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Introduction/Objective. Low-level laser therapy has been suggested as an alternative pain relief therapy in temporomandibular disorder patients. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of low-level laser therapy on reducing pain intensity in temporomandibular disorder patients, compared to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Methods. A total of 63 patients diagnosed with Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders were divided into two groups. In the first group of 35 patients, low-level laser therapy was applied three times a week, 15 treatment sessions during five weeks (wavelength: 780 nm; power density: 70 mW/ cm2; radiant energy: 4.2 J; energy density: 4.2 J/cm2; total treatment dose: 16.8 J/cm2). The second group included 28 participants subjected to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs therapy (ibuprofen) during two weeks (first three days 3 ? 400 mg, remaining time 2 ? 400 mg per day). Pain was evaluated using 100 mm visual analog scale, at the baseline, during therapy, two weeks and three months after treatments. Results. Statistically significant reduction of pain intensity was achieved in both low-level laser therapy and in nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs therapy groups and remained steady in the follow-up period of three months (p < 0.01). Differences in visual analog scale scores between the observed groups were not statistically significant in each of the evaluation periods, (p = 0.375, p = 0.665, p = 0.52, respectively). Conclusion. The low-level laser therapy protocol applied in this research was efficient in reducing pain in patients with temporomandibular disorders.

Due to the development of digital technologies, the modern concept of prosthetic-guided implantology is based on non-invasive surgical and restorative techniques. Computer-aided planning, computer-guided workup and computerguided surgery have largely ensured the predictability of the therapeutic outcome. This is supported by research data related to the frequency of implant therapy, according to which in the first half of 2020 there was an increase of 9.7%. However, anatomical limitations remain a challenge for the implant team. The most common problem related to implant therapy in edentulous patients is limited edentulous space in one or more spatial planes. Improving the design of surgical guides facilitates implantation in spatially limited and complex cases. By introducing interactive computed tomography into the field of implantology, a three-dimensional approach to every aspect of planning and implantation has become possible.

Introduction/Objective. Nasolacrimal duct obstruction with consequent epiphora and the development of dacryocystitis (DC) represents a common pathological entity in the clinical practice of ophthalmologists and maxillofacial surgeons. The etiology of DC is multifactorial and still has not been clarified in detail. It is considered that ascending infections from the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses, injuries and surgical interventions in the middle third of the face, dacryoliths, tumors of the lacrimal sac and surrounding structures may be some of the etiological factors of nasolacrimal duct obstruction. The aim of this study is to present clinical characteristics and surgical treatment of DC. Methods. A retrospective study was carried out. It covered a period of 10 years during which 49 patients with clinically verified DC were treated after surgical examination and complete diagnostics. Out of the total number, 37 patients underwent surgery. Results. The occurrence of predisposing factors was present in 80% of the patients ? rhinitis and the inflammation of paranasal sinuses in 27 patients (72%), injuries and surgical interventions in the middle third of the face in nine patients (24%), whereas lacrimal sac and nasolacrimal duct tumors were noted in three patients (8%). Surgical failure, which was manifested in terms of recurrent DC and epiphora, was noted in six cases (16%). Conclusion. Regarding the possible complications of inadequately administered antibiotic therapy and a broad spectrum of pathological entities which comprise the differential diagnosis, dacryocystorhinostomy with an adequate histopathological analysis and appropriate antibiotic therapy in the acute stage represents a right way for the treatment of DC.

In this research work, we synthesised poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) enriched with 2 wt.% zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO) through conventional heat polymerisation and characterised its microstructure. It was found that the distribution of ZnO nanoparticles was homogeneous through the volume of the PMMA. The mechanical testing of the PMMA-ZnO composite primarily included the determination of the compressive properties on real dentures, while density measurements were performed using a pycnometer. The testing of functional properties involved the identification of the colour of the new PMMA-ZnO composite, where pure PMMA acted as a control. In the second step, the PMMA-ZnO cytotoxicity assays were measured in vitro, which were shown to be similar to the control PMMA. Based on this, it could be concluded that the newly formed PMMA-ZnO composite did not induce direct or indirect cytotoxic effects in L929 cell cultures, therefore, according to ISO/DIN 10993-5:2009, this composite was categorised as non-cytotoxic.

