The Effect of Hyperlipidemia on Peri-implant Health: A Clinical and Radiographical Prospective Study.

High levels of cholesterol and triglycerides may have a negative effect on the immune system and bone health, leading to lower bone mineral density, an increased risk of osteoporosis, and bone fractures, and could therefore also be related to a significant worsening of peri-implant health. The purpose of the following study was to evaluate whether the altered lipid profile in patients who undergo implant insertion surgery represents a prognostic factor capable of influencing clinical outcomes. This prospective observational study was conducted on 93 subjects; patients were required to have taken blood tests to obtain triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels prior to the surgical procedure to classify them according to current American Heart Association guidelines. The outcomes considered were marginal bone loss (MBL) 3 years after implant placement, full-mouth plaque score (FMPS), and full-mouth bleeding score (FMBS) 3 years after surgery. A statistically significant correlation was found between hypertriglyceridemia and MBL as well as between total cholesterol and MBL. There is no statistically significant correlation between the variables analyzed and the secondary outcomes 3 years after implant placement. Peri-implant marginal bone loss may be influenced by hyperlipidemia. However, further studies are needed, with larger samples and more extensive follow-ups, to confirm these results.

Technical and Biological Complications of Screw-Retained (CAD/CAM) Monolithic and Partial Veneer Zirconia for Fixed Dental Prostheses on Posterior Implants Using a Digital Workflow: A 3-Year Cross-Sectional Retrospective Study.

OBJECTIVE: The introduction of CAD/CAM and the development of zirconia-based restorations have allowed clinicians to use less expensive materials and faster manufacturing procedures. The purpose of the study was to analyze the differences, in terms of mechanical and biological complication, in multiunit zirconia fixed dental prosthesis (FPDs) on posterior implants produced using a digital workflow. Method and Materials. This study was a retrospective investigation, and patients treated with screw-retained monolithic or partial veneer FPDs on dental implants were selected. Periapical radiographs were taken at baseline and at the 3-year follow-up. Complications were recorded and classified as technical and biological ones. RESULTS: The study population included 25 patients. The occlusal and interproximal corrections were not clinically significant. In the study sample, the survival rate and success rate of the FPDs after 3 years were 100% and 96%, respectively. One implant failed immediately after placement. CONCLUSION: Monolithic zirconia FPDs and partial veneer FPDs showed a 100% survival rate, presenting an interesting alternative to metal ceramic restorations. The partial veneer FPDs had a higher technical complication rate than the monolithic FPDs; however, no statistically significant difference was found.

A Pilot Retrospective Study on the Effect of Bone Grafting after Wisdom Teeth Extraction.

This study aimed to retrospectively investigate the effect of bone graft after extraction of wisdom teeth impacting with the distal aspect of the second molar, on soft tissue wound healing, bone loss, and periodontal parameters. Sixteen patients treated an for impacted mandibular wisdom tooth at least one year ago were re-called (18 teeth). Dental panoramic tomography and periodontal parameters were assessed. A graft material was used to fill the post-extractive sockets in the test group (GUIDOR easy-graft CRYSTAL), whereas in the control group, the socket was filled using a collagen sponge and blood clot (Hemocollagene, Septodont, Matarò, Spain). The radiographic bone loss was measured at the distal aspect of the second molar. The Wilcoxon singed-rank test for paired data was performed to evaluate statistical differences. In the test group, only two cases out of nine showed bone loss, with an average of 0.55 ± 1.30 mm. Conversely, in the control group, five teeth out of nine showed bone resorption with an average of 1.22 ± 1.30 mm. However, the differences were not statistically significant. Periodontal parameters at the second molar demonstrated similar behavior between the test and control groups. Soft tissue healing complications were lower in the grafted compared to the comparator sites without reaching statistical significance. Within the limitations of the present study, no difference was found between the two groups.

Patient and Operator Centered Outcomes in Implant Dentistry: Comparison between Fully Digital and Conventional Workflow for Single Crown and Three-Unit Fixed-Bridge.

BACKGROUND: Scientific information about the effects of implant therapy following a precise workflow and patient and operators' preferences should be considered to choose which implant treatment protocol to use, and to achieve patient's satisfaction and functional results. The aim of this study was to analyze implant rehabilitations with a fully digital workflow and compare this approach with a conventional one. METHODS: This study comprises 64 patients treated with a fully digital approach and 58 patients treated using a conventional protocol. Patient and operator centered outcomes were assessed through two visual analogue scale (VAS) questionnaires. RESULTS: The VAS questionnaire demonstrated better results for the digital workflow concerning anxiety, convenience, taste, nausea sensation, pain and breathing difficulties (p < 0.0001). The VAS questionnaire administered to the operators showed better scores for the digital approach in relation to anxiety, convenience, difficulties of the impression procedure and the workflow (p < 0.0001). A significant reduced mean time for the digital workflow as well as a reduced number of required visits were recorded. CONCLUSION: The analysis of a fully digital and a conventional protocol showed better results according to patient and operators' preferences when a fully digital approach was used.

