast scanning compared to intraoral or impression scanning. The mean marginal gap/internal fit was 188.3 µm/146.2 µm with intraoral scanning, 116.29 µm/168.2 µm with impression scanning, and 195.1 µm/229.1 µm with cast scanning. Conclusion: Marginal gap was lower with intraoral scanning than with impression scanning and cast scanning. Impression scanning showed less marginal gap than cast scanning. Internal fit with intraoral scanning was superior to impression scanning, but when compared to cast scanning, no difference was found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To assess the influence of two preparation techniques on the microleakage, marginal fit, and cement thickness of lithium disilicate veneers. Materials and Methods: A total of 24 human maxillary central incisors were divided randomly into two groups according to preparation technique (n = 12 each): a minimally invasive preparation with a butt-joint design (0.3-mm depth) and a chamfer finish line (group MP); and no preparation (group NP). All teeth were restored with lithium disilicate veneers cemented with photopolymerizable resin cement. Specimens were aged thermally (6,000 cycles of 5°C to 55°C) and mechanically (100,000 cycles at 100 N, 4 Hz). Specimens were immersed in fuchsin dye for 24 hours using a standard dye penetration technique, then sectioned and evaluated under a stereomicroscope (×20 magnification). Data were analyzed by ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis tests (P < .05). Results: There was significant microleakage (P = .0163) at the cervical area compared to the proximal area. The marginal fit was similar, with no statistical difference (P = .212) between groups MP (153 ± 81 µm) and NP (111 ± 74 µm). Group MP showed a significantly (P = .006) reduced cement thickness at the cervical area (87 ± 27 µm) compared to group NP (210 ± 89 µm). Conclusion: Although the preparation technique was shown to influence the cement thickness, it did not show any influence on microleakage or marginal fit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To analyze the influence of pristine matrix and O-ring dimensions on retention force and its reproducibility in single one-piece mini dental implants (MDIs) with ball patrices under in vitro conditions. Materials and Methods: Three different matrix/O-ring combinations (MH1, MH2, and MH3) were evaluated (n = 50 measurements each) on 1.8-mm-diameter implants. The matrices were manually mounted on the implants and subsequently removed in a vertical linear manner using a metal pin with two strain gauges, which recorded the maximum force during disconnection. The O-rings were exchanged after five disconnections, and the mean retention force was calculated, resulting in a total of 50 values for each matrix/O-ring combination. Mean and SD retention forces with 95% CI were calculated. ANOVA was used to test the global difference, and post hoc pairwise comparisons were subsequently applied. The level of significance was set at P < .05. Results: ANOVA (global P < .0001) and pairwise comparisons (all P < .001) demonstrated statistically significant differences between the three different matrix/O-ring combinations with mean values of 5.18 N (MH 1), 6.73 (MH 2), and 9.08 (MH 3). Within each combination, retention force variations of > 1 N could not be demonstrated; ie, by exchanging O-rings, a similar retention force can be reestablished. Conclusion: Matrix and O-ring dimensions have a significant influence on retention forces in one-piece MDIs. Pristine O-rings demonstrated highly reproducible initial retention forces in all matrices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To compare the load-to-failure values of different ceramic CAD/CAM implant crown materials with drilled screw-access holes with and without cyclic loading applied. Materials and Methods: Forty zirconia abutments with a titanium base were pre-loaded onto implants to support maxillary right first premolar crowns milled from four different CAD/CAM ceramic materials (zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate, hybrid ceramic, lithium disilicate, and zirconia; n = 10 each). After cementing the crowns, the screw-access channels were prepared by drilling through the occlusal surfaces. Half of the specimens were subjected to cyclic loading for 5 million cycles at 2 Hz (n = 5/material). After cyclic loading, vertical loads were applied until failure. The load-to-failure values of all crowns were recorded and statistically analyzed. Two-way ANOVA was used with restricted maximum likelihood estimation and Tukey-Kramer adjustments (α = .05). Results: During cyclic loading, the zirconia abutment under one lithium disilicate specimen cracked at 2 million cycles, and a zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate crown also fractured. Results for the load-to-failure test series showed statistical differences between the materials. Zirconia resulted in significantly higher failure loads when compared to the other materials (P < .001). Cyclic loading did not significantly affect the load-to-failure values. Conclusion: Cyclic loading did not significantly influence the load to failure of any of the materials tested. Zirconia crowns with drilled screw access channels cemented on zirconia abutments with a titanium base had