BACKGROUND Previous studies have shown that adequate thickness or initial augmentation of soft tissue has a positive effect on the stability of peri-implant bone. This randomized, controlled trial aimed to evaluate the influence of augmenting soft tissue with platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) on crestal bone and soft tissue around implants. METHODS After randomization, 31 fully threaded titanium imp...

Purpose. The immunological mechanisms of peri-implant crestal bone loss have, hitherto, not been elucidated. We hypothesized that bacterial products from the microgap cause upregulation of cytokines in otherwise healthy peri-implant cells, which results in osteoclast formation and, ultimately, in bone resorption. Materials and Methods. We used RT-PCR and ELISA to assay mediators of osteoclastog...

OBJECTIVES To evaluate a new hybrid drilling protocol, by the analysis of thermal changes in vitro, and their effects in the crestal bone loss and bone-to-implant contact in vivo. MATERIALS AND METHODS Temperature changes during simulated osteotomies with a hybrid drilling technique (biologic plus simplified) (test) versus an incremental drilling technique (control) were investigated. One hun...

PURPOSE This prospective clinical trial examined the effect on teeth and implants when rigidly or non-rigidly connected in a cross-arch model. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirty patients received 2 implants, 1 on each side of the mandible, and were restored with 3-unit fixed partial dentures connected either rigidly or non-rigidly to an abutment tooth. Patients were followed for at least 5 years po...

The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of using a two-stage implant system in a single-stage procedure and to study the impact of the microgap at crestal level and to monitor the microflora in the peri-implant area. Forty edentulous patients (Cawood & Howell class V-VI) participated in this study. After randomisation, 20 patients received two IMZ implants inserted in a single-sta...