Single-retainer all-ceramic resin-bonded fixed dental prostheses: Long-term outcomes in the esthetic zone.

OBJECTIVES: To present an update on the concept of cantilevered single-retainer all-ceramic resin-bonded fixed dental prostheses (RBFDPs) first presented 25 years ago in the Journal of Esthetic Dentistry. OVERVIEW: The initially presented case of the concept was followed clinically over 26 years and is presented along with two additional clinical long-term cases using varying methods to obtain an esthetic and hygienic ovate pontic design. Veneered alumina and zirconia ceramic (3 mol% yttria-tetragonal zirconia polycrystalline ceramic; 3Y-TZP) was used and bonded with a phosphate monomer containing luting resin after 50 µm alumina particle air-abrasion at 0.25 MPa pressure. The restorations replacing incisors did not debond and soft tissues in the pontic area were maintained over 26 years. CONCLUSIONS: Cantilevered single-retainer all-ceramic RBFDPs today made from veneered 3Y-TZP zirconia ceramic can be considered a standard of care for the replacement of single incisors and provide an excellent esthetic outcome with a long-term preservation of soft tissues in the pontic area. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Bonding nonretentive oxides ceramics such as alumina and zirconia ceramic with phosphate monomer containing luting resins after alumina particle air-abrasion is durable over decades. This proves that bonding to zirconia ceramic is not of any problem when adequate methods are used. Single-retainer zirconia ceramic RBFDPs maintain soft tissues in the edentulous area of single missing incisors and often deem implants unessential for this indication.

Single-retainer resin-bonded fixed dental prostheses as an alternative to orthodontic space closure (and to single-tooth implants).

This article describes single-retainer resin-bonded fixed dental prostheses (RBFDPs) as an excellent alternative to orthodontic space closure or tooth replacement with implants or conventional fixed dental prostheses for congenitally and traumatically missing anterior teeth. Although the treatment with RBFDPs is technique sensitive, it is extremely reliable given a correct indication and adequate adhesive procedures.

Marginal masticatory mucosa dimensional changes in immediate post-extractive implants: a 2 year prospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: The present two-year prospective cohort study was undertaken to evaluate marginal masticatory mucosa dimensional changes around immediate post-extractive implants positioned transgingivally with a non-submerged healing screw. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-one immediate post-extractive implants from 21 patients were enrolled, peri-implant gap was filled with bovine bone mineral, and soft tissue was allowed to heal around a non-submerged healing screw. Post-extractive socket dimension was recorded. Intraoperative (T0) vertical distances: bone margin level (BML) from the bone margin to the implant platform and mucosal margin height (MMH) from marginal mucosa to implant platform were taken; MMH measurement was repeated 4 months later (T4). Horizontal mucosal level (HML): from customized stent to marginal mucosa at 0, 4, 12, and 24 months postoperatively (T0, T4, T12, T24) and vertical mucosal level (VML): from the stent to marginal mucosa at T4, T12, T24 were registered. RESULTS: One implant failed at 3 weeks; in the remaining 20 cases the MMH, coronally positioned with respect to the BML ≅2 mm at T0, showed a statistically significant vertical contraction of the mucosa at T4. Other vertical mucosal measurements (VML) did not show further changes over time. HML measures showed a, statistically significant, shrinkage of the mucosa on the transverse plane between T0/T12 and T0/T24 and between T4/T12 and T4/T24. CONCLUSIONS: Immediate post-extractive implant inserted transgingivally with a non-submerged healing screw and internal peri-implant gap filled with bovine bone mineral may favor an early and stable peri-implant soft tissue healing over 2 years.

Clinical evaluation of submerged and non-submerged implants for posterior single-tooth replacements: a randomized split-mouth clinical trial.

The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical and radiographic results of submerged and non-submerged implants for posterior single-tooth replacements and to assess patient-based outcomes. Twenty patients were included in the study. A split-mouth design was used; implants inserted using a submerged technique were compared to those inserted with a non-submerged technique. Implants were restored with metal-ceramic crowns after 3 months. Reconstructions were examined at baseline, 6, 12, and 24 months. Standardized radiographs were made. Radiographic crestal bone level changes were calculated, as well as soft tissue parameters, including pocket probing depth, bleeding on probing, plaque index, and gingival index. Results were analyzed by two-way repeated measures of variance (ANOVA). To evaluate patient-based outcomes, patients were asked to complete a questionnaire at the 6-month follow-up; the Wilcoxon paired signed rank test was used to compare scores. The data of 18 patients were reviewed. During 24 months, non-submerged implants (0.57 ± 0.21 mm) showed significantly lower bone loss than submerged implants (0.68 ± 0.22 mm) (P<0.01). Patient satisfaction with non-submerged implants (median 87.5) was significantly higher than with submerged implants (median 81.5) (P<0.01). Non-submerged implants showed comparable clinical results to submerged implants and resulted in higher patient satisfaction due to decreased surgical intervention.