higher load-to-failure values compared to the other ceramic crown materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate the minimum ceramic thickness needed to increase the lightness by one value by means of glass-ceramic restorations, as perceived by dental technicians, dentists, and laypersons. Materials and Methods: A total of 15 assessment pairs (= reference and test sample) were formed using glass-ceramic blocks in four different colors. Each assessment pair was comprised of two underground blocks differing by one value of lightness. On top of the underground blocks, glass-ceramic platelets were cemented in 5 different thicknesses (0.1 to 0.5 mm) in the same color as the reference. Dental technicians, dentists, and laypersons (n = 41/group) were asked to determine the presence of a color difference between the two samples under standardized light conditions. The threshold ceramic thickness was defined as the thickness at which = 50% of the evaluators were not able to perceive a difference within an assessment pair. The thresholds were analyzed, and groups were compared by applying chi-square test (P < .05). Results: The majority of dentists and dental technicians (> 50%) detected a lightness difference between test and reference samples up to a ceramic thickness of 0.5 mm. The majority of laypersons (= 50%) did not perceive lightness differences with ceramic thicknesses of 0.5 mm. If separated by the different color changes, the threshold ceramic thickness started at 0.4 mm and varied within the groups of evaluators and the lightness of the assessed color. Conclusions: A considerable number of evaluators perceived a lightness difference when minimally invasive ceramic restorations of 0.5-mm thickness were applied. The threshold ceramic thickness, however, was reduced when the lightness of the substrate was lower. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To compare patient adaptation to and satisfaction with new complete dentures fabricated via a duplication construction protocol (DCP) using two different occlusal schemes: bilateral balanced (BBO) and lingualized (LO). Materials and Methods: A total of 20 complete denture wearers who received replacement DCP dentures participated in this study. Of these, 10 participants received complete dentures with a BBO scheme, while the other 10 received DCP dentures with an LO scheme. All of them evaluated their prostheses subjectively through the Oral Health Impact Profile-20 (OHIP-20) and the Complete Denture Satisfaction (CDS) questionnaires before treatment and at 3- and 6-month posttreatment intervals. The new prostheses were also normatively evaluated by recording the location and number of sore spots present at the scheduled early adjustment visits. Data were analyzed with nonparametric tests to identify differences in patient response both between groups and within each group at each evaluation interval (α = .05). Results: The within-group comparisons revealed statistically significant improvement for both denture groups (P < .05), while the between-group comparisons did not show statistically significant differences at the overall evaluation period (P > .05). Significant within-group differences were recorded in the pain, functional limitation, and psychologic disability domains of the OHIP-20 questionnaire, as well as the comfort, esthetics, and stability domains of the CDS questionnaire. Conclusion: Patient adaptation to and satisfaction with newly constructed DCP dentures improved significantly for both BBO and LO denture groups throughout the evaluation period. The mean number of early adjustment visits was equal for both the BBO and LO denture groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To measure the validity and reliability of two gingival shade guides used to represent in vivo gingival color in a Caucasian population sample. Materials and Methods: The CIELAB color space was used to study three gingival reference areas (the free gingival margin, the keratinized gingival body, and the upper part of the keratinized gingiva) in a sample of 259 Caucasian individuals. The color coordinates on the HeraCeram Gingiva and on the IPS d.SIGN physical gingival shade guides were collected to compare with the color coordinates taken in vivo. The coverage errors (CEs) of the two shade guides were calculated using the CIELAB and CIEDE2000 formulas, and each area of the gingiva was compared with the 50:50% acceptability thresholds of ΔE* = 4.6 and ΔE00* = 4.1, respectively. The SpectroShade spectrophotometer was used. Results: IPS d.SIGN showed similar CEs in all three areas and, in all cases, surpassed the 50:50% acceptability threshold. In contrast, HeraCeram Gingiva had a lower CE in the free gingival margin than in the other two areas, and the CE remained below the 50:50% acceptability threshold only for ΔE00*. The HeraCeram Gingiva shade guide had overall CEs (ΔE* = 7.9 and ΔE00* = 5.6) that were significantly lower than obtained for the IPS d.SIGN guide (ΔE* = 9.2 and ΔE00* = 6.8). Conclusion: Statistically significant differences were found in the CEs of both guides, both at the level of the three reference areas and at the global level. For both guides and in both genders, the global CEs calculated with the CIELAB and CIEDE2000 formulas were below the literature data on 