Barbell Technique for Three-Dimensional Bone Augmentation.

Introduction: Appositional bone augmentation is considered a challenging surgical problem to correct for the deficient alveolar ridge. To overcome this challenge, a novel concept was recently published called "Barbell Technique." This technique has been used more commonly for horizontal bone augmentation. To our knowledge, this is the first report on using the Barbell Technique for vertical bone augmentation. Case Report. This report describes and demonstrates the clinical feasibility of the use of this concept in the reconstruction of a tridimensional alveolar ridge defect in the anterior maxilla. Due to the severity of the defect, both hard and soft tissue deficiencies required augmentation. The first surgery involved a soft tissue grafting procedure while in the second surgical procedure, hard tissue augment was performed using the Barbell device to provide both vertical and horizontal support for the hard tissue graft. The donor material consisted of equal volume of xenograft and autogenous bone used to fill the defect and covered with a collagen barrier membrane. After a healing period of 9 months, the site was reopened. Bone formation clinically verified the correction of alveolar bone contour and volume permitted placement of two titanium implants after the removal of Barbell device. Conclusion: This case report demonstrates successful vertical and horizontal bone augmentation of a critical size defect in the anterior maxilla, correcting both hard and soft tissue contours, and providing the tissues needed to support dental implants in the anterior maxilla.

The Portuguese version of the visual vertigo analog scale

Abstract Objectives: Visual vertigo occurs after a vestibular disorder compromising daily living. It can be assessed by "the Visual Vertigo Analogue Scale" (VVAS), a self-administered questionnaire without Portuguese version. To perform the translation, cross cultural adaptation, and validation of VVAS from English to Portuguese. Methods: Prospective study involving the translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the VVAS into the Portuguese language, according to recognized guidelines. It was completed by 63 healthy controls and 198 participants with vestibulopathy who also completed the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) to further explore the link between DHI and VVAS. Groups were compared for severity of visual vertigo and VVAS reliability and internal consistency were tested. Results: The VVAS score was significantly higher in vestibular group (p < 0.001). A Cronbach's α of 0.9 confirmed the valid internally consistent of the applied version. The severity score of VVAS showed a positive strong correlation with DHI (p < 0.0001). Conclusion: The present Portuguese translation of the scale showed satisfactory properties for the assessment of self-perceived and severity of visual vertigo in a significant group of vestibular Portuguese patients. Level of evidence: 2.

Tratamento de mucosite periimplantar pela técnica de enxerto gengival livre: relato de caso / Treatment of peri-implant mucositis through free gingival graft technique: case report

A Mucosite peri-implantar é considerada a precursora da peri-implantite, ela é uma lesão inflamatória da mucosa peri-implantar na ausência de perda óssea marginal contínua. O objetivo desse relato de caso, foi descrever o tratamento da mucosite periimplantar através da cirurgia de enxerto gengival livre. Foi proposto, portanto, um tratamento reabilitador envolvendo uma abordagem multidisciplinar de forma a resgatar e restabelecer estética, função e bem-estar através do enxerto gengival livre para melhorar as características de mucosa e viabilizar uma previsibilidade de uma prótese definitiva implantosuportada em condições teciduais mais estáveis. O uso do EGL para aumento da gengiva queratinizada na cirurgia de implantes em paciente idosos é uma solução prática e segura para a manutenção da saúde periodontal ao redor do implante... (AU)

Peri-implant mucositis is considered the precursor of peri-implantitis, it is an inflammatory lesion of the peri-implant mucosa in the absence of continuous marginal bone loss. The purpose of this case report was to describe the treatment of peri-implant mucositis through free gingival graft surgery. Therefore, a rehabilitation treatment involving a multidisciplinary approach was proposed in order to rescue and reestablish aesthetics, function and well-being through the free gingival graft to improve the characteristics of the mucosa and enable a predictability of a permanent implant prosthesis under more stable tissue conditions. The use of EGL to increase keratinized gingiva in implant surgery in elderly patients is a practical and safe solution for maintaining periodontal health around the implant... (AU)

