Edentulous Patients Research Articles

Retrospective Analysis of Implant Survival Rates and Complications in Edentulous Patients with Different Bone Types.

Dental implants are an effective treatment option for edentulism, which poses a substantial barrier to oral health. The quality of the bone at the implant site may have an impact on the outcome of implant therapy. The purpose of this retrospective investigation was to assess implant survival rates and problems in individuals who were edentulous and had varying forms of bone. Patients who were edentulous and had dental implants placed between 2020 and 2022 were included. Preoperative radiographic examination was used to establish the kind of bone, which was then used to analyze implant survival rates and problems. A statistical study was carried out to compare the results between various bone kinds. The analysis comprised 225 edentulous patients in total. The implant survival rates varied according to the kind of bone; kind 1 bone had the highest survival rate (94.0%), while Type 4 bone had the lowest (75.0%). As bone quality declined, so did the incidence of complications such as peri-implantitis, implant movement, and implant breakage. In conclusion, this study emphasizes how important bone type is for implant survival rates and issues in edentulous individuals. Comprehending these correlations is essential for enhancing therapeutic results and directing clinical judgment in implant therapy.

Preserving natural dentition and enhancing prosthetic rehabilitation with Cu-Sil denture: A case report

Background: A specific type of transitional denture called a Cu-Sil denture provides a therapy alternative for people who have a lot of natural teeth still in place and do not want to have them extracted. This is particularly salutary for cases where people may feel tone-conscious about the negative impact of tooth loss on their appearance and emotional well-being. Purpose: The purpose of this case report is to provide prosthetic rehabilitation for a partially edentulous patient while conserving the remaining natural teeth and their supporting structures. Case: With only three teeth (12, 13, and 14) remained in the maxillary arch, a 63-year-old man complained to the department of prosthodontics that he had difficulties speaking and eating since he had been missing both upper and lower teeth for a period of five years. Case management:This case report represents a simple method to fabricate a Cu-Sil denture in a partially edentulous patient. Conclusion: Cu-Sil dentures present a promising alternative for partially edentulous patients, offering a method to preserve and support the remaining natural teeth while providing effective prosthetic rehabilitation. The relining material, silicone, functions as a cushion to support the remaining natural teeth. Additionally, the use of a chairside soft-tissue liner in the basic removable partial denture helps to stabilize and retain the existing natural teeth.

Comparison of Implant-Retained Overdenture and Conventional Complete Denture: A Survey Study to Measure Patients' Satisfaction and Quality of Life in Dental School Clinics.

Patient satisfaction and quality of life are integral to assessing oral health care quality. For many Americans still using conventional complete dentures (CDs) or implant-retained mandibular overdentures (IODs), it remains essential to consider improving their oral health outcomes and quality of life. Due to inexperienced student dentists providing dental care to dental school patients, patient grievances are generally considered a problem. Patient feedback and satisfaction have proven valuable resources for monitoring and improving patient safety. While CDs and IODs are the 2 leading treatment options for edentulism, more comparative studies in the literature need to compare their outcomes in a school setting. The research question that guided this comparative analysis was, "Is patient satisfaction and quality of life affected by the type of prostheses and provider?" A validated questionnaire was mailed to 520 individuals selected from records of patients who had received treatment for edentulous mandible at a student prosthodontic clinic at the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry from 2014 to 2016 with at least 1 year of follow-up time. A validated questionnaire for edentulous patients based on the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-19) was used. In addition, information on patients' oral health-related quality of life, including questions related to the edentulous patients' satisfaction with their dentures, was collected. The response rate was 33% (N = 171). The study's findings confirm previous findings, suggesting that IODs may significantly impact oral health-related quality of life. Data show that 76% of the IOD group reported improvement in experience when using the implants to retain the mandibular denture. However, there were no statistically significant differences in the OHIP scores between overall CD and IOD patient groups. Males with IODs had lower physical pain, limitations, and disability scores than males with CD. However, females with IODs reported more significant concerns associated with a social disability and handicap domains. Comparing users who had experiences with both treatment options, this study discerned essential characteristics that contribute to increased patient satisfaction with IODs and identified significance in outcomes by gender. These findings guide prosthodontic practitioners' patient care practices and identify a continuing need to discuss CD and IOD treatment protocols within dental school curricula.

