Survival of Dyna Implants: A Retrospective Study with 1 to 6 Years of Follow Up

Objectives: Dental implants are a prominent scientific breakthrough and are frequently applied for replacement of the missing teeth. From the clinicians’ point of view, long-term studies are essential to find out the predictability of dental implant systems. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, 1,626 patients who received 4,389 Dyna implants in a private office between 2013-2019 were evaluated. All statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 25 for Windows. P values less than 0.1 were considered significant for regression analysis. Results: Dyna implantts (4389) placed from 2013 to 2019 were evaluated in this study. One-hundred and thirty-three (3.03%) implants failed during the healing period or recall visits. Eighty-nine implants (2.03%) failed immediately and 44 (1%) failed after 3 months. Conclusion: The present study showed that the Dyna dental implant system had high implant survival, and it had all the survival criteria similar to world-class dental implant systems.

Oral Health among Adult Residents in Vilnius, Lithuania

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) oral conditions may be determined by social, biological, behavioral, and psychosocial factors. The study assessed oral health status and its determinants associated with oral health conditions among adult residents in Vilnius, Lithuania. A total of 453 of 35–74-year-olds participated (response rate 63%). A self-reported questionnaire was administered. Dental caries experience (D3MFS score), periodontal probing depth (PPD), andnumber of missing teeth were assessed clinically. Data were analyzed using χ2 test, independent samples t-test, and multivariable linear regression. The mean (sd) of D3MFS scores was 67.3 (33.5), the mean (sd) number of teeth with PPD 4+ mm was 5.9 (5.3), prevalence of periodontitis was 33%, the mean (sd) number of missing teeth was 6.9 (6.8), and prevalence of total edentulism was 3.8%. Medication use was associated with all oral health conditions, while age was associated with caries experience, and missing teeth. Sugar-containing diet was associated with caries experience, and missing teeth, and smoking with caries experience and periodontal status. Systemic diseases were associated with periodontal status, while behavioral determinants, last dental visit, and use of fluoridated toothpaste were associated with missing teeth. Oral health status among adult Vilnius residents was poor. Oral conditions were associated with both biological and behavioral determinants. Oral health promotion should focus on modifying behavioral determinants.

Prevalence of and factors associated with dental service utilization among early elderly in Lithuania

Background There is no recent information about dental service utilization (DSU) among elderly in Lithuania. We examined DSU and its associated factors in Lithuanian early elderly based on the Andersen’s behavioural model. Methods The cross-sectional study conducted in 2017–2019 included a nationally representative stratified sample of 370 Lithuanian early elderly aged 65–74 years (response rate of 54.5%). Information on predisposing factors (age, sex, nationality and education), enabling factor (residence), need-based factors (status of teeth, oral pain or discomfort, and dry mouth), general health, personal health practices and perceived stress was obtained from a structured, self-administered questionnaire. Clinically-assessed need-based factors included number of missing teeth and dental treatment need. Multivariable Poisson regression with robust variance estimates was used. Results A total of 239 study participants (64.6%) reported a dental visit during the last year and 338 (91.4%) needed dental treatments. A higher level of education (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR] = 1.21, 95% confidence interval [CI]:1.04–1.40), pain or discomfort in teeth/mouth (aPR = 1.35, 95%CI: 1.13–1.62) and lower number of missing teeth (aPR = 0.99, 95%CI: 0.98–1.00) were associated with DSU. Conclusions Even though majority of early elderly needed dental treatments, only two-thirds visited a dentist during the last year. Predisposing and need-based factors were significant predictors of having a dental visit in the last year. A national oral health program for Lithuanian elderly with the focus on regular preventive dental check-ups is needed. More studies, both quantitative and qualitative, are warranted to investigate in depth the barriers for DSU among elderly in Lithuania.

Mesiodistal dimensions of teeth in Serbian orthodontic patients with hypodontia

Introduction/Objective. Hypodontia is a common dental anomaly that occurs either in a non-syndromic form or as a part of various syndromes. It is considered a multifactorial condition with genetic, epigenetic and environmental influences, the interplay of which can lead to various anomalies in tooth size and number. The aim of this study was to assess mesiodistal tooth dimensions in Serbian hypodontia orthodontic patients and compare them to healthy controls using digital study models. Methods. Fifty subjects (30 females, 20 males) divided into two groups - 25 with hypodontia (15 females, 10 males) and 25 gender-matched controls (15 females, 10 males) were included in the study. Alginate impressions were taken and plaster models poured, digitized and imported into the software where mesiodistal dimensions were obtained. Results. Intra-operator reliability was high. All teeth in the hypodontia group had smaller mesiodistal dimensions compared to controls. Statistical significance was noted for all teeth except for upper canines. No statistically significant differences were found between males and females in neither the hypodontia nor the control group, except for lower canines, which were significantly smaller in both hypodontia and control females. The most commonly missing teeth were upper lateral incisors, and lower and upper premolars. Conclusion. Hypodontia group presented with smaller mesiodistal dimensions compared to controls. The greatest difference in mesiodistal dimensions was found in upper lateral incisors and lower first molars. Lower canines were significantly larger in males compared to females in both groups.

