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BACKGROUND & AIM The aim of this study was to assess the reconstructive potential of a submerged healing approach for the treatment of infraosseous peri-implantitis defects. METHODS Patients with a diagnosis of peri-implantitis were recruited. Implant suprastructures were removed prior to the surgical treatment, which included implant surface and defect detoxification using implantoplasty, air-power driven devices, and locally delivered antibiotics. The augmentation procedure included a composite bone graft and a non-resorbable membrane followed by primary wound coverage and a submerged healing of 8 months, at which point membranes were removed, and peri-implant defect measurements were obtained as the primary outcome. Secondary endpoints included assessment of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and probing depth (PD) reductions. RESULTS Thirty implants in twenty-two patients were treated. A significant clinical bone gain of 3.22 ± 0.41 mm was observed at 8 months. Radiographic analysis also showed an average gain of 3.47 ± 0.41 mm. Three months after installment of new crowns, final PD measures showed a significant reduction compared to initial examinations and a significant reduction in bleeding on probing compared to examinations at the pre-surgical visit. CONCLUSIONS Reconstruction of infraosseous peri-implantitis defects is feasible with thorough detoxification of implant sites, and a submerged regenerative healing approach. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Objective To provide a contemporary and comprehensive overview of the hard and soft tissue biological structures surrounding an osseointegrated dental implant (peri-implant referred to as the peri-implant phenotype), in the context of peri-implant esthetic complications. Overview The individual components of the peri-implant phenotype (keratinized mucosa width, mucosal thickness, supracrestal tissue height, and the peri-implant buccal bone) have been linked to different aspects of implant esthetics, as well as health-related aspects. At the time of implant therapy, respecting the biology of the peri-implant hard and soft tissues, and anticipating their remodeling patterns can alleviate future esthetic complications. Conclusions While the current literature may not allow for a point-by-point evidence based-recommendation for the required amount of each peri-implant structure, bearing in mind the proposed values for the components of the peri-implant phenotype, at the time of and prior to implant therapy can lead to more predictable treatment outcomes, and the avoidance of esthetic complications. Clinical significance Knowledge of hard and soft tissue components surrounding and osseointegrated dental implant, and their underlying biological remodeling process is crucial for carrying out a successful therapy and alleviating possible future esthetic challenges.

The new classification of periodontal diseases recognizes the key role of the interdental clinical attachment for defining the periodontal status and the extent of disease severity. Regenerating interdental clinical attachment not only improves the prognosis of the tooth, but it also lessens the severity of the disease condition. This manuscript provides a state-of-the-art review on surgical reconstructive approaches for treating papillary deficiency associated with soft and hard tissue interproximal defects. Combination therapy of papilla preservation, connective tissue grafting, and coronally advanced flaps may result in regeneration of the intrabony defect coupled with root coverage. Future research highlighted in this review may have the potential especially in combination approaches to repair challenging interproximal soft and hard tissue deficiencies.

Aim To evaluate techniques for assessing soft tissue alterations at implant sites and compare the traditionally utilized methods to the newer three-dimensional technologies emerging in the literature. Materials and methods A comprehensive search was performed to identify interventional studies reporting on volumetric changes at implant sites following different treatments. Results Seventy-five articles were included the following: 30 used transgingival piercing alone, one utilized calliper, six with ultrasonography, six on cone-beam computed tomography, and 32 utilized optical scanning and digital technologies. Optical scanning-based digital technologies were the only approach that provided 'volumetric changes,' reported as volumetric variation in mm3 , or the mean distance between the surfaces/mean thickness of the reconstructed volume. High variability in the digital analysis and definition of the region of interest was observed. All the other methods reported volume variation as linear dimensional changes at different apico-coronal levels. No studies compared volumetric changes with different approaches. Conclusions Despite the emergence of optical scanning-based digital technologies for evaluating volumetric changes, a high degree of variation exists in the executed workflow, which renders the comparison of study results not feasible. Establishment of universal guidelines could allow for volumetric comparisons among different studies and treatments.

Background A cross-sectional study was designed to shed light on the clinical sequelae and patient satisfaction after dental implant removal (IR). Methods Patients undergoing ≥1 IRs were eligible. The reasons for implant failure, clinical and radiological parameters before and after IR, and the surgical and prosthetic treatments offered after IR was assessed. Patient satisfaction was recorded and the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP)-14 was used to document patient self-reported dysfunction and discomfort attributed to IR. Lastly, patient expectations after IR were also evaluated. Results Thirty-one patients with 45 implants were analyzed. Peri-implantitis was the main reason for IR (64.5%). The average implant survival time before IR was 120.3 ± 88.2 months. Signs of infection (51.7%) and bleeding on probing (37.5%) were common signs detected at the time of IR. Guided bone regeneration was the intervention most commonly applied simultaneously to IR (74.1%). The reported degree of satisfaction was high, and the overall OHIP-14 score was low. However, a certain patient reluctance to undergo future implant placement in the same clinic or with the same professional was recorded, and a statistically significant increase in adherence to the implant maintenance routine was observed after IR. Conclusions Peri-implantitis is the leading cause for IR. Guided bone regeneration is commonly applied to attenuate the clinical sequelae of IR. Nonetheless, IR does not seem to affect patients' satisfaction nor their quality of life, though a certain patient reluctance to undergo future implant placement in the same clinic or with the same professional was reported.

Background: The long-term outcomes of acellular dermal matrix (ADM) for the treatment of isolated gingival recessions has not yet been evaluated. Thus, the aim of this study was to observe the root coverage outcomes of coronally advanced flap with ADM over time, and compare them with their adjacent untreated sites. Methods: Twelve patients (from 20) were available at the 9-year recall. Clinical parameters (recession depth, mean root coverage [mRC], keratinized tissue width [KTW], and gingival thickness) were evaluated and compared with the 1-year results, and the ADM-adjacent untreated sites (on mesial and distal) via mixed-modeling regression analyses. Results: From 1 to 9 years, the ADM-treated isolated recessions showed a relapse from 77% to 62% mRC (P&nbsp

Background The peri-implant soft tissue phenotype (PSP) encompasses the keratinized mucosa width (KMW), mucosal thickness (MT), and supracrestal tissue height (STH). Numerous approaches to augment soft tissue volume around endosseous dental implants have been investigated. To what extent PSP modification is beneficial for peri-implant health has been subject of debate in the field of implant dentistry. The aim of this systematic review was to analyze the evidence regarding the efficacy of soft tissue augmentation procedures aimed at modifying the PSP and their impact on peri-implant health. Methods A comprehensive search was performed to identify clinical studies that involved soft tissue augmentation around dental implants and reported findings on KMW, MT, and/or STH changes. The effect of the intervention on peri-implant health was also assessed. Selected articles were classified based on the general type of surgical approach to increase PSP, either bilaminar or an apically positioned flap (APF) technique. A network meta-analysis including only randomized-controlled trials (RCTs) reporting on PSP outcomes was conducted to assess and compare different techniques. Results A total of 52 articles were included in the qualitative analysis, and 23 RCTs were included as part of the network meta-analysis. Sixteen RCTs reported the outcomes of PSP modification therapy with bilaminar techniques, whereas 7 involved the use of APF. The analysis showed that bilaminar techniques in combination with soft tissue grafts (connective tissue graft [CTG], collagen matrix [CM], and acellular dermal matrix [ADM]) resulted in a significant increase in MT compared to non-augmented sites. In particular, CTG and ADM were associated with higher MT gain as compared to CM and non-augmented sites. However, no significant differences in KMW were observed across different bilaminar techniques. PSP modification via a bilaminar approach utilizing either CTG or CM showed beneficial effects on marginal bone level stability. APF-based approaches in combination with free gingival graft (FGG), CTG, CM, or ADM showed a significant KMW gain compared to non-augmented sites. However, compared to APF alone, only FGG exhibited a significantly higher KMW gain. APF with any evaluated soft tissue graft was associated with with reduction of probing depth, soft tissue dehiscence and plaque index compared to non-augmented sites compared to non-augmented sites. The evidence regarding the effect of PSP modification via APF-based approaches on peri-implant marginal bone loss or preservation is inconclusive. Conclusions Bilaminar approach involving CTG or ADM obtained the highest amount of MT gain, whereas APF in combination with FGG was the most effective technique for increasing KMW. KMW augmentation via APF was associated with a significant reduction in probing depth, soft tissue dehiscence and plaque index, regardless of the soft tissue grafting material employed, whereas bilaminar techniques with CTG or CM showed beneficial effects on marginal bone level stability.

Aim: The use of recombinant human platelet-derived growth factor–BB (rhPDGF) has received Food and Drug Administration approval for the treatment of periodontal and orthopedic bone defects and dermal wound healing. Many studies have investigated its regenerative potential in a variety of other oral clinical indications. The aim of this systematic review was to assess the efficacy, safety, and clinical benefit of recombinant human platelet-derived growth factor (rhPDGF) use for alveolar bone and/or soft tissue regeneration. Material and Methods: Comprehensive electronic and manual literature searches according to the PRISMA guidelines were performed to identify interventional and observational studies evaluating the regenerative applications of rhPDGF-BB. The primary outcomes were the safety, efficacy, and overall clinical benefit of rhPDGF use in oral regenerative procedures. Results: Sixty-three human clinical studies (mean ± SD follow-up period of 10.7 ± 3.3 mo) were included in the qualitative analysis. No serious adverse effects were reported in any of the 63 studies, aside from the postoperative complications routinely associated with surgical therapy. Use of rhPDGF was shown to be beneficial when combined with allografts, xenografts, and alloplasts (the latter tricalcium phosphate [β-TCP]) for the treatment of periodontal defects and gingival recession. The use of rhPDGF also led to favorable clinical outcomes when combined with allografts or xenografts for guided bone regeneration (GBR) and alveolar ridge preservation. While favorable clinical results support the use of the combination of rhPDGF plus allograft or xenograft for GBR, ARP, and sinus floor augmentation, current data support the use of rhPDGF and alloplasts (e.g., β-TCP) only in periodontal defects and gingival recession. Conclusions: Based on the clinical evidence, rhPDGF is safe and provides clinical benefits when used in combination with bone allografts, xenograft, or β-TCP for the treatment of intrabony and furcation periodontal defects and gingival recession or when used with allografts or xenograft for GBR and ARP (PROSPERO CRD42020142446). Knowledge Transfer Statement: Clinicians should be aware that rhPDGF is a safe and effective approach for the treatment of intrabony and furcation periodontal defects and gingival recession or when used with allografts or xenograft for bone regeneration and alveolar ridge preservation. With consideration of cost and patient preference, this result could lead to more appropriate therapeutic decisions.

Objective: To test the safety of a new volume-stable collagen matrix (VCMX) in combination with coronally advanced flap (CAF) for the treatment of single gingival recession. Material and methods: Ten patients were treated for single RT1 gingival recession. Complete and mean root coverage, gingival thickness and keratinized tissue height, patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), and safety were assessed up to 180days. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the clinical parameters. Results: VCMX resulted to be safe with no serious adverse events in all patients. At 6months, root coverage was 96.7% with 90% of defects exhibiting complete coverage. There was an increase in mean width of keratinized tissue (KT) (0.4 ± 0.8mm) and in gingival thickness (GT) (0.4 ± 0.34mm); however, the difference was not statistically significant compared to baseline parameters. Pain perception and pain-killer consumption were low and decreasing further at 7days. Esthetic satisfaction for both patients and experts revealed excellent scores. Conclusions: VCMX is a safe and well-tolerated device for the treatment of single gingival recessions. In combination with CAF, it resulted in a high performance in terms of mean and complete root coverage, KT width, and GT increase. VCMX may reduce patient discomfort and post-operative morbidity. Clinical relevance: VCMX is a safe and stable substitute for the treatment of gingival recession in conjunction with coronally advanced technique.