Enhancing Precision and Efficiency in Fabricating Complete Arch Screw-Retained Implant Prosthesis: A Clinical Case Report Utilizing the Nexus iOS Scan Gauge System.

Achieving an accurate fit in a complete arch screw-retained implant prosthesis is paramount, regardless of whether analog or digital impressions are employed. In the context of complete arch implant prostheses, using intraoral scanners has sparked significant debate. However, recent advancements in scanner technology, specialized scan gauges meticulously calibrated for precise recording, and the implementation of appropriate scanning techniques have substantially improved the precision and accuracy of digital records. The Nexus iOS scan gauge system represents a pioneering approach, seamlessly integrating these optimization strategies into a purely digital workflow to fabricate complete arch screw-retained implant prostheses in edentulous patients. This case report elucidates the fabrication process of a complete arch screw-retained implant prosthesis that exhibited remarkable fitting accuracy and streamlined the treatment process to a mere 3 appointments. The patient reported high satisfaction with the efficient timeline, aesthetic appeal, and functional performance of the prosthesis. A distinctive advantage of this technique is the notable reduction in treatment steps compared to traditional procedures.

Maxillary and mandibular overdentures retained by two unsplinted narrow-diameter titanium-zirconium implants - Aclinical pilot study.

To evaluate the survival rates and marginal bone loss of narrow-diameter titanium-zirconium implants supporting complete maxillary and mandibular overdentures up to 3 years after loading. Ten completely edentulous patients who were dissatisfied with their complete dentures were enrolled. Two narrow-diameter implants were placed in the canine region of the maxilla and mandible. After second-stage surgery, implant-supported overdentures (palatal-free) attached by parallel alignable stud-attachments were placed. Patients were followed periodically for up to 36 months. Standardized radiographs were taken at baseline, 12 and 36 months to analyze mean marginal bone level changes around the implants. The Kaplan-Meier survival rates were 100% for mandibular and 68.0% (SE ± 10.9%) for maxillary implants at 36 months (p = .008). Six maxillary implants failed after loading; no mandibular implants were lost. Five implants failed due to loss of osseointegration. One implant fractured. The mean marginal bone level changes around the analyzed implants (n = 28, 9 patients) were -0.71 ± 0.82 mm in the mandible and -2.08 ± 1.52 mm in the maxilla at the 36-month follow-up. The difference in marginal bone level changes between the maxilla and mandible was significant (p = .019) at the 12- and 36-month follow-ups. Two narrow-diameter titanium-zirconium implants with stud-attachments showed a highly satisfactory outcome in the mandible. The maxillary implants showed a high failure rate and significantly more bone loss over time than the mandibular implants. The minimal concept of two implants and an overdenture should be limited to the edentulous mandible.

Effectiveness of Denture Cleansers on Candida albicans Biofilm on Conventionally Fabricated, Computer-Aided Design/Computer-Aided Manufacturing-Milled, and Rapid-Prototyped Denture Base Resins: An In Vitro Study.

