Search Results (16)

This study aimed to evaluate prosthetic complications, implant survival rates, and marginal bone loss in implant-supported monolithic restorations compared to metal-ceramic restorations. The study was registered in PROSPERO (CRD420251022336) and conducted following the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions and PRISMA guidelines. A systematic search was conducted in the electronic databases MEDLINE/PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, and ProQuest for articles published up to December 2024. The inclusion criteria comprised studies evaluating only randomized clinical trials that evaluated implant-supported monolithic restorations directly compared to metal-ceramic restorations, considering any type of ceramic material and regardless of the fixation system (screw-retained or cemented), with a minimum follow-up of one year. A meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4 software, and the risk of bias and certainty of evidence were assessed using the RoB 2.0 and GRADE tools, respectively. A total of six studies were included, all of which exclusively evaluated monolithic zirconia single crowns over follow-up periods ranging from 1 to 3 years. None of the included studies evaluated fixed partial dentures or restorative materials other than monolithic zirconia. In total, 267 patients (mean age range: 18–57 years) were analyzed, with a total of 174 implant-supported monolithic zirconia crowns and 165 metal-ceramic single crowns in the posterior region (premolars and molars). The meta-analysis revealed that implant-supported monolithic zirconia single crowns exhibited significantly fewer prosthetic complications compared to metal-ceramic single crowns (p < 0.0001; Risk Ratio [RR]: 0.26; Confidence Interval [CI]: 0.14–0.47). However, no statistically significant differences were observed between implant-supported monolithic zirconia and metal-ceramic single crowns regarding implant survival rates (p = 0.36; RR: 1.66; CI: 0.56–4.94) or marginal bone loss (p = 0.15; Mean Difference [MD]: −0.05; CI: −0.11–0.02). The risk of bias assessment indicated that four studies had a low risk of bias. However, the certainty of evidence was classified as low for prosthetic complications and implant survival rates and very low for marginal bone loss. Within the limitations of this review, it can be concluded that implant-supported monolithic zirconia single crowns can be considered a favorable treatment option as they show comparable implant survival and bone stability to metal-ceramic crowns, with a potential reduction in short-term prosthetic complications such as screw loosening and ceramic chipping. However, due to the limited number of studies included and low certainty of evidence, further long-term research is still needed to confirm their clinical performance over time. Full article

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) has emerged as a revolutionary material in modern dentistry because of its unique combination of mechanical strength, biocompatibility, and versatility. This literature review examines the current applications and future potential of PEEK in various dental disciplines. PEEK’s favorable properties, including its low specific weight, high strength-to-weight ratio, and ability to be easily machined, have led to its adoption in prosthetics, implantology, and dental esthetic restorations. This material has shown promise for fabricating crowns, bridges, removable partial denture frameworks, and implant components. PEEK’s radiolucency and bone-like elastic modulus make it particularly suitable for dental implants and abutments. Additionally, its resistance to degradation and compatibility with various surface treatments enhances its long-term performance in the oral environment. While challenges such as bonding to other dental materials and aesthetic limitations exist, ongoing research is addressing these issues through surface modifications and composite formulations. As the dental field continues to evolve, PEEK’s adaptability and biocompatibility position it a key player in the development of next-generation dental materials and techniques, potentially transforming patient care and treatment outcomes in dentistry. Full article

Background/Objectives: Recent research has indicated that placing dental implants in patients diagnosed with bruxism has led to higher rates of implant failure. This study aimed to provide more accurate knowledge about the relationship between bruxism and implant loss in patients (number, age, gender) with different numbers of implants and prosthetic restorations, considering the follow-up time, compared to non-bruxers. Methods: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed and Cochrane Library using the keyword combination “dental implant”, “bruxism”, and “implant failure”. This search had no language or time restrictions. Results: The review included 15 papers, which were divided into four groups. The first group focused on studies regarding implant loss regardless of the superstructure. In the second group, research on implant-supported removable prostheses was examined. The third group consisted of a single study specifically addressing implant-supported single crowns. Lastly, the fourth group comprised two studies investigating implant-supported single crowns and fixed partial dentures. Only three out of the fifteen studies failed to find a correlation between bruxism and implant failure. The meta-analysis shows a significant pooled effect across the included studies, with an odds ratio of 4.68. Conclusions: Bruxism is a probable risk factor for mechanical issues in implant-supported prostheses and implant-supported crowns. Additionally, elevated failure rates have been documented in patients with bruxism. Full article

