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Statement of the Problem: The satisfaction of patients with dentures on implants has different points of view that become fundamental aspects for the development of research on the quality of life of these patients, the eventual biomechanical complications to which these prostheses and implants can be subjected, and design considerations for cantilever extensions., Purpose: The objective of research was to assess the implants and prosthesis survival rates, biomechanical complications relative to the length of the distal extensions (cantilevers), and the satisfaction of the patients with a fixed implant-supported full-arch fiber-reinforced composites prosthesis., Materials and Method: A retrospective clinical and radiographic cohort study was developed. Clinical records of a selected cohort were analyzed according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data on a patient who underwent to fixed implant-supported full-arch fiber-reinforced composites prosthesis at least of five years of function were collected. Data analysis was performed using Kaplan-Meier curves and Fisher's Exact Test. P values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant., Results: After insertion, 1 of 29 prostheses failed, the overall prosthetic survival rate observed at 5 years was 96.5%. Of the 120 implants placed in 28 patients, only 4 patients experienced loss of an implant during the 5 years of observation; the implant survival rate throughout the observation period was 86.2%. Distal extension seems to negatively affect the prognosis of implant-supported rehabilitation. Regarding the level of satisfaction of the patient with the prosthesis, none reported being uncomfortable or dissatisfied neither with their appearance nor with the taste of food throughout the studied period., Conclusion: No relevant associations were found between the variables involved. The study found the improvement in quality of life following the installation of fixed rehabilitation on the patients. Once the potential benefits of patients are obtained, controlled clinical trials are encouraged., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest., (Copyright: © Journal of Dentistry.)

Purpose: This retrospective study evaluated the effect of selected clinical and patient factors on survival, success, and peri-implant bone level changes of locking taper implants supporting molar crowns on Bicon's prefabricated shouldered abutments., Methods: A total of 234 patients, who received 274 single molar crowns supported by locking taper implants were included in this retrospective study. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to assess overall implant survival, prostheses survival, and success. Crowns were either monolithic (resin based) or bilayered (milled fiber-reinforced composite coping veneered with indirect composite). Early and late changes in marginal bone levels were plotted and analyzed with equivalence testing to compare the effects of different factors on crestal bone levels., Results: At 9.5 years after implant surgery, the implant survival probability was 94.2%, the probability of prosthesis survival was 91.4%, and the probability of prosthetic success was 90.4%. Neither the use of different crown materials, nor the choice of monolithic versus bilayered crown construction, significantly affected the probability of prosthetic success. Marginal bone levels, on average, trended downwards towards the top of the implant within the first 2 years after functional loading, and remained stable on average, since then. Factors affecting bone levels included the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which precluded early implant bone loss; and subcrestal implant placement, which was linked to significantly higher long-term bone levels., Conclusion: The implant and abutment system studied resulted in high implant and prosthetic survival rates, regardless of prosthetic material used, with stable bone levels over time., (© 2024 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Objectives: To evaluate the survival of implants and prostheses, and marginal bone level of fiber-reinforced composite implant supported fixed complete prostheses supported by 3 implants., Materials and Methods: Patients with fiber-reinforced composite fixed prostheses supported by 3 standard-length, short or extra-short implants were included in this retrospective cohort study. Kaplan-Meier survival was computed for implants and prostheses. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard regressions, clustered by patient, were used to analyze bone level differences as a function of different study covariates. Linear regressions were used to investigate the relationship between distal extension lengths and bone levels., Results: Forty-five patients with 138 implants were followed for up to 10 years after prosthesis insertion (mean 52.8; SD 20.5 months). