No abstract

Objectives: The present randomized clinical trial assesses the six-month outcomes following surgical regenerative therapy of periimplantitis lesions using either an electrolytic method (EC) to remove biofilms or a combination of powder spray and electrolytic method (PEC). Materials and Methods: 24 patients with 24 implants suffering from peri-implantitis with any type of bone defect were randomly treated by EC or PEC. Bone defects were augmented with a mixture of natural bone mineral and autogenous bone and left for submerged healing. The distance from implant shoulder to bone was assessed at six defined points at baseline (T0) and after six months at uncovering surgery (T1) by periodontal probe and standardized x-rays. Results: One implant had to be removed at T1 because of reinfection and other obstacles. None of the other implants showed signs of inflammation. Bone gain was 2.71 ± 1.70 mm for EC and 2.81 ± 2.15 mm for PEC. No statistically significant difference between EC and PEC was detected. Significant clinical bone fill was observed for all 24 implants. Complete regeneration of bone was achieved in 12 implants. Defect morphology impacted the amount of regeneration. Conclusion: EC needs no further mechanical cleaning by powder spray. Complete re-osseointegration in peri-implantitis cases is possible.

Restorations in the anterior esthetic zone present significant challenges in both the surgical and prosthetic phases of implant dentistry. Titanium has been established as the material of choice for endosseous implants, resulting in a high degree of predictability. Many types of implants require transmucosal abutments to retain implant restorations. Ceramics may be the ideal material to replace natural teeth, but most transmucosal abutments are made of titanium. However, ceramics may also be used as abutments in implant restorations. This combination of ceramics for abutment and crown provides better translucency for the implant restoration than is available with metal abutments and porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns. Ceramic abutments and implant restorations also minimize the gray color associated with metal components that is transmitted through the peri-implant tissues. Customized emergence profiles also may be obtained with ceramic abutments; this generally improves the predictability and consistency of the esthetics obtainable in implant restorations. Zirconia as a ceramic material offers not only outstanding material properties but also a well-documented biocompatibility.

The initial clinical results of this esthetic restorative material are encouraging. However, because of fatigue phenomena for all ceramic materials, a longer observation period is needed to provide a definitive prognosis of the long-term clinical behavior.

The initial clinical results of this esthetic full-porcelain crown system are encouraging. However, because of fatigue phenomena for all ceramic materials, a longer observation period is needed to provide a definitive prognosis about the long-term clinical behavior.