Cone Beam Computed Tomography Analysis of Posterior-Superior Alveolar Canal from a Fixed Reference Point: Implications for Sinus Floor Elevation Procedure through Lateral Approach.

Objective: Sinus floor elevation is commonly done in the maxillary posterior region prior to dental implant placement. This study primarily aimed at assessing the location of the posterior superior alveolar artery (PSAA) canal on cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans and its relation to the alveolar ridge and maxillary sinus from a fixed reference point.

Material And Methods: A total of 226 edentulous maxillary molar sites were included in this retrospective analysis.

A double lateral pedicle graft technique for palatal recession coverage on dental implants.

Rough surfaces of dental implants, when exposed to the oral environment, are conducive to biofilm colonization and can predispose the affected implant to periimplantitis. Recession coverage using soft-tissue grafts is one of the treatment modalities used for the treatment of exposed implant threads. Recession coverage on the palatal aspect of maxillary implants is difficult due to the firm nature of the palatal mucosa and, consequently has not been widely documented in the literature.

A Clinical Guide for Treatment of Dental Cervical Lesions Through a Restorative, Surgical, or Combination Approach: A Proposed Evidence-Based Algorithm.

The incidence of dental cervical carious and noncarious lesions is common, and often these are treated with a restorative material without due attention paid to the amount of exposed cementum/enamel, level of interproximal bone, and final desired esthetic result. This article is intended to provide clinicians an evidence-based clinical decision tree for treating such lesions through a restorative, surgical, or combination approach such that the optimum functional and cosmetic result is achieved.

Evaluating Mouse Fibroblast Interaction with Implant Surfaces in a 3D Microenvironment.

Purpose: Previous studies assessing fibroblast interactions with implants have mainly relied on measurements such as cell migration, gene expression, and cell adhesion. For these studies, testing cellular behavior at the implant surface was done by imaging the cell-implant interface using standard microscopy techniques in 2D tissue culture dishes. The true behavior of cells relative to the implant can best be assessed in a more physiologic 3D microenvironment.

The Graft Infusion Technique (GIT) for Treatment of Peri-Implantitis Defects: Case Series.

Peri-implantitis is a site-specific infectious disease that causes an inflammatory process in soft tissues, and bone loss around an osseointegrated implant in function. Several techniques with non-surgical or surgical debridement and decontamination followed by ongoing supportive therapy or regeneration of the peri-implant bone defects have been proposed in the literature. However, the literature is still unclear on an effective protocol for implant surface decontamination or the appropriate choice of regenerative materials.

Long-term evaluation (7 years) of coronally advanced flap with (CAF) and without (e-CAF) vertical release incisions using a subepithelial connective tissue graft in the treatment of multiple recession-type defects.

Objectives: The objective of this retrospective study was to compare the 7-year outcomes of coronally advanced flap with vertical incisions (CAF) and the envelope type of flap (e-CAF), using a subepithelial connective tissue graft (SCTG) in the treatment of multiple recession defects.

Method And Materials: Twenty-two patients (13 CAF and 9 e-CAF) with at least two adjacent recession defects in the esthetic zone contributed to a total of 50 sites (29 CAF and 21 e-CAF). Complete root coverage (CRC), mean root coverage (MRC), and keratinized tissue (KT) width were recorded over the course of the study.

Three-Dimensional Alveolar Bone Assessment of Mandibular First Molars with Implications for Immediate Implant Placement.

The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the alveolar dimensions of the mandibular molar using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) for immediate implant placement. The width of buccal (WB) and lingual (WL) bone; width of interradicular bone 2 and 4 mm apical to the furcation and at the apex (IRB2, IRB4, and IRBA, respectively); and distance to the inferior alveolar nerve from the furcation (IAN-F) and mesial (IAN-M) and distal (IAN-D) roots were evaluated from CBCT records of 126 subjects (200 mandibular first molars). Mean WB (0.

