Distance to alveolar crestal bone: a critical factor in the success of orthodontic mini-implants.

Background: To evaluate the success rate of orthodontic mini-implant (MI) in relation to implant characteristics, mainly implant distance to alveolar crestal bone (AC) and root proximity (RP) to adjacent teeth.

Methods: Two hundred sixty MIs (209 in maxilla, 51 in mandible) were categorized into success (n = 229) and failure (n = 31) groups. Distances from MI to the most adjacent tooth (DT) and to AC level (DC) were measured on periapical radiographs taken with the orthoradial projection technique.

Systematic Treatment Planning Protocol of the Edentulous Maxilla for an Implant-Supported Fixed Prosthesis.

Patients who are candidates for implant restoration of a completely edentulous maxilla may benefit from a fixed prosthesis rather than a removable tissue-supported overdenture prosthesis. Multiple surgical approaches are available to provide this type of care. Graftless strategies, such as those that utilize tilted implants, including zygomatic implants, allow the surgeon to establish adequate support for a fixed prosthesis without bone grafting by establishing sufficient anterior-posterior distribution of implants, thereby reducing or eliminating the use of distal cantilevers.

10 Keys for Successful Esthetic-Zone Single Implants: Importance of Biotype Conversion for Lasting Success.

The concept of 10 keys for successful esthetic-zone single immediate implants is an evidenced-based summary for the treatment planning and replacement of a hopeless tooth in the maxillary anterior sextant. It includes two treatment-planning, five surgical, and three prosthetic keys. These keys are aimed at minimizing soft- and hard-tissue complications to achieve an optimal long-term esthetic implant restoration.

Framing the Restorative Result: How Tissue Augmentation and Preservation Maximizes Implant Therapy Outcomes.

The role of hard- and soft-tissue augmentation as it pertains to dental implant therapy is often underestimated. If this restorative aspect is neglected during the natural healing process and subsequent remodeling following extraction(s), the long-term outcome of treatment can be catastrophic. Three of the most common opportunities for surgeons to enhance outcomes with regenerative therapy are: reconstruction of edentulous segments of the alveolus, management of extraction sockets, and immediate implant placements.

Benchmark for Tooth Replacement: Immediate Implant With Immediate Provisional Restoration. Outcome Analytics From 29 Years of Documentation.

This article focuses on evidence-based documentation of immediate implant surgery with immediate provisional restoration. Since 1988 the author has documented 14,946 implant surgical sites as to protocol, size of implant, regenerative regimen, outcome, and long-term follow-up. There were 8,319 immediate implant sites: 2,493 were immediate implant/immediate provisional restorations (IIIPR), and 5,826 were immediate implant/no restoration (IINR).

Ridge Augmentation Simultaneous With Immediate Implant Placement: The Subperiosteal Tunneling Technique.

The efficacy of immediate implant placement has made it an appealing treatment modality in dentistry. Over the past several decades various surgical techniques to minimize the ridge collapse and other adverse changes that occur after tooth extraction have been advocated. This case series proposes a method of soft-tissue augmentation when multiple implants are being immediately placed.

Women in Prosthodontics: A Brief Look at Pioneers, Leaders, and Inspirers.

There are several women pioneers in prosthodontics, and each deserves recognition and admiration for all she has achieved in helping bridge the gender gap in dentistry. Women have come a long way from being first depicted as a thieving woman assistant in early 1523 to becoming award-winning, Board-certified clinicians, program directors, department chairs, and deans of dental schools. However, current female resident membership in the American College of Prosthodontists is less than 40%.

10 Keys for Successful Esthetic-Zone Single Immediate Implants.

The 10 keys for successful esthetic-zone single immediate implants encapsulate in an evidencebased manner the treatment planning and replacement of single hopeless teeth in the maxillary anterior sextant. These include 2 treatment-planning, 5 surgical, and 3 prosthetic keys, which, collectively, aim to minimize soft- and hard-tissue complications for an optimal esthetic implant restoration. The straightforward, advanced, and complex (SAC) classification was designed to aid clinicians in the treatment planning of dental implant cases.

Class II composite resin restorations: faster, easier, predictable.

Composite resin continues to displace amalgam as the preferred direct restorative material in developed countries. Even though composite materials have evolved to include nanoparticles with high physical properties and low shrinkage stress, dentists have been challenged to efficiently create quality, long lasting, predictable restorations. Unlike amalgam, composite resin cannot be condensed making the establishment of a predictable, proper contact more difficult.

Historical Perspectives IV: Creative Management of Fractured Teeth.

Various contemporary efforts have been advocated to strengthen root-treated teeth to prevent fracture; or to manage teeth that exhibit fractures. These efforts have favored the use of newer, adhesive materials, incorporating horizontally transfixed fiberglass posts to stabilize the fractured segments. Results have been encouraging, as teeth tested have exhibited fracture resistance similar to that found with onlays.

Emerging Dental Specialties and Ethics.

This paper discusses ethical dimensions related to the formal recognition of emerging dental specialties. It explores several issues related to the potential emergence of several new dental specialty areas. There are good reasons that dentistry should open the door to these new specialties, and patients would benefit.

The teamwork approach to esthetic tooth replacement with immediate implant placement and immediate temporization.

Enduring a period of edentulism between extraction and final restoration is difficult for patients- especially when it concerns the esthetic zone. The approach described demonstrates key points of consideration when replacing a maxillary anterior tooth with a dental implant using immediate implant placement, hard- and soft-tissue augmentation, and provisionalization. The authors stress adherence to patient selection and prosthetic design guidelines, and recommend the use of a digital impression technique, rather than traditional, rubber-based impressions.

Advanced Esthetic Management of Dental Implants: Surgical and Restorative Considerations to Improve Outcomes.

Objective: Successful dental implant therapy in the maxillary anterior dentition requires meticulous attention to surgical and prosthodontic measures.

Clinical Considerations: Proper diagnosis, extraction technique, implant selection, and placement significantly impact outcomes. Respect of hard and soft tissue physiology following tooth loss and implant placement requires specific steps be taken.

The Indian Health Service Early Childhood Caries Collaborative: A Five-year Summary.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess a national initiative's effect on prevalence of early childhood caries and untreated decay in zero- to five-year-old Indian/Alaska Native preschool children.

Methods: The Indian Health Service (IHS) conducted a five-year Early Childhood Caries Collaborative from October 1, 2009 to September 30, 2014. The program used educational materials and routine communication with the 322 IHS and United States tribal dental programs, with an emphasis on early access to care, dental sealanth, fluoride varnish, and interim therapeutic restorations (ITRs).

An interview with Peter H. Buschang.

Dr. Peter Buschang is regent professor and director of orthodontic research. He has been at Texas A&M University Baylor College of Dentistry since 1988.

Temporary replacement of missing maxillary lateral incisors with orthodontic miniscrew implants in growing patients: rationale, clinical technique, and long-term results.

The missing maxillary lateral incisor in adolescent patients presents an orthodontic challenge. Historically, there have been three treatment options to address this clinical problem: (1) canine substitution, (2) tooth auto-transplantation, and (3) dental restoration. Unfortunately, these methods are not without limitation.

An interview with Marissa C. Keesler.

Dr. Marissa Keesler attended dental school at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska and in 1987 received her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree with high honors. In 1989, she graduated from Marquette University with a Certificate and Master of Science degree in Orthodontics.