Maxillary Sinus Augmentation Using Prehydrated Corticocancellous Porcine Bone: Hystomorphometric Evaluation after 6 Months

Background: Insufficient alveolar bone height often prevents the placement of standard dental implants in the posterior part of edentulous maxilla. In order to increase adequately the vertical dimension of the reabsorbed alveolar process, a sinus lift procedure is often necessary. The aim of this study was to evaluate histologic results of a prehydrated corticocancellous porcine bone used in maxillary sinus augmentation. Methods: Patients (age 18–70 years) with a residual bone height requiring a maxillary sinus augmentation procedure to place dental implants were eligible for this study. All patients were treated with the same surgical technique consisting of sinus floor augmentation via a lateral approach. The space obtained by elevation of the mucosa wall was grafted with prehydrated and collagenated corticocancellous porcine bone. Biopsies were harvested 6 months after the augmentation procedures. Results: Twenty‐four patients were enrolled. The mean percentage of new formed bone was 43.9 ± 18.6% (range 7.5–100%), whereas the mean percentage of residual graft material was 14.2 ± 13.6% (range 0–41.9%). The new bone/residual graft material ratio in the maxillary sinuses was 3.1. The mean soft tissues percentage was 41.8 ± 22.7% (range 0–92.5%). Conclusion: The present study suggested that porcine bone showed excellent osteoconductive properties and could be used successfully for sinus augmentation. Moreover, the porcine bone showed a high percentage of reabsorption after 6 months; this might be because of the presence of collagen and the porosity of the graft material.     

10‐Year Follow‐Up of Immediately Loaded Implants with TiUnite Porous Anodized Surface

Background: The immediate loading of implants with a porous anodized surface is a well‐described technique. Few data are however available on the long‐term outcomes. Purpose: The aim of this prospective study was to assess the 10‐year performance of TiUnite implants supporting fixed prostheses placed with an immediate loading approach in both postextractive and healed sites. Materials and Methods: All patients received a fixed provisional restoration supported by immediately loaded parallel design, self‐tapping implants with a porous anodized TiUnite surface, and an external‐hexagonal connection. Both healed and postextractive cases were included. Success and survival rate for restorations and implants, changes in marginal peri‐implant bone level, probing depth measurements, biological or technical complications, and any other adverse event were recorded at yearly follow‐up up to 10 years after surgery. Results: A total of 210 implants fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were consecutively placed in 59 patients. Forty‐seven (22.38%) implants were lost because of the recalled patient refused to attend the planned 10‐year follow‐up. Five over 210 (2.38%) implants were lost. At the final follow‐up, the accumulated mean marginal bone loss and probing depth were, respectively, 1.93 mm (SD 0.40) and 2.54 mm (SD 0.44) for the implants placed in healed sites (n = 84); 1.98 mm (SD 0.37) and 2.63 mm (SD 0.39) for the implants placed in postextractive sites (n = 74). The restorations examined achieved a cumulative 65.26% success rate and 97.96% survival rate. The implants placed in healed and postextractive sites, respectively, achieved a 98.05% and a 96.52% cumulative survival rate. Conclusions: Positive results in terms of bone maintenance in the long‐term perspective are to be expected using immediately loaded implants with a TiUnite porous anodized surface in both postextractive and healed sites when adequate levels of oral hygiene are kept.     

Push‐out bond strength of two root‐end filling materials in root‐end cavities prepared by Er,Cr:YSGG laser or ultrasonic technique

This study compared the push‐out bond strength of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) and a new endodontic cement (NEC) as root‐end filling materials in root‐end cavities prepared by ultrasonic technique (US) or Er,Cr:YSGG laser (L). Eighty single‐rooted extracted human teeth were endodontically treated, apicectomised and randomly divided into four following groups (n = 20): US/MTA, US/NEC, L/MTA and L/NEC. In US/MTA and US/NEC groups, root‐end cavities were prepared with ultrasonic retrotip and filled with MTA and NEC, respectively. In L/MTA and L/NEC groups, root‐end cavities were prepared using Er,Cr:YSGG laser and filled with MTA and NEC, respectively. Each root was cut apically to create a 2 mm‐thick root slice for measurement of bond strength using a universal testing machine. Then, all slices were examined to determine the mode of bond failure. Data were analysed using two‐way anova . Root‐end filling materials showed significantly higher bond strength in root‐end cavities prepared using ultrasonic technique (US/MTA and US/NEC) (P < 0.001). The bond strengths of MTA and NEC did not differ significantly. The failure modes were mainly adhesive for MTA, but cohesive for NEC. In conclusion, bond strengths of MTA and NEC to root‐end cavities were comparable and higher in ultrasonically prepared cavities.     

The effect of the application of gaseous ozone and ND:YAG laser on glass‐fibre post bond strength

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the application of gaseous ozone and Nd:YAG laser on glass‐fibre post bond strength. Forty‐two madibular premolar roots were cut, endodontically instrumented and irrigated with 2.5% NaOCl. Post spaces were prepared and roots were divided into three groups (n = 14). The antimicrobial pretreatment was conducted as follows: gaseous ozone, Nd:YAG laser and control (no additional disinfection methods). Scanning electron microscope analysis was made for each group (n = 2). A resin cement was used for luting the posts. For push‐out test, each root was cut horizontally (two cervical, two middle and two apical). Statistical analyses were performed with one‐way anova (α = 0.05). Fracture types were observed. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups (P > 0.05). There were statistically significant differences in cervical and apical segments of laser and control groups (P < 0.05). The disinfection of the post spaces with Nd:YAG laser and ozone had no adverse effects on bond strength of glass‐fibre post.     

Dental caries in a cohort of very young American Indian children

Objectives: This paper reports the prevalence and severity of caries in a group of 16‐month‐old American Indian children. Methods: The study is an ongoing longitudinal study of risk factors for caries in children from a Northern Plains Tribal community. Children were examined for caries and risk factor data collected at approximately 1, 4, 8, 12, and 16 months of age. Surface‐specific caries data were collected and the presence of precavitated “white spot” lesions was recorded at the subject level. Results: The mean age was 15.4 months for the sample of 232 children. Caries prevalence was 31.9 percent, while an additional 29.3 percent had white spot lesions only. Mean dmfs was 1.57, and ranged from 0 to 44 surfaces. Nearly 3 percent of all erupted tooth surfaces were affected and maxillary central incisors had the highest prevalence of caries (22 percent). Conclusions: Among the very youngest children, dental caries prevalence was very high among these American Indian children.