Single tooth implants in the esthetic zone following a two-stage all flapless approach: A retrospective analysis.

BACKGROUND: Due to chronic inflammation or trauma facial bone is frequently missing after tooth loss in the esthetic zone. As a consequence, procedures to augment or at least to preserve bone are frequently necessary prior to implant placement. PURPOSE: The aim of this retrospective case series is to demonstrate the applicability of a staged all-flapless concept to establish satisfactory implant restorations following situations of partial missing facial bone in the esthetic zone. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Radiological/clinical data of 25 patients were analyzed and an esthetic evaluation of 24 patients was performed. The staged concept included ridge preservation at time of tooth extraction and delayed guided implant placement. Marginal bone loss was measured radiologically and esthetic evaluation was performed based on standardized photographs using the Pink Esthetic Score as well as the Papilla Index. RESULTS: Implant success rate revealed 100%. The mean radiological peri-implant marginal bone loss measured 1.16 mm (SD: 0.16). Regarding the esthetic outcome 71% of patients were evaluated with a Pink Esthetic Score higher or equal to 10 constituting satisfactory esthetics (median pink esthetic score: 10). The mean follow-up time for clinical and radiographic analysis was 1.3 years (SD: 0.6 years) and 1.2 years (SD: 0.6) for esthetic evaluation. CONCLUSION: Although marginal bone loss cannot be avoided, the staged concept of flapless ridge preservation and subsequent delayed flapless guided implant placement carries the potential to improve esthetics of single-tooth implants in the anterior maxilla.

Immediate Restoration of Immediate Implants in the Esthetic Zone of the Maxilla Via the Copy-Abutment Technique: 5-Year Follow-Up of Pink Esthetic Scores.

BACKGROUND: Implant esthetics may benefit from individualized zirconia abutments copying the emergence profile of the natural tooth and delivered within days after immediate implant insertion. PURPOSE: To investigate the esthetic outcome of the Copy-Abutment technique using the Pink Esthetic Score (PES). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 77 patients with single-tooth implants in the anterior maxilla restored at the day of immediate implant placement using Copy-Abutments and provisional crowns were followed-up after 1 week, 1 month, 4 months, 6 months, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 years to assess implant esthetics. RESULTS: PES ranged between 7 and 14 (median: 13) and improved significantly between the 6 month and 1 year follow-up (p < .001), then remained stable up to the fifth year. Significant improvement was seen for the variables PES-6 soft tissue color (p = .002) and PES-7 soft tissue texture (p < .001) up to the 1 year follow-up, while PES-5 alveolar process deficiency deteriorated (p = .016). Mean mucosal recession was 0.26 ± 0.86 mm (range: 0-1.6) after 5 years and not related to gingival biotype. CONCLUSION: Copy-Abutments for immediate restoration of implants in the esthetic zone show satisfactory long-term esthetic outcomes.

Graftless Full-Arch Implant Rehabilitation with Interantral Implants and Immediate or Delayed Loading-Part II: Transition from the Failing Maxillary Dentition.

PURPOSE: To compare long-term survival and marginal bone loss of immediate interantral implants in the nonaugmented maxilla subjected to immediate vs delayed loading. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Graftless maxillary cross-arch rehabilitation was performed in a total of 362 patients in the years 2004 to 2013 (1,797 implants). Of the 240 patients with immediate implants replacing their failing maxillary dentition, 81% were subjected to immediate loading and 19% to delayed loading of their 4 to 6 interantral implants (980 and 235 implants, respectively). Kaplan-Meier survival estimates were computed and marginal bone loss was evaluated in a stratified random sample of 20 patients per group. RESULTS: Thirty-one of 1,215 implants failed within the mean observation period of 3.9 years, and no difference in 8-year survival estimates could be seen between immediate (97.6% [95% CI: 96.7 to 98.6]) and delayed (96.6% [95% CI: 94.3 to 98.9]) loading protocols (P = .359). Mean marginal bone resorption following implant insertion did not differ significantly between the groups (1.5 ± 1.7 mm vs 0.7 ± 1.1 mm, P = .379); however, it was significantly associated with a reduced number of implants (P = .017) and patient history of periodontal disease (P < .001). CONCLUSION: Immediate loading of interantral implants yields satisfactory results in the transition of patients from a failing maxillary dentition to full-arch implant rehabilitation and thus may be favored over delayed loading concepts.