In Vitro Surface Testing Methods for Dental Implants-Interpretation and Clinical Relevance: A Review.

More than 2,000 dental implant options are estimated to be available for any given clinical situation. Because many implants have claims that are substantiated mainly on the basis of in vitro studies, it is prudent for clinicians to understand the interpretation of such studies and possible clinical relevance. In vitro tests can be segregated as surface analysis tests and mechanical assessment tests.

Quantitative Assessment of the Edentulous Posterior Maxilla for Implant Therapy: A Retrospective Cone Beam Computed Tomographic Study.

Aim: Dimensional changes of the alveolar bone are often noted in horizontal and vertical planes as a sequel to tooth extraction, particularly in the maxillary posterior region due to alveolar bone resorption combined with pneumatization of the sinus. The aim of this retrospective study was to quantitatively assess the maxillary residual alveolar ridge using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans.

Materials And Methods: A total of 349 edentulous sites from 250 CBCTs were evaluated.

Osseodensification -- A systematic review and qualitative analysis of published literature.

The recently introduced technique of osseodensification for dental implant involves the use of special drills (Densah) run in a counter-clockwise direction at the osteotomy site. It is claimed that this causes expansion of the osteotomy site, and increases density of the bone in immediate vicinity of the osteotomy. We reviewed published papers on the primary stability attained using this drilling technique.

Long-Term Outcomes of Coronally Advanced Tunnel Flap (CATF) and the Envelope Flap (mCAF) Plus Subepithelial Connective Tissue Graft (SCTG) in the Treatment of Multiple Recession-Type Defects: A 6-Year Retrospective Analysis.

This study evaluated the 6-year results of the subepithelial connective tissue graft (SCTG) plus envelope-type flap (modified coronally advanced flap; mCAF) or coronally advanced tunnel flap (CATF) in the treatment of multiple recessions. Thirty-six patients with at least two adjacent recessions were included. Complete root coverage (CRC), mean root coverage (MRC), and keratinized tissue (KT) width were recorded over the course of the study.

Controlled Palatal Harvest Technique for Harvesting a Palatal Subepithelial Connective Tissue Graft.

Subepithelial connective tissue grafts (SCTGs) have been extensively used to augment soft-tissue volume on dental implants and natural teeth. The authors present a technique called the controlled palatal harvest (CPH) to obtain SCTGs. CPH provides an alternative to the trap-door and single-incision techniques currently utilized.

Clinical Efficacy of Tooth-Bone Graft: A Systematic Review and Risk of Bias Analysis of Randomized Control Trials and Observational Studies.

Purpose: The objective of this systematic review was to assess the clinical efficacy of the tooth-bone graft as a bone substitute in the oral and maxillofacial region in humans as compared to ungrafted sites and other bone substitutes.

Materials And Methods: Databases were electronically and manually searched up to January 2017 to identify animal and human studies and a risk of bias analysis and descriptive statistics was performed.

Results: Eighteen animal controlled trials (401 animals), 4 human randomized controlled trials, 1 cohort study, and 3 controlled trials (184 patients) were included.

Current Evidence on the Socket-Shield Technique: A Systematic Review.

The recently popularized socket-shield technique involves intentional retention of a section of the remnant root at the time of immediate implant placement, thereby preserving the buccal/proximal bone from resorption. The objective of this systematic review was to assess the literature available on the socket-shield technique and weigh its biological plausibility and long-term clinical prognosis. A systematic search was performed on PubMed-Medline, Embase, Web of Knowledge, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Central for clinical/animal studies from January 1970 to April 2017.

Comparison of clinical periodontal status among habitual smokeless-tobacco users and cigarette smokers.

Aim: Investigating the comparative effect of cigarette smoking and smokeless-tobacco use on periodontal health.

Background: There is a dearth of studies comparing the effects of smoking and smokeless tobacco on periodontal health. Smokeless tobacco is emerging as a major public health hazard, but is often neglected as a risk factor by many clinicians.

