A controlled study on the diagnostic accuracy of panoramic and peri-apical radiography for detecting furcation involvement.

BACKGROUND: The aims of this study were (1) to determine the accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of panoramic and peri-apical radiographs in diagnosing furcation involvement, as well as (2) to evaluate the possible impact of clinical experience on these diagnostic parameters. METHODS: An existing radiographic dataset of periodontitis patients requiring implant surgery was retrospectively examined for furcation involvement. Criteria for inclusion were the presence of a CBCT, panoramic and peri-apical radiograph of the site of interest within a one-year time frame. All furcation sites were classified using the CBCT, which was considered as the gold standard, according to Hamp's index (1975). Ten experienced examiners and 10 trainees were asked to assess furcation involvement for the same defects using only the corresponding panoramic and peri-apical radiographs. Absolute agreement, Cohen's weighted kappa, sensitivity, specificity and ROC-curves were analyzed. RESULTS: The study sample included 60 furcation sites in 29 multi-rooted teeth from 17 patients. On average, 20/60 furcations were correctly classified according to the panoramic radiographs, corresponding to a weighted kappa score of 0.209, indicating slight agreement. Similarly, an average of 19/60 furcations were correctly classified according to the peri-apical radiographs, corresponding to a weighted kappa score of 0.211, also indicating slight agreement. No significant difference between panoramic and peri-apical radiography was found (P = 0.903). When recategorizing FI Grades into 'no to limited FI' (FI Grade 0 and I) and 'advanced FI' (FI Grade II and III), the panoramic and peri-apical radiography showed low sensitivity (0.558 and 0.441, respectively), yet high specificity (0.791 and 0.790, respectively) for identifying advanced FI. The ROC-curves for the panoramic and peri-apical radiographs were 0.79 and 0.69 respectively. No significant difference was found between experienced periodontists and trainees (P = 0.257 versus P = 0.880). CONCLUSION: Panoramic and peri-apical radiography are relevant tools in the diagnosis of FI and provide high specificity. Ideally, they are best used in combination with furcation probing, which shows high sensitivity. Furthermore, clinical experience does not seem to improve the accuracy of a radiological diagnosis of furcation sites. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Patient radiographic datasets were retrospectively analyzed.

Five years follow-up of mandibular 2-implant overdentures on locator or ball abutments: Implant results, patient-related outcome, and prosthetic aftercare.

BACKGROUND: It is uncertain, which is the optimal attachment for a mandibular 2-implant overdenture (2IOD). PURPOSE: To assess 5 years clinical implant outcome, prosthetic maintenance, cost, and PROMs of two cohorts receiving 2IOD on ball or stud abutments in a comparative study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety edentulous individuals were treated with balls (n = 34) or locator (n = 56). Implant survival, bone-to-implant level, prosthetic outcome, technical maintenance, and OHIP-14 were assessed. Statistics to compare between baseline and 1/5 years and between groups were t-test or Mann-Whitney (P < .05); chi-square was adopted to analyze plaque and technical maintenance or interventions between groups. RESULTS: Five years implant survival was 98.7%, irrespective of attachment. Overall mean bone loss was 1.1 mm, probing pocket depth 1.92 mm, bleeding score 0.60, plaque score 1. Plaque accumulated more on locators (P = .023). OHIP-14 declined from 18.1 to 2.7 irrespective of attachment. Retention for balls was better (P < .005), locators required more maintenance (P < .001), caused by retention-adjustment (P < .001) or ulcers/pain (P = .014). Five years maintenance-cost was 11% of initial cost, irrespective of attachment. CONCLUSIONS: Balls and locators yield stable 5-years implant outcome and improved Oral Health Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL). Locators required more maintenance and resulted in a lower retention. Maintenance costs are minimal but may affect OHRQoL at least for stud abutments.

A reject analysis of cone-beam CTs in under-aged patients.