Comparative Histopathologic Analysis of Granulomatous Tissue of Endodontic and Periodontal Origin.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the percentage of tissue types and assess the presence/absence of odontoblasts or preodontoblasts in granulation tissue harvested from lesions associated with teeth extracted due to endodontic and periodontal reasons. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Histologic reports of cases with a confirmed diagnosis (ie, endodontic or periodontal diseases) were included. These should include a semiquantitative analysis of the percentage of tissue types per sample (ie, epithelium, subepithelial connective tissue, bone or chronic inflammation/deep connective tissue). The overall percentage of tissue type per diagnosis was calculated. Quantitative variables were summarized with means and standard deviations. Normal distribution was tested by the D'Agostino-Pearson omnibus normality test. The level of P < .05 was adopted for statistical significance. Finally, an analysis of the salient findings was summarized. RESULTS: The reports from 19 patients were included, 9 of endodontic and 10 of periodontal origins. The granulomatous tissue of endodontic and periodontal disease origin was similar, and consisted mainly of chronic inflammation (endodontic 40%, periodontal 41.7%), followed by epithelium (endodontic 25.7%, periodontal 29.2%), subepithelial connective tissue (endodontic 18.6%, periodontal 20.8%), and bone (endodontic 15.7%, periodontal 8.3%). No significant differences were found when comparing the groups regarding the percentage of tissue types (P ≥ .05). No osteoblasts or preosteoblasts were reported. CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of the study, the granulomatous tissues associated with chronic infection of endodontic or periodontal origin are comparable and consist primarily of chronic inflammatory cells.

Clinical and radiological outcomes of implants with two different connection configurations: A randomised controlled trial.

Background: Peri-implant marginal bone loss is influenced by the interaction between tissues and the implant­abutment complex. The implant­abutment connection geometry is considered to be one of the factors that most affects peri-implant bone remodelling. Purpose: The primary purpose was to compare the clinical and radiographical differences between implants sharing the same macrogeometry but with two different connections. The secondary aims were to measure implant success and survival rate, primary and secondary stability, and the correlation between changes in marginal bone level and clinical variables. Additionally, a neural network was developed and tested to anticipate the impact of the insertion torque curve on marginal bone loss. Materials and methods: Patients requiring at least two implants in the posterior region were randomly divided into two groups. The implants presented the same micro- and macrotopography with different internal connections, conical standard (CS) and internal hex (IH). Upon implant surgery (T0), insertion torque, implant stability (implant stability quotient values were recorded by resonance frequency analysis), soft tissue height and the amount of keratinised gingiva were assessed. Stability was remeasured at the time of prosthetic connection (stage-two surgery) using a one-abutment one-time protocol and a fully digital workflow. At 6 months and 1 year after implant loading, periodontal parameters were assessed and periapical radiographs were taken. To study the differences between the two groups and the different variables, paired t test and generalised estimating equations models were adopted. Cluster analysis was used to assess the correlation between torque insertion/clinical profiles and changes in marginal bone level. Results: A total of 33 patients (17 men, 16 women, mean age 67.4 ± 14.5 years) were included in the study. No dropouts were reported. Fifty-three implants (26 CS and 27 IH) were inserted in the maxilla, and 15 (8 CS and 7 IH) in the mandible. No implants failed. Marginal bone loss at 6 months after prosthetic loading was 0.33 ± 0.34 mm for CS and 0.43 ± 0.37 mm for IH (P = 0.125), and after 1 year was 0.48 ± 0.18 mm for CS and 0.57 ± 0.24 mm for IH. A statistically significant difference between the implant stabilty quotient values for the test and control groups was demonstrated at T0 (P = 0.03) and at stage-two surgery (P = 0.000122). The generalised estimating equations model showed that soft tissue height (P = 0.012), keratinised gingiva (P = 0.05) and insertion torque (P = 0.042) had a significant effect on marginal bone loss, while the other variables did not play a statistically significant role. The neural network showed good sensitivity, accuracy, precision and specificity. Conclusions: The present research showed that different implant­abutment connections with the same implant macrogeometry have a significant effect on marginal bone loss. Better outcomes were observed in the CS group compared to the IH group. Marginal bone loss was found to be influenced by different individual and clinical factors.