Trends in techniques to avoid bone augmentation surgery: Application of short implants, narrow-diameter implants and guided surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Minimally invasive implantology using reduced implant dimensions as well as virtual treatment planning and CAD/CAM stereolithographic templates has gained popularity in recent years. The aim of the present investigation was to analyze prevailing trends in clinical utilization of these graftless therapeutic options. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 12.865 dental implants were placed in 5.365 patients at the Academy for Oral Implantology in Vienna, of which 5.5% were short (length < 10 mm), 19.5% narrow (diameter < 3.75 mm) and 10.6% template-guided. Application trends were analyzed using linear regression and compared between jaw location and dentition subgroups. RESULTS: Use of short implants and guided surgery increased significantly in all subgroups. Narrow-diameter implants were most frequent in single-tooth gaps (24.1%), however, upward trends could only be observed in partially and completely edentulous patients. Short implants were predominantly used in the mandible (9.9% vs. 2.5%, P < 0.001) while guided surgery was favored in the maxilla (14.2% vs. 5.4%, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Short implants (most frequent in partial edentulism) and guided implant surgery (most frequent in complete edentulism) represent uprising and promising surgical approaches to avoid patient morbidity associated with bone graft surgery.

Periimplantitis Treatment: Long-Term Comparison of Laser Decontamination and Implantoplasty Surgery.

PURPOSE: Periimplantitis is the most frequent cause of late implant failure; however, little is known about the long-term success of periimplantitis treatment and the effectiveness of various therapeutic interventions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 142 patients were referred to the Academy for Oral Implantology in Vienna for the treatment of recurrent periimplantitis around single-tooth implants. Of them, 72 patients (51%) were treated by laser decontamination, 47 patients (33%) by implantoplasty surgery, and 23 patients (16%) by a combination of both approaches. RESULTS: Overall success of periimplantitis therapy was 89% after 9 years of follow-up, and it did not differ significantly between female and male patients (P = 0.426). The number of implant failures that could not be prevented by periimplantitis treatment was 6 after laser decontamination (8%), 6 after implantoplasty surgery (13%), and 4 after a combination of both therapies (17%). Implant loss occurred after 4.9 ± 1.9 years of therapy, on average. No significant difference between the 3 treatment groups could be observed (P = 0.393). CONCLUSION: The present results suggest that success rates of periimplantitis therapy with either laser decontamination or surgical implantoplasty are high. These success rates do not appear to be associated with patient gender or treatment strategy.

Graftless Full-Arch Implant Rehabilitation with Interantral Implants and Immediate or Delayed Loading-Part I: Reconstruction of the Edentulous Maxilla.

PURPOSE: To compare long-term survival and marginal bone loss of late interantral implants in the nonaugmented edentulous maxilla subjected to immediate vs delayed loading. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred twenty-two edentulous patients with implants in native, healed jawbone were subjected to either immediate loading (179 implants) or delayed loading (403 implants) of their four to six interantral implants (part I of 362 graftless maxillary cross-arch rehabilitations performed in the years 2004 to 2013). Kaplan-Meier survival estimates were computed, and marginal bone loss was evaluated in a stratified random sample of 20 patients per group. RESULTS: Fifteen of 582 implants failed within the mean observation period of 4.7 years, and no difference in 8-year survival estimates could be seen between immediate (98.3% [95% CI: 96.4-100.0]) and delayed (96.7% [95% CI: 94.7-98.6]) loading protocols (P = .370). Mean marginal bone resorption following implant insertion did not differ significantly between the groups (1.1 ± 1.3 mm vs 1.4 ± 1.3 mm, P = .490). CONCLUSION: Immediate loading of interantral implants in the nonaugmented edentulous maxilla yields favorable results comparable to delayed loading and may be considered to shorten periods of removable provisional prostheses in maxillary edentulism.

