Objectives: The aim of this systematic review is to compare immediate implant placement in infected extraction sockets with non-infected extraction sockets in terms of implant survival and function.

Material and Methods: An electronic search was conducted in PubMed, ScienceDirect, ISI Web of Knowledge and Google Scholar between January 2010 and February 2020. Studies evaluating implant survival rate and main clinical parameters were included for a qualitative and quantitative analysis.

Results: In total, nine studies were included and a pool of 2281 sockets were analysed. Compared with the non-infected group, the infected group showed no significant differences in implant survival rates (risk ratio [RR] = 0.99; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.98 to 1; P = 0.08). No significant statistical differences were found in marginal bone level (mean difference [MD] = -0.03; 95% CI = -0.1 to 0.04; P = 0.41), marginal gingival level (MD = -0.07; 95% CI = -0.17 to 0.04; P = 0.23), probing depth (MD = 0.06; 95% CI = -0.24 to 0.36; P = 0.7), modified bleeding index (MD = -0.00162196; 95% CI = -0.09 to 0.09; P = 0.97) and slight but significant changes were seen in width of keratinized gingiva (MD = 0.25; 95% CI = -0.3 to 0.8; P = 0.38) between the groups at the latest follow-up.

Conclusions: There were no significant difference in implant survival rates, marginal bone level, marginal gingival level, modified bleeding index and probing depth between infected sockets and non-infected sockets. However, slight but significant changes were seen in width of keratinized gingiva favouring the non-infected group.

Objectives: The purpose of this article is to systematically review the use, efficacy, differences between botulinum toxin type A doses and side effects of botulinum toxin type A therapy in patients with trigeminal neuralgia.

Material and Methods: The search for the performed reviews was done in PubMed and Cochrane library in English language from January 2010 up to February 2020. Inclusion criteria: full-text studies in English language, in which visual assessment scale (VAS) was present, in which patients with trigeminal neuralgia (TN) were participated and the comparison between botulinum toxin type A (BT-A) and saline was done.

Results: The review included 4 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials with 8 to 12 weeks follow-up to observe changes in VAS and in frequency of TN attacks, differences between dosages of BT-A in therapy and side effects. Mean VAS of BT-A group decreased by approximately 68% and of palcebo group decreased by approximately 21.6% after the therapy. Mean frequency of TN attacks in 3 studies of BT-A group decreased by 85%, while in palcebo by only 15.9%.

Conclusions: Botulinum toxin type A injection therapy is a safe and effective method in management of trigeminal neuralgia. No differences between dosages of botulinum toxin type A were found. Maximum efficacy was noticed between 6 weeks and 3 months after the procedure. Side effects were mostly facial asymmetry after injection, headaches, haematoma, which disappeared in one week.

Objectives: To evaluate the influence of a single intraoperative injection of methylprednisolone on short-term haematological parameters following surgical removal of mandibular third molars.

Material and Methods: Fifty-two patients with indications for surgical removal of bilateral impacted mandibular third molars were included in a randomized, split-mouth and double-blinded study design. Each molar were randomly allocated into one of following four groups: 20 mg methylprednisolone, 30 mg methylprednisolone, 40 mg methylprednisolone and placebo. Peripheral blood samples were obtained before and three days after surgery. Haematological parameters involving haemoglobin, white blood cell count and C-reactive protein (CRP) were evaluated and expressed as mean changes. Level of significance was 0.05. Furthermore, outcomes were correlated for age, sex, smoking and time of surgery.

Results: There were no significant differences in postoperative haematological parameters with different doses of methylprednisolone compared with placebo. Peripheral blood samples revealed decreased level of haemoglobin and increased level of leucocytes and CRP in each group. Smokers displayed a significant lower level of haemoglobin and CRP compared with non-smokers (P < 0.05) and level of eosinophils decreased significantly with increasing age (P < 0.05).

Conclusions: This study indicates that a single intraoperative injection of methylprednisolone seems not to cause suppression of short-term haematological parameters compared with placebo following surgical removal of mandibular third molars.

Objectives: To compare selected anatomical and treatment-related diagnostic parameters estimated by cone-beam computed tomography and by digital periapical radiography in teeth with apical periodontitis, and to evaluate reliability of different examiners in interpretation of images obtained by both methods.

