Comparative evaluation of hard and soft tissue parameters by using short implants and standard long implants with sinus lift for prosthetic rehabilitation of posterior maxilla.

Objective: The objective is to compare and evaluate the hard and soft tissue parameters by using short and standard long implants with sinus lifting in the posterior maxilla. Materials and Methods: Eleven patients with complaints of missing upper back teeth were enrolled in the study for implant-supported rehabilitation and were categorized into two groups: Group long (GL): longer implant (>8 mm) placement, preceded by Sinus Augmentation. Group short (GS): short implant (≤8 mm) placement, without sinus augmentation. The primary outcome measured was cumulative survival rate (CSR) in the compromised partial edentulous posterior maxilla. Secondary outcomes measured were implant stability (IS), marginal bone level alterations (MBL), pocket probing depth (PPD), crown-to-implant ratio, and any complications. Results: The difference in CSR between the groups was not statistically significant (P = 0.317). High stability was achieved immediately after the placement of the implants, in both groups (GS: 64 ± 4.07, GL: 65.58 ± 9.75); this difference in the mean ISQ (IS quotients) values was not found to be statistically significant at implant placement (P = 0.7). The mean MBL reported in the study at the end of 12 months of prosthesis function was - 0.762 ± 0.48 mm and - 0.7 ± 0.34 mm for GS and GL, respectively. The mean PPD measurements in GS and GL groups were 1.917 ± 0.68 mm and 1.833 ± 0.38 mm, respectively, and it was not statistically significant (P = 0.8). Conclusion: Within the limitations of the present study, the obtained results indicate that short implants provided a similar clinical and radiographic performance compared to long implants placed in combination with a sinus augmentation procedure (lateral window) up to 12 months after prosthetic loading.

Evaluation and comparison of stress distribution around periodontally compromised mobile teeth splinted with different materials: Three-dimensional finite element analysis.

BACKGROUND: Progressive attachment loss around the teeth because of periodontal disease can result in increased tooth mobility. This adversely affects patient's comfort, function, and esthetics. Periodontal splinting helps in accomplishing stability by redistributing the functional and parafunctional forces. There are various materials that have been used for periodontal splinting. Fiber-reinforced composite, composite resin, and metal-reinforced composite are often used as splinting materials for periodontally compromised teeth. In our study, a comparison was done among these materials for their ability to distribute the stresses at different bone levels in mobile lower incisors splinted together with canines. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five patients of age group 25-50 years with Grade 2 and 3 mobile incisors having 40% or more bone loss and firm canines with optimal bone support were selected. From the computed tomography scan of each patient, three models were developed demonstrating splinting of mandibular incisors and canines with metal-reinforced composite, fiber-reinforced composite, and composite resin. So in total, 15 models were developed and each one of them was subjected to vertical and transverse loads of 150 N. Pattern of stress distribution was observed in these models using three-dimensional finite element analysis. RESULTS: After splinting, the stress on the canine increased when bone levels around incisors decreased while stress on incisors reduced. CONCLUSION: Tested splinting materials were successful in stress distribution, and metal-reinforced composite was found to be better than the other splinting materials.