Evaluation of two different rapid maxillary expansion surgical techniques and their effects on the malar complex based on 3d cone-beam computed tomography.

We compared and evaluated the effects of two techniques used for surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion (SARME) using three-dimensional (3D) cone-beam computed tomography, focusing on changes in soft and hard tissue in the malar region. A conventional Le Fort I osteotomy group (10 patients, mean age: 19.3 years) and a high Le Fort I group (12 patients, mean age: 20.4 years) underwent 3D analyses. Changes in hard and soft tissue of the malar region were compared. The average increases in the bone malar width and soft malar width in the high Le Fort I group between the pre- and postoperative periods were 1.43 ± 1.23 and 1.39 ± 1.19 mm, respectively. The average increases in the bone malar depth on the right and left sides in the high Le Fort I group were 1.34 ± 0.81 and 1.60 ± 0.54 mm, respectively. Progress in hard tissues did not reflect significant changes in soft tissue. CONTEXT: Effects of high Le Fort I SARME on the malar complex. AIMS: To compare and evaluate the effects of two techniques used for SARME, using 3D cone-beam computed tomography, focusing on changes in hard and soft tissues in the malar region. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A conventional Le Fort I osteotomy group (10 patients, mean age: 19.3 years) and a high Le Fort I group (12 patients, mean age: 20.4 years). METHODS AND MATERIAL: Each group underwent 3D analyses, and changes in hard and soft tissues of the malar region were compared. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: The SPSS software (ver. 15.0 for Windows) was used. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, Student's t test, and paired-samples test were conducted. RESULTS: The average increases in the bone malar width and soft malar width in the high Le Fort I group between the pre- and postoperative periods were 1.43 ± 1.23 and 1.39 ± 1.19 mm, respectively. The average increases in the bone malar depth on the right and left sides in the high Le Fort I group were 1.34 ± 0.81 and 1.60 ± 0.54 mm, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Progress in hard tissues did not reflect significant changes in soft tissue.

Is 2 mm a safe distance from the inferior alveolar canal to avoid neurosensory complications in implant surgery?

AIM: The aim of the present study was to compare the neurosensory complications related to implants inserted closer than 2 mm to the inferior alveolar canal (IAC) with those inserted further than 2 mm. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 474 implants in 314 patients placed posterior to mental foramen area were evaluated retrospectively on panoramic radiographs. Patients were divided into two groups regarding implant proximity to the IAC (Group 1, distance ≤2 mm, Group 2, distance >2 mm). Postoperative neurosensory complications (pain and paresthesia) were recorded. Chi-square test was used for statistical comparison and P ≤ 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: One hundred and fifty-three implants (32.2%) were inserted closer than 2 mm to the IAC whereas 321 implants (67.8%) were inserted further than 2 mm. Three implants which had a distance of 0 mm to the IAC (0.63%) caused paresthesia after surgery. Implant distance to IAC did not show a significant difference regarding pain and paresthesia (P = 0.06 and P = 0.08, respectively). CONCLUSION: When 2 mm is considered as a safety distance, the distance of the implants to the IAC did not yield any statistical difference regarding postoperative neurosensory complications.

Conservative surgical treatment of the jaw cysts in children: Case study of five patients.

AIMS: Conservative treatment of jaw cysts establishes low surgical complication risk and protects vital anatomical structures such as inferior alveolar nerve, maxillary sinus and permanent tooth germs. Marsupialization and decompression have been widely used in children. The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of the conservative treatment of jaw cysts in five children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This article presents case series of marsupialization in jaw cysts associated with impacted teeth in five children. A total of nine impacted teeth within the cystic lesions were observed. RESULTS: Complete resolution of all cystic lesions and simultaneous eruption of six impacted teeth within the cyst were managed. The other two teeth were erupted orthodontically and one had to be extracted. CONCLUSIONS: Marsupialization is effective for the treatment of cystic lesions in growing patients as it preserves vital anatomical structures and enables eruption of the impacted teeth within the cyst.

Investigation of effects of low level laser therapy in distraction osteogenesis.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to investigate the histopathological effects of low level laser therapy (LLLT) application in distraction osteogenesis (DO). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty adult female New Zealand white rabbits were included in the study. Under general anesthesia unilateral mandibular corpus osteotomy was performed. Custom made external distractors were placed to right mandibles of rabbits. After five days of latency period, distractors were activated once a day for 5 days with 1mm/day frequency. Animals in the study group were exposed to LLLT from six different points transcutanously after each distractor activation. Control group was not exposed to laser irradiation. Animals were sacrificed after 15 and 30 days of consolidation periods and mandibles were processed for histopathological investigation under light microscope. Bone healing was analyzed with a semi-quantitative 4 point scale. RESULTS: Osteoblastic activity and vascularization were found higher in the study group than control group after 15 days consolidation. Chondroblastic activity of the control group was significantly higher than the study group in both 15 and 30 days of consolidation groups. Osteoblastic activity and trabecular bone formation were found significantly higher in the study group than the control group after 15 days consolidation. CONCLUSIONS: The use of LLLT in activation period of distraction osteogenesis stimulates bone repair in the early stages of distraction osteogenesis by inducing intramembranous healing and less cartilage tissue formation in the bone callus.