Several long-term care facilities in the Rochester, NY, area developed a benchmark process that was customer driven, analytical in its approach to problem-solving, measurable, and flexible enough to be applicable to any area of care within the facilities. The facilities benefited by gaining a process that improves their operations and has a positive impact on residents' quality of life.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Implant complications and failures: the single-tooth restoration.

The single-tooth implant restoration appears to be an ideal method of replacing missing natural teeth in a healthy dentition. Most follow-up studies report a high success rate. The restoration is seen by many clinicians as a relatively straightforward technique easily adapted to general dental practice and popular with patients, although it is not without complications. The purpose of this paper is to look at common problems following the placement of root-formed endosseous dental implants. A number of implant systems are reviewed and the results of the authors' clinical experiences reported.

Bite Force↗

PubMedDate not supplied

A 3- to 6-year study of overdentures supported by hydroxyapatite-coated endosseous dental implants.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of hydroxyapatite-coated cylindrical implants to support overdentures. These implants were placed between 1990 and 1994 and have been followed up over a period of 3 to 6 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred thirty-nine Calcitek dental implants were placed in 43 patients to support 14 maxillary and 30 mandibular overdentures. Standardized clinical review procedures were used. RESULTS: At exposure all the implants were found to be osseointegrated. To date only 7 implants (5%) have completely failed and two associated overdentures (5%) have been lost. The cumulative survival rate of all implants over 6 years was 92%. However, if failure is defined by the loss of more than 4 mm of cervical bone, 33 implants could be classified as being in the process of failing. Using these figures, interval success rates as low as 82% were found by year 6, and the cumulative success rate would fall to 39%. Maxillary survival and success rates were significantly lower than mandibular rates, at 38% and 10%, respectively, by year 5. CONCLUSION: Failure rates were higher in the maxillary arch, in poor quality bone, in smokers, and where implants were opposed by a natural dentition or an implant-supported prosthesis. The results suggest that the cervical bone level adjacent to the Calcitek cylindrical hydroxyapatite-coated implant failed to establish a steady state, particularly in the maxillary arch. Doubts remain regarding the long-term prognosis of these cylindrical implants.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Use of image analysis in determining masticatory efficiency in patients presenting for immediate dentures.

Image analysis was used to determine masticatory efficiency and performance before and after placement of immediate dentures. Sections of cored carrot were used as the test food and the particle size of chewed expectorated food was measured using image analysis. Measurements were shown to be accurate and reproducible. Masticatory function of immediate-denture patients was also compared with a similar number of dentate individuals and experienced complete-denture wearers. Dentate subjects were significantly (P less than .01) more efficient at masticating the test food than were the complete- or immediate-denture wearers. The new method of measurement removes the necessity for the unpleasant and unhygienic sieving process previously used in this type of study.

Denture, Complete, Immediate↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Dissection of the abdominal aorta associated with traumatic aneurysms of the iliac vessels. Case report.

Dissection of the abdominal aorta without an associated thoracic dissection is uncommon. It is usually associated with blunt abdominal trauma and commonly presents early with aortic occlusion. A case is presented where abdominal aortic dissection presented two months after lower abdominal trauma. It is suggested that the initiating event in this case was injury to the iliac vessels.

Abdominal Injuries↗