Different implant placement depths do not influence crestal bone changes. Soft tissue behavior is not influenced by different implant placement depths or by the amount of keratinized tissue.

Objectives This randomized clinical trial analyzed the long‐term (5‐year) crestal bone changes and soft tissue dimensions surrounding implants with an internal tapered connection placed in the anterior mandibular region at different depths (equi‐ and subcrestal). Materials and methods Eleven edentulous patients were randomly divided in a split‐mouth design: 28 equicrestal implants (G1) and 27 subcrestal (1–3 mm) implants (G2). Five implants were placed per patient. All implants were immediately loaded. Standardized intraoral radiographs were used to evaluate crestal bone (CB) changes. Patients were assessed immediately, 4, 8, and 60 months after implant placement. The correlation between vertical mucosal thickness (VMT) and soft tissue recession was analyzed. Sub‐group analysis was also performed to evaluate the correlation between VMT and CB loss. Rank‐based ANOVA was used for comparison between groups (α = .05). Results Fifty‐five implants (G1 = 28 and G2 = 27) were assessed. Implant and prosthetic survival rate were 100%. Subcrestal positioning resulted in less CB loss (−0.80 mm) when compared to equicrestal position (−0.99 mm), although the difference was not statistically significant (p > .05). Significant CB loss was found within the G1 and G2 groups at two different measurement times (T4 and T60) (p < .05). Implant placement depths and VMT had no effect on soft tissue recession (p > .05). Conclusions There was no statistically significant difference in CB changes between subcrestal and equicrestal implant positioning; however, subcrestal position resulted in higher bone levels. Neither mucosal recession nor vertical mucosa thickness was influenced by different implant placement depths.

Insertion torque values and implant stability quotients were influenced by cortical bone contact. No significant correlation was found between IT and ISQ values-higher insertion torque values do not necessarily lead to higher implant stability quotients.

Autogenous bone is considered the criterion standard for grafting procedures of severely resorbed alveolar ridges. However, the rate of autogenous graft resorption remains controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the mandibular graft resorption with cone beam computed tomography after 10 and 180 days of augmentation procedures in the atrophic maxilla. Twenty-two patients received 36 autogenous bone grafts harvested from the mandibular ramus. Tomographical evaluations were carried out after 10 (T1) and 180 (T2) days of augmentation procedures to obtain bone grafts area measurements. After 10 days postoperatively (T1), the mean area of bone graft was 81.38 mm (range, 46.33-113.73 mm), whereas, after 180 days postoperatively (T2), the mean area of bone graft was 66.13 mm (range, 33.51-101.93 mm). The mean percentage variation of graft resorption between T1 and T2 was 18.38%. Autogenous bone blocks harvested from the mandibular ramus presented a reduction of 18.38% in the measurement areas after the augmentation procedures in the atrophic maxilla. Therefore, the use of autogenous bone blocks remains as a viable and predictable procedure for the rehabilitation of the atrophic maxillae. Thus, other studies must be carried out to improve the knowledge on the bone graft resorption, which may serve as a basis for the development of more effective strategies for the rehabilitation of patients with an atrophic maxilla.

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Based on the preliminary results (8 months) of this case series study, it can be concluded that there was bone loss on the mesial bone crest level and on the buccal face and bone increases on the mesial and distal faces in the area where the bone meets the implant surface. Nevertheless, this is just a case series study, and long-term controlled clinical trials are essential for a definitive conclusion.

Background Hemorrhages, mouth floor edema and tongue elevation are complications related to surgical procedures in the anterior region of the mandible. Objective The objectives of this study were to evaluate the presence and location of the lingual foramen in the anterior region of the mandible and to evaluate mandibular morphology using cone beam computerized tomography (CBCT). Material and method The mandible’s morphology and the location, diameter and height of the lingual foramina were analyzed using the midline and the mental foramen as references, in 278 CBCT. Result 88% of the sample had a midline lingual foramen, totaling 408 foramina, with a mean diameter of 0.93 mm. Foramina in the lingual region between the midline and mental foramina were detected in 75% of the sample, with a mean diameter of 0.807 mm. There was no positive correlation between the presence of lingual foramina in the lateral or in the midline regions (r = -0.149; p = 0.013). In the midline region, the type I mandibular shape was predominant (96%), and type III was predominant in the lateral regions. Conclusion Considering the prevalence of these structures and their clinical relevance in potential surgical complications, it is important to carefully analyze the anterior region of the mandible during surgical planning.

There was 100% survival rate after a 12-month period, but bone loss was observed in all evaluated areas.