This study aimed at investigating the effects of titanium implants and different configurations of full-arch prostheses on the biomechanics of edentulous mandibles. Reverse engineered, composite, anisotropic, edentulous mandibles made of a poly(methylmethacrylate) core and a glass fibre reinforced outer shell were rapid prototyped and instrumented with strain gauges. Brånemark implants RP platforms in conjunction with titanium Procera one-piece or two-piece bridges were used to simulate oral rehabilitations. A lateral load through the gonion regions was used to test the biomechanical effects of the rehabilitations. In addition, strains due to misfit of the one-piece titanium bridge were compared to those produced by one-piece cast gold bridges. Milled titanium bridges had a better fit than cast gold bridges. The stress distribution in mandibular bone rehabilitated with a one-piece bridge was more perturbed than that observed with a two-piece bridge. In particular the former induced a stress concentration and stress shielding in the molar and symphysis regions, while for the latter design these stresses were strongly reduced. In conclusion, prosthetic frameworks changed the biomechanics of the mandible as a result of both their design and manufacturing technology.

PURPOSE:Insertion torque and resonance frequency analysis are currently used to assess the initial biomechanical competence of an implant. It would be advantageous to have this information during treatment planning. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the correlation between a descriptor of bone architecture, namely the fractal analysis of plain radiographs, and implant insertion torque and resonance frequency.MATERIALS AND METHODS:Sixteen femoral condyles from adult rabbits were subjected to conventional radiography and then received an implant each. The final insertion torque and resonance frequency were recorded for each implant. The fractal dimension of the bone area corresponding to the osteotomy was calculated using a box-counting algorithm. The Spearman test was used to evaluate the correlation between the variables examined.RESULTS:A linear correlation was observed between fractal dimensions and insertion torque values (rs = 0.704; P = .007). No correlation resulted between fractal dimension and resonance frequency. In addition, a receiver operating characteristic analysis defined a fractal dimension breakpoint of 1.83 to detect soft bone quality, as defined by insertion torque values, with a sensitivity of 80%.CONCLUSIONS:Given its correlation with insertion torque, the box-counting fractal dimension could be useful to evaluate bone quality at implant sites preoperatively and noninvasively. Further studies are needed to confirm the same accuracy for human bone.

Membrane elevation in combination with implant placement withoutbiomaterials is a rather new technique for sinus lifting. The procedure isdescribed with the case of a patient with pneumatised maxillary sinus andrequesting single molar replacement. A one-year after loading clinical andradiographic follow-up is also reported.

OBJECTIVES:The aim of the present study was to evaluate differences in the ultimate fracture resistance of titanium and zirconia abutments.MATERIAL AND METHODS:Twenty titanium fixtures were embedded in 20 resin mandible section simulators to mimic osseointegrated implants in the premolar area. The embedded implants were then randomly divided into two groups. Afterwards, specimens in group A (n=10) were connected to titanium abutments (TiDesign™ 3.5/4.0, 5.5, 1.5 mm), while specimens in group B (n=10) were connected to zirconia abutments (ZirDesign ™ 3.5/4.0, 5.5, 1.5 mm). Both groups were loaded to failure in a dynamometric testing machine. Fractured samples were then analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM).RESULTS:Group A showed a significantly higher fracture strength than that observed in group B. Group A failures were observed at the screw that connects the abutment with the implant while the abutment connection hexagons were plastically bent by the applied load. Group B failures were a result of abutment fractures. SEM analysis showed that in group A the screw failure was driven by crack nucleation, coalescence and propagation, while in group B, the SEM analysis of failed surfaces showed the conchoidal fracture profile characteristic of brittle materials.CONCLUSIONS:The strength of both tested systems is adequate to resist physiologic chewing forces in the premolar area. Conversely, the titanium and zirconia failure modes evaluated here occurred at unphysiological loads. In addition, because the abutments were tested without crowns, the presented data have limited direct transfer to the clinical situation.

