Alessandro Cucchi - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Alessandro Cucchi

S.I.O. International Congress, 2010

PURPOSE: The aim of this randomized clinical trial is to compare 2 different approaches for Guide... more PURPOSE: The aim of this randomized clinical trial is to compare 2 different approaches for Guided Bone Regeneneration (GBR) in posterior region of atrophic mandibles regarding: I) the amount of vertical bone regeneration, II) the type and frequencies of surgical and healing complications, III) the implants primary stability and the osseointegration rate. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty partially edentulous patients with atrophic posterior mandible, who require a three-dimensional bone regeneration and an implant-prosthetic rehabilitation, were treated according the following protocol. Patients were randomly divided into two study group: 20 patients were treated with non-resorbable d-PTFE titanium-reinforced membranes (group A); and 20 patients with titanium mesh covered by cross-linked collagen membranes (group B). All patients received two or more double variable thread tapered implants and a mixture of autogenous bone and bone allograft according to one-stage GBR approach. In each gr...

valutazione del risultato estetico di impianti post estrattivi a carico immediato della premaxill

Clinical Oral Implants Research, 2021

OBJECTIVES The aim was to evaluate the role of resorbable membranes applied over customized titan... more OBJECTIVES The aim was to evaluate the role of resorbable membranes applied over customized titanium meshes related to soft tissue healing and bone regeneration after vertical/horizontal bone augmentation. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirty patients with partial edentulism of the maxilla/mandible, with vertical/horizontal reabsorption of the alveolar bone, and needing implant-supported restorations, were randomly divided into two groups: Group A was treated using only custom-made meshes (Mesh-); Group B using custom-made meshes with cross-linked collagen membranes (Mesh+). Data collection included: surgical and healing complications, "pseudo-periosteum" thickness, bone density, planned bone volume (PBV), regenerated bone volume (RBV), regeneration rate (RR), vertical bone gain (VBG), and implant survival in regenerated areas. Statistical analysis was performed between the 2 study groups using a significance level of α=0.05. RESULTS Regarding the healing complications, the non-inferiority analysis proved to be inconclusive despite the better results of group Mesh+ (13%) compared to group Mesh- (33%); Estimated value -1.13 CI-95% from -0.44 to 0.17. Superiority approach confirmed the absence of significant differences (p=0.39). RBV were 803.27mm3 and 843.13mm3 , respectively; and higher RR was observed in group Mesh+ (82.3%) compared to Mesh- (74.3%), although this value didn't reach a statistical significance (p=0.44). All 30 patients completed the study, receiving 71 implants; 68 out of them were clinically stable and in function. CONCLUSION the results showed that customized meshes alone don't appear to be inferior to customized meshes covered by cross-linked collagen membranes in terms of healing complication rates and regeneration rates, although superior results were observed in group Mesh+ compared to group Mesh- for all variables.

