Retrospective study to identify associations between clinician training and dental implant outcome and to compare the use of MATLAB with SAS

Incidence and influential factors in pulp necrosis and periapical pathosis following indirect restorations: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Restoring vital teeth with indirect restorations may threaten dental pulp integrity. However, the incidence of and influential factors on pulp necrosis and periapical pathosis in such teeth are still unknown. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the incidence of and influential factors on pulp necrosis and periapical pathosis of vital teeth following indirect restorations.

METHODS

The search was conducted in five databases, using MEDLINE via PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, CINAHL, and Cochrane Library. Eligible clinical trials and cohort studies were included. The risk of bias was assessed using Joanna Briggs Institute's critical appraisal tool and Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. The overall incidences of pulp necrosis and periapical pathosis following indirect restorations were calculated using a random effects model. Subgroup meta-analyses were also performed to determine the potential influencing factors for pulp necrosis and periapical pathosis. The certainty of the evidence was assessed using the GRADE tool.

RESULTS

A total of 5,814 studies were identified, of which 37 were included in the meta-analysis. The overall incidences of pulp necrosis and periapical pathosis following indirect restorations were determined to be 5.02% and 3.63%, respectively. All studies were assessed as having a moderate-low risk of bias. The incidence of pulp necrosis following indirect restorations increased when the pulp status was objectively assessed (thermal/electrical testing). The presence of pre-operative caries or restorations, treatment of anterior teeth, temporization for more than two weeks, and cementation with eugenol-free temporary cement, all increased this incidence. Final impression with polyether and permanent cementation with glass ionomer cement both increased the incidence of pulp necrosis. Longer follow-up periods (> 10 years) and treatment provided by undergraduate students or general practitioners were also factors that increased this incidence. On the other hand, the incidence of periapical pathosis increased when teeth were restored with fixed partial dentures, the bone level was < 35%, and the follow-up was > 10 years. The certainty of the evidence overall was assessed as low.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the incidences of pulp necrosis and periapical pathosis following indirect restorations remain low, many factors affect these incidences that should thus be considered when planning indirect restorations on vital teeth.

DATABASE REGISTRATION

PROSPERO (CRD42020218378).

Tomographic Evaluation of Alveolar Ridge Preservation Using Bone Substitutes and Collagen Membranes—A Retrospective Pilot Study

Alveolar ridge preservation (ARP) reduces dimensional changes following tooth extraction. We evaluated the changes in alveolar ridge dimensions after ARP using bone substitutes and collagen membranes. Objectives included the tomographic evaluation of sites prior to extraction and six months after ARP and the assessment of the extent ARP preserved the ridge and reduced the need for additional augmentation at the time of implant placement. A total of 12 participants who underwent ARP in the Postgraduate Periodontics Clinic (Faculty of Dentistry) were included. Cone beam computed tomography images were used to retrospectively assess 17 sites prior to and six months after dental extraction. Alveolar ridge changes were recorded and analysed using reproducible reference points. The alveolar ridge height was measured at buccal and palatal/lingual aspects, whilst width was measured at crestal level, 2 mm, 4 mm and 6 mm below the crest. Statistically significant changes were found in alveolar ridge width at all four heights, with mean reduction differences ranging from 1.16 mm to 2.84 mm. Likewise, significant changes in the palatal/lingual alveolar ridge height (1.28 mm) were observed. However, changes of 0.79 mm in buccal alveolar ridge height were not significant (p = 0.077). Although ARP reduced dimensional changes following a tooth extraction, some degree of alveolar ridge collapse could not be avoided. The amount of resorption on the buccal aspect of the ridge was less compared to the palatal/lingual after ARP. This indicated that the use of bone substitutes and collagen membranes was effective in reducing changes in the buccal alveolar ridge height.

The effect of type of specialty (periodontology/oral surgery) on early implant failure: a retrospective "Big-Data" study from a nation-wide dental chain in Israel

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate early implant failure rate of implants placed by maxillofacial-oral surgeons and periodontists.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A nested case-case study was performed to analyze treatment outcome of 27 oral surgeons and 30 periodontists who performed at least 100 dental implants between 2017 and 2019 in 54 clinics of "Maccabi-Dent," a nation-wide dental chain. A total of 26,865 implants were evaluated.

RESULTS

The early failure rate of 1.3% achieved by the periodontists was lower than the 1.7% early failure rate achieved by oral surgeons. Differences were not statistically different. Oral surgeons in the study cohort were insignificantly older in age, with more years of experience as dentists and as specialists. However, the only parameter found to be a predictor to early implant failure in a linear regression model was related to postgraduate training. Explicitly, the mean number of implants placed during specialty program. This number was higher for the periodontists and found to be significantly contributing predictor to early implant failure. Clinicians' age and years of experience as dentists or as specialist were not found to be predictors to early implant failure rate.

CONCLUSIONS

No statistically significant differences were found in early implant failure rate between oral surgeons and periodontists. The number of implants placed during specialty program has a statistical predictive value to early implant failure rate.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Care and attention should be taken to re-evaluate clinical training in the field of implantology during specialty program. To optimize surgeons' control on treatment outcome.