As stability is a key determinant of successful regeneration, this paper introduces tack engagement as a novel alternative to conventional suturing techniques, aimed at improving the positioning and fixation of autogenous tissue grafts. Rigid tack engagement, a widely utilized technique in guided bone regeneration (GBR) protocols for securing membranes, offers a stable and time-efficient solution that mitigates the risks of early graft displacement resulting from suturing or delayed volume changes due to physiological healing processes or unintentional patient oral habits. Subperiosteal tissue tacking represents a promising alternative technique for managing small to moderate tissue defects, mitigating various biological and practical obstacles. Within the limitations of this current report, tacks provide a variety of practical benefits for tissue fixation, rendering them particularly useful in staged implant placement procedures. Further research is necessary to comprehensively assess the benefits and potential constraints of this innovative approach.  Keywords: ridge augmentation, implant dentistry, grafts, tissue contouring, CTG, esthetics, implant dentistry, gingival graft, soft tissue, case series

Current evidence suggests that proper implant transmucosal contouring can significantly impact supracrestal soft tissue development and crestal bone response both in early and late stages of treatment. The macrodesign and composition of the anatomical healing abutment or temporary prosthesis used during transmucosal contouring are crucial elements for establishing biologic and prosthetic conditions that minimize early bone remodeling, improve esthetic outcomes, and reduce the possibility for future peri-implant inflammation. This article presents clinical directions on the design and fabrication processes of anatomical healing abutments or temporary prostheses for single implant sites under the interpretation of currently available scientific data.

Reductions in peri-implant bone height have been acknowledged as a normal consequence of implant therapy. Various restorative factors contribute to this phenomenon. One is repeated abutment retightening, which causes a mechanical disruption at the implant-abutment interface, leading to soft tissue recession. Several investigators proposed placement of the definitive abutment after implant placement as a solution to the problem. The definitive use of an intermediate abutment after implant placement seems to positively affect the soft tissue response. This article aims to present a prosthetic sequence for achieving peri-implant tissue stability in the esthetic zone.

Purpose: To assess clinical performance of bar-retained implant overdentures (IOs) with distally placed ERA attachments on four implants, and patient satisfaction after a followup period of 5 years in a convenience selection of 15 patients. Materials and Methods: Bar-retained IOs with distally placed ERA attachments were placed and clinically monitored. Encountered complications during a 5-year follow-up period were recorded; and a modified OHIP-14 questionnaire was used to assess patient satisfaction. Results: Implant and restoration survival rates of 97.5% and 100%, respectively, were recorded. The most common maintenance requirement was the replacement of ERA retentive elements. A high degree of patient satisfaction was reported. Conclusions: The proposed IO design is a reliable clinical treatment protocol associated with a high degree of patient satisfaction and minor prosthetic complications.

Several aspects of digital dentistry have recently been improved, including new materials, navigated implant placement, digital impression in combination with virtual articulation, and the computer-aided processes of designing and manufacturing of prosthetic restorations. In this case report, the prosthodontic treatment of a patient through a complete digital workflow is presented. A 39-year-old male patient presented for restoration of missing teeth in the posterior maxilla and mandible. In a single-tooth narrow gap (region 15), a Straumann NNC implant was placed by computer-assisted planning and navigation. For the rest of the missing teeth, ZrO2 fixed dental prostheses (FDPs) were manufactured by a computer-aided design/computer- aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) system after optical impression with an intraoral scanner (iTero), and data transferal to a virtual articulator (Ceramill Artex). Rehabilitation through a complete digital workflow is a promising technology in terms of accuracy, reduced workload, greater control over the final product, and minimally invasive procedures. These advantages may have a potential positive effect with regard to patient satisfaction compared with conventional methods. Keywords: digital dentistry, intraoral scanner, virtual articulator, navigated implant placement, ceramic restorations

Die Versorgung einer Zahnlücke im ästhetisch relevanten Bereich ist ein sehr anspruchsvoller Therapieschritt. Der Zahnarzt hat die Aufgabe, diejenige Behandlungstechnik auszuwählen und durchzuführen, die auf vorhersagbare Weise das in biologischer, funktioneller und ästhetischer Hinsicht beste Ergebnis für den Patienten sicherstellt. Dieser Fallbericht zeigt die komplexe Versorgung einer Einzelzahnlücke im Frontzahnbereich, bei der dank Hart- und Weichgewebsaugmentation auf vorhersagbare Weise ein gutes ästhetisches Ergebnis erzielt wurde. Keywords: Laterale Knochenaugmentation, Xenotransplantat, Einzelimplantat, ästhetischer Bereich

This report introduces an innovative approach for optimizing esthetics and minimizing soft tissue changes in clinical scenarios that involve extensive site preparation and submerged implants. The existing soft tissue morphology is registered at the time of implant uncovery, and an optimal peri-implant transmucosal contour is created indirectly in the lab. The customized definitive abutment is inserted during stage-two surgery and subsequently guides the peri-implant soft tissue, replicating an optimal emergence profile. The concept is demonstrated through the presentation of two clinical cases.

Ziel: Ziel dieser Studie war die Identifizierung der monoklinen Zirkonoxidphase (m-ZrO2) in fünf CAD/CAM-Zirkonoxidgerüsten aus Yttrium-stabilisiertem tetragonalem polykristallinem Zirkonoxid (Y-TZP). Material und Methode: Aus Cercon (CR), Lava (LW), Zenotec Zr Bridge (WD), In- Ceram YZ (YZ) und IPS e-max ZirCAD (ZC) wurden dreigliedrige Brückengerüste gefertigt. Alle Materialien wurden vor dem Sintern gefräst und anschließend nach Herstelleranweisung dicht gesintert. Mittels Raman-Spektroskopie wurde die Verteilung der m-ZrO2-Phase an den zervikalen Kronenrändern sowie an den Brückengliedern und den Konnektoren identifiziert und gemappt. Für jedes Material (n = 2) wurden drei Datensätze erstellt, und für jeden Bereich wurde der prozentuale Volumenanteil (%Vm) der m-ZrO2-Phase errechnet. Die statistische Analyse erfolgte durch eine zweifaktorielle ANOVA und einen Tukey- Test (a = 0,05). Ergebnisse: Die m-ZrO2-Phase wurde in allen untersuchten Proben nachgewiesen. Die höchste Intensität fand sich dabei jeweils an den Kronenrändern. WD zeigte den geringsten prozentualen Volumenanteil (0 bis 3,14 %), gefolgt von LW (10,26 bis 12,39 %), CR (11,72 bis 13,19 %), ZC (11,13 bis 14,10 %) und YZ (12,15 bis 14,99 %). Zwischen LW, CR, ZC und YZ traten in keinem der untersuchten Bereiche statistisch signifikante Unterschiede auf. In den einzelnen Materialgruppen wurden signifikante Unterschiede zwischen Rand und Brückenglied/ Konnektor (WD, YZ), Rand und Konnektor (CR, ZC) sowie Rand und Brückenglied (LW) festgestellt. Schlussfolgerung: Die auf Y-TZP destabilisierend wirkende m-ZrO2-Phase wurde in allen getesteten dicht gesinterten Brückengerüsten identifiziert. Der höchste prozentuale Volumenanteil fand sich dabei an den Rändern. Es ist unklar, inwieweit das Auftreten dieser Phase mit der hydrothermalen Beständigkeit von Zirkonoxid oder der Verblendung von Zirkonoxid mit Keramik im Zusammenhang steht.