Clinical Oral Implants Research, 2019

Background : Extended alveolar defects are challenging for the irregularity of their shape and th... more Background : Extended alveolar defects are challenging for the irregularity of their shape and the lack of supporting bone. A virtually planned GBR with the design of customized scaffold-meshes to shape and contain particulate autologous bone can optimize and standardize the treatment. The rational is to plan the minimal entity of bone reconstruction needed according to the prosthetic evaluation not to stress the impaired soft tissues, reducing the risk of exposure that heavily affects GBR procedures. Aim/Hypothesis : To verify if a virtual planning with a customised scaffold could improve the predictability of a complex bone reconstruction, evaluating the device exposure, and the superimposition of the results to what planned in terms of mesh fitting, bone volumes and implant and prosthetic outcomes. Material and Methods : 21 complex defects were virtually reconstructed according to a prosthetic-guided virtual placement of 63 standard implants. On the base of the calculated bone reconstruction a scaffold-mesh was designed and printed to be fitted to each defect during surgery with autologous and bovine bone as a particulate graft. After at least 6 months a new CBCT was taken and the implants were placed after the device removal. The pre-and post-operative CT datasets were converted into 3D models with and digitally aligned for the overlap of the treated regions. This allowed to precisely verify the entity of the mesh fitting by the comparison of the virtually planned bone volumes (VPBV) with the volumes under the mesh from post-operative CBCT (actually expected bone volumes-AEBV); moreover, AEBV were compared with the lacking bone volumes (LBV) to calculate the reconstructed ones (RBV). The entity of exposure and the peri-implant bone resorption were calculated. Results : 11 (52%) exposures of the mesh for soft tissue dehiscence were observed and 5 out of these sites (23.8%) did not obtain any bone formation (failures). No differences (P = 0.086) resulted between the virtual planned bone volumes (VPBV) and the actually expected bone volumes (AEBV), demonstrating a perfect fitting of the mesh. The amount of reconstructed bone volume (RBV) in respect to AEBV was 59.7% and 87.2% with and without considering the failures respectively. The RBV was 71% and 78% in respect to AEBV in case of exposure and uneventful healing respectively. 39 implants were inserted. Apart from the failed sites, the number of the placed implants was 95% to what virtually planned; implant survival and success was 97% and 73% respectively. The follow-up from the prosthetic loading was 2.5 (2-5.2) years. Conclusion and Clinical Implications : The virtual planning of the GBR with customized scaffold augmented the predictability of the procedure in terms of reconstructed volumes and complications considering the different skills of the surgeons and the arduous anatomical situations to be treated. Additional procedures, like peri-implant soft tissue management, may improve the implant results in time.

Journal of Craniofacial Surgery, 2018

BACKGROUND Bromelain belongs to a group of protein-digesting enzymes obtained commercially from t... more BACKGROUND Bromelain belongs to a group of protein-digesting enzymes obtained commercially from the fruit or stem of pineapple. Several studies demonstrated that bromelain exhibits various fibrinolytic, anti-edematous, antithrombotic, and anti-inflammatory activities supporting its application for many therapeutic benefits. The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of bromelain on the pro-wound healing activities and the regenerative properties of mesenchymal stem cells. METHODS Mesenchymal stem cells were treated in vitro with bromelain alone or combined with dexamethasone sodium phosphate. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed to profile the expression of extracellular matrix components and remodeling enzymes, and cytokines. RESULTS The combination of bromelain and dexamethasone sodium phosphate induced a great activation of mesenchymal stem cells with an increase in hyaluronan and collagen production and anti-inflammatory cytokines release. CONCLUSION Based on the results of this in vitro study, the combined use of bromelain and dexamethasone sodium phosphate stimulated the pro-wound healing activities and the regenerative properties of mesenchymal stem cells better than bromelain and dexamethasone alone.

Journal of Craniofacial Surgery, 2017

patient, and we believe it is the ideal for the low site morbidity and the large quantity of soft... more patient, and we believe it is the ideal for the low site morbidity and the large quantity of soft tissues we obtain. A second possibility (and especially for females) is the deep inferior epigastric perforator flap, with the large quantity of skin that is obtained; however, there is a long wait time, placing it as a second option. The third option is the microvascularized latissimus dorsi; however, this has various inconveniences such as having to turn the patient during surgery. Functionally, for the patient there is more cutting and more difficult closure of the defect, generally ending with a skin graft for wide extensions of the skin. CONCLUSIONS Craniofacial approaches should involve a multidisciplinary team including head and neck surgeons trained in microsurgery and reconstruction or plastic surgeons and neurosurgeons. Osteosarcoma continues to be an aggressive tumor. The best possibility for these patients continues to be R0 resection whenever possible. In tumors that involve large vessels of the head and neck region or cranial nerves, the possibility of having a complete resection is much lower, and these patients experience greater sequelae, which negatively impacts their quality of life.