OBJECTIVES:: The main objective of this study was to perform a retrospective reject analysis (or audit) of 79 cone-beam CTs (CBCTs) taken in under-aged patients at the Ghent University hospital over a 2-year timespan. METHODS:: Observer agreement between two oral radiologists and two senior year Master students in Paediatric Dentistry was performed for quality, diagnostic and therapeutic value. The senior year Master Students followed appropriate modules of an online course. Descriptive and comparative statistics were performed. RESULTS:: For the oral radiologists, all intra rater reliabilities were moderate to good (Gwet's AC1 = 0.41-0.75). For the senior students in Paediatric dentistry, these varied highly from fair to very good (Gwet's AC1 = 0.28-0.95). There was a high level of disagreement between oral radiologists and students (Gwet's AC1 = 0.16-0.45) and in-between students concerning observed quality (Gwet's AC1 = 0.29). A total of 16 CBCTs (20%) was rejected, 24 images (30%) were acceptable and 39 images (50%) had an excellent quality. 50 CBCTs were perceived to have a diagnostic advantage. 13 of the images would have no influence on the therapy, according to the oral radiologists. A significant correlation was found between unacceptable quality, absence of perceived diagnostic advantage (p = 0.004, RR = 2.4) and influence on therapy (p < 0.0005, RR = 1.8). A small field of view (FOV) was positively correlated to an excellent quality of the image (p = 0.011, RR = 2.8). CONCLUSIONS:: Image quality did not reach the proposed boundary of 10% according to the European Guidelines on Radiation Protection in Dental Radiology. This is the first published audit on an overall database of under-age children for CBCT.

Long-term clinical outcome of single implants inserted flaplessly or conventionally.

BACKGROUND: Flapless implant surgery is mostly performed using guided surgical protocols, however, long-term studies on free-handed flapless surgery for single implants are lacking. PURPOSE: This prospective study evaluates bone level changes, peri-implant health, and complications of solitary implants placed using a conventional flap (F) or flaplessly (FL) after 6-9 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-three single TiUnite Brånemark implants were originally inserted in 49 patients using an one-stage delayed loading protocol with flap (n = 27, F) or flaplessly (n = 26, FL) based on available bone volume and surgeon's decision-making. Thirty-six patients with 37 implants participated in the prospective follow-up investigation 6-9 years later whereby survival, bone level changes, peri-implant health, and complications were assessed. RESULTS: After 88 months (range 76-107), all implants were survived. For F and FL combined, the overall average radiographic bone level was above the first implant thread, 1.26 mm apical of the implant-abutment junction (SD 1.08; 0-4.9) and statistically comparable. Bone loss from time of loading was 0.49 mm (SD 1.1; -1.3 to 2.8) for F and -0.89 mm (SD 1.0; -2.8 to 0.7) for FL (P < .01), suggesting regrowth of bone in FL due to initial countersinking. One implant (2.7%) had a probing depth above 5 mm. CONCLUSION: Free-handed flapless implant surgery for single implants with neighboring teeth is a predictable long-term treatment provided when there is sufficient bone volume.

Assessment of periodontal bone level revisited: a controlled study on the diagnostic accuracy of clinical evaluation methods and intra-oral radiography.

OBJECTIVES: The accuracy of analogue and especially digital intra-oral radiography in assessing interdental bone level needs further documentation. The aim of this study was to compare clinical and radiographic bone level assessment to intra-surgical bone level registration (1) and to identify the clinical variables rendering interdental bone level assessment inaccurate (2). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study sample included 49 interdental sites in 17 periodontitis patients. Evaluation methods included vertical relative probing attachment level (RAL-V), analogue and digital intra-oral radiography and bone sounding without and with flap elevation. The latter was considered the true bone level. Five examiners evaluated all radiographs. RESULTS: Significant underestimation of the true bone level was observed for all evaluation methods pointing to 2.7 mm on average for analogue radiography, 2.5 mm for digital radiography, 1.8 mm for RAL-V and 0.6 mm for bone sounding without flap elevation (p < 0.001). Radiographic underestimation of the true bone level was higher in the (pre)molar region (p ≤ 0.047) and increased with defect depth (p < 0.001). Variation between clinicians was huge (range analogue radiography 2.2-3.2 mm; range digital radiography 2.1-3.0 mm). CONCLUSION: All evaluation methods significantly underestimated the true bone level. Bone sounding was most accurate, whereas intra-oral radiographs were least accurate. Deep periodontal defects in the (pre)molar region were most underrated by intra-oral radiography. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Bone sounding had the highest accuracy in assessing interdental bone level.

