The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of plaque accumulation in conjunction with or without placement of plaque-retaining ligatures on peri-implant and periodontal tissues. Four cynomolgus monkeys received 2 ITI (Type F) dental implants in edentulous areas of each side of the mandible. Following a healing period of 2 months with regular prophylaxis procedures twice per week, plaque was allowed to accumulate. After 1 month (day 0), silk ligatures were placed around 1 of the 2 implants. The third molars served as controls and were ligated as well. Clinical examinations comprising Plaque Index (PlI), Gingival Index (GI), probing depth (PD) and loss of attachment (LA) were performed at the test and control sites before and 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 months after ligature placement. Sixty and 30 days prior to ligation and at 2, 5, 6 and 8 months following ligation, standardized radiographs were obtained and subtracted from a baseline radiograph obtained at the time of ligation. PlI and GI scores increased significantly following the elimination of prophylaxis procedures. After ligation, these indices continued to increase and reached values significantly higher in ligated implant (LI) and ligated teeth (LT) sites than in non-ligated teeth (NLI) sites. PD also increased after plawue accumulation and ligature placement. Significantly greater PD values were noted in LI and LT sites than in NLI sites.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The aim of this investigation was to test the hypothesis that membrane permeability is necessary in bone formation using the principle of guided tissue regeneration. On the forehead of 8 rabbits, titanium test cylinders were anchored in the calvaria. These cylinders were either covered by an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) membrane generating a chamber for bone formation or they were sealed off by cast titanium. The implanted cylinders were covered by resuturing the periosteum and the cutaneous flap. After 8 months of healing, new bone had formed in all cylinders in all animals irrespective of whether the chamber for bone formation was sealed off by cast titanium or the ePTFE membrane. Based on these results, we conclude that permeability of the membrane is not necessary in the guided generation of new bone.

Introduction:  The aim of the survey was to assess the status of implant dentistry education and addressed various aspects related to competence level, practical implementation and barriers for further development in the field. Materials and methods:  An e‐mail survey was performed amongst 73 opinion leaders from 18 European countries invited to the Association for Dental Education in Europe (ADEE) workshop on implant dentistry. Results:  Forty‐nine surveys were returned (67%) and it was found that theoretical and pre‐clinical courses to an average of 36 h are given to undergraduates; 70% reported that students assist or treat patients with prosthetics; 53% reported that students assist with surgery and only 5% is operating patients. In 23% of the schools optional undergraduate courses are available and 90% offer postgraduate training. Barriers for including prosthetics and surgery are lack of time, funding or staff. Partial restorations, including surgery, in the posterior regions may be provided by dentists after attendance at additional courses but complex treatments should be limited to specialists. Conclusion:  This survey confirms that implant dentistry is part of the undergraduate curriculum, albeit with a disparity in time. Whereas implant dentistry is an important part of clinical practice, coverage in the curriculum is limited and when compared with 10 years ago, even stagnating. Priorities within the curriculum should be evaluated depending on demands and treatment needs of the population. To optimise education, learning guidelines should be developed, based on the expected competencies for practicing dentists. Undergraduate education may start the process that must continue through all levels of education, including the postgraduate level.

This paper constitutes a summary of the consensus documents agreed at the First European Workshop on Implant Dentistry University Education held in Prague on 19–22 June 2008. Implant dentistry is becoming increasingly important treatment alternative for the restoration of missing teeth, as patients expectations and demands increase. Furthermore, implant related complications such as peri‐implantitis are presenting more frequently in the dental surgery. This consensus paper recommends that implant dentistry should be an integral part of the undergraduate curriculum. Whilst few schools will achieve student competence in the surgical placement of implants this should not preclude the inclusion of the fundamental principles of implant dentistry in the undergraduate curriculum such as the evidence base for their use, indications and contraindications and treatment of the complications that may arise. The consensus paper sets out the rationale for the introduction of implant dentistry in the dental curriculum and the knowledge base for an undergraduate programme in the subject. It lists the competencies that might be sought without expectations of surgical placement of implants at this stage and the assessment methods that might be employed. The paper also addresses the competencies and educational pathways for postgraduate education in implant dentistry.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of natural deproteinized bone mineral on the temporal and spatial pattern of bone formation in a guided bone regeneration model system while using a bioresorbable membrane device. A periosteal skin flap was raised uncovering the calvaria of 20 rabbits. A stiff hemispherical dome made of polylactic acid was placed onto the roughened calvaria and anchored by screws. Prior to placement, the dome was either filled with peripheral blood (control group, 8 rabbits) or with blood and OsteoGraf/N-300 (test group, 12 rabbits). At 1 month, histologic sections revealed bone regeneration in both test and control domes to various degrees. In the test domes, bone height reached 78% (67-83) and bone volume was 11% (6-17), while in the control domes, bone height was 45% (14-67) and bone volume 6% (1-11). At 2 months, bone height was unchanged in the test group at 70% (67-83) and bone volume had only slightly increased to 16% (11-21). In the controls, height increased to 86% (60-100) and volume to 20% (9-27). Thus, in this model system, natural bone mineral fill contributed to accelerate initial bone neogenesis, while it did not contribute to increasing bone volume or bone height at later observation stages.