Introduction/Objective. The pain that originates from musculoskeletal structures of the mastication system is one of the symptoms belonging to the category of temporomandibular disorders or temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD). The objective of the research was to evaluate the effect of therapy with stabilizing occlusal splint in the control of painful symptoms of TMD in comparison with the effect of drug therapy. Methods. Using standard Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders diagnostic protocol proposed by Dworkin and LeResche, a group of 44 patients with painful TMD was included. The patients were divided into three treatment groups by random selection. The first group was treated with stabilization occlusal splint for a period of one month. In the two control groups, therapy with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug ibuprofen (Brufen, Mylan, Canonsburg, PA, USA) or a combination therapy of ibuprofen and diazepam, a medication from the benzodiazepine family (Diazepam, Hemofarm, Vrsac, Serbia) was carried out over a period of three weeks. In order to assess the effects of the therapy with stabilizing occlusal splint and the drug therapy, before and after the therapy, pain intensity measurements were performed with visual analogue scale and digital pressure algometer. Results. A significant reduction in the intensity of painful symptoms was achieved in all three therapeutic groups. No significant differences in the effectiveness of pain reduction between the proposed therapeutic modalities were noted. Conclusion. The obtained results confirm that the therapy with stabilization occlusal splint is a valid procedure in the reduction of pain in patients with TMD.

Cancers of the oral tongue (OT) and floor of the mouth (FOM) are frequently grouped together as carcinomas of the tongue and floor of the mouth (OTFOM). The incidence rate of these cancers varies worldwide from 0.1/100,000 persons a year for females in Algeria, Chile and Korea to 7.4/100,000 persons a year for men in New Delhi, India. The aim of this study was to analyze the trends in age-standardized incidence rates of oral tongue cancer in the Belgrade population during the period of past 12 years. The data were obtained from the Serbian Cancer Registry (The Registry). Age-standardized incidence rates were calculated using the direct standardization method to the world standard population and presented as an incidence rate per 100,000 persons a year. Joinpoint regression analysis was used to analyze the trends and annual percentage change (APC). The results of the joinpoint regression analysis showed an increasing trend of OT cancers for both genders, with an APC of 4.1% among men and 1.7 % among women. The incidence rate for FOM cancers increased, with an APC of 4.8% among men and 6.8% among women. Our results showed a continuously increasing incidence rate of oral tongue and floor of the mouth carcinoma in the capital of the Republic of Serbia.

Background/Aim. Many studies investigated association between stress, anxiety or personality traits and sleep bruxism (SB), but results are still contradictory. We aimed to investigate whether there is a relation between clinically diagnosed sleep bruxism and salivary cortisol levels as one of the major stress biomarkers and to examine psychological factors and personality traits specific to sleep bruxism. Methods. A total of 23 sleep bruxism patients and 42 healthy non-sleep bruxism adults participated in this study. Diagnose of sleep-bruxism was assessed by selfreport and clinical examination and also confirmed by bedpartner. Morning saliva was collected from all participants for analyses of the cortisol level. Sleep bruxism patients underwent a psychodiagnostic personality interpretation using the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory ? MMPI-202 test. Results. Statistically significant difference between levels of morning salivary cortisol in the group of SB patients and the control group was recorded (t = 2.943, p < 0.01). Analysis of the personality profiles indicated that the sleep bruxism patients avoid contact with unpleasant feelings, especially depression, suppress the aggression and censor the expression of anger and rage. Conclusion. This study showed that patients with sleep bruxism have higher levels of salivary cortisol. Personality traits such as depression, hypomania and suppressed aggression were found to be common characteristics in patients with sleep bruxism. Present findings might support the hypothesis that sleep bruxism and psychological states such as stress may be related, but the cross-sectional nature of this study does not allow us to draw conclusions about the causal relationship between stress, personality traits and sleep bruxism.