Background: Implant treatment in the partially edentulous maxilla is often challenging because of minimum bone volumes in distal direction.Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate, after 1 year of loading, the outcome of three-unit fixed partial dentures supported by two implants in the retrocanine triangle.Materials and Methods: Twenty patients with atrophic posterior maxillae participated in the study. A total of 40 implants were placed in residual bone anterior to the sinus wall and posterior to the canine. Implant angulations and lengths were chosen to match as much as possible boundaries of the available bone. After a 6-month healing period, three-unit, screw-retained, fixed partial dentures were delivered. The patients were clinically and radiographically reexamined after 1 year of loading.Results: All the implants survived at the end of the follow-up. No differences in bone level changes resulted between axial and tilted implants. No biological or mechanical complications were recorded.Conclusions: Within the limitations of this short-term study on relatively few patients, a positive outcome was seen for three-unit fixed partial dentures supported by two implants. Retrocanine placement of implants with carefully planned lengths and angulations might be an alternative to grafting procedures for restoration of atrophic posterior maxillae.

BACKGROUND:Membrane elevation in combination with implant placement without biomaterials is a rather new technique proposed for sinus lifting.PURPOSE:This study assessed the clinical outcome of such technique during the first year of loading.MATERIAL AND METHODS:Fifteen patients with a mean residual bone height of 6.2 mm were consecutively recruited for sinus lifting. After opening a replaceable bone window, the membrane was dissected from the sinus walls. A total of 28 implants were placed in the residual crest and they kept the membrane lifted upwards. After window repositioning, the flap was sutured. A 6-month healing period was allowed. Patients were re-examined after 12 months of loading.RESULTS:All the implants survived at the end of the follow-up. The 5.5 mm mean bone reformation was significantly lower than the 8.2 mm mean membrane lift achieved after implant placement. Regeneration at the distal surface of the most posterior implants was significantly less than at other aspects. The height of membrane lift was not correlated with the amount of regenerated bone.CONCLUSIONS:All of the 28 implants placed in combination with sinus membrane elevation were stable during the first year of loading. No extra costs for biomaterial or morbidity for bone harvesting were necessary.

Introduction: Several miniscrews are available for skeletal anchorage. They have different geometries with self-drilling or self-tapping features. The aim of this study was to evaluate the soft bone primary stability of 3 different orthodontic screws by using the resonance frequency analysis. Methods: Aarhus mini-implant (Aarhus Mini-implant, Charlottenlund, Denmark) (A), Mini Spider Screws (HDC, Sarcedo, Italy) (S), and Micerium Anchorage System (Micerium, Avegno, Italy) (MAS) were investigated. To be compatible with the device used for resonance frequency analysis, the screws were modified (an abutment [Astra Tech, Molndal, Sweden] was soldered on top). Four screws per system were tested. Each screw was placed in 5 excised rabbit femoral condyles, providing experimental models of soft bone. Placement was drill-free for the A screw, whereas the MAS and S screws required a pilot hole through the cortical layer. After each placement procedure, resonance frequency was assessed as a parameter of primary stability. Differences among the systems were analyzed by using analysis of variance for repeated measures, with the level of significance at P < 0.05. Results: The recorded resonance frequencies (in Hz) were (mean +/- SD): MAS, 6236.1 +/- 192.1; S, 6270.1 +/- 99.7; and A, 6193.1 +/- 142.4. Differences among the groups were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Conclusions: The resonance frequency analysis is applicable to comparatively assess the primary stability of orthodontic miniscrews. The 3 systems had similar outcomes in an experimental model of soft bone. (Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 2009; 135: 642-8)

OBJECTIVESThe aim of this study is to investigate whether the damping of osseointegrated implants, as measured quantitatively with the Osstell equipment, is related to the fractal dimension of peri-implant bone.MATERIAL AND METHODSFifty-five maxillary implants in function for 3 years before the present study were investigated. Two Osstell measurements were obtained for each implant with the transducer oriented first palatally and then distally. Using the half-power bandwidth method, the damping was calculated from the frequency/amplitude plot obtained from the Osstell. Damping data were then related to the fractal dimension of peri-implant bone. Fractal dimensions were calculated using a box-counting algorithm on digitally processed intra-oral radiographs of the implants. A Spearman's test was used to verify the correlation between damping and fractal dimension values.RESULTSAll the implants were clinically stable and free from symptoms. The mean ISQ was 63 for the palatal orientation and 71 for the distal orientation. The mean fractal dimension was 1.47; the mean damping value for palatal orientation was 12.3%, while that for the distal orientation was 8.2%. No significant correlation was found.CONCLUSIONSDamping values, measured at peri-implant bone, were found not to be related to a radiographic parameter of trabecular bone pattern like the fractal dimension. The clinical implication would be that Osstell graphs displaying distinct or more rounded peaks might both indicate a stable implant as long as the associated implant stability quotients are in the range of satisfactory values proposed in the literature.

