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OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was twofold: (1) to compare soft tissue measurements of the same distances obtained from 3D computed tomography reconstructions with 2D cephalometric radiograms, (2) to compare data from 3D measurements from direct anthropometry and 2D "norms" for the facial measurements. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 40 Caucasian patients that had their CBCT scans for various dental and dentoskeletal reasons were enrolled in this study. All the patients had large field of view (from the forehead to the chin). The data were stored in DICOM format and imported into a software for 3D reconstructions. After 3D facial soft tissue model generation, the distances between 18 soft tissue points were measured. The 3D soft tissue analysis was performed, and the facial indices were calculated. The mean 3D values were compared with 2D measurements performed on lateral cephalograms and Arnett's and Farkas' norms. The measurements were statistically compared using Student's f-test. RESULTS: Assessments from 2D and 3D mea-surements showed no statistical difference except for the distance Pogonion (for both male and female) and Labial superius prominence (females) to the True Vertical Line in 2D /Plane in case of 3D measurements. There was a significant difference between all 3D measurements and Arnett's and anthropometric Farkas' "norms". The mean difference between Farkas' "norms" and 3D measurements was within 3 mm for 70% of measurements. CONCLUSIONS: According to the results, 3D soft tissue analysis allows for complete diagnostic determination. The 3D "norms" are to be verified on a greater sample. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the following case reports was to assess whether mineralized bone replacement grafts (eg, xenografts and allografts) could be added to recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2/acellular collagen sponge (rhBMP-2/ACS) in an effective manner that would: (1) reduce the graft shrinkage observed when using rhBMP-2/ACS alone, (2) reduce the volume and dose of rhBMP-2 required, and (3) preserve the osteoinductivity that rhBMP-2/ACS has shown when used alone. The primary outcome measures were histomorphometric analysis of vital bone production and analysis of serial computed tomographic scans to determine changes in bone graft density and stability. Over the 6-month course of this investigation, bone graft densities tended to increase (moreso with the xenograft than the allograft). The increased density in allograft cases was likely the result of both compression of the mineralized bone replacement graft and vital bone formation, seen histologically. Loss of volume was greater with the four-sponge dose than the two-sponge dose because of compression and resorption of the sponges. Vital bone formation in the allograft cases ranged from 36% to 53% but, because of the small sample size, it was not possible to determine any significant difference between the 5.6 mL (four-sponge) dose and the 2.8 mL (two-sponge) dose. Histology revealed robust new woven bone formation with only minimal traces of residual allograft, which appeared to have undergone accelerated remodeling or rhBMP-2-mediated resorption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bisphosphonates are pharmacologic compounds characterized by high tropism to bone tissue. They affect bone metabolism by inhibition of osteoclast recruitment, proliferation, differentiation, and function. Because they can reduce bone resorption, bisphosphonates are used mainly for the treatment of osteometabolic conditions, particularly osteoporosis, Paget disease, multiple myeloma, and other solid tumors with bone metastases. Their use has conferred great benefits to patients affected by these diseases, significantly improving their quality of life. Bisphosponates' inhibition of bone resorption might be exploited to maintain implant primary stability during the process of implant osseointegration. The aim of this histologic clinical study was to compare the response of bone tissue around an implant treated with a bisphosphonate solution (test) to that of the bone around an untreated implant (control). The bisphosphonate-treated implant showed more contact with newly formed bone than the control implant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this prospective study was to assess the outcome of periradicular surgery with or without guided tissue regeneration (GTR) for the treatment of through-and-through lesions. Thirty-four teeth were included according to specific selection criteria. In the test group (using GTR), after root-end filling, the defects were filled with anorganic bovine bone and covered with a resorbable collagen membrane. Healing was assessed according to specific criteria and graded as successful, doubtful, or failed. In the control group, neither grafts nor membranes were used. After 1 year, 31 teeth were evaluated. Of these, 22 (71%) healed successfully, 6 (19%) showed doubtful healing, and 2 were recorded as failures. The outcomes of the defects treated with GTR (88% successful) were significantly better than those of the control group (57% successful). The present study showed that the use of GTR associated with anorganic bovine bone in the treatment of through-and-through lesions may positively affect the healing process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The most frequent intraoperative complication with sinus elevation is perforation of the schneiderian membrane. In most instances, the repair of this perforation is necessary to contain particulate grafting material and complete the procedure. New techniques are presented here for the management of large perforations of the schneiderian membrane. A bioabsorbable collagen membrane is stabilized outside the antrostomy and then folded inward to create either a new superior wall that can obliterate a large perforation or a 'pouch' that can completely contain the particulate material. This can make it possible to complete a procedure that otherwise may have had to be aborted by preventing dispersion of the particulate graft within the sinus cavity. Clinical cases are shown, along with follow-up at 6 to 9 months, demonstrating histologic and/or radiographic evidence of success, continued sinus health, and superior vital bone formation. The authors have used this technique on 20 consecutive patients without experiencing any procedural failures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy of immediate nonocclusal loading (test group) versus early loading (control group) in partially edentulous patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-two patients in 5 Italian private practices were randomized to 1 of the treatments: 25 to the immediately loaded group and 27 to the early loaded group. To be immediately loaded, single implants had to be inserted with a torque of > 30 Ncm, and splinted implants had to be inserted with a torque of > 20 Ncm. Implants in the immediately loaded group were provided with full acrylic resin nonoccluding temporary restorations within 48 hours after placement. After 2 months, full occluding provisional restorations were provided. Implants in the early loading group were not submerged and were loaded after 2 months. At 8 months, provisional restorations were replaced with definitive metal-ceramic prostheses. Outcome measures were prosthesis and implant failures as well as biologic and prosthetic complications recorded by nonblinded assessors. The Fisher exact test was used to compare the proportion of implant failures. RESULTS: Fifty-two implants were placed in the immediately loaded group and 52 in the early loaded group. No dropouts or complications occurred up to 14 months postinsertion. One single implant failed in the immediately loaded group 2 months after placement. There was no statistically difference for the tested outcome measures between the 2 procedures (P > .99). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this randomized controlled clinical trial with 25 patients rehabilitated with immediately restored nonocclusally loaded implant-supported prostheses compared to 27 patients restored 2 months following placement suggest that there are no major clinical differences in implant survival between these 2 protocols. No biologic or prosthetic complications occurred. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PURPOSE: The aims of this study were to assess the treatment outcome of immediately loaded full-arch screw-retained prostheses with distal extensions supported by both upright and tilted implants for the rehabilitation of edentulous jaws and to compare the outcomes of upright versus tilted implants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: At 4 study centers, 342 Osseotite NT implants were consecutively placed in 65 patients (96 implants were placed in 24 mandibles and 246 implants in 41 maxillae). The 2 distal implants were tilted by 25 to 35 degrees. Provisional full-arch restorations made of a titanium framework and acrylic resin teeth were delivered within 48 hours of surgery and immediately loaded. The final prosthesis was delivered after 3 months of healing. RESULTS: Three implants failed during the first year and another 2 within 18 months of loading in the maxilla. The cumulative implant survival rate for the maxilla was 97.59% for up to 40 months of follow-up. No implant failure was recorded for the mandible. The prosthetic success rate was 100%. Marginal bone loss around upright and tilted implants was similar. Patients were satisfied of their esthetics, phonetics, and function. CONCLUSION: The preliminary results of this study suggest that immediate rehabilitation of the edentulous maxilla and mandible by a hybrid prosthesis supported by 6 or 4 implants, respectively, may represent a viable treatment alternative with respect to more demanding surgical procedures. The clinical results indicate that immediately loaded tilted implants may achieve the same outcome as upright implants in both jaws. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this prospective randomized controlled clinical study, small titanium implants were placed in posterior maxillae for the purpose of assessing the rate and extent of new bone development. Nine pairs of site evaluation implants were placed in posterior areas of maxillae and retrieved with trephine drills after 4 or 8 weeks of unloaded healing. The amount of bone in linear contact (%) with the implant surface was used to determine the osteoconductive potential of the implant surface. Implant surfaces were dual acid etched (n = 9) (controls) or dual acid etched and further conditioned with nanometer-scale crystals of calcium phosphate (n = 9) (test implants), and the surfaces were compared. The implants and surrounding tissues were processed for histologic analysis. The mean bone-to-implant contact value for the test surface was significantly increased over that of the control implants at both time intervals (P <.01). For the implants/patients included in this study, the addition of a nanometer-scale calcium phosphate treatment to a dual acid-etched implant surface appeared to increase the extent of bone development after 4 and 8 weeks of healing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The primary goal of this paper was to determine the survival rate of immediately loaded (IL) dental implants based on a systematic review of the literature. Secondary goals were to determine the influence of several factors on the implant survival rate, such as the type of reconstruction, implant location, and implant surface characteristics. An electronic search of databases was performed, in addition to a hand search of the most relevant journals. All relevant articles were independently screened according to specific inclusion criteria. The selected papers were reviewed. The literature search yielded 270 applicable articles up to December 2005. Of these, 71 met the inclusion criteria for qualitative data analysis. Eight articles were randomized controlled trials. The overall implant survival rate for the included studies was 96.39%. The database included 10,491 IL implants placed in 2,977 patients, with a maximum follow-up of 13 years. IL is well documented and predictable for the edentulous mandible (overdentures and full-arch prostheses) and for maxillary single crowns. Fewer data were found for maxillary full-arch reconstructions, fixed partial prostheses, and mandibular single crowns. For the latter two types of reconstructions, implants placed in anterior sites generally displayed a higher survival rate versus those placed in posterior sites. Rough surfaces displayed a higher survival rate than machined surfaces in all types of reconstructions. Most failures (97.1%) occurred within the first 12 months of loading. This review showed that it is possible to apply IL with excellent survival rates. Implant micromorphology and careful patient selection may affect treatment outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When