The International Journal of Oral & Maxillofacial Implants, 2016

Purpose: Concerns have been expressed about the possibility of high insertion torque (IT) causing... more Purpose: Concerns have been expressed about the possibility of high insertion torque (IT) causing necrosis, impaired osseointegration, and crestal bone loss over time. The present study investigated the relationship between primary stability and implant success, including early and late maintenance of crestal bone levels. Materials and Methods: Implants were placed in patients at three study centers. Every effort was made to achieve the highest possible primary stability, which was measured with IT and implant stability quotient (ISQ). The IT and ISQ at insertion and reopening (3 to 4 months), as well as bone levels at several points in time, were recorded. The correlations between IT, ISQ, and immediate and 3-year crestal bone loss were investigated through linear regression analyses. Results: Average IT was 76.1 ± 20.8 Ncm, while the average ISQ score was 80.4 ± 8.4. The implant success rate at 36 months was 98.6%. The crestal bone loss around most implants (41.0%) ranged from 0.05 to 0.5 mm. None of the osseointegrated implants had crestal bone loss greater than 2.5 mm. The linear regression analysis showed no correlation among early or 3-year crestal bone loss and IT, ISQ at surgery, and ISQ at reopening. Conclusion: The implants studied avoided any negative effects deriving from the high IT values (> 50 Ncm) applied during 3 years of follow-up.

Clinical Oral Implants Research, 2019

Clinical Oral Implants Research, 2020

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to evaluate hard and soft tissues around implants placed in ... more OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to evaluate hard and soft tissues around implants placed in posterior mandible 1 year after vertical ridge augmentation (VRA). MATERIALS AND METHODS 40 patients with vertical defects were enrolled and treated according to the study protocol. Patients were randomly divided into two study groups: reinforced-PTFE membranes (group-A) and titanium-meshes plus collagen membranes (group-B). All patients received simultaneously implants which were evaluated after prosthetic restoration at baseline and after 1 year, using the following parameters: peri-implant-bone-levels (PBL), interproximal-bone-peaks (IBP), pocket-probing-depth (PPD), bleeding-on-probing (BoP), plaque-index(mPI), gingival-index(mGI), keratinized-tissue-thickness/width (tKT and wKT), and fornix-depth (FD). Statistical analysis was performed to investigate any statistically significant differences and/or correlations (P=0.05). RESULTS 30 patients were completely followed-up according to the study protocol. After 1 year, implants showed a change of PBL from 0.12 to 0.76 mm, with marginal bone loss of 0.67 and 0.61 mm for group A and B, respectively, without significant differences (P>0.9337). The estimated difference between treatments for the change from baseline in PBL was -0.05 (95% CI -0.27 to 0.16). Statistical analysis revealed strong correlations between PBL and IBP (P<0.0001). However, no significant differences were observed for PPD, mPI, mGI, tKT, wKT, and FD (P>0.05). CONCLUSION The results indicate that GBR treatment with titanium-meshes plus collagen membranes (Group B) compared to reinforced-PTFE membranes does not appear to be inferior or superior in terms of PBL change. In both groups, hard and soft tissue were stable after 1 year of follow-up, with a peri-implant bone loss less than 1.0 mm in the first year.

International journal of computerized dentistry, 2020

AIM The purpose of this article is to present the preliminary clinical results obtained with a no... more AIM The purpose of this article is to present the preliminary clinical results obtained with a novel hybrid digital-analog technique, the solid index impression protocol (SIIP), which uses a solid index to capture accurate impressions of multiple implants for the fabrication of implant-supported fixed full arches (FFAs). MATERIALS AND METHODS This pilot study was based on five patients, each treated with a FFA supported by four implants. Three months after implant placement, impressions were taken for all patients with an intraoral scanner (IOS) (direct digital impression) and with the SIIP, using a custom tray consisting of four hollow cylinders connected with a bar. This index was linked to the implant transfers and transferred to the laboratory, and the definitive FFAs were fabricated based on it. The outcomes of the study were the passive fit of implant superstructures and the accuracy of the models generated by the SIIP, inspected using a coordinate measuring machine (CMM) and ...