50:50% acceptability thresholds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When a clinician sees a patient with a complication, they often go through a Bayesian style of logic, most likely without even knowing it. They assess whether they have seen the complication before, provide an intervention based on historical knowledge of what leads to improvement, and then later assess how the intervention is performed. This process, which is routine in clinical practice, can be mathematically extended into an alternative way of performing statistical analyses to assess clinical research. However, this process is contrary to the most common statistical methods used in dental research: frequentist statistics. Though powerful, frequentist methods come with advantages and disadvantages. Bayesian statistics are an alternative method, one that mirrors how we as researchers think and process new information. In this primer, a walkthrough of Bayesian statistics is performed by constructing priors, defining the likelihood, and using the posterior result to draw conclusions on parameters of interest. The motivating example for this walkthrough was a Bayesian analog to logistic regression, fit using a simulated dental-related dataset of 50 patients who received a dental implant--classified as either within or outside normal limits--from practitioners who did or did not receive a training course in implant placement. The results of the Bayesian and traditional frequentist logistic regression models were compared, resulting in very similar conclusions regarding which parameters seemed to be strongly associated with the outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the winners of the 2024 Frechette Awards, which recognize new investigators in prosthodontics. The winners were Dr. Quang Van Nguyen for his research on enhancing bone regeneration and Dr. Edoardo Mancuso for his research on the effects of preparation designs on overlay restorations. The article also mentions the 2024 Neal Garrett Award, which was awarded to Dr. Gilan Youssef Altonbary for her research on CAD/CAM PEEK versus PMMA implant-overdenture. The article encourages researchers to apply for future awards and provides information on eligibility criteria and submission requirements. [Extracted from the article]

The article announces that Andrej M. Kiel Basa, professor of the Department of Operative Dentistry and Periondontology at the Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin in Germany, has been granted the International Association for Dental Research (IADR) Distinguished Scienctist Award.

Purpose: The results of trials can inform health care decisions. However, this is dependent on both clear and transparent reporting. The aim of this study was to assess the reporting quality of split-mouth trials in implant dentistry in relation to the CONSORT extension checklist for reporting within-person randomized clinical trials (RCTs). Materials and Methods: Split-mouth trials published between January 1, 1997, and September 30, 2020, were identified from four databases. Study characteristics at the level of each trial were extracted. Each trial was assessed against a 37-item checklist and assigned one of four categories. Descriptive statistics and the frequencies of the ratings per checklist item were calculated. A percentage score was calculated per study. Linear regression assessed associations between the aggregate score and the study characteristics. Results: Two hundred forty-four trials were analyzed. More than 50% of the RCTs were published between 2016 and 2020, were published in specialty journals (81.2%), and were interventional-type RCTs (98.4%). Generally, the reporting of checklist items was suboptimal in many areas. The reporting score was predicated by the number of authors (> 7 vs baseline [1 to 4] authors: β: 6.00; 1.48, 10.52; P = .01), authors' continent (Europe vs Americas: β: 5.30; 0.85, 9.74; P = .02), and the number of participants (per-unit increase: β: .07; 0.01, 0.12; P = .02). Conclusion: The reporting of split-mouth trials in implant dentistry seems to be suboptimal. The endorsement and adherence to the CONSORT extension for the within-person trials checklist by journal editors and investigators could improve reporting quality and transparency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article suggests the significance of a new data science named big data science (BD) in the analysis of data on treatment modalities, outcome and healing process in dentistry. Topics include how BD can contribute to data collection in dental research, the difficulty of executing high-quality dental research as dental medicine has been excluded from medical centers such as hospitals and medical organizations, and how BD is being challenged with self-definition as a new field of research.

The article explains the importance of core outcome sets (COS) and of incorporating dental patient-reported outcome measures in clinical trials. It presents recommended steps for the development of COS and cites the use of COS for the assessment of interventions for periodontitis as an example of published COS. Emphasis is given on the reduction of research waste and improvement of translatability of research findings by developing COS for clinical intervention in dentistry.