maximum precision is required in performing surgery to satisfy particular esthetic demands, a surgical microscope that enhances complete visualization of the operative field may represent a useful tool. Twenty-four cases of gingival recession (depth 2 to 5 mm) were treated by different mucogingival surgical techniques in 24 patients: 12 procedures were performed with the aid of a surgical microscope (test group), whereas the other 12 patients were treated without the microscope (control group). Recession depth, probing depth, periodontal attachment loss, and keratinized gingival tissue width were recorded at baseline and 12 months following surgery. Three examiners separately evaluated pictures of the final cases on a scale from 1 to 3, focusing on three esthetic parameters (scarring, gingival margin, and papillae appearance). All parameters significantly improved from baseline to 12 months in both groups, except for probing depth, which did not significantly change. Although the outcomes of the test group always showed a major improvement over the controls, no significant differences could be detected between test and control groups. Mean defect coverage at 12 months was 86% and 78% for test and control groups, respectively; complete coverage was achieved in 58.3% and 33.4% of cases, respectively. Qualitative esthetic evaluation showed: (1) high concurrence among examiners; (2) significantly better scarring and marginal profile in the test group; and (3) no significant difference in papillae appearance. The application of magnification in mucogingival surgery accomplished better results in terms of success and predictability compared to conventional techniques and might help achieve excellent esthetic outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on a systematic review of the literature from 1986 to 2002, this study sought to determine the survival rate of root-form dental implants placed in the grafted maxillary sinus. Secondary goals were to determine the effects of graft material, implant surface characteristics, and simultaneous versus delayed placement on survival rate. A search of the main electronic databases was performed in addition to a hand search of the most relevant journals. All relevant articles were screened according to specific inclusion criteria. Selected papers were reviewed for data extraction. The search yielded 252 articles applicable to sinus grafts associated with implant treatment. Of these, 39 met the inclusion criteria for qualitative data analysis. Only 3 of the articles were randomized controlled trials. The overall implant survival rate for the 39 included studies was 91.49%. The database included 6,913 implants placed in 2,046 subjects with loaded follow-up time ranging from 12 to 75 months. Implant survival was 87.70% with grafts of 100% autogenous bone, 94.88% when combining autogenous bone with various bone substitutes, and 95.98% with bone grafts consisting of bone substitutes alone. The survival rate for implants having smooth and rough surfaces was 85.64% and 95.98%, respectively. Simultaneous and delayed procedures displayed similar survival rates of 92.17% and 92.93%, respectively. When implants are placed in grafted maxillary sinuses, the performance of rough implants is superior to that of smooth implants. Bone-substitute materials are as effective as autogenous bone when used alone or in combination with autogenous bone. Studies using a split-mouth design with one variable are needed to further validate the findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article describes two different surgical techniques of root coverage using Emdogain and shows preliminary results on 26 shallow recessions in 14 patients. For the treatment of 13 recessions, Emdogain was used in combination with a coronally advanced flap (CAF+EMD group). In the other 13 recessions, Emdogain and the flap were used in combination with a subepithelial connective tissue graft (CAF+CTG+EMD group). For the CAF+EMD group, the root coverage at 6 months was 93.97%, with an attachment gain of 3.2 mm; for the CAF+CTG+EMD group, the root coverage was 93.59%, with an attachment gain of 3.4 mm (no statistically significant difference between groups). When complete root coverage was not achieved, the residual recession was 1 mm in four cases and 2 mm in one case. Keratinized gingiva was increased for both groups, but more for the CAF+CTG+EMD group (1.38 mm versus 0.69 mm; statistically significant difference). Clinical attachment level decreased significantly in both groups, from 4.46 to 1.23 mm in the CAF+EMD group, and from 4.62 to 1.23 mm in the CAF+CTG+EMD group. Preliminary results show that Emdogain, in combination with CAF or CAF+CTG for the treatment of Miller Class I or II gingival recessions, displays good clinical results, with percentage of root coverage comparable or superior to other techniques. Further experimental studies on the dynamics of wound healing are needed to prove that EMD is really responsible for improving the percentage of regenerated versus repaired tissues with respect to other techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A growing number of clinical reports show that early and immediate loading of endosseous implants may lead to predictable osseointegration; however, these studies provide mostly short- to mid-term results based only on clinical mobility and radiographic observation. Other methods are needed to detect the possible presence of a thin fibrous interposition of tissue that could increase in the course of time and lead to clinical mobility A histologic evaluation was performed on two immediately loaded Osseotite implants retrieved after 4 months of function from one patient. He had received a total of 12 implants in the mandible, of which six were immediately loaded and six were left to heal in a submerged way Clinical and histologic osseointegration was consistently achieved for both of the retrieved immediately loaded implants. Osteogenesis and bone remodeling on the Osseotite surface were not impeded by immediate loading as shown by histomorphometric evaluation, which revealed high levels of bone-to-implant contact ranging from 78% to 85%. This immediate loading protocol involving bilateral splinting of six Osseotite implants in the mandible proved to be successful after 4 months of loading. Further long-term clinical and histologic studies are needed before introducing this immediate loading protocol as a routine procedure in implant therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]