Journal of Oral Implantology, 2019

The aim of this prospective study was to compare implant success rate and crestal bone loss aroun... more The aim of this prospective study was to compare implant success rate and crestal bone loss around tilted and straight implants supporting immediate loading full-arch rehabilitations. Twenty consecutive patients with edentulous jaws treated between June 2013 and July 2015 that satisfy all inclusion and exclusion criteria were included in the study. All patientswere rehabilitated through a full-arch restoration supported by four or six immediately loaded implants.Clinical and radiographic examinations were scheduled every 12 months to evaluate implant success rates and crestal bone levels. Significant differences in crestal bone levels and success rates between straight and tilted implants were investigated by means of independent statistical analysis and differences were regarded as significant if p < 0.05.70 straight and 50 tilted implants were placed to rehabilitate 14 mandibles and 12 maxillae in 20 patients. After a follow-up of 12 to 36 months, survival rate was 97.1% for st...

Clinical implant dentistry and related research, 2018

Different implant-abutment connections are available and it has been claimed they could have an e... more Different implant-abutment connections are available and it has been claimed they could have an effect on marginal bone loss. The aim of this review is to establish if implant connection configuration influences peri-implant bone loss (PBL) after functional loading. A specific question was formulated according to the Population, Intervention, Control, and Outcome (PICO): Does the type of implant-abutment connection (external, internal, or conical) have an influence on peri-implant bone loss? A PubMed/MEDLINE electronic search was conducted to identify English language publications published in international journals during the last decade (from 2006 to 2016). The search was conducted by using the Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) keywords "dental implants OR dental abutment AND external connection OR internal connection OR conical connection OR Morse Taper." Selected studies were randomized clinical trials and prospective studies; in vitro studies, case reports and retrospec...

The Journal of oral implantology, Jan 24, 2018

The aim of this cohort study was to investigate the relationship between crestal bone levels and ... more The aim of this cohort study was to investigate the relationship between crestal bone levels and crown-to-implant ratio of ultra-short implants, after functional loading. 60 patients with single or partial edentulism and alveolar bone atrophy were enrolled and treated between December 2009 and January 2016. Without using bone-grafting procedures, patients were rehabilitated with ultra-short implants characterized by a micro-rough surface and a 6-mm length. Clinical and anatomical crown-to-implant (C/I) ratios and crestal bone levels (CBL) were measured after a follow-up period ranging from 12 to 72 months; all peri-implant and prosthetic parameters were recorded. The data collected were statistically analyzed (p = 0.05). A total of 47 patients with 66 ultra-short implants were completely followed up according to described protocol. The mean follow-up was 48.5 ± 19.1 months. The mean anatomical C/I ratio was 2.2, while the mean clinical C/I ratio was 2.6 ± 0.6 at the baseline and 2.8...

THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ORAL AND MAXILLOFACIAL IMPLANTS, 2017

THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ORAL AND MAXILLOFACIAL IMPLANTS, 2017

The International journal of oral & maxillofacial implants

This randomized clinical trial aimed to investigate the relationships between insertion torque, i... more This randomized clinical trial aimed to investigate the relationships between insertion torque, implant stability quotient (ISQ), and crestal bone loss (CBL) of implants placed in fresh or 12-week healed extraction sites. Forty patients were randomly assigned to one of two groups and had one implant placed immediately (test group, n = 20) or 12 weeks after extraction (control group, n = 20) at premolar or molar sites. For all implants, insertion torque and ISQ scores at insertion and loading were recorded. Patients were followed for up to 12 months. Implant success was 100% in both groups. No differences were observed concerning both ISQ at insertion and ISQ at loading. A stronger correlation was detected between ISQ at insertion and insertion torque in the postextractive group (R = 0.83), than in the delayed group (R = 0.39), while ISQ at loading and insertion torque showed no correlation. CBL at 12 months was significantly different between test (0.68 ± 0.43 mm) and control (0.40 ...