Esthetic evaluation of single-tooth implants in the anterior mandible.

OBJECTIVES: Single-tooth replacement of anterior mandibular teeth is frequently complicated by insufficient bucco-lingual bone width and limited mesio-distal space available for implant placement. The aim of the present study was to assess implant esthetics in the partially edentulous anterior mandible. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Esthetic evaluation of 43 anterior mandibular single-tooth implants in 15 women and 28 men was performed using esthetic indices (PES = Pink Esthetic Score, PI = Papilla Index, SES = Subjective Esthetic Score) as well as subjective patients' Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) ratings. Clinical and radiological parameters (implant and crown dimensions, pocket depth, bleeding on probing, plaque, keratinized mucosa, marginal bone level, and distance to adjacent teeth) were tested for influence. RESULTS: Implant esthetics were judged satisfactory (PES ≤10) in 42% of implants compared with a patient satisfaction rate of 87%. Correlation between objective indices (PES/PI: rs  = 0.62, PES/SES: rs  = -0.73, PI/SES: rs  = -0.48) was highly significant (P ≤ 0.001); however, no association to subjective patients' ratings could be observed. Type of prosthetic restoration (single crown vs. tulip-shaped double crowns), mesio-distal crown width as well as anatomic crown length significantly affected esthetic scores. Patients' judgment, by contrast, could not be associated to any prognostic factor. CONCLUSION: Subjective patient satisfaction with implant esthetics in the partially edentulous anterior mandible is high, however, remains hard to predict or objectively quantify.

Long-term stability of early implant placement with contour augmentation.

In this prospective case series study, 20 patients with an implant-borne single crown following early implant placement with simultaneous contour augmentation were followed for 6 years. Clinical, radiologic, and esthetic parameters were assessed. In addition, cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) was used at 6 years to examine the facial bone wall. During the study period, all 20 implants were successfully integrated, and the clinical parameters remained stable over time. Pleasing esthetic outcomes were noted, as assessed by the pink esthetic scores. None of the implants developed mucosal recession of 1 mm or more. The periapical radiographs yielded stable peri-implant bone levels, with a mean DIB of 0.44 mm at 6 years. The CBCT scans showed that all 20 implants had a detectable facial bone wall at 6 years, with a mean thickness of around 1.9 mm. In summary, this prospective case series study demonstrated stable peri-implant hard and soft tissues for all 20 implants, and pleasing esthetic outcomes overall. The follow-up of 6 years confirmed that the risk for mucosal recession is low with early implant placement. In addition, contour augmentation with guided bone regeneration (GBR) was able to establish and maintain a facial bone wall in all 20 patients.

Immediate placement and restoration of implants in the aesthetic zone with a trimodal approach: soft tissue alterations and its relation to gingival biotype.

PURPOSE: The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the soft tissue changes around implants in the aesthetic zone, placed under a trimodal approach (immediate post-extraction placement, flapless, and immediate provisional restoration) and its relationship to gingival/periodontal biotype of the patient. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The sample consisted of 14 patients from two private practices that were in need of a tooth extraction in the anterior maxillary region (cuspid to cuspid) and were candidates to a replacement with a dental implant. An initial measurement (baseline) of the position or the mesial and distal papillae and gingival zenith was made at this time, with a rigid dental-supported stent and an electronic precision caliper, able to the second tenth of a millimeter; after careful tooth extraction, the periodontal thickness, at a point 5 mm apical to de gingival buccal margin, with an analogical thickness gauge, able to one tenth of a millimeter. Once the implant was inserted an immediate provisional restoration was delivered. To evaluate the soft tissue changes measurements were repeated at 3, 6, and 12 months. A statistical analysis was performed to evaluate the changes in the gingival margin around the implant restorations and to identify a possible correlation to patient's periodontal thickness. RESULTS: All 14 patients received Straumann (®) implants (9 Tissue Level [TL] Regular Neck [RN], 2 TL Narrow Neck [NN], 2 Bone Level [BL] Narrow Crossfit [NC], and 1 BL Regular Crossfit [RC]). All implants integrated and none had any biological complications. Three provisional restorations presented screw loosening and retightened once and one loss retention and was recemented once. In one patient, with a severe bruxing habit, the final restoration suffered screw loosening and was retightened. Of the final restorations, 12 were screw-retained and 2 cemented on custom-made Zirconia abutments. A mean recession of the buccal margin of 0.45 mm was recorded at 12 months ( ± 0.25 mm). An acceptable papilla level was present in all cases at 1 year, with mean changes of 0.38 mm ( ± 0.60) for the mesial and 0.80 mm ( ± 0.90) of the distal papilla, respectively. No correlation could be established between the soft tissue changes and the periodontal biotype of the patient. CONCLUSIONS: Within the limitations of this study, the good aesthetic outcome and minimal complications seem to validate the trimodal approach protocol as a reliable and simple protocol to place and restore immediate implants in the aesthetic zone. No correlation between the patient's gingival biotype and the soft tissue alterations could be established. Additional studies are needed to verify long-term aesthetic results with this approach and to better define and quantify biotypes.