SummaryThe term necrotizing fasciitis (NF) was first used by Wilson in 1952, who described this rare, however, progressive infection that primarily affects the fascia and subcutaneous tissues. Necrotizing fasciitis may affect any part of the body; however, it usually appears on the extremities. The most common microorganisms isolated in NF areStaphylococcus aureus, groupA Streptococci, andEscherichia Coli.We are presenting the case of a sixty-seven-year old woman, who was admitted for the perforation of painful edema of the left cheek. Clinical examination of the anterior two-thirds of the left cheek revealed a defect of the full thickness of the skin, 3×4 cm in size. During the patient’s hospitalization she was treated by parenterally administered broad-spectrum antibiotics, necrotomy, fasciotomy of the cheek and the extraction of the remaining roots in the 3rdand 4thquadrant.Necrotic fasciitis is a rare, rapidly progressive infection of soft tissues, which, if untimely diagnosed and treated, may be life-threatening. The prognosis of treatment depends on the early recognition of the disease. It is treated with aggressive surgical debridement followed by antibiotic therapy.

Nasal defects can occur as a result of head and neck trauma, or due to partial or complete ablation or resection of the tumor in the nasal area and surroundings. Smaller defects can be reconstructed surgically while large defects are mainly reconstructed combined surgically and prosthetically. The aim of this paper was to present prosthetic reconstruction of the nasal defect by colored vinyl polysiloxane prosthesis retained with craniofacial basal disc implants. An adequate aesthetics and stability of the prosthesis was achieved during mandible and mimic muscles movements., Defekti nosa mogu nastati kao posledica traume glave i vrata ili usled delimične ili potpune ablacije, odnosno resekcije tumora predela nosa i okoline. Manji defekti nosa se rekonstruišu hirurški, dok se veliki defekti uglavnom rekonstruišu kombinovano, kako hirurški tako i protetski. Cilj ovoga rada bio je da se prikaže protetska rekonstrukcija defekta nosa protezom izrađenom od vinil-polisiloksana u boji sa retencijom preko kraniofacijalnih bazalnih disk-implantata. Ovakvom protetskom nadoknadom postignute su zadovoljavajuća estetika i stabilnost proteze pri pokretima mandibule i mimičnih mišića.

Hypodontia of upper lateral incisors is significant aesthetic problem in young people. Ideal solution to this problem would be an implant placement, but there is a problem of unfinished growth and development. It is therefore necessary to have a temporary solution in order to maintain normal stomatognathic system functions and solve aesthetic problems until the final restoration is placed. The aim of this study was to show the possibility of treating hypodontia of permanent upper lateral incisors by creating adhesive bridge in one visit. A 15-year-old patient was referred to the Department for Prosthodontics, School of Dental Medicine in Belgrade with hypodontia of permanent upper lateral incisors. The patient had braces until 14 years of age after which she was rehabilitated with partial denture that was neither aesthetically nor functionally acceptable solution for her and significantly affected her emotional security. The adhesive bridge was made using GC composite fibers and a set of GC composite materials for the purpose of temporary replacement of missing teeth. This treatment provided good functional and aesthetic results. The space for the placement of two endosseous implants is preserved and a period of adaptation positively influenced the patient’s social development in sensitive adolescent age.

Summary Ameloblastoma, a semi-benign odontogenic tumor, is divided into four subtypes based on the clinical presentation, radiological manifestations and histological characteristics. Radiologically, it manifests itself in the form of uni- or multicystic intrabony expansive lesions, with destruction of the medullary zone of the existing bone, resorption and possible perforation of the buccal and lingual cortex. The patient, a 62-year-old woman, came to the Clinic for Maxillofacial Surgery in Niš with an anamnestically present painless tumefaction in the anterior segment of the mandible present for the past three years. In the course of an intraoral examination in the region of symphysis and parasymphysis of the lower jaw on the left side, an oval-shaped tumor was spotted, 5x3 cm in size; palpation showed that it was hard, painless and motionless. Multislice computed tomography (MSCT) of the oro - and hypopharynx and neck showed an extensive tumor formation of the soft tissue density in the anterior segments of the lower jaw, with the signs of destruction of bone tissue of the buccal and lingual cortex of the lower jaw. The frequency of recurrence depends on the histological type of ameloblastoma and the degree of radicalism of the performed surgical intervention. Ameloblastoma in most cases is definitely diagnosed in the advanced stage of the disease due to the absence of symptoms and very slow tumor progression.

