Implant therapy in the atrophic posterior maxilla becomes challenging in the presence of reduced maxillary bone height. Sinus augmentation can be performed for resolving this condition prior to implant placement. The aim of this article was therefore to evaluate implant survival rates in the grafted sinus taking into account the influence of the implant surface, graft material, and implant placement timing. A systematic review of the literature was performed. Articles retrieved from electronic databases were screened using specific inclusion criteria, and data extracted were divided according to: graft material (autogenous, non‐autogenous, composite graft), implant surface (machined or textured), and implant placement (simultaneous with grafting or delayed). Fifty‐nine articles were included. Survival rates for implants placed in grafts made of bone substitutes alone and grafts of composite material were slightly better than the survival rates for implants placed in 100% autogenous grafts. Over 90% of implants associated with non‐autogenous grafts had a textured surface. Textured surfaces achieved better outcomes compared with machined surfaces, and this was independent of the graft material. Simultaneous and delayed procedures had similar outcomes. It may be concluded that bone substitutes can be successfully used for sinus augmentation, reducing donor‐site morbidity. Long‐term studies are needed to confirm the performance of non‐autogenous grafts. The use of implants with a textured surface may improve the outcome in any graft type.

A sound knowledge of the maxillary sinus vascular anatomy and its careful analysis by CT scan is essential to prevent complications during surgical interventions involving this region.

Blood vessels in the floor of the mouth may be in close proximity to the lingual cortical plate of the mandibular midline in most cases. This implies that bleeding can occur when the mandibular cortical plate is perforated even minimally. As a consequence, the authors suggest a careful planning of implant positioning at mandibular midline, possibly opting for the use of an even number of implants in the interforaminal region, avoiding the risk of surgical trauma to the lingual cortical plate of the mandibular midline.

The goal of this study was the investigation of the arterial blood supply to the maxillary sinus to give clinicians the basis for a better understanding of the origin of vascular complications that can derive from surgical procedures at this level. The study consisted of 30 sinuses from 15 human cadavers with an age range of 59 to 90 years. To define the complex vascularization of the maxillary sinus, the afferent vascular network was injected with liquid latex mixed with red india ink through the external carotid arteries. An intraosseous anastomosis between the dental branch of the posterior superior alveolar artery, also known as alveolar antral artery, and the infraorbital artery was found in 100% of cases. Such an anastomosis seemed to guarantee the blood supply to the sinus membrane, to the periosteal tissues, and especially to the anterior lateral wall of the sinus. Moreover, the gingival branch of the posterior superior alveolar artery was found to anastomose an extraosseous branch of the infraorbital artery in 10 sinuses. The examination of the maxillary sinus also showed a close anatomic relationship among the sinus posterior wall, the descending palatine artery, and the sphenopalatine artery in all 30 sinuses. Small branches deriving from the posterior lateral nasal arteries have been found to perforate the nasal wall laterally and reach the mucosa of the maxillary sinus. A sound knowledge of the maxillary sinus vascularization is essential to prevent vascular complications during surgical operations involving this region.

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Introduction: The introduction of piezoelectric instruments in endodontic surgery allowed clinicians to manage the bone tissue with precision reducing the risk of damaging soft tissues. Although such instruments can also be used to prepare root-end cavity, few information is available on the effect of piezosurgery on dentine. This cadaveric study investigated the integrity of root apices after root-end cavity preparation by piezoelectric instruments at different device settings. Methods: Fifty maxillary anterior teeth underwent endodontic treatment and apical resection in situ. Ten teeth were used as control. Retrograde cavities were prepared in 40 teeth (10 per group). In three groups, the piezoelectric device was set at constant vibration mode (CV), and three power levels were used. In another experimental group (n = 10), vibration + pulsation mode (VP) was selected, and low power was used. Each root was duplicated and analyzed by scanning electron microscopy for the presence of cracks and marginal chipping. Results: The number of cracks was significantly higher in the VP group, whereas no significant difference was found among CV groups. No difference between groups was found for crack type. The VP group showed a significantly poorer quality of cavity margin respect to the CV groups. Conclusion: Constant vibration mode is recommended for retrograde preparation with piezosurgery. (J Endod

The addition of PRGF to ABB could improve the regenerative process, reducing postoperative symptoms and resulting in a fast and predictable hard and soft tissue healing.