Survival of post-treatment canine-to-canine lingual retainers with fiber-reinforced composite resin: a retrospective study.

The aim of the study is to evaluate the long term results of ribbond retainer after orthodontic treatment. One hundred and thirty patients who were orthodontically treated satisfied the inclusion criteria of having received a semipermanent retention were treated with FRC lingual retainers (Ribbond (®)). It was performed a follow up evaluation after 2 years average from the retainer application and any complication or failure was recorded. Data from 119 remaining patients that met the inclusion criteria were analyzed and no instances of loosening were observed. It may be concluded that orthodontic canine-to-canine FRC retainers provide aneffective means of retaining realigned anterior teeth for at least two years.

Treatment of infrabony periodontal defects using a resorbable biopolymer of hyaluronic acid: a randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: This randomized clinical study examined the use of hyaluronic acid to treat infrabony periodontal defects over a period of 24 months. METHOD AND MATERIALS: Forty subjects with a two-wall infrabony defect (probing depth [PD] >= 7 mm; clinical attachment level [CAL] >= 7 mm) were selected. The defects were randomly divided into two groups: sites treated with hyaluronic acid (test group) and those treated with open flap debridement (control group). RESULTS: The 12- and 24-month evaluations were based on clinical and radiographic parameters. The primary outcome variable was CAL. Test defects shows a mean CAL gain of 1.9 ± 1.8 mm, while the control defects yielded a significantly lower gain of 1.1 ± 0.7 mm. PD reduction was also significantly higher in the test group (1.6 ± 1.2 mm) than in the control group (0.8 ± 0.5 mm). Frequency distribution analysis of the study outcomes indicated that hyaluronic acid increased the predictability of clinically significant results (CAL gains >= 2 mm and PD reduction >= 2 mm) in the test group compared with the controls. CONCLUSIONS: The treatment of infrabony defects with hyaluronic acid offered an additional benefit in terms of CAL gain, PD reduction, and predictability compared to treatment with open flap debridement.

Esthetic integration between ceramic veneers and composite restorations: a case report.

The tooth structure preservation is the best way to postpone more invasive therapies. Especially in young patients more conservative techniques should be applied. Bonded porcelain veneers and even more the direct composite restorations, are the two therapeutic procedures that require the fewer sacrifice of dental tissue, finalized to the optimal recovery of aesthetic and functional outcome.Although the two techniques require different methods and materials, is possible to achieve a correct integration of both the methods by some technical and procedural measures. In the presented case is planned a rehabilitation of the four upper incisors by ceramic veneers and direct composite restorations.Care is taken for the surface treatment of ceramic restorations, with the objective of achieving integration, not only between natural teeth and restorations, but also between the different materials in use.The purpose of this article is to show how a proper design of the treatment plan leads to obtain predictable results with both direct and indirect techniques.

Complications in surgical removal of impacted mandibular third molars in relation to flap design: clinical and statistical evaluations.

OBJECTIVE: The extraction of an impacted mandibular third molar may result in periodontal complications on the distal surface of the adjacent second molar. The purpose of this study was to compare the influence of three full-thickness flaps on the periodontal healing of the adjacent second molar after extraction of impacted mandibular third molars. METHOD AND MATERIALS: Forty-five volunteers with bilateral impaction of the mandibular third molars were selected. Each patient was randomly assigned to one of three groups: group A (envelope flap modified by Thibauld and Parant), group B (Laskin triangular flap), and group C (envelope flap modified by Laskin). The periodontal health of the second molars was evaluated at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after surgery via clinical measurements. RESULTS: After 21 days, there was no correlation between postoperative complications (such as edema and alveolitis) and flap design. However, there was a statistically significant reduction of pocket probing depth (PPD) and increase of clinical attachment level (CAL) in group B compared to the other groups (P<.05) 24 months after surgery. CONCLUSION: The effect of the type of flap used for mandibular third molar surgery on the periodontal status of the second molars as well as the factors that influence this outcome remains uncertain. Regardless of the flap design, the periodontal conditions of the adjacent second molar deteriorated after 12 and 24 months. The decision to use a certain type of flap should be based on the surgeon's preference.