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed overall survival rates of 96.5% for implants and of 97.8% for prostheses. The 10-year success rate for prostheses was 90.8%. Extra-short implants survived at similar rates to short and standard implants. Marginal bone levels surrounding implants remained stable over time, even showing slight bone gain on average (mean + 0.1 mm/year; SD ± 0.5 mm/year) Acrylic denture teeth, overdentures on the opposing arch, and implant placement in the posterior maxilla were correlated with bone gain. Screw retention, opposed to telescopic retention, was correlated with bone loss. Longer distal extensions were correlated with bone gain on the implants closest to the distal extensions., Conclusions: Fiber-reinforced composite fixed prostheses supported by only 3 implants, most of which were extra-short, presented high survival rates with stable bone levels., Clinical Relevance: An encouraging prognosis can be expected for restoration of atrophic maxillary and mandibular arches, when restored with fixed fiber-reinforced composite frameworks with long distal extensions and supported on only 3 short implants., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Recent short-term studies suggested the use of short and ultra-short implants in association with a modified osteotome sinus floor elevation (internal sinus lift) technique for the treatment of edentulous resorbed posterior maxilla. The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate this hypothesis in locking-taper implants with a mid-term follow-up of 5 years. Overall, 155 implants (32, 100, and 23 of, respectively, 5.0 mm, 6.0 mm, and 8.0 mm length) were positioned in the atrophic upper maxilla of 79 patients, and 151 implants were loaded with single crowns. Overall implant survival after 5 years was 94.84%. Implant survival for each length group was 93.75%, 94%, and 100% for 5.0, 6.0, and 8.0 mm length, respectively. Preoperative residual crestal bone height of 4.45 (1.3) mm increased to 9.25 (2.13) mm after implant placement and settled at 6.35 (1.73) mm after loading and at 5.25 (1.68) mm at follow-up. Elevation of the Schneiderian membrane was 4.8 (2.46) mm after implant placement, 3.06 (1.3) mm after loading, and 1.46 (1.06) mm at follow-up. Mean variations of peri-implant crestal bone loss and first bone-to-implant contact point were, respectively, -0.36 (1.3) mm and -0.62 (1.15) mm. It can be confirmed that internal sinus lift procedure revealed stable bone gain and negligible resorption at mid-term follow-up for atrophic upper crests with reduced height.

Background: Short and ultra-short implants implants supporting single crowns seem to demonstrate high percentages of survival and stable marginal bone levels at a mid-term follow-up. Nevertheless, insurgence of peri-implant complications still represents a critical issue, especially for patients with history of periodontitis., Purpose: The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate implant survival, marginal bone loss and peri-implant complications in 333 short and ultra-short implants, placed in periodontally healthy patients and patients with a history of periodontitis., Materials and Methods: Implants were placed in the maxillary and mandibular posterior regions of 142 patients with (PP) and without (NPP) a history of periodontitis. Clinical and radiographic examinations were performed at 5-year recall appointments., Results: Implants respectively placed in PP and NPP were: 35.68% and 42.50% in 8.0 mm-length group, 33.33% and 36.67% in 6.0 mm-length group, and 30.99% and 20.83% in 5.0 mm-length group. Implant-based survival after 5 years of follow-up was 95.77% for PP and 96.67% for NPP (p = 0.77). Regarding crestal bone level variations, average crestal bone loss was statistically different (p = 0.04) among PP (0.74 mm) and NPP (0.61 mm). Implants presenting signs of mucositis were 6.86% in PP and 7.76% in NPP (p = 0.76). Setting the threshold for excessive bone loss at 1 mm after 60 months, peri-implantitis prevalence was 7.84% in PP and 2.59% in NPP (p = 0.08). Overall implant success was 92.16% and 97.41%, respectively, for PP and NPP., Conclusions: Under strict maintenance program, five-year outcomes suggest that short and ultra-short locking-taper implants can be successfully restored with single crowns in the posterior jaws both in PP and NPP., (© 2022 The Authors. Clinical Implant Dentistry and Related Research published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Purpose: Encouraging results have been reported for ultrashort single implants; however, long-term investigations are warranted for full-arch reconstructions. This study evaluated marginal bone loss, implant, and reconstruction survival of fiber-reinforced composite full-arch prostheses supported by 4 ultrashort implants., Methods: Patients with severely atrophic mandibles (Cawood and Howell class V and class VI) were included in this cohort study. Study predictors included time (initial and last follow-up) and vertical (epicrestally or