Biomedical subjects

Ugo Covani

Publications and source records attributed to Ugo Covani.

21 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMedDate not supplied

A clinical study of the outcomes and complications associated with maxillary sinus augmentation.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the rate of complications in maxillary sinus augmentation surgery and the impact of complications on subsequent implant treatment in a patient population with severe maxillary atrophy scheduled for treatment under general anesthesia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study population consisted of 70 patients (124 sinuses) with severe maxillary atrophy who underwent maxillary sinus augmentation. Sixteen patients were scheduled to have a unilateral procedure and 54 patients a bilateral procedure. Sinus augmentation was performed with autogenous bone alone in 93 sinuses; in 31 sinuses, a 1:1 mixture of autogenous bone and corticocancellous pig bone particles was used. Twenty-six of 124 procedures involved both sinus augmentation and autogenous block grafting for the treatment of severely atrophic maxillae. RESULTS: The most common intraoperative complication was the perforation of the sinus membrane, which was observed in 31 sinuses (25%). Seven (5.6%) sinuses in 7 patients exhibited suppuration of the maxillary sinus. Five of the 7 patients with sinus infection were smokers, showing a prevalence of complications significantly greater in smokers compared to nonsmokers. Moreover, the use of an onlay bone graft in conjunction with sinus augmentation appeared to significantly increase the rate of infective complications. Infections were treated by drainage and the administration of systemic antibiotics. Two clinical cases showing persistent signs of infection required an endoscopic inspection of the maxillary sinus. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: In the present study sinus membrane perforation was not shown to be a significant factor in the rate of implant complications. However, the combination of smoking and onlay bone grafting could significantly increase the rate of postoperative infection following sinus grafting.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Osteoblast attachment on titanium disks after laser irradiation.

PURPOSE: Osteoblast attachment on titanium surfaces is necessary to achieve new bone formation and osseointegration. The purpose of this study was to examine osteoblast attachment on irradiated titanium disks. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Machined, hydroxyapatite (HA)-coated, sandblasted, and titanium plasma-sprayed (TPS) surfaces were irradiated with either a carbon dioxide (CO2) or an Er,Cr:YSGG laser. A control group of nonirradiated disks was also examined. Osteoblast cultures were cultivated on the titanium disks and examined with scanning electron microscopy. RESULTS: The findings demonstrated that osteoblasts could be grown on all of the surfaces. Pseudopodia and a spread of cells that demonstrated maturation were observed on the lased irradiated titanium disks. CONCLUSIONS: The data show that laser irradiation of titanium surfaces may promote osteoblast attachment and further bone formation.

Cell Adhesion↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Immediate loading of implants with 3-unit fixed partial dentures: a 12-month clinical study.

PURPOSE: The aim of the present clinical trial was to evaluate the 12-month success rate of titanium dental implants placed in the posterior mandible and immediately loaded with 3-unit fixed partial dentures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with missing mandibular premolars and molars were enrolled in this study. To be included in the study, the implants had to show good primary stability. Implant stability was measured with resonance frequency analysis using the Osstell device (Integration Diagnostics). Implants were included in the study when the stability quotient (ISQ) exceeded 62. Clinical measurements, such as width of keratinized tissue, ISQ, and radiographic assessment of peri-implant bone crest levels, were performed at baseline and at the 12-month follow-up. The comparison between the baseline and the 12-month visits was performed with the Student t test for paired data (statistically significant at a level of alpha = 0.05). RESULTS: Forty implants with a sandblasted, large grit, acid-etched (SLA) surface (Straumann) were placed in 20 patients. At 12 months, only 1 implant had been lost because of an acute infection. The remaining 39 implants were successful, resulting in a 1-year success rate of 97.5%. Neither peri-implant bone levels, measured radiographically, nor implant stability changed significantly from baseline to the 12-month follow-up (P > .05). DISCUSSION: The immediate functional loading of implants placed in this case series study resulted in a satisfactory success rate. CONCLUSION: The findings from this clinical study showed that the placement of SLA transmucosal implants in the mandibular area and their immediate loading with 3-unit fixed partial dentures may be a safe and successful procedure.

Adult↗