It has previously been reported that porous-coated root form endosseous dental implants, became well integrated when used in the traditional 2-stage surgical approach. In this study, the placement of the implant in a 1-stage (non-submerged) technique was to be explored. Implants were placed in the mandibles of dogs, and 2 designs were used differing only in that one (experimental) had a 3-mm transgingival extension, permitting it to be exposed to the oral cavity from the outset. 12 (3 per animal) non-submerged implants were placed on 1 side of 4 beagle dogs and 12 control (submerged) implants were placed contralaterally. All implants were allowed to heal for 6 weeks, after which histological preparations were made. 2 of 12 non-submerged implants were lost due to post-operative complications; otherwise, all implants healed uneventfully. Histomorphometric analysis revealed bone-implant contact, as assessed by absolute bone contact (ABC) and contact length fraction (CLF), to be greater for the submerged design, suggesting that bone healing may be delayed with the non-submerged approach. As well, at this early stage of healing, for both implant designs, ABC and CLF were significantly greater on proximal than on buccal and lingual aspects.

Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) exchange for control of infection may be an option for the treatment of persistent and severe infections of the LVAD. Data are limited regarding the indications for device exchange, methods for exchanging infected devices, post-exchange antimicrobial management, and outcomes of such patients. We report a series of cases in which an exchange was performed for persistent LVAD infection, review the literature on LVAD exchange and surgical techniques for these infectious complications, and suggest management strategies from a multidisciplinary perspective.

This report is an update on a group of 46 clinical trial patients who each received 3 free-standing Endopore dental implants placed using a 2-stage surgical approach in the anterior mandible. After an initial healing interval of 10 weeks, the implants were used in each case to retain an over-denture, and at the time of the report, all patients had passed 5 years of continuous function. The 5-year cumulative "survival" rate based on a life table analysis was 93.4% and this remained unchanged after 6 years. The 5-year "success rate" was 83.3% when assessed qualitatively with the published criteria of others using a four-field table analysis categorizing every implant in the study as one of "Grade 1 Success", "survival", "unaccounted for" or "failure". Modified periodontal parameters verified continued peri-implant soft tissue health. No implant still in function had more than 1.8 mm cumulative bone loss during the first 5 years of function. These results provide clear evidence that Endopore implants despite their short lengths function at least as well as other dental implant designs used in much longer lengths.

In this study, an assessment using modified periodontal indices was done on a group of 48 fully edentulous patients who had each been treated with 3 porous-coated (EndoPore) dental implants and a mandibular overdenture. Parameters assessed included plaque index (PI), sulcular bleeding index (SBI), pocket probing depth (PD), probing attachment level (PAL) and mobility (M) using a Periotest device. At the time of the assessment, all of the patients had passed 3 years of continuous function while 26 had passed 4 years. Approximately 50% of implant surfaces were plaque-free while 79% of surfaces showed no bleeding upon probing. There was no correlation between PI and SBI. The mean PD was 3.1 mm with 64% of sites < or = 3.5 mm. Mobility measurements taken with the Periotest device gave a mean PTV of (-4.35) with 96% of measurements (-0.5). No significant correlations were found between mobility and either PAL or implant length.