Early Loading of 642 Defcon Implants: 1-Year Follow-Up

Clinical Evaluation of Dental Implants with a Double Acid-Etched Surface Treatment: A Cohort Observational Study with Up to 10-Year Follow-Up

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the survival and success rates of dental implants with a double acid-etched surface treatment with evaluation times up to 10 years post-loading. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted at a hospital oral surgery and implantology unit. It included 111 dental implants with a double acid-etched surface. Three groups were created: Group 1 (1-3 years loading), Group 2 (3-5 years loading), and Group 3 (over 5 years loading). Probing depth, resonance frequency analysis (ISQ value), and marginal bone loss were evaluated. Results: The data obtained underwent statistical analysis. Overall, 78 patients were included in the study, who received, in total, 111 dental implants, all replacing single teeth. Mean probing depth was 3.03 mm and mean ISQ was 65.54. Regarding marginal bone loss, in Group 1, 67.6% of implants did not undergo any thread loss, in Group 2, 48.3%, and in Group 3, 59.6%; 59.10% of all implants did not present thread loss with a mean bone loss of 0.552 mm. The implant survival rate was 99.1%, and the success rate was 96.37%. Conclusions: Implants with a double acid-etched surface showed excellent success rates in terms of marginal bone loss, ISQ, and probing depth after up to 10 years of loading, making them a clinically predictable treatment option. Future studies are needed to compare this implant surface with other types in different restorative situations.

Influence of Different Incision Designs on Flap Extension: A Cadaveric Animal Model

It is well known that wound dehiscence is one of the most frequent complications in guided bone regeneration. The main cause of this complication may be a lack of tension-free and primary wound closure. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the effect of periosteal releasing incisions (PRI) on the extension of 3 different flap designs: envelope, triangular, and trapezoidal. Twelve pig mandibles were used to quantify extension of the flap designs. The mandibles were equally and randomly distributed into the 3 flap groups. Each mandible was divided into 2 sides: 1 was subjected to a PRI and the other not. The flap was pulled with a force of 1.08 N, and the extension was recorded. The subgroups without PRI showed an average extension of 5.14 mm with no statistically significant differences among them (P = .165). The PRI provided an average extension of 7.37 mm with statistically significant differences among the subgroups (P < .001). The releasing incisions significantly increased flap extension in each flap design. The increase in extension of the trapezoidal flap with PRI was significantly greater than in the other subgroups. In cases where primary closure is required, surgeons should consider performing trapezoidal flaps with PRI in order to reduce tension.

Long-Term Clinical Outcomes of Treatment with Dental Implants with Acid Etched Surface

Implant dentistry constitutes a therapeutic modality in the prosthodontic treatment of partially and totally edentulous patients. This study reports a long-term evaluation of treatment by the early loading of acid-etched surface implants. Forty-eight partially and totally edentulous patients were treated with 169 TSA Defcon® acid-etched surface implants for prosthodontic rehabilitation. Implants were loaded after a healing free-loading period of 6–8 weeks in mandible and maxilla, respectively. Implant and prosthodontic clinical findings were followed during at least 17 years. Clinical results indicate a survival and success rate of implants of 92.9%, demonstrating that acid-etched surface achieves and maintains successful osseointegration. Five implants in three patients were lost during the healing period. Sixty-five prostheses were placed in 45 patients over the remaining 164 implants, 30 single crowns, 21 partially fixed bridges, 9 overdentures, and 5 full-arch fixed rehabilitations. A total of 12 implants were lost during the follow-up period. Mean marginal bone loss was 1.91 ± 1.24 mm, ranging from 1.1 to 3.6 mm. The most frequent complication was prosthetic technical complications (14.2%), followed by peri-implantitis (10.6%). The mean follow-up was of 214.4 months (208–228 months). Prosthodontic rehabilitation with an early-loading protocol over acid-etched surface implants is a successful implant treatment.

Efficacy of the split-thickness labial flap method for soft tissue management in anterior ridge horizontal augmentation procedures: A clinical prospective study in the anterior maxilla

OBJECTIVE

To introduce a novel method of split-thickness labial flap in maxillary anterior ridge horizontal augmentation and to evaluate its efficacy and morbidity.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

230 patients were selected to receive either particulate or onlay grafting. A split-thickness labial flap was applied to cover the grafted area and close the wound. The incidence of postsurgical complications and the level of patient discomfort were evaluated. A visual analog scale was used to quantify the amount of pain and swelling in the patients.

RESULTS

In all 375 surgical sites, passive primary closure was achieved with the split-thickness labial flap method. Membrane exposure after surgery was seen in 6 cases in the onlay group and in 4 in the particulate group. No long-lasting pain (>1 week), paresthesia, or signs of infection occurred during the follow-up period of 6 months. The mean pain and swelling scores in the particulate graft group (2.75 ± 3.01 and 2.02 ± 2.51, respectively) were lower than the scores in the onlay graft group (3.18 ± 2.79 and 3.85 ± 2.25, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

The flap advancement technique presented in this study facilitates clinically passive primary closure. This technique can be used successfully in both particulate and onlay horizontal graft procedures.

Cumulative survival rate of Astra Tech implants: a retrospective analysis

Purpose

The aim of this study was to analyze the short-term predictability and reliability of Astra Tech implants according to the demographical distribution of patients and condition of implant sites and location of implants.

Methods

Among patients treated with Astra Tech implant (Astra Tech AB) in the Department of Periodontology at the Dental Hospital of Yonsei University of College of Dentisry and K Dental Clinic from May 2004 to March 2009, 195 implants in 98 patients which had been restored more than 6 months ago were reviewed in this study. Following data were reviewed from patient charts and implants success rate was examined: 1) patient type and implant location, 2) bone status at the implant site, 3) diameter and length of the placed implants, 4) presence or absence of bone augmentation and types of the augmentation.

Results

The results from this study are as follows: 1) most implants were placed in the molar area, especially 1st molar area of maxilla, 2) most implants were placed at D2 and D3 bone type, 3) most implants were placed in areas of B and C bone quantity, 4) autogenous and alloplastic bone graft and artificial membrane were used for placement of 74 implants.

Conclusions

Short-term survival rate of Astra Tech implants was 100%.