This study aimed to assess clinical and radiographic outcomes, including implant survival, marginal bone loss, and patient satisfaction, in individuals with severe bone atrophy treated using a newly developed system of short and extra-short implants. A total of 44 implants (37 short and 7 extra-short) were placed with immediate loading in 11 patients. The patients were followed up at between 6 and 24 months. Bone changes, keratinized mucosa, bleeding on probing, probing depth, crown-to-implant ratio, and patient satisfaction were evaluated. An implant survival and success rate of 100% was observed. The peri-implant bone condition showed no significant associations between marginal bone loss (MBL) and gingival recession. In extra-short implants, the crown-to-implant ratio did not affect MBL in the evaluated times. However, short implants showed a statistically significant inverse correlation between mesial measurement and crown-to-implant ratio (p = 0.006) and between distal measurement and crown-to-implant ratio (p = 0.004) over six months. Plaque was present in the mesiobuccal regions in 38.64% of the implants, with extra-short implants having the highest relative frequency (71.4%). Bleeding was observed in 18.9% of the short implants in the mesiolingual region and 14.3% of the extra-short implants. There was a statistically significant association between bleeding on probing in the mesiobuccal region and the type of implant (p = 0.026). The analysis of probing depth showed no difference between the types of implants. Within the limits of this study, short and extra-short implants presented similar clinical and radiographic behavior of soft and hard tissues in the evaluated times. Full article

Objective: This study aimed to assess the impact of artificial intelligence (AI)-driven noise reduction algorithms on metal artifacts and image quality parameters in cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images of the oral cavity. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included 70 patients, 61 of whom were analyzed after excluding those with severe motion artifacts. CBCT scans, performed using a Hyperion X9 PRO 13 × 10 CBCT machine, included images with dental implants, amalgam fillings, orthodontic appliances, root canal fillings, and crowns. Images were processed with the ClariCT.AI deep learning model (DLM) for noise reduction. Objective image quality was assessed using metrics such as the differentiation between voxel values (ΔVVs), the artifact index (AIx), and the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR). Subjective assessments were performed by two experienced readers, who rated overall image quality and artifact intensity on predefined scales. Results: Compared with native images, DLM reconstructions significantly reduced the AIx and increased the CNR (p < 0.001), indicating improved image clarity and artifact reduction. Subjective assessments also favored DLM images, with higher ratings for overall image quality and lower artifact intensity (p < 0.001). However, the ΔVV values were similar between the native and DLM images, indicating that while the DLM reduced noise, it maintained the overall density distribution. Orthodontic appliances produced the most pronounced artifacts, while implants generated the least. Conclusions: AI-based noise reduction using ClariCT.AI significantly enhances CBCT image quality by reducing noise and metal artifacts, thereby improving diagnostic accuracy and treatment planning. Further research with larger, multicenter cohorts is recommended to validate these findings. Full article

Peri-implant infections, in the absence of adequate treatment, can finally lead to premature loss of the implant. Among targeted protocols recently proposed for the treatment of peri-implant bone defects, and in the case of short implants, reconstructive surgery represents a recommended option. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcomes, in terms of maintenance, of a reconstructive treatment for peri-implantitis in locking-taper plateau-design single-crown implants, followed for 5 years after surgery. A retrospective evaluation was conducted in 20 patients treated with access flap surgery, concomitant chemical and mechanical surface decontamination, and bone grafting (using a self-hardening mixture of bone substitutes and biphasic calcium sulfate without the use of membranes). Of the 21 implants assessed, 9 were 8 mm-length, and 12 were 6 mm-length. Implant loss and treatment success were, respectively, 0% and 80.95% after 5 years from surgery. All parameters related to bone levels and soft tissue conditions significantly improved after 3 years and remained stable at the 5-year follow-up. The proposed protocol, followed by an effective supporting periodontal therapy, demonstrated the maintenance of the function of all implants, providing adequate stability during the healing process after surgery and limiting the onset of disease recurrence. Full article

