Christian F.J. Stappert

Dimensional changes of the alveolar ridge contour after different socket preservation techniques

OBJECTIVES The aim of the following study was to assess contour changes after socket preservation techniques. MATERIAL AND METHODS In five beagle dogs, the distal root of the third and fourth mandibular premolars was extracted. The following treatments (Tx) were randomly assigned for the extraction socket. Tx 1: BioOss Collagen. Tx 2: BioOss Collagen and a free soft tissue graft. Tx 3: No treatment. Tx 4: The internal buccal aspect was covered with an experimental collagen membrane, the extraction socket was filled with BioOss Collagen and the membrane folded on top of the graft. Impressions were obtained at baseline, 2 and 4 months after surgery. Bucco-lingual measurements were performed using digital imaging analysis. RESULTS All groups displayed contour shrinkage at the buccal aspect. Only the differences between the two test groups (Tx 1, Tx 2) and the control group (Tx 3) were significant at the buccal aspect (p< or =0.001). No measurements of the Tx 4 group could be performed. CONCLUSION Socket preservation techniques, used in the present experiment, were not able to entirely compensate for the alterations after tooth extraction. Yet, incorporation of BioOss Collagen seems to have the potential to limit but not avoid the post-operative contour shrinkage.

Gingival Zenith Positions and Levels of the Maxillary Anterior Dentition

PURPOSE The location of the gingival zenith in a medial-lateral position relative to the vertical tooth axis of the maxillary anterior teeth remains to be clearly defined. In addition, the apex of the free gingival margin of the lateral incisor teeth relative to the gingival zeniths of the adjacent proximal teeth remains undetermined. Therefore, this investigation evaluated two clinical parameters: (1) the gingival zenith position (GZP) from the vertical bisected midline (VBM) along the long axis of each individual maxillary anterior tooth; and (2) the gingival zenith level (GZL) of the lateral incisors in an apical-coronal direction relative to the gingival line joining the tangents of the GZP of the adjacent central incisor and canine teeth under healthy conditions. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 240 sites in 20 healthy patients (13 females, 7 males) with an average age of 27.7 years were evaluated. The inclusion patient criteria were absence of periodontal disease, gingival recession, or gingival hypertrophy as well as teeth without loss of interdental papillae, spacing, crowding, existing restorations, and incisal attrition. GZP dimensions were measured with calibrated digital calipers for each individual tooth and within each tooth group in a medial-lateral direction from the VBM. GZLs were measured in an apical-coronal direction from a tangent line drawn on the diagnostic casts from the GZPs of the adjacent teeth. RESULTS This study demonstrated that all central incisors displayed a distal GZP from the VBM, with a mean average of 1 mm. Lateral incisors showed a deviation of the gingival zenith by a mean of 0.4 mm. In 97.5% of the canine population, the GZP was centralized along the long axis of the canine. The mean distance of the contour of the gingival margin in an apical-coronal direction of the lateral incisors (GZL) relative to gingival line joining the tangent of the adjacent central and canine GZPs was approximately 1 mm. CONCLUSION This investigation revealed a GZP mean value of 1 mm distal from the VBM for the central incisor tooth group. The lateral incisors showed a mean average of 0.4 mm. The canine tooth group demonstrated almost no deviations of the GZP from the VBM. The GZL of the lateral incisors relative to the adjacent central incisor and canine teeth were more coronal by approximately 1 mm. These data could be used as reference points during esthetic anterior oral rehabilitation. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE The information presented in this article can be clinically applied to reestablish the proper intratooth GZPs of the maxillary anterior teeth during periodontal crown lengthening or root coverage procedures. In addition, the intra-arch gingival level of the lateral incisor gingival zenith relative to the adjacent central and canine teeth can be appropriately established.

Residual stresses in porcelain-veneered zirconia prostheses.

OBJECTIVES Compressive stress has been intentionally introduced into the overlay porcelain of zirconia-ceramic prostheses to prevent veneer fracture. However, recent theoretical analysis has predicted that the residual stresses in the porcelain may be also tensile in nature. This study aims to determine the type and magnitude of the residual stresses in the porcelain veneers of full-contour fixed-dental prostheses (FDPs) with an anatomic zirconia coping design and in control porcelain with the zirconia removed using a well-established Vickers indentation method. METHODS Six 3-unit zirconia FDPs were manufactured (NobelBiocare, Gothenburg, Sweden). Porcelain was hand-veneered using a slow cooling rate. Each FDP was sectioned parallel to the occlusal plane for Vickers indentations (n = 143; load = 9.8 N; dwell time = 5s). Tests were performed in the veneer of porcelain-zirconia specimens (bilayers, n=4) and porcelain specimens without zirconia cores (monolayers, n = 2). RESULTS The average crack lengths and standard deviation, in the transverse and radial directions (i.e. parallel and perpendicular to the veneer/core interface, respectively), were 67 ± 12 μm and 52 ± 8 μm for the bilayers and 64 ± 8 μm and 64 ± 7 μm for the monolayers. These results indicated a major hoop compressive stress (~40-50 MPa) and a moderate radial tensile stress (~10 MPa) in the bulk of the porcelain veneer. SIGNIFICANCE Vickers indentation is a powerful method to determine the residual stresses in veneered zirconia systems. Our findings revealed the presence of a radial tensile stress in the overlay porcelain, which may contribute to the large clinical chip fractures observed in these prostheses.

