Tommaso Weinstein

Implant Survival Rates after Osteotome‐Mediated Maxillary Sinus Augmentation: A Systematic Review

PURPOSE The aim of the present study was to systematically evaluate the implant survival rate after osteotome-mediated maxillary sinus augmentation with or without using grafting materials. MATERIALS AND METHODS MEDLINE database was searched using a combination of specific search terms. Furthermore, a hand searching of the relevant journals and of the bibliographies of reviews was performed. Prospective and retrospective clinical studies with at least 20 patients treated by osteotome-mediated sinus floor elevation were included. RESULTS Nineteen studies were selected for data analysis. A total of 1,822 patients, accounting for 3,131 implants were considered. Mean weighted cumulative implant survival at 1, 2, 3, and 5 years was estimated as 98.12%, 97.40%, 96.75%, and 95.81%, respectively. No significant difference was found in relation to the use of grafting material nor in relation to implant length. Overall implant survival was 92.7% for 331 implants placed in <5 mm ridge height and 96.9% for 2,525 implants inserted in ≥ 5 mm ridge height. The difference was significant (p = .0003). CONCLUSIONS The transalveolar sinus augmentation technique could be a viable treatment in case of localized atrophy in the posterior maxilla even in case of minimal residual bone height. The prognosis can be more favorable when the residual ridge is at least 5 mm high.

Maxillary sinus vascular anatomy and its relation to sinus lift surgery.

OBJECTIVES To investigate the prevalence, location, size and course of the anastomosis between the dental branch of the posterior superior alveolar artery (PSAA), known as alveolar antral artery (AAA), and the infraorbital artery (IOA). MATERIAL AND METHODS The first part of the study was performed on 30 maxillary sinuses deriving from 15 human cadaver heads. In order to visualize such anastomosis, the vascular network afferent to the sinus was injected with liquid latex mixed with green India ink through the external carotid artery. The second part of the study consisted of 100 CT scans from patients scheduled for sinus lift surgery. RESULTS An anastomosis between the AAA and the IOA was found by dissection in the context of the sinus anterolateral wall in 100% of cases, while a well-defined bony canal was detected radiographically in 94 out of 200 sinuses (47% of cases). The mean vertical distance from the lowest point of this bony canal to the alveolar crest was 11.25 ± 2.99 mm (SD) in maxillae examined by CT. The canal diameter was <1 mm in 55.3% of cases, 1-2 mm in 40.4% of cases and 2-3 mm in 4.3% of cases. In 100% of cases, the AAA was found to be partially intra-osseous, that is between the Schneiderian membrane and the lateral bony wall of the sinus, in the area selected for sinus antrostomy. CONCLUSIONS A sound knowledge of the maxillary sinus vascular anatomy and its careful analysis by CT scan is essential to prevent complications during surgical interventions involving this region.

Magnifying loupes versus surgical microscope in endodontic surgery : a four-year retrospective study

The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the 4-year outcome of endodontic microsurgery using two different magnification devices. One-hundred and two teeth in 65 patients were included according to specific selection criteria. Endodontic surgery was performed under surgical microscope as magnification device in 63 teeth in 36 patients, while 39 teeth in 29 patients were treated under magnifying loupes. Thirteen patients did not attend the 4-year follow up. The overall success rate on a patient basis was 91.7% at the 1-year and 90.5% at the 4-year follow up for the group using loupes, while for the group using microscope it was 91.4% at the 1-year and 93.3% at the 4-year follow up. The relative risk was 2.07 (95% confidence interval: 0.31, 13.95) in favour of the group in which microscope was used. No statistically significant difference was found in the treatment outcomes relating to the type of magnification device.

Treatment of through-and-through bone lesion using autologous growth factors and xenogeneic bone graft: a case report

BackgroundThis pilot case study aimed at evaluating the possibility of achieving optimal hard and soft tissue regeneration using plasma rich in growth factors (PRGF) and anorganic bovine bone (ABB) for the surgical treatment of a large through-and-through periapical bone lesion.Case reportMaxillary incisors of a patient with through-and-through periapical lesion of endodontic origin were treated using modern endodontic surgical technique with the adjunct of PRGF. The PRGF clot was positioned over the palatal side of the lesion while the remaining bone defect was grafted with PRGF and ABB. A collagen membrane embedded with plasma very rich in growth factors covered the graft. Post-operative pain and swelling were negligible, and soft tissue healing was very fast. One-year clinical and radiographic outcome showed complete healing and functionality.DiscussionThe addition of PRGF to ABB could improve the regenerative process, reducing postoperative symptoms and resulting in a fast and predictable hard and soft tissue healing.