Objectives Increased applications of ridge augmentation in the lingual posterior mandible call for an urgent need to study its anatomy. Therefore, our first aim was to validate ultrasound in measuring the mandibular lingual structures in human cadavers. Secondarily, to test its feasibility in imaging the lingual nerve in live humans. Materials and methods Nine fresh un-embalmed fully/partially edentulous cadaver heads were utilized for aim 1. Three areas in the lingual mandible were imaged (mandibular premolar, molar, and retromolar). Immediately after, biopsies were harvested from each site. The thickness of the mucosa, mylohyoid muscle, and lingual nerve diameter was measured via ultrasound and statistically compared to histology. Similarly, the lingual nerve in live humans was also imaged. Results None of the differences between the ultrasound and histology measurements reached statistical significance (p > .05). The mean mucosal thickness via ultrasound and histology was 1.45 ± 0.49 and 1.39 ± 0.50 mm, 5 mm lingual to the mylohyoid muscle attachment. At 10 mm beyond the attachment, the ultrasound and histologic values were 1.54 ± 0.48 and 1.37 ± 0.49, respectively. The mean muscle thickness measured via ultrasound and histology was 2.31 ± 0.56 and 2.25 ± 0.47 mm, at the 5 mm distance. At the 10 mm distance, the measurements were 2.46 ± 0.56 and 2.36 ± 0.5 mm, respectively. The mean ultrasonic lingual nerve diameter was 2.38 ± 0.44 mm, versus 2.43 ± 0.42 mm, with histology. The lingual nerve diameter on 19 live humans averaged to 2.01 ± 0.35 mm (1.4-3.1 mm). Conclusions Within its limitations, ultrasound accurately measured mandibular lingual soft tissue structures on cadavers, and the lingual nerve on live humans.

BACKGROUND Clinical data on the outcomes of guided tissue regeneration (GTR) is scarce. The aim of this retrospective cohort study was to evaluate the outcomes after GTR, their stability and the survival of the treated teeth with periodontal infrabony defects. METHODS Infrabony defects treated with GTR using a bioabsorbable membrane and a bone graft substitute with at least 1-year follow-up were included. Survival and regression analyses were conducted to evaluate the outcomes, their stability, and the retention of the teeth. The effect of recorded variables on clinical attachment gain (CAL) and tooth survival were assessed via Cox proportional-hazards models and multivariate generalized linear models. RESULTS One hundred seventy-five treated defects were selected from a total of 641 charts. The average follow-up was 5.75 ± 4.6 years. At baseline, the mean CAL was 9.56 ± 1.93 mm with a mean pocket depth (PD) of 8.41 ± 1.42 mm. At the 1-year post-surgical recall, 3.55 ± 1.85 mm of CAL gain and 3.87 ± 1.87 mm PD reduction were observed (P < 0.05). The 5- and 10-year survival rates of the treated teeth were 85.0% and 72.7%, respectively. Baseline PD, smoking, and membrane exposure were significantly related to CAL gain, whereas baseline CAL, age, frequency in maintenance visits significantly affected tooth survival. CONCLUSION Within the limitations of this study, data suggests GTR is a good option for the treatment of infrabony defects because it can improve both tooth retention rate and overall clinical outcomes.

To evaluate the long term root coverage outcomes of coronally advanced flap plus a connective tissue graft with (CAF + CTG) or without an epithelial collar (CAF + ECTG), and evaluate the adjacent treated sites included in the flap.Seventeen of the original 20 subjects included in the randomized clinical trial were available at 12 years (43 sites). Mean root coverage (mRC), keratinized tissue width (KTW), gingival thickness (GT) on the grafted and adjacent sites were evaluated and compared with baseline and 6 months.There was a reduction in the mRC at all sites: 16.52% in the CAF + CTG (p .05), 19.42% in the CAF + ECTG (p .05) and 34.12% in the CAF-alone (adjacent treated sites) group (p .05). No significant differences were observed within the groups for changes in KTW, GT and clinical attachment level (CAL) (p .05). Keratinized tissue width at baseline and at 6 months was found to be predictors for the stability of the gingival margin in the long term.CAF + CTG and CAF + ECTG were found equally efficacious in maintaining the levels of the gingival margin with a small amount of relapse over the period of 12 years while CAF-alone sites showed a greater gingival recession (GR) reoccurrence.

BACKGROUND The objective of this study was to histologically evaluate and compare vital bone formation, residual graft particles, and fraction of connective tissue (CT)/other tissues between three different time points at 2-month intervals after alveolar ridge preservation with a cancellous allograft and dense-polytetrafluoroethylene (d-PTFE) membrane. METHODS Ridge preservation with a cancellous allograft and d-PTFE membrane was performed at 49 extraction sockets (one per patient). Volunteers were assigned to implant placement at three different time points of 2, 4, and 6 months, at which time core biopsies were obtained. Histomorphometric analysis was performed to determine the percentages of vital bone, residual graft particles, and connective tissue/other non-bone components, and subjected to statistical analyses. RESULTS There was a statistically significant difference in the amount of vital bone at every time point from 28.31% to 40.87% to 64.11% (at 2-, 4-, and 6-month groups, respectively) (P

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of two harvesting approaches on the donor site vascular injury. METHODS A split-mouth cadaver study was designed on 21 fresh donor heads. Every hemi-palate was assigned to receive the trap-door harvesting technique (TDT) or the epithelialized free gingival graft harvesting technique (FGGT). A soft tissue graft was harvested from each side for histology analyses. Betadine solution was used to inject the external carotid artery and a collagen sponge was positioned over the harvested area to compare the amount of "leakage." RESULTS The mean leakage observed was 16.56 ± 3.01 µL in the FGGT-harvested sites, and 69.21 ± 7.08 µL for the TDT group, a ratio of 4.18 (P

The stability of root coverage outcomes has gained a great deal of interest. However, insufficient evidence is available, mainly due to limited direct comparisons among different techniques and the small sample size among clinical trials. Therefore, the aim of this study was to propose a mixed-models network meta-analysis (NMA) that includes the novelty of assessing time on root coverage outcomes while simultaneously comparing different surgical approaches. A literature search was performed by 2 individual reviewers to identify randomized clinical trials (RCTs) reporting the outcomes of root coverage procedures of at least 2 time points to estimate the slopes of different treatment approaches. The primary outcomes were the changes in slopes for recession depth (REC), keratinized tissue width (KTW), and clinical attachment level. Sixty RCTs with a total of 2,554 gingival recessions (1,864 patients) were included in the NMA. Connective tissue graft (CTG) and enamel matrix derivative (EMD) approaches provided superior initial REC reduction compared to flap advancement alone. However, only CTG-based procedures were effective in maintaining the stability of the gingival margin over time, while EMD, acellular dermal matrix, collagen matrix, and flap alone showed a similar tendency for gingival recession recurrence. Baseline REC and KTW at the earliest postoperative recall were predictors for the stability of the gingival margin. In addition, a geographic center effect on the treatment slopes was observed for REC and KTW. While limitations of the present linear mixed-modeling approach should be considered as it refers to estimation and comparison of time slopes based on an examined while linear framework, the designed NMA showed to be an effective tool for the simultaneous comparison of multiple treatment approaches while taking into account the critical element of time.