All-ceramic partial coverage restorations—Midterm results of a 5-year prospective clinical splitmouth study

OBJECTIVES Midterm-evaluation of a 5-year prospective clinical splitmouth-investigation on survival rate and long-term behavior of all-ceramic partial coverage restorations (PCRs) on molars. Pressed ceramic and CAD/CAM fabricated PCRs were compared. METHODS 80 vital molars of 25 patients were restored with all-ceramic PCRs (40 IPS e.max Press*[IP] and 40 ProCAD*[PC]). IP-PCRs were heat pressed following the lost-wax method. PC-PCRs were fabricated with Cerec 3** and Cerec InLab** CAD/CAM system (**Sirona Dental Systems, Bensheim, Germany). All PCRs were adhesively luted with a light-polymerizing composite (Syntac*/Tetric*) (*Ivoclar Vivadent, Schaan, Liechtenstein). Clinical reevaluations were performed at baseline and 13, 25, and 36 months after insertion of the PCRs according to the modified United States Public Health Services (USPHS) criteria. Absolute failures were demonstrated by Kaplan-Meier survival rate. RESULTS After an observation time up to 3 years, survival rate of IP-PCRs was 100% and 97% for PC-PCRs due to one severe fracture. The PC-PCR had to be replaced after 9 months. Secondary caries and endodontic complications did not occur. Increased clinical service time resulted in significant decrease of marginal adaptation (p=0.031) and enhanced marginal discoloration (p<0.0001). Both PCR ceramic materials demonstrated significant deteriorations in color match (p<0.0001) and surface roughness (p<0.0001), IP-PCRs were significantly more affected (p< or =0.005). Regarding anatomic form IP-PCRs performed significantly better (p=0.0012). CONCLUSION Pressed ceramic and CAD/CAM fabricated partial coverage restorations exhibited a reliable treatment option to restore larger defects in posterior teeth. Marginal degradation of the resin cement and deterioration of the all-ceramic materials during clinical function determine the clinical long-term performance of partial coverage restorations.

Effect of mouth-motion fatigue and thermal cycling on the marginal accuracy of partial coverage restorations made of various dental materials.

OBJECTIVES To investigate the influence of mouth-motion fatigue on marginal-accuracy of partial-coverage-restorations-(PCRs) of various dental materials. METHODS Eighty molars were prepared equally and divided into five groups (n=16). PCRs were fabricated of following dental materials: Group-GO=Gold-Pontor-MPF(double dagger), Group-TA=Targis*, Group-EX=IPS-e.max-Press*, Group-EM=IPS-Empress*, Group-PC=ProCAD*/Cerec 3(dagger) ((double dagger)Metalor/*Ivoclar-Vivadent/(dagger)Sirona-Dental-System). Gold-PCRs were cemented conventionally. Residual 64 PCRs were adhesively luted and subjected to masticatory loading (1.2million-cycles, 1.6Hz, 49N) and thermal cycling (5 degrees C/55 degrees C, 60s, dwell-time, 5500cycles). Discrepancies in marginal-accuracy were examined on epoxy replicas (200 x magnification). Statistical analysis was performed by unpaired and paired t-tests (alpha=0.05). RESULTS After cementing, marginal-accuracy (geometrical mean)[95% confidence limits] was recorded: GO-47[43-51]microm, TA-42[38-45]microm, EX-60[52-67]microm, EM-52[45-60]microm and PC-75[59-94]microm. No significant differences were found between groups GO, TA and EM. Values of Group-EX were significantly higher compared to Group-TA (p=0.04). Group-PC demonstrated significantly decreased marginal-accuracy towards groups GO (p=0.03) and TA (p=0.02). Except for Group-GO (p=0.01), no significant changes in marginal-accuracy were observed after mouth-motion fatigue and thermal cycling (GO-42[38-45]microm, TA-42[38-47]microm, EX-56[49-65]microm, EM-54[46-64]microm and PC-71[59-84]microm). However, Group-GO and Group-EM showed significant deviations in marginal-accuracy after aging (p=0.04). Marginal discrepancies of groups EX and EM were similar (p=1.0). Values of Group-PC were significantly higher when compared to groups GO (p=0.01) and TA (p=0.02). Buccal-lingual marginal discrepancies were significantly higher than mesial-distal in all groups and stages. SIGNIFICANCE Cast-gold-PCRs demonstrated superior marginal-accuracy, followed by indirect ceromer PCRs. All-ceramic PCRs showed in vitro clinical acceptable marginal widths, even though CAD/CAM fabrication slightly compromised marginal-accuracy. Since preparation margins were not exposed to occlusal loading directly, increased marginal discrepancies due to marginal chipping during mouth-motion fatigue were not experienced.

