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 ...

This summary is based on the article published in the Journal of Dental Research: Diabetes and oral implant failure: a systematic review (September 2014) B.R. Chrcanovic, T. Albrektsson, and A. Wennerberg Context Dental implant survival is initially dependent on successful osseointegration following placement. As an implant is restored and placed into function, bone remodeling becomes a critical aspect of implant survival in responding to the functional demands placed on the implant restoration and supporting bone. The critical dependence on bone metabolism for implant survival may be heightened in patients with diabetes (1). Diabetic patients have increased frequency of periodontitis and ...

This summary is based on the article published in the Australian Dental Journal: Current perspectives on the role of ridge (socket) preservation procedures in dental implant treatment in the aesthetic zone (March 2014) B Kassim, S Ivanovski, N Mattheos      Context Augmentation of the extraction socket (ridge preservation) is increasingly being advocated in anticipation of implant placement. Substantial tissue loss leads to increased difficulty in placing the implant fixture in a prosthodontically suitable position. To facilitate such placement, guided bone regeneration (GBR) procedures (either simultaneous at implant placement or staged as a separate surgical procedure) are often required. Ridge ...

This summary is based on the article published in the International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery: Do antibiotics decrease implant failure and postoperative infections? A systematic review and meta-analysis (January 2014) J. Ata-Ali, F. Ata-Ali, F. Ata-Ali       Context Dental implants are an effective, safe and predictable solution for those who have lost a tooth or teeth due to dental caries, periodontal disease, injury, or other reasons.(1) It is believed that a certain number of early dental implant losses are due to bacterial contamination at implant insertion.(2) It is still debated whether early dental implant failure and ...

Chiraz Guessaier, Manager of the CDA Oasis Project, spoke with Dr. Ronald Craig about the research featured in the latest issue of the Journal of the American Dental Association: Outcomes of implants and restorations placed in general dental practices. A retrospective study by the Practitioners Engaged in Applied Research and Learning (PEARL) Network Drs. John D. Da Silva; Julie Kazimiroff; Athena Papas; Frederick A. Curro; Van P. Thompson; Donald A. Vena; Hongyu Wu; Damon Collie; Ronald G. Craig; for the Practitioners Engaged in Applied Research and Learning (PEARL) Network Group   Courtesy of the American Dental Association, you can access the full-text article for the next 3 months here (PDF) Audio interview ...

This summary is based on the article published in Implant Dentistry: Implants for Orthodontic Anchorage: Success Rates and Reasons of Failures (April 2014) Juan C. Rodriguez, DDS, Fernando Suarez, DDS, Hsun-Liang Chan, DDS, MS, Miguel Padial-Molina, DDS, PhD, and Hom-Lay Wang, DDS, MSD, PhD Context In orthodontics, controlled forces are applied in specific directions to move teeth from improper locations into what is considered an “ideal” physiologic/esthetic location. To provide the movement, a steady and strong support known as orthodontic anchor is required. Anchorage, by definition, is a resistance to displacement provided by a static object. The most common anchor used is the patient’s own dentition; however, in some cases, the anchorage is limited or ...