Objectives: This systematic review aims to critically assess the impact of platelet-rich fibrin on maxillary sinus floor augmentation and outline the specific aspects of new bone formation, bone height, implant stability quotient, and Schneiderian membrane thickness.

Material and Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted, analysing studies from MEDLINE (PubMed), the Cochrane Library, and ScienceDirect databases, published from January 29, 2018 until January 29, 2024 that compared maxillary sinus floor augmentation (MSFA) using bone graft material with and without platelet-rich fibrin (PRF). This review focused on patients 18 years and older who undergone MSFA before the dental implant placement. It systematically examined five studies, encompassing randomized controlled trials, and reported on 112 MSFA procedures conducted in 84 patients.

Results: The meta-analysis reveals a marginal significance in new bone formation with PRF, suggesting a trend towards beneficial outcomes that were not statistically significant. No significant impact on bone height was observed. However, a notable improvement in implant stability quotient (ISQ) was recorded, indicating enhanced implant stability with PRF. The Schneiderian membrane thickness did not show significant changes post-treatment with PRF.

Conclusions: While platelet-rich fibrin shows promise in enhancing implant stability, its effects on new bone formation and Schneiderian membrane thickness are inconclusive, highlighting the need for further research. Platelet-rich fibrin did not significantly affect bone height. The findings support platelet-rich fibrin’s potential as a beneficial adjunct in maxillary sinus floor augmentation, particularly for implant stability.

Objectives: This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to provide detailed insights into the clinical performance of short and longer dental implants placed simultaneously with bone augmentation.

Material and Methods: The search for literature was performed across MEDLINE (PubMed), ScienceDirect and the Cochrane Library databases, adhering to specific selection criteria and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Only articles published in English between 2014 and 2024 were considered for data collection. Primary outcomes were survival rate (SR), marginal bone loss (MBL) and complications. Clinical outcomes were as follows: bleeding on probing (BOP), periodontal pocket depth (PPD), and implant stability quotient (ISQ). Quality and risk of bias assessment were evaluated by the Critical Appraisal Checklist tool for randomized controlled trials developed by the Joanna Briggs Institute.

Results: A total of 14678 articles were screened, with 9 meeting the inclusion criteria and being utilized for this systematic review and meta-analysis. A total of 495 patients with 984 implants (491 short and 493 longer implants) showing a SR of 93.91% for the short implants and 91.83% for the longer implants. Meta-analysis revealed statistically significant difference between short implants and longer implants simultaneously placed with alveolar bone augmentation in relation to MBL (-0.513 mm, 95% CI = -0.93 to -0.096; P = 0.02), and in PPD (-0.247, 95% CI = -0.515 to 0.022; P = 0.07).

Conclusions: When comparing the results of treatment with short and longer dental implants combined with alveolar bone augmentation, short implants showed better clinical results regarding the parameters of survival rate, marginal bone loss and complications.

Objectives: This cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate the factors that determine the choice of oral surgeons and periodontists to perform immediate dental implant placement.

Material and Methods: An anonymous survey was carried out from January 6, 2024 to February 29, 2024. The questionnaire was distributed online to Lithuanian specialists - oral surgeons and periodontists, who perform implantation procedures. A total of 186 professionals were included in this survey. Chi-square test, its degrees of freedom was used for the analysis of variables.

Results: The main reason for refusing immediate implant placement is a periapical lesion greater than 5 mm, reported by 91.7% of oral surgeons and 96.9% of periodontists. Good aesthetics and preservation of anatomical structures are identified as an advantage by 99.2% of oral surgeons and 92.3% of periodontists. In the aesthetic zone, for periodontists, the main criterion for choosing a method is the quantitative and qualitative indicators of the soft tissue of the extraction socket 96.9%, and for oral surgeons - the morphology of the bone walls of the socket 87.6%. Only 43.1% of periodontists and 33.9% of oral surgeons are familiar with and use extraction socket morphology assessment classifications for immediate dental implant placement.

Conclusions: Taking into account study’s results, it is recommended to adjust the teaching programs at Universities and to increase the knowledge of specialists performing dental implantation procedures, by carrying out continuous educational programs.

Objectives: The purpose of this retrospective study is to compare dentigerous cysts and odontogenic keratocysts for cytoplasmic activation/proliferation - associated protein-1 antibodies via immunohistochemical staining to obtain a new perspective about the specific behavioural characteristics of odontogenic keratocysts at the molecular level.

Material and Methods: Forty dentigerous cysts (DC) and forty odontogenic keratocysts (OKC) tissue samples were examined using immunohistochemical staining to detect cytoplasmic activation/proliferation - associated protein-1 (CAPRIN-1) antibodies. Nuclear and/or cytoplasmic staining was evaluated as “positive”. Cell staining rate (%) and cell staining intensity were determined, and a staining intensity distribution (SID) score was calculated for each sample. Cases were considered “negative” if they showed no staining for CAPRIN-1 antibodies, thus were given a SID score of zero. According to the SID scores, the expression levels were rated as negative, mild, moderate, or high.

Results: Of 80 samples, 16 that could adversely affect immunohistochemical evaluation were excluded. Ten negative, 21 positive and three negative, 30 positive CAPRIN-1 expressions were observed in DC and OKC groups, respectively. The difference between the negative and positive cases within groups was significant only in the OKC group (P = 0.000). The SID score range and mean were 0 to 160 and 31.1 (SD 35.7) for DC and 0 to 160 and 57.3 (SD 42.3) for OKC groups. CAPRIN-1 expression was significantly higher in the OKC group (P = 0.043).

Conclusions: The molecular basis for increased mitotic activity, high recurrence rates or presence of satellite cysts in odontogenic keratocysts may be attributed to the expression of cytoplasmic activation/proliferation - associated protein-1.