Implant stability is a principal precondition for the success of implant therapy. Extraoral implants (EO) are mainly used for anchoring of maxillofacial epithesis. However, assessment of implant stability is mostly based on principles derived from oral implants. The aim of this study was to investigate clinical stability of EO craniofacial disk implants (single, double, and triple) by resonance frequency analysis at different stages of the bone's healing. Twenty patients with orbital (11), nasal (5), and auricular (4) defects with 50 EO implants placed for epithesis anchorage were included. Implant stability was measured 3 times; after implant placement, at 3 months and at least after 6 months. A significant increase in implant stability values was noted between all of the measurements, except for triple-disk implants between third and sixth months, and screw implants between 0 and third months. Disk implants showed lower implant stability quotient (ISQ) values compared with screw implants. Triple-disk implants showed better stability compared with single and double-disk implants. Based on resonance frequency analysis values, disk implants could be safely loaded when their ISQ values are 38 (single disks), 47 (double disks), and 48 (triple disks). According to resonance frequency analysis, disk implant stability increased over time, which showed good osseointegration and increasing mineralization. Although EO screw implants showed higher ISQ values than disk implants, disk-type implants can be safely loaded even if lower values of stability are measured.

Summary Aesthetic outcome of implant therapy involves the appropriate architecture of peri-implant soft tissue and interdental papilla. The dynamic compression technique of soft tissue is mentioned in contemporary literature as one of the methods for achieving optimal emergence profile. The aim of this case report was to present soft tissue prosthetic modeling with temporary crowns on implants for obtaining an emergence profile of final restoration. A 25-year-old female patient with missing left maxillary central incisor was referred to the Department of Oral Surgery School of Dental Medicine University in Belgrade for dental implant placement. After detailed planning, implant placement of Straumann Bone level implant NC Ø 3, 3×12 mm (Straumann® Bone Level NC), in the position of 21 was performed. Upon completion of osseointegration period, screw retained laboratory temporary crown was fabricated. During the next 3 months emergence profile was scalloped by creating additional pressure on the soft tissue with periodic adding the composite resin material to a temporary crown. The created emergence profile was transferred to the master cast by using customized impression coping, making possible fabrication of the final implant restoration according to the design made with provisional restoration. Soft tissue conditioning using temporary dental restorations on implants presents a non-invasive method with predictable aesthetic result.

SUMMARY Orbital defects after tumor resection (exenteration of orbital content) have been traditionally reconstructed with adhesive-retained craniofacial prostheses, also known as epistheses. The breakthrough in rehabilitation of facial defects with implant-retained prostheses has come with development of modern silicones (vynilpolysiloxane) and bone anchorage called osseointegration. Craniofacial implant technology offers improved reconstructive options to patients. This paper describes therapeutical procedure on a patient who received craniofacial implant-retained orbital prosthesis after orbital exenteration. The patient reported excellent prosthesis handling and stability

