This summary is based on the article published in Dental Clinics of North America: Implant-related Nerve Injuries (April 2015) Ricardo A. Boyce, DDS, FICD; Gary Klemons, DDS Context Nerve injuries in the maxillofacial region may happen as a result of trauma, neoplasms, infections, or secondary to a surgical procedure. Because of the limitations of such investigations there is a large range in the rates of injury reported from study to study.1 To complicate the issue further, the data are usually stratified, separating transient impairment from permanent loss of function, and only occasionally is the presence or absence of painful neuralgias ...

This summary is based on the article published in Dental Clinics of North America: Treatment Planning for Restorative Implantology (April 2015) Ricardo A. Boyce, DDS, FICD; Gary Klemons, DDS Context More than 30 million people Americans are missing their teeth, according to the American Academy of Implant Dentistry. The restorative dentist should inquire about: If there were any surgical complications, Insertion torque, If there was a need for bone grafting or sinus lift, The size/diameter of the platform and length of the implant, The implant manufacturer, The estimated time of placement of the healing cap, and The clearance from the ...

This summary is based on the article published in Dental Clinics of North America: Basic Concepts and Techniques of Dental Implants (April 2015) Jonathan M. Tagliareni, DDS; Earl Clarkson, DDS Context Dental implants provide a predictable, effective, and reliable means for tooth replacements. Additionally, dental implants provide completely edentulous and partial edentulous patients the function and esthetics they had with natural dentition. It enables patients to regain normal masticatory function, esthetics, speech, smile, and deglutition. In patients with orofacial pain, it may resolve painful symptoms as well as improve facial esthetics and appearance. Key Points Biological and Functional Considerations Osseointegration is ...

This summary is based on the article published in the Australian Endodontic Journal: Should retention of a tooth be an important goal of dentistry? (April 2015) Jessica J. Zachar Context Whether a questionable tooth should be treated endodontically or extracted, is still a dilemma that clinicians encounter every day. With advances in technology such as implantology, deciding whether or not to save a tooth is still not clear. Local site-specific factors and patient-related factors that may affect the longevity of a particular tooth should be considered in preparing the treatment plan. Long-term success rates for root canal therapy and implant-supported ...

This summary is based on the article published in Dental Clinics of North America: Key Local and Surgical Factors Related to Implant Failure (January 2015) Mohanad Al-Sabbagh, DDS, MS, Ishita Bhavsar, BDS Context Dental implants are now the preferred line of treatment for the replacement of missing teeth. Additionally, implant-supported full-mouth prostheses are a good treatment option for patients who are completely edentulous, achieving a comprehensive and functional oral rehabilitation.2 Although endosseous implants have a predictable outcome and long-term success, they sometimes fail. 3, 4 Implant failures are categorized as primary (early), when the body is unable to establish osseointegration, or ...

This summary is based on the article published in Clinical Implant Dentistry and Related Research: Long-Term Outcomes for the Treatment of Atrophic Posterior Maxilla: A Systematic Review of Literature (February 2015) Stefano Corbella, DDS, PhD; Silvio Taschieri, MD, DDS; Massimo Del Fabbro, BSc, PhD Context An inadequate bone volume in the posterior maxilla is a frequent anatomical restriction for implant placement. The loss of bone can strongly influence the choice of the most appropriate rehabilitation in edentulous patients. Placement of dental implants in the atrophic posterior maxilla is a challenging procedure due to risk of violation of the maxillary sinuses ...

This summary is based on the Cochrane Systematic Review: Interventions for replacing missing teeth: antibiotics at dental implant placement to prevent complications (July 2013) Marco Esposito, Maria Gabriella Grusovin, and Helen V. Worthington         Context Some dental implant failures may be due to bacterial contamination at implant insertion. Infections around biomaterials are difficult to treat, and almost all infected implants have to be removed. In general, antibiotic prophylaxis in surgery is only indicated for patients: At risk of infectious endocarditis; With reduced host-response; When surgery is performed in infected sites; In cases of extensive and prolonged surgical ...

This summary is based on the article published in Clinical Oral Implant Research: Do sensation differences exist between dental implants and natural teeth? A meta-analysis (November 2014) Nobuaki Higaki, Takaharu Goto, Yuichi Ishida, Megumi Watanabe, Yoritoki Tomotake, Tetsuo Ichikawa   Context Mastication is an essential function for processing foods into a bolus in the oral cavity. 1-3 This behavior is controlled in a coordinated manner by the stomatognathic organs and regulated by the central pattern generator in the brain stem. 4-5 Moreover, the oral sensory-motor system, including periodontal sensation, is thought to affect the oral motor behaviors and to be ...