Tim Krafft

Passivity of fit of CAD/CAM and copy-milled frameworks, veneered frameworks, and anatomically contoured, zirconia ceramic, implant-supported fixed prostheses

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM There is less information on the quality of fit of zirconia frameworks with or without ceramic veneer than on anatomically contoured milled zirconia restorations. PURPOSE The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the strain development of CAD/CAM fabricated zirconia ceramic frameworks with and without ceramic veneering, copy-milled zirconia ceramic frameworks, and copy-milled zirconia ceramic anatomic contour restorations. MATERIAL AND METHODS Four groups of 3-unit implant-supported cement-retained restorations were fabricated (n=10) to fit an in vitro model with 2 implants. Strain gauges which recorded the strain development of all restorations during cementation were attached to the model mesially and distally adjacent to the implants. Mean absolute strain values were recorded for statistical analysis (MANOVA with Pillais trace; α=.05). RESULTS Mean absolute strain development at the different strain gauge locations ranged from 83.23 µm/m for copy-milled zirconia ceramic anatomic contour restorations to 301.20 µm/m for veneered CAD/CAM fabricated zirconia ceramic restorations. Significant effects (P<.001) of the fixed factors restoration type and veneering status, as well as of their interaction term (P=.001) were found. Ceramic veneering of CAD/CAM frameworks resulted in higher strain development, whereas the greater volume in copy-milled anatomic contour restorations did not affect accuracy. CONCLUSIONS With the systems used in this study, zirconia ceramic-based anatomic contour restorations show greater passivity of fit than ceramic veneered CAD/CAM fabricated zirconia ceramic frameworks.

Osstell Resonance Frequency Measurement Values as a Prognostic Factor in Implant Dentistry

Resonance frequency analysis (RFA) using the Osstell device (Osstell AB, Gothenburg, Sweden) has been advocated for quantifying implant stability on a relative scale of implant stability quotients (ISQ). It was the goal of this prospective clinical study to evaluate whether a certain ISQ level, at the time an implant is placed, correlates with successful osseointegration as some have claimed. Four hundred ninety-five implants (Straumann AG, Basel, Switzerland), varying in length and diameter, were placed in a private practice, strictly adhering to the implant manufacturers surgical protocol. After placement and after healing periods of 42 days in the mandible and 56 days (implant manufacturers protocol) in the maxilla, implant stability was measured using RFA. After healing, implants were torqued forward at 35 Ncm and allowed to heal further if the patients felt discomfort. Statistical analysis of the data obtained was based on Welch tests and Kolmogorov-Smirnow tests (level of significance α = 0.05). Results showed that 432 implants were osseointegrated after the predefined healing periods while 8 implants were lost and, in 55 cases, healing was prolonged. Both at insertion (P = .025) and after healing (P < .001), successful implants showed significantly different ISQ values as compared to implant failures or implants with prolonged healing. However, overlapping ISQ distributions at implant insertion demonstrated that there was no correlation among the data that could be used to predict successful osseointegration. Within the limits of this study, the prognostic value of ISQ values appears to be ambiguous.

Applicability of strain measurements on a contra angle handpiece for the determination of alveolar bone quality during dental implant surgery

Alveolar bone quality is considered to be an important prognostic factor in dental implant stability. Although numerous methods have been described, no technique allows for reliable diagnostics. The purpose of this study was to determine if strain measurements on the shaft of a contra angle handpiece during implant bed preparation could be used for the determination of bone quality. Experiments in polyurethane foam and human cadaver bone were conducted to investigate whether strain measurements could be correlated with other diagnostic parameters, such as the surgeons tactile sensation during drilling, implant insertion torque, implant stability, elastic modulus of bone and bone quality as assessed radiographically. Tests were also performed to determine if strain measurements could be used to distinguish various types of bone. As axial feed and contact pressure during the drilling process could not be standardized under simulated clinical conditions, substantial deviations in the time needed to complete the drilling occurred. Under controlled circumstances using polyurethane foam, this problem could be addressed by a normalization procedure, but great variations occurred in human cadaver bone. As bone quality could not be reliably determined, especially when a cortical layer was present, strain measurements on a contra angle handpiece appears to be inappropriate for this purpose.

Use of Osteotomes for Implant Bed Preparation—Effect on Material Properties of Bone and Primary Implant Stability

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of osteotomes in enhancing bone quality as compared to conventional implant bed preparation using burrs. Polyurethane foam blocks differing in den...

Alveolar Ridge Dimension 6 Months After Implant Placement with Simultaneous Hard Tissue Augmentation

PURPOSE When failing front teeth are replaced by implants, vestibular bone deficiencies frequently require augmentation, even though the amount of missing alveolar volume may vary. The objective of this study was to analyze the horizontal alveolar ridge dimension after implant placement and simultaneous augmentation, and to compare it to the condition at the contralateral natural site. MATERIALS AND METHODS Forty-eight patients with a failing maxillary incisor received an immediate or early implant (Straumann Bone Level), according to a randomized study protocol. The vestibular wall of the implant site was reconstructed and moderately overcontoured with bovine hydroxyapatite and a collagen membrane (BioOss, BioGide, Geistlich). Provisional restoration followed either immediately, or after a 6-week healing period. To investigate the vestibular volume 6 months after surgery, a plaster model of the maxilla was scanned with cone beam computed tomography (CBCT; Morita 3D) and evaluated using coDiagnostiX software (Dental Wings). Statistical analysis comprised one- and two-sample t tests. RESULTS The ridge volume was not significantly influenced by the treatment schedule. The vestibular segments had a mean ± SD volume of 207.9 ± 102.5 mm³ for the implant sites, and 202.1 ± 101.5 mm³ for the corresponding natural sites (P = .28). The difference in vestibular volume between implant sites and natural tooth sites was 10.4 ± 36.2 mm³ for immediate implantation, and 0.00 ± 31.1 mm³ for early implantation (P = .32). Comparing immediate and early restoration, a difference of 0.4 mm³ and 12.5 mm³ between the implant and contralateral site was found (P = .23). CONCLUSION Six months after treatment, no significant differences between the alveolar volumes at augmented implant sites and natural sites were found. Moderate buccal overcontouring may have been beneficial to achieve a symmetrical contour. Long-term follow-up investigation will document if the restored volume remains stable over time.