Complete-Arch Implant Rehabilitation with the Aid of Computer-Assisted Implant Surgery and Transitional Implants: A New Digital Approach

This case report describes a new digital workflow for computer-assisted implant surgery in an edentulous patient using transitional implants to support a fixed surgical template and interim prosthesis. The accuracy of the final implant position using the described protocol was evaluated and compared to the outcomes obtained using other types of surgical templates. This novel digital approach appears to enhance the accuracy of implant positioning for edentulous patients and seems to be comparable to a tooth-supported surgical template.

Platelet-Rich Plasma Lysate-Incorporating Gelatin Hydrogel as a Scaffold for Bone Reconstruction.

In implant dentistry, large vertical and horizontal alveolar ridge deficiencies in mandibular and maxillary bone are challenges that clinicians continue to face. One of the limitations of porous blocks for reconstruction of bone in large defects in the oral cavity, and in the musculoskeletal system, is that fibrin clot does not adequately fill the interior pores and does not persist long enough to accommodate cell migration into the center of the block. The objective of our work was to develop a gelatin-based gel incorporating platelet-rich plasma (PRP) lysate, to mimic the role that a blood clot would normally play to attract and accommodate the migration of host osteoprogenitor and endothelial cells into the scaffold, thereby facilitating bone reconstruction. A conjugate of gelatin (Gtn) and hydroxyphenyl propionic acid (HPA), an amino-acid-like molecule, was commended for this application because of its ability to undergo enzyme-mediated covalent cross-linking to form a hydrogel in vivo, after being injected as a liquid. The initiation and propagation of cross-linking were under the control of horseradish peroxidase and hydrogen peroxide, respectively. The objectives of this in vitro study were directed toward evaluating: (1) the migration of rat mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into Gtn-HPA gel under the influence of rat PRP lysate or recombinant platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB incorporated into the gel; (2) the differentiation of MSCs, incorporated into the gel, into osteogenic cells under the influence of PRP lysate and PDGF-BB; and (3) the release kinetics of PDGF-BB from gels incorporating two formulations of PRP lysate and recombinant PDGF-BB. Results: The number of MSCs migrating into the hydrogel was significantly (3-fold) higher in the hydrogel group incorporating PRP lysate compared to the PDGF-BB and the blank gel control groups. For the differentiation/osteogenesis assay, the osteocalcin-positive cell area percentage was significantly higher in both the gel/PRP and gel/PDGF-BB groups, compared to the two control groups: cells in the blank gels grown in cell expansion medium and in osteogenic medium. Results of the ELISA release assay indicated that Gtn-HPA acted as an effective delivery vehicle for the sustained release of PDGF-BB from two different PRP lysate batches, with about 60% of the original PDGF-BB amount in the two groups remaining in the gel at 28 days. Conclusions: Gtn-HPA accommodates MSC migration. PRP-lysate-incorporating hydrogels chemoattract increased MSC migration into the Gtn-HPA compared to the blank gel. PRP-lysate- and the PDGF-BB-incorporating gels stimulate osteogenic differentiation of the MSCs. The release of the growth factors from Gtn-HPA containing PRP lysate can extend over the period of time (weeks) necessary for bone reconstruction. The findings demonstrate that Gtn-HPA can serve as both a scaffold for cell migration and a delivery vehicle that allows sustained and controlled release of the incorporated therapeutic agent over extended periods of time. These findings commend Gtn-HPA incorporating PRP lysate for infusion into porous calcium phosphate blocks for vertical and horizontal ridge reconstruction, and for other musculoskeletal applications.

Application of 3D-Printed Implant-Osseous-Membrane Guide for One-Stage Sinus Floor Elevation: A Clinical Report.

Sinus floor elevation with the lateral window approach has proven to be an effective treatment modality for vertical bone augmentation in the posterior region of the maxilla. The simultaneous implant placement during the procedure can be achieved if enough remaining bone height is available to obtain implant primary stability. However, the proper identification of the maxillary sinus boundaries for the window demarcation along with membrane protection for simultaneous implant placement can be challenging. This clinical report demonstrates a novel technique for sinus floor augmentation using a 3D modified implant-osseous-membrane surgical template to assist in the lateral window demarcation, membrane stabilization and protection, and guided implant placement in a partially edentulous patient who was eligible for one-stage sinus floor elevation. The surgical procedure for the sinus demarcation is simplified, the membrane stabilization and protection are effective, and the guided implant placement provided a predictable surgical positioning of the implants.

A Modified Implant Surgical Guide for the Administration of Maxillary Nerve Block Anesthesia Intraorally via the Greater Palatine Foramen: Case Report.

Block anesthesia for the maxillary division (V2) of the trigeminal nerve is a suitable approach when an entire quadrant of teeth and/or associated structures are involved. The most effective approach to anesthetize the maxillary branch is intraorally via the greater palatine canal. This case report describes the use of a computer-aided design/computer-assisted manufacturing (CAD/CAM) implant surgical template designed with a guide channel to allow for the administration of maxillary nerve block through the greater palatine canal.

Influence of implant macrodesign and insertion connection technology on the accuracy of static computer-assisted implant surgery.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of three different macrodesigns and two different insertion devices on the accuracy of static computer-assisted implant surgery (sCAIS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety implant replicas with three different macrodesigns: Soft tissue level (TL), bone level (BL), and bone level tapered (BLT) were placed in 30 dental models with two implant insertion devices: Guided adapter and guided screwed-in mount. Preoperative and postoperative positions of implants were compared and the mean angular deviation, crestal, and apical three-dimensional (3D) deviation were calculated for each implant macrodesign and each insertion device. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance, post hoc t-tests and Bonferroni-Holm's adjustment method. P values less than .05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: BLT implants had lower mean 3D deviation values at the crest and the apex when compared with 3D deviations with BL and TL implants (P < .05). Also, BLT implants had lower angular deviations, when compared with BL and TL Implants, however, angular deviations were not statistically significant (P > .05). Considering the insertion device method, no significant differences were noted between insertion devices irrespective of the deviation analyzed. CONCLUSION: The macrodesign of dental implants may have an influence on the accuracy of sCAIS, with tapered designs offering slightly better positional accuracy than parallel-walled macrodesigns independent on the method of insertion used.