Purpose: To assess the prevalence of peri-implant diseases (ie, peri-implant mucositis and peri-implantitis) in patients rehabilitated with full-arch, implant-supported restorations. Materials and Methods: A search protocol was developed to answer the following focus question: What is the prevalence of peri-implant diseases in edentulous patients rehabilitated with implant-supported fixed or removable restorations? RCTs, controlled clinical trials, and prospective studies with at least 12 months of follow-up and a minimum of 10 patients having at least one edentulous arch were searched. Results: A total of 18 studies (3 RCTs, 1 nonrandomized controlled trial, and 14 prospective studies) were included. According to a single study, the prevalence of peri-implant mucositis in fully edentulous patients was 57%, corresponding to 47% at the implant level. The prevalence of peri-implant mucositis among patients having at least one edentulous arch ranged between 0% and 13.7% of patients, and from 0% to 20% of implants. In fully edentulous patients, the prevalence of peri-implantitis was found to range between 1.5% and 29.7% of patients and between 2.1% and 20.3% of the implants, while the corresponding values among the patients with at least one edentulous arch were 0% to 25% and 0% to 7.2%, respectively. Conclusion: Edentulous patients (fully edentulous or at least one edentulous arch) restored with either fixed or removable restorations were frequently affected by peri-implant disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To synthesize evidence derived from systematic reviews (SRs) on different interventions for rehabilitation of the edentulous maxilla with implant-supported restorations. Materials and Methods: A protocol-oriented search was established to address the PICO question: What is the current evidence regarding rehabilitation of the edentulous maxilla with different implant-supported prostheses in terms of implant and prosthesis survival? The primary outcomes were implant and prosthesis survival rates evaluated from SRs of clinical studies including adult patients with complete edentulism of the maxilla and comparing different implant-supported rehabilitation strategies. Methodologic quality of the SRs was assessed with the AMSTAR-2 tool. Results: The final selection process led to the inclusion of 36 SRs that were grouped as: (1) addressing maxillae with sufficient bone to place implants; (2) addressing maxillae with insufficient bone to place implants; and (3) comparing different types of prosthesis, number of implants, patient-reported outcomes, and economic evaluations. The literature describes four or more implants as suitable for full-arch fixed prostheses and implant-supported overdentures; in both cases, the overall survival rate is > 95%. Miniimplants present very high short-term failure rates (> 30%). Poor description of technical complications, adjustments, and maintenance and corresponding costs precluded a cost-effectiveness analysis. Conclusion: No implant-supported rehabilitation of the edentulous maxilla (fixed or removable) should be supported on fewer than four implants. A one-piece full-arch fixed dental prosthesis can be supported by a minimum of two anterior axial plus two posterior distally tilted implants or by six to eight axial implants symmetrically distributed through the posterior and anterior regions of the arch. Four to six implants is the advised number to support an overdenture. The use of mini-implants in the maxilla is inadvisable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To undertake a scoping review of the available research on the application of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) in implant prosthodontics, map the available literature in order to highlight possible gaps in knowledge and, if possible, extract clinical guidelines.Materials and Methods: The literature on PEEK in implant prosthodontics published through August 2018 was identified with an online search of MEDLINE (via PubMed), Science Direct, Embase (via Ovid), and Google Scholar databases. Qualitative and quantitative syntheses were carried out for original research studies.Results: The amount of published original research studies was found to be limited. PEEK was found to be applied as a material in the fabrication of implant-supported fixed dental prosthesis (IFDP) frameworks (43%), prosthetic implant abutments (35%), implant abutment screws (15%), and retention clips on implant bars (7%). Only 38% of the studies were clinical studies, while 15% were observational and 47% were in vitro. The studies identified did not permit the estimation of long-term survival nor success rates for any of the prosthetic components. The results only allowed a preliminary short-term assessment of PEEK IFDP frameworks, which presented satisfactory survival but alarming success rates over the first year of service.Conclusion: In light of the paucity of evidence on the viability of PEEK as an implant-prosthodontic material, its use cannot yet be endorsed. Clinicians should heed the suggested protocols to improve mechanical performance and lower the incidence of prosthetic complications. Further high-quality research is needed for an enhanced understanding of the material's viability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses improving the treatment effectivements for dental implants stability through osseodensification, a kind of osseointegration through discussing several studies on this subject. Topics, including bone-to-implant contact, healing, crestal bone loss and histologic evaluations, are discussed.