A new index for rating aesthetics of implant-supported single crowns and adjacent soft tissues - the Implant Crown Aesthetic Index:A pilot study on validation of a new index

Objectives: The important item of aesthetics is rarely included in evaluation studies. The aim of this study was to develop and validate an index for rating aesthetics of implant-supported single crowns and adjacent soft tissues. Material and methods: Nine items were selected, which have an influence on the aesthetic result. The items are based on the anatomic form, colour and surface characteristics of the crown and on the anatomic form, colour and surface characteristics of the peri-implant soft tissues. Two oral-maxillofacial surgeons and two prosthodontists rated 24 implant-supported single-tooth restorations and adjacent soft tissues on a form with the nine items of the rating index. The rating was carried out twice by each of the examiners. Weighted Cohen's kappa was calculated to express the intra- and interobserver agreement. Results: Intraobserver results indicated that the agreement between the first and second rating of both the prosthodontists was good (both 0.7) and that the agreement of the oral-maxillofacial surgeons was moderate (0.49 and 0.56). The best interobserver agreement was found between the two prosthodontists (0.61, good agreement). Conclusions: The Implant Crown Aesthetic Index is an objective tool in rating aesthetics of implant-supported single crowns and adjacent soft tissues. The rating is best be carried out by one prosthodontist to have the highest reliability

Replacement of a clip in one session

Fracture of clips in implant-retained overdenture therapy is one of the most reported problems. This article describes an indirect method for repair that is reliable and can be carried out in 1 session

Use of short endosseous implants and an overdenture in the extremely resorbed mandible:A five-year retrospective study

Purpose: A retrospective study was performed to assess the success of short endosseous implants in combination with an implant-retained overdenture in the extremely resorbed mandible. Patients and Methods: Patients included had a mandible not exceeding a median height of 12 mm measured on a standardized lateral cephalometric radiograph. Seventeen patients (14 women, 3 men; mean age, 65 years) with 68 endosseous implants were clinically and radiographically evaluated. Results: During the follow-up period (mean, 77 months; range, 60 to 97 months), 8 implants were lost, bringing the cumulative survival rate to 88%. The peri-implant tissues were in good condition, and the bone loss around the implants was minimal. Conclusion: Because of the relative simplicity and low morbidity of this treatment strategy, it is a justified treatment option