Neal R. Garrett

Increased prevalence of bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw with vitamin D deficiency in rats.

Necrotic bone exposure in the oral cavity has recently been reported in patients treated with nitrogen‐containing bisphosphonates as part of their therapeutic regimen for multiple myeloma or metastatic cancers to bone. It has been postulated that systemic conditions associated with cancer patients combined with tooth extraction may increase the risk of osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ). The objective of this study was to establish an animal model of bisphosphonate‐related ONJ by testing the combination of these risk factors. The generation of ONJ lesions in rats resembling human disease was achieved under the confluence of intravenous injection of zoledronate (ZOL; 35 µg/kg every 2 weeks), maxillary molar extraction, and vitamin D deficiency [VitD(−)]. The prevalence of ONJ in the VitD(−)/ZOL group was 66.7%, which was significantly higher (p < .05, Fisher exact test) than the control (0%), VitD(−) (0%), and ZOL alone (14.3%) groups. Similar to human patients, rat ONJ lesions prolonged the oral exposure of necrotic bone sequestra and were uniquely associated with pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia. The number of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase–mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate–biotin nick‐end label–positive (TUNEL+) osteoclasts significantly increased on the surface of post–tooth extraction alveolar bone of the VitD(−)/ZOL group, where sustained inflammation was depicted by [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose micro‐positron emission tomography (µPET). ONJ lesions were found to be associated with dense accumulation of mixed inflammatory/immune cells. These cells, composed of neutrophils and lymphocytes, appeared to juxtapose apoptotic osteoclasts. It is suggested that the pathophysiologic mechanism(s) underpinning ONJ may involve the interaction between bisphosphonates and compromised vitamin D functions in the realm of skeletal homeostasis and innate immunity.

Effect of implant-supported or retained dentures on masticatory performance: a systematic review.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM While subjective patient-based measures have been increasingly recognized as critical outcomes for prosthodontic treatment, there continues to be a need to validate for patients what changes in masticatory function can be expected with the provision of new implant-supported or retained dentures. PURPOSE The purpose of this review was to evaluate the critical factors impacting change in masticatory performance following the provision of new implant-supported or retained dentures. MATERIAL AND METHODS Information retrieval followed a systematic approach using PubMed and the Cochrane Library. English articles published from 1966 to June 2007, in which the masticatory performance of subjects with implant-supported or retained dentures was assessed by objective methods and compared to performance with conventional dentures, were included. Ratings of the evidence provided in each article followed United States Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality recommendations. RESULTS From 281 articles identified, 18 peer-reviewed articles met prespecified criteria for inclusion. Specific outcomes of significance identified by these articles rated as level II are: (1) fixed implant-supported partial dentures do not provide significant improvement in masticatory performance compared to conventional removable partial dentures for Kennedy Class I and II partially edentulous mandibles; (2) the combination of a mandibular implant-supported or retained overdenture (IOD) and maxillary conventional complete denture (CD) provides significant improvement in masticatory performance compared to CDs in both the mandible and maxilla for a limited population having persistent functional problems with an existing mandibular CD due to severely resorbed mandible; and (3) the type of implant and attachment system for mandibular IODs has a limited impact. Specific outcomes of significance identified by articles rated as having a moderate level of evidence (level III) are: (1) mandibular fixed implant-supported complete dentures provide significant improvement in masticatory performance compared to mandibular CDs in subjects dissatisfied with their CDs; and (2) implant-supported mandibular resection dentures have an advantage over conventional dentures in masticatory performance on the defect side of the mouth. CONCLUSIONS Objective benefits in masticatory performance of implant-supported or retained dentures compared to conventional dentures are limited to a mandibular IOD in edentulous patients with a resorbed mandible and/or difficulty adapting to CDs.