Patient-Perceived Morbidity and Subjective Functional Impairment Following Immediate Transition from a Failing Dentition to Fixed Implant Rehabilitation.

PURPOSE: Failing residual dentition gives rise to patient concerns about the surgical and prosthodontic management of immediate implant rehabilitation. The purpose of this study was to assess subjective patient experiences of full-arch immediate implant loading. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients made a transition from poor dentition in the maxilla (25 patients) or mandible (25 patients) to full-arch rehabilitation on the day of extraction using four interantral or interforaminal implants. Provisional restoration was performed, and postoperative pain, swelling, and patient-perceived impairment in the first week was recorded. RESULTS: Absence of pain was reported by 40%, 52%, and 66% of patients, on the day of surgery, on the first day after surgery, and on the second day after surgery, respectively; pain levels decreased significantly (from 1.8 to 0.9, P < .001) and patient-reported swelling decreased from 1.5 to 1.3 (P = .058) on a 10-point scale. Postoperative impairment of everyday life and work (mean score = 1.1) was significantly less pronounced than impairment of food intake (mean score = 2.2; P = .004) or speech (mean score = 1.9; P = .002). Of these patients, 88% would again undergo the procedure without doubt. CONCLUSION: Although patient-perceived morbidity after immediate full-arch implant rehabilitation is low in general, minor masticatory and phonetic impairment should be taken into account.

Denture-Related Biomechanical Factors for Fixed Partial Dentures Retained on Short Dental Implants.

Prosthodontically driven biomechanical considerations are essential for longterm successful outcomes in dental implant therapy. Correct protocols seek to preclude potential consequences associated with functional and parafunctional occlusal overload such as screw loosening, component fracture, compromised marginal bone maintenance, and the integrity of the induced osseointegration response. Other concerns also need to be addressed, more especially when other implants are selected, for example: bridge insertion torque (BIT) in cases of immediate loading, cantilever length-anteroposterior spread ratio (CL-AP), overall crown-to-implant ratio (oCIR), total bone-to-implant surface area (tBICA), and the status of the opposing dentition. In spite of promising clinical results, evidence-based clinical protocols demand that such biomechanical limits still need to be determined.

Esthetics of Flapless Single-Tooth Implants in the Anterior Maxilla Using Guided Surgery: Association of Three-Dimensional Accuracy and Pink Esthetic Score.

BACKGROUND: Flapless implant placement using surgical templates may guarantee predictable and esthetic results provided that preplanned implant positions are transfered precisely into surgical reality. PURPOSE: The study aims to investigate the effect of three-dimensional accuracy in guided implant surgery on the esthetic outcome of single-tooth implants in the anterior maxilla. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Single-tooth implants for delayed replacement of upper incisors were inserted in 27 patients using stereolithographic templates. Superimposition of postoperative cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans allowed assessment of positional inaccuracy at the implant shoulder and apex, as well as angular deviation. Objective evaluation of implant esthetics was performed after a mean follow-up of 2.3 years using the Pink Esthetic Score (PES). RESULTS: Mean deviation between planned and actual implant position was 0.84 mm at the implant shoulder and significantly correlated to average PES of 12 (p = .031). Inaccuracy toward the buccal side was most frequent (70%). Deviations ≥ 0.8 mm resulted in significantly worse implant esthetics (median PES: 9.5, interquartile range [IQR]: 8-11) compared with more accurate implant positions (median PES: 13, IQR: 12-13, p = .039). CONCLUSION: Positional inaccuracy is low in guided implant surgery, but may however significantly compromise implant esthetics in the anterior maxilla.

Patients' preferences towards minimally invasive treatment alternatives for implant rehabilitation of edentulous jaws.

