Reconstruction of a Huge Residual Palatal Cleft.

Closure of large oronasal fistula (ONF) in cleft patients is a challenge for patients and surgeons. The extent of functional impairment has psychologic, social, and developmental consequences. The ONF affects the feeding and speech of patients. Keys to repairing fistulas in this region are a 2-layer, tension-free closure, and an attentive suturing technique. In this article, the details and effectiveness of 2-flap palatoplasty are presented.

Effect of chlorhexidine/benzydamine soaked pharyngeal packing on throat pain and postoperative nausea & vomiting in orthognathic surgery.

Pharyngeal packing is believed to reduce postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) frequency, but has the disadvantage of causing throat pain. The present study aimed to investigate whether applying pharyngeal packs soaked with a combination of chlorhexidine gluconate 0.2% and benzydamine hydrochloride 0.15% (CGBH) were effective in preventing postoperative throat pain and PONV in patients undergoing orthognathic surgery. A total of 101 patients scheduled for orthognathic surgery were enrolled in this prospective, double-blind, randomized study. Patients were randomly allocated into two groups: those with CGBH-soaked packing, and those with saline-soaked pharyngeal packing. PONV was recorded using a 5-point Likert scale (0: no PONV to 4: severe PONV) immediately after the surgery at 5, 10, and 30 min, and at 2, 4, 6, 12, and 24 h postoperatively. The severity of throat pain was assessed via two methods: visual analogue scale (VAS, 0: no pain, 10: severe pain) and 6-point Likert scale (0: no pain, 5: strongly severe pain) score at 2, 4, 6, 12, and 24 h postoperatively. Mean VAS scores of throat pain were significantly lower in patients receiving CGBH-soaked pharyngeal packs compared to patients receiving saline-soaked pharyngeal packs, at all measured time points. There was a tendency towards less PONV in patients receiving a CGBH-soaked pharyngeal pack compared to those receiving a saline-soaked pharyngeal pack; however, this difference did not reach statistical significance. The results of this study suggest that the usage of CGBH-soaked pharyngeal packs reduce postoperative throat pain in patients undergoing orthognathic surgery. Our results support the implementation of CGBH-soaked pharyngeal packing in orthognathic surgery practice, as a measure to improve patient comfort.

Which Treatment Is Effective for Bruxism: Occlusal Splints or Botulinum Toxin?

PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to compare the efficacy of an occlusal splint and botulinum toxin for the treatment of bruxism. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seventy-three patients with myofascial pain due to bruxism were included in the present study. The patients were allocated into 3 groups. Group A was treated with an occlusal splint, group B was treated with botulinum toxin injections, and group C was treated with an occlusal splint and botulinum toxin injections. The Temporomandibular Disorder Pain Screener, Graded Chronic Pain Scale, Oral Behavior Checklist, Jaw Function Limitation Scale, and visual analog scale (VAS) by palpation of the chewing muscles were administered to all patients before treatment and 6 months after treatment. RESULTS: The questionnaire and VAS scores decreased in all 3 groups (P < .0001). The VAS and questionnaire scores had decreased significantly in groups B and C compared with those in group A (mean VAS score: group A, 5 [range, 3 to 7]; group B, 1.9 ± 0.97; group C, 1.79 [range, 0 to 3]). CONCLUSIONS: Occlusal splints might not be necessary for patients treated with botulinum toxin injections.

Evaluation of the effects of different sand particles that used in dental implant roughened for osseointegration.

BACKGROUND: Successful dental implant treatment is directly related to osseointegration. In achieving osseointegration, the surface property of the implant is of great importance. Sandblasting is the most commonly used basic method for modifying the surface. Many companies use different sand particles for surface roughening and claim their sand is the best. This leads clinicians to mix their minds in product selection. In this study, we tried to find the appropriate sand material by working objectively without praising any brand. We believe that the results of the study will help clinicians choose the right dental implant. In this study, machined-surfaced implants and implants sandblasted with Aluminum oxide (Al2O3), Titanium dioxide (TiO2) and Silicon dioxide (SiO2) were compared via biomechanical testing. METHODS: For the study, four 2 year-old sheep, weighing 45 kilograms (kg), were used. Eight implants (Al2O3, TiO2, and SiO2 sandblasted implants and machined-surfaced implants), each with different surface characteristics, were inserted into the bilateral tibia of each sheep under general anesthesia. Results of the initial Resonance Frequency Analysis (RFA) were recorded just after implant insertion. The sheep were then randomly divided into two groups, each with 2 sheep, to undergo either a 1-month or a 3-month assessment. At the end of the designated evaluation period, RFA and removal torque tests were performed. RESULTS: Although there were no statistically significant differences between the groups, the implants sandblasted with Al2O3 showed a higher Implant Stability Quotient (ISQ) and removal torque value at the end of the 1st and 3rd month. CONCLUSIONS: In short, the results of the study demonstrate that Aluminum oxide is superior to other sand particles.

Biomechanical evaluation of oversized drilling on implant stability - an experimental study in sheep.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of oversized drilling on implant success and secondary stability. METHODS: The experimental study was conducted in Turkey from January to July 2013, after approval by the ethics committee of the University of Ankara, and comprised 2 female sheep. Alumina blasted implants 4mm in diameter and 10mm in length were employed; 16 implant sites were prepared on the proximal tibias of the 2 sheep. In the right tibia, a standard preparation with 3.5mm diameter was performed in the control group, while in the left tibia, an over-preparation with 4.2mm diameter was performed at the experimental group. The implants of the control group were non-mobile, while the experimental group had rotational and vertical movements. The initial implant stability was measured using the resonance frequence analysis. Animals were sacrificed after 12 weeks, and resonance frequence analysis and reverse torque values were measured. RESULTS: In the experimental group, the mean resonance frequence analysis value was 60.25±7.46 (range: 49-74) at the end of the 12-week healing period. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups (p=0.926). In the removing stage, the mean reverse torque values was 97.75±22.23N/cm (range: 68.63-138.83) for control group and 96.25±21.93N/cm (range: 63.34-126.9) for the experimental group (p=0.84). CONCLUSIONS: Osseointegration can be achieved in the absence of primer stability in the 12-week period of healing time even for alumina-blasted implants.