Maxillary Implant-Supported Fixed Prosthesis: A Survey of Reviews and Key Variables for Treatment Planning.

Purpose: This review was conducted to provide information to support the establishment of clinical guidelines for the treatment of maxillary edentulism using implant-supported fixed dental prostheses.

Materials And Methods: Initial efforts were directed toward a systematic review with a defined PICO question: "For maxillary edentulous patients with dental implants treated using a fixed prosthesis, what is the impact of prosthesis design on prosthesis survival and complications?" Following a title search of more than 3,000 titles identified by electronic search of PubMed, 180 articles were identified that addressed the clinical evaluation of maxillary dental implant prostheses. The broad methodologic heterogeneity and clinical variation among reports precluded this approach for a systematic review.

Existence of an electrically insulating layer in amalgam-containing galvanic couples.

Objective: Avoiding the placement of amalgam and noble metal restorations in interproximal contact is recommended due to anticipated galvanic corrosion of the amalgam. There is a similar concern for amalgam/amalgam galvanic couples. It was the objective of this study to determine if an electrically insulating layer forms in the contact area of these galvanic couples.

Time-dependent corrosion potential of newly-placed admixed dental amalgam restorations.

Objective: It was the objective of this study to measure the corrosion potential over time of newly-placed admixed dental amalgam restorations as a possible indicator of corrosion activity.

Methods: The corrosion potentials of 271 amalgam restorations, 4-min to 24-month old were measured in a convenience sample of 81 subjects. The selected restorations had no occlusal or interproximal contact with other metallic restorations.

In vivo galvanic currents of intermittently contacting dental amalgam and other metallic restorations.

Objective: It was the objective of this study to determine the magnitude of in vivo galvanic currents produced by simulating electrical contact between occluding metallic restorations, and to examine the influence of restoration age, difference in pre-contact corrosion potentials, and surface area.

Methods: A convenience sample of 106 human subjects was studied. A Ag/AgCl micro-reference electrode and a high impedance voltmeter were used to measure the pre-contact corrosion potentials.

In vitro osteoclast resorption of bone substitute biomaterials used for implant site augmentation: a pilot study.

Purpose: This observational study examined the resorptive behavior of normal neonatal rabbit osteoclasts grown on slices of bovine cortical bone as compared to samples of commercially available bone substitute biomaterials. It also examined the surface characteristics of these materials.

Materials And Methods: The 11 materials tested fell into 3 groups: (1) bone-derived, including freeze-dried human rib block, human demineralized freeze-dried bone, and deproteinated bovine bone; (2) synthetic hydroxyapatites (HA); and (3) synthetic non-HA, including coated methacrylates and coated silica glass.