Juan Cervera-Ballester

Implant Treatment in Atrophic Posterior Mandibles: : Vertical Regeneration with Block Bone Grafts Versus Implants with 5.5-mm Intrabony Length

PURPOSE To retrospectively compare the outcomes of implants placed in posterior mandibles vertically regenerated with onlay autogenous block bone grafts and short dental implants. MATERIALS AND METHODS Consecutive patients with vertical bone atrophy in edentulous mandibular posterior regions (7 to 8 mm of bone above the inferior alveolar nerve) were treated with either implants placed in regenerated bone using autologous block bone grafts (group 1) or short implants (with 5.5-mm intrabony length) in native bone (group 2) between 2005 and 2010 and followed for 12 months after loading. The procedure used was the established treatment protocol for this type of patient at the Oral Surgery Unit (University of Valencia, Spain) at the time of surgery. All grafts were obtained using piezosurgery. The outcomes assessed were: complications related to the procedure, implant survival, implant success, and peri-implant marginal bone loss. Statistical analysis was done using the Fisher exact test and the Mann-Whitney test. RESULTS Thirty-seven patients were included, 20 (45 implants) in group 1 and 17 (35 implants) in group 2. In group 1, 13 implants were less than 10 mm long (2 were 7 mm and 11 were 8.5 mm), and 32 were 10 mm or longer; the diameter was 3.6 mm in 6 implants, 4.2 mm in 31, and 5.5 mm in 8. In group 2 all implants were 7 mm long; the diameter measured 4.2 mm in 14 implants and 5.5 mm in 21 implants. Complications related to the block bone grafting procedure were temporary hypoesthesia in one patient, wound dehiscence with graft exposure in three patients, and exposure of the osteosynthesis screw without bone graft exposure in one patient. After 12 months, implant survival rates were 95.6% in group 1 and 97.1 % in group 2; success rates were 91.1% and 97.1%, respectively. The average marginal bone loss was 0.7 ± 1.1 mm in group 1 and 0.6 ± 0.3 mm in group 2. CONCLUSIONS When residual bone height over the mandibular canal is between 7 and 8 mm, short implants (with 5.5-mm intrabony length) might be a preferable treatment option over vertical augmentation, reducing chair time, expense, and morbidity.

Peripheral Giant Cell Granuloma Associated With Dental Implants: Clinical Case and Literature Review

Peripheral giant cell granuloma (PGCG) associated to dental implants is a very infrequent peri-implant soft-tissue complication, with only 11 cases recorded in the literature to date. The present study describes a 54-year-old woman presenting a swelling of the alveolar margin in the fourth quadrant in relation to a fixed prosthesis cemented over implants. Treatment consisted of complete resection of the lesion with implantoplasty of the exposed implant threads. The diagnosis of PGCG was confirmed by histological study, and no relapse has been recorded after 12 months of follow-up.

Implant periapical lesion: Diagnosis and treatment

The implant periapical lesion is the infectious-inflammatory process of the tissues surrounding the implant apex. It may be caused by different factors: contamination of the implant surface, overheating of bone during drilling, preparation of a longer implant bed than the implant itself, and pre-existing bone disease. Diagnosis is achieved by studying the presence of symptoms and signs such us pain, swelling, suppuration or fistula; in the radiograph an implant periapical radiolucency may appear. A diagnostic classification is proposed to establish the stage of the lesion, and determine the best treatment option accordingly. The following stages are distinguished: acute apical periimplantitis (non-suppurated and suppurated) and subcacute (or suppurated-fistulized) apical periimplantitis. The most adequate treatment of this pathology in the acute stage and in the subacute stage if there is no loss of implant stability is apical surgery. In the subacute stage, if there is implant mobility, the extraction of the implant is necessary. Key words:Implant periapical lesion, apical periimplantitis, retrograde periimplantitis.

Coronectomy of impacted mandibular third molars: A meta-analysis and systematic review of the literature.

