Considerations for the Survival of Complete Arch Implant-Supported Zirconia Restorations; Status of Antagonistic Arches and Stress Distribution on Frameworks: A Case Report

This report describes two cases of complete arch implant-supported restorations. The first patient had seven dental implants in each arch with monolithic zirconia frameworks. At four weeks' follow-up, the one-piece maxillary framework was fractured, which was re-designed and re-fabricated using laser-sintered cobalt-chrome alloy. The second patient had four implants in the mandible only. A mandibular monolithic zirconia framework and a maxillary conventional complete denture were fabricated and delivered. At five years' follow-up, the patient reported no significant discomfort. Careful consideration and monitoring of the status of antagonistic arches and stress distribution on zirconia frameworks were suggested for complete arch implant-supported fixed restorations

Characteristics of contact and distance osteogenesis around modified implant surfaces in rabbit tibiae

PURPOSE: Contact and distance osteogenesis occur around all endosseous dental implants. However, the mechanisms underlying these processes have not been fully elucidated. We hypothesized that these processes occur independently of each other. To test this, we used titanium (Ti) tubes to physically separate contact and distance osteogenesis, thus allowing contact osteogenesis to be measured in the absence of possible triggers from distance osteogenesis. METHODS: Sandblasted and acid-etched (SLA) and modified SLA (modSLA) implants were used. Both types had been sandblasted with large grit and then etched with acid. The modSLA implants then underwent additional treatment to increase hydrophilicity. The implants were implanted into rabbit tibiae, and half were implanted within Ti tubes. The bone-to-implant contact (BIC) ratio was calculated for each implant. Immunohistochemical analyses of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-2 expression and new bone formation (Masson trichrome stain) were performed. RESULTS: The implants outside of Ti tubes were associated with good bone formation along the implant surface. Implantation within a Ti tube significantly reduced the BIC ratio (P<0.001). Compared with the modSLA implants, the SLA implants were associated with significantly higher BIC ratios, regardless of the presence or absence of Ti tubes (P=0.043). In the absence of Ti tubes, the bone adjacent to the implant had areas of new bone formation that expressed BMP-2 at high levels. CONCLUSIONS: This study disproved the null hypothesis and suggested that contact osteogenesis is initiated by signals from the old bone that undergoes distance osteogenesis after drilling. This signal may be BMP-2.

Maxillofacial rehabilitation of hemi-maxillectomy patient using a closed hollow bulb obturator fabricated by one-step polymerization technique: a clinical report / 대한치과보철학회지

The maxillary defects lead to anatomical and functional deformity of the maxillofacial region. As far as functions are concerned, such defects can produce difficulty in speech, mastication, and deglutition. Obturator prostheses play a very important role in functional recovery for post-maxillectomy patients. To achieve rigidity of the obturator, appropriate retention should be given, and the weight of the prosthesis be reduced. There are two types of hollow bulb obturator: open and closed. A closed type has many advantages. Nevertheless, some problems, including complexity of fabrication and water leakage into the bulb, have the closed hollow obturator not be widely used. The one-step polymerization technique described in this case overcomes the shortcomings by easily constructing a small hollow bulb with two thermoplastic resin sheets.