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The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the relationship between the amount of early bone remodeling, the marginal bone loss (MBL) progression, and the peri-implant sulcular fluid concentration of active metalloproteinase-8 (a-MMP-8) and the incidence of peri-implantitis (P) over 5 years of implant function. It has been documented that dental implants with a high degree of early marginal bone loss (MBL) are likely to achieve additional increased MBL during function. Moreover, it has been speculated that early increased MBL might be a predictive factor for the subsequent onset of peri-implant inflammatory diseases. Clinical and radiographic data at implant placement (T0) and restoration delivery (TR) at 6 months (T1), 2 years (T2), and 5 years (T5) post-loading were retrospectively collected. MBL levels/rates (MBLr) and peri-implant sulcular fluid levels/rates of a-MMP-8 were assessed at TR, T1, T2, and T5. Implants were divided into two groups: group 1 with peri-implantitis (P+) and group 2 without peri-implantitis (P−). A multi-level simple binary logistic regression, using generalized estimation equations (GEEs), was implemented to assess the association between each independent variable and P+. A receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve was used to evaluate an optimal cutoff point for T1 MBL degree and a-MMP-8 level to discriminate between P+ and P− implants. A total of 80 patients who had received 80 implants between them (39 implants with a laser-microtextured collar surface (LMS) and 41 implants with a machined collar surface (MS)) were included. Periapical radiographs and a software package were used to measure MBL rates. Peri-implant sulcular implant fluid samples were analyzed by a chairside mouth-rinse test (ImplantSafe®) in combination with a digital reader (ORALyzer®). Twenty-four implants (six with an LMS and eighteen with an MS) were classified as P+. No statistically significant association was found between the amount of early bone remodeling, MBL progression, and MBLr and the incidence of peri-implantitis. Implants with a-MMP-8 levels >15.3 ng/mL at T1 presented a significantly higher probability of P+. The amount of early marginal bone remodeling cannot be considered as an indicator of the subsequent onset of P, whereas high a-MMP-8 levels 6 months after loading could have a distinct ability to predict P.

Objectives: In the present study, confluent canals in the mandibular first molar's mesial root were investigated in an Italian population by means of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT)., Materials and Methods: A total of 200 molars, selected from the CBCT examinations of 130 patients who required this type of X-ray study as part of their dental treatment, were examined. The evaluated parameters were number of canals, root canal system configuration, presence of apical confluences, distance between confluences and apical foramina, which canal had a higher degree of curvature, and symmetry between left and right elements in the same individual., Statistical Analysis Used: Percentages of the cases were reported., Results: All the examined roots presented two canals. In 59% of cases, a Vertucci Type IV canal configuration was observed, while in 41% of cases, a Type II configuration was observed. Apical confluences were present in 41% of cases. The average distance between confluences and apical foramina was 2.85 mm. When confluences were present, the mesiobuccal canal showed a higher degree of curvature in 78% of cases. Symmetry in Vertucci configuration was seen in 88% of cases., Conclusions: Apical confluences in the mesial roots of mandibular molar can be present in a significantly high number of cases, and their recognition is essential to prevent the iatrogenic errors during canal instrumentation., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between the quality of the coronal restoration and the root canal filling on the periapical status of endodontically treated teeth using CBCT., Materials and Methods: CBCT data were obtained from the records of patients who deny any dental treatment in the 2 years prior to the CBCT examination. CBCT images (90 kVp and 7 mA, exposure time of 23 s, and a voxel size of 0.2 mm, with a field of view of 13 cm × 13 cm) of 1011 endodontically treated teeth were observed. A score was given to the quality of the root filling and the quality of the coronal restoration., Statistical Analysis Used: Data were statistically analyzed to correlate the periapical status with gender, dental group. and quality of endodontic treatment and restoration (Chi-square test with a significance level of P < 0.001)., Results: Absence of periapical periodontitis was found in 54.9% of the cases. The periapical outcome was not related to gender or dental group ( P > 0.05). A statistically significant factor (Chi-square test, P < 0.0001) resulted when different qualities of sealing were compared., Conclusions: CBCT showed that high-quality root canal treatments followed by an adequate coronal sealing restoration avoid the presence of periapical periodontitis in time., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest.