Statement of the problem: The gingival configuration around implant abutments is of paramount importance for preserving the underlying marginal bone, and hence for the long-term success of dental implants. Objective: The objective was to study, clinically and histologically, the effects of the change in the morphology of abutments connected to the endosseous implant, and of their surface treatment. In particular, the objective was to ascertain the effect of changing the shape of the transepithelial pillar and the treatment of its surface on the dimensions, quality and health of the components of the peri-implant biological space, such as the dimensions of the epithelial and connective tissues of the biological space, the concentration of inflammatory cells and the density of collagen fibers. Methods: A clinical trial of 10 patients with a totally edentulous maxilla, who had four implants (IPX4010_GALIMPLANT®, Sarria, Spain) inserted in the area of the first and second molars on both sides with computer-guided implant surgery, was conducted with the final purpose of assessing the quality of the peri-implant soft tissue attachment around the transepithelial abutments which were employed (aesthetic machined (RM), aesthetic anodized (RA), slim machined (SM) and slim anodized (SA)). At 8 weeks and following the collection of the samples (removal of the implant-abutment assembly with its surrounding hard and soft tissue) and their processing for subsequent histological and histomorphometric analysis in order to study the dimensions, quality and health of the peri-implant soft tissue area, the variables previously mentioned were determined according to the aims of the study. By using appropriate diameter trephine in order to obtain a useful fringe of soft tissue around the transepithelial pillars, ANOVA and chi-square tests were performed. Results: The SPSS statistical analysis ANOVA results revealed that the machined slim abutments have a better performance considering the variables analyzed with epithelial and connective attachment heights of 1.52 mm and 2.3 mm, respectively, and that connective density (density of collagen fibers) was high at 85.7% of the sample size affected by the design for the slim abutments and 92.9% of the high-density sample size affected by the surface treatment for the machined surface. Conclusions: All variables studied, despite the small sample size, showed the superiority of the slim machined abutment among the four groups.

Background and Objectives: The objective of our clinical trial was to determine the effectiveness of the deep dry needling technique (DDN) (neuromuscular deprogramming) as a first step in the treatment of temporomandibular disorders. Methods and Materials: The double-blind randomized clinical trial comprised 36 patients meeting the inclusion criteria who had signed the corresponding informed consent form. The participants were randomly distributed into two groups, the Experimental group (Group E) and the Control group (Group C). Group E received bilateral DDN on the masseter muscle, while Group C received a simulation of the technique (PN). All the participants were evaluated three times: pre-needling, 10 min post-needling, and through a follow-up evaluation after 15 days. These evaluations included, among other tests: pain evaluation using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and bilateral muscle palpation with a pressure algometer; evaluation of the opening pattern and range of the mouth, articular sounds and dental occlusion using T-scans; and electromyography, which was used to evaluate the muscle tone of the masseter muscles, in order to control changes in mandibular position. Results: Digital control of occlusion using Tec-Scan (digital occlusion analysis) showed a significant reduction both in the time of posterior disclusion and in the time needed to reach maximum force in an MI position after needling the muscle, which demonstrated that there were variations in the static position and the trajectory of the jaw. The symmetry of the arch while opening and closing the mouth was recovered in a centric relation, with an increase in the opening range of the mouth after the procedure. Conclusions: facial pain is significantly reduced and is accompanied by a notable reduction in muscle activity after needling its trigger points.