Comparison of cerebral cortex activation induced by tactile stimulation between natural teeth and implants

The purpose of this study was to assess the cortical-level sensory differences between natural teeth with a periodontal membrane and dental implants. We used functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to measure brain activity in the cerebral cortex of 12 patients who had both natural teeth and dental implants in the lower molar region. Painless vibratory tactile stimulation was performed on both the natural teeth and the dental implants. Activation was seen in the somatosensory cortex during stimulation of both natural teeth and dental implants. A comparison of cortical activation showed no significant differences between natural teeth and dental implants. These results indicate the possible existence of sensory input to the cerebral cortex via dental implants as well as natural teeth, and thus suggest that may not only the periodontal membrane be involved in the signaling pathway. The data from this experiment may help us for understanding the neural mechanisms underlying natural teeth and dental implants

Custom-made root analogue zirconia implants

O objectivo deste estudo foi conduzir uma revisão literária sobre os potenciais benefícios do uso de implantes dentários de zircónia customizados e análogos a estruturas radiculares. Uma pesquisa bibliográfica foi efectuada nas bases de dados Pub-Med e Science Direct desde 1969 a 2017. Foram explorados os seguintes itens de pesquisa: “zirconia” e “custom-made” e “dental implants”, “zirconia” e “root-analogue” e “dental implants”, “zirconia” e “anatomical” e “dental implants”, “zirconia” e “finite element” and “dental implants”, “zirconia” e ”customized” e “dental implants”, “zirconia” e “mechanical properties” e “dental implants”, “zirconia” e “biomechanical” e “dental implants”. Um total de 611 trabalhos foram selecionados a partir das bases de dados eletrónicas, sendo que um total de 81 foram preliminarmente selecionados para leitura completa. Um total final de 59 estudos foram selecionados para este estudo. Foi verificado pelos trabalhos selecionados que o uso de materiais à base de zirconia tem aumentado recentemente devido às suas propriedades estéticas e sucesso biológico. Além disso, os implantes análogos a estruturas radiculares estão-se a tornar uma solução viável para ultrapassar limitações relacionadas com distribuição de tensões ao osso peri-implantar, estética e peri-implantite por acúmulo de biofilme. Além disso, os avanços tecnológicos recentes têm levado a novas estratégias para melhorar a morfologia e superfícies dos implantes de zircónia. Entretanto, poucos estudos ainda são encontrados para os implantes análogos a estruturas radiculares e ainda torna-se difícil a comparação de resultados dentre inúmeras geometrias e condições intrínsecas dos pacientes.The aim of this study was to conduct a literature review on the potential benefits of custom-made root analogue zirconia implants. A PubMed and ScienceDirect bibliographical search was carried out from 1969 to 2017. The following search items were explored: “zirconia” and “custom-made” and “dental implants”, “zirconia” and “root-analogue” and “dental implants”, “zirconia” and “anatomical” and “dental implants”, “zirconia” and “finite element” and “dental implants”, “zirconia” and “customized” and “dental implants”, “zirconia” and “mechanical properties” and “dental implants”, “zirconia” and “biomechanical” and “dental implants”. The increased interest in zirconia-based dental structures linked to aesthetic and biological outcomes have been reported in literature. Also, custom-made root analogue implants have become a viable alternative to overcome limitations concerning stress distribution, aesthetics and peri-implantitis induced by biofilms. Recent technological advances have focused on novel strategies to modify zirconia-based surfaces to accelerate osseointegration. However, only a few studies revealed mechanical and biological benefits of zirconia custom-made root analogue implants and therefore further studies should investigate the influence of different geometries and surface modification on the performance of such implants

Quality of YouTube TM videos on dental implants

Patients search YouTube for health-care information. To examine what YouTube offers patients seeking information on dental implants, and to evaluate the quality of provided information. A total of 117 videos were analyzed. The most commonly discussed topics were related to procedures involved in dental implantology (76.1%, n=89), and to the indications for dental implants (58.1%, n=78). The mean usefulness score of videos was poor (6.02 ±4.7 [range 0-21]), and misleading content was common (30.1% of videos); mainly in topics related to prognosis and maintenance of dental implants. Most videos (83.1%, n=97) failed to mention the source of information presented in the video or where to find more about dental implants. Information about dental implants on YouTube is limited in quality and quantity. YouTube videos can have a potentially important role in modulating patients? attitude and treatment decision regarding dental implants