Efficacy of medium chain triglyceride oil dietary supplementation in reducing seizure frequency in dogs with idiopathic epilepsy without cluster seizures: a non-blinded, prospective clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Despite appropriate antiseizure drug (ASD) treatment, around two-thirds of dogs with idiopathic epilepsy (IE) have seizures long-term and 20-30per cent of affected dogs remain poorly controlled. METHODS: The current study aim is to test in a field trial the efficacy and tolerability of a commercially available diet enriched with 6.5per cent medium chain triglyceride (MCT) oil in dogs (n=21) with at least a tier 1 idiopathic epilepsy diagnosis, without cluster seizures, in 10 veterinary practices across Europe. Each dog's quality of life (QoL), ataxia, sedation and frequency and severity of seizures were recorded by owners throughout the study. RESULTS: The mean seizure frequency per month, averaged over the entire 84-day study, significantly (P=0.04) decreased 32per cent compared with the baseline monthly seizure frequency recorded during the month immediately before feeding the diet. Similarly, the seizure days rate (days/month) also declined (P<0.001) by 42per cent. QoL was reported as very good to excellent (>8.5/10) in 20 of the 21 dogs before starting the diet and this remained unchanged during the trial. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates the use of a diet enriched with MCTs as an adjunct to ASD treatment may have some antiseizure properties for dogs diagnosed with IE, as demonstrated in previous studies.

Accelerated age-related olfactory decline among type 1 Usher patients.

Usher Syndrome (USH) is a rare disease with hearing loss, retinitis pigmentosa and, sometimes, vestibular dysfunction. A phenotype heterogeneity is reported. Recent evidence indicates that USH is likely to belong to an emerging class of sensory ciliopathies. Olfaction has recently been implicated in ciliopathies, but the scarce literature about olfaction in USH show conflicting results. We aim to evaluate olfactory impairment as a possible clinical manifestation of USH. Prospective clinical study that included 65 patients with USH and 65 normal age-gender-smoking-habits pair matched subjects. A cross culturally validated version of the Sniffin' Sticks olfaction test was used. Young patients with USH have significantly better olfactory scores than healthy controls. We observe that USH type 1 have a faster ageing olfactory decrease than what happens in healthy subjects, leading to significantly lower olfactory scores in older USH1 patients. Moreover, USH type 1 patients showed significantly higher olfactory scores than USH type 2, what can help distinguishing them. Olfaction represents an attractive tool for USH type classification and pre diagnostic screening due to the low cost and non-invasive nature of the testing. Olfactory dysfunction should be considered among the spectrum of clinical manifestations of Usher syndrome.

Cross-cultural validation of a taste test with paper strips.

Taste dysfunctions influence food choices, interpersonal communication and danger/health. A gustometry protocol is the mainstream for clinical taste disorders diagnosis and suggests possible therapeutics. No clinical gustometry protocol has been adapted and validated to the Portuguese population so far. We aim to validate a gustometry protocol based on strips made from filter paper impregnated with different taste solutions. Four concentrations each for sweet, sour, salty and bitter were administered to 75 subjects. Hypogeusia threshold is of 4.8 in this population. Repeated measures indicated a good reliability and validity for the taste strips (ρ 75 = 0.68, p < 0.001). Although Mediterranean food implies a heathy eating pattern, taste threshold scores may be lower because of its habituation to natural food flavoring. The taste strip gustometry protocol can be applied to the clinical practice in Portugal. It is quick, effective and cheap. The diagnostic utility of this method is indisputable, as well as the advantages we can obtain with its application, for early diagnosis and distinction between disorders of taste and smell.

Cultural Adaptation of the Portuguese Version of the "Sniffin' Sticks" Smell Test: Reliability, Validity, and Normative Data.

The cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Sniffin`Sticks test for the Portuguese population is described. Over 270 people participated in four experiments. In Experiment 1, 67 participants rated the familiarity of presented odors and seven descriptors of the original test were adapted to a Portuguese context. In Experiment 2, the Portuguese version of Sniffin`Sticks test was administered to 203 healthy participants. Older age, male gender and active smoking status were confirmed as confounding factors. The third experiment showed the validity of the Portuguese version of Sniffin`Sticks test in discriminating healthy controls from patients with olfactory dysfunction. In Experiment 4, the test-retest reliability for both the composite score (r71 = 0.86) and the identification test (r71 = 0.62) was established (p<0.001). Normative data for the Portuguese version of Sniffin`Sticks test is provided, showing good validity and reliability and effectively distinguishing patients from healthy controls with high sensitivity and specificity. The Portuguese version of Sniffin`Sticks test identification test is a clinically suitable screening tool in routine outpatient Portuguese settings.

Update on laser photochemotherapy: an alternative for cancer treatment.

Although major progress has been made in surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy for the treatment of malignancy during the last 20 years, there has been little improvement in the survival of patients with recurrent or advanced head and neck cancer. Because of the ease and accessibility for surgery and their loco-regional biological behavior, head and neck cancers serve as an ideal model to test combined laser energy delivered via interstitial fiberoptics and chemotherapeutic agents activated by photo-thermal energy as an alternative, less invasive treatment for cancer. A number of investigators have shown that anthracyclines and cisplatin are likely candidates for light or heat activation in cancer cells. Maximum tolerated dose followed by photochemical and thermal activation via laser fiberoptics can improve treatment by sensitizing tumor response. The higher intratumor drug levels compared to systemic drug administration along with laser activation should also reduce systemic toxicity. In this article the authors analyze the concept of combining anti-cancer drugs and laser therapy and review the clinical application. In summary, the literature available suggests photochemotherapy with currently approved drugs and lasers may soon become an attractive alternative for cancer treatment.

