Objective: Bone augmentation with the titanium mesh (Ti-mesh) technique is susceptible to a large rate of complications such as morbidity of bone graft donor site, and mesh exposure to the oral cavity. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of anorganic bovine bone (ABB) in alveolar bone augmentation with the Ti-mesh technique, as an alternative to autologous bone grafts. In addition, we investigated the effect of platelet rich plasma (PRP) in preventing mesh exposure, by applying it to cover the Ti-mesh. Materials and Methods: The 30 patients recruited for this study underwent 43 alveolar bone augmentation with the Ti-mesh technique using in all of them ABB as graft material. In 15 patients the Ti-meshes were covered with PRP (PRP group) while in the other 15 the Ti-meshes were not (control group). After 6 months, patients were called for clinical, radiographic and histological evaluation, and implant placement surgery. A total of 97 implants were placed in the augmented bone and their evolution was followed up for a period of 24 months. Results: Significant differences were found between the two study groups in terms of complications and bone formation. In the control group 28.5% of the cases suffered from mesh exposure, while in the PRP group, no exposures were registered. Radiographic analysis revealed that bone augmentation was higher in the PRP group than in the control group. Interestingly, mesh exposure seemed to be a risk factor regarding graft resorption and failure. Overall, 97.3% of implants placed in the control group and 100% of those placed in the PRP group were successful during the monitoring period. We suggest that the positive effect of PRP on the Ti-mesh technique is due to its capacity to improve soft tissue healing, thereby protecting the mesh and graft material secured beneath the gingival tissues. Conclusions: Alveolar bone augmentation using ABB alone in the Ti-mesh technique is sufficient for implant rehabilitation. Besides, covering the Ti-meshes with PRP was a determining factor for avoiding mesh exposure in this study. Titanium mesh exposure provoked significant bone loss, but in most cases it did not affect the subsequent placement of implants. Key words: anorganic bovine bone, bone regeneration, platelet rich plasma, titanium mesh, exposure. Clinical Relevance Scientific rationale: Osteoconductive properties of ABB have been described in many bone augmentation procedures with good results, so it seemed reasonable to expect similar outcomes when applied in the Ti mesh technique. Although the use of PRP in bone regeneration is a moot question its effects over soft tissue seems to be clearer. In this study we compare both the efficacy of ABB alone and the effect of PRP over soft tissues in the titanium mesh technique. Principal findings: ABB alone produces sufficient bone volume augmentation for implant rehabilitation and the use of PRP covering the titanium mesh can improve the soft tissue healing over the titanium mesh preventing its exposure. Practical implications:...

Within the limits of our study, this novel material may be able to eliminate the need for autologous bone transplantation for the augmentation of large vertical bone defects.

A single M-EO is an effective measure against the de novo biofilm, presenting a good alternative to clorhexidine such as a preoperative rinse, in periodontal procedures or post-treatment applications.

The ontogenetic development of the mental region still poses a number of unresolved questions in human growth, development and phylogeny. In our study we examine the hypotheses of DuBrul & Sicher (1954) (The Adaptive Chin. Springfield, IL: Charles) and Enlow (1990) (Facial Growth, 3rd edn. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders) to explain the presence of a prominent mental region in anatomically modern humans. In particular, we test whether the prominence of the mental region and the positioning of the teeth are both correlated with the developmental relocation of the tongue and the suprahyoid muscles inserting at the lingual side of the symphysis. Furthermore, we test whether the development of the mental region is associated with the development of the back of the vocal tract. Using geometric morphometric methods, we measured the 3D mandibular and tooth surfaces in a cross-sectional sample of 36 CT-scanned living humans, incorporating the positions of the tongue and the geniohyoid and digastric muscle insertions. The specimens' ages range from birth to the complete emergence of the deciduous dentition. We used multivariate regression and two-block partial least squares (PLS) analysis to study the covariation among the mental region, the muscle insertions, and the teeth both across and within age stages. In order to confirm our results from the 3D cross-sectional sample, and to relate them to facial growth and the position of the cervical column and the hyoid bone, we used 46 lateral radiographs of eight children from the longitudinal Denver Growth Study. The 3D analysis demonstrates that the lingual side of the lower border of the symphysis develops downwards and forwards. These shape changes are significantly correlated with the relocation of muscle insertion sites and also with the vertical reorientation of the anterior teeth prior to emergence. The 2D analysis confirms the idea that as the mental region prominence develops, the space of the laryngopharynx becomes restricted due to upper mid-face retraction and the acquisition of upright body posture. In agreement with the hypotheses of DuBrul & Sicher (1954) and Enlow (1990), our results suggest that the presence of a prominent mental region responds to the space restriction at the back of the vocal tract, and to the packaging of the tongue and suprahyoid muscles in order to preserve the functionality of the laryngopharynx during respiration, feeding and speech.

Bone plays an important role in dental implant treatment success. The goal of this literature review is to analyze the influence of bone definition and finite element parameters on stress in dental implants and bone in numerical studies. A search was conducted of Pubmed, Science Direct and LILACS, and two independent reviewers performed the data extraction. The quality of the selected studies was assessed using the Cochrane Handbook tool for clinical trials. Seventeen studies were included. Titanium was the most commonly-used material in dental implants. The magnitude of the applied loads varied from 15 to 300 N with a mean of 182 N. Complete osseointegration was the most common boundary condition. Evidence from this review suggests that bone is commonly defined as an isotropic material, despite being an anisotropic tissue, and that it is analyzed as a ductile material, instead of as a fragile material. In addition, and in view of the data analyzed in this review, it can be concluded that there is no standardization for conducting finite element studies in the field of dentistry. Convergence criteria are only detailed in two of the studies included in this review, although they are a key factor in obtaining accurate results in numerical studies. It is therefore necessary to implement a methodology that indicates which parameters a numerical simulation must include, as well as how the results should be analyzed.