A comparison of panoramic radiography (PAN) alone and PAN together with small field of view cone beam computed tomography (sFOV-CBCT) for diagnosis of symptomatic pathologies of the maxillary sinus was carried out by clinicians of different experience. Corresponding radiographic images (PAN/sFOV-CBCT) of 28 patients with symptomatic maxillary sinus pathologies were chosen and analyzed by two general practitioners (GP), two junior maxillofacial surgeons (MS1), and three senior maxillofacial surgeons (MS2) via questionnaire. Visibility of maxillary pathologies in PAN was significantly different between the groups (GP 39%, MS1 48%, MS2 61%; p < 0.05). The number of incidental findings varied within examiner groups in PAN with a significant increase in MS2 (p = 0.027). The majority of examiners rated an additional sFOV-CBCT as “reasonable”/“required” with a significant influence of the examining groups (GP 98.2%, MS1 94.6%, MS2 80.9%; p = 0.008). In 58% of cases, an additional sFOV-CBCT was seen as “affecting therapy” with significant differences between the groups (GP 68%, MS1 50%, MS2 55%; p < 0.001). PAN alone is not sufficient for the evaluation of pathologies of the maxillary sinus. But, depending on the examiners’ clinical experience, it remains a useful diagnostic tool. Along with the observers’ training, significant benefits of an additional sFOV-CBCT for evaluation of symptomatic maxillary sinus pathologies were detected.

(1) Background: Primary stability—one fundamental criterion for the success of dental implants—is influenced by implant geometry even if the effect of apical shape modifications on implant primary stability has not yet been examined. Therefore, the aim of the ex vivo study was to compare primary stability of implants differing in apically located screw threads (J-line) or a flat tip (K-line) only. (2) Methods: 28 implants of each group of the same diameter (4.3 mm) were randomly inserted into porcine bone blocks. The first group (9, 11 and 13 mm) was inserted into “hard”, the second (11 mm) into “soft” bone, here using a normal and an undersized drilling protocol. Insertion torque (Ncm), Periotest^® value, resonance frequency (implant stability coefficient, ISQ) and push-out force (N) were measured. (3) Results: In “hard” bone, primary stability increased with increasing length in both groups but it was significantly higher in J-line (p < 0.03). An undersized preparation of the implant bed in “soft” bone resulted in a significant increase in primary stability in both groups. Here, J-line also showed a significantly increased primary stability when compared to equally prepared K-line (insertion torque: 37 Ncm vs. 26 Ncm; Periotest^®: −6.5 vs. −4.3; push-out force: 365 N vs. 329 N; p < 0.05 each). (4) Conclusions: Primary stability is significantly higher with increasing implant length and apically located screw threads as well as with undersized drilling protocols. When preparing the implant site and subsequently selecting the implant system, modifying factors such as implant geometry (also at the tip) should be taken into account.

Background: CAD/CAM systems enable the production of fixed partial dentures with small and reproducible internal and marginal gaps. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reproducibility of the marginal and internal adaptations of four-unit fixed partial denture frameworks produced using four CAD/CAM systems. Materials and Methods: Prepared dies of a master model that simulated the loss of the first left molar were measured. Fifteen frameworks were manufactured using four CAD/CAM systems (A–D). The internal fit was determined by the replica technique, and the marginal gap was determined by microscopy. ANOVA was carried out to detect significant differences, and the Bonferroni adjustment was performed. The global level of significance was set at 5%. Results: The mean gap size ranged from 84 to 132 µm (SD 43–71 µm). The CAD/CAM systems showed significant variance (p < 0.001), and system A (VHF) showed the smallest gaps. The smallest gaps for each system were in the molar part and in the marginal region of the frameworks (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The CAD/CAM systems showed significantly different gap sizes, particularly between premolars and molars and among the marginal, axial and occlusal regions. All of the systems are suitable for clinical application.