Conventionally fabricated denture base resins have been used for over 150 years. Newer denture base resins can provide a superior fit and may be customized to the patient's characteristics, but the literature on their cleansibility remains limited. The oral cavitycan be a hub for thousands of microflora. The maintenance of complete dentures by edentulous patients depends not only on the maintenance of the patientbut also on the material used, biofilm adherence, and polishability. Cuboid specimens of 10 × 5 × 2 mm were designed using the Meshmixer version 3.5 software (Meshmixer, Australia). The standard tessellation (STL) file was importedand sent for printing (NextDent, Netherlands) (Group 1), milling in polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) (Ivotion, Ivoclar, Schaan, Liechtenstein) (Group 2), and wax milling (Upcera, China), followed by flasking, counter flasking, and packing using heat-cured acrylic resin (DPI, India) (Group 3). The obtained specimens were polished using pumice and sterilized using a UV sterilization unit. The specimens were then immersed in a suspension of candida broth. After three days of biofilm formation, a colony count was performed and noted as colony-forming units per milliliter (CFU/mL). Specimens were treated using Secure denture cleansing tablets (Ghent, New York), table salt (iodized table salt, Tata, India),Clinsodent (ICPA, Mumbai, India), and Polident denture cleansing powder (Polident, Ontario, Canada). A colony count was done after treatment, and the data were tabulated. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS software to compare the efficiency of denture cleansers in all three groups, and statistical significance was set at 0.05. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was done to confirm the normality of the data, followed by a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) test to compare the efficiency of denture cleansers on the removal of candida colonies. Milled denture base resins showed a significantly lower colony count when compared to printed and conventionally fabricated denture base resins. The denture cleansers showed high efficacy in all groups, with the most significant being Secure, which showed a mean difference ranging from 8.114 to 9.887 CFU/mL, followed by Clinsodent,showing a mean of 6.699-9.863 CFU/mL, followed closely by Polident, showing 4.964-7.114 CFU/mL, followed by table salt, being 5.254-8.920 CFU/mL. The 95% confidence interval confirmed statistical significance. The highest candida colony count was demonstrated by the conventional, followed by rapid prototyping, and was least with milled denture base resins. Following treatment with denture cleansers, Secure demonstrated almost complete eradication of colonies, making it the most effective option. Salt exhibited the lowest efficiency, followed closely by Polident and Clinsodent, and the most effective was Secure denture cleanser.

Fully integrated additive manufacturing of an obturator prosthesis for an edentulous patient with a maxillectomy defect

Maxillary defects pose challenges for prosthodontists, especially when patients have no remaining teeth. This clinical report describes rehabilitation with a complete denture obturator fabricated in 2 visits for an edentulous patient after a maxillectomy. The obturator base and artificial teeth were digitally designed and merged into a 1-piece prosthesis. Following a virtual reduction, the integrated prosthesis and a gingival veneer were calculated and then printed and bonded together to complete the fabrication. Balanced occlusion was achieved with the assistance of a digital occlusion analyzer at the insertion visit. This approach avoided base-tooth assembly deviations and provided a prosthesis with good patient-reported outcomes at the 6-month follow-up.

Benefits and risks of complete denture therapy in fully edentulous Indian patients.

The perceptions of the patients regarding the benefits and risk of complete denture treatment in completely edentulous patients are of interest. The study composed of 79 participants who presented themselves for complete denture therapy. The perception of the participants towards the complete denture therapy was recorded using a validated questionnaire. The answers of the questionnaire were evaluated in three domains: (1) Benefits (positive perception) of the complete denture therapy' (2) Risks (Negative perception) of the complete denture therapy and (3) Consequences of no treatment. The data were tabulated for descriptive analysis. The average age of the total population was 62.22 ranging from 58 to 80 years. Total population included in the study shows positive perception regarding the complete denture therapy. The benefits of the complete denture therapy show highest score (1817) by all the participants while the risks of the complete denture therapy show lowest score (237). The gender, denture experience and the socioeconomic status had no influence on the perception towards the complete denture therapy. Participants showed positive perception towards the complete denture therapy with highest score in benefits and lowest score for the risks of the complete denture therapy. The perception of the complete denture therapy was not influenced by the gender, denture experience and the socioeconomic status.

Benefits and risks of complete denture therapy in fully edentulous Indian patients

The perceptions of the patients regarding the benefits and risk of complete denture treatment in completely edentulous patients are of interest. The study composed of 79 participants who presented themselves for complete denture therapy. The perception of the participants towards the complete denture therapy was recorded using a validated questionnaire. The answers of the questionnaire were evaluated in three domains: (1) Benefits (positive perception) of the complete denture therapy’ (2) Risks (Negative perception) of the complete denture therapy and (3) Consequences of no treatment. The data were tabulated for descriptive analysis. The average age of the total population was 62.22 ranging from 58 to 80 years. Total population included in the study shows positive perception regarding the complete denture therapy. The benefits of the complete denture therapy show highest score (1817) by all the participants while the risks of the complete denture therapy show lowest score (237). The gender, denture experience and the socioeconomic status had no influence on the perception towards the complete denture therapy. Participants showed positive perception towards the complete denture therapy with highest score in benefits and lowest score for the risks of the complete denture therapy. The perception of the complete denture therapy was not influenced by the gender, denture experience and the socioeconomic status.

