Modified Hygienic Epitec System Abutment for Magnetic Retention of Orbital Prostheses

Maintenance of healthy periimplant soft tissue is a significant problem for orbital prosthesis wearers. Two female patients with orbital defects after malignant tumor resection were treated using custom‐made retentive components of an individual magnet for an Epitec System orbital prosthesis. Freestanding hygienic retentive components for an individual magnet were fabricated. An abutment replica was trimmed and modified, and using pattern resin, a magnetic keeper was cast and soldered to the abutment. The patients could maintain good hygiene and healthy periimplant soft tissue. This type of freestanding retentive component may be advantageous for the hygiene maintenance of periimplant soft tissue.     

Periodontal Attachment Loss in Independently Living Older Adults in Ontario, Canada

This paper describes the periodontal disease experience of a community-dwelling population aged 50 years and older, living in four communities in Ontario, Canada. The periodontal status of this population was assessed using attachment loss and the extent and severity index. Attachment loss was measured at two sites on each tooth using a pressure-sensitive periodontal probe. Complete periodontal data were obtained on 624 subjects. The mean number of sites per subject was 37.9. In line with recent US studies, the diagnostic threshold for a diseased or previously diseased site was set at 2 mm of loss. The overall mean attachment loss was 2.95 mm, with 19.7 percent of subjects having an overall mean attachment loss of 4.00 mm or more. The proportion of sites examined with loss of attachment of 2 mm or more was 77 percent. The severity of disease, defined as the average distance between the base of the sulcus or pocket and a point 1.00 mm apical to the cemento-enamel junction in sites with loss of 2 mm or more was 2.44 mm. These data indicate that the extent and severity of disease in this population were greater than that reported by some recent studies in the US. Taken together, the results of these studies suggest that there is some variation in the periodontal disease experience of population subgroups across North America.     

Terminology of facial morphology in the vertical dimension

Consideration of facial type plays an important role in the formulation of an orthodontic treatment plan and prognosis of treatment. Of particular importance is the vertical relationship, that is, whether an individual is long-faced (dolichofacial), or short-faced (brachyfacial). The vertical facial type provides a clue regarding the growth direction of the facial complex, and should be used with an anteroposterior classification to describe a patient's face. The potential for confusion in communicating vertical facial types exists due to the nature of the terminology in use. For example, the term dolichoprosopic as used in the Bimler analysis has an opposite meaning to the term dolichofacial. It would seem prudent that if such terminology is to be employed there should be some attempt at standardization, and at least an appreciation of the derivations of the terms, and their differences.     

Drug-induced palatal pigmentation

A bstract — Palatal pigmentations are rare in children. Four cases of palatal pigmentation associated with the prescribed use of the drug amodiaquine are tabulated and two are reported in detail. The wider clinical application of this anti-malarial drug and the potential for drug-induced palatal pigmentations are of dental interest. The pigmentation persists for an indefinite period after withdrawal of the drug.     

Effect of Compromised Cortical Bone on Implant Load Distribution

Purpose: To investigate photoelastically the difference in load distribution of dental implants with different implant neck designs in intact and compromised bone. Materials and Methods: Composite photoelastic models were fabricated using two different resins to simulate trabecular bone and a 1‐mm thick layer of cortical bone. The following parallel‐sided, threaded implants were centrally located in individual models representing intact and compromised cortical bone: Straumann (4.1‐mm diameter × 12‐mm length), AstraTech (4.0‐mm diameter × 13‐mm length), and 3i (3.75‐mm diameter × 13‐mm length). The compromised cortical bone condition was simulated by contaminating a 1‐mm neck portion with Vaseline to impair the implant–resin interface. Vertical and oblique static loads were applied on the abutments, and the resulting stresses were monitored photoelastically and recorded photograhphically. Results: For the fully intact condition, the highest stresses were observed around the crest and apical region for all implant designs under vertical and inclined loads. There were no appreciable differences in magnitude or distribution between implant types. With compromised cortical bone, for all designs and load directions, higher stresses in the supporting structures were observed. Increased stresses were noted especially at the cortical bone–trabecular bone interface. Somewhat lower stress levels were observed with the 3i implant. Conclusions: The condition of implant–cortical bone contact has considerable influence on stress distribution. A compromised cortical bone condition caused higher level stresses for all implant designs tested.