L. Kirk Gardner

Titanium: The mystery metal of implant dentistry. Dental materials aspects

A number of important points concerning titanium and its alloys have been discussed. They are summarized as follows. Ti and its alloys, particularly the alpha-beta alloys, possess mechanical properties that make them ideal implant materials. Ti and its alloys oxidize readily in air. This surface oxide is extremely stable in the physiologic environment of the body. The stability and inertness of this surface oxide layer acts to protect Ti from corrosive breakdown when used in the body. The elimination of surface irregularities and contaminants is important when preparing a metal for implantation. Titanium can be coupled with equally passive metals in the body without causing galvanic corrosion.

Soft tissue response to endosseous titanium oral implants

T he use of titanium for oral implants is rapidly gaining acceptance by the dental comniunity. The clinical success of titanium implants over long periods of time has been reported.‘, 2 Although there is impressive evidence in favor of titanium as the material of choice for certain types of dental implants, continued research is necessary to scientifically support the clinical results. This article reviews the nature of the soft tissue response to titanium implants.

Extending the longevity of temporary soft liners with a mono-poly coating

A method has been described that will reduce the incidence of fungal growth and increase the period of resiliency for temporary soft liners. The use of a monopoly coating procedure is limited to temporary soft liners only. The coating will not adhere to the more permanent soft liners such as Molloplast-B (Regneri & Co KG, Karlsruhe, West Germany). The coating, however, can be used on any conventional temporary soft liner with good results.

The mandibular swing-lock complete denture for patients with microstomia

Regardless of cause, the treatment of an edentulous patient with microstomia is difficult and often ingenious. Prosthodontic treatment modalities previously described are reviewed. A new type of prosthesis, the collapsible mandibular swing-lock complete denture, is introduced. The prosthesis incorporates a cast cobalt-chromium framework with a lingual hinge and a conventional labial swing-lock. This combination allows the prosthesis to be collapsible while maintaining structural durability. Advantages include ease of insertion and removal while providing maximum coverage for support, retention, and stability. A stepwise technique for the clinical and laboratory phases is described.

Comparative implant research in dogs: a prosthodontic model.

One-hundred twenty endosteal dental implants were inserted bilaterally in the mandibles of 30 adult mongrel dogs after bilateral extraction of all premolars. The 120 implants were evenly divided into one- and two-stage systems and included ceramic and titanium cylindrical root-form implants and titanium blade implants. The research design of this investigation divided the 30 animals into 10 groups of three dogs. This article describes an animal model that is useful in evaluating dental implant designs and compares the results with those from humans. In particular, this article delineates the prosthodontic approach appropriate for this model using one- and two-stage titanium implants. Rexillium alloy fixed prostheses were placed on 32 endosteal implants and 16 natural mandibular molar teeth. The implants and prosthetic components of the Sterio-Oss implant system were used. All prostheses are functional with minimal maintenance. To date, after 1-year of follow-up, none of the implants have been lost and none of the fixed prostheses have required recementation or maintenance other than normal hygiene. Histologic and survival data as well as results with other implant systems will be presented in other reports.

Simplified technique for the fabrication of a hollow obturator prosthesis using vinyl polysiloxane

A technique in the fabrication of a heat-cured acrylic resin transitional maxillary obturator using vinyl polysiloxane putty instead of wax is demonstrated. The putty allows a decrease in the time of fabrication in both the pattern and the processing stage of the prosthesis.

Morphology of the bone that supports endosteal dental implants : transmission electron microscopic and high voltage electron microscopic observations

The morphologic features of the bone-dental implant interface were investigated using an in vivo dog model. The undecalcified bone and associated support tissues were serially sectioned and examined with both conventional and high voltage transmission electron microscopy. A varied morphologic appearance of the tissues supporting clinically and radiographically appearing integrated implants was observed. Osteoblasts were observed at the implant interface, and osteocytes were routinely seen encased within lacunae extremely close to the implant surface. Often these osteocytes extended cellular projections to the implant surface. The variable tissue types observed were suggestive of healthy lamellar and appositional type mineralization patterns adjacent to the implants.

Modification of immediate denture sectional impression technique using vinyl polysiloxane.

The labial sectional impression technique in the maxillary immediate denture can be done in many different materials with varied results. The use of vinyl polysiloxane putty for this impression technique is demonstrated and shows the superior results both in the ease of use and the detail of the impression surface.

Using vinyl polysiloxane in the altered cast procedure for speech-aid prostheses

With the use of vinyl polysiloxane during fabrication of the altered cast, a complete speech aid prosthesis may be tried in at the wax stage without prior processing. Laboratory time is saved when double processing is avoided.

Using a tooth-reduction guide for modifying natural teeth.

A simplified method of transferring diagnostic odontoplastic information from the cast to the patient is described. This technique can be used successfully when treating fixed, removable, or combination prosthodontics patients.