12 a 15 anos de avaliação longitudinal do sistema de implantes Branemark e próteses unitárias cimentadas / A 12 to 15 years longitudinal study of the Branemark system and cemented single prosthesis

Este estudo mostra o acompanhamento clínico e radiográfico de 12 a 15 anos de 58 implantes unitários do sistema Branemark de plataforma regular (3,75 ou 4mm de diâmetro), instalados em pacientes dos gêneros masculino e feminino, em áreas de incisivos, caninos, pré-molares e molares e restaurados com pilares de titânio CeraOne e coroas AllCeram ou metalocerâmicas. Os resultados revelam elevado percentual de sucesso para os implantes (98,3%) e para as próteses cimentadas sobre os pilares CeraOne (96,5%). Poucos problemas foram encontrados, como: 3 casos de afrouxamento de parafuso do pilar CeraOne, 1 caso de fratura de implante por hábitos parafuncionais, 2 casos de fratura da coroa de porcelana e 1 caso envolvendo formação de fístula. Dentro das limitações deste estudo, pode-se concluir que: com este sistema de implantes é possível obter bons resultados funcionais e estéticos, a médio e longo prazo, desde que os protocolos cientificamente estabelecidos sejam observados.

This study shows a 12 to 15 year clinical and radiographic follow-up on 58 Branemark system single implants using regular platform (3.75 or 4mm of diameter), installed in male and female patients, in incisor, canine, pre-molar and molar area, and restored with CeraOne abutments and AllCeram or metalceramic crowns. The results revealed a high success rate for implants (98.3%) as well as for the prosthesis cemented over the CeraOne abutments (96.5%). Very few problems were encountered as: 3 unscrewing cases of CeraOne abutment, 1 case of implant fracture in patient with parafunctional habits, 2 cases of porcelain crown fracture and 1 case involving fistula formation. Among the Iimitations of this study, it can be concluded that with this implant system it is possible to obtain good functional and aesthetic results mid and long term as Iong as scientifically established protocols are followed.

A Retrospective study on Branemark TiUnite(R) implant for mandibular posterior single tooth replacement / 대한치주과학회지

The purpose of this study was to evaluate 6 years cumulative survival rate (CSR, %) of mandibular posterior single tooth implants replaced with Branemark TiUnite(R) implant system. The findings from this study were as followed ; 1. The 112 (111 persons) single implants that were placed in the mandibular posterior region were successful except 4 cases and showed 96.42% CSR. 2. The 55 (55 persons) single implants that were placed in the mandibular first molar region were successful except 2 cases and showed 96.36% survival rate. And, among the 57 (56 persons) single implants replacing the mandibular second molar, 2 failed showing 96.49% survival rate. There was no significant statistical difference. 3. Among the total 112 implants, 5.0mm wide diameter implants were placed in 96 cases(85.7%) showing 96.9% survival rate. 4.0mm standard diameter implants were placed in 16 cases showing 93.8% survival rate. There was no significant statistical difference. 4. Long implants above 10.0mm length were placed 103 cases(91.0%) and showed 96.1% survival rate. Short implants within 8.5mm length were placed 9 cases and showed 100% survival rate. There was no significant statistical difference. 5. 37 implants placed in typeI,II bone quality were showed higher survival rate(100%) than that of 52 implants placed in typeIII, IV bone quality(92.3%). But, there was no significant statistical difference. In conclusion, Branemark TiUnite(R) implant showed successful results when replacing manbibular single molar.

Retrospective study on ITI SLA (sand-blasted, large-grit, acid-etched) implant for mandibular posterior single tooth replacement / 대한치주과학회지

The purpose of this study was to evaluate cumulative survival rate (CSR, %) of mandibular posterior single tooth implants replaced with ITI SLA (sand-blasted, large-grit, acid-etched) implant system and compare the CSR between first and second molar. The findings from the results were as follows; 1. Total of 158 implants were inserted into 147 patients. 68 patients were males, 79 patients were females and their mean age was 47.8 years. 98 implants were placed in first molar area and 60 implants were placed in second molar area. In terms of diameter, implants with wide diameter over 4.8mm dominated (91.1%). Implants with length over 10mm were used (96.2%). 2. In the two cases, there was a slight transient numbness which recovered within 1-2 months. Nine SynOcta screw type abutments demonstrated screw loosening. There were ten cases of crown fallen-out from decementation. 3. Only one failed out of 158 implants. The CSR was 99.4%. The CSRs for first molar and second molar were 99% and 100%, respectively. From the results, it was concluded that single tooth replacement implant in the mandibular posterior area, might be considered as the effective treatment modality comparable to the conventional crown and bridge.