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze the projects submitted to the ITI International Team for Implantology for funding and the scientific publications ensuing from these projects, over a period of 30 years. Materials and Methods: This analysis was performed based on information available in the database of the ITI. For each project, data related to institution, country of origin, and grant status (financed or rejected) were extracted. For the financed projects, the grant amount and number of publications were recorded. Publications were searched independently by two investigators. For all publications, the study topic, study design, and citation number were recorded. Results: From a total of 1,372 submitted projects from 51 different countries and 308 different institutions, 514 (37.46%) were financed by the ITI. This amounts to more than CHF 52 million invested in favor of implant dentistry and related fields. A total of 552 publications (including original research and reviews) were identified related to these projects, with the majority being in vitro studies (n = 198), and the most common topic researched was implant surface modification (n = 134). The United States was the country and the University of Bern was the institution with the largest number of financed projects and published papers. Conclusion: This analysis revealed that the ITI has been actively supporting research in the field of implant dentistry and related areas globally. Several concepts in present-day implantology are based on literature from ITI-funded projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To assess the pattern of bone loss in peri-implantitis in partially edentulous patients and relate patient and implant/site characteristics that may influence such patterns. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, the records of partially edentulous patients with dental implants were stratified according to sex, age, smoking, and diabetes. Implants were stratified according to site, number of years in function, presence of adjacent implants, diameter, bone-grafted site, and implant platform. All these variables were obtained from previous periodontal charts and radiographs. The implants were then classified into two main groups: (1) bone loss as defined by the presence of progressive marginal bone change found on radiographs at least 12 months following prosthesis placement compared to a baseline with a threshold ≥ 2 threads of bone loss; and (2) no bone loss as defined by no detected bone change or bone level change with a threshold < 2 threads. The bone loss group was further divided into three subgroups according to pattern: vertical, horizontal, and combined. Descriptive analyses were applied to assess the frequency of the pattern of bone loss (horizontal, vertical, and combined). A statistical regression model was used to find if there was a significant correlation between patient/implant characteristics and the pattern of bone loss. Results: A total of 304 charts with 540 implants met the inclusion criteria. One randomly selected implant per patient through Microsoft Excel software was included in this study. Of these, 157 (51.6%) of examined charts were men and 147 (48.4%) were women. The patients’ mean age was 63.9 ± 11.4 years (range: 27 to 85 years) at implant placement, and implants had been in function for 12 to 120 months (median: 37 months). The percentage of implants that had bone loss was 24.7% (75 out of 304). The pattern of bone loss was 65%, 22%, and 13% for vertical, horizontal, and combined, respectively. Implants that had been placed in surgically bone-grafted sites had increased odds of vertical bone loss with either narrow or wide implants (OR = 2.5 [P = .04] and 3.1 [P = .01], respectively). The presence of adjacent implants had significantly (P = .003) increased odds of horizontal bone loss (OR = 5.1). Conclusion: Approximately one-quarter of dental implants (24.7%) developed bone loss beyond normal physiologic remodeling. Vertical bone loss around single implants was the most common pattern (65%), particularly around implants placed in bone-grafted sites with odds ratio of 2.5 for narrow implants vs 3.1 for wide implants. In the presence of adjacent implants, the odds of horizontal bone loss was 5.1 (P = .003). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article announces that the study titled "Porphyromonas gingivalis in Alzheimer's Disease Brains: Evidence for Disease Causation and Treatment with Small-Molecule Inhibitors" by Stephen S. Dominiy, Casey Lynch, Florian Ermini, and others was presented with the 2020 Clinical Research Award by the American Academy of Periodontology.

No abstract available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author discusses his scholarship pursuits, professional journeys, and published works related to Per-Ingvar Branemark's research on osseointegration, the history of prosthodontic therapy, and forecasts regarding osseointegration and prosthodontics. Topics include his participation in a randomized clinical trial using osseointegration as anchorage for a hip arthroplasty, and his encouragement of prosthodontists to study published papers to gain knowledge despite the possibility for papers to misinterpret results.