A review on the prevention of inflammatory periimplant diseases

Background: An impressive number of dental implants are inserted worldwide. Evolution in dental implants and simplification of surgical techniques allowed a significant increase in the number of dentists involved in implant surgery. Most of them are general dentists, are not always sufficiently formed and experienced, frequently use low-quality implants, do not adopt the proper patient selective criteria, do not adequately monitor and maintain the inserted implants, and do not report their own statistics to the dental community. Consequently, the incidence of inflammatory periimplant diseases (IPDs) has progressively increased to values significantly higher than those previously indicated by the scientific literature. Materials and Methods: Two main literature searches were undertaken in October 2018 in the PubMed Website database. Only articles written in English and published from 2008 onward were considered; 'Clinical Trial,' 'Meta analysis,' 'Observational study,' 'Review,' and 'Validation study' were selected as article type filters. The following keywords were used in the searches: 'Peri implantitis prevention' and 'Dental implant failure prevention.'Results: Preventive measures are analyzed according to the different factors that can favor the occurrence of an infection. The factors are divided into (i) implant dependent, (ii) patient dependent, and (iii) surgeon dependent. Conclusions: Scientific and clinical data confirm that when materials are selected with care, patients are carefully evaluated for factors of risk and attitude to adhere to the necessary maintenance program, and operative protocols and maintenance programs are respected dental implants can be attractive and effective tools for oral rehabilitation. Nevertheless, dentists and patients should have greater awareness that in many cases the decision to utilize dental implants cannot be taken lightly

Custom-made root analogue zirconia implants

O objectivo deste estudo foi conduzir uma revisão literária sobre os potenciais benefícios do uso de implantes dentários de zircónia customizados e análogos a estruturas radiculares. Uma pesquisa bibliográfica foi efectuada nas bases de dados Pub-Med e Science Direct desde 1969 a 2017. Foram explorados os seguintes itens de pesquisa: “zirconia” e “custom-made” e “dental implants”, “zirconia” e “root-analogue” e “dental implants”, “zirconia” e “anatomical” e “dental implants”, “zirconia” e “finite element” and “dental implants”, “zirconia” e ”customized” e “dental implants”, “zirconia” e “mechanical properties” e “dental implants”, “zirconia” e “biomechanical” e “dental implants”. Um total de 611 trabalhos foram selecionados a partir das bases de dados eletrónicas, sendo que um total de 81 foram preliminarmente selecionados para leitura completa. Um total final de 59 estudos foram selecionados para este estudo. Foi verificado pelos trabalhos selecionados que o uso de materiais à base de zirconia tem aumentado recentemente devido às suas propriedades estéticas e sucesso biológico. Além disso, os implantes análogos a estruturas radiculares estão-se a tornar uma solução viável para ultrapassar limitações relacionadas com distribuição de tensões ao osso peri-implantar, estética e peri-implantite por acúmulo de biofilme. Além disso, os avanços tecnológicos recentes têm levado a novas estratégias para melhorar a morfologia e superfícies dos implantes de zircónia. Entretanto, poucos estudos ainda são encontrados para os implantes análogos a estruturas radiculares e ainda torna-se difícil a comparação de resultados dentre inúmeras geometrias e condições intrínsecas dos pacientes.The aim of this study was to conduct a literature review on the potential benefits of custom-made root analogue zirconia implants. A PubMed and ScienceDirect bibliographical search was carried out from 1969 to 2017. The following search items were explored: “zirconia” and “custom-made” and “dental implants”, “zirconia” and “root-analogue” and “dental implants”, “zirconia” and “anatomical” and “dental implants”, “zirconia” and “finite element” and “dental implants”, “zirconia” and “customized” and “dental implants”, “zirconia” and “mechanical properties” and “dental implants”, “zirconia” and “biomechanical” and “dental implants”. The increased interest in zirconia-based dental structures linked to aesthetic and biological outcomes have been reported in literature. Also, custom-made root analogue implants have become a viable alternative to overcome limitations concerning stress distribution, aesthetics and peri-implantitis induced by biofilms. Recent technological advances have focused on novel strategies to modify zirconia-based surfaces to accelerate osseointegration. However, only a few studies revealed mechanical and biological benefits of zirconia custom-made root analogue implants and therefore further studies should investigate the influence of different geometries and surface modification on the performance of such implants