The aim of this present record-based retrospective study was to investigate the influence of the crown-implant ratio (CIR) and implant inclination in relation to the occlusal plane on the marginal bone loss (MBL) around dental implants supporting single crowns in the posterior region of the jaws. All the cases of implant-supported single crowns in the premolar and molar regions were initially considered for inclusion. Only implants not lost, with baseline radiographs taken within 12 months after implant placement and with a minimum of 36 months of radiological follow-up, were considered for the analysis of MBL. Univariate linear regression models were used to compare MBL over time between 12 clinical covariates, after which a linear mixed-effects model was built. After the exclusion of 49 cases, a total of 316 implant-supported single crowns in 234 patients were included. The results from the statistical models suggested that implant inclination and anatomical- and clinical CIR (the main related factors investigated in the study) were not statistically significantly related to MBL over time. Age (older people), tooth region (premolar), and bruxism (bruxers) had a statistically significant influence on MBL over time. Full article

Dental implants provide a good solution for the replacement of tooth roots. However, the full restoration of tooth functions relies on the bone-healing period before positioning the abutment and the crown on the implant, with the associated risk of post-operative infection. This study aimed at developing a homogeneous and adherent thin calcium phosphate antibacterial coating on titanium dental implants by electrodeposition to favor both implant osseointegration and to limit peri-implantitis. By combining global (XRD, FTIR-ATR, elemental titration) and local (SEM, Raman spectroscopy on the coating surface and thickness) characterization techniques, we determined the effect of electrodeposition time on the characteristics and phases content of the coating and the associated mechanism of its formation. The 1-min-electrodeposited CaP coating (thickness: 2 ± 1 μm) was mainly composed of nano-needles of octacalcium phosphate. We demonstrated its mechanical stability after screwing and unscrewing the dental implant in an artificial jawbone. Then, we showed that we can reach a high copper incorporation rate (up to a 27% Cu/(Cu+Ca) molar ratio) in this CaP coating by using an ionic exchange post-treatment with copper nitrate solution at different concentrations. The biological properties (antibiofilm activity and cytotoxicity) were tested in vitro using a model of mixed bacteria biofilm mimicking peri-implantitis and the EN 10993-5 standard (direct contact), respectively. An efficient copper-doping dose was determined, providing an antibiofilm property to the coating without cytotoxic side effects. By combining the electrodeposition and copper ionic exchange processes, we can develop an antibiofilm calcium phosphate coating on dental implants with a tunable thickness and phases content. Full article

This study aimed to find the optimum mechanical characteristics of the restorative materials for the manufacture of implant crowns subjected to impact loading when different combinations of materials are used for the inner and outer crown. Several combinations of external–internal crown restorative materials were analyzed. The dynamic stresses at eight different zones of a dental implant subjected to an impact load and the influence of several mechanical properties, such as the Young’s modulus, Poisson’s ratio, density, and initial velocity, were analyzed and compared. A detailed 3D model was created, including the crown, the retention screw, the implant, and a mandible section. The model was then built by importing the 3D geometries from CAD software. The whole 3D model was carefully created in order to guarantee a finite element mesh that produced results adjusted to physical reality. Then, we conducted a numerical simulation using the finite element method (FEM). The results of the FEM analysis allowed for evaluating the effect that different combinations of restorative materials and mechanical properties had on the stress distribution in various regions of the implant. The choice of restorative material is a factor to be considered in order to preserve the integrity of osseointegration. Restorative materials transfer more or less stress to the dental implant and surrounding bone, depending on their stiffness. Therefore, an inadequate Young’s modulus of the rehabilitation material can affect the survival of the implant over time. Eight interactive graphics were provided on a web-based surface platform to help clinical dentists, researchers, and manufacturers to select the best restorative materials combination for the crown. Full article

Background: The purpose of this study was to measure and compare the strain levels in the peri-implant bone as generated by the blade-like implant (BLI) and the screw-type implant (STI) with two different internal connections (hexagonal and conical) and with a 1:1 and 2:1 crown/implant (C/I) ratio. Methods: The implants (BLI and STI) were placed into sawbones according to the manufacturer’s protocol. Two strain gauges, horizontal and vertical to the implant axis, were placed around each implant on the bone surface 1 mm from the cervical part. Each implant was loaded by a material testing machine at a force of 100 N. Micro-strains (με) generated in the surrounding bone were measured by a strain gauge and recorded. Results: Recorded micro-strains were not significant in both the insertion and loading phases (p < 0.0625). The average recorded micro-strain values were lower in the horizontal dimension of STI with hexagonal connection when the C/I ratio was 2:1 compared with BLI, 210 με and 443 με, respectively. Conclusion: Within the limitations of this study, implant design, implant-abutment connection and C/I ratio did not influence strain values in bone and there is no statistically significant effect of these parameters on bone. Full article

