Cataflam

Patients were prescribed analgesics for 3 days (3 × 50 mg diclofenac, Cataflam, Novartis) and antibiotics (3 × 625 mg amoxicillin and clavulanic acid, Augmentin, GlaxoSmithKline) for 7 days for infection prophylaxis. In addition, patients were advised to rinse with a 0.2% chlorhexidine solution (2 × per day for 3 weeks) and to discontinue tooth brushing at the surgical sites until the suture removal (2 weeks). The composite stops at the contact points were removed after 3 weeks. Recall appointments were scheduled every 3 months in the first 1 year and every 6 months thereafter.

For retrograde labeling of trigeminal sensory ganglion neurons innervating the dura mater, rats (n = 2) were anaesthetized with a combination of ketamine (Calypsol, 70 mg/kg, i.p., Gedeon Richter, Hungary) and xylazine (CP-Xylazin 2%, 10 mg/kg, i.p., Produlab Pharma, Netherlands). The head of the animal was stabilized in a stereotaxic frame, the scalp was incised in the midline and the parietal bone was exposed on one side. A cranial window was drilled into the parietal bone to expose the underlying dura mater. The fluorescent dye True blue (Sigma-Aldrich, Germany) was used for retrograde tracing. 10 μl of True blue (2% dissolved in SIF) was applied onto the exposed surface of the dura mater. After 5 min, the application site was covered with a piece of parafilm (Merck, Germany) and the overlying skin was closed by a suture. All surgical procedures were performed under aseptic conditions. Postoperatively the animals received diclofenac potassium (Cataflam 15 mg/ml, Novartis, Switzerland) offered in the drinking water (10 mg/kg body weight). After a survival period of 5 days, the animals were perfused transcardially and the trigeminal ganglia were removed and processed for immunohistochemistry.

After implant placement, systemic antibiotic therapy (penicillin with clavulanic acid 2 × 1000 mg/day; Augmentin Duo, GlaxoSmithKline, Brentford, UK), and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (diclofenac-sodium 4 × 50 mg/day; Cataflam, Novartis International AG, Basel, Switzerland) were prescribed for 7 days in order to avoid infections and to decrease swelling and pain. In case of penicillin allergy, 4 × 300 mg/day clindamycin (Dalacin C, Pfizer, New York, USA) was administered for 7 days. For chemical plaque control, 0.2% chlorhexidine digluconate mouthrinse (Curasept ADS 220, Curaden AG, Kriens, Switzerland) was prescribed 3 times a day. After the delivery of screw-retained fixed partial dentures, the patients were enrolled in a periodontal maintenance program.