Pyogenic granuloma in relation to dental implants: clinical and histopathological findings

Background: The occurrence of pyogenic granuloma in association to dental implants is rare and only five cases have been reported in the literature. Material and Methods: Patients charts were analyzed to select patients who had been diagnosed for pyogenic granuloma and its association with dental implants had been evaluated. The clinical status of the dental implants and the prosthesis had also been assessed. Results: Clinical and histopathological diagnosis of pyogenic granuloma had been reached for soft mass growth in association with dental implants in 10 patients. Histological analysis of all samples was performed to obtain a firm diagnosis of finding against pyogenic granuloma lesions. Accumulation of dental plaque due to poor oral hygiene and improper design of the prosthesis had been related to the occurrence of pyogenic granuoloma. This lesion showed no predilection to specific surface type and had no significant association with mar ginal bone loss. Conclusions: Pyogenic granuloma should be included in the differential diagnosis of soft mass growth around dental implants

What is the difference between implant success and survival and how will it change the future use of implants as a permanent solution to tooth loss?

The nature of dental implants as a treatment plan for patients is often viewed as something relatively new, but the idea of dental implants has long been a part of history. Dating back as far as the Mayan civilization, dental implants have increasingly become prevalent in modern society. As time progressed, various modern forms of dental implants materialized, with the first of these being the eposteal implant. Post 1943, the eposteal dental implants were then replaced by the more novel transosteal implants, and then followed by the current implant model, the endosteal implant. Presently, in the US alone, there are upwards of 700,000 implants being inserted annually so there is no question of the impact dental implants have, and will continue to have, on dentistry and quality of life for patients. Implants are often evaluated in terms of success versus survival, where "success" is denoted if a particular implant meets the success criteria it is being evaluated with, while "survival" simply means the implant exists in the mouth. The impasse that arises here is that the two terms of success and survival are so closely intertwined that implant success can be misrepresented, and wrongfully thought of as ubiquitous among all patients. This literature review takes a comprehensive look at dental implants, and proceeds to evaluate associated case studies as well as posit how implants affect modern day dentistry

Development of a radiographic dental implant guide for identification of dental implant types

INTRODUCTION: Identification of dental implant types can be a complex process for inexperienced health care professionals. Dental implants can have subtle differences in their morphology, which make it difficult to distinguish them from one another The unique appearance of dental anatomy and the placement of custom restorations ensure accurate identification of bodies or human remains when radiographic techniques are correctly applied. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To develop a radiographic dental implant guide for ten common dental implant types currently used in the Western Cape, South Africa; using their morphological characteristics observed on pantomographs. DESIGN: The methodology considered for this research study was a positivist approach through a quantitative, exploratory, non-experimental research design. METHODS: Ten commonly used dental implants were radiographed at straight tube (ST), off-centre (OC) and severe off-centre (SOC) angles to create a reference instrument Two reviewers used the morphologies of the different dental implant types, namely the apex, thread and neck, observed on ante-mortem pantomographs, and compared it to the appearance of the dental implants in the reference instrument to make a positive identification match. The straight tube image of all ten dental implant types in the reference instrument was used as the initial point of reference to positively identify the morphological characteristics of each dental implant type on the pantomographs. RESULTS: A total of 380 dental implants could be identified on 105 pantomographs reviewed. Of the 380 dental implants, 350 dental implants (91%) were identified as dental implant types listed in the reference instrument while 30 dental implants were identified as another type of dental implant type not listed in the reference instrument A total of 208 dental implants (54.2%) could be positively identified on the ante-mortem pantomographs using the straight tube images in the reference instrument. The morphological characteristics of the dental implant types were described using x-ray imaging of dental implants. The ten commonly used dental implants types could be positively identified by two independent reviewers and based on this a radiographic dental implant guide was developed. CONCLUSION: Each dental implant type had unique morphological characteristics as well as similarities which enabled distinction between the different dental implant types. The dental implant guide developed could be used by dentistry and radiography students. The dental implant guide may be useful in the field of forensic dentistry and forensic radiology