Soft Tissue Closure Over Immediate Implants: Classification and Review of Surgical Techniques

Immediate dental implant placement with a horizontal gap more than two millimetres: a randomized clinical trial

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the horizontal dimensional changes in buccal alveolar bone immediately after dental implant placement in the upper premolar area with horizontal gaps >2mm. A total of 48 patients were enrolled in this randomized clinical trial and were randomly assigned to one of three groups. Group I (flap with graft; n=16) patients received an immediate implant with bone graft, membrane, and primary flap closure. Group II (flap without graft; n=16) patients received an immediate implant with primary flap closure only. Group III (flapless without graft; n=16) patients received an immediate implant without graft, membrane, or primary closure. Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans were obtained preoperatively, immediately after implant placement, and at 6 months postoperative to evaluate horizontal dimensional changes in the buccal alveolar bone. Pain intensity was measured using a numerical rating scale. CBCT examinations revealed that bone had filled the horizontal gap in all three groups. Group II showed the greatest horizontal dimensional changes in the buccal alveolar bone, followed by group I. The least amount of change was recorded for group III. Furthermore, significantly less postoperative pain was recorded in group III when compared to the other groups. Short-term results suggest that the 'flapless without graft' technique shows similar results to the 'flap with graft technique' for immediate implant placement in the maxillary premolar extraction site with a horizontal gap >2mm, when the bone plate is intact.

Periosteal Releasing Incision With Diode Laser in Guided Bone Regeneration Procedure: A Case Series

Introduction: Periosteal releasing incision (PRI) is nearly always essential to advance the flap sufficiently for a tension-free flap closure in bone augmentation procedures. However, hematoma, swelling, and pain are recognized as the main consequences of PRI with scalpel. The aim of this case series was to investigate the effectiveness of laser-assisted PRI in guided bone regeneration (GBR) procedure. In addition, postoperative hematoma, swelling, and pain and implant success were assessed. Methods: Seventeen patients needed GBR were included in this study. Diode laser (940 nm, 2 W, pulse interval: 1 ms, pulse length: 1 ms, contact mode, 400-μm fiber tip) was used in a contact mode to cut the periosteum to create a tension-free flap. Facial hematoma, swelling, pain, and the number of consumed nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) were measured for the six postoperative days. Six months after implant loading, implant success was evaluated. Results: Minimal bleeding was encountered during the procedure. A tension-free primary closure of the flap was achieved in all cases. The clinical healing of the surgical area was uneventful. None of the patients experienced hematoma, ecchymosis, or intense swelling after surgery. The mean value of maximum pain (visual analogue scale - VAS) was 20.59 ± 12.10 mm (mild pain). Patients did not need to use NSAID after four postoperative days. All implants were successful and functional and none of them failed after 6 months of implant loading. Conclusion: This study revealed the effectiveness of laser-assisted PRI in GBR procedure. This technique was accompanied with minimal sequelae at the first postoperative week. All implants were successful and no complication was noted during the course of this study.

Survival of Implants in Immediate Extraction Sockets of Anterior Teeth: Early Clinical Results

BACKGROUND

The aims and objectives of this study were placement of implants in freshly extracted sockets of anterior teeth and to evaluate the implant stability, peri-implant radiolucency and gingival inflammation around implant over a short period of 30 months.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 12 patients (8 male and 4 female), ranging in the age from 20 to 50 years, from March 2007 to June 2007, were evaluated for immediate implant placement into 22 fresh extraction sockets. Only maxillary and mandibular anterior teeth/roots (central incisors, lateral incisors and canines) were considered for replacement with implants. One piece implant with integrated abutment and integrated surface, non-submerged, threaded and tapered at apical 5 mm, sand-blasted and acid etched surfaced implants (HI-TEC TRX-OP Implants of Life Care Company) were used.

RESULTS

The mobility was not present in any of the implants at all the follow up visits. There were 2 implants at 6 month, 1 implant at 12 month, 1 implant at 18 month visits, showing peri-implant radiolucency at some sites at bone to implant contact site. Severe gingival inflammation was not observed in any of the implant site. At every follow-up visit, every implant met the criteria of success and none was found to be failed over a 30 months duration i.e. 100% success rate was achieved by implants in immediate extraction socket.

CONCLUSION

The success rate of implant survival in this study was found 100%. These implants have fulfilled all the criteria of implant success and based on the defined criteria, the success rate of implants placed in immediate extraction sockets of anterior teeth compared favorably with the conventional implants. The early results of the present study showed that high survival rates with the implants in immediate extraction sockets can be achieved.

Development of an engineering autologous palatal mucosa-like tissue for potential clinical applications

The goal of this study was to optimize key processes in recreating functional and viable palatal mucosa-like tissue that would be easy to handle and would promote wound healing. Normal human gingival fibroblasts and epithelial cells and a clinically useful biomaterial, CollaTape, were used. Structural and ultrastructural analyses showed that the gingival fibroblasts and epithelial cells adhered to the biomaterial and proliferated. Following a 6-day culture, using 10(5) fibroblasts and 10(6) epithelial cells, a well-organized palatal mucosa-like tissue was engineered. The engineered epithelium displayed various layers, including a stratum corneum, and contained cytokeratin 16-positive cells located in the supra-basal layer. This palatal mucosa-like engineered tissue was designed to meet a variety of surgical needs. The biodegradable collagen membrane (CollaTape) contributed to the flexibility of the engineered tissue. This engineered innovative tissue may contribute to the reconstruction of oral soft-tissue defects secondary to trauma, congenital defects, and acquired diseases.