subcrestally) and horizontal implant position (medial or lateral). Outcome variables included bone level changes over time, implant/prosthesis survival. Peri-implant bone level was measured on panoramic radiographs. Descriptive statistics, Kaplan-Meier, mixed model analysis of variance, and univariate and multivariate Cox Proportional Hazards Regression models, adjusted for multiple implants in the same patient, were used for data analyses., Results: Eighteen patients (mean 61.22 years old), with 72 implants placed in atrophic mandibles with an average follow-up of 55.4 months (CI, ±4.6/ SD, ±10.6 months) were analyzed. The implant survival rate was 97.2% as 2 implants were not loaded due to non-osseointegration and sensorial disturbances. Average marginal bone level at baseline (1.93 mm) and at the time of last recall (1.91 mm) was not significantly different. While implants placed subcrestally showed no significant difference between baseline (1.91 mm) and last follow up bone level (2.12 mm), implants placed epicrestally demonstrated a significant reduction on their bone level over time (initial: 1.97 mm/ final:1.33 mm). Systemic disorders were a risk factor for implant survival and bone loss. Prostheses cumulative survival rate was 100% (mean observation period of 55 months). The estimated survival rate after the 96-month follow-up was 75% (1 framework fracture after 84 months)., Conclusion: Fixed fiber-reinforced composite full-arch prostheses retained by 4 ultrashort implants showed a stable bone level and high implant/prostheses survival rates up to 8 years., (Copyright © 2021 The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Short and ultra-short implants represent a predictable treatment, in terms of implant survival, with patients presenting insufficient available bone volumes. Moreover, single crown restorations represent a gold standard in terms of oral hygiene., Purpose: The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate implant survival, marginal bone loss, and peri-implant complications in 333 locking-taper short and ultra-short implants., Materials and Methods: Implants were placed in the maxillary and mandibular posterior regions of 142 patients. Clinical and radiographic examinations were performed at 5-year recall appointments., Results: All implants placed consisted of 8.0-, 6.0-, and 5.0-mm length, 38.14%, 34.53%, and 27.33%, respectively. Three hundred thirty-two implants (one early failure) were rehabilitated with single crowns in 141 patients. In 45.48% of the implants the crown-to-implant ratio was ≥2, with a mean value of 1.94. Overall implant-based survival after 5 years of follow-up was 96.10%: 96.85%, 95.65%, and 95.60% for 8.0-, 6.0-, and 5.0-mm length implants, respectively (p = 0.82). Overall patient-based survival was 91.55%. Regarding crestal bone level variations, average crestal bone loss and apical shift of the "first bone-to-implant contact point" position were 0.69 and 0.01 mm, respectively. Setting the threshold for excessive bone loss at 1 mm, during the time interval from loading to follow-up, 28 implants experienced loss of supporting bone greater than 1 mm: 19 of them (67.85%) were surgically treated with a codified surgical regenerative protocol. After 60 months, a peri-implantitis prevalence of 5.94% was reported, with an overall implant success of 94.06%: 95.93%, 92.73%, and 93.10% for 8.0-, 6.0-, and 5.0-mm length implants, respectively (p = 0.55)., Conclusion: Long-term outcomes suggest that short and ultra-short locking-taper implants can be successfully restored with single crowns in the posterior area of the maxilla and mandible., (© 2021 The Authors. Clinical Implant Dentistry and Related Research Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate implant survival, marginal bone loss and peri-implant complications in 326 short and ultra-short implants. Implants were placed in the maxillary and mandibular posterior regions of 140 patients with (PP) and without (NPP) a history of periodontal disease. Clinical and radiographic examinations were performed at 3-year recall appointments. The 8.0, 6.0 and 5.0 mm-length implants placed in PP and NPP were respectively 43.75% and 38.46%, 35.10% and 34.19%, 21.15% and 27.35%; 325 implants (one early failure) were rehabilitated with single crowns in 139 patients. Overall implant survival after 3 years of follow-up was 97.55%, 98.08% and 96.61% for PP and NPP ( p = 0.46). Crestal bone level variations were not statistically different among PP and NPP; 15.41% of implants presented signs of mucositis, 14.71% and 16.67% in PP and NPP ( p = 0.64). Setting the threshold for bone loss at 2 mm after 36 months, peri-implantitis prevalence was 2.2%, 1.96% and 2.63% in PP and NPP ( p = 0.7). Overall implant success was 82.39%, 83.33% and 80.7% for PP and NPP ( p = 0.55). Short-term outcomes suggest that short and ultra-short locking-taper implants can successfully be restored with single crowns in the posterior jaws both in PP and NPP.