OBJECTIVE To study the performance of 2-3 posterior bone-level dental implants constructed with either three non-splinted crowns (NSC), three splinted crowns (SC), or a 3-unit implant-supported bridge over two implants (ISB). MATERIAL AND METHODS Patients treated with three metal-ceramic NSC, SC, or an ISB were included in the present retrospective study. Implant survival and success rate as well as all biological and technical complications were collected. The cost associated with each of the treatment options was evaluated in the comparative analysis. RESULTS One hundred and forty-five patients (40 NSC, 52 SC, and 53 in the ISB) receiving 382 bone-level implants (120 NSC, 106 ISB, and 156 SC) were included (mean follow-up of 76.2 months). Lack of success was observed in 33.8% of the total patient sample, being lower in the ISB group. Implant survival rates were 92.5% in the NSC, 100% in the ISB, and 88.5% in the SC, with significant difference noted between the ISB and SC (p = 0.01). Overall, 9.9% of the total implants were found to have peri-implantitis (PI), with 16.7% in the SC, 7.5% in the NSC, and 2.8% in the ISB. Patients presenting prosthodontic complications were significantly higher in NSC (32.5%) than ISB (13.2%) and SC (15.4%). The total cost of the ISB group was significantly lower when compared to the NSC and SC groups (p

Soft tissue augmentation procedures are becoming more popular these days. Different soft tissue graft harvesting approaches have been proposed. Nonetheless, the location of the donor site (whether anterior-, lateral-, superficial-, deep-palate or the maxillary tuberosity) can affect the graft shape and its composition. Soft tissue grafts from the maxillary tuberosity are rich in connective tissue fibers, with minimal presence of fatty or glandular components. Clinical, histological, and molecular evidence shows that a soft tissue graft obtained from the maxillary tuberosity has unique properties. In addition, harvesting from this area presents minimal risk for intra- or postoperative complications, leading to reduced patient morbidity. The aim of this commentary is to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of harvesting a soft tissue graft from the tuberosity and to compare it with the traditional palatal graft, while highlighting functional, esthetic, and patient-related outcomes.

Background: Patient-reported outcomes have received a great deal of interest in periodontal plastic procedures. However, their evaluation has mainly been short-term. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of soft tissue grafting procedures conducted over a decade ago on the willingness of a patients to undergo the surgery again. Methods: Subjects that received an autogenous soft tissue graft over 10 years ago were screened and invited for a survey. Their response was only analyzed if they were able to correctly identify the sites of the surgical procedures. Dichotomous questions and visual analogue scales (VASs) were used to assess self-reported pain, willingness to retreat and satisfaction. Results: Fifty-two patients were included in the analyses. Higher pain was reported for mandibular sites, and treated areas including ≥ 3 teeth (P&nbsp

Objectives: To introduce an esthetic index for assessing the outcomes of peri-implant soft tissue dehiscence/deficiency (PSTD) coverage and test its within- and between-reviewer reliability. Materials and Methods: Photographs of 51 single PSTDs at baseline and after treatment were provided to four periodontists from three centers. The examiners were asked to rate each case at two timepoints with the Implant soft tissue Dehiscence/deficiency coverage Esthetic Score (IDES) that involved the evaluation of the post-treatment level of the soft tissue margin, peri-implant papillae height, mucosa color, and mucosa appearance (summing up to a total score of 10). Variance components analysis was conducted using multilevel regression fit in a Bayesian framework for obtaining uncertainty intervals for fractional variance contributions and intraclass correlation values (ICC) of the IDES, and for each of its four clinical variables. Results: Regression models showed reproducible esthetic evaluation among the examiners (inter-reliability) and negligible intra-reviewer variability (assessment of the same case at different timepoints). The ICC for the variability in the assessment of the overall IDES was 0.86, and for the individual components ranged from 0.78 to 0.87. Additionally, there was a strong similarity between the raters’ IDES values, and their subjective esthetic response, by the same raters. Conclusion: The IDES showed persistent judgment among the 4 reviewers, and only a slight intra-reviewer variability across timepoints. Within its limitations, this study suggests that the proposed novel score can be a reliable tool for evaluating the esthetic outcomes of PSTD coverage, which can aid in standardization of esthetic assessments following the treatment of a PSTD.

Aim To describe the application of power Doppler Ultrasonography (US) for evaluating blood flow at implant and palatal donor sites following soft tissue augmentation with the connective tissue graft (CTG). Materials and methods Five patients exhibiting a peri-implant soft tissue dehiscence received treatment with a coronally advanced flap and corresponding CTG. Power Doppler US was used for assessing blood volume at baseline, 1 week, 1 month, 6 months and 12 months post-surgery for assessing blood-flow dynamics at the implant and palatal donor sites. The speed-weighted and power-weighted colour pixel density (CPPD) were computed from colour velocity (CV) and colour power (CP), respectively. Results A mean increase in CV of 199.25% was observed at the midfacial region of the implant sites after 1 week compared to baseline. CV and CP were increased in all sites at 1 week and 1 month. At 6 and 12 months, the mean CV appeared lower than baseline at the implant sites. CCPD was increased at the palatal donor sites and at the great palatine foramen areas at the 1-week and 1-month post-operative evaluations. Conclusions Power Doppler US is a non-invasive and valuable tool for estimating tissue perfusion and CPPD variation during different phases of intra-oral soft tissue graft healing.

