Successful rehabilitation of severely atrophic, short-span edentulous ridges in esthetic regions can seldom be done without some form of vertical ridge augmentation (VRA). The best available evidence shows that guided bone regeneration procedures may present a very predictable option with reduced potential for complications compared to alternative options. The present case series presents a novel technique to achieve predictable VRA with a low complication rate using tenting screws and cross-linked resorbable membranes. A total of 10 patients (5 men, 5 women) with severe vertical defects in the esthetic zone participated in this study. Following a mean healing time of 9.3 months, the mean defect resolution was 80%, with a mean vertical bone gain of 6.2 ± 1.61 mm. Only one case presented with reduced defect resolution (50%); however, the bone gain for this case was 6 mm.

Purpose: To assess site-related features of peri-implantitis occurring adjacent to teeth and its association with the proximal periodontal bone level. Materials and Methods: Periapical radiographs were collected from partially edentulous patients exhibiting peri-implantitis adjacent to teeth. The following variables were quantified: intrabony defect width (DW), implant marginal bone loss (MBLi), tooth marginal bone loss (MBLt), implant-tooth distance (ITd), intrabony defect angulation (DA), adjacent periodontal bone peak height (ABPh), and implant-tooth angulation (ITa). A correlation matrix using the Spearman correlation coefficient was created to explore the dependence of these variables. Univariate linear regression analysis was carried out by means of generalized estimating equations (GEE), using MBLt as dependent variable. Results: Overall, 61 patients and 84 implants were included in this study, consisting of a total of 105 implant sites facing adjacent teeth. This resulted in 515 linear and 194 angular measurements. A total of 11 different statistically significant associations were demonstrated between the different variables analyzed. Moreover, the univariate regression analysis revealed significant positive associations between MBLt and MBLi (P = .013) and between MBLt and periodontitis (PD) (P = .014). These associations were confirmed in the multivariate model. Conclusions: Teeth adjacent to untreated peri-implantitis lesions are associated with proximal loss of periodontal support. This finding is more remarkable in scenarios that display short implant-tooth distance. Schlagwörter: peri-implantitis, peri-implant diseases, dental implant, periodontal disease, periodontitis

This retrospective study investigates the efficacy of the socket shield (SS) in preserving inter-implant papilla and bone in anterior adjacent implant sites. Clinical and radiographic records of 23 patients were evaluated. A total of 31 implants were placed immediately into extraction sockets with SS, resulting in 26 inter-implant sites, and 7 implants were placed without SS. After a mean follow-up of 41.5 months (range: 12 to 124 months), 30/31 (96.8%) implants with SS and 7/7 (100%) implants without SS were clinically successful. The mean changes in inter-implant papilla and bone heights were –0.40 mm and –0.46 mm, respectively. The effects of implant placement timing and the socket shield number, shape, and crestal level on inter-implant tissue height changes were found to be insignificant (P > .05). Supracrestal shield level (31.6% vs 16.6% in equicrestal), U-shape shield (41.2% vs 7.1% in C-shape), and shield-to-implant contact (40.0% vs 12.5% in no contact) were associated with increased occurrence of exposures. The application of SS in adjacent anterior implant situations is a viable treatment option for maintaining inter-implant papilla.

Maintaining facial soft tissue contour and inter-implant papilla are challenging for implants in the esthetic zone. To counteract the inevitable hard and soft tissue changes after tooth extraction, the socket shield technique (SST) has been advocated as means to maintain the facial and/ or interproximal osseous and gingival architecture. Because SST is a technique-sensitive procedure, various complications related to SST have been reported. This article presents a unique complication after a socket shield procedure and a novel management of the complication.

Purpose: The purpose of this cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) study was to investigate the probability of using straight screw-channel screw-retained restorations following an immediate implant placement and provisionalization protocol in maxillary anterior teeth utilizing implant planning software. Materials and methods: A retrospective review of CBCT images was done. The midsagittal images of maxillary anterior teeth (right canine to left canine) were created in implant planning software, screen-captured, and transferred to a presentation program. The digital implant templates were created for 3.5-mm-diameter (used for central and lateral incisors) and 4.5-mm-diameter (used for central incisors and canines) tapered implants with lengths of 13, 15, and 18 mm. The frequency percentages of immediate implant placement and provisionalization and immediate implant placement and provisionalization with straight screw-channel screw-retained restorations were recorded and compared among all maxillary anterior teeth. Results: CBCT images from 1,200 teeth were evaluated. The overall frequency percentages of immediate implant placement and provisionalization and immediate implant placement and provisionalization with straight screw-channel screw-retained restoration were 84% (range = 74% to 92%) and 14% (range = 10% to 24%), respectively. Conclusion: Although the probability of being able to employ immediate implant placement and provisionalization with a straight screw-channel screw-retained restoration in the esthetic zone is low, the use of smaller-diameter implants can substantially increase the probability. Schlagwörter: cone beam computed tomography, dental implantation, dental implants, esthetics, immediate placement, prosthodontics

The peri-implant soft tissue seal consists of a connective tissue cuff and a junctional epithelium that is different from the arrangement of periodontium around a natural tooth. However, the peri-implant soft tissue complex lacks Sharpey's fibers, thus offering less resistance to clinical probing and biofilm penetration compared to the natural dentition. Therefore, the proper restorative emergence profile design is essential to facilitate favorable esthetic outcomes and maintain periimplant health. The aim of this article is to review the currently available evidence related to the design of subgingival (critical and subcritical) and supragingival contours of the implant restorative emergence profile (IREP) as well as provide a flowchart for decision-making in clinical practice. Theoretically, the subgingival contours of the crown/abutment complex should mimic the morphology of the root and the cervical third of the anatomic crown as much and as often as possible. However, this is highly dependent upon the three-dimensional spatial position of the implant relative to the hard and soft tissue complex, in addition to the location of the definitive restoration. Frequently, a convex critical contour is required on the facial aspect of a palatally or incisally positioned implant to support an adequate gingival-margin architecture. Conversely, if the implant is placed too far facially, then a flat or concave contour is recommended. In instances where soft tissue support is not needed, the subcritical area may be undercontoured to increase the thickness, height, and stability of the soft tissue cuff.