The article calls for dental practitioners to engage into scientific innovation. It points out the complication of complete arch fixed implant prosthesis and the development of high-performance photopolymerized urethane dimethacrylate polymer to change the processing and half-life of the prosthesis. It considers posterior cantilever restorations, which could lead to marginal bone less, as another opportunity for innovation.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to conduct an overview of systematic reviews (SRs) related to aspects of the shortened dental arch (SDA) and its variants and critically appraise the methodologic quality of included SRs using the AMSTAR checklist.Materials and Methods: A comprehensive computerized search and a hand search of reference lists were conducted for SRs related to SDAs to identify publications from 2000 to 2016. All the present authors and a research assistant independently screened the results of the electronic searches using an eligibility form and extracted information using a specially designed prepiloted data extraction form. An 11-question AMSTAR checklist was completed for each included SR. Disputes were resolved by discussion between all researchers, and results were collated and interpreted.Results: For the period of 2007 to 2016, the search yielded nine SRs incorporating 228 related articles. The research questions for each SR differed but were related to SDAs, thus, the included articles were similar across SRs. Characteristics such as aims/objectives, study outcomes, and conclusions of the nine included SRs were compared. The AMSTAR evaluation indicated that five out of nine studies were of a high quality (used a rigorous methodology) and the remaining four were of medium quality. All nine SRs provided designs and characteristics of included studies. None of the SRs assessed publication bias.Conclusion: Of the nine SRs, seven drew positive conclusions regarding the SDA concept, finding it functionally sound, although some suggested that more high-quality primary studies are still needed. The AMSTAR calculation indicated that most included SRs had an acceptable methodologic quality, emphasizing the reliability of their results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to review and evaluate the characteristics of the 300 most-cited articles that have been published in the most important implant dentistry journals. Materials and Methods: A search and selection of the most-cited articles up to October 2014 was conducted for implant journals with the highest impact factors, according to the ISI Web of Science. The 300-most-cited articles were evaluated according to the most commonly studied topics and methodological designs used. The most-cited journals and the number of articles cited by year were calculated. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the results. Results: The most-cited topics consisted of implant success/survival and guided bone regeneration, and the most-cited methodological designs were case series and cohort studies. The most frequently referenced journal was The International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Implants, with 47% of the citations, and the period with the most citations was 1996 to 2000. Conclusion: Longitudinal studies of success and survival have had great scientific impact on the practice of implant dentistry. Awareness of the most-cited articles in implant dentistry will contribute to scientific advances, as it serves to identify the most researched areas, the most frequently used study designs, and areas that require further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article announces that the study "Human Variation in Gingival Inflammation" by Shatha Bamashmous and colleagues was recognized in the 2022 Clinical Research in Periodontology Award.

The author announces two developments in "Quintessence International" journal, including the adoption of QI by the German Society for Dental, Oral and Maxillofacial Medicine (DGZMK) as their official journal, and that the journal will be offered exclusively as an online subscription.

Different parameters can be measured during dental implant insertion to determine the primary stability of the implant. The purpose of this retrospective study was to investigate whether a correlation exists between immediate implant insertion torque value (ITV) and implant stability quotient (ISQ) in nonmolar sites. A total of 59 implants in 52 patients were placed into extraction sockets. ITV was recorded at surgery, and ISQ was recorded at surgery and at followup. Implants with higher ITV and/or ISQ were evaluated at 6 to 8 weeks. An additional 4 to 6 weeks was permitted for implants with lower initial stability values. A nonsignificant correlation coefficient of 0.06 could be found between the measurements at either time point. The data suggests that there is no linear correlation between ITV and ISQ in the measured population. The findings of this study question the requirement of excessively high ITV and ISQ for immediate temporization and as prerequisites for successful osseointegration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reducing the need for a connective tissue graft by using an efficacious biomaterial is an important task for dental professionals and patients. This experimental study aimed to test the soft tissue response to a volume-stable new collagen matrix. The device demonstrated good stability during six different time points ranging from 0 to 90 days of healing with no alteration of the wound-healing processes. The 90-day histologic specimen demonstrates eventual replacement of most of the matrix with new connective tissue fibers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In oral rehabilitation, crown-to-root ratio is accepted as an indicator of bone loss, and this concept was transferred to implants. Recent studies have indicated that there is no significant difference between short and standard