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Background/Aim. The use of autogenous bone grafts for augmentation of the resorbed alveolar ridge is still considered the gold standard in implant dentistry. The aim of this study was to analyze the resorption rate of autogenous bone block grafts from the retromolar region placed in the frontal segment of the upper jaw unprotected by barrier membranes, to assess the stability of implants placed into the grafted bone, as well as to monitor its changes during the healing period. Methods. The study included 18 patients with a total of 20 grafted sites. The residual alveolar ridge was measured before and after the augmentation and prior to implant placement. All implants were restored with provisional crowns within 48 hours after the placement. Implant stability was assessed using resonance frequency analysis. Results. The average period from ridge augmentation to reentry was 5.4 months (range 4–6 months). At reentry the healed alveolar ridge had a mean width of 6.1 ± 1.27 mm. The mean calculated width gain was 3.04 ± 1.22 mm. The overall surface resorption of block grafts was 0.68 ± 0.69 mm (18.85%). At the time of implant placement the mean value of implant stability quotient (ISQ) was 71.25 ± 5.77. The lowest ISQ values were noted after three weeks of healing, followed by a gradual increase until week 12. After 12 weeks implants showed significantly higher ISQ values compared to primary stability (p < 0.05 Wilcoxon signed ranks test). During the 3-years followup period no cases of implant loss were recorded. Conclusion. Despite a significant resorption of bone grafts, it was possible to place implants in all the cases and to use the immediate loading protocol without affecting implant survival rate. [Project of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no.175021]

Introduction. Bone resorption is a physiological process after tooth extraction. The use of bone substitutes to fill the tooth socket is suggested to prevent bone resorption and establish good bone architecture for implant placement. A pure ß-tricalcium phosphate coated with copolymer (polylactic-polyglycolic acid) as a root analogue, is suitable for filling tooth sockets. Case report. We presented a patient successfully treated with root analogue after extraction of the right second lower premolar. Three months later, the patient was planned for the placement of six TE® ITI dental implants into the mandible. During the surgery, the biopsy of bone-like tissue from the previously treated socket was taken. All the implants were immediately loaded due to good primary stability. Histological analysis of the specimen revealed fibrous healing in the area treated with root analogue. Conclusion. The use of ß-tricalcium phosphate coated with copolymers after tooth extraction enables satisfactory bone architecture for consequent implant treatment.

Background/Aim. Our research was performed to evaluate the influences of the myocardial bridging of coronary arteries on the myocardial and coronary arteries wall structure changes, that could be a reason for multiple heart malfunctions. Methods. We analyzed the autopsy material, collected during a five-years period, and especially the group of 575 cases with the major aim to diagnose mors naturalis. In all cases with the presence of myocardial bridge over the arterial coronary wall revealed at autopsy, samples were taken for microscopic verification and examination. Results. We found myocardial bridges over the coronary arteries or their major branches in 27 of the cases (4.70%). We believe that myocardial bridges compromise coronary perfusion by cyclic compression of the overbridged vessels, and that it could be the initial factor in the pathogenesis of arteriosclerotic degeneration processes on the coronary artery wall. We found different grades of arteriosclerotic changes in 88.89% of the cases, as well as fibrosis of myocardium in 88.89% and lipomatosis in 66.67% of the cases with the present myocardial bridges. Conclusion. Our results suggested that myocardial bridging of coronary arteries and/or their branches was the pathological and even lethal phenomenon that deserves more intensive clinical evaluation.

Since prehistoric times, man has sought ways to lessen pain. With varying degrees of success he has utilized: opium, nerve compresses, cold, hypnosis, etc. New ideas for using ether and laughing gas in anesthesia on the beginning of eighteen century, were first steps in developing general anesthesia. The dental and medical professions are thankful to all participants in history of anesthesia for their great contributions. .