The aim of this study was to compare the effect of conventional implant site preparation technique and a combination of conventional/piezosurgery preparation on implant stability measured at different time intervals, insertion torque, and preparation time. A randomized controlled study was designed, it included 26 patients who received 54 dental implants randomly assigned to 2 groups; in the control group, implants were installed after conventional preparation with drills whereas the study group received implants after mixed conventional/piezosurgery preparation. The outcome variables included: implant stability measured immediately after implant insertion, at 8 weeks and 16 weeks postoperatively, insertion torque and preparation time. All the investigated variables were analyzed statistically using 1 sample Kolmogrov-Simirenov test, Mann-Whitney U test, paired and unpaired Student t test, the Pearson χ test, Fisher exact test, and analysis of variance (1-way ANOVA). The differences were considered significant at P ≤ 0.05. Implant stability showed a similar pattern in both the groups which consists of a statistically significant decrease in implant stability quotient values at the 8th week followed by a statistically significant increase at the 16th week, where the implant stability quotient values return close to those of primary stability. The 2 groups revealed a statistically not significant difference in insertion torque and implant stability changes throughout the study period, whereas the preparation time was significantly longer in the study group than the control group. The mixed conventional/piezosurgery method of implant site preparation offers no additional advantage over the conventional drilling method in terms of values of insertion torque and patterns of implant stability change throughout the healing period.

Aim. This study aims to compare the effectiveness of the two modes of 940 nm diode lasers on gingival depigmentation. Methods. Twenty patients (11 females and 9 males) participated in this study; they were free of any systemic or local condition and randomly assembled into two groups: continuous wave (CW) and pulsed groups, in contact modes. The diode laser was of 940 nm wavelength and 1-2 W irradiation power for the two modes in all cases. A single session of irradiation was applied to the facial gingivae of the upper and lower anterior segments. Photographs were taken preoperatively and postoperatively for all patients, and a questionnaire and follow-up were carried out for the next four weeks and after three years. Results. The intraoperative duration of both modes was considerably short, with a short chair time subsequently. A statistically significant decrease in the intensity of pain, discomfort, and bleeding p ≤ 0.05 was noticed during the first week of follow-up within each group. Nonetheless, the two groups showed a close pattern of decline with no statistically significant differences between them. It was also clear that pain and discomfort were strongly correlated with each other within each group, and the correlation was statistically significant. On the other hand, carbonization was minimal in a few cases treated with CW mode but still not statistically significant. Finally, although the gingival pigmentation index (GPI) differences were not statistically significant between the two groups, they were significant within each group. Conclusions. The diode laser (940 nm) offered an effective and safe modality, providing an optimal aesthetic result that can meet patient satisfaction with minimal pain, bleeding, discomfort, intraoperative time, and the possibility of recurrence in the treatment of gingival hyperpigmentation.

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