Background Coronectomy is an alternative to complete removal of an impacted mandibular third molar. Most authors have recommended coronectomy to prevent damage to the inferior alveolar nerve during surgical extraction of lower third molars. The present study offers a systematic review and metaanalysis of the coronectomy technique. Material and Methods A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed based on a PubMed and Cochrane databases search for articles published from 2014 and involving coronectomy of mandibular third molars located near the inferior alveolar nerve canal, with a minimum of 10 cases and a minimum follow-up period of 6 months. After application of the inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of 12 articles were included in the study. Results and Discussion Coronectomy results in significantly lesser loss of sensitivity of the inferior alveolar nerve and prevents the occurrence of dry socket. No statistically significant differences were observed in the incidence of pain and infection between coronectomy and complete surgical extraction. After coronectomy, the remaining tooth fragment migrates an average of 2 mm within two years. Conclusions Coronectomy is indicated when the mandibular third molar is in contact with the inferior alveolar nerve and complete removal of the tooth may cause nerve damage. Key words:Coronectomy, included third molar, inferior alveolar nerve injury.

Comparative split-mouth study of the anesthetic efficacy of 4% articaine versus 0.5% bupivacaine in impacted mandibular third molar extraction

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical efficacy of articaine at 4% (epinephrine 1:100,000) with bupivacaine at 0.5% (epinephrine 1:200,000) for surgical extraction of impacted mandibular third molars. Study Design: This was a randomized, double blind, split-mouth, clinical trial. Thirty-six patients took part and underwent extraction of 72 lower third molars. The variables studied were: anesthetic latency time, intra-operative bleeding, anesthetic quality, hemodynamic changes during the surgical intervention, anesthetic duration in the soft tissues, post-operative analgesia and post-operative pain at 2, 6, 12 and 24 hours using a visual analogue scale, as well as any need for additional rescue medication. Results: Latency time was 2.0 minutes for articaine and 3.1 minutes for bupivacaine, with statistically significant difference (p<0.05). Bleeding was greater when bupivacaine was used (p<0.05) and anesthetic quality was greater with articaine (p<0.05). The duration of soft tissue anesthesia was longer with bupivacaine (p<0.05). Differences in post-operative analgesia, haemodynamic changes, post-operative pain and the quantity of rescue medication consumed were not statistically significant (p>0.05). Conclusions: Articaine showed greater clinical efficacy than bupivacaine, reducing latency time, bleeding, anesthetic duration in the soft tissues and achieving higher anesthetic quality, requiring less reinforcement during surgery than bupivacaine. Key words:Articaine, bupivacaine, anesthetic efficacy, impacted mandibular third molar.

Buccal bone crest dynamics after immediate implant placement and ridge preservation techniques: review of morphometric studies in animals.

Purpose:To review morphometric studies performed in animals assessing the dynamics of the buccal bone crest after immediate implant placement and ridge preservation techniques. Material and Method:A bibliographic search in PubMed was performed. Studies that analyzed morphometrically in animals the buccal bone crest dynamics after immediate implant placement or ridge preservation techniques were included. Twenty-five studies met the inclusion criteria. Results:Immediate implant placement does not prevent the resorption of the buccal bone crest. To minimize this resorption, 2 mm width of the buccal bone crest, palatal/lingual implant placement, and an adequate implant diameter for the width of the ridge are required. The regeneration of the gap after immediate implant placement limits the resorption of the buccal bone crest. Flap elevation and implant surface showed no relation with this resorption. Ridge preservation techniques associated with mucogingival surgery minimize buccal bone crest resorption. Biomaterials are more effective than autograft. Conclusions:Immediate implant placement does not prevent the resorption of the buccal bone crest after dental extraction. Ridge preservation techniques minimize this resorption.

