Morris Zarantonello

Background: In this multicenter case series analysis, the authors present successful instances of 20 single-screw-retained and implant-supported prosthetic rehabilitation samples. Methods: A high-density heterologous dermal matrix (Derma^® Osteobiol by Tecnoss, Torino, Italy) was employed with a specific technique named the matrix tissue graft (MTG) in all these cases characterized by an inadequate initial supra-crestal tissue height (thin if 1 mm or medium if 2 mm) to enhance the peri-implant soft tissues both vertically and horizontally. Results: The implants were deemed successful in all cases, yielding a success proportion of 100% (one-sided 97.5% confidence interval = 83.2–100%). The buccal and lingual gains were, respectively, 2.2 ± 0.38 mm (range 1.7–3.22 mm) and 0.83 ± 0.33 mm (range 0.1–1.5 mm). These measurements were calculated as the maximum distance between two superimposed .stl file models (derived from two different IOS devices) scanned before implant placement and 1 year after dermal matrix healing. Conclusions: An outstanding vertical and horizontal gain was obtained using this heterologous derma matrix placed above the bone crest and surrounding the dental implants.

We describe two clinical cases of occasional radiographic findings on orthopantomography (OPG) that were performed routinely, for which the definitive diagnosis may be uncertain. After an accurate remote and recent anamnesis, for reasons of exclusion, we hypothesize a rare case of the retention of a contrast medium in the parenchyma of the major salivary glands (parotid, submandibular, and sublingual) and their excretory ducts as a consequence of sialography examination. In the first case we analyzed, we found it difficult to classify the radiographic signs on the sublingual glands, left parotid, and submandibular, while in the second case, only the right parotid was involved. Using CBCT, the spherical findings were highlighted, with multiple having different dimensions, as well as radiopaque in their peripheral portion and more radiolucent inside them. We could immediately exclude salivary calculi, which usually have a more elongated/ovoid shape and appear homogeneously radiopaque without radiolucency areas. These two cases (of hypothetic medium contrast retention with unusual and atypical clinical-radiographic presentation) have very rarely been comprehensively and correctly documented in the literature. No papers have a follow-up longer than 5 years. We conducted a review of the literature on the PubMed database, finding only six articles reporting similar cases. Most of them were old articles, demonstrating the low frequency of this phenomenon. The research was performed using the following keywords: “sialography”, “contrast medium”, “retention” (six papers) and “sialography”, and “retention” (13 papers). Some articles were present in both searches, and the really significant ones (defined after a careful reading of the entire article and not only of the abstract) resulted only in six occurrences in a time span from 1976 to 2022.

We performed this clinical study in order to evaluate the reliability of the Guided Bone Regeneration (GBR) surgical technique through the use of customized CAD CAM titanium meshes (Yxoss CBR^® Reoss) in order to show an alternative method of bone augmentation. Materials and methods: Nine patients presenting 10 bone defects were referred to solve oral dysfunction due to edentulous atrophic ridges. Guided bone regeneration was performed with titanium meshes combined with autogenous bone grafting and heterologous bovine bone mineral grafting, and exclusively a “poncho technique” soft tissue approach for all the cases. After a mean 9 months of graft healing (range 6–12 months), titanium meshes were removed, and implant surgery was subsequently performed. The results we obtained were positive in terms of volumetric increases in height, length and thickness of the atrophic ridges without biological complications detectable before implant surgery. Results: Out of nine, one site met titanium mesh exposure: however, in all 10 sites a three-dimensional volumetric bone implementation was obtained. The statistical results were estimated by uploading and superimposing cbct scans before and after CBR surgery for each patient, so it was possible evaluate the maximum linear vertical and horizontal bone gain through dedicated Cad Cam software (Exocad GmbH^®). The average horizontal gain was 6.37 ± 2.17 mm (range 2.78–9.12 mm) and vertical gain was 5.95 ± 2.06 mm (range 2.68–9.02 mm). A total of 18 implants were placed into the grafted sites with a 100% survival rate (clearly they are relative percentages to be compared to the short time elapsed). Conclusions: The results we obtained in this study suggest that this CBR procedure (Yxoss^® by Reoss) is reliable and safe for bone regeneration to allow implant-prosthetic restoration in horizontal, vertical and combined bone defects. The soft tissue management is diriment: all the cases were managed with a “poncho” flap approach to decrease exposure complication.

Background and Objective: Guided bone regeneration allows new bone formation in anatomical sites showing defects preventing implant rehabilitation. Material and Methods: The present case series reported the outcomes of five patients treated with customized titanium meshes manufactured with a digital workflow for achieving bone regeneration at future implant sites. A significant gain in both width and thickness was achieved for all patients. Results: From a radiographic point of view (CBTC), satisfactory results were reached both in horizontal and vertical defects. An average horizontal gain of 3.6 ± 0.8 mm and a vertical gain of 5.2 ± 1.1 mm. Conclusions: The findings from this study suggest that customized titanium meshes represent a valid method to pursue guided bone regeneration in horizontal, vertical or combined defects. Particular attention must be paid by the surgeon in the packaging of the flap according to a correct method called the “poncho” technique in order to reduce the most frequent complication that is the exposure of the mesh even if a partial exposure of one mesh does not compromise the final outcome of both the reconstruction and the healing of the implants.