Immediate loading of two unsplinted implants supporting a Locator-retained mandibular OVD seems to be a suitable treatment option. Significantly less RBL was observed after 1 year of loading around IL implants than around DL implants. Furthermore, neither implant length nor insertion torque seemed to affect RBL 1 year after surgical placement.

PurposeThis study was performed to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of panoramic radiography and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) in detecting sinus pathology.Materials and MethodsThis study was based on a retrospective evaluation of patients who had undergone both a panoramic radiograph and a CBCT exam. A total of 100 maxillary sinuses were evaluated. Four examiners with various levels of expertise evaluated the images using a five-point scoring system. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of the two modalities. The image analysis was repeated twice, with at least two weeks between the evaluation sessions. Interobserver reliability was assessed using Cronbach's alpha, and intraobserver reliability was assessed using Cohen's kappa.ResultsMaxillary sinus pathology was detected in 72% of the patients. High interobserver and intraobserver reliability were observed for both imaging modalities and among the four examiners. Statistical analyses using ROC curves demonstrated that the CBCT images had a larger area under the curve (0.940) than the panoramic radiographs (0.579).ConclusionThree-dimensional evaluation of the sinus with CBCT was significantly more reliable in detecting pathology than panoramic imaging.

Electronic nicotine product use is increasing in the U.S., but few studies have addressed its effects on oral health. The goal of this work was to determine the association between electronic nicotine product use and periodontal disease. Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health adult survey data from 2013–2016 (waves 1, 2 and 3) was used for the analysis. Longitudinal electronic nicotine product users used electronic nicotine products regularly every day or somedays in all three waves. Participants with new cases of gum disease reported no history of gum disease in wave 1 but reported being diagnosed with gum disease in waves 2 or 3. Odds ratios (OR) were calculated to determine the association between electronic nicotine product use and new cases of gum disease after controlling for potential confounders. Compared to never users, longitudinal electronic nicotine product users had increased odds of being diagnosed with gum disease (OR 1.76, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 1.12–2.76) and bone loss around teeth (OR 1.67, 95% CI 1.06–2.63). These odds were higher for participants with a history of marijuana and a history of illicit or non-prescribed drug use. Our findings show that e-cigarettes may be harmful to oral health.

Aim The purpose of this observational, post‐trial follow‐up study was to evaluate 60‐month outcomes of a randomized controlled clinical trial that compared immediately and delayed loaded two unsplinted implants, supporting a locator‐retained mandibular overdenture. Materials and Methods Patients from a randomized controlled clinical trial, treated with either immediate or delayed loading of two implants, supporting a locator‐retained mandibular overdenture, were recalled for 60‐month evaluation. Patients underwent a clinical and radiographic examination to evaluate the peri‐implant soft tissue parameters and bone. Prosthetic maintenance needs and complications were also recorded. Results Twenty three of the 30 patients were available for the 60‐month follow‐up. The mean radiographic bone level change measured using standardized periapical radiographs from baseline to 60 months was 0.89 mm (±0.74) and 0.18 (±0.41) for delayed loading and immediate loading groups, respectively. A statistically significant difference was observed at 60 months with a smaller radiographic bone level change in the immediate loading group. No implants were lost between 12 and 60 months. At 60 months, per‐protocol implant survival rate was 100% for both the groups. No difference was found in the peri‐implant soft tissue parameters and prosthetic needs between the groups. Conclusion Both immediately and delayed loaded implants supporting a locator‐retained mandibular overdenture showed similar clinical outcomes.

Purpose: To compare the standard 360-degree CBCT acquisition protocol to the low dose 180-degree CBCT protocol for implant planning. Materials and Methods: Two groups of patients, each consisting of 35 patients, were included in the study. The first group was imaged with the conventional 360-degree CBCT protocol, and the second group was imaged with the low dose 180-degree CBCT protocol. The primary outcome of this study was the number of scans that needed to be repeated due to poor image quality. In addition, six secondary parameters were evaluated quantitatively and qualitatively. Results: The results showed that there was no need to repeat any of the CBCT scans that were obtained in either group, which showed that 360-degree and 180-degree protocols had comparable image quality. As for the secondary parameters, the results showed that the evaluators were able to evaluate the six chosen parameters in a comparable manner. Conclusion: The 180-degree low dose CBCT scan is a viable option for dental implant treatment planning in the posterior mandible as it provides comparable and adequate information regarding accuracy of measurements, identification of critical structures, evaluation of bone quality, and any pathology.