Dentistry Journal

Background/Objectives: Pathological tooth loss resulting from poor oral hygiene or systemic diseases can lead to partial edentulism, affecting patients both psychologically and physically. These consequences include facial height reduction, temporomandibular dysfunction, and impaired phonetics and mastication. Immediate complete dentures are often an effective provisional solution during the transition to full edentulism; however, establishing the occlusal plane can be challenging when remaining teeth prevent a conventional wax try-in. This clinical case aims to present a qualitative clinical case study of a single patient, illustrating the use of the Broadrick Occlusal Plane Analyzer (BOPA) for the establishment of an occlusal plane in harmony with the anterior and condylar guidance. Methods: A 51-year-old male patient presented to the Department of Prosthodontics at the School of Dentistry, Autonomous University of Guadalajara, with partial edentulism, periodontal disease, and generalized Grade III tooth mobility. Immediate maxillary and mandibular complete dentures were selected as the treatment of choice. Due to the presence of remaining teeth that hindered clinical determination of the occlusal plane, the BOPA was used during the denture design process. Results: Anatomical landmarks were combined with BOPA tracing to establish an occlusal plane harmonious with anterior and condylar guidance. The center of the curve was modified to accommodate anatomic variability in anteroposterior reference points. Conclusions: The use of the Broadrick Occlusal Plane Analyzer facilitated the accurate determination of the occlusal plane for the fabrication of immediate complete dentures in a patient where clinical assessment was limited. This modification allowed the establishment of a bilateral balanced occlusal scheme, contributing to functional and acceptable provisional oral rehabilitation during postoperative alveolar healing.

Background: Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) is an autologous biomaterial utilized as an adjunct in dental implant surgeries owing to its significant biocompatibility, supra-physiological concentration of growth factors, and ability to speed either soft or hard tissue regeneration. Methods: Today, PRF is available in both solid and liquid forms with an average resorption period of roughly 2 weeks. While various research endeavors have attempted to utilize Solid-PRF as a barrier membrane in guided bone regeneration (GBR) and various other applications, its two-week resorption period has limited its use as a solo “barrier” membrane owing to its faster-than-ideal resorption properties. Results: Recent studies have demonstrated that by heating and denaturing Liquid-PRF/albumin, the resorption properties of the heated albumin gel could be extended from 2 weeks to 4–6 months by utilizing the Bio-Heat technology. This emerging technology was given the working name ‘extended-PRF’ or e-PRF, with many clinical indications being proposed for further study. Numerous clinicians have now utilized extended-PRF (e-PRF) membranes as a substitute for collagen barrier membranes in various clinical applications, such as guided tissue/bone regeneration, recession coverage, and lateral window sinus lifts. Conclusions: This two-part case series paper aims to first illustrate the evolution of techniques developed taking advantage of this new technology in clinical practice for alveolar ridge preservation. This includes four different methods of fabrication of e-PRF along with its application in clinical practice. This article discusses the clinical outcomes, including the advantages/disadvantages of utilizing each of the four separate techniques to prepare and utilize e-PRF membranes for ridge preservation.

Periodontal disease (PD) is an inflammatory condition caused by multiple periodontal pathogens, particularly those belonging to the Red Complex. Various risk factors influence the development of PD, including age, sex, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, and underlying health issues. Numerous molecular and cellular processes govern the inflammatory response, which affects the gums and tooth-supporting structures and ultimately leads to alveolar bone loss. Accumulating evidence suggests that Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1 (HIV-1) infection significantly impacts the initiation and progression of PD. While HIV-1 is treated with antiretroviral therapy, this treatment can also affect the course of periodontal disease and systemic health status. AI/ML and precision medicine integrates genomic and computational data to enable individualized disease prevention and treatment strategies. When applied responsibly, these technologies can assist clinicians in the timely detection of both PD and HIV-1. This review aims to discuss the factors that exacerbate PD and the available therapeutic options for persons living with (PLWH) and without HIV-1. Additionally, we emphasize the need for developing biomarkers for early diagnosis and intervention to manage PD effectively, ultimately improving the quality of life for those living with HIV.