Although a limited number of patients were followed for 1 year only, the results of the present study indicate that early loading of two unsplinted 15 mm long implants with an overdenture does not negatively affect implant stability or marginal bone conditions when compared with implants subjected to 12 weeks of healing before loading.

The results of this study indicate that 6 weeks of early loading period for TiUnite-surface titanium implants in the maxilla is reliable and predictable for this patient population and may offer an alternative to the standard loading protocol.

Owing to their comparable microgap values at the implant-abutment interface after the dynamic loading, ceramic abutments can withstand functional forces like conventional titanium abutments.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate and compare the effects of single- and two-dose low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on the postoperative swelling, trismus and pain of patients undergoing extraction of impacted mandibular third molars. In addition, edema was volumetrically measured with a 3dMD face system. A total of 45 patients were randomly divided into three treatment groups (15 patients in each group) as follows: Group 1, receiving routine management with ice application and serving as the control group; Group 2, receiving a single dose of LLLT immediately following surgery; and Group 3, receiving two doses of LLLT, immediately following surgery and on day 2 after surgery. In the present study, a gallium-aluminum-arsenide (0.3 W, 40 sec, 4 J/cm2) diode laser device was applied extraorally at the insertion point of the masseter muscle. The trismus, pain level and facial swelling of the patients were evaluated. The visual analog scale (VAS) was used to examine the pain degree, while a 3dMD face photogrammetric system was used to evaluate the volumetric alterations of the swelling. The results indicated no statistically significant differences in the mean swelling or trismus among the three groups. The mean VAS measurements did not differ significantly among the groups at postoperative day 2; however, significantly reduced VAS values were observed in Group 2 compared with Group 1 at postoperative day 7 (P<0.05). The present study demonstrated that, although single-dose or two-dose LLLT had beneficial effects on the swelling, trismus and pain level, a significant reduction was only observed in the pain level at postoperative day 7.

ObjectiveTo evaluate efficiency of pivot splints in jaw exercises, in combination with stabilization splints, in cases of anterior disc displacement without reduction of temporomandibular joint.Subjects and methodsTwenty-three patients who referred to the prosthodontics clinic in 1995–1997 were included in the study, where anterior disc displacement without reduction of temporomandibular joint was diagnosed using magnetic resonance imaging and clinical examination. Pivot splints were used for jaw exercises for five minutes long; five times/day and stabilization splints were used at all other times. The patients were followed for 24 weeks. Lateral and protrusive excursions along with maximum mouth opening and were evaluated at each control. Bilateral palpation of temporal, masseter, sternocleidomastoid muscles and TMJ was assessed for pain perception before and after treatment. Data were statistically analyzed using Paired sample t-test and Independent Samples t-test (p < .05).ResultsMean mandibular range of motion measurements increased from 28.74 mm prior to 49.17 mm on maximum opening; right/left lateral excursion from 7.61 mm to 12.04 mm and 4.09 mm to 7.3 mm on protrusion after treatment. All changes observed before and after treatment were found to be statistically significant. (p < .001) Pain symptoms were eliminated at the end of 24 weeks of treatment in all patients.ConclusionUsing pivot splints as an exercise regimen along with a stabilization splint may be a viable treatment option for patients with anterior disc displacement without reduction; as normal mandibular range of motion was established and pain was eliminated.