CU-SIL DENTURE AS A TRANSITIONAL PROSTHESIS TO PRESERVE THE REMAINING NATURAL TEETH USING PERMANENT SILICONE LINER

The goal of modern dentistry is to be conservative, preserving teeth but also maintaining the stability of the remaining alveolar ridge and the periodontium's proprioceptive capabilities. Cu-sil denture is the simplest approach in the preservation of teeth and maintaining proprioception. It is a type of transitional denture that provides an alternative treatment plan for the patients willing to replace their missing teeth while retaining their remaining natural teeth. It gives potential psychological benefits to the patients by avoiding extractions. It's a tissue-bearing acrylic appliance with a soft viscoelastic wrap that clasps the neck of each dentition, sealing out food and water simultaneously protecting and splinting each remaining tooth from the rigid acrylic denture base. This case reports series describes chairside techniques to fabricate Cu-sil dentures in the usual dental set-up

Advantages and disadvantages of cantilever bridges

Utilizing cantilever bridges to perform fixed partial prostheses has been reported in the literature based on the increasing demands in this field to improve the outcomes and relieve extensive therapeutic approaches associated with complete oral rehabilitation. The current evidence indicates that cantilever bridges can effectively replace missing teeth with more favorable outcomes than removable partial dentures. However, evidence also shows that decreasing the number and size of cantilevered pontics and increasing abutment teeth are necessary to enhance the outcomes. Furthermore, if the occlusion is harmonious and stable, it has been demonstrated that cantilever bridges can be applied with the minimal periodontal ligament, which adds to its favorable outcomes. However, it should be noted that cantilever bridges are not applicable for all patients as it needs proper oral health status to be installed. Besides, it might also be associated with complications that may lead to failure. Therefore, further studies are still needed.

Pragmatic approach to rehabilitate maxillary teeth in aesthetic zone using resin bonded FDP- A case report

Resin bonded fixed dental prosthesis offers most conservative and cost-effective option with missing teeth in aesthetic zone specially when an implant prosthesis is not indicated. This case report describes a treatment option for the replacement of a missing maxillary central incisor using a double-retainer resin-bonded fixed partial denture (RBFPD), fabricated from zirconium dioxide (ZrO) ceramic. No clinical complications were observed at follow-up examination after placement of the prosthesis. Satisfactory functional and aesthetic results were achieved. A treatment modality using a ZrO ceramic RBFPD is an alternative for single anterior tooth replacement.

Association of Dental and Prosthetic Status with Oral Health-Related Quality of Life in Centenarians

To date, there is little evidence on centenarians’ dental and prosthetic status or their oral-health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess possible associations between sociodemographic and oral health factors, including prosthetic needs in this special age group and their potential influence on OHRQoL. Persons born before 1920 were recruited from population registries in south-western Germany. Fifty-five centenarians participated and underwent a comprehensive oral examination. Cognitive capacity was evaluated using the short Mini-Mental State Examination (S-MMSE, max. 21 points). At an S-MMSE > 10, an analysis of OHRQoL by means of the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (max. ADD-GOHAI score 60 points) was performed (n = 43). Bivariate statistics and a linear regression model were used after variable selection to analyze data. Centenarians presented with a mean (SD) of 22 (7.2) missing teeth. Complete (65.5%) or partial dentures (21.8%) in at least one jaw were most common. One-third of the dentures needed repair/replacement; 16% of the centenarians presented with denture sores. In 60% of cases, OHRQoL was rated unsatisfactory (ADD-GOHAI < 57). Trouble biting or chewing resulted in the lowest levels of OHRQoL. Fewer remaining teeth, reduced functional capacity and removable prostheses correlated with an impaired OHRQoL (rs = −0.36, p = 0.01; rs = −0.34, p = 0.01; rs = −0.29, p = 0.03, respectively). After variable selection, the final linear regression model included only the number of missing teeth, the associated ADD-GOHAI score decreasing by 0.3 points per missing tooth. In conclusion, tooth loss and removable prostheses in need of repair or replacement are highly prevalent in centenarians. These factors seem to modulate OHRQoL negatively, assumedly due to impaired chewing function. Larger confirmatory studies are needed to validate these first results.

Denture marking as a forensic tool- Case series

Forensic odontology is the branch that comes under forensic science which deals with proper handling, examination and evaluation of dental evidences. This manuscript describes various techniques that can be adopted for denture identification. The labeling method followed here is inclusion method where photographic sheet was used to mark dentures as this sheet is solvent resistant. The area selected for denture marking is palatal area on maxillary denture and distolingual flange of mandibular area as these areas have sufficient space for inclusion of details and there are not esthetically compromising areas. By this method denture labeling could be done in existing prosthetic devices or could be incorporated in newly constructed prosthesis. The American Board of Forensic Odontology guidelines indicate that most dental identifications are based on restorations, caries, missing teeth and/or prosthetic devices.