Introduction In periodontal and peri-implant plastic procedures, proper stabilization of the graft and the flap plays a crucial role in the outcomes. While the coronally advanced flap allows for a better access with the possibility of suturing the graft to the periosteum and the de-epithelialized papillae, there is little evidence regarding what is the best approach in stabilizing the graft and the flap when performing the tunnel techniques (TUN). The purpose of this technical note is to describe a new suturing technique "V-reverse" for stabilization the graft and the flap during a TUN procedure. Case presentation The V-reverse suturing technique was used to enhance the stabilization of the graft and the flap during root coverage procedures, papilla augmentation and immediate implant placement. Other advantages of this technique include reduced flap and graft micromotion, simple, easy and fast procedure, with high patient compliance. Conclusion The present article describes three main clinical scenarios in which V-reverse suturing technique is used to stabilize TUN + connective tissue graft for root coverage procedures, papilla augmentation and immediate implant placement. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Furcation involvement (FI) is one of the most detrimental factors affecting tooth survival rate over time. Several authors have used the severity of FI for assessing the prognosis of the tooth and the complexity of periodontal disease. While many approaches have been shown to improve the prognosis of furcation-involved teeth, clinical guidelines recommending one treatment or another (based on the horizontal and vertical component of the furcation defects) have not yet been proposed. To this aim, the present article introduces recommendations for the treatment of molars with FI and discusses different treatment options with their potential regenerative approaches. Patient-related factors, together with hard and soft-tissue conditions that may affect the outcomes of periodontal regeneration, are discussed.

PURPOSE To provide a long-term comparison of metal-acrylic and zirconia implant-supported fixed complete dental prostheses. MATERIALS AND METHODS Patients treated with a metal-acrylic or zirconia fixed implant prosthesis with a minimum 5-year follow-up were included. All complications were registered, along with events such as peri-implantitis and implant failure. Survival and all costs associated with the prostheses were assessed to provide an overall evaluation of each type of fixed implant prosthesis protocol. RESULTS Seventy-four rehabilitated arches (43 metal-acrylic, 31 zirconia, mean follow-up: 8.7 ± 3.37 years) were included. Delayed complications accompanied the metal-acrylic prostheses more frequently. In both groups, single tooth chipping/fracture was the most prominent minor complication, and incidence of multiple teeth and framework fracture was the most frequent major complication. Zirconia fixed implant prostheses demonstrated higher prosthetic survival rates than the metal-acrylic prostheses (93.7% ± 5.5% at 5 years vs 83.0% ± 11.1%). No difference was observed for peri-implantitis or implant failure. The initial cost for zirconia prosthesis fabrication was significantly higher than metal-acrylic hybrids (an estimated difference of $7,829 [P < .001]); however, due to reduced complication rates for the zirconia fixed implant prosthesis, maintenance and treatment for complications did not greatly differ between groups. CONCLUSION Within the limitations, zirconia fixed implant prostheses presented higher initial costs than metal-acrylic hybrids, however, with satisfactory outcomes, reduction of overall complications, and superior survival rates.

AIM To compare the clinical outcomes of ≤6 mm extra-short implants (test group) versus ≥10 mm long implants (control group), with and without bone augmentation procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS A systemic literature search of randomized clinical trials was performed using the PubMed (MEDLINE) and EMBASE databases. A quantitative meta-analysis was conducted to compare all the outcome variables. Meta-regression analysis determined the effect of bone augmentation procedures and the influence of other clinical covariates on the results. RESULTS Eighteen studies comprising 1,612 implants (793 extra-short and 820 long implants) were selected for the meta-analysis. No statistically significant difference in the survival rate was observed at 1 and 3 years (p > 0.05). Extra-short implants displayed less marginal bone loss (MBL) from both implant placement time points (1 and 3 years) and prosthetic placement (1 year), as well as less biological complications, surgical time and treatment cost (p

CAF in combination with a connective tissue graft (CTG) is considered the technique of choice for treating gingival recessions (GRs). Among the many recognized factors that can affect the outcomes, the use of chemical agents has been proposed. The effect of EDTA, as a commonly used agent, remains controversial. Therefore, the aim of this review was to assess the efficacy of EDTA root conditioning when combined to CAF + CTG. A literature search was conducted to identify randomized clinical trials (RCTs) that performed CAF + CTG with and without EDTA for root coverage procedures. The following outcomes were assessed: recession reduction (Rec Red), complete root coverage (CRC), keratinized tissue gain (KT gain), clinical attachment level changes (CAL gain), and changes in pocket depth (PD changes). Fourteen RCTs (575 GRs) were included and analyzed. Six articles were included in the EDTA group, with 8 in the non-EDTA group. Meta-analyses revealed statistically significant differences for the outcomes of Rec Red (3.68 mm versus 3.07 mm), CAL gain (4.15 mm versus 3.07 mm), and PD changes (− 0.44 mm versus 0.27 mm) in favor of the EDTA group, while outcomes of CRC (odds ratio of 1.15) and KT gain (1.98 mm versus 1.62 mm) were not significantly different. Limited evidence is available when evaluating the effectiveness of EDTA root conditioning with CAF + CTG. However, the adjunct application of EDTA with CAF + CTG appears to be beneficial. The adjunct application of EDTA may provide benefits when performing root coverage procedure via CAF + CTG.

The outcomes of periodontal soft tissue root coverage procedures can be influenced by a variety of different factors. Following coronally advanced flap (CAF), the impact of marginal flap stability (MFS) through the employment of specific suturing techniques has not yet been investigated. The purpose of this study was to compare the MFS of CAF following three different suture techniques.Fifty-six CAF procedures were performed on seven fresh human cadaver heads. The MFS following simple interrupted, single sling or sling and tag (SAT) suture techniques were investigated through a specific tool involving a load cell-based recording device.A highly statistically significant MFS was observed for sling and SAT sutures compared to the simple interrupted suture (p 0.001). SAT suture technique was related to the greatest MFS (p 0.001). The addition of sutures to the vertical releasing incision was able to provide a greater MFS compared to the suturing of the papillae alone (p 0.001). No statistically significant difference was observed with regard to the suturing sequence between the two sling groups when the vertical incisions were sutured before or after the surgical papillae (p 0.05). Linear regression model showed a positive correlation between thicker gingival tissue and MFS changes (p 0.001).Suturing technique highly affects the MFS following CAF on cadavers. Flap thickness was shown to be a positive predictor for flap stability.Within the limitation of this study, the suturing of CAF with the SAT technique may provide higher MFS. However, clinical studies are necessary to validate these findings.

