Assessment of fit on ten screw-retained frameworksrealized through digital full-arch implant impression

Background: Discordant opinions have emerged among clinicians and researchers regard-ing a digital impression for full-arch implant-supported fixed dental prostheses (FDPs). The purpose of this study was to assess the fit of screw-retained milled frameworks on six implants realized from digital impressions through the Sheffield test. Methods: One patient received a maxillary full-arch implant-supported FDP. Six months after the surgical procedure, ten intraoral full-arch digital impressions were performed to mill ten frameworks. To clinically assess the fit, the Sheffield test was applied for all frameworks. The gaps among the frameworks and the implant analogs were measured using a microscope on the master model realized with a traditional impression. The Wilcoxon sum-rank test was used to compare the misfit value among the different implant positions. Results: The Sheffield test did not show gaps in the framework–implant interfaces when the screw was completely tightened on the more distal implant for all the milled frameworks. The mean misfit value calculated after microscope examination was 38 ± 5 µm. Differences that were statistically significant emerged when the misfit values of central positions were compared with other values. Conclusions: The use of full-arch implant digital impressions represents a viable alternative to traditional impressions for the fabrication of implant-supported FDPs

Efficacy of Two Toothpaste in Preventing Tooth Erosive Lesions Associated with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

Patients suffering from acid reflux due to endogenous causes are often affected by gastroesophageal reflux disease which, in the oral environment, causes lingual and palatal enamel erosion. As enamel does not have the intrinsic ability to repair itself, the application of alloplastic materials, such as toothpastes is suggestable. The aim of this “in vitro” study was to compare the effectiveness of two different toothpastes in preventing erosion due to gastroesophageal reflux disease. Six tooth elements from bovine jaws were prepared using a high-speed diamond bur and water irrigation. Acid attack simulation was carried out using a 15% HCl hydrochloric acid solution. After that, two different toothpastes with or without fluoride, were brushed at the sample surface using an electric toothbrush at standard position and force. SEM and profilometer analysis were performed. Statistically significant difference was found in average tooth surface roughness after using toothpaste with or without fluoride after the acid attack, as the former offered a greater remineralization. No difference was found in long-term prevention. Fluoridated toothpastes offer a greater degree of remineralization at a first acid attack, however, there is no difference in long-term prevention independently from the toothpaste type

MAXILLARY SINUS LIFT THROUGH HETEROLOGOUS BONE GRAFTS AND SIMULTANEOUS ACID-ETCHED IMPLANTS PLACEMENT. FIVE YEAR FOLLOW-UP

Abstract AIM: The aim of this study was to assess retrospectively at 5 years the clinical outcome of bone regeneration in patients who underwent maxillary sinus lift with different equine-derived, enzyme-deantigenated equine bone grafts, and simultaneous placement of acid-etched surface implants. METHODS: Eighteen patients (10 males and 8 females, age between 55 and 61 years) were considered. They were divided into 2 groups according to the type of bone graft used: a combination of an equine flexible heterologous spongy bone layer (Osteoplant Flex, Bioteck) and equine heterologous cortical and spongy granules (Bio-Gen Mix, Bioteck), group A, or a block of equine heterologous spongy bone (Bio-Gen Block, Bioteck), group B. Surface-treated implants (''TRE'' type, Biotec) were placed simultaneously to sinus augmentations and usual clinical and radiological tests were performed at 6 months and every year up to 5 years after surgery. RESULTS: At 5 years, 45 out of 49 total implants placed (91.8%) were successful according to the Albrektsson and Zarb criteria. The loss of the 4 failed implants was observed in 2 patients of group B during the first days following surgery. CONCLUSION: These results show that the heterologous bone grafts supported properly the bone regeneration inside the sinuses, and that the type of implants used allowed to achieve a satisfying rate of success according to the current standards in implantology. PMID: 18427440 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE

Ameloblastic fibroma in a 12-year-old girl: a clinical case

OBJECTIVES Ameloblastic fibroma is a rare benign odontogenic tumor com-posed of epithelial and mesen-chymal tissue, mostly located in the mandible premolar-molar region of young male patients. Its etiology is unknown and since it is asymptomatic, it can be diag-nosed during routine oral examination or with an orthopanoram-ic radiograph. In most cases this lesion is associated with an impacted tooth and from the histo-logical point of view, it is charac-terized by plump fibroblasts and collagen fibrils. MATERIALS AND METHODS A 12-year-old girl presented a suspicious neoplastic lesion of the left posterior region of the mandible, associated with an impacted tooth. Clinical and radiographic examination were compatible with the diagnosis of pediatric ameloblastic fibroma. The lesion was treated with complete enucleation and bone curettage; mandibular left sec-ond molar was also extracted. RESULTS The histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of ameloblastic fibroma. One year follow-up orthopantomography and computed tomography showed bone defect healing and no evidence of recurrence. CONCLUSIONS Recognizing ameloblastic fibroma and initiating early treatment is crucial to avoid complications and ensure the well-being of patients. Ameloblastic fibroma, a relatively uncommon odonto-genic tumor, presents a range of treatment options: conservative therapy is typically recommend-ed for small and asymptomatic lesions, while aggressive surgery is less frequently employed for extensive or locally recurring cases. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE Timely recognition of ameloblas-tic fibroma is crucial to prevent complications. Treatment options range from conservative to surgical, depending on size and symptoms. Long-term follow-up is essential for monitoring recur-rence and malignant transfor-mation. Surgical enucleation with bone curettage is a com-mon approach. Accurate diagnosis and early treatment improve clinical outcomes and patient well-being

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Dental Education: Perception of Professors and Students

The objective of this study was to evaluate perception and feelings experienced by dentistry professors and students about distance learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. Fifty professors and fifty-two students reported the perceptions and implications of distance learning imposed by the pandemic of COVID-19. The participants' answers were analyzed using the qualitative-quantitative method of the collective subject's discourse. The answers were summarized in central ideas, distributed in absolute and relative frequency. The answers with similar central ideas were grouped, obtaining the discourse of the collective subject. The similar central ideas about distance learning addressed by professors and students were: suitable for didactic courses; limited laboratory and clinical courses, and internet access difficulties. Specifically for professors: a complement to classroom teaching; stress and learning with digital technologies; difficulty in reconciling classes with domestic activities; concerns with motivation and interaction with students; asynchronous lectures favor knowledge fixation, and synchronous lectures favor interaction with students; unreliable assessment methods; concern about returning to face-to-face classes. For the students: it was applied to all courses; demotivating; fundamental to guide studies; professors' commitment; long lectures; excessive school activities; difficult attendance control and evaluation; the comfort of being at home; impact on research. Professors considered distance learning as a learning opportunity on how to use digital technologies but too limited for lab and clinical activities and interaction with students. Students found it discouraging due to the absence of practical classes and excessive school activities

Marginal and Para-Marginal Technique in Late Germectomy of Lower Third Molars

Introduction: Third molar surgery can cause post-operative complications to the patient due to the presence of a wound from the incision. This study aimed to compare marginal flap with para-marginal flap on postoperative complications by the measurements on pre and post-surgical plaque index (PI), bleeding on probing (BoP), maximum opening of the mouth (MOM), pain perception (PP) and post-surgical tumefaction (PT). Methods: In this double-blind randomized clinical trial, 40 patients were recruited and randomly allocated in two groups. In Group 1, third molar extraction was carried out after a marginal flap design was performed, while in Group 2 a para-marginal flap was performed. Plaque index, bleeding on probing, maximum mouth opening, and distal probing were assessed right before and one week after surgery, while post-operative pain perception and post-operative swelling were accounted one week following surgery. Results: Statistically significant differences were reported between treatment groups, as the para-marginal flap led to better outcomes for all the measured indexes. Conclusions: The para-marginal flap design may decrease the occurrence of post-operative complications and discomforts after mandibular third molar surgery, compared to marginal flap design