Material and Methods: Teeth with apical periodontitis were evaluated independently by 2 endodontists and 1 radiologist based on 128 cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and 162 digital periapical radiography (DPR) images. Anatomical (size, relation with root, location of periapical radiolucency) and treatment-related (canal obturation length, homogeneity, coronal seal) parameters were assessed. Fleiss kappa reflected inter-observer agreement while intra-examiner agreement was estimated by Cohen’s kappa. McNemar and McNemar-Bowker tests served for evaluation of differences between CBCT- and DPR-based estimates.

Results: Cohen’s kappa ranged from 0.62 to 1 for all examiners. Fleiss kappa values were nearly perfect for majority of parameters. Diagnostic discrepancy between methods was found for size of radiolucency that in 15 - 17% cases was larger, and in 25 - 28% smaller in DPR than in CBCT images. DPR revealed 20% of root canals scored as non-obturated while in CBCT - obturation present. Canal obturation was rated as homogenous by CBCT, while absent or non-homogenous by DPR, in 17 - 23%, and 11 - 14% of cases, respectively. Radiologist detected more root perforations in CBCT than in DPR images.

Conclusions: Good intra- and inter-examiner agreement for anatomical and treatment-related diagnostic parameters was achieved using cone-beam computed tomography and digital periapical radiography methods and demonstrated similar diagnostic capability, although variation regarding root perforations and canal obturation quality was observed.

Objectives: This study was to investigate suitable surface treatment methods for porous titanium by ex vivo study of material properties and calcium phosphate deposition in simulated body fluid.

Material and Methods: Porous titanium with acid (H₂SO₄ and HCl mixed acid) or alkali (NaOH) treatment was prepared. The surfaces were observed, and the weight change ratio (after and before surface treatment) and compression strength were measured. To investigate the apatite formation ability, each sample was immersed in simulated body fluid (SBF). Surface observations were performed, and the weight change ratio (before/after immersing SBF) and calcification (by alizarin red staining) were measured.

Results: The acid group showed a martensitic micro-scale rough structure and the weight and mechanical strength greatly decreased compared to the other groups. The alkali group exhibited a nano-scale roughness structure with similar weight and mechanical strength. Following immersion in SBF, an apatite-like crystal layer in the alkali group was observed. The weight of all samples increased. The change in weight of the samples in the alkali, acid, and control groups were significantly different, showing the following trend: alkali group (1.6%) > acid group (1.2%) > control group (0.8%). Calcium precipitation values were higher in the samples from alkali group than in those from the acid and control groups.

Conclusions: Alkali treatment was found to be a suitable surface modification method for porous titanium, resulting in good mechanical strength and apatite formation ability in simulated body fluid.

Objectives: This randomized controlled in vitro 4-arm trial study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of SoproLife^® in detecting and quantifying in vitro remineralization with early caries lesions.

Material and Methods: Sixty human teeth were randomly assigned into four equal groups. Groups 1 and 2 were prophylactically cleaned; groups 3 and 4 were not. Group 1 received treatment with MI Varnish^® and Recaldent™ for 30 days. Group 2 was treated similarly, but without MI Varnish^®. Group 3 was treated as 1 and Group 4 as 2. Mineral composition was obtained using scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray analysis SoproLife^® camera images on the occlusal surfaces were analysed for grey value distribution and difference in mean intensity values (DI). Paired t-test and Mann-Whitney-U test were used for intragroup comparison between baseline and T1. Kruskal-Wallis followed by Mann-Whitney-U tests were used for inter-group comparisons at T1.

Results: All groups exhibited a significant increase in calcium content and calcium-to-phosphorus ratio (P < 0.05), except Group 4 (Group 1 showed the greatest increase, then Groups 3 and 2). Grey intensity values decreased in all groups (P < 0.05). Group 1 showed the greatest change in DI (16.82 [SD 12.07]), followed by Group 3 (12.46 [SD 9.41]), 2 (10.45 [SD 7.76]), and 4 (6.46 [SD 6.21]). The difference in DI was different between the compared groups (P = 0.038); Groups 1 and 3 exhibited a greater DI compared with 4 (P < 0.01).

Conclusions: Within the limitations of this study, SoproLife^® is effective for early detection and for longitudinally monitoring the remineralization after Recaldent™ therapy.