Effects of improvements of poorly fitting dentures and new dentures on patient satisfaction

Clinicians reline or replace dentures to improve occlusion, stability, retention and facial support. They believe that well-fitting dentures will maintain supporting tissues in good health and satisfy patients by improving oral function and self-esteem. In this study, satisfaction of 21 patients with poorly fitting dentures was assessed before and after the dentures were modified to improve occlusion, vertical dimension of occlusion, and retention and stability or the dentures were replaced with new ones. More than 55% of the patients were moderately to fully satisfied with their poorly fitting dentures. Most patients perceived improvements in chewing comfort, chewing ability, eating enjoyment, food choices, security, and speech after each denture modification and with new dentures. The relative importance of the four sequential modifications could not be determined because they were made sequentially and their effects became cumulative. Chewing ability, eating enjoyment, particles under dentures, and food choices were highly correlated with chewing comfort and overall patient satisfaction. The results support the belief of many clinicians that patients benefit from relining of poorly fitting dentures or replacement with new dentures. Improvements in chewing function were perceived by most patients despite the lack of improvement in masticatory performance or masseter muscle activity with modified or new dentures. It is likely that denture wearers perceive chewing ability in terms of chewing comfort rather than ability to comminute food, an objective measure of chewing performance. The latter is not altered markedly by the clinical excellence of dentures.

A randomized clinical trial comparing the efficacy of mandibular implant-supported overdentures and conventional dentures in diabetic patients. Part I: Methodology and clinical outcomes.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM Scientific evidence is lacking to support the general application of implant-supported mandibular overdentures. PURPOSE This randomized clinical trial was undertaken to compare the efficacy of conventional mandibular and implant-supported overdentures in diabetic edentulous patients with clinically acceptable metabolic control. METHOD A total of 102 diabetic patients, treated with or without insulin, were randomized to receive a new maxillary denture and either a conventional or an implant-supported removable mandibular overdenture. Treatment was completed for 89 patients, 37 with the conventional and 52 with implant-supported dentures. Detailed examinations, tests, and questionnaires were given before and at 6- and 24-months after treatment completion. Comparisons between the two treatment groups were made for treatment failures based on prespecifed criteria and the type and amount of maintenance care provided. RESULTS The insulin and noninsulin treated groups were collapsed because of the lack of significant differences at entry. The conventional denture and implant-supported overdenture groups were similar in terms of general demographics, medical status, quality of their original dentures and denture support, several functional measures, and patient satisfaction. Treatment was judged to be successful in 56.9% of patients with conventional dentures and 72.1% with overdentures. This difference in success rate was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Patients with treatment failures in both groups required excessive maintenance care. Those with conventional dentures needed frequent denture base adjustments and relines, whereas those with overdentures required frequent clip replacements and repairs. Although significant improvements were seen with both treatment modalities, a higher percentage of patients with implant-supported overdentures than those with conventional dentures reported improvements in chewing comfort and moderate-to-complete overall satisfaction.

Effects of improvements of poorly fitting dentures and new dentures on masticatory performance

The effect of four modifications to improve the fit and maxillomandibular relationships of poorly fitting dentures and the insertion of new dentures on masticatory performance was assessed in 21 denture wearers. A 2-week adaptation period was allowed for each of the four modifications and 3 weeks and 12 weeks of adaptation for new dentures. The preferred side masticatory performances were not appreciably affected by either the modifications to improve the fit of the original dentures or the new dentures. In most instances there was a slight decline in performance. Three denture modifications caused significant declines in the carrot-swallowing threshold performances and the new dentures in the peanut-swallowing threshold performance. In other words, the denture wearers had a greater percentage of coarse particles in their bolus ready for ingestion when they chewed with altered or new dentures compared with original dentures. However, they chewed faster and applied fewer chewing strokes with their modified and new dentures. A steady but gradual improvement in the mean performance score with carrots was noted with time after the insertion of new dentures. Dentists and patients need to understand that adaptation to new or modified old dentures may be a long, drawn-out process for some patients.