Marginal adaptation of different types of all-ceramic partial coverage restorations after exposure to an artificial mouth

Objectives To determine the influence of the preparation design and the dimensions of all-ceramic partial coverage restorations (PCR) on the marginal accuracy before and after masticatory simulation.Methods In this in vitro study 80 extracted human maxillary molars were restored with MOD inlay restorations and four different modified PCR restorations using a new press ceramic IPS e.max® Press (IPS e.max® Press VP 1989). The teeth were divided into five groups of 16 specimens each and prepared as follows: Group A received an MOD inlay preparation and Group B, C, D and E received modified PCR. The restorations were adhesively luted and exposed to a mastication simulator. The discrepancies of the marginal fit were examined on epoxy replicas before and after luting as well as after masticatory simulation at 200× magnification.Results The mean (geometrical) [95% confidence limits] marginal gap decreased from Group A to E before cementation (A-83[77-90]μm, B-68[65-70]μm, C-59[55-64]μm, D-56[52-61]μm, E-50[45-55]μm). Group A had significantly higher marginal gap values than group B (p = 0.017) and the other groups (p<0.0001). After cementation the marginal accuracy was recorded as following: A-103[93-114]μm, B-101[94-108]μm, C-93[89-98]μm, D-102[98-105]μm and E-99[96-102]μm. Cementation increased the marginal gap in groups B-E significantly (p<0.00001), not significantly in group A (p = 0.059). Artificial ageing (A-116[106-127]μm, B-114[109-120]μm, C-106[103-110]μm, D-109[100-118]μm and E-109[105-112]μm) led to further significant decrease of marginal accuracy in Group B (p = 0.029) and C (p = 0.026) only. After cementation and masticatory simulation of the ceramic restorations, the marginal gap values of Groups A, B, C, D and E did not significantly differ from each other (p = 1.00).Conclusions The result of this in vitro study showed that IPS e.max® Press can be used to fabricate all-ceramic inlays and PCR which meet the requirements in terms of a clinically acceptable marginal gap, irrespective of the preparation design used. However, the preparation design and dimensions of the restorations appeared to affect the initial marginal fit and flowing off of luting material during the cementation process. The factors responsible for these findings require further substantiation.

Flapless postextraction socket implant placement in the esthetic zone: part 1. The effect of bone grafting and/or provisional restoration on facial-palatal ridge dimensional change-a retrospective cohort study.

A number of human comparison studies and case series have demonstrated the effectiveness of using a platform-switched implant-to-abutment connection to prevent peri-implant bone loss and subsequent soft tissue loss. To compare the bone around platform-switched and nonplatform-switched connections, adjacent pairs of both connection types were placed in a one-stage surgical procedure on each side of the mandibles of three monkeys (Macaca fascicularis). Eight weeks after abutment connection, histomorphometric analysis showed that both vertical and horizontal alveolar bone resorption had occurred around the nonplatform-switched implants, whereas bone was maintained vertically and new bone formed horizontally around the platform-switched implants.The dental literature has reported vertical soft tissue changes that can occur with immediate implant placement, bone grafting, and provisional restoration ranging from a gain or loss of 1.0 mm. However, little is known of the effects of facial-palatal collapse of the ridge due to these clinical procedures. Based upon treatment modalities rendered, an ensuing contour change can occur with significant negative esthetic consequences. The results of a retrospective clinical cohort study evaluating the change in horizontal ridge dimension associated with implant placement in anterior postextraction sockets are presented for four treatment groups: (1) group no BGPR = no bone graft and no provisional restoration; (2) group PR = no bone graft, provisional restoration; (3) group BG = bone graft, no provisional restoration; and (4) group BGPR = bone graft, provisional restoration. Bone grafting at the time of implant placement into the gap in combination with a contoured healing abutment or a provisional restoration resulted in the smallest amount of ridge contour change. Therefore, it is recommended to place a bone graft and contoured healing abutment or provisional restoration at the time of flapless postextraction socket implant placement.