BACKGROUND:Resonance frequency (RF) analysis is frequently used to monitor implant stability in patients. The influence of transducer orientation on RF of implants placed in jawbone has not been evaluated.PURPOSE:The aim of this study was to evaluate to what extent transducer orientation influences RF. The second aim was to evaluate if measurements taken with any particular orientation would best relate to marginal bone levels.MATERIALS AND METHODS:Nine patients edentulous in the upper jaw received 55 implants 3 years before this study. They underwent clinical and radiographic evaluation. Using Osstell (Integration Diagnostics AB, Göteborg, Sweden), four RF measurements were made for each implant. Measurements were obtained with the transducer cantilever placed buccally (B), distally (D), palatally (P), and mesially (M).RESULTS:All implants were clinically stable. Significant differences resulted between the measurements perpendicular to the bony crest (B, P) and the parallel ones (M, D). A tendency of negative correlation was found between marginal bone levels and implant stability quotient (ISQ) measurements; however, this correlation was not statistically significant.CONCLUSIONS:In conclusion, when measuring the RF of dental implants using the Osstell, it has to be taken into account that the transducer orientation influences the measurement. It seems therefore advisable to standardize the orientation. Moreover, although there was a tendency, any statistical significant correlation between ISQ values and marginal bone levels could not be established.

BACKGROUNDThe introduction of resonance frequency analysis (RFA) as a commercially available technique has made it possible to measure implant stability in implant stability quotient (ISQ) units at any time during the course of implant treatment and loading. However, no information on normal ISQ levels can be found in the literature.PURPOSEThe aim of this pilot study was to measure the stability of clinically successful implants in partially edentulous patients after 1 year of loading and to study the influence of jaw, anterior/posterior position, implant length, and marginal bone level on implant stability.MATERIALS AND METHODSFourteen partially edentulous patients previously treated with 45 implants were subjected to clinical and radiographic evaluations and RFA measurements using Osstell (Integration Diagnostics, Savedalen, Sweden) after 1 year of loading.RESULTSAll 45 implants were stable, and implant stability levels were in the range of 57 to 82 ISQ units with a mean of 69 +/- 6.5 ISQ after 1 year of loading. Mandibular implants were more stable than were maxillary ones. There were no differences between anterior and posterior implants. No correlation could be found between implant length and stability. Only minor marginal bone resorption was observed.CONCLUSIONSThe results from this limited material showed that successfully integrated implants have ISQ levels from 57 to 82 ISQ with a mean of 69 ISQ after 1 year of loading. Mandibular implants are more stable than are maxillary ones. High implant stability can be achieved with short implants and placement in posterior regions.

Purpose: The primary aim of this retrospective study was to measure the stability of implants supporting fixed prostheses in edentulous jaws after one year of loading. A second aim was to evaluate the influence of jaw, implant position, implant length and marginal bone resorptions on the stability of these implants. Material and methods: Twelve patients received 69 machined-surface implants (5 maxillary and 7 mandibular arches), which were restored with fixed metal-acrylic resin prostheses. After one year of loading, all the implants were clinically and radiographically evaluated and Implant Stability Quotients (ISQ) recorded with Resonance Frequency Analysis (RFA). Mean maxillary and mandibular implant stability values were calculated and then further divided into three groups depending on their anterior-posterior position. Stability values were compared with the Kruskall-Wallis test and the Spearman test was used to verify any correlation between bone loss and implant stability and between fixture length and implant stability. Results: All the implants were successfully osseointegrated with a mean implant stability value of 72.8 ISQ SD 8.2 . Mandibular implants were significantly more stable (P= 0) than maxillary ones but no differences were found among implants in different anterior-posterior positions, either in the maxilla (P=0.978) or in the mandible (P=0.977). Implant stability could not be correlated either with implant length (rs= -0.17) or with bone resorption (rs=-0.140). Conclusions: The present study revealed a clinical trend of an ISQ of 72 with a range of 53 to 94 ISQ, as typical of osseointegrated implants in edentulous jaws. Mandibular implants (P= 0) were significantly more stable than maxillary ones.