Randomized clinical trial comparing the efficacy of mandibular implant-supported overdentures and conventional dentures in diabetic patients. Part III: Comparisons of patient satisfaction

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM There is insufficient evidence to indicate the functional superiority of mandibular implant-supported overdentures to justify their use in edentulous patients. PURPOSE This study compared the benefits perceived by patients who received a new maxillary denture and a mandibular conventional denture (CD) and an implant-supported overdenture (IOD). METHOD New maxillary and mandibular dentures were delivered to 89 diabetic denture wearers with clinically acceptable metabolic control who treated their diabetes either with insulin (IT) or without insulin (NIT). Of the 89 patients, 37 received maxillary and mandibular CDs and 52 received a maxillary CD and an IOD. Two questionnaires with categorical responses were used; the first contained 13 questions to ascertain a patients absolute assessments of original dentures at entry and study dentures at 6- and 24-months after treatment completion; the second questionnaire had 11 questions that assessed the relative change perceived by patients with study dentures. Of the 78 patients who completed the posttreatment (PT) assessments at 6 months, 68 patients provided longitudinal data for questionnaire I and cross-sectional data for questionnaire II. In addition, 46 patients (18 CD and 28 IOD) also provided PT assessments at 24 months. RESULTS Both mean scores and percentage distributions of longitudinal data for questionnaire I showed perceptual improvements with both types of study dentures. Improvements were higher in the IOD than in the CD group. Mean scores failed to show any significant differences between the 2 treatment groups. The only significant difference was found in the change in percentage distributions for perceptual chewing ability in favor of the IOD group. Even this advantage was lost at 24 months. With the comparative questionnaire, a higher percentage of patients in the IOD group than in the CD group perceived improvements with study dentures from their original dentures in chewing ability, chewing comfort, and denture security. However, mean differences were statistically significant in favor of the IOD group only for chewing ability and less difficulty to chew hard foods. CONCLUSION The mandibular implant-supported overdenture offers same advantage in terms of perceived chewing function over the conventional denture.

A randomized clinical trial comparing the efficacy of mandibular implant-supported overdentures and conventional dentures in diabetic patients. Part II. Comparisons of masticatory performance ☆1 ☆2 ☆3 ☆4 ☆5 ☆6 ☆7 ☆8 ☆9 ☆10 ☆11 ☆12

Statement of problem. It is unclear whether the replacement of conventional mandibular dentures with implant-supported overdentures alters the diet and thus improves the nutritional intake of edentulous persons. Purpose. The purpose of this study was to compare the pretreatment and posttreatment diets of edentulous diabetic patients who received new dentures with either a conventional complete mandibular denture (CD) or a mandibular implant-supported overdenture (IOD). Material and methods. New dentures were made for 89 edentulous diabetic patients with acceptable metabolic control without insulin (NIT) or with insulin (IT). A randomized approach was used to assign 37 patients a mandibular CD and 52 patients a mandibular IOD supported by 2 cylindrical implants. Of the 89 patients, 58 submitted a dietary log for 7 consecutive days before treatment (PT) and 6 months after treatment completion (PTC). An average daily intake of 28 essential nutrients was determined for each patient at each time interval. Separate 2 × 2 × 2 repeated analysis of variance (ANOVA) tests were performed for each nutrient to compare the means of the 2 denture groups (CD and IOD), 2 diabetic groups (NIT and IT), and 2 time intervals (PT and PTC). The intakes were also compared with the recommended daily allowance (RDA). Results. ANOVAs for all 28 nutritional variables showed no main effect for either denture type or diabetic treatment. Time effects were seen for magnesium, potassium, copper, and monounsaturated fats. The PTC mean intake of the total sample (N = 58) decreased for all 3 minerals and increased for monounsaturated fats with study dentures. Post hoc tests showed the differences between PT and PTC means to be statistically significant for only magnesium (P=.043) and potassium (P=.015). The percentage of patients with PT intake 25% or more below the RDA ranged from 33% to 85% in the CD group and from 24% to 100% in the IOD group for the same 11 nutrients. PTC fiber intake deficiency was noted in almost all participants. Carbohydrate consumption was markedly lower than that recommended by the American Diabetic Association. Conclusion. As is often the case with elderly groups, this group of edentulous diabetic patients showed highly comprised nutritional intakes of fiber, vitamins, and minerals. The replacement of old dentures with new dentures that included either a mandibular CD or IOD did not alter patient diets such that the patients improved their nutritional intakes of essential micronutrients and macronutrients. (J Prosthet Dent 2001;85:53-60.)