Tympanoplasty in children: A review of 91 cases.

OBJECTIVES: There is a marked diversity in the reported success rates for achieving an intact tympanic membrane following tympanoplasty. Controversy exists about the factors thought to influence surgical outcome. These facts have important implications for the selection of patients who would benefit the most. This study reviews the factors thought to determine the anatomical and functional success of tympanoplasty in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective study of the anatomical and functional results of 91 tympanoplasties performed in children. Age, gender, size and site of perforation, status of operated and contralateral ear, underlying cause of the perforations, surgical technique, pre-operative and post-operative hearing levels, post-operative follow-up time and post-operative complications were recorded. We divided our population into two groups according to the expected eustachian tube maturity (younger group (N=24): ≤10 years old, older group (N=67): >10 years old). All patients were evaluated in terms of anatomical and functional outcome and complications. RESULTS: Anatomical success was achieved in 85.7% and functional success was 76.9% after a mean follow-up of 25.6 ± 17.1 months. Anatomical success (intact tympanic membrane) was achieved in 83% of younger vs 87% of older patients (p=n.s.). Functional (air bone gap closure) success was 75% in the younger group vs 78% in the older group (p=n.s.). There were no significant differences in post-operative gain at different frequencies (500, 1000, 2000 and 3000 Hz) between the two groups. A previous adenoidectomy in children older than 10 years seems to be an independent predictor of functional success The incidence of minor and major complications were 29% in patients aged ≤10 and 21% in those older than 10 (p=n.s.). We report 12.9% minor post-operative complications in successful cases: injury to the chorda tympani nerve (5.7%), wound infection (2.9%), otitis externa (2.9%) and transient vertigo (1.4%). Among the 21 reperforations observed, 92.3% occurred before 1 year. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that tympanoplasty is a valid treatment modality for tympanic membrane perforation in the pediatric population. A tympanic membrane perforation can be closed at any age. There is no age limit below which perforation should not be closed. A previous adenoidectomy in children older than 10 years seems to be an independent predictor of functional success.

Cimentos endodônticos / Endodontics cements

Os autores avaliaram o tempo de presa e o escoamento de dois cimentos obturadores de canais radiculares. Um à base de hidróxido de cálcio (Sealapex) e outro a base de óxido de zinco e eugenol (Endofill), fórmula do cimento de Grossman. Cada cimento foi dividido em dois grupos: sem umidade (I) e com umidade (II). Houve diferença acentuada nos tempos de presa entre os dois cimentos obturadores e os dois grupos. Ambos os cimentos obturadores apresentaram escoamento adequado e uniforme

Método eletrônico de determinaçäo do comprimento de trabalho / Electronic determination of root canal length

Este trabalho, foi realizado com o intuito de verificar a capacidade do Foramatrom III em registrar a ponta do instrumento 0,5 mm aquém do forame apical, em 21 canais. Os resultado foram avaliados através de lupa esteroscópica e radiografias. A avaliaçäo através de lupa esteroscópica, apontou que o Foramatrom III foi fiel em 38,1 por cento dos registros dos instrumentos no cnal radicular, 0,5 ,, aquém do forame. A avaliaçäo radiográfica indicou uma precisäo de 42,8 por cento . As radiograficas tomadas pela técnica da bissetriz foram fieis e, 61,9 por cento dos casos

Segundo molar superior com cinco canais / Maxillary second molar with five canals

Um segundo molar superior com cinco raízes é apresentado. Soma-se a esta rara alteraçao morfológica a presença de duas pérolas de esmalte

Estudo da anatomia da câmara pulpar e canais radiculares / Anatomic study of the dental pulp cavity and root canals

Setenta e três dentes incisivos inferiores, de humanos, extraídos e montados em blocos de resina de poliéster, foram observados radiograficamente nos sentidos vestíbulo-lingual e mésio-distal. A segunda radiografia em muitos casos nos revelou a presença de um segundo canal, confirmada da exploração clínica. Esta freqüência é de 30,3//no incisivo lateral e 20//no incisivo central. É de capital importância detectar a presença deste segundo canal, bem como, instrumentá-lo ou obturá-lo ou corretamente sem o que o tratamento endodôntico fracassará