PURPOSE: To evaluate patient satisfaction, oral health-related quality of life, and patients' preferences towards minimally invasive treatment options for graftless rehabilitation of complete edentulism by means of dental implants. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A MEDLINE search of literature in the English language up to the year 2013 was performed to summarise current evidence from the patient's perspective. The final selection included 37 studies reporting on minimally invasive implant treatment of 648 edentulous maxillae and 791 edentulous mandibles in 1328 patients, via a total of 5766 implants. RESULTS: Patient satisfaction averaged 91% with flapless implant placement (range: 77 to 100%), 89% with short implants, 87% with narrow-diameter implants (range: 80 to 93%), 90% with a reduced number of implants (range: 77 to 100%), 94% with tilted implant placement (range: 58 to 100%), and 83% with zygomatic fixtures (range: 50 to 97%). Indirect comparison yielded patient preference towards tilted implant placement compared to a reduced number of implants (P = 0.036), as well as to zygomatic implants (P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: While little evidence on patients' preferences towards minimally invasive treatment alternatives vs. bone augmentation surgery could be identified from within-study comparison, it may be concluded that patient satisfaction with graftless solutions for implant rehabilitation of completely edentulous jaws is generally high. Comparative effectiveness research is needed to substantiate their positive appeal to potential implant patients and possible reduction of the indication span for invasive bone graft surgery.

Long-term implant success at the Academy for Oral Implantology: 8-year follow-up and risk factor analysis.

PURPOSE: Rehabilitation of the incomplete dentition by means of osseointegrated dental implants represents a highly predictable and widespread therapy; however, little is known about potential risk factors that may impair long-term implant success. METHODS: From 2004 to 2012, a total of 13,147 implants were placed in 4,316 patients at the Academy for Oral Implantology in Vienna. The survival rates after 8 years of follow-up were computed using the Kaplan-Meier method, and the impact of patient- and implant-related risk factors was assessed. RESULTS: Overall implant survival was 97% and was not associated with implant length (P=0.930), implant diameter (P=0.704), jaw location (P=0.545), implant position (P=0.450), local bone quality (P=0.398), previous bone augmentation surgery (P=0.617), or patient-related factors including osteoporosis (P=0.661), age (P=0.575), or diabetes mellitus (P=0.928). However, smoking increased the risk of implant failure by 3 folds (P<0.001) and a positive history of periodontal disease doubled the failure risk (P=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Summing up the long-term results of well over 10,000 implants at the Academy for Oral Implantology in Vienna it can be concluded that there is only a limited number of patients that do not qualify for implant therapy and may thus not benefit from improved quality of life associated with fixed implant-retained prostheses.

Early bone apposition to hydrophilic and hydrophobic titanium implant surfaces: a histologic and histomorphometric study in minipigs.

OBJECTIVE: The first objective of this pilot study was to evaluate the impact of the hydrophilicity on the early phases of osseointegration. The second objective was to compare two hydrophilic implant surfaces with different geometries, surface roughness, and technologies achieving hydrophilicity. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twelve weeks after extraction, all four quadrants of nine minipigs received three dental implants, alternating between hydrophilic microrough surfaces (INICELL and SLActive) and a conventional hydrophobic microrough surface. After 5, 10, and 15 days of submerged healing, ground sections were prepared and subjected to histologic and histomorphometric analysis. RESULTS: The histologic analysis revealed a similar healing pattern among the hydrophilic and hydrophobic implant surfaces, with extensive bone formation occurring between day 5 and day 10. With BIC values of greater than 50% after 10 days, all examined surfaces indicated favorable osseointegration at this very early point in healing. At day 15, the mean new bone-to-implant contact (newBIC) of one hydrophilic surface (INICELL; 55.8 ± 14.4%) was slightly greater than that of the hydrophobic microrough surface (40.6 ± 20.2%). At day 10 and day 15, an overall of 21% of the implants had to be excluded from analysis due to inflammations primarily caused by surgical complications. CONCLUSION: Substantial bone apposition occurs between day 5 and day 10. The data suggest that the hydrophilic surface can provoke a slight tendency toward increased bone apposition in minipigs after 15 days. A direct comparison of two hydrophilic surfaces with varying geometries is of limited relevance.

Osteocyte lacunar density and area in newly formed bone of the augmented sinus.