Intraoral radiography lacks accuracy for the assessment of peri-implant bone level - a controlled clinical study.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare clinical and radiographic bone level assessments to intra-surgical bone level registration around implants with peri-implantitis and to identify the clinical variables rendering peri-implant bone level assessment accuracy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study sample included 50 implants with peri-implantitis in 23 patients. Registration methods included probing of the vertical distance between the implant/abutment interface and the bottom of the pocket (= VPD), intraoral radiography, bone sounding without flap elevation and intra-surgically assessed interproximal bone level. The latter was considered the true bone level (gold standard). Twenty clinicians evaluated all radiographs. RESULTS: VPD and intraoral radiography resulted in a significant underestimation of the true bone level by 1.0 mm (95% CI: 0.495-1.585; P < 0.001) and 2.3 mm (95% CI: 1.650-2.980; P < 0.013) respectively. Bone sounding without flap elevation did not differ significantly from the true bone level (mean difference 0.2 mm; 95% CI: -0.775 - 0.335; P = 0.429). Duplicate magnification registration of 50 implants resulted in excellent intra- and inter-rater reliability (ICC intra ≤ 0.99; ICC inter = 0.964; P < 0.001). Radiographic underestimation was significantly affected by defect depth (P < 0.001). Variation among clinicians was substantial (mean underestimation range 1.1 mm to 3.8 mm); however, clinical experience had no impact on radiographic underestimation (P = 0.796). CONCLUSIONS: Bone sounding without flap elevation was the best predictor of peri-implant bone level, whereas intraoral radiography was the most inferior. Consequently, peri-implantitis may be under-diagnosed if examination is only based on radiographs. Conflict-of-interest statement: Prof Hugo De Bruyn is associated with education and research collaboration agreements with Dentsply Sirona and Southern Implants, on behalf of Ghent University. Prof Cosyn has a collaboration agreement with Nobel Biocare. All other authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Accuracy of digital impressions of multiple dental implants: an in vitro study.

INTRODUCTION: Studies demonstrated that the accuracy of intra-oral scanners can be compared with conventional impressions for most indications. However, little is known about their applicability to take impressions of multiple implants. AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of four intra-oral scanners when applied for implant impressions in the edentulous jaw. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An acrylic mandibular cast containing six external connection implants (region 36, 34, 32, 42, 44 and 46) with PEEK scanbodies was scanned using four intra-oral scanners: the Lava C.O.S. and the 3M True Definition, Cerec Omnicam and 3Shape Trios. Each model was scanned 10 times with every intra-oral scanner. As a reference, a highly accurate laboratory scanner (104i, Imetric, Courgenay, Switzerland) was used. The scans were imported into metrology software (Geomagic Qualify 12) for analyses. Accuracy was measured in terms of trueness (comparing test and reference) and precision (determining the deviation between different test scans). Mann-Whitney U-test and Wilcoxon signed rank test were used to detect statistically significant differences in trueness and precision respectively. RESULTS: The mean trueness was 0.112 mm for Lava COS, 0.035 mm for 3M TrueDef, 0.028 mm for Trios and 0.061 mm for Cerec Omnicam. There was no statistically significant difference between 3M TrueDef and Trios (P = 0.262). Cerec Omnicam was less accurate than 3M TrueDef (P = 0.013) and Trios (P = 0.005), but more accurate compared to Lava COS (P = 0.007). Lava COS was also less accurate compared to 3M TrueDef (P = 0.005) and Trios (P = 0.005). The mean precision was 0.066 mm for Lava COS, 0.030 mm for 3M TrueDef, 0.033 mm for Trios and 0.059 mm for Cerec Omnicam. There was no statistically significant difference between 3M TrueDef and Trios (P = 0.119). Cerec Omnicam was less accurate compared to 3M TrueDef (P < 0.001) and Trios (P < 0.001), but no difference was found with Lava COS (P = 0.169). Lava COS was also less accurate compared to 3M TrueDef (P < 0.001) and Trios (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Based on the findings of this in vitro study, the 3M True Definition and Trios scanner demonstrated the highest accuracy. The Lava COS was found not suitable for taking implant impressions for a cross-arch bridge in the edentulous jaw.

Prosthetic Survival and Complication Rate of Single Implant Treatment in the Periodontally Healthy Patient after 16 to 22 Years of Follow-Up.