S.I.O. International Congress, 2010

PURPOSE: The aim of this randomized clinical trial is to compare 2 different approaches for Guide... more PURPOSE: The aim of this randomized clinical trial is to compare 2 different approaches for Guided Bone Regeneneration (GBR) in posterior region of atrophic mandibles regarding: I) the amount of vertical bone regeneration, II) the type and frequencies of surgical and healing complications, III) the implants primary stability and the osseointegration rate. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty partially edentulous patients with atrophic posterior mandible, who require a three-dimensional bone regeneration and an implant-prosthetic rehabilitation, were treated according the following protocol. Patients were randomly divided into two study group: 20 patients were treated with non-resorbable d-PTFE titanium-reinforced membranes (group A); and 20 patients with titanium mesh covered by cross-linked collagen membranes (group B). All patients received two or more double variable thread tapered implants and a mixture of autogenous bone and bone allograft according to one-stage GBR approach. In each gr...

valutazione del risultato estetico di impianti post estrattivi a carico immediato della premaxill

Clinical Oral Implants Research, 2021

OBJECTIVES The aim was to evaluate the role of resorbable membranes applied over customized titan... more OBJECTIVES The aim was to evaluate the role of resorbable membranes applied over customized titanium meshes related to soft tissue healing and bone regeneration after vertical/horizontal bone augmentation. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirty patients with partial edentulism of the maxilla/mandible, with vertical/horizontal reabsorption of the alveolar bone, and needing implant-supported restorations, were randomly divided into two groups: Group A was treated using only custom-made meshes (Mesh-); Group B using custom-made meshes with cross-linked collagen membranes (Mesh+). Data collection included: surgical and healing complications, "pseudo-periosteum" thickness, bone density, planned bone volume (PBV), regenerated bone volume (RBV), regeneration rate (RR), vertical bone gain (VBG), and implant survival in regenerated areas. Statistical analysis was performed between the 2 study groups using a significance level of α=0.05. RESULTS Regarding the healing complications, the non-inferiority analysis proved to be inconclusive despite the better results of group Mesh+ (13%) compared to group Mesh- (33%); Estimated value -1.13 CI-95% from -0.44 to 0.17. Superiority approach confirmed the absence of significant differences (p=0.39). RBV were 803.27mm3 and 843.13mm3 , respectively; and higher RR was observed in group Mesh+ (82.3%) compared to Mesh- (74.3%), although this value didn't reach a statistical significance (p=0.44). All 30 patients completed the study, receiving 71 implants; 68 out of them were clinically stable and in function. CONCLUSION the results showed that customized meshes alone don't appear to be inferior to customized meshes covered by cross-linked collagen membranes in terms of healing complication rates and regeneration rates, although superior results were observed in group Mesh+ compared to group Mesh- for all variables.