OBJECTIVES: Osteocytes, the most common cells of the bone, are buried in lacunae. Density and area of the osteocyte lacunae change with increasing maturation of the newly formed bone. Evaluation of osteocyte lacunae can therefore provide insights into the process of graft consolidation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Here, we determined the osteocyte lacunar density (number of osteocyte lacunae per bone area; N.Ot/BAr) and the osteocyte lacunar area in µm(2) (Lac.Ar) in histological specimens 6 and 12 weeks after the sinuses of 10 minipigs were augmented with Bio-Oss(®) , a deproteinized bovine bone mineral, and Ostim(®) , an aqueous paste of synthetic nanoparticular hydroxyapatite. The region of interest was defined by the following criteria: (i) >1 mm from the host bone, (ii) >0.5 mm from the sinus mucosa, (iii) minimum area of 0.2 mm(2) , and (iv) bone tissue spanning at least two bone substitute particles. RESULTS: The overall osteocyte lacunar density was significantly higher in the Bio-Oss(®) group than in the Ostim(®) group and decreased during the observation period at a similar range in both groups. The osteocyte lacunar area was smaller in the Bio-Oss(®) group than the Ostim(®) group but there was no significant change within the groups over time. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that bone substitutes affect the osteocyte lacunar density and the osteocyte lacunar area in the newly formed bone within the augmented sinus in this particular model situation. These measures can provide insights into the maturation of newly formed bone in the augmented sinus.

Resorption of deproteinized bovine bone mineral in a porcine calvaria augmentation model.

OBJECTIVES: The original aim of the study was to determine the osteoconductive capacity of deproteinized bovine bone mineral (DBBM) of different particle sizes underneath acrylic hemispheres in vivo. However, the model failed and allowed us to report on the resorption of DBBM. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Acrylic hemispheres were filled with and without a DBBM at a small particle size of 125-250 µm and at the regular particle size of 250-1000 µm. The hemispheres were positioned on the calvaria of eight minipigs. Histological and histomorphometric analysis was performed after 12 weeks. RESULTS: We found that the acrylic hemispheres were displaced and a dense fibrous capsule sequestered the augmented area. Histology showed severe resorption activity and the presence of multinucleated cells on the surface of DBBM particles in areas adjacent to the fibrous capsule. Histomorphometric analysis revealed that only less than half of the originally augmented area, which was approximately 30 mm(2) , remained after 12 weeks. The amount of residual DBBM (median 0.9 and 3.49 mm(2)) and bone (median 7.22 and 7.51 mm(2)) in the augmented area was similar in the small and the regular particle size group. CONCLUSION: The model represents a pathologic situation of excess resorption of DBBM and bone in an augmented area. The underlying cellular mechanisms remain to be uncovered.

Paste-like inorganic bone matrix: preclinical testing of a prototype preparation in the porcine calvaria.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the osteoconductive properties and the volume stability of an injectable paste-like inorganic bone matrix (PBM) in porcine calvaria defects. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We created six circumferential defects in the calvaria of 12 adult iberico pigs. The defects were filled with either PBM, Bio-Oss((R)) of different particle size, carrier alone, or left empty. PBM was composed of Bio-Oss((R)) with a particle size ranging from 250 to 500 mum and a hydrogel-carrier of carboxymethylcellulose and collagen. After 6 and 12 weeks of healing, the animals were sacrificed and undecalcified ground sections were prepared and subjected to histologic and histomorphometric analysis. To quantify the osteoconductive properties of PBM, bone volume per tissue volume (BV/TV) in the defect area was determined. To determine the volume stability, bone substitute volume per tissue volume (BSV/TV) was measured. RESULTS: After 6 weeks, PBM particles in the center of the defect were surrounded by fibrous connective tissue, which was later replaced by bone. BV/TV in the PBM group increased from 29.7+/-12.7% (minimum 12.2%, maximum 43.7%) after 6 weeks to 43.9+/-14.9% (minimum 27.8%, maximum 63.9%) after 12 weeks (Mann-Whitney test; P=0.6). According to the Friedman test, BV/TV in groups containing Bio-Oss((R)) of different particle sizes, the carrier and the empty defects was similar to the results obtained with PBM (6 weeks P=0.8; 12 weeks P=0.22). BSV/TV in the PBM group was stable over time, with 10.1+/-9% (minimum 3.3%, maximum 27.6%) and 16.5+/-12.9% (minimum 1%, maximum 32.7%), after 6 and 12 weeks, respectively (P=0.72). BSV/TV in the PBM group was comparable to the results obtained with the Bio-Oss((R)) particles of different sizes (Friedman test; 6 weeks P=0.0503; 12 weeks P=0.56). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this preclinical study showed that the PBM is osteoconductive and maintains the augmented volume, similar to commercial Bio-Oss((R)). These data suggest that the osteoconductive properties of Bio-Oss((R)) are maintained at the smaller particle size and in the presence of the carrier.