Computer-guided systems were developed to facilitate implant placement at optimal positions in relation to the future prosthesis. However, the time, cost and, technique sensitivity involved with computer-guided surgery impedes its routine practice. The aim of this study is to evaluate survival rates and complications associated with computer-guided versus conventional implant placement in implant-retained hybrid prostheses. Furthermore, long-term economic efficiency of this approach was assessed.Patients were stratified according to implant placement protocol into a test group, using computer-guided placement, and a control group, using traditional placement. Calibrated radiographs were used to measure bone loss around implants. Furthermore, the costs of the initial treatment and prosthetic complications, if any, were standardized and analyzed.Forty-five patients (149 implants in the test group and 111 implants in the control group) with a minimum follow-up of 5 years, and a mean follow-up of 9.6 years, were included in the study. While no significant difference was found between both groups in terms of biologic and technical complications, lower incidence of implant loss was observed in the test group (P 0.001). A statistically significant difference in favor of the non-guided implant placement group was found for the initial cost (P 0.05) but not for the prosthetic complications and total cost (P 0.05).Computer-guided implant placement for an implant-supported hybrid prosthesis is a valid, reliable alternative to the traditional approach for implant placement and immediate loading. Computer-guided implant placement showed higher implant survival rates and comparable long-term cost to non-guided implant placement.

Background The periodontal phenotype consists of the bone morphotype, the keratinized tissue (KT), and gingival thickness (GT). The latter two components, overlying the bone, constitute the gingival phenotype. Several techniques have been proposed for enhancing or augmenting KT or GT. However, how phenotype modification therapy (PMT) affects periodontal health and whether the obtained outcomes are maintained over time have not been elucidated. The aim of the present review was to summarize the available evidence in regard to the utilized approaches for gingival PMT and assess their comparative efficacy in augmenting KT, GT and in improving periodontal health using autogenous, allogenic, and xenogeneic grafting approaches. Methods A detailed systematic search was performed to identify eligible randomized clinical trials (RCTs) reporting on the changes in GT and KT (primary outcomes). The selected articles were segregated into the type of approach based on having performed a root coverage, or non-root coverage procedure. A network meta-analysis (NMA) was conducted for each approach to assess and compare the outcomes among different treatment arms for the primary outcomes. Results A total of 105 eligible RCTs were included. 95 pertaining to root coverage (3,539 treated gingival recessions [GRs]), and 10 for non-root coverage procedures (699 total treated sites). The analysis on root coverage procedures showed that all investigated techniques (the acellular dermal matrix [ADM], collagen matrix [CM], connective tissue graft [CTG]) are able to significantly increase the GT, compared with treatment with flap alone. However, KT was only significantly increased with the use of CTG or ADM. Early post-treatment GT was found to inversely predict future GR. For non-root coverage procedures, only the changes in KT could be analyzed; all investigated treatment groups (ADM, CM, free gingival graft [FGG], living cellular construct [LCC], in combination with an apically positioned flap [APF]), resulted in significantly more KT than treatment with APF alone. Additionally, the augmented GT was shown to be sustained, and KT displayed an incremental increase over time. Conclusions Within its limitations, it was observed that any graft material was able to significantly enhance GT, while KT in root coverage procedures was significantly enhanced with CTG and ADM, and in non-root coverage procedures, with ADM, CM, FGG, and LCC compared with APF alone. The autogenous soft tissue graft (CTG/FGG) proved to be superior in all comparisons for both outcomes of GT and KT.

BACKGROUND Identifying factors affecting the treatment outcomes of guided tissue regeneration (GTR) in furcation defects is imperative in order to obtain predictable regeneration outcomes. The aims of this study were to evaluate the clinical outcomes and survival of furcation-involved teeth treated with GTR, and potential factors affecting the results. METHODS Furcation defects treated with GTR using an allogeneic cancellous bone graft and covered by an absorbable membrane with at least 1-year follow-up were selected. All data relative to the clinical outcomes were recorded. Analyses were conducted to evaluate the immediate (1-year post-op) clinical outcomes and the long-term (the last assessment time) survival of the treated teeth. The effect of variables on the 1-year post-op clinical attachment level (CAL) changes and the tooth survival were assessed via multi-level regression analyses and Cox Proportional-Hazards Models. RESULTS Ninety-eight treated defects were selected. The average follow-up was 5.3 ± 4.3 years. At the 1-year post-surgical recall, 1.23 ± 1.48 mm CAL gain was observed (P

Purpose Several approaches for increasing peri-implant mucosal thickness have been proposed, including autogenous, allogeneic, and xenogeneic grafts. The objective of this meta-analysis was to analyze whether xenogeneic matrices are viable alternatives to autogenous soft tissue grafts in peri-implant soft tissue augmentation. Materials and methods A systematic search was performed to select randomized clinical trials that compared connective tissue grafts and xenogeneic collagen matrices. The primary outcomes were the mucosal thickness and keratinized mucosa changes, while the secondary outcomes were patient morbidity, painkiller consumption, and surgical time required for the procedure. Results Seven randomized clinical trials were included for the final evaluation with a total number of 218 implant sites (108 in the connective tissue graft group, 110 in the collagen matrix group) with 3 to 12 months (mean: 6 months) follow-up period. Results showed mucosal thickness increase in both buccal and crestal sites, but it did not yield statistical significance. The keratinized mucosa gain difference was only -0.06 mm (95% CI [-30.0, 0.18]) between the treatments. The postsurgical discomfort, increased consumption of painkillers, and reduction of treatment time (15.46 minutes less) differed significantly in favor of the collagen matrix group. Conclusion Within the limits of this study, it can be concluded that collagen matrix and connective tissue graft are equivalent in peri-implant soft tissue augmentation.

Aim Since there is limited study to assist in an evidenced-based decision whether to extract or preserve a structurally compromised tooth, the aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the long-term survival rate of tooth preservation after crown lengthening procedure (CLP) and restorative treatments. Methods Electronic and paper chart of patients received CLP in our graduate clinic from 1990 to 2015 were reviewed. Statistical analysis was done using Cox regression analysis and Kaplan-Meier estimator. Results A total of 766 coded charts were initially collected. Four hundred and fourteen cases were included in the final analysis. The Kaplan-Meier estimate shows a cumulative survival rate of 88.3% in 5 years, 78.4% in 10 years and 68.1% in 15 years. In terms of reasons for failure, restorative problem such as recurrent decays was the main issue (35.2%), followed by fracture (29.6%), endodontic complications (23.9%) and periodontal breakdown (11.3%). Conclusions Within the limitation of this study, structurally compromised teeth have a reasonable long-term survival rate close to 80% after 10 years in a teaching institute. Patients with high fracture or caries risk may pose a higher chance of failure. Objective information should be presented to the patient to arrive at an evidence-based decision.