Purpose: This pilot study evaluated and compared the degree of new bone formation following maxillary sinus graft using three different bone graft materials. Materials and Methods: Patients with an edentulous posterior maxilla (unilateral or bilateral) were included in this study and underwent a two-stage procedure. Each sinus was randomly assigned one of the three graft materials: anorganic bovine bone mineral (ABBM), anorganic equine bone mineral (AEBM), or mineralized cancellous bone allograft (MCBA). Bone core samples were obtained from the lateral wall of the grafted sites at least 8 months after maxillary sinus graft. Bone quality was evaluated during bone core retrieval. The samples were histomorphometrically analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn-Bonferroni tests at the significance level of α = .05. Results: A total of 28 sinuses (14 unilateral and 7 bilateral) from 21 subjects, with a mean age of 61.5 (range: 33 to 75) years, were included in the study. Twenty-eight bone cores (ABBM [n = 9], AEBM [n = 9], and MCBA [n = 10]) were obtained at a mean healing time of 9.1 (range: 8 to 12) months. Six maxillary sinus membrane perforations (≤ 5 mm) were noted and repaired during surgery (21.4%). Histomorphometric analysis of the harvested bone cores revealed statistically significant differences in the percentage of vital bone, residual bone materials, and connective tissue/marrow among the different graft materials (Kruskal-Wallis; P < .05). The percentage of vital bone in the MCBA group (32.0% ± 12.4%) was significantly greater than those in the ABBM (10.9% ± 8.9%) and AEBM (9.1% ± 5.9%) groups (P < .05). The percentage of residual bone materials in the MCBA group (5.5% ± 5.7%) was, however, significantly less than those in the ABBM (34.3% ± 12.1%) and AEBM (38.9% ± 5.3%) groups (P < .05). There were no significant differences in the percentage of vital bone and residual bone materials between ABBM and AEBM (P = 1.0). Newly formed bone and residual graft materials were integrated into the surrounding tissue with no sign of inflammation or foreign-body reaction. Conclusion: Within the confines of the study, MCBA has significantly greater new bone formation than ABBM and AEBM. AEBM showed comparable histomorphometric results in all parameters (percentage of vital bone, residual bone materials, and connective tissue/marrow) to ABBM. Schlagwörter: bone formation, bone graft materials, histomorphometric analysis, maxillary sinus graft

Two common complications that occur following immediate implant placement and provisionalization procedures in the anterior maxilla are changes to the facial periimplant soft tissue levels and the facial contours. To counteract these changes, different techniques and treatments have been recommended. The recently introduced socket-shield technique (SST) appears to be a viable treatment option for stabilizing the facial osseous and gingival architecture; however, preparation of the root fragment can present challenges. This article describes a surgical approach designed to facilitate preparation of the facial root fragment.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of bone sounding (BS) in assessing the facial osseous-gingival tissue relationship (FOGTR) of failing maxillary anterior teeth. Dental records of patients who received immediate implant placement (IIP) at the maxillary anterior area were screened. Mid- FOGTR prior to extraction (BS), and immediately after flapless extraction (direct bone level [DBL] measurement) were analyzed. A total of 160 patients with 190 maxillary anterior teeth were included. The mean FOGTR obtained from BS and DBL were 3.19 ± 0.71 mm and 3.47 ± 1.29 mm, respectively (P = .004). The two measurements were identical 83.2% of the time, within 1-mm discrepancy 4.7% of the time, and > ± 1 mm discrepancy 12.1% of the time. When discrepancy was observed, BS underestimated DBL 14.2% of the time and overestimated 2.6% of the time. Though statistically significant, the correlation was weak (Pearson correlation coefficient r = .238, P = .0018). BS is an acceptably accurate and minimally invasive diagnostic tool for measuring FOGTR. However, while the mean difference between BS and DBL measurement is small (0.28 mm), the large range of difference can be alarming. Therefore, clinicians should always prepare alternative treatment options for IIP prior to extraction.

Im Oberkiefer-Frontzahnbereich gibt es zwei häufige Komplikationen nach einer Sofortimplantation und provisorischen Versorgung: Veränderungen des vestibulären Niveaus der periimplantären Weichgewebe und Veränderungen der vestibulären Kammkontur. Diverse Behandlungstechniken wurden vorgeschlagen, um diese Veränderungen zu verhindern. Die kürzlich vorgestellte Socket-Shield-Technik (SST) scheint eine sinnvolle Behandlungsoption zur Stabilisierung der vestibulären Knochen- und Mukosaarchitektur zu sein. Allerdings ist die Präparation des Wurzelfragments unter Umständen problematisch. In diesem Beitrag wird ein chirurgischer Ansatz beschrieben, mit dessen Hilfe die Präparation des vestibulären Wurzelfragments erleichtert werden soll.