Sinus augmentation analysis revised: the gradient of graft consolidation.

OBJECTIVE: Graft consolidation follows a gradient that reflects the properties of bone substitutes at sites of sinus augmentation. Here we present an analytical method to investigate the process of graft consolidation taking the distance from the maxillary host bone into account. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We therefore evaluated histological specimens, 6 and 12 weeks after the sinus of minipigs was augmented with Bio-Oss((R)), a deproteinized bovine bone mineral, and Ostim((R)), an aqueous paste of synthetic nanoparticular hydroxyapatite. A curve was drawn that represents the changes in histomorphometric parameters within a given distance from the maxillary host bone. RESULTS: Based on this curve, three regions of interest were defined: R1 (0-1 mm) the bridging distance where new bone is laid onto the host bone, R2 (2-3 mm) a region of osteoconduction where new bone exclusively grows on the biomaterial, R3 (4-5 mm) and a region of osteoconduction where bone formation has reached its maximal extension. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of the three regions can reveal differences in graft consolidation, depending on the bone substitutes and the observation period [Bone volume (BV) per tissue volume after 6 weeks: R1: 19+/-8.4% for Bio-Oss((R)) and 42.9+/-13.2% for Ostim((R)) (P=0.03), R2: 3+/-2.4% for Bio-Oss((R)) and 14.7+/-9.5% for Ostim((R)) (P=0.03), R3: 5+/-4.1% for Bio-Oss((R)) and 5.3+/-5.3% for Ostim((R)) (P=0.86). BV per tissue volume after 12 weeks: R1: 38.0+/-13.3% for Bio-Oss((R)) and 53.3+/-6.6 for Ostim((R)) (P=0.04), R2: 14+/-12.2 for Bio-Oss((R)) and 26.4+/-11 for Ostim((R)) (P=0.18), R3: 6.6+/-7 for Bio-Oss((R)) and 10.7+/-5.8 for Ostim((R)) (P=0.32) after 12 weeks]. CONCLUSION: Based on the graft consolidation gradient, the impact of bone substitutes to modulate the process of bone formation and the kinetic of degradation within a distinct region of the augmented sinus can be investigated.

Simultaneous in vivo comparison of bone substitutes in a guided bone regeneration model.

A direct, simultaneous comparison of bone substitutes is hampered by the limited number of samples that can be tested simultaneously. The goal of this study was to establish a preclinical model for guided bone regeneration that offers testing of different bone substitutes in a one-wall defect situation. We show here that up to eight titanium hemispheres can be placed on the calvaria of minipigs. To establish our model, titanium hemispheres were filled with and without Bio-Oss, a deproteinized bovine bone mineral, Ostim, an aqueous paste of synthetic nanoparticular hydroxyapatite, and Osteoinductal, an oily calcium hydroxide suspension, before being positioned on the calvaria. After 6 and 12 weeks, titanium hemispheres were subjected to histological and histomorphometric analysis. We show here that bone filled approximately one-tenth of the area below the hemispheres which were left empty, indicating a critical size model for guided bone regeneration. In accordance with the documented osteoconductive properties of Bio-Oss and Ostim, titanium hemispheres were almost completely filled with bone. Moreover, the expected degradation profile of Bio-Oss and Ostim could be confirmed by histologic and histomorphometric analysis. Under the same conditions, Osteoinductal failed to exert osteoconductive properties, rather a progressive resorption of the host bone was observed. These results demonstrate that the preclinical model presented here is suitable to simultaneously compare bone substitutes with different material properties. Our model based on the titanium hemispheres allows evaluation of graft consolidation under standardized conditions thereby avoiding intra-individual variations.

