Evaluation of Effects of Systemic Zoledronic Acid Application on Bone Maturation in the Consolidation Period in Distraction Osteogenesis.

ABSTRACT: Distraction osteogenesis (DO) is a physiological process that generates new bone tissue formation, using progressively separated bone fragments. Recently, several techniques have been investigated to develop the maturation of the new bone tissue. Bisphosphonates was an effective material for the acceleration of bone formation in DO procedures. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of the systemic zoledronic acid application at the beginning of the consolidation period on new bone genesis in a DO model of rat femurs. The rats were divided randomly into 3 groups, as follows: Control group (CNT group) (n = 10), zoledronic acid dosage-1 (n = 10), and dosage-2 (n = 10) groups (ZA-D-1 and ZA-D-2). No treatment was administered in controls, but DO was applied to the rat femurs. A single dose of 0.1 mg/kg and 0.2 mg/kg of zoledronic acid was administered systematically at the beginning of the consolidation period after the distraction in treatment groups, respectively. Histomorphometric analyses were performed on the original distracted bone area and the surrounding bone tissue. Osteoblasts, new bone formation, and fibrosis were scored. New bone formation in the ZA-D-1 and ZA-D-2 groups, when compared with the control group, was detected highly (P < 0.05). The numbers of osteoblasts in the ZA-D-1 and ZA-D-2 groups were higher when compared with the controls (P < 0.05). Fibrosis in the controls, when compared with the ZA-D-1 and ZA-D-2 groups, was found to be higher (P < 0.05). Zoledronic acid application is an effective method for bone maturation in consolidation period in DO.

Investigation of bacteremia after debonding procedures.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of debonding procedures after completion of orthodontic treatments on bacteremia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-eight patients who were treated with fixed orthodontic treatment at the Faculty of Dentistry's Department of Orthodontics at Gaziantep University and who had an indication of debonding were selected for this study, and blood samples were taken from these patients at different times and examined for bacteremia. Blood culture samples were taken from the antecubital veins of the patients prior to debonding (T0), immediately after removing the bracket (T1), and immediately after cleaning the composite residues and plaque deposits on the enamel surface (T2). The blood samples were then inoculated in blood culture bottles and investigated for bacterial growth. RESULTS: The results showed that there was no bacterial growth in the blood samples taken at T0 and T1, whereas 10 of the blood culture samples taken at T2 showed bacterial growth including the following bacteria; Streptococcus viridans, Streptococcus mitis, Streptococcus parasanguinis, Streptococcus salivarius, Streptococcus oralis, Staphylococcus aureus, Actinomyces oris, Actinomyces naeslundii and Klebsiella pneumoniae. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that patients in the risk group could develop bacteremia during debonding procedures. The presence of these bacteria in sterile blood suggested the possibility of bacterial endocarditis.

Evaluation of Patients with Cleft Lip and Palate in Southeastern Anatolian Region.

OBJECTIVE: Our study included patients with cleft lip and palate who applied to Gaziantep University Dentistry Faculty Orthodontics Department between 2010 and 2014. The aim of this study was to reveal the characteristics of these patients with demographic values. METHODS: In total, 118 patients were included in this study. The patients were pursued by phone calls, and the study was conducted with only 64 patients. The demographic map was created with a statistical expert as a questionnaire. RESULTS: It was thought that the reason for not being able to include the remaining 54 patients was a change in phone number, designation, or others. One patient who was to be interviewed died because of heart failure. The results revealed that the place of birth of 18.75% patients was a metropolitan region that of 54.68% was a province, that of 21.87% was a district, and that of 4.69% was a village. The majority of patients (93.25%) had a low family income level. The average number of children was 3.28, and readership was 1.47. The rate of working mothers was 1.56%. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that the cleft lip and palate patient group had lower economic and sociocultural levels. For this purpose, raising awareness of parents and providing financial support to families are required because of the long-term treatment process. It was thought that the long-term treatment process of these patients in a single-unit authority with the guidance of universities would be appropriate for better patient follow-up and inventory. Otherwise, as seen in this study, contact cannot be established after a while and some problems can arise with regard to follow-up. Lack of communication can lead to the formation of more difficult patients with growth and development.