Merging Mandibular Virtual Data Sets in Partially Edentulous Patients with a High-level of Scattering on Cone-beam CT Scans: A Technical Report.

Digital implant planning, utilizing the convergence of digital surface scanners, cone beam computer tomography (CBCT) scans, and advanced planning software, has transformed dental implantology. The merging of these data sets through triangulation of landmarks provides a detailed digital model of the jaws, facilitating precise implant positioning in edentulous areas. A critical step in this digital workflow is the accurate merging of DICOM files with STL/PLY/OBJ files, which underpins the design and fabrication of surgical templates for accurate implant placement. Errors in this phase can lead to implant mispositioning or damage to adjacent structures. Particularly in partial edentulism, the merging is based on the occlusal topography of the remaining teeth but scattering in the CBCT data-caused by interactions of radiation with radiodense materials-can complicate this process or even render it impossible. The manuscript presents a technique utilizing radiopaque markers to overcome scattering effects, ensuring accurate dataset superimposition in the mandible.

THE ROLE OF THYROID & PARATHYROID HORMONES IN PROSTHODONTIC TREATMENT- A NARRATIVE REVIEW

Thyroid and parathyroid hormones play an important role in maintaining bone metabolism, which can have a direct effect on the health and stability of residual ridges, especially in edentulous patients. Preservation of residual ridges is critical to the success of dental prostheses such as dentures. Thyroid Hormones Thyroid is the major regulation of metabolism and effects all the bodily functions. Pituitary gland stimulated the thyroid to produce the hormones T4 – Thyroxine ; T3 – Tri iodothyrone and calcitonin. Thyroxine (T4) and Triiodothyronine (T3) hormones are important regulators of metabolism and influence the turnover of bone tissue by affecting the activity of osteoblasts and osteoclasts. a). Activation of osteoblasts: In particular, T3 increases the activity of osteoblasts, the cells responsible for bone formation. This can lead to an increase in bone density and strength, which is necessary to maintain the structure of the residual ridges. (b). Bone Resorption: Excessive levels of thyroid hormones (hyperthyroidism) can increase osteoclast activity, leading to accelerated bone resorption and possible bone loss, which can negatively affect residual ridges.[1]

Marginal changes at bone-level implants supporting dental prostheses with or without intermediate standardised abutments after 36 months: Randomised controlled clinical trial.

The objective of this study is to evaluate the changes at marginal bone level at implants restored with screw-retained prosthesis connected directly to the implants or with an intermediate abutment, after 3-year follow-up. Thirty-six partially edentulous patients received 72 implants. Each patient received 2 implants and a 2-4-unit screw-retained implant-prosthesis. The test group implants received a screw-retained prosthesis connected directly to the implant shoulder, the control group prosthesis were connected through a 3-mm standardised intermediate abutment. Clinical and radiological data were recorded at baseline and at 6-, 12-, and 36-month follow-up. At 36 months, the mean marginal bone loss was 0.13 ± 0.18 mm for the control group and 0.20 ± 0.24 for the test group, with no significant differences between groups (p > .05). Clinical variables (Probing Pocket Depth, Bleeding on Probing and Plaque Index) at 36 months also showed no significant difference between groups. Minor complications frequency was 6.7% in the control group and 5.3% in test group. None of the groups suffered from mayor complications. Patient Reported Outcomes (PROs) showed a General Satisfaction mean score in the control group of 9.40 (SD 0.82) and 9.37 (SD 1.06) in the test group with no significant differences between groups. Bone-level implants restored with screw-retained partial prostheses with or without intermediate abutments showed similar radiographic and clinical outcomes after 3 years.

Zirconia Dental Implants Surface Electric Stimulation Impact on Staphylococcus aureus.