Purpose To analyze the effect of crown-to-implant (C/I) ratio over survival rate, marginal bone loss, and prosthetic complications of dental implants. Materials and methods Electronic (PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, and Cochrane Central) and manual searches for clinical trials with a minimum follow-up of 1 year were performed. Clinical and anatomical C/I ratios were obtained. Regression models were created to assess for potential correlation between C/I ratio (anatomical and clinical) and survival rate, marginal bone loss, or prosthetic complications. A subgroup analysis of 6-mm implants and a comparison of C/I ratios of > 1.5 versus ≤ 1.5 were also performed. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool For Randomized Controlled Trials were used to evaluate the risk of bias. Results An overall moderate risk of bias was assessed among the selected articles. Linear regression analysis did not reveal a significant correlation between anatomical C/I ratios and survival rate (P = .905), marginal bone loss (P = 0.33), or prosthetic complications (P = .67). Similarly, no significant correlation to survival rate and marginal bone loss (P = 0.42, P = 0.84) was observed in the articles providing the clinical C/I ratios. Conclusion Increased C/I ratio does not seem to be directly related with increased marginal bone loss and does not represent a biomechanical risk factor for the stability of the prosthesis and for the survival of dental implants.

PURPOSE This systematic review evaluated the mean survival rate and marginal bone loss (MBL) of dental implants with ≤ 6 mm in length, across a time frame of 5 years. The overall prosthetic and biologic complications were evaluated, and their survival rates obtained. In addition, the complication rates of the splinted vs nonsplinted implants were assessed. MATERIALS AND METHODS An electronic literature search in PubMed (MEDLINE) and EMBASE (OVID) and Cochrane were performed, in addition to a manual search through all periodontics and implantology-related journals, up to October 2017, to identify relevant articles. RESULTS Out of 515 potentially eligible articles, 19 investigations assessing a total of 910 extra-short (≤ 6 mm) implants were included and further evaluated. After 5 years of follow-up, a mean survival rate of 94.1% (90% in the maxilla and 96% in the mandible) and a maximum bone loss of 0.53 mm were demonstrated. Additionally, a statistically significant difference in terms of bone loss was observed between tissue-level (0.12 mm) and bone-level implants (0.36 mm) at 12 months (P < .01), but not between internal and external abutment connections (P = .17). The most commonly reported prosthetic complication was screw loosening. Finally, splinted implants showed less overall prosthetic complications (RR = 3.32; 95% CI: 1.9 to 5.7), screw loosening (RR = 15.2; 95% CI: 5.92 to 39.31), and implant failure (RR = 1.96; 95% CI: 0.8 to 4.8) than nonsplinted implants. CONCLUSION Extra-short implants are a viable treatment alternative in ridges exhibiting atrophy, demonstrating a satisfactory survival rate, as well as a low rate of prosthetic and biologic complications across a 5-year follow-up. Additionally, splinting extra-short implants is associated with fewer prosthetic complications and lower implant failure rate compared with nonsplinted implants.

PURPOSE To compare the clinical and patient-reported outcomes of ≤6-mm implants with those of ≥10-mm implants placed after both lateral and transcrestal sinus floor elevation. MATERIALS AND METHODS Using PubMed (MEDLINE), EMBASE, and Cochrane, a literature search for randomized controlled trials was performed. All the outcome variables were evaluated through a quantitative meta-analysis, and the influence of other clinical covariates were determined with a metaregression. For the survival outcomes, trial sequential analysis (TSA) was performed to adjust results for type I and II errors and to analyze the power of the available evidence. RESULTS After full-text reading, 12 studies were included in the analyses. No statistically significant difference was found after 3 years between the 2 study groups (P = 0.36). Short implants displayed fewer biological complications (P = 0.05), less marginal bone loss (MBL) from implant placement (P < 0.01), and reduced surgical time and treatment cost. However, long implants showed a statistically significant smaller number of prosthetic complications (P = 0.03). TSA confirmed the results of the meta-analysis, revealing that additional studies are needed due to low statistical power of the available evidence. CONCLUSION The placement of short implants is a predictable option in treating patients with maxillary atrophy up to a 3-year follow-up. Studies with a longer observational period are needed to study the long-term performance of these implants.

To evaluate the long-term outcomes of Acellular Dermal Matrix (ADM) with Coronally Advanced Flap (CAF) or Tunnel technique (TUN) in the treatment of multiple adjacent gingival recessions (MAGRs).Nineteen of the original 24 patients contributing to a total number of 33 sites for CAF and 34 for TUN were available for the 12 years follow-up examination. Recession depth, mean root coverage (mRC), keratinized tissue width (KTW), gingival thickness (GT) were evaluated and compared with baseline values and 6-months results. Regression analysis was performed to identify factors related to the stability of the gingival margin.A highly significant drop in mRC was observed for both groups from the 6 months timepoint to the 12 years recall (p .001). While there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in terms of Clinical Attachment Level (CAL), KTW, GT changes and Root Coverage Esthetic Score at each timepoint (p .05). KTW ≥ 2 mm and GT ≥ 1.2 mm at 6-months were two predictors for stability of the gingival margin (p = .03 and p = .01, respectively).A significant relapse of the gingival margin of MAGRs treated with CAF or TUN + ADM was observed after 12 years.

