OBJECTIVE Aim of this in vitro study was to investigate erosive tooth loss in dependence of the enamel surface structure and presence of an acquired pellicle. METHODS Enamel specimens from 19 bovine incisors (4 specimens/incisor) were allocated to four experimental groups (n = 19). The surfaces of half of the specimens were polished (two groups), while the other half was left native (two groups). Specimens of one polished and one native group were placed in pooled human saliva (30 min) for the formation of an acquired pellicle. Thereafter, all specimens were demineralized by superfusion with hydrochloric acid (17 min, pH 2.3) with collection of the superfluent. Erosive substance loss was determined by measuring the dissolved calcium content using a colorimetric assay with Arsenazo III reagent. Differences in erosive substance loss were statistically analyzed with respect to enamel surface and pellicle. A linear mixed effects model was fitted to the data and pairwise differences between groups were evaluated (significance level = 0.05). RESULTS Enamel surface structure (p < 0.001) and presence of pellicle (p = 0.01) had a significant effect on erosive substance loss. Polished surfaces with pellicle showed the lowest cumulative calcium release [nmol Ca/mm 2 ] (means ± standard deviation: 48+/-5), followed by polished specimens without (51+/-9) and native specimens with pellicle (54+/-10). No significant differences were found between these groups. Highest cumulative calcium release was found for native specimens without pellicle (61+/-9; p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Both enamel surface structure and the acquired pellicle are important determinants of the susceptibility to erosive tooth loss.

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Background Autogenous bone augmentation is the gold standard for the treatment of extended bone defects prior to implantation. Bone augmentation from the zygomatic crest is a valuable option with several advantages, but the current literature for this treatment is scant. The aim of this study was to evaluate the increase in bone volume after locoregional bone augmentation using autogenous bone from the zygomatic alveolar crest as well as the complications and success rate. Results Analysis of the augmented bone volume in seven patients showed a maximum volume gain of 0.97 cm3. An average of 0.54 cm3 of autogenous bone (SD 0.24 cm3; median: 0.54 cm3) was augmented. Implantation following bone augmentation was possible in all cases. Complications occurred in three patients. Conclusion The zygomatic alveolar crest is a valuable donor site for autogenous alveolar onlay grafting in a locoregional area such as the maxillary front. Low donor site morbidity, good access, and its suitable convexity make it a beneficial choice for autogenous bone augmentation.

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Antiresorptive agent-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (ARONJ) is a dreaded complication in patients with compromised bone metabolism. The purpose of the present study was to examine the occurrence of ARONJ and its related factors among patients with a history of antiresorptive therapy undergoing tooth extraction using preventive protocols at a Swiss university clinic. Data were retrospectively pooled from health records of patients having received a surgical tooth extraction between January 2015 and April 2020 in the Clinic of Cranio-Maxillofacial and Oral surgery, University of Zurich. A total of 970 patients received an extraction with flap elevation or wound closure during this period. A total of 104 patients could be included in the study. Furthermore, variables including age, gender, smoking, risk profile, choice, indication and duration of antiresorptive therapy, number of extractions, extraction site, surgical technique, choice and duration of antibiotics as well as the presence of postoperative inflammatory complications were assessed. Overall, 4 patients developed ARONJ (incidence of 3.8%) after tooth extraction at the same location, without previous signs of osteonecrosis. Preventive methods included predominantly primary wound closure using a full thickness mucoperiosteal flap and prolonged perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis. In accordance with current literature, the applied protocol showed a reliable outcome in preventing ARONJ when a tooth extraction is required.