The Use of Zirconia for Implant-Supported Fixed Complete Dental Prostheses: A Narrative Review

The success of implant-supported fixed complete dental prostheses (ISFCDPs) depends on multiple factors: some are related to the fixtures, such as fixture material, surface characteristics, positioning, and type of connection to prosthetic components; others are related to the prostheses, such as design and materials used. Zirconia is a material widely used in fixed prosthodontics, whether on natural teeth or on implants, with excellent results over time. Regarding the use of zirconia for ISFCDPs, the 2018 ITI Consensus Report stated that “implant-supported monolithic zirconia prostheses may be a future option with more supporting evidence”. Since CAD/CAM technology and zirconia are being continuously innovated to achieve better results and performances over time, a narrative review of the literature seems necessary to focus research efforts towards effective and durable solutions for implant-supported, full-arch rehabilitations. The objective of the present narrative review was to search the literature for studies regarding the clinical performance of zirconia-based ISFCDPs. According to the results of this review, the use of zirconia for ISFCDPs showed good clinical outcomes, with high survival rates ranging from 88% to 100% and prosthetic complications that were restorable by the clinicians in most cases

A multicenter survey on computer‐aided design and computer‐aided manufacturing mandibular reconstruction from Italian community

Computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technology has revolutionized mandibular reconstructive surgery. The possibilities of planning margins of bone resection, flap segmentation, and plate design allow highly precise reconstructions with great improve- ment of functional and esthetic results (Rana et al., 2012). Despite some initial concerns limiting the application of these systems, daily practice and several reports in the literature have resolved many of these issues (Wilde, Cornelius, & Schramm, 2014). In particular, the accuracy of plan- ning transfer from virtual planning into the operating room, precision of reconstructive plates, and reliability of cutting guides have been largely documented in the international literature (Tarsitano, Ciocca, Scotti, & Marchetti, 2016; Wilde et al., 2015). Cost is the greatest factor limiting the adoption of such technologies, but recent studies have suggested that sparing of surgical time and increasingly accurate results minimize this problem, and several reports indicate that the costs are comparable to those of freehand procedures (Bolzoni et al., 2019)

Correlation of BRAF mutational status with clinical characteristics and survival outcomes of patients with ameloblastoma: the experience of 11 Italian centres

Background: Ameloblastoma is a rare odontogenic tumor with an aggressive local behavior. Mutations in the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, namely BRAF V600E mutations, are a common finding. To date there is no clear correlation between BRAF V600 mutation and clinical outcome. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed records of all patients undergoing surgery for ameloblastoma between February 2017 and March 2019 at 11 participating Italian centers. The primary endpoints of the study were to determine the BRAF mutational status in primitive and relapsed ameloblastoma, and to assess the relapse free interval (RFI); the secondary endpoint was to investigate the correlation of BRAF mutational status with clinical characteristics and survival outcomes. Results: Overall, 74 patients were included: 33 (44.5%) were BRAF wild type and 41 (55.4%) BRAFV600 mutated. BRAFV600 mutated ameloblastomas were more frequently in younger patients (p=0.0031), located at mandible site (p=0.0009), and with unicystic histotype. After a median follow up of 60 months, 21 (28.3%) patients relapsed (30.3% and 26.8% of in the BRAF wild type and BRAF mutated cases, respectively). At univariable Cox models, none of the analyzed variables, including microscopic margin involvement, appeared to be correlated with RFI. Conclusions: Local recurrence occurs in 30% of patients with ameloblastoma. BRAFV600 mutation is associated with younger age, a mandible site of the disease and with unicystic histotype. Neither BRAF mutation nor microscopic involved margins are associated with RFI. Further studies are needed to elucidate outcomes of this rare disease according to clinical, histopathological and comprehensive molecular features