Climate change is one of the environmental issues of global dominance and public opinion, becoming the greatest environmental challenge and of interest to researchers. In this context, planting trees on marginal agricultural land is considered a favourable measure to alleviate climate change, as they act as carbon sinks. Aerial laser scanning (ALS) data is an emerging technology for quantitative measures of C stocks. In this study, an estimation was made of the gains of C in biomass and soil in carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) plantations established on agricultural land in southern Spain. The average above-ground biomass (AGB) corresponded to 85.5% of the total biomass (average 34.01 kg tree⁻¹), and the root biomass (BGB) was 14.5% (6.96 kg tree⁻¹), with a BGB/AGB ratio of 0.20. The total SOC stock in the top 20 cm of the soil (SOC-S₂₀) was 60.70 Mg C ha⁻¹ underneath the tree crown and 43.63 Mg C ha⁻¹ on the non-cover (implantation) area for the C. siliqua plantations. The allometric equations correlating the biomass fractions with the dbh and Ht as independent variables showed an adequate fit for the foliage (Wf, R²_adj = 0.70), whereas the fits were weaker for the rest of the fractions (R²_adj < 0.60). The individual trees were detected using colour orthophotography and the tree height was estimated from 140 crowns previously delineated using the 95th percentile ALS-metric. The precision of the adjusted models was verified by plotting the correlation between the LiDAR-predicted height (HL) and the field data (R²_adj = 0.80; RMSE = 0.53 m). Following the selection of the independent variable data, a linear regression model was selected for dbh estimation (R²_adj = 0.64), and a potential regression model was selected for the SOC (R²adj = 0.81). Using the segmentation process, a total of 8324 trees were outlined in the study area, with an average height of 3.81 m. The biomass C stock, comprising both above- and below-ground biomass, was 4.30 Mg C ha⁻¹ (50.67 kg tree⁻¹), and the SOC_20-S was 37.45 Mg C ha⁻¹. The carbon accumulation rate in the biomass was 1.94 kg C tree⁻¹ yr⁻¹ for the plantation period. The total C stock (W_-S and SOC_20-S) reached 41.75 Mg ha⁻¹ and a total of 4091.5 Mg C for the whole plantation. Gleaned from the synergy of tree cartography and these models, the distribution maps with foreseen values of average C stocks in the planted area illustrate a mosaic of C stock patterns in the carob tree plantation. Full article

For restorations on teeth involving invasion of the supracrestal tissue attachment (biological width), as well as for lack of ferrule effect, crown lengthening is required for long-term periodontal health and success of the restoration. In the same fashion, site development is often necessary prior to implant placement in order to provide optimal peri-implant soft and hard tissue architecture conducive to future esthetics and function. Orthodontic extrusion, also known as forced eruption, has been developed and employed clinically to serve the purposes of increasing the clinical crown length, correcting the periodontal defect, and developing the implant site. In order to provide comprehensive guidance on the clinical usage of this technique and maximize the outcome for patients who receive the dental restoration, the currently available literatures were summarized and discussed in the current review. Compared to traditional crown lengthening surgery, forced eruption holds advantages of preserving supporting bone, providing improved esthetics, limiting the involvement of adjacent teeth, and decreasing the negative impact on crown-to-root ratio compared to the traditional resective approach. As a non-invasive and natural technique capable of increasing the available volume of bone and soft tissue, forced eruption is also an attractive and promising option for implant site development. Both fixed and removable appliances can be used to achieve the desired extrusion, but patient compliance is a primary limiting factor for the utilization of removable appliances. In summary, forced eruption is a valuable treatment adjunct for patients requiring crown lengthening or implant restorations. Nonetheless, comprehensive evaluation and treatment planning are required for appropriate case selection based upon the known indications and contraindications for each purpose; major contraindications include inflammation, ankylosis, hypercementosis, vertical root fracture, and root proximity. Further studies are necessary to elucidate the long-term stability of orthodontically extruded teeth and the supporting bone and soft tissue that followed them. Full article