The effect of nutrition on periodontal disease: a systematic review.

The link between nutrients and periodontal disease has not been clearly established. A PubMed and Cochrane database literature search was conducted. The published research reveals only a possible relationship between vitamins and minerals and periodontal disease.

Novel application of cytodetachment technology to the analysis of dental implant surfaces.

Purpose: The present study introduced the application of cytodetachment technology--the examination of single cell responses to implant material surfaces--to the analysis of implant surfaces with a view to significantly improving upon conventional methods of studying cell interactions with implant surfaces.

Materials And Methods: With the new cytodetachment technology, osteoblasts (MG-63) were allowed to attach to a surface, and a nanoprobe was positioned adjacent to the cell. The probe was then moved using a piezo-actuator to completely detach the cell.

Holding up the oral health safety net: the role of National Health Service Corps alumni dentists in North Carolina.

Background:   Access to oral health care among low income populations is a growing problem. The National Health Service Corps (NHSC) might increase the supply of dentists motivated to provide services for this population.

Objective:   To determine if North Carolina dentists who began a service obligation with the NHSC in 1990-1999 continued to provide care for underserved populations and if they differ from non-NHSC alumni primary care dentists who started practice in the state during that same period.

Squamous cell carcinoma in association with dental implants: an assessment of previously hypothesized carcinogenic mechanisms and a case report.

Although dental implants have seen tremendous clinical success over the past few decades, there are some worrying reports in literature describing squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in close association with dental implants. This article also provides a critical assessment of the published literature relating to the presence of carcinoma in association with dental implants, analyzing the previously published and hypothesized carcinogenic responses to an implant, to try and come to a conclusion regarding the plausibility and clinical risk for cancer formation in association with dental implants. An unusual case of an SCC noted in close proximity to a dental implant is also presented.

Modulation of the host inflammatory response in periodontal disease management: exciting new directions.

Background: New strategies for periodontal disease management have been emerging as more is learned about the role of the host response. Our increasing understanding of inflammation and its resolution has opened the door to the study of new periodontal treatment strategies. This review examines periodontal disease in the light of a new understanding of the role of inflammation in disease expression thus setting the stage for the development of new prevention and treatment strategies of a widespread disease.

The use of digital volume tomography in imaging an unusually large composite odontoma in the mandible.

The odontoma is the most common of all odontogenic tumors. Digital volume tomography (DVT) provides a major advantage of decreased radiation and cost-effectiveness, as compared to a conventional computed tomography. There is no known published report utilizing this DVT analysis for assessing and localizing on odontomo.

New directions in host modulation for the management of periodontal disease.

Background: New strategies for periodontal disease management have been emerging as more is learned about the role of the host response. Our increasing understanding of inflammation and its resolution has opened the door to the study of new periodontal treatment strategies. This commentary examines periodontal disease in light of a new understanding of the role of inflammation in disease expression, thus setting the stage for the development of new prevention and treatment strategies of a widespread disease.

Long-term follow-up and tomographic assessment of an intrabony defect treated with enamel matrix derivative.

Background: Enamel matrix derivative (EMD) has an extensive documentation of use in the treatment of periodontal defects. Digital volume tomography (DVT) has been in use in dental medicine since the late 1990s, with a major advantage of decreased radiation and cost-effectiveness compared to conventional computed tomography (CT). To the best of our knowledge, there is no peer-reviewed report documenting long-term tomographic assessment of an intrabony defect treated with EMD alone.

Application of an image-based weighted measure of skeletal bending stiffness to great ape mandibles.

Traditional measures of structural stiffness in the primate skeleton do not consider the heterogeneous material stiffness distribution of bone. This assumption of homogeneity introduces an unknown degree of error in estimating stiffness in skeletal elements. Measures of weighted stiffness can be developed by including heterogeneous grayscale variations evident in computed tomographic (CT) images.