The purpose of this retrospective study was to determine survival and peri-implant marginal bone loss of short and ultra-short implants placed in the posterior mandible. A total of 98 patients received 201 locking-taper implants between January 2014 and January 2015. Implants were placed with a 2-stage approach and restored with single crowns. Clinical and radiographic examinations were performed at 3-year recall appointments. At that time, the proportion of implant survival by length, and variations of crestal bone levels (mean crestal bone loss and mean apical shift of the "first bone-to-implant contact point" position) were assessed. Significance level was set at 0.05. The total number of implants examined 36 months after loading included: 71 implants, 8.0 mm in length; 82 implants, 6.0 mm in length; and 48 implants, 5.0 mm in length. Five implants failed. The overall proportion of survival was 97.51%, with 98.59% for the 8.0-mm implants, 97.56% for the 6.0-mm implants, and 95.83% for the 5.0-mm implants. No statistically significant differences were found among the groups regarding implant survival (P = .73), mean crestal bone loss (P = .31), or mean apical shift of the "first bone-to-implant contact point" position (P = .36). Single-crown short and ultra-short implants may offer predictable outcomes in the atrophic posterior mandibular regions, though further investigations with longer follow-up evaluations are necessary to validate our results.

As the atrophic posterior maxilla often presents serious limitations for dental implant procedures, a minimally invasive technique was proposed. The study aimed to retrospectively evaluate the outcomes of short and ultra-short locking-taper implants, placed in combination with a modified osteotome sinus floor elevation procedure (internal sinus lift technique) in the posterior maxilla. A total of 31 patients received 51 locking-taper implants. Clinical and radiographic examinations were performed before treatment, at loading time, and after three years. Seven implants of 8.0 mm, 23 implants of 6.0 mm, and 21 implants 5.0 mm in length were rehabilitated with single-crown restorations. Implant survival at three-year follow-up was 96.08%. Pre-operative residual crestal bone height of 5.2 (1.41) (median (interquartile range)) mm increased to 7.59 (1.97) mm at the 36-month follow-up, with an average intra-sinus bone height gain of 3.17 ± 1.13 (mean ± standard deviation) mm. Mean peri-implant crestal bone loss was 0.29 (0.46) mm and mean first bone-to-implant contact point shifted apically to 0.12 (0.34) mm. It can be suggested with confidence that implants used in the study, placed in conjunction with an internal sinus floor elevation technique, can be restored with single crowns as a predictable treatment for the edentulous regions of the posterior maxilla.

Introduction and Aim: In case of peri-implantitis, resective surgery is contraindicated for short and ultrashort implants, limiting the treatment options to regenerative surgery or to implant removal. This retrospective case series presents the clinical and radiographic outcomes of a surgical regenerative procedure to treat peri-implantitis around short and ultrashort implants., Materials and Methods: The study is a retrospective evaluation of patients suffering from peri-implantitis and those who underwent access flap surgery, concomitant chemical and mechanical decontamination of implant surface, and bone grafting using a self-hardening mixture of bone substitutes and biphasic calcium sulfate. No membranes were applied to cover the grafting material, and primary tension-free closure was achieved. The retrospective protocol was reviewed and approved by the Ethics Committee for Clinical Sperimentation (CESC) of Verona and Rovigo, Italy (based in the University of Verona) (Prog. 1863CESC. Date of approval: 2018-07-04)., Results: 15 patients (17 implants) have been diagnosed with peri-implantitis after a mean follow-up of 24 months after loading. Implant length was between 5 and 8 mm. 8 patients (10 implants) had a history of periodontitis. At baseline, the mean PD (probing pocket dept) at the deepest site was 8.12 mm, with an average mBI (modified bleeding index) of 2.35 and a mean BD (bone defect depth) of 3.04 mm. At the 3-year follow-up, the CSR was 100%, the mean mBI was 0.88 (average reduction: -1.47), the mean PD was 3.35 mm (mean PD reduction: 4.77 mm), and the mean bone defect was reduced by 1.74 mm, with a mean bone fill of 55%., Conclusions: The results of the present case series suggest that if accurate surface decontamination is achieved, high survival rate and good clinical and radiographic results can be obtained after 3 years. However, only the histological examination could confirm the growth of new bone in direct contact with the implant surface or if the grafted material only fills the space left by the peri-implant defect., Competing Interests: The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2019 Giorgio Lombardo et al.)