In this research, the structure changes along the depth gradient layers of titanium substrate, after etching with NaOH and subsequent thermal treatment at various temperatures between 300 and 800 degrees C, were investigated by XRD, FTIR and AES. Particularly, the changes of Ti substrate after etching with NaOH, subsequent ionic exchange of Na+ with Ca2+ ions and thermal treatment at 700 degrees C were analysed. Due to this approach, it was possible to get insight into the chemical changes and changes of Ti oxidation states and consequent phase analysis, along the depth of the titanium oxide coatings. In addition, Secondary Electron Imaging (SEI) showed very interesting nanotopology of all samples. Particularly interesting topology, consisting of very thin nano-designed walls between mutually interconnected pores, was observed for the sample in which Na+ were replaced with Ca2+ ions. This structure might be suitable for deposition of hydroxyapatite by biomimetic or plasma methods and as an appropriate scaffold for cell adhesion and proliferation. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Background/Aim. Dimensional stability and accuracy of an impression after chemical disinfection by immersion in disinfectants are crucial for the accuracy of final prosthetic restorations. The aim of this study was to assess the deformation of addition and condensation silicone impressions after disinfection in antimicrobial solutions. Methods. A total of 120 impressions were made on the model of the upper arch representing three full metal-ceramic crown preparations. Four impression materials were used: two condensation silicones (Oranwash L - Zhermack and Xantopren L Blue - Heraeus Kulzer) and two addition silicones (Elite H-D + regular body - Zhermack and Flexitime correct flow - Heraeus Kulzer). After removal from the model the impressions were immediately immersed in appropriate disinfectant (glutaraldehyde, benzalkonium chloride - Sterigum and 5.25% NaOCl) for a period of 10 min. The control group consisted of samples that were not treated with disinfectant solution. Consecutive measurements of identical impressions were realized with a Canon G9 (12 megapixels, 2 fps, 6x/24x), and automated with a computer Asus Lamborghini VX-2R Intel C2D 2.4 GHz, by using Remote Capture software package, so that time-depending series of images of the same impression were obtained. Results. The dimensional changes of all the samples were significant both as a function of time and the applied disinfectant. The results show significant differences of the obtained dimensional changes between the group of condensation silicones and the group of addition silicones for the same time, and the same applied disinfectant (p = 0.026, F = 3.95). Conclusion. The greatest dimensional changes of addition and condensation silicone impressions appear in the first hour after their separation from the model., Uvod/Cilj. Dimenzionalna stabilnost i preciznost otiska posle hemijske dezinfekcije potapanjem u dezinficijens predstavljaju osnovu za preciznost definitivnih zubnih nadoknada. Cilj ovog istraživanja bio je da se proceni dimenzionalna stabilnost otisaka izrađenih od adicionih i kondenzacionih silikona posle dezinfekcije u antimikrobnim rastvorima. Metode. Napravljen je uzorak od 120 otisaka, dobijenih otiskivanjem modela gornje vilice sa ispreparisanim zubima za metalokeramičke krune. Od otisnih materijala korišćena su dva kondenzaciona silikona (Oranwash L - Zhermack i Xantopren L Blue - Heraeus Kulzer) i dva adiciona silikona (Elite H-D + regular body - Zhermack i Flexitime correct flow - Heraeus Kulzer). Odmah po odvajanju od modela, otisci su potopljeni u odgovarajući dezinficijens (glutaraldehid, benzalkonijum-hlorid - Sterigum i 5,25% NaOCl) u trajanju od 10 min. Kontrolnu grupu činili su uzorci koji nisu tretirani dezinficijensom. Uzastopna merenja istovetnih otisaka vršena su pomoću fotoaparata Canon G9 (12 megapiksela, 2 fps, 6x/24x), a automatizovana sa računara Asus VX 2R Lamborghini- Intel C2D 2,4 GHz, korišćenjem opcija softverskog paketa Remote Capture tako da su dobijene vremenske serije fotografija istog otiska. Rezultati. Utvrđene su izražene dimenzionalne promene svih uzoraka kako u funkciji vremena tako i u funkciji primenjenog dezinficijensa. Rezultati pokazuju postojanje značajnih razlika dimenzionalnih promena između grupe kondenzacionih silikona i grupe adicionih silikona za isto vreme i isti primenjeni dezinficijens (p = 0,026, F = 3,95). Zaključak. Najveće dimenzionalne promene otisaka uzetih adicionim i kondenzacionim silikonima beleže se u prvom satu po odvajanju sa modela.

Introduction. Facial defects may arise as a result of head and neck trauma or facial tumor ablation. Minor defects can be reconstructed surgically while large defects usually need combined surgical and prosthetic reconstruction. The aim of this study was to present the prosthetic reconstruction of the lateral facial defect using facial colored acrylic prosthesis. Case Report. A male patient with a maxillary defect on the left side and a large lateral facial defect on the same side received an obturator prosthesis as well as a facial colored acrylic prosthesis (facial-orbit) retained by the glasses frame. Satisfied aesthetics was accomplished. However, the stability of the prostheses during mandibular movements could not be achieved which resulted in saliva leakage over the lips. Conclusion. Better functional and aesthetic outcome could be achieved by combined surgical and prosthetic treatment of such large facial defect.