Clinical Oral Implants Research, 2019

Background : Extended alveolar defects are challenging for the irregularity of their shape and th... more Background : Extended alveolar defects are challenging for the irregularity of their shape and the lack of supporting bone. A virtually planned GBR with the design of customized scaffold-meshes to shape and contain particulate autologous bone can optimize and standardize the treatment. The rational is to plan the minimal entity of bone reconstruction needed according to the prosthetic evaluation not to stress the impaired soft tissues, reducing the risk of exposure that heavily affects GBR procedures. Aim/Hypothesis : To verify if a virtual planning with a customised scaffold could improve the predictability of a complex bone reconstruction, evaluating the device exposure, and the superimposition of the results to what planned in terms of mesh fitting, bone volumes and implant and prosthetic outcomes. Material and Methods : 21 complex defects were virtually reconstructed according to a prosthetic-guided virtual placement of 63 standard implants. On the base of the calculated bone reconstruction a scaffold-mesh was designed and printed to be fitted to each defect during surgery with autologous and bovine bone as a particulate graft. After at least 6 months a new CBCT was taken and the implants were placed after the device removal. The pre-and post-operative CT datasets were converted into 3D models with and digitally aligned for the overlap of the treated regions. This allowed to precisely verify the entity of the mesh fitting by the comparison of the virtually planned bone volumes (VPBV) with the volumes under the mesh from post-operative CBCT (actually expected bone volumes-AEBV); moreover, AEBV were compared with the lacking bone volumes (LBV) to calculate the reconstructed ones (RBV). The entity of exposure and the peri-implant bone resorption were calculated. Results : 11 (52%) exposures of the mesh for soft tissue dehiscence were observed and 5 out of these sites (23.8%) did not obtain any bone formation (failures). No differences (P = 0.086) resulted between the virtual planned bone volumes (VPBV) and the actually expected bone volumes (AEBV), demonstrating a perfect fitting of the mesh. The amount of reconstructed bone volume (RBV) in respect to AEBV was 59.7% and 87.2% with and without considering the failures respectively. The RBV was 71% and 78% in respect to AEBV in case of exposure and uneventful healing respectively. 39 implants were inserted. Apart from the failed sites, the number of the placed implants was 95% to what virtually planned; implant survival and success was 97% and 73% respectively. The follow-up from the prosthetic loading was 2.5 (2-5.2) years. Conclusion and Clinical Implications : The virtual planning of the GBR with customized scaffold augmented the predictability of the procedure in terms of reconstructed volumes and complications considering the different skills of the surgeons and the arduous anatomical situations to be treated. Additional procedures, like peri-implant soft tissue management, may improve the implant results in time.

Journal of Craniofacial Surgery, 2018

BACKGROUND Bromelain belongs to a group of protein-digesting enzymes obtained commercially from t... more BACKGROUND Bromelain belongs to a group of protein-digesting enzymes obtained commercially from the fruit or stem of pineapple. Several studies demonstrated that bromelain exhibits various fibrinolytic, anti-edematous, antithrombotic, and anti-inflammatory activities supporting its application for many therapeutic benefits. The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of bromelain on the pro-wound healing activities and the regenerative properties of mesenchymal stem cells. METHODS Mesenchymal stem cells were treated in vitro with bromelain alone or combined with dexamethasone sodium phosphate. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed to profile the expression of extracellular matrix components and remodeling enzymes, and cytokines. RESULTS The combination of bromelain and dexamethasone sodium phosphate induced a great activation of mesenchymal stem cells with an increase in hyaluronan and collagen production and anti-inflammatory cytokines release. CONCLUSION Based on the results of this in vitro study, the combined use of bromelain and dexamethasone sodium phosphate stimulated the pro-wound healing activities and the regenerative properties of mesenchymal stem cells better than bromelain and dexamethasone alone.

Journal of Craniofacial Surgery, 2017

patient, and we believe it is the ideal for the low site morbidity and the large quantity of soft... more patient, and we believe it is the ideal for the low site morbidity and the large quantity of soft tissues we obtain. A second possibility (and especially for females) is the deep inferior epigastric perforator flap, with the large quantity of skin that is obtained; however, there is a long wait time, placing it as a second option. The third option is the microvascularized latissimus dorsi; however, this has various inconveniences such as having to turn the patient during surgery. Functionally, for the patient there is more cutting and more difficult closure of the defect, generally ending with a skin graft for wide extensions of the skin. CONCLUSIONS Craniofacial approaches should involve a multidisciplinary team including head and neck surgeons trained in microsurgery and reconstruction or plastic surgeons and neurosurgeons. Osteosarcoma continues to be an aggressive tumor. The best possibility for these patients continues to be R0 resection whenever possible. In tumors that involve large vessels of the head and neck region or cranial nerves, the possibility of having a complete resection is much lower, and these patients experience greater sequelae, which negatively impacts their quality of life.