Tooth loss during the lifetime of an individual is common. A strategy to treat partial or complete edentulous patients is the placement of dental implants. However, dental implants are subject to bacterial colonization and biofilm formation, which cause an infection named peri-implantitis. The existing long-term treatments for peri-implantitis are generally inefficient. Thus, an electrical circuit was produced with zirconia (Zr) samples using a hot-pressing technique to impregnate silver (Ag) through channels and holes to create a path by LASER texturing. The obtained specimens were characterized according to vitro cytotoxicity, to ensure ZrAg non-toxicity. Furthermore, samples were inoculated with Staphylococcus aureus using 6.5 mA of alternating current (AC). The current was delivered using a potentiostat and the influence on the bacterial concentration was assessed. Using AC, the specimens displayed no bacterial adhesion (Log 7 reduction). The in vitro results presented in this study suggest that this kind of treatment can be an alternative and promising strategy to treat and overcome bacterial adhesion around dental implants that can evolve to biofilm.

Management of the atrophic mandibular fractures: a ten-year prospective study of 48 injuries.

The purpose of this study was to (a) record and evaluate the epidemiological data relevant to the fractures of the atrophic mandible in the Greek population (b) present our experience in the management of these difficult injuries and (c) compare our results to the outcomes of other similar studies and discuss the postoperative complications. A prospective analysis of all the edentulous patients with fractures of the atrophic mandible treated at the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department of K.A.T General Hospital of Athens in Greece was performed from November 2012 to December 2022. Age, gender and medical history of the patient, etiology and site of the fracture, classification of atrophy, type of surgical approach, type of osteosynthesis and postoperative complication. 34 patients were included in the present study and 48 fractures of the atrophic edentulous mandible were managed surgically. 22 fractures were classified as class II of atrophy, 21 fractures as class III and 5 injuries as class I. In 32 patients we used an extraoral approach and only 2 patients were treated with an intraoral access. 44 fractures were treated with a 2.0mm locking reconstruction plate and only 4 injuries of class I atrophy were treated with mini plates. Clinical practice has confirmed that for these cases an extraoral approach followed by stable fixation with a 2.0mm reconstruction locking plate can deliver excellent results. Our findings show that the routine use of primary bone grafts is not necessary and can be reserved for more complex cases.

Long-Term Clinical Outcomes of 3D-Printed Subperiosteal Titanium Implants: A 6-Year Follow-Up.

As an alternative to regenerative therapies, numerous authors have recently proposed bringing back subperiosteal implants. The aim of the study was to present our clinical experience with a subperiosteal jaw implant that needs minimal bone preparation and enables the rapid implantation of prosthetic teeth in edentulous, atrophic alveolar bone. The research included 36 complete or partial edentulous patients (61 subperiostal implants) over a period of 6 years. To create the patient-specific subperiostal implants design, DentalCAD 3.0 Galway software (exocad GmbH, Darmstadt, Germany) was used and fabricated with a Mysint 100 (Sisma S.p.A., Piovene Rocchette, Italy) by titanium alloy powder. The results showed that only 9 of the 36 cases were successful at 6-year follow-up, while 27 cases had complications, including exposure of the metal frame (early or delayed), mobility of the device prior to the first 4-6 months, and late mobility due to recurrent infections and progressive structure exposure; 1 case failed for reasons unrelated to the device. This study indicated that the prudent application of fully customized subperiosteal jaw implants is a dependable alternative for the dental rehabilitation of atrophic edentulous cases that necessitate bone grafts for traditional fixed dental implant solutions.

Tomographic Planning of Dental Implants Using a Smartphone: Linear Measurements and Implant Selection-A Cross-Sectional Study.