Craniomandibular dysfunction (CMD) is a set of structural and functional disorders of different etiology that affects temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and orofacial muscles. The most common etiologic factors are psychogenic, occlusal, trauma and congenital anomalies of craniofacial structures. About 75% of the examined population have mild symptoms of CMD while 3-4% have more severe symptoms which require medical attention. The main symptoms why people seek for medical attention are: facial pain which increases with chewing and irradiates in surrounding areas and pain in TMJ which irradiates in the ear canal, temporal area or neck. Painful restriction of mandible during mouth opening and eccentric movements is frequent as well as mandible deviation or deflection. Sound effects in TMJ such as popping or clicking during mouth opening are common. Initial and least invasive therapeutic procedure is reversible occlusal therapy using splints. There are two main types of occlusal splints: stabilization and relaxation. First type of splints works on condyle stabilization in orthopedically stable position; it is superoanterior condylar position in articular fossa with position of intercondylar discs between condyle and articular fossa when working cusps of the antagonists are in maximal contact with the splint. Another type of splint causes disocclussion of posterior teeth and eliminates negative effects of occlusal interference in the intercuspal position or during eccentric mandibular movements. During therapy, occlusal splint temporarily changes occlusal relationships as well as relations within TMJ, causing reduction of CMD symptoms. The best therapeutic effect for reduction of CMD symptoms is achieved by combination of physical therapy and medication.

Aim: To report the case of a patient who underwent facial reconstruction with nasal epithesis anchored on basal (disk) implants after ablation of midface squamous cell carcinoma. Methods: Ablative surgery of the midface region and insertion of 3 basal implants into the glabellar area of the frontal bone, the upper part of the right side of the alveolar crest, and the lateral side of the maxillary bone, which forms the left lateral wall of the nose, respectively, was performed. Implants were placed at the time of the primary surgical attempt. Results: After an unloaded osseointegration phase of 3 months, all implants appeared well integrated according to radiologic criteria and clinical stability At the end of the osseointegration process, the final epithesis was delivered. Epithesis was anchored to the bars that were fabricated to provide retention and better stability, whereas the implant on the left side was used individually only to improve stability. At the control examinations after 1, 3, 6, 12, and 18 months, respectively, there were no signs of recurrence of the tumor or any complications related to the implants. Conclusions: Disk implants that were applied to our patient present all excellent alternative, particularly in cases with minimal available bone. resulting in reduced complications in elderly oncologic patients.

The all-ceramic endocrowns are one piece restoration used in the therapy of endodontically treated teeth, usually, with a decreased vertical dimension of the tooth crown. The aim of this paper is to describe two techniques of the making of endocrowns using case studies and to present the advantages and disadvantages of both techniques by way of their comparison. Chair-side production with the Cerec CAD-CAM system and pressing of the ceramic with the Empres II system was used for the production of the endocrowns. Cerec CAD-CAM and Empres II systems yielded equally good results in the production of the endocrowns, in terms of their functionality, retention, aesthetic and duration. The basic difference between them is the length of the endocrown production procedure as the Cerec CAD-CAM system makes it possible to apply the treatment during a single visit using a wide range of materials…., Bezmetalne endokrune su jednokomadne nadoknade koje se koriste u terapiji endodontski lečenih zuba u uslovima smanjene vertikalne dimenzije krunice zuba. Cilj ovog rada je bio da se na slučajevima iz kliničke prakse predstave dve tehnike izrade endokruna i da se poređenjem karakteristika tih sistema ukaže na njihove prednosti i nedostatke. Kod jednog pacijenta, za izradu endokruna korišćena je jednoseansna izrada Cerec CAD-CAM sistemom, a kod drugog presovanje keramike Empres II sistemom. Obe tehnike, i Cerec CAD - CAM i Empress II sistem, pokazale su podjednako dobre rezultate, u smislu funkcionalnosti, retencije, estetike i dugotrajnosti endokruna. Osnovna razlika je u trajanju procedure izrade endokruna jer Cerec CAD - CAM sistem omogućava tretman u samo jednoj poseti pacijenta i koristi širu paletu gradivnih materijala.

