Aim The aim of this study was to evaluate the sealing ability of a bioceramic endodontic sealer and a ZOE sealer at the apical third when used in combination with three different obturation techniques. Materials and methods A sample of 80 recently extracted intact human single-rooted maxillary premolars were included in the study. After instrumentation, teeth were randomly divided into five groups and accordingly filled with different techniques and materials. Group 1 was filled using Thermafil® Obturators (Dentsply/Maillefer) with Pulp Canal SealerTM (Kerr), Group 2 was filled using Thermafil® Obturators (Dentsply/Maillefer) with BioRootTM RCS (Septodont) bioceramic sealer, Group 3 was filled using warm vertical condensation with traditional Pulp Canal SealerTM (Kerr), Group 4 was filled using a Single GP cone with BioRootTM RCS (Septodont) bioceramic sealer and Group 5 was filled using warm vertical condensation with BioRootTM RCS bioceramic sealer (Septodont). Apical leakage, using silver nitrate for 24 hours, was evaluated and statistical analysis was applied (Bonferroni and Anova tests with the significance level set at P < 0.05). Result The groups using bioceramic sealer showed a lower amount of apical leakage, and Group 5 the lowest amount of dye penetration apically. Conclusion Under in vitro conditions, bioceramic endodontic sealers can seal the root apex similarly to traditional ZOE endodontic sealers and can be used in combination with any obturation technique, both warm and cold gutta-percha.

Aim The present article reports clinical, radiographic, and histological healing of a case of alveolar ridge preservation treated with a cortical bone allograft and a bioabsorbable collagen wound dressing membrane for the reconstruction of a damaged extraction socket with a buccal bone dehiscence. Case report In the case reported, alveolar ridge preservation technique was applied in an extraction site with a buccal dehiscence type defect, using an allograft bone substitute and a bioabsorbable collagen wound dressing membrane followed by a successful implant placement at a later stage. Conclusion This case report showed that alveolar ridge preservation technique in a damaged socket with buccal dehiscence, using a freeze dried bone allograft covered with a fast resorption collagen membrane, can lead to new bone formation, of up to 53.53%, and ultimately allow safe implant placement.

Aim To summarise data available in the PubMed database regarding the accuracy of dental implants placed by means of static and navigated guided surgery. Methods A search strategy was performed in order to find eligible articles in English reporting the accuracy of dental implants placed in humans with guided surgery techniques. Results The search resulted in 387 articles for screening. After the selection, 44 articles were included for data extraction. 22 articles reported the accuracy of static guided surgery with mucosa-supported guides, 20 with tooth-supported, 3 with bone-supported and 7 with dynamic guided surgery. Conclusions All studies with Static Guided Surgery and Dynamic Guided Surgery included in this review present deviations within the clinical accepted limits and represent excellent alternatives for guided implant placement.

Aims Intraoral scanners (IOS) are used for a wide range of treatments. Most IOSs produce data appropriate for local work, such as crowns, but evidence suggests that full-arch scans result in more erroneous scans, which may affect the fit of clinical appliances. There are no standardized methods for assessing the quality of IOSs. Though many studies have investigated the accuracy of scanners, one may find the reported values are difficult to interpret in a clinical context. Materials and methods This study investigated the trueness of two IOSs, using three metrics. The clinical value of each metric is discussed. A dentate model was scanned 10 times using two intraoral scanners. Three methods were used to assess the trueness of the scans against a scan produced in a laboratory scanner. Results The mean unsigned distance deviation between a laboratory scan and the Primescan scans was 0.016(±0.006)mm. The mean unsigned distance deviation between the laboratory scan and the Omnicam scans was 0.116(±0.01)mm. The arch width between molars was 55.44mm for the Solutionix scan. The arch width of the Primescan was 55.439(±0.075)mm, while the Omnicam reported 54.672(±0.065)mm. The mean proportion of the Primescan scans deviating beyond 0.1mm when compared against the Solutionix was 0.7(±2.0)%. The equivalent for the Omnicam was 42.1(±2.5)%. Conclusions All methods indicated significantly different results between the scanners. The Primescan produced truer scans than the Omnicam, regardless of measurement method. The intermolar-width and proportion beyond 0.1mm methods may give more clinically relevant insight into the trueness of scan data than current gold-standard methods.