Purpose: The aim of this study was to report on 1-year outcomes of fixed full-arch fiber-reinforced resin bridges on short implants in atrophic maxillary jaws., Materials and Methods: A prospective cohort study was designed and patients with severely atrophic maxillas, corresponding to Cawood and Howell Classes V and VI, were included. Mesial and distal peri-implant bone levels were assessed on panoramic radiographs that were taken at the time of implant insertion (baseline) and during follow-up visits., Results: Eighteen patients with 72 implants inserted in atrophic maxillary jaws were included in this study. All patients had a follow-up visit 1 year after loading. The cumulative 1-year patient-based implant survival rate was 88.8%, and the cumulative 1-year implant-based survival rate was 97.2%. The marginal bone level (MBL) was -0.5 ± 0.5 mm at the time of loading (n = 72) and -0.8 ± 0.6 mm (n = 72) after 1 year. The MBL depended substantially on the depth at the time of insertion. No prosthetic failure, such as chipping or fracture, occurred within the first year of loading., Conclusion: Prosthetic rehabilitation of atrophic maxillas with prostheses supported by 4 4.0- × 5.0-mm or 3.0- × 8.0-mm implants seems to be a viable and cost-effective treatment option in the short-term., (Copyright © 2018 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the midterm outcomes of fixed, full-arch, fiber-reinforced resin bridges on ultrashort implants in terms of marginal bone loss and overall implant survival., Patients and Methods: Patients with severely atrophic mandibles, corresponding to Cawood and Howell class V and class VI, were included in this prospective temporal cohort study. Mesial and distal peri-implant bone levels were measured on panoramic radiographs taken at the time of implant insertion (baseline) and at follow-up visits., Results: A total of 17 patients with atrophic mandibular jaws with an average follow-up period of 2.9 ± 1.5 years were included. The cumulative 1-, 3-, and 5-year patient-based implant survival rates were 94.1%, and the cumulative implant survival rates were 98.5%. The marginal bone level (MBL) of the mesial implants was 0.0 ± 0.3 mm at the time of loading (n = 33), -0.1 ± 0.3 mm (n = 20) after 1 year, -0.4 ± 0.5 mm (n = 10) after 3 years, and -1.5 ± 1.0 mm (n = 4) after 5 years. The mesial bone level depended significantly on time and insertion depth. The MBL of the distal implants was -0.4 ± 0.4 mm (n = 34) at the time of implantation, -0.4 ± 0.6 mm (n = 20) after 1 year, -0.5 ± 0.5 mm (n = 10) after 3 years, and -2.2 ± 1.7 mm (n = 4) after 5 years. The distal bone level depended significantly on time and insertion depth., Conclusions: Fixed, full-arch, fiber-reinforced resin bridges retained by 4 ultrashort implants provide a comparatively cost-effective, safe, stable alternative for prosthetic restoration of the severely atrophic mandible. The overall implant survival rate and the MBL after 5 years are equivalent to those of threaded implants of conventional lengths., (Copyright © 2017 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: Jawbone cavitation (BC) is not uncommon and is considered to be related to some cases of unexpected implant displacement into deep jawbone space. Here, a series of cases with BC is described, in which the lesions were accidentally found and successfully treated by bone grafting and dental implantation., Methods: Thirty-four partially edentulous patients who were found to have BC during dental implant surgeries were included in this study. Alloplast bone substitute (β-tricalcium phosphate) grafting with immediate or staged locking-taper implant placement was performed. Bone filling and implants on BC were followed up to 36 months, and they were evaluated clinically and radiographically to verify treatment outcome., Results: A total of 41 BCs were found at premolar and molar regions, which involved one or more teeth breadth. Nearly most of the lesions occurred in the mandible (95.1%, 39/41). Histologically, they were compatible with focal osteoporotic marrow defects. Fifty-two locking-taper implants and final restorations were delivered on 38 BCs. One implant failed due to loss of integration. The overall cumulative 3-year implant survival rate was 98.1%., Conclusion: By carefully examining and managing the surgical bed, the current treatment modality was shown to yield a satisfactory outcome for restoration of edentulous ridge with underneath BC.

