Manufacturing of Metal Frameworks for Full-Arch Dental Restoration on Implants: A Comparison between Milling and a Novel Hybrid Technology.

Purpose: To determine the trueness and precision of frameworks manufactured with a selective laser melting/milling hybrid technique (SLM/m) and conventional milling by comparing the implant-platform/framework interface with those of the original computer-aided design (CAD).

Materials And Methods: Using a virtual 6-implant-supported full-arch framework CAD drawing, 27 titanium replicas were manufactured by 3 independent manufacturing centers (n = 9/center) using a hybrid SLM/m technology (labs 1 and 2) or the conventional milling technique (lab 3). Using an opto-mechanical coordinate measuring machine, the frameworks' misfit distribution and patterns were analyzed, and the position error between paired platform positions within each framework was evaluated to calculate the misfit tendency for each group.

Implant-abutment connection deformation after prosthetic procedures: an in vitro study.

This study tested the possible damage to the internal implant connection provoked by repeated disconnection and reconnection of prosthetic components. Using a light-structured scanner, connection deformation was inferred by threedimensional (3D) positional changes of a "reference" abutment before and after multiple dis- and reconnections. Measurements were taken after 1, 2, 5, 10, and 20 insertions of titanium abutments in 16 internal hexagon implants.

Zirconia-composite bonding after plasma of argon treatment.

Purpose: To compare the shear bond strength (SBS) values of resin cement to zirconia treated with a new activating method.

Materials And Methods: Forty-five zirconia specimens were divided into three groups: no treatment (group 1), plasma of argon cleaning for 375 seconds (group 2), and plasma of argon cleaning for 750 seconds (group 3). Composite cylinders were bonded with a self-adhesive cement.

Effect of 2 impression techniques on the dimensional accuracy of working implant prosthesis models: an in vitro study.

Purpose: Implant impressions and working models form integrated precision systems for registration and transmission of clinical data. The components of implant systems have a dimensional tolerance capable of introducing inaccuracies in the impression, thus in the prosthetic framework. This article aimed at comparing 2 repositioning impression techniques: one using impression copings (conventional technique) and the other using the final abutments as impression copings (interceptive technique).

The evaluation of marginal gap with and without optical aids: clinicians versus technicians.

Purpose: This study investigated the reliability of visual assessment of marginal gaps in relation to the use of magnification and the operator's profession.

Materials And Methods: A titanium bar was notched, simulating 40 marginal gaps, and 35 operators performed a quantitative evaluation of the incisions.

Results: Visual examination was neither sensitive nor specific, as an extreme variability of data was recorded.

Shear bond strength of veneering porcelain to zirconia after argon plasma treatment.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate if argon plasma cleaning increases the shear bond strength between zirconia and veneering ceramic surfaces.

Materials And Methods: Ninety tablets of densely sintered yttriastabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal were divided into three groups according to cleaning treatment (steam cleaning or plasma of Argon for 375 or 750 seconds). Groups were divided into two subgroups according to the application of a ceramic liner (A = liner, B = no liner).

Impact of plasma of argon cleaning treatment on implant abutments in patients with a history of periodontal disease and thin biotype: radiographic results at 24-month follow-up of a RCT.

Background: A lack of evidence is present in literature regarding the clinical relevance of micropollution and bacterial contamination present on customized titanium abutments following laboratory stages and steaming cleaning procedures. To preserve abutments from such pollutants, plasma of argon cleaning of customized abutments was advocated.

Aim: The aim of this prospective, randomized, match-paired, triple-blinded, controlled, clinical trial is to longitudinally assess radiographical marginal bone-level changes around implants restored according to the platform switching and "one-abutment-one-time" concepts, using commercially available abutments, with and without plasma of argon cleaning treatment after customization.

Hard tissue response to argon plasma cleaning/sterilisation of customised titanium abutments versus 5-second steam cleaning: results of a 2-year post-loading follow-up from an explanatory randomised controlled trial in periodontally healthy patients.

