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Successful rehabilitation of the anterior maxilla remains a challenge, primarily due to postextraction ridge collapse, which can lead to gingival recession and a nonesthetic appearance. The socket shield technique presents a viable alternative for immediate dental implant placement in the esthetic zone. This pilot study aimed to evaluate the survival, complication rates, and marginal bone loss around body-shift implants placed in fresh extraction sockets with the socket shield technique to replace maxillary incisors. After socket shield preparation, 14 hopeless incisors were extracted and immediately replaced by a body-shift implant (Inverta, Southern Implants) at baseline. Patients were followed up for 12 to 39 months (mean: 18.1 ± 8.2 months). The average age was 52.3 ± 16.9 years, and the survival rate was 100%. One socket shield presented minimal internal exposure that was successfully treated with a connective tissue graft. The mean PES score was 12.9 ± 1.2. Mean interproximal marginal bone loss was -0.4 ± 0.5 mm. Body-shift implants can be a promising alternative for immediate tooth replacement combined with the socket shield technique. The superior esthetic outcomes remained stable, suggesting that the extra space created by the narrow cervical portion of the implant is beneficial for preserving the alveolar bone and limiting internal shield exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dental practitioners face diverse challenges that can lead to stressful conditions and need practical solutions to help mitigate stress. This article addresses stress in dentistry, focusing on vicarious trauma, boundaries, expectations, and communication within dental practice. Strategies involve diaphragmatic breathing, mindfulness techniques, and cultivating a positive work environment with clear boundaries. Recommendations encompass adept time management, workload distribution, and leveraging technological advancements like electronic dental records, teledentistry, and artificial intelligence. The importance of continuing education, mentorship, and burnout-relief activities is underscored, with an emphasis on their role in professional growth and resilience. The article provides actionable insights for dental professionals, educators, and policymakers, contributing to ongoing efforts to reduce occupational stress and enhance well-being within the dental community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stress among dental practitioners is highly prevalent and is an issue that demands attention. Dental practice has been linked to mental, physical, chemical, and biological hazards that often foster high stress levels, anxiety, depression, burnout, and potential suicidal ideation. This can lead to unhealthy coping mechanisms and low quality of life, increasing the risk of chronic disease, mental issues, and lower patient care quality. This article summarizes data on stress in dentistry, highlighting its high prevalence and deleterious consequences. Five primary stress dimensions in general dental practice contribute to stress and burnout: productivity, patient-derived issues, regulations, fear of litigation, and work-related aspects. Reducing stress can decrease the risk of chronic conditions and mental health issues and potentially increase dental professionals’ health span and career longevity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The indications for augmentation of gingival tissue by connective tissue graft (CTG) are numerous. The techniques are widely adopted with extensive literature reporting high success. Harvest techniques include the mid to anterior palate, versus the posterior palate and tuberosity. The latter comprises denser collagen, identified as a more suitable graft. Alas, rarely have hyperplastic responses been reported. Case Presentation: Two adult, Caucasian patients presented with clinical need for soft tissue augmentation. Autogenous tissue was opted for, harvesting from the tuberosity gingiva. De‐epithelialized outside the mouth and inserted into envelope flaps, late healing resulted in hyperplastic gingival lesions. Neither lesion could be successfully removed, and biopsy for histopathological investigation was carried out. Conclusion: Hyperplastic response resulting from soft tissue augmentation with tuberosity CTG is rare but may occur. Laser or scalpel might not ensure complete removal. Informing the patient of this rare adverse effect may be important. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Host modifying factors, such as genetic predisposition, may increase severity of periodontitis. Genetic polymorphisms in interleukin-4 (IL-4) genes seem to influence host response to microbial challenge. Two IL-4 polymorphisms were found in association with asthma and atopy, and later with aggressive periodontitis in Caucasians. There seems to be a trend for racial differences regarding polymorphisms. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate if these IL-4 polymorphisms were associated with periodontal disease in a Brazilian population of African heritage., Methods: Sixty patients were divided into two groups: periodontitis group (n = 30) and control group (n = 30) Blood samples were taken and genomic DNA was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Identification of 70 bp repeat polymorphism in intron 2 and in the -590 position of the promoter region was performed through PCR-RFLP and electrophoresis in agarose gel., Results: No significant differences were found in the genotype frequency of the polymorphisms between control and periodontitis group. Chi square test and Mann-Whitney test were used for statistical analysis., Conclusions: We concluded that the studied IL-4 polymorphisms were not related to periodontal disease susceptibility in this African-American Brazilian population.