BACKGROUND: Single implants were introduced in the 1980s, but long-term follow-up is scarce. PURPOSE: The study aims to retrospectively investigate the prosthetic survival and complication rates of single implants in periodontally healthy patients after 16-22 years, and to evaluate the influence of different prosthetic procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with a single implant were recalled for clinical examination. Prosthetic procedures included single-tooth (ST) and CeraOne (CO) abutments supporting a porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM), all-ceramic (CER), or gold-acrylic (ACR) crown. Prosthetic survival, success, and occurrence of biological, technical, and aesthetic complications were obtained. Procedures were compared by log-rank tests. RESULTS: Fifty patients attended the examination. All implants were functional; however, 15% of abutments and 27% of crowns had been renewed. Replacements (1/4) were related to technical issues whereas the main cause was aesthetics. The abutment cumulative survival rate (CSR) differed significantly between ST-PFM (74%), ST-ACR (0%), and CO reconstructions (97%). The crown CSR was significantly lower for ST-ACR crowns (0%) compared with ST-PFM (68%) and CO (81%). Thirty-nine percent of implants remained complication free throughout the mean 18.5 years. Complications (1/3) required component replacement, and 53% occurred within 5 years after surgery. CONCLUSION: Prosthetic survival rates of single implants are encouraging after 16 to 22 years. However, 66% of the patients encountered at least one complication during follow-up.

Analysis of metal artifact reduction tools for dental hardware in CT scans of the oral cavity: kVp, iterative reconstruction, dual-energy CT, metal artifact reduction software: does it make a difference?

INTRODUCTION: Metal artifacts may negatively affect radiologic assessment in the oral cavity. The aim of this study was to evaluate different metal artifact reduction techniques for metal artifacts induced by dental hardware in CT scans of the oral cavity. METHODS: Clinical image quality was assessed using a Thiel-embalmed cadaver. A Catphan phantom and a polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) phantom were used to evaluate physical-technical image quality parameters such as artifact area, artifact index (AI), and contrast detail (IQFinv). Metal cylinders were inserted in each phantom to create metal artifacts. CT images of both phantoms and the Thiel-embalmed cadaver were acquired on a multislice CT scanner using 80, 100, 120, and 140 kVp; model-based iterative reconstruction (Veo); and synthesized monochromatic keV images with and without metal artifact reduction software (MARs). Four radiologists assessed the clinical image quality, using an image criteria score (ICS). RESULTS: Significant influence of increasing kVp and the use of Veo was found on clinical image quality (p = 0.007 and p = 0.014, respectively). Application of MARs resulted in a smaller artifact area (p < 0.05). However, MARs reconstructed images resulted in lower ICS. CONCLUSION: Of all investigated techniques, Veo shows to be most promising, with a significant improvement of both the clinical and physical-technical image quality without adversely affecting contrast detail. MARs reconstruction in CT images of the oral cavity to reduce dental hardware metallic artifacts is not sufficient and may even adversely influence the image quality.

Accuracy of optical dental digitizers: an in vitro study.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy, in terms of trueness and precision, of optical dental scanners. An experimental acrylic resin cast was created and digitized using a microcomputed tomography (microCT) scanner, which served as the reference model. Five polyether impressions were made of the acrylic resin cast to create five stone casts. Each dental digitizer (Imetric, Lava ST, Smart Optics, KaVo Everest) made five scans of the acrylic resin cast and one scan of every stone cast. The scans were superimposed and compared using metrology software. Deviations were calculated between the datasets obtained from the dental digitizers and the microCT scanner (= trueness) and between datasets from the same dental digitizer (= precision). With exception of the Smart Optics scanner, there were no significant differences in trueness for the acrylic resin cast. For the stone casts, however, the Lava ST performed better than Imetric, which did better than the KaVo scanner. The Smart Optics scanner demonstrated the highest deviation. All digitizers demonstrated a significantly higher trueness for the acrylic resin cast compared to the plaster cast, except the Lava ST. The Lava ST was significantly more precise compared to the other scanners. Imetric and Smart Optics also demonstrated a higher level of precision compared to the KaVo scanner. All digitizers demonstrated some degree of error. Stone cast copies are less accurate because of difficulties with scanning the rougher surface or dimensional deformations caused during the production process. For complex, large-span reconstructions, a highly accurate scanner should be selected.

Ongoing Crestal Bone Loss around Implants Subjected to Computer-Guided Flapless Surgery and Immediate Loading Using the All-on-4® Concept.