Aim: To determine cumulative success rate (CSR) of short and ultrashort implants in the posterior maxilla restored with single crowns., Patients and Methods: We performed a retrospective study in 65 patients with 139 implants. 46 were ultrashort and 93 short. Implants were placed with a staged approach and restored with single crowns. Success rate, clinical and radiographic outcomes, and crown-to-implant ratio (CIR) were assessed after three years. Statistical analysis was performed by descriptive and inferential statistics. A log-binomial regression model where the main outcome was implant success was achieved. Coefficients and 95% confidence intervals were reported. Analyses were performed with Stata 13.2 for Windows., Results: 61.54% of patients were female and mean overall age was 51.9 ± 11.08 years old. Overall CSR was 97.1% (95% CI: 92.4-98.9): 97.9 and 95.1% for short and ultrashort, respectively ( P value: 0.33). Four implants failed. Covariates were not associated with CSR ( P value > 0.05). Regression model showed coefficients correlated with implant success for ultrashort implants (0.87) and most of covariates but none were statistically significant ( P values > 0.05)., Conclusions: Our results suggest that short and ultrashort implants may be successfully placed and restored with single crowns in the resorbed maxillary molar region.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the esthetic outcome of single-tooth locking taper connection implants placed in the anterior maxilla following a postextractive nonfunctional loading protocol. This preliminary clinical study involving 16 patients evaluated the results of 21 implants placed in areas with high esthetic value. For each implant the pink esthetic score, white esthetic score, cumulative survival rate, and health status of peri-implant tissues were evaluated. The cumulative survival rate was 100% 2 years after prosthetic loading, and the mean total pink esthetic score/white esthetic score was 16.9 ± 1.14 on a maximum value of 20. There was excellent plaque control in all patients, and inflammation indices were within the norm. Within the limits of this study, this immediate nonfunctional loading protocol seems to be a successful procedure esthetically and for the maintenance of peri-implant soft tissues.

The replacement of single anterior teeth by means of endosseous implants implies the achievement of success in restoring both aesthetic and function. However, the presence of wide endoperiodontal lesions can lead to horizontal hard and soft tissues defects after tooth extraction, making it impossible to correctly place an implant in the compromised alveolar socket. Vertical augmentation procedures have been proposed to solve these clinical situations, but the amount of new regenerated bone is still not predictable. Furthermore, bone augmentation can be complicated by the presence of adjacent teeth, especially if they bring with them periodontal defects. Therefore, it is used to restore periodontal health of adjacent teeth before making any augmentation procedures and to wait a certain healing period before placing an implant in vertically augmented sites, otherwise risking to obtain a nonsatisfactory aesthetic result. All of these procedures, however, lead to an expansion of treatment time which should affect patient compliance. For this reason, this case report suggests a surgical technique to perform vertical bone augmentation at a single gap left by a central upper incisor while placing an implant and simultaneously to regenerate the periodontal attachment of an adjacent lateral incisor, without compromising the aesthetic result.

Purpose: To determine the effectiveness of fixed, fiber-reinforced resin bridges on 4 ultrashort implants with a sufficient implant survival success rate of at least 90% in highly atrophic jaws., Materials and Methods: A prospective temporal cohort study was designed, with the inclusion of 10 patients. Of the 10 patients, 8 had atrophic jaws (7 women, 1 man; mean age at implant placement 58.5 years, range 40.7 to 73.9) and 2 had fibula-mandibular transplants (1 woman, aged 76.5 years; and 1 man, aged 69.3 years). All 10 patients had their dentition restored with 4 ultrashort implants. The implant dimensions were 4 mm in diameter and 5 mm long, with a locking taper abutment connection supporting a fixed, fiber-reinforced and composite resin-facetted bridge. The postoperative follow-up period averaged 19.5 months (range 9.1 to 33.1)., Results: The survival and success rate was 97.25%. The average mesial and distal bone level was 0.2 ± 0.3 mm in the atrophic mandibles and 0.4 ± 1.2 mm in the fibula transplants at the last follow-up visit. Prosthetic-related patient issues were limited to decementation events. No chipping or fracturing of the prostheses was observed., Conclusion: Retention of fixed prosthetic restorations using 4 ultrashort implants showed promising short-term cumulative survival and success rates., (Copyright © 2015 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Peri-implantitis is characterized by inflammation and crestal bone loss in the tissues surrounding implants. Contamination by deleterious bacteria in the peri-implant microenvironment is believed to be a major factor in the etiology of peri-implantitis. Prior to any therapeutic regenerative treatment, adequate decontamination of the peri-implant microenvironment must occur. Herein we present a novel approach to the treatment of peri-implantitis that incorporates the use of a topical desiccant (HYBENX), along with air powder abrasives as a means of decontamination, followed by the application of biphasic calcium sulfate combined with inorganic bovine bone material to augment the intrabony defect. We highlight the case of a 62-year-old man presenting peri-implantitis at two neighboring implants in positions 12 and 13, who underwent access flap surgery, followed by our procedure. After an uneventful 2-year healing period, both implants showed an absence of bleeding on probing, near complete regeneration of the missing bone, probing pocket depth reduction, and clinical attachment gain. While we observed a slight mucosal recession, there was no reduction in keratinized tissue. Based on the results described within, we conclude that the use of HYBENX and air powder abrasives, followed by bone defect grafting, represents a viable option in the treatment of peri-implantitis.

The functional and aesthetic restoration of teeth compromised due to aggressive periodontitis presents numerous challenges for the clinician. Horizontal bone loss and soft tissue destruction resulting from periodontitis can impede implant placement and the regeneration of an aesthetically pleasing gingival smile line, often requiring bone augmentation and mucogingival surgery, respectively. Conservative approaches to the treatment of aggressive periodontitis (i.e., treatments that use minimally invasive tools and techniques) have been purported to yield positive outcomes. Here, we report on the treatment and five-year follow-up of patient suffering from aggressive periodontitis using a minimally invasive surgical technique and implant system. By using the methods described herein, we were able to achieve the immediate aesthetic and functional restoration of the maxillary incisors in a case that would otherwise require bone augmentation and extensive mucogingival surgery. This technique represents a conservative and efficacious alternative to the aesthetic and functional replacement of teeth compromised due to aggressive periodontitis.

Training through Research Application Italian iNitiative (TRAIN) is a mobility program financed under the EU action called "Cofinancing of regional, national and international programs" (COFUND) of the European Commission Seventh Framework Program (FP7) - People, and has been designed to encourage the promotion and development of international programs of research through mobility at various stages of research careers. The aim of TRAIN is to improve translational skills in the field of cancer by promoting a three-year international mobility program assigning a total of 51 fellowships subdivided into incoming, outgoing and reintegration fellowships.?The TRAIN proposal has been submitted in February 2009 to the European Commission in reply to the 2008 FP7-PEOPLE-COFUND call and has been successfully evaluated. TRAIN is addressed to postdoctoral scientists or scientists who have at least four years' full-time equivalent research experience and who wish to improve their careers spending one year abroad. The mobility program is open also to non-Italian experienced scientists wishing to spend one year in an Italian research center or private company. Part of the scheme is targeted to experienced Italian scientists who have completed at least three years of research in a foreign country and are interested in returning to Italy.?TRAIN is part of an overall Italian strategy outlined by the International Program of the Italian Cancer Network "Alleanza Contro il Cancro" to promote Italian participation in the building of the European Area for translational cancer research and to enhance the interaction between academy and industry.