Introduction: Porcelain to metal fused alloys with Au content are most frequently used in dentistry. Their characteristic is high biocompatibility and well fusion to ceramics. Aim of the study: The aim of this study was to present the procedure of production and technology of developing the new dental alloy with high gold content (Au). Materials and Methods: The dental alloy was melted and cast in a vacuum-induction melting furnace. Casting was followed by subsequent thermo-mechanical treatments (the procedures of profile and polish milling, and thermal treatment) and the cutting strips into regular shapes. Testing of the new Au dental alloy included an examination of alloy’s final condition. The measurement of hardness was carried out according to standard 6507-1:1998, and static tensile testing was performed for determination of the mechanical properties. Microscopic analysis of the dental alloy and the finished metal-ceramic bridge included an observation of the polished surface, and by performing qualitative and quantitative micro-chemical analyses. Results: The mechanical properties and hardness of new dental gold alloy was: Rp0.=630 [N/mm2], Rm =710 [N/mm2], A= 9%, 170 HV and CTE (25-600°C) about 14,55×10-6K-1. Macro-inspection of the finished metalceramic bridge showed that there was no porosity. However, during scanning electron microscopic examination, one of the tested sample shows porosity in one alloy region and in the ceramic layer. Detailed examination of the ceramic layer’s surface showed that there were two types of air or gas bubbles - larger with distinct bubbles (type I) and smaller with clearly porous microstructure (type II). Conclusions: According to the results of this study, it can be concluded that this new dental alloy from Zlatarna Celje satisfied all the required standards regarding mechanical properties and hardness. The application of new dental alloy with high gold content depends on the adequate technology when firing ceramics. It is necessary to obtain accurate oxidation temperature and cooling rates of metal-ceramic restorations because, otherwise, different defects may appear., Uvod: Visoko plemenite legure za metal-keramiku (PFM legure - porcelain fused to metal alloy) su najviše korišćene legure u stomatologiji a odlikuje ih visoka biološka prihvatljivost i dobro vezivanje sa keramikom. Cilj: Cilj ovog rada bio je da prikaže postupak dobijanja i tehnologiju razvoja i izrade nove dentalne legure sa visokim sadržajem zlata (Au). Materijal i metod: Pretapanje komponenti dentalne legure izvedeno je u vakuumskoj peći. Tome je sledila naknadna termo-mehanička obrada odlivka (postupcima profilnog i polirnog valjanja, toplotna obrada) kao i sečenje dobijene trake u propisani oblik. Testiranje nove Au dentalne legure uključivalo je testiranje izlaznog stanja legure. Merenje tvrdoće sprovedeno je po standardu 6507-1:1998, dok je za određivanje mehaničkih karakteristika upotrebljeno statično istezanje. Mikroskopska analiza dentalnih legura i završenog metal-keramičkog mosta uključivala je posmatranje polirane površine i izvođenje kvalitativne i kvantitativne mikro-hemijske analize. Rezultati: Mehaničke karakteristike i tvrdoća nove dentalne legure sa visokim sadržajem zlata iznosi Rp0.=630 [N/mm2], Rm =710 [N/mm2], A= 9%, 170 HV, a CTE (25-600°C) iznosi oko 14,55×10-6K-1. Makroskopski na površini metala i potom sinterovane keramike nije uočena poroznost dok je mikroskopskim pregledom ustanovljeno da je na pojedinim mestima jednog uzorka vidna poroznost metalne konstrukcije mosta kao i keramičke površine u vidu većih mehurića (tip I) i manjih sa izrazito poroznom mikrostrukturom (tip II). Zaključak: Na osnovu dobijenih rezultata može se zaključiti, da nova dentalna legura Zlatarne Celje odgovara propisanim standardima u pogledu mehaničkih karakteristika i tvrdoće. Neophodno je primeniti pravilnu temperaturu oksidacije i režim hlađenja fiksne zubne nadoknade, jer u suprotnom može doći do nastanka različitih defekata.