Influence of Hemostatic Agents in the Prognosis of Periapical Surgery: A Randomized Study of Epinephrine versus Aluminum Chloride

Introduction: Several variables have been associated with a better prognosis of periapical surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of 2 hemostatic agents on the prognosis of periapical surgery at 12 months. Methods: A prospective study was designed with 2 randomized parallel groups established depending on the hemostatic agent used: epinephrine or aluminum chloride. The analysis of the hemorrhage control was recorded as 0 (no hemorrhage control), 1 (slight but apparent intermittent bleeding persisted after application of the material), or 2 (complete hemorrhage control). At 12 months, periapical lesion healing was determined clinically and radiologically as success, improvement, or failure. Results: Ninety‐five patients (67 women and 28 men) with periapical lesions involving a single tooth were enrolled in this study; in 45 teeth, epinephrine was used and in 50 teeth aluminum chloride. In the epinephrine group, 28 teeth were classified as successes, 10 as improvements, and 7 as failures. In the aluminum chloride group, 34 teeth were classified as successes, 11 as improvements, and 5 as failures. No statistically significant difference was found. Conclusions: The present study found no association between the use of epinephrine or aluminum chloride as hemostatic agents on the prognosis of periapical surgery. The efficacy of hemostatic agents at the time of surgery showed no relationship with the healing outcome.

Periapical implant lesion: A systematic review

Background The aim of this study was to systematically review the evidence for periapical implant lesion, which makes a patient more susceptible to the periapical lesion, frequency, symptoms, signs (including radiological findings) and possible treatment options. Material and Methods A systematic literature review and analysis of publications included in PubMed, Embase and Cochrane; articles published until March 2016; with a populations, exposures and outcomes (PEO) search strategy was performed, focused on the issue: “In patients with periapical lesion to the implant during the osseointegration, what symptoms, signs, and changes in complementary examination manifested, for according to that stage, be intervened with the appropriate approach?”. The set criteria for inclusion were peer-reviewed articles. Results From a total of 212 papers identified, 36 studies were included in this systematic review, with 15461 implants evaluated and 183 periapical implant lesions. Which 8 papers included more than 5 cases and 28 included equal or less than 5 cases. Analysis of the papers revealed that periapical implant lesion is classified according to evolution stages into acute (non-suppurated and suppurated) and subacute (or suppurated-fistulized). In the acute stage and in the subacute if there is no loss of implant stability, the correct treatment approach is implant periapical surgery. In the subacute stage associated with implant mobility the implant must be removed. Conclusions Evidence on the subject is very limited, there are few studies with small sample, without homogeneity of criteria for diagnosing the disease and without design of scientific evidence. Currently etiology lacks consensus. The early diagnosis of periapical implant periapical lesions during the osseointegration phase and early treatment, will lead to a higher survival rate of implants treated, hence preventing the need for implant extraction. Key words:Apical peri-implantitis, retrograde peri-implantitis, inflammatory peri-implantitis lesion.

Influence of the prosthetic arm length (palatal position) of zygomatic implants upon patient satisfaction

Background To assess the influence of the prosthetic arm length (palatal position) of zygomatic implants upon patient comfort and stability, speech, functionality and overall satisfaction. Material and Methods A retrospective clinical study was made of patients subjected to rehabilitation of atrophic maxilla with complete maxillary implant-supported fixed prostheses involving a minimum of two zygomatic implants (one on each side) in conjunction with premaxillary implants, and with 12 months of follow-up after implant loading. Subjects used a VAS to score general satisfaction, comfort and stability, speech and functionality, and the results were analyzed in relation to the prosthetic arm length of the zygomatic implants 12 months after prosthetic delivery. Results Twenty-two patients participated in the study, receiving 22 prostheses anchored on 148 implants (44 were zygomatic and 94 were conventional implants). The mean right and left prosthetic arm length was 5.9±2.4 mm and 6.1±2.7 mm, respectively, with no statistically significant differences between them (p=0.576). The mean scores referred to comfort/retention, speech, functionality and overall satisfaction were high - no correlation being found between prosthetic arm length and patient satisfaction (p=0.815). Conclusions No relationship could be identified between prosthetic arm length (palatal position) and patient satisfaction. Key words:Zygomatic implants, patient satisfaction, zygomatic prosthesis, prosthetic arm length.