The implant-supported restoration of missing teeth is a recognized method of treatment that ensures a functional, esthetic and durable effect, along with patient satisfaction. However, the preferable time of dental implant loading is under debate. Currently, 3 protocols are used: immediate loading; early loading; and conventional (late) loading. Immediate loading provides benefits such as short treatment time, the elimination of the second surgery required for later loading protocols, the protection of the gingival papilla, an immediate esthetic effect, and high patient satisfaction. This review aimed to summarize the evidence on the impact of loading time on marginal bone loss (MBL) around dental implants, which is considered a useful measure of implantological treatment effects. A literature search was conducted based on the PubMed/MEDLINE database. The search focused on studies providing the MBL values by protocol. Out of the 1,366 hits received in the initial search, 10 studies were included in the qualitative analysis. At 12 months, the MBL range was 0.17-1.86 mm in patients undergoing the immediate protocol, 0.14-1.22 mm in patients undergoing the early protocol, and 0.44-0.91 mm in patients undergoing the late protocol. The studies were heterogeneous, but no significant differences in the occurrence of MBL were reported between the immediately and early loaded implants as compared with the conventionally loaded ones. Further studies are needed to determine other factors that might be related to the type of protocol, important for optimal patient treatment.

The aim of the study was to review the current literature on the role of vitamin D in dentistry. The term vitamin D is defined as a group of compounds which are cholesterol derivatives with a similar chemical structure. It is produced in the human body and passes through many stages of synthesis. Vitamin D affects our body through the immune, muscular, nervous, and cardiovascular systems. It is also relevant in dentistry and in the carbohydrate metabolism. Nowadays, vitamin D deficiency levels are high in both the Polish and the world population as a whole. This is due to many factors: latitude, diseases and lifestyle. The data shows that over 90% of people of color (black, Latino, Asian, etc.) and nearly 3/4 of whites living in the United States suffer from a shortage of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25(OH) vitamin D). Meanwhile, studies performed in Poland report that a concentration of vitamin D <20 ng/mL (50 nmol/mL) occurs in 70% of the population. Preliminary reports suggest that vitamin D, through the maintenance of normal bone metabolism, as well as its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activity, modulates periodontal disease. A normal level of vitamin D is important in the treatment of periodontitis. More and more studies are focusing on the problem of vitamin D deficiency and its role in the human body. It is very important to maintain normal levels of vitamin D in the blood and supplement it in the case of shortfalls.

The available epidemiological data indicates the existence of numerous tooth deficiencies and periodontopathies in the Polish population. Successful surgical treatment is dependent upon multiple factors, including bone quality, which is affected by vitamin D - one of the regulators of calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) metabolism. The aim of this study was to conduct a prospective evaluation of the levels of vitamin D among patients receiving dental treatment for various reasons (conservative, surgical or prosthodontic treatment). The study involved 60 patients, who, for various reasons, were admitted for dental treatment for over a 1-week period in the summer season. A thorough interview together with a periodontological examination consisting of probing depth (PD) and clinical attachment level (CAL) measurements, were conducted. A total of 2 mL of blood was collected from each patient to determine the concentrations of vitamin D, parathyroid hormone (PTH), Ca, magnesium (Mg), and P in the blood with the use of mass spectrometry. Among the 60 patients enrolled in the study, 53 (88.3%) showed vitamin D deficiency and 18 (30%) showed a concentration below 17.8 ng/mL, which is an independent general mortality factor. The difference in the level of vitamin D between group A (without periodontitis) and group B (with periodontitis) was not statistically significant (p = 0.076), but a tendency for lower vitamin D levels in people with periodontitis was observed. We also observed a tendency for periodontal disease to occur more often with extreme vitamin D deficiency (<15 ng/mL) (p = 0.730). Low levels of vitamin D are present in a large proportion of dental patients, and an increase in the incidence of periodontal disease is likely associated with a decrease in the level of vitamin D.

(1) Background: implant surface topology and active hydrophilic ions could have some benefit on implant osteointegration and stability; (2) methods: 40 adult patients, suffering from a single missing tooth in the aesthetic zone, were enrolled in the study. Each patient had a single titanium implant (Thommen SPI^®lement) inserted. The implant surface was obtained through conditioning using the Apliquiq system. Patients were divided into two equal groups depending on the implant’s diameter (3.5 and 4.0 mm). Each implant was loaded within four weeks. Stability levels, using the Ostell device, were checked immediately after implant placement and in four weeks; additionally, marginal bone loss (MBL) was calculated based on 12 months; (3) results: all implants survived the study. The average primary stability achieved for both groups was initially 71.59 ISQ (±4.04) and declined to 69.94 ISQ (±3.29) in four weeks. The average MBL was 0.2 mm (±0.88). There were no statistically important differences between groups. There was a positive correlation between the patient’s age and implant stability quotient (ISQ) values; (4) conclusions: hydrophilic surface implants can be used in a protocol for early functional occlusal loading. Higher values of primary stability positively influence the values of secondary stability, and the age of the patient affects the values of implant stability.

Background: Many efforts have been made recently to arrange a newer, more hydrophilic and more osteoconductive implant surface. One of the possible options in this matter is modification with hydroxyl ion. Materials and Methods: Forty implants with the diameters 3.5 and 4.0 mm were inserted as a single missing tooth restoration protocol in the frontal aspect of the maxilla. All implants were loaded early in a 4 week period. Prior to and during the surgery, the following indices were considered: height of keratinized tissue, the thickness of soft tissue, and the initial level of bone tissue. After 12 months, the implant and the tissues in its direct vicinity were evaluated once more with the following indices: marginal bone loss (MBL), height of keratinized tissue (HKT), probing pocket depth (PPD), pink and white aesthetics scores (PES, WES), as well as pain sensations combined with the procedure (VAS). All results were related to the diameter of the implant and thickness of periodontal biotype. Results: High aesthetic outcomes were reported regardless of soft tissue thickness and implant diameter. The VAS score was higher for the 4.0 implant group, and the thickness of soft tissue had no influence on VAS. In case of implantation in thin or soft tissue, higher MBL levels were reported (0.26 mm), while in case of a thick phenotype, MBL was 0.06 mm. Conclusions: Hydrophilic surface implants can be used for a protocol of early functional occlusal loading. The initial thickness of soft tissue does not influence aesthetic outcomes and does not raise pain perception, although it may elevate crestal bone resorption.