Short 6 mm dental implants are considered as an alternative to the maxillary sinus elevation and bone augmentation procedure where there is a reduced alveolar ridge height. The aim of this study was to compare the implant survival rate between short dental implants (6 mm) and regular length implants (11–13 mm) when placed in combination with bone grafting and loaded with a single non splinted crown, seven years after placing the implant. It was conducted as a controlled clinical study of 30 patients with partial edentulism in the posterior maxilla. The protocol included radiological and clinical evaluation of the C/I ratio (length of the superstructure divided by the length of the implant crestal part), marginal bone level (MBL), ultrasonography measurement of soft tissue surrounding implant (STT), patient-reported outcomes, and biological and technical complications. A total number of 28 implants (93%) remained integrated during follow-up period. MBL of 0.50 and 0.52 mm was observed for short implants and regular implants, respectively. MBL was checked for correlation with STT, and a negative correlation was found between MBL: STT. Our study has demonstrated a significantly lower implant survival rate for short implants compared to regular implants (87% compared to 100%). Despite the loss of several implants, good clinical results were achieved in the remaining implants in both groups. It is, therefore, worth considering short implants as an alternative to regular implants with a sinus lift surgery. Full article

Short implants are an increasingly common alternative to other surgical techniques in areas where bone availability is reduced. Despite the advantages they offer, a variety of biological repercussions have been described in the literature that can even lead to the loss of these. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to analyze the impact of the use of short implants on their survival and on peri-implant bone loss, evaluating the influence that length, diameter, and crown-to-implant ratio (C/I) have on these parameters. This systematic review was based on guidelines proposed by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). An electronic search was conducted using terms related to the use of short implants in partially or totally edentulous patients. A total of five databases were consulted in the literature search: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, Scopus, and Web of Science. After eliminating the duplicate articles and assessing which ones met the inclusion criteria, 15 articles were included for the qualitative analysis and 14 for the quantitative study. Through meta-analysis, the percentage of implant loss and peri-implant bone loss was estimated. Relating these parameters to length, diameter, and C/I ratio, no significant differences have been found for implant loss (values of p = 0.06, 0.10, and 0.9, respectively for length, diameter, and C/I ratio), nor for peri-implant bone loss (values of p = 0.71, 0.72, and 0.36, respectively for length, diameter, and C/I ratio). In conclusion, the use of short implants does not seem to have a significant influence on marginal bone loss or the survival rate of implants. Full article

Background: Previous studies have suggested that mucosal height is related to the bone level and soft tissue thickness. The purpose of this pilot study was to investigate the ratio between the height and width of the tissues around single implants with a conical connection and platform switching. Methods: All patients receiving single implants (Anyridge^®, MegaGen, Gyeongbuk, South Korea) and restored with single crowns, in a three-month period, were included in this study. After a provisionalization of 12 months, precision impressions were taken and stone casts were poured for measurements. For each implant, two values were collected at the buccal site: the mucosal height (MH), calculated from the vestibular shoulder of the implant to the upper gingival margin of the supra-implant tissue; and the mucosal thickness (MT), calculated from the vestibular shoulder of the analogue to the external mucosa point perpendicular to the implant major axis. Mean, standard deviation (SD), and confidence intervals (CI 95%) for MH and MT, as well as their ratios, were calculated. Correlation between MH and MT was assessed by Pearson’s correlation coefficient, with significance level set at 0.05. Results: 32 single Anyridge^® implants were eligible for this evaluation. The mean MH was 3.44 mm (±1.28), the mean MT was 3.29 (±1.46). The average of the ratio between MH and MT of the supra-implant mucosa was therefore 1:1.19 (±0.55). The relation between MH and MT was statistically significant at p ≤ 0.01 (Pearson two-tailed 95% CI). Conclusions: Our study found a constant relationship between width and height of the peri-implant mucosa. However, our results are different from those of Nozawa et al., who found a ratio of 1:1.5 between height and thickness of the peri-implant tissues. This may be determined by the different sample and follow-up period, as well as by the implants used in our study. Full article