Peri-implant bone loss around platform-switched Morse taper connection implants: a prospective 60-month follow-up study

The aim of this study was to measure the crestal bone level changes at 60 months of follow-up and to evaluate the influence of biologically relevant, anatomical, and implant-related variables. A prospective study design was used. STROBE guidelines were followed. A total of 576 implants were inserted in 270 patients needing an implant-supported, partial, fixed dental prosthesis or a single crown. Standardized peri-apical radiographs were obtained at 2 months (time of implant-abutment connection and prosthetic loading) and 60 months of follow-up. Descriptive statistics were used and inter- and intra-examiner reliability determined. A mixed model was used to evaluate the predictor variables. The correlation among multiple implants inserted in a single patient was considered. Significance was assessed using the type 3 test. Sensitivity analyses, least-squares means analyses, t-tests, and χ(2) tests were also conducted. The statistical analysis was performed at the implant level; P<0.05 indicated statistical significance. At the 60-month follow-up, the mean marginal bone remodelling was -0.59±1.34mm (range -5.70 to 3.65mm). Marginal bone loss was significantly influenced by implant depth, implant location, and the interactions implant depth×jaw, implant location×timing of implant placement, and jaw×implant diameter. At the 60-month follow-up, a low mean marginal bone loss was found, which was significantly higher with subcrestal implants and anterior implants

The stai-test to evaluate anxiety in hospitalized patients

In this article, the authors describe the results of research carried out on 496 patients, hospitalized at the 'Policlinico' in Bari. The patients were selected on the basic of stratified sampling, proportional to the gender, the type of ward and to the number of beds. Systematic random sampling was conducted at every stratum. The STAI-TEST (State and Trait Anxiety Inventory), by Spielberg et al., was used in the above-mentioned sampling to measure the level of state and trait anxiety in order to verify the relation existing between hospitalization experience, illnesses, characteristic of personality and anxiety. The results have pointed out that subjects with high scores of trait anxiety, maintain the same scores in state anxiety during hospitalization. On the other hand, those with low scores in trait anxiety, present a minimum increase in state anxiety. Moreover, a significant correlation emerges between the level of anxiety and information on the illness (less information, more anxiety), between anxiety and gender (higher in women), more anxiety in subjects affected by chronic-degenerative pathologies

Minimally invasive corticotomy in orthodontics using a three-dimensional printed CAD/CAM surgical guide

The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an innovative, minimally invasive, flapless corticotomy procedure in orthodontics. The STROBE guidelines were followed. Ten patients with severe dental crowding and a class I molar relationship were selected to receive orthodontic treatment with clear aligners and corticotomy-facilitated orthodontics. The mean age of these patients was 21 years (range 17-28, standard deviation 6.08 years); the male to female ratio was 2:1. The main outcome was a reduction in the total treatment time to correct dental crowding. The secondary outcomes were periodontal index changes, the degree of root resorption, and patient perceptions of the method used, assessed using the short-form Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14). The occurrence of early surgical complications or unexpected events was also recorded. All patients completed the treatment to correct dental crowding. The average treatment time was reduced by two-thirds. The procedure did not significantly modify the periodontal indices or oral health-related quality of life. No early surgical complications or unexpected events were observed. In short, the results indicate that this new procedure is safe and accelerates tooth movement without periodontal complications or discomfort. However, the efficacy of this procedure must be confirmed in controlled clinical trials

Characteristics of posterior supernumerary teeth: An epidemiological study

OBJECTIVES. The aim of this study is to investigate the incidence, prevalence, sex difference, topography and morphology of Posterior Supernumerary Teeth (PST) in the Italian Caucasian population. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Records of 20,398 young patients were evaluated. Only data relating to supernumerary teeth in the posterior region of the jaws were analysed. The diagnosis of hyperdontia was formulated during the clinical and/or X-ray examination. All patients included in the study were in the permanent dentition and were in possession of one panoramic radiograph. RESULTS. 50 posterior supernumerary teeth were found in 37 patients. The prevalence was of 0.18%. The mean age of those 37 patients was 21±3; 25 were males and 12 females (ratio of 2:1). The PST were more frequently found in the maxilla (62%) than in the mandible; over half of them were located in the upper arch (54%); paramolars (63%) were more common than distomolars; supernumerary (60%) were more frequent than supplemental teeth (40%); tuberculate shape was the most frequent (60%). CONCLUSIONS. Epidemiological studies on supernumerary teeth are useful for an early and correct diagnosis. Early detection allows for measures against complications and more successful therapy

Early peri-implant bone loss: a prospective cohort study

The aim of this study was to measure the early peri-implant bone level changes before the completion of an implant-abutment connection and to evaluate the influence of demographic, biologically relevant, anatomical, and implant-specific variables on these changes. A prospective cohort study design was used. STROBE guidelines were followed. The sample comprised 493 implants placed using a two-stage surgical procedure. Random allocation was used to determine the implant placement depth. Peri-apical radiographs taken at implant insertion and at the second surgery 2 months later were matched. Kappa statistics were used to compute intra- and inter-examiner reliability. The statistical analysis was performed at the implant level. Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with the Bonferroni adjusted post hoc test was used to evaluate the influence of variables. One-way ANOVA with Tukey's range test and unpaired Student t-tests were used to analyze significant variables. Early marginal bone remodelling was -0.86 mm. The timing of implant placement (P=0.00) and the depth of implant placement (P≤0.05) significantly influenced early bone remodelling. Relevant radiographic early bone loss was found, but implants initially positioned below the alveolar crest and inserted ≥3 months after tooth extraction showed statistically significant higher marginal bone loss during the healing phase