Replacement of vertically root-fractured endodontically treated teeth with immediate implants in conjunction with a synthetic bone cement

Purpose:The purpose of this prospective study was to evaluate the clinical outcome of implants immediately placed into fresh extraction sockets for the replacement of endodontically treated teeth with signs of vertical root fracture. Material:Sixteen partially edentulous patients, with 1 tooth scheduled for extraction and showing clinical signs and symptoms and/or radiological evidence of vertical root fracture, were included in the study. Sixteen transmucosal implants were installed immediately after extraction and careful debridement. The gap between the implant surface and the socket walls was filled using synthetic bone grafting cement. Prosthetic phase occurred 3 to 4 months after surgery. Implant success and survival and radiographic bone loss were evaluated after 1 year of function. Patient satisfaction for mastication function, phonetics, and aesthetics was also assessed by means of a questionnaire. Results:No implant failure occurred. The overall implant success and survival was 100% at 1 year. The mean follow-up was 13.5 months. All prostheses were successful. Periimplant bone loss after 1 year averaged 0.48 ± 0.20 mm. All patients reported full satisfaction for mastication function, phonetics, and aesthetics. Conclusions:The use of a synthetic bone grafting cement in combination with immediate implant placement procedure can be considered a safe, effective, and predictable treatment option for the rehabilitation of fresh postextraction sockets.

Morphological features of the maxillary incisors roots and relationship with neighbouring anatomical structures: possible implications in endodontic surgery

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the root apex of the upper incisors and neighbouring anatomical structures as well as the morphology of the root-end foramen after apicoectomy. Fifty-seven patients requiring endodontic surgical treatment for a maxillary anterior root were enrolled. A preoperative diagnostic computed tomography (CT) scan was analysed to determine: the distance between the anterior wall of the nasopalatine duct and the central (CI-ND) incisor root 4mm from the apex; and the distance between the floor of the nasal cavity and the tip of either the central (CI-NF) or the lateral (LI-NF) incisor root. After apicoectomy, root-end foramen endoscopic pictures were taken in order to characterize their morphology. Fifty-nine central and 26 lateral incisors were evaluated. The average CI-ND was 4.71 ± 1.26 (SD) mm. The average CI-NF was 10.62 ± 2.25 mm. The average LI-NF was 13.05 ± 2.43 mm. The foramen shape after apicoectomy was ovoid to circular in about 90% of cases in both central and lateral incisors. A sound knowledge of the anatomical relationships at the surgical site is essential for the clinician to perform a safe endodontic surgical procedure.

Endodontic treatment of a geminated maxillary second molar using an endoscope as magnification device

AIM To describe endodontic treatment for a rare case of gemination. SUMMARY A case of complex endodontic treatment in a geminated tooth is presented. With the assistance of microinstruments and magnification devices, a geminated maxillary second molar was successfully treated. In such a case, ultrasonic tips and the use of an endoscope were essential to detect the peculiar anatomy of the tooth involved. KEY LEARNING POINTS Knowledge of anomalies concerning fused teeth is essential. Using an endoscope as a magnification device is useful during the inspection of pulp chambers. Ultrasonic tips are safe and useful to detect canal orifices.

Immediate implant placement and provisionalization of maxillary anterior single implants

An inevitable loss of soft and hard tissue after tooth extraction often results in a compromised site for anterior implant esthetics in both vertical and horizontal dimensions. Immediate implant placement and provisionalization has been a viable option for replacing failing maxillary anterior teeth as it preserves the vertical existing osseous and gingival architecture. With the simultaneous addition of soft- and hard-tissue grafts, the peri-implant horizontal tissue topography can also be maintained. The esthetic success of immediate implant placement and provisionalization procedures is influenced by a number of factors that can be identified as patient-dependent or clinician-dependent. This article describes in detail the process of patient selection, indications, contraindications, diagnosis, treatment planning and treatment execution required to achieve functional and esthetic success with immediate implant placement and provisionalization.

A Retrospective Periodontal Assessment of 137 Teeth After Featheredge Preparation and Gingittage

The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the periodontal response of periodontally healthy teeth prosthetically restored using a featheredge finish line preparation combined with a light rotary curettage (gingittage). A total of 137 restored teeth were included in the study. Mean follow-up time was 18.2 months (range: 6 to 60 months). Bleeding on probing was noted in 18% of cases, while the Plaque Index was found to be 11%. The probing depth in 99.4% of cases was ≤ 3 mm. In only 7 cases (5.1%), a slight restoration margin exposure was recorded. Although randomized controlled studies with longer follow-up are advocated, the present investigation seems to suggest that this protocol is a viable procedure.