Orofacial esthetics, chewing function, and oral health-related quality of life in Kennedy class I patients with mini-implant-retained removable partial dentures: A 3-year clinical prospective study.

This prospective clinical study aimed to assess self-reported orofacial esthetics, chewing function, and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) over three years in the Kennedy Class I patients without posterior dentition who received free-end saddle removable partial dentures (RPDs) retained by two mini dental implants (MDIs) inserted in the canine/first premolar region. The study's robust findings reaffirm the viability of MDI-retained RPDs as a treatment modality in contemporary prosthodontics, instilling confidence in the dental community. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 92 participants with posterior edentulism in the maxilla or mandible received 184 MDIs and 92 RPDs. After one year, three participants were excluded, and another seven were excluded after three years. The final sample was 82 participants. Self-perceived orofacial esthetics was assessed by the Orofacial Esthetic Scale (OES), chewing function by the Chewing Function Questionnaire (CFQ), and the OHRQoL by the OHIP-14. Statistical analysis utilized multivariate regression analysis, standardized effect size calculation, Wilcoxon Signed Rank test, and Friedman's test. RESULTS: OHRQoL and chewing function significantly improved (p < 0.001) one month after MDI loading by the new RPDs and continued to improve over the observation period (p < 0.05). The OES also significantly improved (p < 0.001) and remained almost unchanged over the next three years (p = 0.440). CONCLUSION: Despite the limitations of this study, the MDI-retained RPD appears to be a viable treatment modality in contemporary prosthodontics from the patients' perspective.

Craniofacial Pain Management in Severe COVID-19 Patients During the Pandemic Peak in Kosovo: A Comprehensive Approach.

Background This cross-sectional study aims to evaluate pain management's success in limiting admissions and assesses remote care's effectiveness for optimal pain relief. By utilizing data from severe COVID-19 inpatients in Prishtina, Kosovo, this study offers insights into the challenges posed by the pandemic and innovative care approaches aimed at improving patient well-being. Methodology This cross-sectional study includes 55 patients with severe COVID-19 after hospital discharge. All study participants completed the questionnaire in the presence of a clinical pharmacologist. The questionnaire of this study consisted of three parts: sociodemographic data (first part), the Intensity and Characteristics of Toothache (IaCofT) and headache (second part), and pharmacological treatment of headache and dental pain (third part). The questionnaire on IaCofT and headache was created with some modifications of the Modified Dental Pain Screening Questionnaire (M-DePaQ). Descriptive statistics were conducted using Prism version 10.0.1 (Windows and Mac). Results According to the study data, 89.1% (n = 49) of the participants experienced pain during hospitalization with COVID-19, while 72.72% (n = 40) of them experienced pain after hospital discharge. Of the participants, 32.7% (n = 18) experienced dental pain, whereas 60% (n = 33) reported having headaches. Regarding the pain scale, more than two-thirds (n = 40, 72.72%) of the participants had moderate to moderately severe pain, and in 70.9% (n = 39) of the cases, the pain occurred episodically. The absolute majority (n = 53, 96.4%) of study participants reported the use of analgesics for pain management. Paracetamol (n = 46, 83.6%) and ibuprofen (n = 14, 25.5%) were the most commonly used analgesics for pain management. Conclusions This study highlighted the prevalence of headache and acute dental pain in these patients. The majority of the study participants were convinced by the healthcare system and were highly dependent on pharmacological treatment for headaches and acute toothache during the COVID-19 peak. The study results showed that the pain was proven to be successfully treated pharmacologically with analgesics such as paracetamol, ibuprofen, and diclofenac. Telemedicine is expected to become an important healthcare practice in the post-COVID-19 era. Therefore, the introduction of this service could be considered.

Mini Dental Implant-Retained Removable Partial Dentures: Treatment Effect Size and 6-Months Follow-up.

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to compare esthetic outcomes, masticatory performance and a comfort of removable partial denture (RPD) wearing after receiving: clasp-retained RPD (C-RPD) or mini dental implant-retained RPD (MDI-RPD) in the mandible. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A sample of 88 patients (Kennedy Class I) with all posterior teeth missing and a linear support for a RPD participated. A total of 52 patients (36 females, 16 males; 56 to 84 years old) participated in the C-RPD group and 36 patients (26 females, 10 males; 43 to 81 years old) in the MDI-RPD group. All MDIs were placed adjacent to the last remaining mandibular anterior tooth or one tooth length posteriorly. The new RPDs had Co-Cr frameworks with lingual plate major connectors; the MDI-RPDs were retained by O-ball matrices and the C-RPDs with clasps. Patients answered questions at pre-treatment and post-treatment stages and after 6-months follow-up: how satisfied they had been with esthetic appearance, how confident they were while chewing hard food, how satisfied they were with food comminution and they also evaluated a comfort of RPD wearing. The 0-10 visual-analogue scale was used. Statistics included descriptive methods, t-tests and the standardized effect-size calculation. RESULTS: The MDI-RPD wearers were more satisfied with their post-treatment esthetics, food comminution, a comfort with RPDs and had better confidence while chewing than the C-RPD wearers. The MDI-RPD wearers reported larger positive effect of the treatment. The results were consistent throughout the first 6-months period. CONCLUSION: The MDI-RPD patients showed superior outcomes than the C-RPD patients after the treatment and over the 6-month period.

Short-term Postoperative Pain and Swelling Associated with Mini and Standard-Size Implants in the Same Patients.

PURPOSE: To assess short-term postoperative pain and swelling after insertion of mini dental implants (MDI) and standard-size implants (SSI) in the same patients at different times. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A convenience sample of 42 patients (22 females, 20 males; 58 to 73 years old) participated. Half of the participants received MDIs first, and the other half received SSIs first. Self-perceived pain and swelling at 1, 3, 5, 7, and 10 days postoperative were assessed using a 0-10 visual analog scale. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Flapless MDI insertion led to significantly less intense postoperative pain, less intake of analgesics, and almost no swelling compared to SSI insertion.