BACKGROUND: The All-on-4(®) concept is widely applied for full-arch rehabilitations, using two tilted and two axially loaded implants in order to overcome anatomical constraints. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess the survival and individual success of implants immediately loaded with an All-on-4 full-arch screw-retained prosthetic bridge in fully edentulous mandibles or maxillae over up to 3 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In total, 20 patients with atrophic jaws (9 maxillae, 11 mandibles) were treated with computer-guided flapless surgery and immediately provided with a provisional bridge. The final prosthesis was delivered after 6 months. In total, 80 TiUnite(™) Brånemark implants were placed. Radiographs were taken after surgery and 1 and 3 years later. RESULTS: A 3-year survival rate of 100% was seen for all implants, both in lower and in upper jaw. None of the temporary or definite prostheses were lost over the follow-up period of 3 years. After 1 year, the mean bone loss was 1.13 mm (SD 0.94; range -0.1 to 3.8), and after 3 years, it was 1.61 mm (SD 1.40; range 0 to 5). The mean bone loss between the 1-year and 3-year follow-ups was 0.48 mm (SD 0.66; range -1.2 to 3.6). This difference was statistically significant (p < .001), indicative of ongoing bone loss. Twenty-six percent of the implants had bone loss above 1.5 mm after 1 year, but after 3 years, 30% of the implants had already lost more than 1.9 mm. CONCLUSION: The implant and prosthetic survival was 100%, and patients benefited from the All-on-4 treatment. However, unacceptable ongoing bone loss was seen in 49.2% of the patients; this may be a warning sign for future problems and needs clinical attention. Overloading and surgery-related aspects need to be investigated as potential explanations.

The influence of initial soft tissue thickness on peri-implant bone remodeling.

AIM: To elucidate the influence of initial soft tissue thickness on peri-implant bone remodeling. The research hypothesis was that implants installed in patients or at sites with thin mucosal tissues would show increased peri-implant bone loss. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 79 edentulous patients were consecutively treated with two non-splinted implants supporting an overdenture in the mandible. During recall-visits, peri-implant health was determined by means of probing pocket depth and the modified plaque/bleeding index. Digital peri-apical radiographs were taken from individual implants. Bone level changes were measured from a reference point (lower border of the smooth implant collar) to the marginal bone-to-implant contact level. The linear mixed-effect model analysis was adopted to analyze the influence of clinical parameters and transmucosal abutment height on peri-implant bone loss. RESULTS: 67 patients attended the 1-year and 66 the 2-year recall-visit. Mean bone level changes were 0.89 mm (SD 0.62) and 0.90 mm (SD 0.66), plaque scores 0.82 (SD 0.94) and 0.87 (SD 0.92), bleeding scores 0.46 (SD 0.68) and 0.56 (SD 0.72) and PPD 1.65 mm (SD 0.60) and 1.78 mm (SD 0.59) after 1 year and 2 years respectively. The linear mixed-effect model revealed increasing bone level changes with decreasing abutment heights. Peri-implant bone level changes were significantly higher for implants with abutments of <2 mm (1.17 mm, p < .01; 1.23 mm, p < .01), 2 mm (0.86 mm, p < .01; 1.03 mm, p < .01) or 3 mm (0.38 mm, p = .046; 0.41 mm, p = .044) compared to ≥4 mm-abutments (bone level changes set to zero as reference value) both after 1 year and 2 years and bone level changes were significantly influenced by probing pocket depth (p < .01, p < .01), but not by plaque (p = .31, p = .09) and bleeding scores (p = .30, p = .40). CONCLUSION: The present study suggests that implants with lower abutments, reflecting the initial gingival thickness, lose more peri-implant bone, possibly by a re-establishment of the biological width.

Alterations in soft tissue levels and aesthetics over a 16-22 year period following single implant treatment in periodontally-healthy patients: a retrospective case series.

PURPOSE: Long term studies on single implants are scarce and merely focus on clinical response parameters, complications and bone remodelling. The objective of this retrospective case series was to assess alterations in soft tissue levels and aesthetics over a 16-22 year period in periodontally-healthy patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients who had received a single turned implant in the anterior maxilla/mandible at the Dental Specialist Clinic in Malmö between 1987 and 1993 were invited for a re-examination on the basis of a number of inclusion criteria. Both neighbouring teeth had to be present at re-examination and baseline clinical photographs (within the first year of function) had to be available for soft tissue evaluation. These photographs were superimposed onto final clinical photographs to assess longitudinal soft tissue alterations. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients (nine females; mean age 23, range 16-41) treated with 24 single implants met the criteria for soft tissue evaluation. Peri-implant soft tissue levels (papillae, midfacial level) remained stable over a 16-22 year observation period (p ≥ 0.372). However, neighbouring teeth demonstrated midfacial recession and eruption pointing to a major distortion with the implant crown (> 1 mm) in 5/24 (21%) and 10/24 (42%) of the cases, respectively. Baseline aesthetics was considered poor (mean Pink Esthetic Score 7.42, mean White Esthetic Score 5.43), yet a significant time effect could not be demonstrated (p ≥ 0.552). Implant and tooth bone loss was low (mean 0.6 mm and 0.4 mm, respectively) over a 16-22 year period. CONCLUSIONS: This limited case series demonstrated stable peri-implant soft tissue levels and aesthetics in the long term following single implant treatment in periodontally-healthy patients. However, midfacial recession and eruption may be expected at neighbouring teeth.

