Micrometric characterization of the implant surfaces from the five largest companies in Brazil, the second largest worldwide implant market

PURPOSE: To characterize the surface of implants from Brazilian companies by light interferometry and evaluate the level of control of the surface treatment process. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Oral implants from the five largest Brazilian companies were evaluated topographically. The surfaces of the implants were analyzed on the tops, valleys, and flanks of the threads, totaling nine measurements for each unit. The implants and results were separated in groups by their types of surface treatment and compared with well known international implants used as references. RESULTS: The implants examined presented a mean height deviation of less than 1 μm, which was considered minimally rough, except for the SIN-SW implant (1.01 μm) and the Vulcano Actives design (1.26 μm). The surface enlargement values varied considerably in relation to the reference implant, with lower values noted in the group of implants subjected to sandblasting and acid-etching and with higher values obtained in the group treated by acid-etching and anodizing. There were statistically significant differences between batches of implants from all companies assessed, indicative of a substantial variance in implant topography from one batch to another. CONCLUSIONS: The low values of roughness found in the measurements and the differences between the values of the batches suggest that these companies should consider improving their surface treatments to achieve more uniform roughness

Immediate occlusal loading of extrasinus zygomatic implants: A prospective cohort study with a follow-up period of 8 years

The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term success rate of immediate occlusal loading of extrasinus zygomatic implants after an 8-year follow-up. From 62 patients who needed implant treatment in 2003, 25 patients who presented with maxillary atrophy met the inclusion criteria and agreed to participate in the study. All patients received fixed dentures under immediate occlusal loading supported by extrasinus zygomatic implants associated with anterior standard implants. No bone grafting procedures were performed. During the 8-year follow-up period, 21 patients underwent clinical evaluation and radiographic examinations every 6 months. This study conforms to the STROBE guidelines regarding prospective cohort studies. 40 extrasinus zygomatic and 74 anterior standard implants were-evaluated. All patients were clinically free of signs and symptoms of sinus disturbance at all follow-up appointments. After 8 years, the success rates of extrasinus zygomatic implants, standard anterior implants and definitive prostheses were 97.5%, 95.9% and 95.2%, respectively. Within the limits of this study, immediate occlusal loading of extrasinus zygomatic implants presents a predictable treatment option for the atrophic maxilla.4191072107

Clinical evaluation of ceramic inlays and onlays fabricated with two systems: Five-year follow-up

This study evaluated the five-year clinical performance of ceramic inlays and onlays made with two systems: sintered Duceram (Dentsply-Degussa) and pressahle IPS Empress (Ivoclar Vivadent). Eighty-six restorations were placed by a single operator in 35 patients with a median age of 33 years. The restorations were cemented with dual-cured resin cement (Variolink II, Ivoclar Vivadent) and Syntac Classic adhesive under rubber dam. The evaluations were conducted by two independent investigators at baseline, and at one, two, three, and five years using the modified United States Public Health Service (USPHS) criteria. At the five-year recall, 26 patients were evaluated (74.28%), totalling 62 (72.09%) restorations. Four IPS restorations were fractured, two restorations presented secondary caries (one from IPS and one from Duceram), and two restorations showed unacceptable d€fects at the restoration margin and needed replacement (one restoration from each ceramic system). A general success rateof 87% was recorded. The Fisher exact test revealed no significant difference between Duceram and IPS Empress ceramic systems for all aspects evaluated at different recall appointments (p\u3e0.05). The McNemar chi- square test showed significant differences in relation to marginal discoloration, marginal integrity, and surface texture between the baseline and five-year recall for both systems (p\u3c0.001), with an increased percentage of Bravo scores. However, few Charlie or Delta scores were attributed to these restorations. In conclusion, these two types of ceramic materials demonstrated acceptable clinical performance after five years