The International Journal of Oral & Maxillofacial Implants, 2016

Purpose: Concerns have been expressed about the possibility of high insertion torque (IT) causing... more Purpose: Concerns have been expressed about the possibility of high insertion torque (IT) causing necrosis, impaired osseointegration, and crestal bone loss over time. The present study investigated the relationship between primary stability and implant success, including early and late maintenance of crestal bone levels. Materials and Methods: Implants were placed in patients at three study centers. Every effort was made to achieve the highest possible primary stability, which was measured with IT and implant stability quotient (ISQ). The IT and ISQ at insertion and reopening (3 to 4 months), as well as bone levels at several points in time, were recorded. The correlations between IT, ISQ, and immediate and 3-year crestal bone loss were investigated through linear regression analyses. Results: Average IT was 76.1 ± 20.8 Ncm, while the average ISQ score was 80.4 ± 8.4. The implant success rate at 36 months was 98.6%. The crestal bone loss around most implants (41.0%) ranged from 0.05 to 0.5 mm. None of the osseointegrated implants had crestal bone loss greater than 2.5 mm. The linear regression analysis showed no correlation among early or 3-year crestal bone loss and IT, ISQ at surgery, and ISQ at reopening. Conclusion: The implants studied avoided any negative effects deriving from the high IT values (> 50 Ncm) applied during 3 years of follow-up.

Clinical Oral Implants Research, 2019

Clinical Oral Implants Research, 2020

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to evaluate hard and soft tissues around implants placed in ... more OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to evaluate hard and soft tissues around implants placed in posterior mandible 1 year after vertical ridge augmentation (VRA). MATERIALS AND METHODS 40 patients with vertical defects were enrolled and treated according to the study protocol. Patients were randomly divided into two study groups: reinforced-PTFE membranes (group-A) and titanium-meshes plus collagen membranes (group-B). All patients received simultaneously implants which were evaluated after prosthetic restoration at baseline and after 1 year, using the following parameters: peri-implant-bone-levels (PBL), interproximal-bone-peaks (IBP), pocket-probing-depth (PPD), bleeding-on-probing (BoP), plaque-index(mPI), gingival-index(mGI), keratinized-tissue-thickness/width (tKT and wKT), and fornix-depth (FD). Statistical analysis was performed to investigate any statistically significant differences and/or correlations (P=0.05). RESULTS 30 patients were completely followed-up according to the study protocol. After 1 year, implants showed a change of PBL from 0.12 to 0.76 mm, with marginal bone loss of 0.67 and 0.61 mm for group A and B, respectively, without significant differences (P>0.9337). The estimated difference between treatments for the change from baseline in PBL was -0.05 (95% CI -0.27 to 0.16). Statistical analysis revealed strong correlations between PBL and IBP (P<0.0001). However, no significant differences were observed for PPD, mPI, mGI, tKT, wKT, and FD (P>0.05). CONCLUSION The results indicate that GBR treatment with titanium-meshes plus collagen membranes (Group B) compared to reinforced-PTFE membranes does not appear to be inferior or superior in terms of PBL change. In both groups, hard and soft tissue were stable after 1 year of follow-up, with a peri-implant bone loss less than 1.0 mm in the first year.

International journal of computerized dentistry, 2020

AIM The purpose of this article is to present the preliminary clinical results obtained with a no... more AIM The purpose of this article is to present the preliminary clinical results obtained with a novel hybrid digital-analog technique, the solid index impression protocol (SIIP), which uses a solid index to capture accurate impressions of multiple implants for the fabrication of implant-supported fixed full arches (FFAs). MATERIALS AND METHODS This pilot study was based on five patients, each treated with a FFA supported by four implants. Three months after implant placement, impressions were taken for all patients with an intraoral scanner (IOS) (direct digital impression) and with the SIIP, using a custom tray consisting of four hollow cylinders connected with a bar. This index was linked to the implant transfers and transferred to the laboratory, and the definitive FFAs were fabricated based on it. The outcomes of the study were the passive fit of implant superstructures and the accuracy of the models generated by the SIIP, inspected using a coordinate measuring machine (CMM) and ...