Purpose: The aim of this triple-blinded randomised controlled trial was to test if argon plasma cleaning/ sterilisation of customised abutments can affect peri-implant marginal bone levels when compared to 5 seconds of steam cleaning.

Materials And Methods: A total of 20 consecutive periodontally healthy patients requiring single implant-supported restorations in the maxillary premolar or anterior area were selected. All patients received a single implant.

Implant abutment screw reverse torque values before and after plasma cleaning.

This in vitro study analyzed the reverse torque (RevT) of abutment screws following different cleaning treatments. A convenience sample of 50 customized titanium abutment screw complexes was divided into five groups: cleaning by steam (control group), cleaning by Argon plasma (test groups 1 and 2 [with chlorhexidine gel]), and replacement of old screws with new ones (test groups 3 and 4 [with chlorhexidine gel]). Abutments were screwed onto implants and tested for RevT.

Microscopical and microbiologic characterization of customized titanium abutments after different cleaning procedures.

Aim: To assess and characterize pollution micro-particles and bacterial growth on customized titanium abutments after steaming, ultrasonic and plasma cleaning treatments.

Materials And Methods: Thirty commercially available implant abutments, after customization, were randomly divided into 3 groups of 10 and cleansed by steam (considered as control group), ultrasonic cleaning (test group 1) and plasma of Argon (test group 2). For all specimens, SEM analysis and EDAX microanalysis were performed to count and characterize pollution micro-particles, both on the abutment surface and implant-abutment connection.

Microscopical and chemical surface characterization of the gingival portion and connection of an internal hexagon abutment before and after different technical stages of preparation.

Aim: This study was aimed to assess contaminants on the abutment surface close to the implant-abutment interface and the connection, after common technical protocols.

Materials And Methods: A total of 40 abutments were divided into four groups: control group (abutment removed from the plastic envelop), test group1 (milled), test group2 (milled and polished), test group3 (milled, polished and steamed). Groups were subjected to scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis.

Edentulous site enhancement: a regenerative approach to the management of edentulous areas. Part 2: Peri-implant tissues.

The appearance and long-term stability of peri-implant bone, mucosa, and gingiva determine the success of implant-supported prostheses from both the esthetic and functional standpoints. Any surgical or prosthetic technique that takes into consideration only some variables, or that only intervenes in a limited phase of treatment, is a potential source of a partially successful and/or unpredictable clinical outcome. This article describes the underlying principles and surgical-prosthetic procedures of a systematic regenerative approach, edentulous site enhancement (ESE).

Edentulous site enhancement: a regenerative approach for the management of edentulous areas. Part 1. Pontic areas.

The successful esthetic integration of a prosthesis is dependent on the anatomic site in which the restoration is inserted. Edentulous site enhancement is a regenerative approach based on the following: (1) anatomic evidence that the morphology of soft tissues is dependent on the underlying support (bone, roots, implants) but also significantly influenced by overlying structures (fixed or removable prostheses); (2) histologic evidence of the remarkable regenerative capacity of the newly formed tissue that develops during healing by secondary intention; (3) clinical evidence that it is possible to guide the formation of this new regenerative tissue by creating a support with proper morphology and a highly polished surface; (4) observations that positive pressure exerted by alimentary bolus and negative pressure produced by deglutition affect the growth of this tissue healing by second intention; and (5) the application of appropriate oral hygiene techniques to guide tissue healing and maintain its integrity. The edentulous site enhancement approach is simple, practical, and predictable and offers minimal postoperative complications.

Morphogenic bone splitting: description of an original technique and its application in esthetically significant areas.

Purpose: This article presents a regenerative technique, morphogenic bone splitting (MBS), which overcomes the limitations associated with expansion techniques described to date.

Materials And Methods: The authors propose a method whereby the bone-mucosa-gingival complex (BMGC) is displaced in its entirety, establishing a new focus for a secondary hinge located in the coronal reaches of the osteotomy. Depending on clinical needs, this approach modifies or eliminates the facially inclined hinge displacement characteristic of ridge expansion techniques.