José Mª Martínez-González

Prosthetic hygiene and functional efficacy in completely edentulous patients: satisfaction and quality of life during a 5‐year follow‐up

OBJECTIVESnThe aim of this study was to compare satisfaction with function and hygiene maintenance in completely edentulous elderly patients rehabilitated with implant-supported fixed prostheses, overdentures, and conventional prostheses.nnnMATERIALS AND METHODSnA total of 150 geriatric patients were divided into three groups: Group 1 (CD) patients rehabilitated with complete dentures; Group 2 (FP) patients with implant-supported fixed prostheses; Group 3 (OD) patients with overdentures. The patients responded to a questionnaire based on the Oral Health Impact Profile and the Dental Impact Profile to evaluate satisfaction with their prostheses. Data were analyzed using ANOVA F and the Kruskal-Wallis nonparametric test, with significance established as Pxa0<xa00.05.nnnRESULTSnSignificant differences were found between the three groups. For oral hygiene, the group with overdentures showed better results, and the group with fixed prostheses was more satisfied with function.nnnCONCLUSIONSnSatisfaction among these completely edentulous patients varied in relation to prosthetic type. The level of general satisfaction among patients with implant-supported prostheses was greater than the group using conventional dentures. Patients rehabilitated with fixed prostheses enjoyed a higher level of satisfaction than patients with overdentures.

Pre‐operative measurement of the volume of bone graft in sinus lifts using CompuDent

OBJECTIVEnThe aim of this study was to calculate the volume of graft necessary for rehabilitation using varying lengths of implants, and to evaluate the usefulness of the planning dental software in determining the pre-operative volume of bone graft in maxillary sinus floor lifts.nnnMATERIAL AND METHODSnUsing the CompuDent program, we calculated the volume of graft necessary for 62 sinus lifts. This volume was measured to raise the floor of each sinus to 13.4 and 15 mm in height.nnnRESULTSnThe average volume of graft to achieve a lift of 13.4 mm was 2.61 ± 0.69 cm³ for the right maxillary sinus, with the range of 1.38-4.1 cm³, and 2.68 ± 0.81 cm³ for the left maxillary sinus, with the range of 1.1-4.25 cm³. The average volume of graft to achieve a lift of 15 mm was 3.13 ± 0.75 cm³ for the right maxillary sinus, with the range of 1.59-4.81 cm³, and 3.29 ± 1.02 cm³ for the left maxillary sinus, with the range of 1.48-5.11 cm³. The statistical results showed a significant inversely proportional correlation between the average of the heights and the volume of graft in the right sinus.nnnCONCLUSIONSnThe planning dental software is an effective tool in determining the volume of bone graft given the tools simplicity, rapidness and possibility of standardization in all pre-surgical procedures.

Implant survival and complications in cases of inferior alveolar nerve lateralization and atrophied mandibles with 5-year follow-up.

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the survival after 5 years of implants placed using inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) lateralization in cases of mandibular atrophy and to determine the incidence of complications. Twenty-seven patients received 74 implants by means of the IAN lateralization technique. Implant survival after 5 years of loading was 98.6%. Eighteen months after surgery, the recovery of sensitivity was complete in 26 cases. Implant placement with IAN lateralization was seen to be a satisfactory and predictable technique. IAN lateralization requires a high level of technical skill, and strict criteria should be applied when prescribing this treatment.