The piezoelectric bony window osteotomy and sinus membrane elevation: introduction of a new technique for simplification of the sinus augmentation procedure.

All of the surgical techniques to elevate the maxillary sinus present the possibility of perforating the schneiderian membrane. This complication can occur during the osteotomy, which is performed with burs, or during the elevation of the membrane using manual elevators. The purpose of this article is to present a new surgical technique that radically simplifies maxillary sinus surgery, thus avoiding perforating the membrane. The piezoelectric bony window osteotomy easily cuts mineralized tissue without damaging the soft tissue, and the piezoelectric sinus membrane elevation separates the schneiderian membrane without causing perforations. The elevation of the membrane from the sinus floor is performed using both piezoelectric elevators and the force of a physiologic solution subjected to piezoelectric cavitation. Twenty-one piezoelectric bony window osteotomy and piezoelectric sinus membrane elevations were performed on 15 patients using the appropriate surgical device (Mectron Piezosurgery System). Only one perforation occurred during the osteotomy at the site of an underwood septa, resulting in a 95% success rate. The average length of the window was 14 mm; its height was 6 mm, and its thickness was 1.4 mm. The average time necessary for the piezoelectric bony window osteotomy was approximately 3 minutes, while the piezoelectric sinus membrane elevation required approximately 5 minutes.

Maintenance of regenerated bone beneath pontics: preliminary clinical report of 43 sites.

Ridge augmentation was achieved through the use of guided bone regeneration procedures in pontic areas of 43 planned fixed prostheses. Measurements taken through templates, which fit over the final fixed prostheses, at the time of prosthetic placement and a mean of 123 weeks after prosthesis placement demonstrated a change of less than 0.1 mm in buccopalatal dimensions of the regenerated hard tissues.

Guided tissue regeneration versus coronally repositioned flap in the treatment of recession with double papillae.

Twenty buccogingival recessions (3 mm deep) in twenty patients were selected and divided into two groups. Periodontal parameters were recorded (recession reduction, probing depth, clinical attachment level, and keratinized tissue width), and both groups were treated with regenerative therapy using a resorbable polylactic acid membrane. The test group was treated using the double papilla flap procedure, and the control group was treated using the coronally repositioned flap procedure. The results obtained at a 1-year follow-up were comparable between the test and control groups for recession reduction, probing depth, and clinical attachment level, although the test group obtained a very large amount of keratinized gingiva (+74.7%) compared to the control group.

The restoration of functional occlusion and esthetics.

Severe occlusal destruction, whether it results from attrition, abrasion, or erosion, must be met with definitive diagnosis and treatment. This case report illustrates the step-by-step diagnosis and treatment of a patient with severe occlusal wear. Restoration of a functional occlusion and esthetics involved endodontic treatment, reestablishment of the vertical dimension of occlusion, osseous periodontal surgery, and placement of single-tooth cast glass-ceramic crowns.