Vestibuloplasty and its impact on the long-term survival and success of dental implants in irradiated and non-irradiated patients after head and neck tumor therapy: a retrospective study

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to evaluate the influence of vestibuloplasty on the clinical success and survival of dental implants in head and neck tumor patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective single-center study was conducted. All patients received surgical therapy of a tumor in the head or neck and underwent surgical therapy and, if necessary, radiotherapy/radiochemotherapy. Patients with compromised soft tissue conditions received vestibuloplasty using a split thickness skin graft and an implant-retained splint. Implant survival and success and the influence of vestibuloplasty, gender, radiotherapy, and localizations were evaluated.

RESULTS

A total of 247 dental implants in 49 patients (18 women and 31 men; mean age of 63.6 years) were evaluated. During the observation period, 6 implants were lost. The cumulative survival rate was 99.1% after 1 year and 3 years and 93.1% after 5 years for patients without vestibuloplasty, compared to a survival and success rate of 100% after 5 years in patients with vestibuloplasty. Additionally, patients with vestibuloplasty showed significantly lower peri-implant bone resorption rates after 5 years (mesial: p = 0.003; distal: p = 0.001).

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates a high cumulative survival and success rate of dental implants after 5 years in head and neck tumor patients, irrespective of irradiation. Patients with vestibuloplasty showed a significantly higher rate of implant survival and significantly lower peri-implant bone resorption after 5 years.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Vestibuloplasty should always be considered and applied if required by the anatomical situations to achieve high implant survival/success rates in head and neck tumor patients.

The use of autologous bone for augmentation procedures leads to low prevalence of peri-implantitis-a retrospective study over a 20-year period

The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence of peri-implantitis in implants inserted into pristine bone (control) to implants where autologous bone was used for grafting procedures (study). All patients who underwent implant surgery during a 20 years interval by one maxillofacial implant surgeon and received a prosthodontic rehabilitation afterwards were eligible for inclusion in the study. Periimplant bone resorption and periimplant disease were assessed. Of 421 patients 384 (91.2%) patients responded to a recall after having been treated over a 20-year period by one maxillofacial surgeon and several dentists. A total of 110 patients had 239 implants in pristine bone, and 274 patients had 607 implants placed in combination with autologous bone grafting procedures. Mean time in function was 74 months (range 15-236 months). In all, 342 implants (34.8%) were in function for longer than 7 years. A total of 64 implant sites (7.6%) in 39 patients (10.2%) showed signs of peri-implant mucositis. In addition, 17 implants (2.0%) in 14 patients (3.6%) revealed signs of peri-implantitis, of which five implants were in the control group (2.09%) whereas 12 implants were in the study group (1.98%), with no statistically significant difference (p = 0.8405). More than half of the patients with peri-implantitis had a history of periodontitis. Three implants were lost due to peri-implantitis and four implants failed for other reasons, resulting in an overall success rate of 99.2% in 846 implants. CONCLUSIONS: Within the limitations of the study it seems that the use of autologous bone still is a relevant option when performing augmentation procedures because of the low prevalence of peri-implantitis.

Evaluation of long-term dental implant success and marginal bone loss in postmenopausal women

AIM

The aim of this study was to examine long-term implant success and marginal bone loss (MBL) of dental implants in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis/osteopenia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Postmenopausal women who underwent dental implant treatment at least 3 years ago were divided into two study groups [Test (osteoporosis/osteopenia) Group and Control Group] according to bone mineral density (BMD) measurements. Besides clinical periodontal and radiographic examinations, any implant failures were also recorded.

RESULTS

A total of 52 patients with a mean age of 59.51 ± 5.66 years (Test Group; 26 patients, mean age: 60.61; Control Group; 26 patients, mean age: 58.42) were included in the study. Implant survival rates were 96.2% and 100% with a mean follow-up 60.84 ± 22.13 and 60.07 ± 20.93 months in Test and Control Groups, respectively (P > 0.05). While peri-implant PI (plaque index) and PD (probing depth) were not different between the groups, BoP (bleeding on probing) was significantly higher in Test Group (P = 0,026). Although MBL in Test Group was higher than Control Group (0.82 ± 0,63 mm and 0.44 ± 0,33 mm respectively), the difference was not found statistically significant (P = 0.069).

CONCLUSION

Within the limits of this retrospective study, it can be concluded that postmenopausal osteoporosis/osteopenia does not affect MBL and long-term implant success. The findings suggest that dental implant therapy is a reliable treatment modality in these patients to improve the quality of life by increasing function and aesthetics.

Treatment planning for restorative implantology

In this article, current literature on fixed and removable prosthodontics is reviewed along with evidence-based systematic reviews, including advice from those in the dental profession with years of experience, which help restorative dentists manage and treat their cases successfully. Treatment planning for restorative implantology should be looked at in 4 sections: (1) review of past medical history, (2) oral examination and occlusion, (3) dental imaging (ie, cone-beam computed tomography), and (4) fixed versus removable prosthodontics. These 4 concepts of treatment planning, along with proper surgical placements of the implant(s), result in successful cases.