BACKGROUND: Tooth location has been shown to play a significant role on root coverage outcomes. However, whether this has an impact on the outcomes of coronally advanced flap (CAF) for treating multiple adjacent gingival recessions (MAGRs) remains to be determined. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of tooth location, flap design, and flap extension on the outcomes of MAGRs following CAF with or without a connective tissue graft (CTG). METHODS: A re-analysis of six previously published clinical trials evaluating the outcomes of CAF in the treatment of MAGRs was performed using mixed regression and logistics to assess the influence of potentially influential factors on the treatment outcomes. RESULTS: Six hundred and nine MAGRs in 166 patients were evaluated. The anterior maxilla (second sextant) was associated to the highest mean root coverage (mRC) and complete root coverage (CRC) outcome (P0.05). Lastly, teeth in the distal part of the flap showed lower mRC and CRC than teeth in the central or mesial position (P&nbsp

Background The incidence of a peri-implant soft tissue dehiscence/deficiency (PSTD) is not a rare finding. Despite multiple previous attempts aimed at correcting the PSTDs, a classification of these conditions has not yet been proposed. This lack in the literature may also lead to discrepancies in the reported treatment outcomes and thus misinform the clinician or the readers. The aim of the present article was therefore to present a classification of peri-implant PSTD at a single implant site. Methods Four classes of PSTDs were discussed based on the position of the gingival margin of the implant-supported crown in relation to the homologous natural tooth. In addition, the bucco-lingual position of the implant head was also taken into consideration. Each class was further subdivided based on the height of the anatomical papillae. Results Subsequently, for each respective category a surgical approach (including bilaminar techniques, the combined prosthetic-surgical approach or soft tissue augmentation with a submerged healing) was also suggested. Conclusion This paper provides a new classification system for describing PSTDs at single implant sites, with the appropriate recommended treatment protocol.

This review elucidates the advantages and disadvantages of the different implant navigation methods to assist the precise surgical placement of dental implants. Implant navigation surgery can be classified into: dynamic and static navigation, and static navigation can further be divided into full (FG)- and half-guided (HG) implant surgery. The HG implant placement includes the drilling-guided, pilot-drill guided, and the non-computed guided approaches. In dynamic navigation, the bone drilling and the implant placement are completely tracked with a specific software; while the static navigation refers to the use of static surgical templates. The FG associated with flapless surgery and teeth/crown supported guides has demonstrated the highest accuracy, followed by the drilling and pilot HG surgery that may provide comparable results, while the non-computer HG and FH implant placement provide the least accuracy in transmitting the implant positioning from the pre-surgical planning to the patient. Additionally, flapless implant surgery is related to reduced pain, less analgesic consumption, less swelling, shorter chair-time, and reduced risk of hemorrhage while achieving greater patient satisfaction. Nevertheless, other methods such as non-computer HG and FH implant surgery procedures require more surgical experience to overcome their limitations. There is still limited evidence to support dynamic surgery, and further investigations are needed.

Purpose Palatal soft tissue graft harvesting is a common procedure in periodontal and implant dentistry. However, most of the complications after this procedure are associated with the underestimation of anatomic structures, such as the greater palatine artery (GPA). Therefore, the aim of this study was to provide guidelines for a safety zone for palatal harvesting. Materials and Methods A systematic search was conducted to identify cadaveric and computed tomography (CT) or cone beam CT studies assessing the location of the greater palatine foramen (GPF) and the path of the GPA in relation to the maxillary teeth. The effect of age, gender, and cadaveric and CT or cone beam CT studies on the location of the GPF and on the course of the GPA also was assessed. Results This systematic review included 26 studies, investigating 5,768 hemipalates. The most common location of the GPF was in the midpalatal aspect of the third molar (57.08%). As it traverses the palate anteriorly, the distance from the GPA to the maxillary teeth gradually decreases, except in the second premolar region, where it has the tendency to increase (13.8 ± 2.1 mm). The least distance from the GPA to the teeth was found in the canine area (9.9 ± 2.9 mm), whereas the greatest distance was in the second molar region (13.9 ± 1 mm). A safety zone for palatal harvesting was proposed based on the anatomic findings. Conclusions This study provides guidelines for identifying the position of the GPF and defines a safety zone for harvesting a free gingival graft or connective tissue graft, minimizing the risk of GPA injury.

Background Tunnel technique (TUN) has recently gained popularity among clinicians for its promising clinical and esthetic results in treating gingival recession (GR) defects. However, evidence regarding the efficacy of the TUN is not yet conclusive. Therefore, the aim of the present systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate the predictability of TUN and its comparison to the coronally advanced flap (CAF) procedure. Methods A literature search on PubMed, Cochrane libraries, EMBASE, and hand-searched journals through November 2017 was conducted to identify clinical studies investigating TUN for root coverage procedures. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were considered for the meta-analysis comparing TUN to CAF. Results A total of 20 articles were included in the systematic review and six in the meta-analysis. The overall calculated mean root coverage (mRC) of TUN for localized and multiple GR defects was 82.75 ± 19.7% and 87.87 ± 16.45%, respectively. Superior results were found in maxillary and in Miller Class I and II GR defects. TUN outcomes may have been enhanced by split-thickness flap preparation and microsurgical approach. TUN and CAF had comparable mRC, complete root coverage (CRC), keratinized tissue gain, and root coverage esthetic score when varying combinations of graft material were evaluated. However, CAF demonstrated superior outcomes to TUN when the same graft (connective tissue or acellular dermal matrix) was used in both techniques. Conclusions TUN is an effective procedure in treating localized and multiple GR defects. Limited evidence is available comparing TUN to CAF; however, CAF seemed to be associated with higher percentage of CRC than was TUN when the same grafts (connective tissue or acellular dermal matrix) were used in both techniques.

Introduction: The task of Group II was to review and update the existing data concerning extraction socket preservation with or without membranes and soft tissue influence on post-extraction alveolar ridge preservation; extraction socket preservation using different biomaterials as bone grafts, growth factors, and stem cells. Special interest was paid to the dental implant placement outcomes within grafted sockets.Material and Methods: The main areas evaluated by this group were as follows: quantitative and qualitative assessment of the effect of different alveolar preservation techniques performed immediately after tooth extraction, with or without membranes and/or soft tissue grafting, and the use of different bone substitutes, stem cells or growth factors in the postextraction socket. Evaluation of the treatment outcomes of dental implants placed in the grafted sockets in terms of primary and secondary outcomes were assessed. The systematic reviews and/or meta-analyses were registered in PROSPERO, an international prospective register of systematic reviews: http://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/. TThe literature in the corresponding areas of interest was screened and reported following the PRISMA guidelines (Preferred Reporting Item for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis) Statement: http://www.prisma-statement.org/. Method of preparation of the systematic reviews, based on comprehensive search strategies, was discussed and standardized. The summary of the materials and methods employed by the authors in preparing the systematic reviews and/or meta-analyses is presented in the Preface chapter.Results: The results and conclusions of the review process are presented in the respective papers. Three systematic reviews and one systematic review and meta-analysis were performed. The group's general commentaries, consensus statements, clinical recommendations and implications for research are presented in this article.