Purpose: The Integrated Abutment Crown (IAC) is a technique for the fabrication of single-tooth implant-supported crowns where the abutment and the crown are one unit. The abutment-crown complex is connected to the implant with a locking taper. This technique does not use cement to retain the crown or screws to retain the abutment. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcome of screwless, cementless single implant-supported crowns (IACs) placed in a general dental practice., Materials and Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted between July 2001 and August 2003. Patients were recalled between January and March 2004. The restorations were evaluated following the modified United States Public Health Service (USPHS) criteria. Several other variables, such as anatomic form, occlusion, soft tissue health, and reconstructive procedures, were also recorded. Descriptive statistics, univariate and multivariate marginal Cox Proportional Hazards Regression models, adjusted for multiple implants in the same patient, were used., Results: During the chart review, 108 patients were identified. A cohort of 59 patients with a total of 151 IACs met the inclusion criteria. The Kaplan-Meier survival rate for IACs was 98.7%. Two IACs were removed, one due to implant failure; the other became loose several times and was replaced with a splinted restoration. Excellent marginal adaptation was observed with no clinically discernible interface between the veneer material and the abutment. Nine maxillary anterior IACs loosened on five patients; eight of them were reinserted and continued in function without further problems for the remainder of the study. An IAC located between a tooth and an implant was 2.65 times more likely to have postinsertion complications (p= 0.05). An IAC with incorrect anatomic form (overcontoured) was 3.26 times more likely to have postinsertion complications (p= 0.01). Maxillary anterior IACs adjacent to one tooth and one implant were 3.9 times more likely to come loose (p= 0.05)., Conclusions: The clinical outcome of this screwless and cementless system for single implant restorations compares favorably with the experience of screw- and cement-retained single implant restorations within the observation period.

Purpose: Since the McGill consensus conference, numerous reports have proposed the advantages of the 2-implant-retained overdenture over the conventional denture in the restorative management of the edentulous mandible. The purpose of this article was to demonstrate the use of the 2-implant-retained overdenture in the restorative management of patients with edentulous mandibles in an impoverished population., Materials: To address the study's purpose, the investigators initiated a retrospective cohort study and enrolled a sample of subjects who had mandibular 2-implant overdenture treatment using the protocol described within. The primary predictor variable was whether the patient had mandibular 2-implant overdenture treatment. The primary outcome variable was survival of mandibular 2-implantoverdenture treatment as defined within., Results: The study sample included 35 patients each of whom had 2 mandibular implants placed for a total of 70 implants inserted with the purpose of retaining a mandibular overdenture. The mean clinical follow-up time was 74.7 months, during which there were no incidences of implant failure. Therefore, analytical and survival analyses could not be performed., Conclusion: Given the increase in quality of life and ease in implementation, clinicians should now be suggesting the mandibular 2-implant overdenture as the treatment of choice in the management of the edentulous mandible.

A technique is presented for the restoration of single-tooth, implant-supported crowns where the abutment and the crown material are chemomechanically bonded; therefore, there is no need for cement, and the implant and implant-abutment are connected with a screwless locking-taper. The clinical and laboratory procedures involved in the fabrication and insertion of the restoration are described in detail. This restoration offers the restorative dentist some advantages: excellent marginal adaptation with a cementless interface, a bacterially sealed implant-abutment connection, a crown material with a similar wear rate and hardness values of human enamel, a simple laboratory technique, and a reduced number of prosthetic components. Due to the light-cured nature of the crown material, chairside modifications can be accomplished. The major drawbacks are: studies are necessary to assess the long-term performance of the Integrated Abutment Crown (IAC)'s in both anterior and posterior areas of the mouth. Resin materials have higher roughness values, accumulate plaque at a higher rate, and are more likely to stain than tooth structure and all-ceramic restorations., (Copyright 2007 by The American College of Prosthodontists.)