Effectiveness of Brushing Associated With Oral Irrigation in Maintenance of Peri-Implant Tissues and Overdentures: Clinical Parameters and Patient Satisfaction

Hygiene of implant-supported prostheses and the health of peri-implant tissues are considered to be predictive factors of successful prosthetic rehabilitation. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of brushing associated with oral irrigation measured as biofilm-removing capacity, maintenance of healthy oral tissues, and patient satisfaction. A randomized, crossover clinical trial was conducted with 38 patients who wore conventional maxillary complete dentures and mandibular overdentures retained by the O-ring system. The patients were instructed to use the following hygiene methods for 14 days: mechanical brushing (MB; brush and dentifrice, control) and MB with oral irrigation (Waterpik [WP], experimental). Biofilm-removing capacity and maintenance of healthy oral tissues were evaluated by the modified plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), probing depth (PD), and bleeding on probing index (BP) recorded at baseline and after each method. In parallel, patients answered a specific questionnaire using a visual analog scale after each hygiene method. Data were analyzed by Friedman and Wilcoxon tests (α = .05). The results showed significantly lower PI, GI, PD, and BP after application of the hygiene methods (P < .001) than those observed at baseline. However, no significant difference was found between MB and WP. The responses to the satisfaction questionnaire for both methods showed high mean values for all questions, with no statistically significant difference found between the answers given after the use of MB and WP (P > .05). The findings suggest that WP was effective in reducing PI, GI, PD, and BP indices and provided a high level of patient satisfaction.

Comparison of Conventional and Pontic Fixed Partial Dentures Over Implants Using the Finite Element Method: Three-Dimensional Analysis of Cortical and Medullary Bone Stress

Rehabilitation with implant prostheses in posterior areas requires the maximum number of possible implants due to the greater masticatory load of the region. However, the necessary minimum requirements are not always present in full. This project analyzed the minimum principal stresses (TMiP, representative of the compressive stress) to the friable structures, specifically the vestibular face of the cortical bone and the vestibular and internal/lingual face of the medullary bone. The experimental groups were as follows: the regular splinted group (GR), with a conventional infrastructure on 3 regular-length Morse taper implants (4 × 11 mm); and the regular pontic group (GP), with a pontic infrastructure on 2 regular-length Morse taper implants (4 × 11 mm). The results showed that the TMiP of the cortical and medullary bones were greater for the GP in regions surrounding the implants (especially in the cervical and apical areas of the same region) but they did not reach bone damage levels, at least under the loads applied in this study. It was concluded that greater stress observed in the GP demonstrates greater fragility with this modality of rehabilitation; this should draw the professional's attention to possible biomechanical implications. Whenever possible, professionals should give preference to use of a greater number of implants in the rehabilitation system, with a focus on preserving the supporting tissue with the generation of less intense stresses.

Immediate Ridge Augmentation Using Autogenous Tooth Root as a Block Graft in a Periodontally Hopeless Extraction Site: A Pilot Study

The aim of the our study was to assess the efficacy of autogenous tooth root as a block bone graft in reconstructing the vertical and horizontal dimensions at periodontally hopeless extraction sites both clinically and radiographically. A total of 13 patients having a tooth with periodontally hopeless prognosis and indicated for extraction were included in the study. Following atraumatic extraction, the tooth was processed to create a decoronated cementum-free dentin block which was used to augment the extraction socket. The augmentation of periodontally hopeless socket with tooth block autograft resulted in a gain of clinical ridge width of 5.9 mm radiographically, the apico-coronal defect depth reduced up to 8.2 mm (P = .001), and a gain in ridge width of 5.8 mm postoperatively after 6 months (P = .001). The present study demonstrated the effectiveness of using tooth root as a block graft for ridge augmentation in the periodontally hopeless extraction site making it suitable for implant placement in future.

Immediate Oral Rehabilitation Using Dental Implants After Marginal Mandibulectomy: A Case Report

Mandibular reconstruction techniques are always a challenge to oral and maxillofacial (OMF) surgeons. Techniques and treatment plans that offer the patient OMF rehabilitation should always be available. Technological innovations have enabled more rapid, safer, and more secure treatment than in the past. This article describes a case using a different approach. The patient was treated with marginal mandibulectomy and immediate rehabilitation with osseointegrated implants; a hybrid prosthesis was fabricated a short time thereafter. This treatment plan demonstrated its utility and efficiency in this case. An approach with fewer surgeries and OMF rehabilitation needs be considered in all cases.