Radiological and clinical follow-up of machined- and anodized-surface implants after mean functional loading for 33 months.

The purpose of this retrospective study was to compare peri-implant bone loss and mucosal conditions around machined-surface (MS) and anodized-surface (AS) interforaminal implants in the mandible at least 30 months after placement. Fifty patients, each treated with four interforaminal screw-type implants consecutively, were included. Thirty-one patients (62%) with a total number of 124 implants (64 MS and 60 AS implants, both Brånemark type MKIII) were available for follow-up. Rotational panoramic radiographs were used for evaluating marginal bone loss. Clinically, marginal plaque index (mPI), bleeding on probing (BOP) and pocket probing depth (PPD) were evaluated. AS implants showed significantly less marginal bone loss than MS implants (-1.17+/-0.13 vs. -1.42+/-0.13 mm; P=0.03). Marginal bone loss around distal implants was less pronounced at AS implants (-1.05+/-0.14 mm) when compared with MS implants (-1.46+/-0.14 mm; P=0.05). Within the smoking group, there was less peri-implant bone loss around AS implants than around MS implants (-1.08+/-0.27 vs. -1.83+/-0.2; P=0.04). No differences between MS and AS implants were found with respect to mPI (57% vs. 67%), BOP (21% vs. 17%) and mean PPD (2.59+/-0.29 vs. 2.56+/-0.28 mm). Overall, both types of implants, in combination with bar-supported overdentures, can produce excellent long-term results in the interforaminal edentulous mandible with less peri-implant bone loss around rough implant surfaces, which had beneficial effects at distal implants and in smokers.

Clinical study of horizontal alveolar distraction with modified micro bone screws and subsequent implant placement.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical relevance of horizontal distraction osteogenesis (DO) with bone micro screws for reconstructing knife-edge alveolar crests before implant placement. Horizontal DO was performed in upper and lower alveolar crests of seven patients with resorption class IV according to Cawood and Howell. After osteotomy and a 1-week latency period, micro bone screws were reset daily for horizontal expansions by 0.5 mm. Dental implants were placed in the distracted area following a consolidation period of 12 weeks. Computer tomography was performed before DO and implant placement. Morphometric analysis showed a mean gain of 34.01 mm(2) (95% confidence interval [CI]: 10.55-57.48) in bone area and of 3.06 mm (95% CI: 1.81-4.31) in horizontal width, i.e. the horizontal dimension of the alveolus was approximately doubled within the first 5 mm of height. All 12 implants placed into the distracted area fulfilled the success criteria of stable osseointegration after 1 year of functional loading according to Albrektsson and colleagues. Despite the limited number of patients treated, data from the clinical study of horizontal DO with bone micro screws suggest that the generation of sufficient hard tissue in previously knife-edge alveolar crests for subsequent implant placement was possible.

Bony press-fit closure of oro-antral fistulas: a technique for pre-sinus lift repair and secondary closure.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the use of intra-oral bone grafts for closing chronic oro-antral fistulas (OAFs), for providing a sound basis for subsequent conventional sinus lifting and for preserving the teeth adjacent to OAFs. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-one patients with oro-antral fistulas of variable origin were treated with monocortical bone blocks harvested from the retromolar or interforaminal regions of the mandible. The preoperative treatment, the surgical procedure for both hard and soft tissue closure, and the postoperative management are reviewed in detail. RESULTS: Press-fit closure for repair of the bony sinus floor was sufficient in 17 patients. Four of them needed additional internal fixation. In all 21 patients adequate closure of the fistulas was obtained, although 3 patients (14.3%) developed wound dehiscences at the grafted sites, which healed by secondary intention. Meanwhile, 3 patients underwent successful sinus lifting. CONCLUSION: The use of monocortical bone grafts harvested at intra-oral donor sites is a safe and easy technique for repairing defects of the maxilla, especially OAFs in need of secondary closure. It provides a sound basis for subsequent conventional sinus lifting and preserves the teeth adjacent to OAFs.