Can facial type be used to predict changes in hyoid bone position with age? A perspective based on longitudinal data

INTRODUCTION Low positioning of the hyoid bone is associated with the unique human ability of speech, but it might also predispose the airway to collapse. The low position of the hyoid bone has been studied in adults with sleep apnea. However, information on age-related changes in hyoid bone position in the general adult population is sparse. METHODS We used pairs of lateral cephalometric radiographs taken 15 years apart to assess vertical changes over time in hyoid position in 163 normal white men (ages, 30-72 years). RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS Significant changes in hyoid bone position were independent of age or obesity but were related to facial type, as classified by the steepness of the lower margin of the mandible. Changes in hyoid position over time were significant in dolichofacial subjects but not in brachyfacial subjects. This finding might be particularly important because a low hyoid bone with a brachial face appears to be a morphologic characteristic of nonobese patients with severe obstructive sleep apnea.

Veterans Administration Cooperative Dental Implant Study—Comparisons between fixed partial dentures supported by blade-vent implants and removable partial dentures. PART V: Comparisons of pretreatment and posttreatment dietary intakes

PROBLEM Good scientific evidence is lacking on the impact of improvement in masticatory function after prosthodontic restoration of missing teeth. PURPOSE This study compares 1-week dietary intakes of 218 healthy, male patients, 111 patients restored with mandibular unilateral or bilateral distal base extension removable partial dentures and 107 patients with fixed partial dentures. MATERIAL AND METHODS Dietary logs recorded before the initiation of treatment and 6-months after the baseline period after partial denture treatment were analyzed for 30 nutritional variables of food intakes including total calories, fats, carbohydrates, proteins, fiber, and a number of vitamins and minerals. RESULTS Both before and after treatment, intakes of various nutrients were more than 25% above or below the RDAs for approximately half of the patients in both groups. No significant differences were observed between the mean scores of the two groups for any of the 30 variables either before or after treatment. However, beneficial treatment effects were seen in subsets of patients with low and high caloric intakes at entry. Both treatments increased the intakes of calories and 27 nutrients in the low caloric group and decreased the intakes of calories and 27 nutrients in the high caloric group. The decreases in the caloric intake and eight nutrients, including total protein, fat, carbohydrates, and cholesterol, were significantly greater (p < 0.05) in the fixed partial denture group than those in the removable partial denture group. CONCLUSIONS These beneficial effects of partial dentures, if verified by other studies, may have profound clinical implications for the undernourished and obese patients.

Effects of improvements of poorly fitting dentures and new dentures on masseter activity during chewing

The effects of four sequential modifications to improve occlusion, vertical dimension, retention, and stability of poorly fitting dentures, and of placing new dentures, on the EMG activity were investigated in 21 denture wearers with a mean age of 67.7 years. Electromyographic recordings of right and left masseter muscles were made while the subjects performed masticatory and swallowing threshold tests and applied static guided forces were measured before and after each modification and at three intervals after the delivery of new dentures. A 2-week adaptation period was allowed for each denture modification. Three- and 12-week adaptation periods were allowed for the new dentures. No significant changes were found in guided static bite force or peak bite force during chewing following any modification or insertion of new dentures. Significant decreases (p < 0.05) from the original poorly fitting denture in preferred side and nonpreferred side muscle activity were found for the preferred side tests with both foods after both the correction of occlusion and 3 mm increase in vertical dimension. Concomitant decreases (p < 0.05) in the masseter closing burst and stroke durations were found and contributed to the reduction in masseter muscle effort. Further reductions (p < 0.01) in masseter closing bursts and stroke durations were observed with new dentures. The results revealed that new dentures or the stabilization of poorly fitting dentures through occlusal correction and restoration of occlusal vertical dimension permits patients to use less muscle effort while chewing and maintaining their initial masticatory performance.