This study assessed the accuracy of linear measurements and dental implant selection performed in a smartphone application compared to a computer software. Forty-four DICOM files from partially edentulous patients in the posterior region of the mandible were evaluated by three trained and calibrated examiners. Images were analyzed using three visualization methods: cross-sectional view (CScr) and coronal (CSco) plane using the CS 3D Imaging software, and coronal (DRco) plane using the DroidRender smartphone application. For the purpose of standardization, measurements of bone width and height were taken in the edentulous posterior region of the mandible, 10 mm posterior to the mental foramen. Dental implant selection was made according to Straumann® Standard implant catalog 2022/2023. Linear measurements were compared using the ANOVA test for repeated measurements and implant selection was compared using the Friedman test. Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS software, considering a significance level of 5%. Linear measurements showed a statistically significant difference for bone width (p = 0.030), but not for height (p = 0.685). The choice of implant was not influenced by the visualization method (p = 0.614). It is possible to suggest the use of smartphone applications as an additional diagnostic tool for DICOM evaluation and dental implant planning in the posterior region of the mandible. Smartphone applications allow an assessment not limited to 2D images or to static environments. Therefore, information exchange and diagnostic opinion in emergency situations may be facilitated.

Immediate Loading of 3-Unit Posterior Fixed Dental Prostheses on 3 Vs 2 Implants, Comparison and Evaluation with up to 10-Year Follow-up.

The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate and compare the implant survival rate, marginal bone levels and prostheses failure rate, of three-unit fixed dental prostheses (FDPs) supported by three vs. two implants immediately loaded in the posterior area. Partially edentulous patients in need of a three-unit implant supported FDP in the maxillary/mandibular posterior region were recruited and randomly split into two groups: Group 1 with three-unit FDP supported by three implants (Control); Group 2 with three-unit FDP supported by two implants (Test). Implants were inserted and immediately loaded with a temporary FDP. Sixty-three patients were included in the study. A total of 178 implants were placed and immediately loaded (128 maxillary/50 mandibular) to support 74 immediate provisional fixed prostheses (52 maxillary and 22 mandibular) delivered on the same day of implant insertion/placement; 30 in Group 1 and 44 in Group 2. The comparison of three vs. two implants resulted in comparable implant survival rate, marginal bone loss, and prostheses failure rate. All implants healed uneventfully with no adverse clinical and radiographical signs or symptoms except for one implant failure in Group 1 resulting in a cumulative success rate of 99,5%, 98,9% for Group 1 and 100% for Group 2 with a follow-up of 6-to-10 (mean 7 years). Once loaded, the implants remained in function from a minimum of 6 years to 10 years. Although more studies and larger sample sizes are needed to validate this study, the results showed no difference between the two Groups, demonstrating the potential viability of both clinical options.

Can narrow-diameter implants enhance patient-reported outcomes for mandibular implant-retained overdentures?

A systematic review and meta-analysis. To evaluate and compare stability and functionality between narrow and standard implant-retained mandibular overdentures in edentulous patients from multiple perspectives. Assessments included clinical parameters [survival rate (SR) and marginal bone loss (MBL)], along with patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) including patient satisfaction and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). The study protocol followed PRISMA criteria for reporting reviews and meta-analyses. Using appropriate keywords, electronic search was conducted in each of the following databases: Medline, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science, and Scopus, up to July 22, 2022. There were no restrictions based on language, publication type, or publication date. Additionally, ongoing studies were explored in ClinicalTrials.gov and WHO ICTRP, while cross-references in each selected study were manually examined. The eligible studies were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or controlled clinical trials (CCTs) comparing narrow implants (diameter ≤ 3.5 mm) to standard implants (diameter > 3.5-4.5 mm) retaining mandibular overdentures in edentulous patients. Excluded were studies with unclear implant diameter information, fewer than 5 patients per group, observational studies, reviews, and laboratory studies. Two authors independently conducted study selection, data collection, and analysis, resolving any discrepancies through discussion with a third author. Methodological quality was assessed using RoB-2 and ROBINS-I tools. Implant SR and MBL measurements at final follow-up were recorded, while patient satisfaction and OHRQoL were evaluated using visual analogue scale (VAS-100) and oral health impact profile (OHIP) questionnaire, respectively. After duplicate removal, 782 publications and 83 registered clinical trials were identified, of which 26 were eligible for full-text assessment. Ultimately, the quantitative evaluation included 12 publications from 8 independent studies: 4 parallel design RCTs and 4 CCTs. Risk of bias assessment revealed variations among the studies, with only one study being rated as having low risk. The follow-up periods ranged from 1 to 3 years. Meta-analysis showed no significant difference in SR and MBL between narrow and standard implant groups (p = 0.29 and p = 0.93, respectively), with considerable heterogeneity (I2 = 100% and I2 = 78%, respectively). Regarding PROMs, the narrow implant group showed significantly higher levels of patient satisfaction (mean difference (MD): 8.18; 95% CI: 5.83 to 10.53; p < 0.00001; I2 = 36%) and exhibited a significant improvement in OHRQoL (MD: -4.36; 95% CI: -6.83 to -1.89; p < 0.001; I2 = 55%) compared to the standard implant group. For implant-retained mandibular overdentures, the use of narrow implants is associated with comparable SR and MBL, along with higher patient satisfaction and better OHRQoL improvement as compared to standard implants, offering a viable alternative option for patients with diminished alveolar bone width.