Aim The present review was aimed to identify the surgical procedures to enhance the prosthetic prognosis in patients with mandibular defects. Methods A literature search was performed on the databases PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Embase, Google Scholar, Dynamed and Grey Literature, in addition to congress proceedings and books written in Italian or English language. The literature search was conducted using the following keywords: (“prosthesis” or “prosthetic”) AND “prognosis” AND “mandibulectomy”; (“prosthesis” or “prosthetic”) AND “prognosis” AND (“defect” or “reconstruction” or “resection”) and (“mandibular” or “mandible”). Results The selection process yielded 43 papers after the databases search, while 7 books and 3 congress proceedings were included after the manual search. Conclusion To enhance the prosthetic prognosis, the surgeons must preserve the tongue mobility and as many teeth as possible; vestibuloplasty could be needed, while intraseptal bone cuts and specific resection lines are recommended. The use of fibula graft, osseointegrated implants, and digital technologies can improve the prosthetic prognosis.

ABSTRACT Background Both cleft lip and palate (CLP) and ectodermal dysplasia (ED) are congenital conditions that hamper conventional prosthetic rehabilitation. CLP adult patients usually have sequelae and atrophy of the maxilla. In addition, dental malformation and positioning due to ED often limit the prosthetic alternatives for oral rehabilitation. Case report This clinical report describes a challenging case of a patient with combination of CLP and ED, who was treated with dental implants and ceramic fixed prostheses, according to the patient’s desire to have a pleasant smile and the comfort of fixed dentures. Conclusion This report shows that ceramic implant-supported fixed prostheses are predictably safe when sufficient alveolar bone is present in a patient with both CLP and ED, thus restoring aesthetics and function.

Aim Surface treatments use industrial processes in which surface contamination can occur. In this context, this study aimed to demonstrate a surface treatment process, from laboratory samples and clinical implants, named anodizing, analyze their tendencies to surface contamination as well as their properties.Materials and Methods Laboratorial samples of pure titanium were anodized. Investigated by scanning microscopy (SEM), dispersive energy spectroscopy (EDS) and wettability tests. Four implant systems available in the current market were chosen by different surface treatments (anodizing, double acid etching and particle blasting) and investigated by SEM/EDS.Results Laboratory samples showed a nanomorphology surface, free of contaminants and good liquid/surface interaction. The implant system with anodization treatment did not present elements outside the standards. However, the implants treated with acid attack and blasting were found different chemical elements like aluminum and magnesium.Conclusions Anodizing proved to be a contaminant-free surface treatment both in the laboratory and clinical implants. In addition, its promising property of owning TiO2 nanotubes suggests an inherent evolution to biomedical implants for drug delivery systems other than all surface treatments developed to date.

Aim To test both success and survival rate of implant placed simultaneously with sinus lift in atro-phic posterior maxilla with a residual bone height of less than 5 mm. Materials and methods A computer search strategy was developed for the following electronic databases: MEDLINE/ PubMed and EMBASE. All the relevant articles were screened involving controlled clinical trials, randomized clinical trials, prospective cohort studies. Results The selection process yielded 12 studies, published between 1999 and 2016, 6 of which were prospective, 1 was a randomized controlled trial, 5 were controlled studies. Conclusions Within the limitation of this systematic review, the qualitative data analysis revealed that the survival rate of implants placed in grafted sinus ranged from 61% to 100%; on the other hand, the success rate ranged between 75.3% to 94.8%. No significant differences were detected regarding different grafting materials used. In order to understand if the one-stage pro-cedure is an effective and predictable surgical alternative in critically resorbed maxillae, larger and well designed clinical trials are needed.

Aim The planning of implant-supported dentures can become complex when the patient has low or poor quality of bone. Some studies suggest that excessive functional load or traumatic occlusion over dental implants placed in bone of poor quality and density may cause marginal bone loss and increase implant failure rate. In 1980, Misch proposed the progressive loading of a dental implant. A protocol that may produce a lower crestal bone loss compared to the conventional loading protocol, as well it may increase bone density in poor quality areas. The aim of this review of the literature was to update and summarize the progressive loading protocol and to describe its benefits and its possible effect on dental implant success. Methods The following combinations of controlled terms (MeSH) and keywords were used: (“progressive loading”[All Fields] OR “progressive bone loading”[All Fields] OR “progressive bone load”[All Fields] OR “progressive load”[All Fields]) AND (“dental implants”[MeSH Terms] OR “dental implant”) Conclusion Within the limitations of this study, all authors concluded that PL produces less crestal bone loss and trends to high bone density around dental implants. Authors also support the idea that PL may stimulate bone growth and maturation and offer benefits in bone quality and density and suggest the use of gradual loading especially in bones with low density.

Background Lithium disilicate is usually used for producing prosthetic crowns to be cemented on teeth or implant abutments. On the contrary, its use for producing implant abutment is not reported. This report describes the use of monolithic lithium disilicate to realize implant abutment and crown. Case report A 60-year-old male patient required dental implant restoration for replacing the upper right central incisor. A lithium disilicate abutment and crown were realized by pressing. Conclusion Lithium disilicate may be a valid alternative to zirconia for producing implant abutments in the esthetic area.