implants. The aim of this study was to compare marginal bone level alteration through radiographic evaluation and clinical parameters between short and standard implants supporting single crowns. This prospective clinical trial study included 82 systemically healthy, nonsmoking subjects. Patients were divided into two groups: one group for short dental implants measuring 5.5 or 7 mm, and one group for standard dental implants measuring 10 or 12 mm, in accordance with the individual needs of the patient. A clinical dental history was taken for each subject, including model casts, dental radiography, and cone beam computed tomography. A periapical analysis was also performed using ImageJ computer software to establish the initial bone measurement and periapical bone loss. A statistically significant difference was found in favor of the standard-length implants after 12 months, with greater gingival recession around the implant; however, bone loss in the short implants did not exceed 0.53 mm. The treatment with 5.5- to 7-mm-length implants is as reliable as treatment with 10- or 12-mm implants. Peri-implant bone loss is minimal, and therefore use of short implants can be recommended as treatment for the restoration of partially edentulous patients without the need for splinted crowns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was the retrospective evaluation of the distance of the labial hard and soft tissue margins from the implant shoulder in 24 periodontally compromised sites that were restored by immediate implant restorations. Volumetric analysis was performed 5 years postoperatively using cone beam computed tomography with limited field of view. In all cases, a labial radiopaque plate component was apparent 5 years postoperatively coronal to the implant shoulder (3.1 ± 0.6 mm), supporting the soft tissue margin, which was extending above this level (5.2 ± 1.1 mm). In 12 of the sites, preoperative evaluation showed that this plate was missing at the time of implant placement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This case series aimed to investigate the initial-phase bone remodeling during implant wound healing and to discuss the possible contributing factors. A total of 11 implants with polished collars were placed in premaxillary regions via flapless approach with the aid of computer technology. After 15 months of follow-up, the results suggested that the presence of polished collars triggered bone resorption via a bone remodeling mechanism. The overall vertical crestal resorption was 0.78 ± 0.46 mm on average. This initial-phase bone remodeling primarily occurred within the first 3 months postoperatively. The slightly exposed polished collar may not worsen crestal bone level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A central dental implant success criterion is the marginal bone response as measured longitudinally. Factors that influence marginal bone changes include osseous and soft tissue architecture, occlusal loading factors, implant position, implant design, and inflammatory processes. The evolution of implant design is multifactorial and includes the implant-abutment interface geometries. The primary objective of this study was to compare the proximal marginal bone changes following placement and loading of internal conus design implants (ICI) and external hex design implants (EXI) used in the treatment of posterior partial edentulism. Among 45 enrolled participants, 39 were treated with 47 ICI or 46 EXI implants using a one-stage implant protocol. Prosthetic restoration was completed after 12 weeks using stock titanium abutments and all-ceramic crowns. Follow-up visits including clinical and radiographic examinations were performed 6 months after permanent restoration and then annually for 3 years. Marginal bone level changes, papilla index scores, condition of the peri-implant mucosa, presence of complications, and participant satisfaction were evaluated. The mean marginal bone level change from implant placement to 3 years was –0.25 ± 0.60 mm and –0.5 ± 0.93 mm for ICI and EXI implants, respectively. The change recorded from permanent restoration to 3 years was a gain of 0.31 ± 0.41 mm versus 0.04 ± 0.51 mm for ICI and EXI implants, respectively (P < .05). In the evaluation of interproximal soft tissue 3 years after permanent restoration, 80% of mandibular and 66% of maxillary interproximal ICI sites received papilla scores of 2 and 3, compared with 50% of mandibular and 60% of maxillary interproximal EXI sites. No significant differences in plaque or bleeding scores were recorded. Abutment/healing abutment complications were recorded for 11 EXI versus 1 ICI participant. The vast majority (> 90%) of participants stated they were satisfied or very satisfied with their implant prosthesis and rated function and esthetics highly for both implant types after 3 years in function. Modestly greater marginal bone loss occurred at EXI implants. Further, more positive papilla scores were found between adjacent ICI implants than between adjacent EXI implants. EXI implants displayed more abutment complications than the ICI implants. The implant-abutment interface design may contribute to therapeutic outcome differences. Replacement of missing posterior teeth with unsplinted implants was successful at the implant level and as reported by the participant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was designed to compare the combined effect of two different drilling techniques (conventional expansion and one-step) and four different implant geometries in a beagle dog model. The nondecalcified bone-implant samples underwent histologic/metric analysis at 2 and 6 weeks. Morphologic analysis showed similarities between different drilling technique groups and implant geometries. Histomorphometric parameters, bone-to-implant contact (BIC), and bone area fraction occupancy (BAFO) were analyzed, and no statistical difference between drilling groups and/or implant geometry was