Long-term follow-up of turned single implants placed in periodontally healthy patients after 16 to 22 years: microbiologic outcome.

BACKGROUND: Survival rates in implant dentistry today are high, although late failures do occur for many reasons, including peri-implant infections. The primary objective of this study is to investigate microbiota around single turned implants after 16 to 22 years. Secondary objectives are to compare teeth and implants and to correlate microbiologic, radiographic, and clinical parameters. METHODS: A total of 46 patients with single implants were invited for a clinical examination. Clinical data were collected from implants and contralateral natural teeth. Radiographic bone level was measured around implants. Microbiologic samples were taken from implants, contralateral teeth, and the deepest pocket per quadrant. Samples were analyzed with DNA-DNA hybridization including 40 species. Statistical analysis was performed using Wilcoxon signed-rank tests, McNemar tests, and Spearman correlation coefficients with a 0.05 significance level. RESULTS: Mean follow-up was 18.5 years (range 16 to 22 years). Tannerella forsythia (1.5 × 10(5)) and Veillonella parvula (1.02 × 10(5)) showed the highest concentrations around implants and teeth, respectively. Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, and T. forsythia were significantly more present around implants than teeth. Mean counts were significantly higher around implants than teeth for Parvimonas micra, P. gingivalis, P. intermedia, T. forsythia, and Treponema denticola. Total DNA count was correlated to interproximal bleeding index (r = 0.409) and interproximal probing depth (r = 0.307). No correlations were present with plaque index or radiographic bone level. CONCLUSIONS: In the present study, bacterial counts around single implants in periodontally healthy patients are rather low. Although pathogenic bacteria are present, some in higher numbers around implants than teeth (five of 40), the majority of implants present with healthy peri-implant tissues without progressive bone loss.

A retrospective analysis of early and immediately loaded osseotite implants in cross-arch rehabilitations in edentulous maxillas and mandibles up to 7 years.

BACKGROUND: Immediate loading of full-arch restorations yields good results in selected cases, but long-term follow-up and the outcome in compromised bone are scarcely evaluated. PURPOSE: To evaluate immediately loaded Osseotite implants (Biomet 3i, Palm Beach, FL, USA) installed in healed or grafted bone, with regard to implant survival and peri-implant bone loss up to 7 years in function. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Information was retrospectively retrieved from 83 patients' records with 749 Osseotite implants supporting immediately loaded semipermanent full-arch acrylic restorations. Five hundred sixty-eight (75.8%) implants were placed in healed bone and 181 (24.2%) in augmented bone, regenerated with sinus lifting and/or onlay/inlay grafts with/without biomaterials and membranes. Implant survival and success based on radiological peri-implant bone loss were registered. Wilcoxon rank sum tests evaluated peri-implant bone loss in compromised versus healed bone or between jaws or time intervals with p<.05 as statistically significant. RESULTS: Sixteen of 749 implants failed (2.1%), 11/343 in maxilla (3.2%) and 5/406 (1.2%) in mandible. After 7 years, the cumulative failure rate was 9%. Mean peri-implant bone loss increased to 1.2 mm (SD 1.0) during the first 2 years but remained unchanged thereafter. Around implants in grafted bone, on average, 0.3 mm more bone loss was found. CONCLUSION: The Osseotite implants offer a predictable long-term outcome in terms of implant survival and stable peri-implant bone under immediate loading even in grafted bone. However, the high incidence of technical repair because of fractures of the semipermanent provisionals requires attention because it may be negative from a cost-benefit perspective. Implants in grafted bone show a tendency to a more pronounced initial bone remodeling without clinical consequence in the long term.