Background/Aim. Immediate loading is considered to be the most innovative technique in contemporary implant dentistry. Recent clinical and experimental findings have demonstrated that only implants with high primary stability can be subjected to immediate loading protocol with predictable results. It is generally accepted that the most important prerequsite for successful osseointegration is achievement and maintenance of implant stability. The aim of this in vivo study was to investigate the possibility for successful application of immediate loading protocol in implant systems with different surface properties. Methods. In the experimental study 2 mongrel dogs were edentulated bilaterally in the mandibular and maxillary premolar areas. After 3 months implants were placed in a pattern 4 different commercially available implants per quadrant (n = 32): Mk III TiUnite (Nobel Biocare, Sweden), ITI TPS (Straumann, Switzerland), 3IOsseotite (Implant Innovation, USA) and XiVE Cell-Plus (Friadent, Germany). Implants were subjected to immediate loading with 4 unit gold cast bridges, 2 days post implantation. The assessment of implant stability and immediate loading possibilities were done by performing Resonance frequency analysis (RFA). Results. After a 6- month loading period all bridges were in function and all implants occurred well osseointegrated. When summarizing the Implant Stability Quotient (ISQ) values, it was noted that resonance frequency was significantly higher for mandibular implants. The results of this experimental setting showed that all evaluated surfaces achieved good implant stability. Increase of ISQ values was found for all implants in the mandible and partially decrease of ISQ values for maxillary implants after 6 months of functional loading with 4 unit bridges. Conclusions. Investigated endooseal implants did not show different degree of osseointegration, because there was not statistically significant difference among observed parameters (ISQh i ISQp) between implant systems., Uvod/Cilj. Imedijatno opterećenje implantata smatra se jednim od najznačajnijih dostignuća savremene dentalne implantologije. Rezultati novijih kliničkih i eksperimentalnih studija pokazali su da samo implantati visoke primarne stabilnosti mogu biti izloženi protokolu imedijatnog opterećenja zubnom nadoknadom sa predvidivim ishodom. Cilj studije bio je da se ispita mogućnost uspešne primene protokola imedijatnog opterećenja implantata različitog mikrodizajna fiksnim zubnim nadoknadama. Metode. U eksperimentalno istraživanje uključena su dva psa, obezubljena obostrano u premolarnoj regiji gornje i donje vilice. Nakon tri meseca od ekstrakcije zuba, ugrađena su, po predviđenoj šemi, četiri različita implantata po kvadrantu (n = 32): Mk III TiUnite (Nobel Biocare, Sweden), ITI TPS (Straumann, Switzerland), 3I-Osseotite (Implant Innovation, USA) i XiVE Cell-Plus (Friadent, Germany). Implantati su imedijatno opterećeni fiksnim zubnim nadoknadama, četvoročlanim mostovima od plemenite legure zlato-platina, dva dana posle implantacije. Stabilnost implantata i mogućnost imedijatnog opterećenja ocenjivana je na osnovu analize rezonantnih frekvencija (RFA). Rezultati. Šest meseci nakon implantacije i imedijatnog opterećenja fiksnom zubnom nadoknadom, svi mostovi bili su u funkciji i svi implantati uspešno integrisani, ne pokazujući znake mobilnosti. Sumiranjem dobijenih vrednosti koeficijenta stabilnosti implantata (ISQ) ustanovljeno je da su rezonantne frekvencije bile značajno veće kod implantata u donjoj vilici. Rezultati eksperimentalnog istraživanja pokazali su da su sve analizirane površine ostvarile dobru implantatnu stabilnost. Utvrđen je porast ISQ vrednosti kod svih implantata u mandibuli i delimičan pad ISQ vrednosti za implantate u maksili, nakon šest meseci funkcionalnog opterećenja fiksnim zubnim nadoknadama. Zaključak. Ispitivani endoosealni implantati nisu pokazali različit stepen oseointegracije jer se rezultati merenih parametara hirurških (ISQh) i protetkih (ISQp), nisu statistički značajno razlikovali između implantatnih sistema.