found. Time was the only variable that affected BIC and BAFO, suggesting that the two protocols are equally biocompatible and osseoconductive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surface nano- and microtexturing techniques have been used to enhance osseointegration, but how these surfaces work is not well understood. Using the knowledge gained from the cell and molecular biology fields, tissue engineering studies, and their own work, the authors and other researchers have developed surfaces for in vitro and in vivo control of the function of cells and tissues. In the present article, the authors summarize what they know about the process of cell response to surfaces, and what they have done and can do to develop surfaces that control hard- and soft-tissue formation and integration of implants. This article is intended to add to the clinician’s understanding of cell and surface interactions, explain why certain surfaces are currently used, and describe what surfaces clinicians may see in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Dental disease is associated with methamphetamine (MA) use and partly attributed to excessive consumption of sugared sodas. Hence, the purpose of this study was to verify patterns of sugared soda intake and their relationship to oral health.Materials and Methods: Detailed assessments with 541 MA users at two dental clinics were conducted. Assessment included a lifetime history of methamphetamine use, sugared soda consumption and a dental exam.Results: Subjects were predominantly male (80.8%; mean age 44.4 years), on average had used MA for 11.6 years and drank an average of 35.3 sodas per month. Number of days of MA use over the past 30 days was significantly associated with soda consumption. Increased years of MA use was associated with the likelihood of users reporting less overall satisfaction with life because of their teeth, specifically difficulty eating, and dry mouth. This is the first study to show a statistically significant association between MA use and sugared soda consumption.Conclusions: MA users' consumption of sugared sodas is higher than in the adult general population, and this is the first study to show a statistically significant association between MA use and sugared soda consumption. In addition, increased soda consumption was associated with more dental problems among MA users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This retrospective study with a follow-up period of 4 months to 10 years evaluated survival, success, and complication rates of implants placed using osteotome sinus floor elevation (OSFE) without added bone grafting. A total of 926 implants were placed, including 530 short implants (6 mm to 8.5 mm) and 209 implants in low residual bone height (RBH) (< 5 mm). Bone levels were evaluated at approximately 3 months and at 1, 3, and 5 years, and in some cases up to 10 years after implants were placed. The implant survival rate was 98.3% at the 5-year follow-up. Twelve of the 926 implants failed (6 preprosthetic, 6 postprosthetic). The success rate was 95.4% at a threshold of less than 1 mm of bone loss for combined systems (Straumann; Nobel Biocare). Short implant survival and success rates were statistically comparable to conventional-length implants. Low-RBH implants had a lower but acceptable survival rate of 95.7%. Adverse events were rare, with one case of infection and zero cases of vertigo reported. The findings of this study indicate that implant placement with OSFE without added bone graft is highly successful, even when short implants are used in low RBH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Articles reporting survival outcomes (time-to-event outcomes) in patients over time are challenging to identify in the literature. Research shows the words authors use to describe their dental survival analyses vary, and that allocation of medical subject headings by MEDLINE indexers is inconsistent. Together, this undermines accurate article identification. The present study aims to develop and validate a search strategy to identify dental survival analyses indexed in MEDLINE (Ovid).Materials and Methods: A gold standard cohort of articles was identified to derive the search terms, and an independent gold standard cohort of articles was identified to test and validate the proposed search strategies. The first cohort included all 6,955 articles published in the 50 dental journals with the highest impact factors in 2008, of which 95 articles were dental survival articles. The second cohort included all 6,514 articles published in the 50 dental journals with the highest impact factors for 2012, of which 148 were dental survival articles. Each cohort was identified by a systematic hand search. Performance parameters of sensitivity, precision, and number needed to read (NNR) for the search strategies were calculated.Results: Sensitive, precise, and optimized search strategies were developed and validated. The performances of the search strategy maximizing sensitivity were 92% sensitivity, 14% precision, and 7.11 NNR; the performances of the strategy maximizing precision were 93% precision, 10% sensitivity, and 1.07 NNR; and the performances of the strategy optimizing the balance between sensitivity and precision were 83% sensitivity, 24% precision, and 4.13 NNR. The methods used to identify search terms were objective, not subjective. The search strategies were validated in an independent group of articles that included different journals and different publication years.Conclusions: Across the three search strategies, dental survival articles can be identified with sensitivity up to 92%, precision up to 93%, and NNR of less than two articles to identify relevant records. This research has highlighted the impact that variation in reporting and indexing has on article identification and has improved researchers' ability to identify dental survival articles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]