Single implant treatment in healing versus healed sites of the anterior maxilla: an aesthetic evaluation.

PURPOSE: The aim was to compare and document in detail the aesthetic outcome of single implant treatment in healing sites (early implant placement) with fully healed sites (conventional implant placement) of the anterior maxilla. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study in patients who had been treated by two periodontists and two prosthodontists in 2006 and 2007 was conducted. Surgical treatment involved standard flap elevation without releasing incisions and restorative procedures included cemented crowns in all patients. Only straightforward single implant treatments using Nobelreplace tapered TiUnite® implants (Nobel Biocare, Göteborg, Sweden) in healing sites (6-8 weeks following tooth extraction) and fully healed sites (≥6 months following tooth extraction) were considered with both neighboring teeth present and without the need for hard and/or soft tissue grafting. The aesthetic outcome was objectively rated using the pink esthetic score (PES) and white esthetic scrore (WES) by a blinded clinician who had not been involved in the treatment. Patients rated aesthetics by means of visual analogue scales. RESULTS: Twenty-one out of 22 early and 25/27 conventional implant treatments were available for aesthetic evaluation after on average two and a half years of function (range 17-41 months). There were no significant differences for any of the criteria between the treatment concepts. Overall, papillae were most easy to satisfy, whereas alveolar process and tooth color most difficult. A thin-scalloped biotype was associated with low distal papillae (p=.041) and alveolar process deficiency (p=.039). Twenty-six percent of the cases were aesthetic failures (PES<8 and/or WES<6) and 13% showed an (almost) perfect outcome (PES≥12 and WES≥9). The remainder (61%) demonstrated acceptable aesthetics. There was no significant correlation between objective and subjective ratings. CONCLUSIONS: Early and conventional single implant treatment yielded comparable aesthetic outcome. Albeit all treatments had been performed by experienced clinicians and only straightforward cases had been selected, 1 out of 4 cases were aesthetic failures and only a strict minority showed perfection. Research is required on the aesthetic outcome of alternative surgical procedures especially in high-risk patients with a thin-scalloped biotype.

Patient-centered outcome of immediately loaded implants in the rehabilitation of fully edentulous jaws.

INTRODUCTION: Edentulism often involves functional, esthetic, phonetic and psychological problems. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate patient-centered outcomes of full-arch screw-retained rehabilitation on immediately loaded implants. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty patients treated with Astra Tech(TM) implants answered self-administered questionnaires on a visual analogue scale (VAS) 100 mm scale or with multiple-choice or open questions: at baseline, 1 week, 3 or 6 months and 1 year. Changes of VAS in time were analyzed using mixed models for repeated measures, adjusting for gender, age and jaw; comparison of cross-sectional parameters between jaws was performed with the Mann-Whitney U- or chi(2)-test, all at the 0.05 significance level. RESULTS: The median calculated general satisfaction score increased from 40.25 (mean=40.9; SD=23.82; range=0-95) at baseline to 98.25 (mean=95.3; SD=6.68; range=74-100) after 1 year. Overall comfort, eating comfort, speaking comfort and perceived esthetics improved significantly within 1 week after surgery and immediate provisionalization. This did not change significantly until the final bridge was installed after 3 months (mandible) or 6 months (maxilla), when a further significant improvement was demonstrated. The most common postoperative complication was swelling, especially in the maxilla. The importance of one-stage surgery and immediate loading was rated very high by patients before treatment, especially in the mandible. The main reason for choosing fixed prosthetics was eating comfort. Phonetics and esthetics were more important in the maxilla than in the mandible. CONCLUSION: Immediate full-arch rehabilitation yeilds an instant significant improvement in general patient satisfaction and self-perceived factors related to comfort, function and esthetics. Eating comfort is the main concern for the patient and shows the highest improvement. Postoperative complications are limited and patients considered immediate loading important.

[Guidelines in reference to the use of supplementary diagnostic tests for chronic periodontitis in Belgium]. / Recommandations relatives à l'utilisation de tests diagnostiques complémentaires pour la parodontite chronique en Belgique.

The need and development of clinical guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of chronic periodontitis in Belgium has been previously described. The use of supplementary diagnostic tests in this field is widespread. The question is whether the existing scientific evidence justifies the routine use of these tests in the diagnosis of chronic periodontitis. A thorough search of the literature was conducted in reference to microbiological testing as well as genetic testing for periodontitis.