Journal of Oral Implantology, 2019

The aim of this prospective study was to compare implant success rate and crestal bone loss aroun... more The aim of this prospective study was to compare implant success rate and crestal bone loss around tilted and straight implants supporting immediate loading full-arch rehabilitations. Twenty consecutive patients with edentulous jaws treated between June 2013 and July 2015 that satisfy all inclusion and exclusion criteria were included in the study. All patientswere rehabilitated through a full-arch restoration supported by four or six immediately loaded implants.Clinical and radiographic examinations were scheduled every 12 months to evaluate implant success rates and crestal bone levels. Significant differences in crestal bone levels and success rates between straight and tilted implants were investigated by means of independent statistical analysis and differences were regarded as significant if p < 0.05.70 straight and 50 tilted implants were placed to rehabilitate 14 mandibles and 12 maxillae in 20 patients. After a follow-up of 12 to 36 months, survival rate was 97.1% for st...

Clinical implant dentistry and related research, 2018

Different implant-abutment connections are available and it has been claimed they could have an e... more Different implant-abutment connections are available and it has been claimed they could have an effect on marginal bone loss. The aim of this review is to establish if implant connection configuration influences peri-implant bone loss (PBL) after functional loading. A specific question was formulated according to the Population, Intervention, Control, and Outcome (PICO): Does the type of implant-abutment connection (external, internal, or conical) have an influence on peri-implant bone loss? A PubMed/MEDLINE electronic search was conducted to identify English language publications published in international journals during the last decade (from 2006 to 2016). The search was conducted by using the Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) keywords "dental implants OR dental abutment AND external connection OR internal connection OR conical connection OR Morse Taper." Selected studies were randomized clinical trials and prospective studies; in vitro studies, case reports and retrospec...

The Journal of oral implantology, Jan 24, 2018

The aim of this cohort study was to investigate the relationship between crestal bone levels and ... more The aim of this cohort study was to investigate the relationship between crestal bone levels and crown-to-implant ratio of ultra-short implants, after functional loading. 60 patients with single or partial edentulism and alveolar bone atrophy were enrolled and treated between December 2009 and January 2016. Without using bone-grafting procedures, patients were rehabilitated with ultra-short implants characterized by a micro-rough surface and a 6-mm length. Clinical and anatomical crown-to-implant (C/I) ratios and crestal bone levels (CBL) were measured after a follow-up period ranging from 12 to 72 months; all peri-implant and prosthetic parameters were recorded. The data collected were statistically analyzed (p = 0.05). A total of 47 patients with 66 ultra-short implants were completely followed up according to described protocol. The mean follow-up was 48.5 ± 19.1 months. The mean anatomical C/I ratio was 2.2, while the mean clinical C/I ratio was 2.6 ± 0.6 at the baseline and 2.8...

THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ORAL AND MAXILLOFACIAL IMPLANTS, 2017

THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ORAL AND MAXILLOFACIAL IMPLANTS, 2017

The International journal of oral & maxillofacial implants

This randomized clinical trial aimed to investigate the relationships between insertion torque, i... more This randomized clinical trial aimed to investigate the relationships between insertion torque, implant stability quotient (ISQ), and crestal bone loss (CBL) of implants placed in fresh or 12-week healed extraction sites. Forty patients were randomly assigned to one of two groups and had one implant placed immediately (test group, n = 20) or 12 weeks after extraction (control group, n = 20) at premolar or molar sites. For all implants, insertion torque and ISQ scores at insertion and loading were recorded. Patients were followed for up to 12 months. Implant success was 100% in both groups. No differences were observed concerning both ISQ at insertion and ISQ at loading. A stronger correlation was detected between ISQ at insertion and insertion torque in the postextractive group (R = 0.83), than in the delayed group (R = 0.39), while ISQ at loading and insertion torque showed no correlation. CBL at 12 months was significantly different between test (0.68 ± 0.43 mm) and control (0.40 ...