Clinical Research Directory

Intraoral vs Extraoral Cementation of Zirconia Bridges on Ti-Bases: Microstrain Evaluation

This prospective clinical study compares two cementation techniques for implant-supported zirconia fixed partial dentures on titanium bases (Ti-bases): extraoral cementation performed on the working model and intraoral cementation performed chairside. Thirty clinical cases with two osseointegrated implants requiring a multi-unit zirconia restoration will be recruited at the UIC Dental Clinic. For each case, two restorations with identical design will be produced: one will be cemented extraorally (control) and an identical replica will be cemented intraorally (test). Micro-deformation will be assessed as peri-implant microstrain (µε) using a standardized strain-gauge setup and the same recording protocol for both techniques. The primary analysis compares microstrain between intraoral and extraoral cementation within each case; implant/prosthetic events will be recorded descriptively.

In Vivo Evaluation of the Accuracy of Immediate Screw-Retained Provisional Crowns Fabricated Using Digital Planning and Guided Surgery

This clinical trial aims to evaluate the in vivo accuracy of a fully digital workflow for the immediate placement of a previously fabricated screw-retained provisional crown using digital planning and guided implant surgery. The study will be conducted in partially edentulous adult patients requiring the replacement of a single tooth with an immediately loaded dental implant. The main objective of the study is to assess the accuracy (trueness and precision) of the planned digital implant position and provisional restoration by comparing the virtually planned position with the actual clinical outcome after guided surgery. Emphasis will be placed on linear, angular, and rotational deviations at both the implant and provisional restoration levels. Participants will undergo a fully guided implant placement procedure with rotational control, followed by the immediate placement of a prefabricated screw-retained provisional crown designed during the digital planning phase. Postoperative intraoral scans will be obtained to register the final implant and restoration positions. The planned and achieved positions will be compared using three-dimensional analysis software to quantify deviations and determine whether the accuracy achieved remains within clinically acceptable limits.

Prospective Study of Bone Augmentation With Lateral Sinus Lift and Osseointegration of Dental Implants

By using a split-mouth model in the maxilla, lateral sinus lift procedures will be performed using xenograft on one side vs autologous bone augmentation and PRF membranes on the other side. The purpose is to qualify and verify each step of this study to ensure the reliability and validity of the results.

Survival of Implant-Supported All-Ceramic Prostheses

The purpose of this research study is to identify reasons that cause an all-ceramic bridge to fracture which include the thickness of the bridge material, the type of bridge material and the bite force of the person. This all-ceramic bridge will be compared to a metal-ceramic bridge. The investigators are conducting this study so we can make bridges which can withstand forces in the mouth which tend to break them. The overall objective of this research is to analyze how properties of ceramic materials and different forces in the mouth interact with each other to affect the longevity of these bridges. These include fracture toughness, elastic modulus of ceramic layers and supporting substrate, core thickness, connector height, wear, loading orientation, and maximum clenching force.

Clinical Performance of Long-span Fixed Partial Dentures

Tooth-coloured fixed restorations are becoming increasingly popular with patients and dentists. If high-strength all-ceramics such as zirconia are used as the restoration material, a maximum of two adjacent missing teeth can be replaced with the aid of fixed partial dentures (FPDs). For the replacement of a missing anterior or posterior tooth by FPDs, a very good clinical performance similar to that of metal-based, ceramic-veneered restorations can be expected. However, evidence-based statements on the clinical performance of long-span all-ceramic FPDs are difficult because there are only very few studies on this topic, which are also inhomogeneous with regard to the study conditions. Randomized studies to compare monolithic (consisting only of the high-strength framework material) or partially veneered (weaker veneering ceramics in esthetically relevant tooth areas) all-ceramic and classic (completely veneered) metal-ceramic FPDs are lacking. The aim of the current explorative, prospective, randomized, two-arm clinical interventional study is therefore to compare the clinical performance of long-span FPDs (≥ 4 Pontics) made of monolithic / facially veneered zirconium dioxide with a gold standard (completely veneered cobalt chromium (CoCr)-based FPDs). Forty patients will be recruited. Once all inclusion criteria have been established, including the signed informed consent of the patients informed of the content, effort, advantages and disadvantages of the study, patients are assigned to the two study groups by stratified block randomization (main strata: tooth-supported / (tooth-)implant-supported). After placement of the restorations, follow-up examinations are performed after 1 week (baseline) and after half a year, one year, two years and three years. In addition to the main target criterion (veneering defects), further complications (related to FPDs or supporting tissues / structures) and parameters of oral health are recorded. Depending on the distribution and structure of the data, parametric and non-parametric statistics are used. Group differences with respect to the main target criterion ceramic defects are to be investigated by log-rank and chi-square tests. The significance level is set at α \< 0.05. Since this is an explorative study, all p-values are descriptive.

Evaluation of MBL Around Implants Placed in Crestal or Subcrestal Positions: a RCT

The objective of this randomized controlled trial is to evaluate changes in marginal bone levels and soft tissue dimensions around implants placed with the IAI at different positions in relation to the alveolar crest