CAD/CAM Titanium Meshes for GBR: A Case Series with Preliminary Histologic Analysis.

Titanium has been proposed as a mesh material for guided bone regeneration (GBR) since the 1990s. To overcome difficulties in shaping and adapting meshes to the defect, digital techniques were introduced to digitally print meshes capable of fitting the bone perfectly, reproduced through the patient's CT scan. Five patients were included in this case series, and their CBCT data were acquired and sent to the producer of the titanium meshes. 3D regenerative surgery was performed with titanium meshes and a mix of demineralized bovine bone matrix (DBBM) and autogenous bone (1:1 ratio). Radiographic measures were evaluated on paraxial sections of the CBCT through a dedicated software. When possible, regenerated bone samples were obtained at implant insertion. Four out of five regenerated areas healed without local or systemic complications. One mesh was removed after 2 months and 2 weeks due to exposure. The mean vertical bone gain was 4.3 ± 1.5 mm (range: 2.5 to 7 mm). Two histologic samples were obtained. In sample 1, bone tissue area and graft material area were 44.4% and 12.5%, respectively; in sample 2, the same parameters were 15.6% and 16.9%, respectively.

Application of "10 Keys" Checklist and Partial Extraction Techniques to Optimize Esthetic Outcome for Adjacent Implants in the Esthetic Zone.

Placing immediate implants in the esthetic zone area poses significant challenges. Implants should be placed with consideration to hard and soft tissue management to optimize long term implant and cosmetic success. In this case report, two maxillary central incisors were extracted in two different time points, separated by 5 years because of horizontal root fractures. Implants were placed according to immediate single-tooth guidelines, using two different surgical and loading approaches, as risk assessment factors changed in the time between first immediate placement (#8) and second immediate placement (#9). These techniques included Partial Extraction Therapy (PET), the use of allograft and growth factors, connective tissue graft (CTG), platelet rich fibrin (PRF) and immediate and conventional loading. These were grouped as the "10 keys", a checklist used to pursue long term success. After 6-year and 1-year follow-up, radiographic and clinical results were satisfactory.

CAD-CAM Titanium Meshes for GBR: A Case Series with Preliminary Histological Analysis.

Titanium has been proposed as a mesh material for GBR since the nineties. To overcome difficulties in shaping and adaptation to the defect, digital elaboration techniques were introduced to digitally print meshes capable of fitting the bone perfectly, reproduced through the CT scan of the patient. Five patients were included in this case series. CBCT data of patients were acquired and sent to the producer of the titanium mesh. 3-dimension regenerative surgery was performed with titanium meshes and a mix of Demineralized Bovine Bone Matrix (DBBM) and Autologous bone (1:1 ratio). Radiographic measures were evaluated on paraxial sections of the CBCT through a dedicated software. When possible, regenerated bone samples were obtained at implant insertion time. Four out of five regenerated areas healed without local and systemic complications. One mesh was removed after two months and two weeks because of exposition. Mean vertical bone gain was 4.3 ± 1.5 mm (range 2.5 - 7 mm). Two histologic samples were obtained. In sample n.1, Bone Tissue Area and Graft Material Area were respectively 44.4% and 12.5%. In sample n.2, the same parameters were 15.6% and 16.9% respectively.

Implants Placed with the All-On-4 Technique: A Radiographic Retrospective Study on 156 Implants with a 5- to 14-Year Follow-up.

The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the performance of implants placed with the All-on-4 technique after a mean time in function of 9 years. A total of 34 patients with 156 implants were selected for this study: 18 patients underwent tooth extraction on the day of implant placement (Group D), and 16 patients were already edentulous (Group E). A periapical radiograph was taken at a mean follow-up of 9 years (range: 5 to 14 years). Success and survival rates and the prevalence of peri-implantitis were calculated. Statistical analysis was used to assess comparisons between groups. After a mean follow-up of 9 years, the cumulative survival rate was 97.4% and the success rate was 77.4%. The difference between the initial and final radiographs resulted in a mean marginal bone loss (MBL) of 1.3 ± 1.06 mm (range: 0.1 to 5.3 mm). No differences were seen between Groups D and E. Peri-implantitis affected 15 implants (9.6%) in 9 patients (26.5%). This study shows that the All-on-4 technique is a reliable treatment method for both edentulous patients and patients requiring tooth extractions, with results maintained over a long follow-up period. The present MBL results are similar to those around implants in other rehabilitation types.

Influence of Diabetes on Implant Failure and Peri-Implant Diseases: A Retrospective Study.

Diabetes is an important modifying factor of periodontitis, but its association with peri-implant diseases has not been fully explored and the existing literature reports controversial results. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the influence of diabetes on peri-implantitis and implant failure. Smoking status, history of periodontal disease, presence of diabetes, diabetes type, therapy and glycaemia levels were collected in a total of 204 subjects treated with 929 implants, with a mean follow-up time of 5.7 ± 3.82 years after loading. Odds ratio (OR) for diabetes as a direct cause of peri-implantitis and implant failure were calculated, adjusted for smoking status and history of periodontitis. Nineteen patients were diabetic and most of them presented a good control of the disease at the time of surgery. The overall patient-level prevalence of peri-implantitis was 11.3%. Among diabetic patients, one developed peri-implantitis, whereas one experienced multiple implant failures. The calculated ORs, adjusted for smoking status and periodontitis, were not statistically significant. The results revealed no association between diabetes and peri-implantitis or implant failure coherently with the existing scientific literature. The actual influence of hyperglycemia on implant failure is still uncertain and new studies with larger cohorts of patients are needed.

A Clinical and Radiographic Retrospective Study on 223 Anodized Surface Implants with a 5- to 17-Year Follow-up.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the long-term performance of anodized surface implants placed in native bone and followed-up for up to 17 years. Success and survival rates, prevalence of peri-implantitis, and the correlation between the presence of peri-implantitis and other clinical and demographic variables were calculated. After a mean follow-up time of 10.4 years (range: 5 to 17 years), 91.7% of 223 analyzed implants were still in function. Peri-implantitis affected 63 implants (28.3%) in 26 patients (44%). Eleven implants with peri-implantitis (4.9%) failed. Within the limits of this retrospective analysis, anodized implants appear to be prone to peri-implantitis, mainly in the posterior mandible and in patients with unsatisfactory plaque control.

A 13- to 32-Year Retrospective Study of Bone Stability for Machined Dental Implants.

The goal of this retrospective investigation was to provide evidence of the longevity of machine-surfaced implants placed in native bone and treated with the original two-stage surgical protocol. The observation times of this study covered periods of 13 to 32 years. Consecutive cases were impossible; the patients' ages when treated reduced the number of available people as a result of death, relocation, being impossible to find, or refusal to cooperate. Mean marginal bone loss after 13 to 32 years was 1.9 ± 0.9 mm, survival rate was 97.7%, and success rate was 92.7%. Peri-implantitis occurred in a limited number of cases, with a prevalence of 1.8%. This study demonstrates long-term reliability of machined implants as a therapeutic choice.