Ultrasound analysis of the masseter and anterior temporalis muscles in edentulous patients rehabilitated with full-arch fixed implant-supported prostheses

ObjectivesTotal tooth loss is common in the aging population resulting in insufficient chewing function with subsequent weakening of the masticatory muscles. The study aims to evaluate the changes in thicknesses of the masseter and anterior temporal muscle in edentulous patients following the reconstruction of implant-supported fixed prostheses and compare them with the dentate individuals.Materials and methodsThe study was designed as a prospective, single-center, controlled clinical trial. A total of 60 participants were included in the present study. The patients were divided into two groups; Group I (Test Group): 30 edentulous patients who received implant-supported fixed prostheses, Group II (Control Group): 30 dentate individuals of an age and sex-matched group. Ultrasonography was used to measure the cross-sectional thickness of the left and right musculus masseter and anterior temporalis immediately after the cementation of the prosthetic rehabilitation (T1), on the 1st (T2) and 6th (T3) months after rehabilitation and at a single time point in the control group.ResultsThe results showed that there were significant comparison differences in muscle thickness at the baseline measurements between groups while at the end of the 6th month, these differences were not significant. The muscle thicknesses of both the masseter and anterior temporalis muscles increased significantly at T2 and T3 compared to T1 in the test group. The asymmetry index between the left and right muscles in the test group and the asymmetry differences between groups also decreased significantly at the end of the 6th month.ConclusionThe implant-supported fixed prostheses significantly increase the thicknesses of the masseter and anterior temporal muscle together with a decrease in the asymmetry between the left and right muscles. At six months, implant-treated patients showed similar muscle thicknesses compared to dentate individuals.Clinical relevanceThe findings suggest that implant-supported fixed prostheses can improve the masticatory function and facial symmetry of edentulous patients.

Clinical and radiographic performance of late placed and early loaded dental implants with a conditioned hydrophilic surface in posterior mandible sites: A prospective case series with an 8.5- to 9.5-year follow-up.

To assess the clinical outcomes by means of implant and prosthetic survival of late placed and early loaded implants with a hydrophilic, moderately rough surface for partially edentulous patients after a follow-up of 8.5 to 9.5 years. A prospective case series study involving 15 patients with single, late placed and early loaded implants in the posterior mandible was performed. Clinical and radiographical parameters, including biological and technical complications and patient satisfaction, were assessed. From an initial sample of 15 patients, 12 were included. A total of 16 implants were observed. After a mean follow-up of 9 years and 7 months (SD ± 3.8 months), implant success and survival rate were 100%. The prosthetic survival rate was 100%, and the prosthetic success rate was 93.8% since a major chipping was observed. No biological complications were observed, and the mean modified plaque index was 0.03 (SD ± 0.09) with a mean probing pocket depth of 2.95 mm (SD ± 0.09). A mean marginal bone level (MBL) of 0.04 mm (SD ± 0.88) and a mean VAS of 9.42 (SD ± 0.90) for patient satisfaction were recorded. Late placed and early loaded implants with a moderately rough endosseal surface are a reliable option for rehabilitating partially edentulous patients. An implant survival rate of 100% and a prosthodontic success rate of 93.8% were observed. Patient satisfaction scores were high and peri-implant hard and soft tissues remained healthy. The study findings should be carefully interpreted because of the small sample.