Marginal adaptation of three-unit fixed partial dentures constructed from pressed ceramic systems.

Purpose This study compares the marginal accuracy of posterior metal ceramic (MC), all-ceramic IPS Empress®2 and experimental pressed ceramic (EPC-VP 1989/4) three-unit fixed partial dentures (FPD), before and after luting and after thermo-mechanical fatigue in a dual-axis chewing simulator.Materials and methods Caries-free human teeth (n=160) were used as abutments for the fabrication of eighty posterior three-unit FPD, divided into two test-groups, IPS Empress®2 and EPC, of 32 samples each and one control group of 16 samples metal ceramic FPD. All FPD were cemented with Variolink®II dual-curing resin cement. Half of the samples in each group were exposed to a dual-axis chewing simulator.Results The geometric mean marginal gap values (μm, before cementation, after cementation and after thermo-mechanical fatigue) amounted to 53, 63 and 62 for the ceramic metal FPD, 57, 71 and 68 for the Empress®2 FPD and 55, 67 and 68 for the EPC FPD. In all groups a statistically significant increase in marginal gap width was observed after cementation. The effect of functional loading in the chewing simulator on marginal gap was not significant. Marginal gap was lowest in the control group but differences with all-ceramic materials were small in all evaluation stages.Conclusion Within the limits of this investigation, it can be concluded that marginal gap values of these all-ceramic materials and conventional MC techniques are on a similar level. In particular, almost all marginal gap values observed in this study were within the limits of clinical acceptance.

Contact fatigue response of porcelain-veneered alumina model systems

Fatigue damage modes and reliability of hand-veneered (HV) and over-pressed (OP) aluminum-oxide layer structures were compared. Influence of luting cement thickness on mechanical performance was investigated. Sixty-four aluminum-oxide plates (10 × 10 × 0.5 mm) were veneered with hand built-up or pressed porcelain (0.7 mm) and adhesively luted (50- or 150-μm cement thickness) to water-aged composite resin blocks (12 × 12 × 4 mm). Single-load-to-failure and fatigue tests were performed with a spherical tungsten carbide indenter (d = 6.25 mm) applied in the center of the veneer layer. Specimens were inspected with polarized-reflected-light and scanning electron microscopy. Use-level probability Weibull curves were plotted with two-sided 90% confidence bounds, and reliability at 75,000 cycles and 250 N load was calculated. For all specimens but two OP with 50-μm cement thickness, failure was characterized by flexural radial cracks initiating at the bottom surface of the alumina core and propagating into the veneering porcelain before cone cracks could extend to the porcelain/alumina interface. HV specimens showed higher reliability compared to OP. Those with 50-μm cement thickness were more reliable relative to their 150-μm counterparts (HV_50 μm: 95% (0.99/0.67); HV_150 μm: 55% (0.92/0.01); OP_50 μm: 69% (0.84/0.48); OP_150 μm: 15% (0.53/0.004)). Similar failure modes were observed in HV and OP specimens. Radial cracks developing in the core and spreading into the veneer are suggested to cause bulk fracture, which is the characteristic failure mode for alumina core crowns. However, the highest resistance to fatigue loading was found for the HV specimens with thin cement thickness, while the lowest occurred for the OP with thick cement layer.

Scar Tissue Formation Following Alveolar Ridge Preservation: A Case Control Study

The aim of this retrospective case control study was to compare a porcine collagen matrix (Mucograft Seal, Geistlich) with a free gingival punch graft with respect to size, invagination, and color of resulting soft tissue scar formation. Following definition of inclusion and exclusion criteria, 22 patients were retrospectively included in this study. The patients were divided into two groups. In group A, the extraction socket was filled with bovine bone mineral (Bio-Oss, Geistlich) and covered with a free gingival punch graft. In group B, the extraction socket was filled with bovine bone mineral (Bio-Oss) and covered with porcine collagen matrix. After final prosthetic reconstruction (18 implant-retained crowns and 4 fixed partial dentures), two independent examiners evaluated the size, invagination, and color of the soft tissue scar using a modified scar-evaluation scale originally developed for dermal wounds (lower values correspond to less scarring). Patient satisfaction was recorded using a questionnaire. Patient records were screened for frequency and costs of scar removal treatment. The average scar score for groups A and B was 1.33 and 4.3, respectively, revealing significantly less scarring in group B (P = .000295). Frequency and costs of scar removal treatment were statistically significantly higher in Group A (P = .000234). Patient satisfaction was not statistically significantly different between the treatment groups (P = .711 for group A and P = .809 for group B. The results suggest that alveolar ridge preservation using bovine bone mineral and porcine collagen matrix leads to less scar tissue formation when compared with bovine bone mineral and free gingival punch grafts from the palate.