Height difference between the vestibular and palatal walls and palatal width: a cone beam computed tomography approach

Background: The objective of this study was to measure two parameters involved in tri-dimensional implant plan‑ ning: the position of the buccal and palatal bone wall and the palatal thickness. Methods: Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images (Planmeca ProMax 3D) of 403 teeth (208 upper teeth and 195 lower teeth) were obtained from 49 patients referred to the Dental School of Seville from January to Decem‑ ber 2014. The height diference between the palatal and buccal walls was measured on the most coronal point of both walls. The thickness of the palatal wall was measured 2 mm from the most coronal point of the palatal wall. Results: The mean values in the maxilla were 1.7±0.9 mm for central and lateral incisors, 2.2±1.7 mm for canines, 1.6±0.9 mm for premolars and 1.9±1.5 mm for molars. In the lower jaw, the mean values were 1.3±0.8 mm for inci‑ sors, 1.7±1.2 mm for canines, 2.3±1.3 mm for premolars, and 2.6±1.7 mm for molars. In the upper jaw, more than 55% of maxillary teeth (excluding second premolars and molars) presented mean height diferences greater than 1 mm. In the mandible, more than 60% of incisors showed a buccal bone thickness of 1 mm from the apical to lingual aspect. All teeth except the second premolar presented a buccal wall located more than 1 mm more apically than the lingual bone wall. Conclusions: The buccal bone wall is located more apically (greater than 1 mm) than the palatal or lingual table in most of the cases assessed. The thickness of the palatal or lingual table is also less than 2 mm in the maxilla and man‑ dible, except in the upper canines and premolars and the lower molars

Relevant Design Aspects to Improve the Stability of Titanium Dental Implants

Post-extractional implants and immediate loading protocols are becoming much more frequent in everyday clinical practice. Given the existing literature about tapered implants, the objective of this paper was to understand whether implant shape had a direct influence on the results of the insertion torque (IT) and implant stability quotient (ISQ). Seven tapered implant prototypes were developed and distributed into three groups and compared with a control cylindrical implant—VEGA by Klockner Implant System. The implants were inserted into bovine bone type III according to Lekholm and Zarb Classification. The sample size was n = 30 for the three groups. Final IT was measured with a torquemeter, and the ISQ was measured with Penguin Resonance Frequency Analysis (RFA). Modifications done to the Prototype I did not reveal higher values of the ISQ and IT when compared to VEGA. In the second group, when comparing the five prototypes (II–VI) with VEGA, it was seen that the values of the ISQ and IT were not always higher, but there were two values of the ISQ that were statistically significantly higher with the 4.0 mm diameter Prototypes II (76.3 ± 6.1) and IV (78 ± 3.7). Prototype VII was the one with higher and significant values of the ISQ and IT. In both diameters and in both variables, all differences were statistically significant enough to achieve the higher values of primary stability values (IT and ISQ). Given the limitations of this study, it can be concluded that when there is an increase of the diameter of the implant and body taper, there is an increase of the ISQ and IT, showing that the diameter of the implant is an important criteria to obtain higher values of primary stability

Is It Possible to Monitor Implant Stability on a Prosthetic Abutment? An In Vitro Resonance Frequency Analysis

In order to apply the “one-abutment–one-time” concept, we evaluated the possibility of measuring resonance frequency analysis (RFA) on the abutment. This trial aimed to compare the Implant Stability Quotient (ISQ) values obtained by the PenguinRFA when screwing the transducer onto the implant or onto abutments with different heights and angulations. Eighty implants (VEGA®, Klockner Implant System, SOADCO, Les Escaldes, Andorra) were inserted into fresh bovine ribs. The groups were composed of 20 implants, 12 mm in length, with two diameters (3.5 and 4 mm). Five different abutments for screwed retained restorations (Permanent®) were placed as follows: straight with 1, 2, and 3 mm heights, and angulated at 18◦ with 2 and 3 mm heights. The mean value of the ISQ measured directly on the implant was 75.72 ± 4.37. The mean value of the ISQ registered over straight abutments was 79.5 ± 8.50, 76.12 ± 6.63, and 71.42 ± 6.86 for 1, 2, and 3 mm height abutments. The mean ISQ over angled abutments of 2 and 3 mm heights were 68.74 ± 4.68 and 64.51 ± 4.53 respectively. The present study demonstrates that, when the ISQ is registered over the straight abutments of 2 and 3 mm heights, the values decrease, and values are lower for angled, 3 mm height abutments