Volumetric changes in alveolar ridge preservation with a compromised buccal wall: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Many studies have addressed socket preservation, though fewer publications considering buccal wall loss can be found, since the literature typically considers sockets with four walls. A systematic review was made on the influence of type II buccal bone defects, according to Elian's Classification, in socket grafting materials upon volumetric changes in width and height. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An electronic and manual literature search was conducted in accordance to PRISMA statement. The search strategy was restricted to randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and controlled clinical trials (CCTs) describing post-extraction sockets with loss of buccal wall in which alveolar ridge preservation (ARP) was carried out in the test group and spontaneous healing of the socket (SH) was considered in the control group. RESULTS: The search strategy yielded 7 studies. The meta-analysis showed an additional bone loss of 2.37 mm in width (p > 0.001) and of 1.10 mm in height (p > 0.001) in the absence of ARP. The reconstruction of the vestibular wall was not evaluated in any study. The results also showed moderate to great heterogeneity among the included studies in terms of the changes in width and height. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the heterogeneity of the included studies, the results indicate a benefit of ARP versus SH. Further studies are needed to determine the volumetric changes that occur when performing ARP in the presence of a buccal bone wall defect.

Osseoinductive elements for promoting osseointegration around immediate implants: a pilot study in the foxhound dog.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of topical applications of melatonin over implant surfaces placed immediately after extraction by means of histological and histomorphometric analysis of peri-implant tissues. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Six American foxhound dogs were used in the study; mandibular premolar distal roots were extracted. Thirty-six immediate conical implants were randomly assigned to the distal site on each site of the mandible in three groups: (Group CI) 12 titanium implants alone; (Group MI) 12 titanium implants supplemented with melatonin; and (Group DI) 12 titanium implants supplemented with vitamin D (DI). Prior to implanting test, implants (MI) were submerged in melatonin 5% solution, and implants from (DI) group were submerged in vitamin D 10% solution. No treatment was applied at control implants. After 12 weeks, animals were sacrificed. Block sections were obtained and processed for mineralized ground sectioning. Bone-to-implant contact (total BIC), new bone formation (NBF), inter-thread bone (ITB) and histological linear measurements (HLM) were analyzed. RESULTS: At 12 weeks, all implants were clinically stable and histologically osseointegrated. Total BIC values were 48.36 ± 7.45* for the MI group and 44.82 ± 10.98 for the CI group (P = 0.035) with statistically significant difference between groups. BIC% were 41.36 ± 3.93 for MI and 41.34 ± 9.26 for CI (P > 0.05). Inter-thread bone formation values were MI 15.99 ± 2.43* and CI 14.79 ± 3.62 (P = 0.03), MI showing significantly better results. No statistically significant differences in peri-implant new bone formation could be found between the two groups: MI 25.37 ± 2.32, CI 26.55 ± 7.75 (P > 0.05). Linear measurements showed that the MI group showed significantly less lingual crestal bone loss (CBL) (MI 0.52 ± 0.74*, CI 0.92 ± 1.98) (P = 0.045) and less lingual peri-implant mucosa (PIM) (MI 3.13 ± 1.41*, CI 3.71 ± 1.81) (P = 0.042). No significant differences were observed in the buccal aspect. CONCLUSIONS: Within the limitations of this animal study, the topical application of melatonin improved bone formation around immediate implants and reduced lingual bone and lingual peri-implant mucosa, after 12 weeks of osseointegration.

Efficacy of methylprednisolone injected into the masseter muscle following the surgical extraction of impacted lower third molars.

The aim of this study was to demonstrate the efficacy of methylprednisolone, as a single 40-mg dose, injected into the masseter muscle upon completion of extraction of impacted lower third molars. A prospective, randomized cross-over study was made of 35 healthy patients. The difficulty of extraction was similar in all cases. The study group received 40 mg of methylprednisolone injected into the masseter muscle via the intrabuccal approach, immediately after suturing of the surgical wound. The control group received no intramuscular corticoid. Evaluations were made of postoperative pain, trismus and swelling. Oral aperture was measured, along with the following distances for the assessment of swelling: tragus-lip commissure, gonion-lip commissure and gonion-external canthus of the eye, before and 2 and 7 days after surgery. The patients administered methylprednisolone showed superior results after surgery in terms of oral aperture, pain and all the facial swelling parameters, with statistically significant differences versus the controls (p<0.05). The results obtained show that 40 mg of methylprednisolone injected into the masseter muscle in the immediate postoperative period reduces swelling, trismus and pain.

Efficacy of methylprednisolone in controlling complications after impacted lower third molar surgical extraction.

INTRODUCTION: Impacted third molar extraction causes considerable swelling in the days immediately following surgery. The aim of the present investigation was to evaluate the efficacy of methylprednisolone as a single 40-mg intramuscular dose in controlling the complications of impacted lower third molar surgical removal. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-five patients were evaluated within the framework of a consecutive sampling and double-blind study with intrasubject measurements. Extraction comprised ostectomy with tooth sectioning of both lower third molars under local anesthesia. The study group received 40 mg of methylprednisolone injected into the gluteal region, while the controls received no such medication. In each individual one molar was randomly assigned to the study group and the other to the control series - with extraction of the two teeth being spaced 1 month apart. Evaluations were made of postoperative pain, trismus and swelling, and measurements were obtained for oral aperture and various distances (tragus-lip commissure, gonion-lip commissure and gonion-external canthus of the eye) before surgery and 2-7 days after extraction. Statistical correlations were made based on the Student t-test for the comparison of means of related samples. RESULTS: A statistically and clinically significant association was observed 2 days after surgery between methylprednisolone administration and increased oral aperture and diminished facial swelling. Likewise, less pain was recorded in the study group 6 h after surgery. CONCLUSION: The results confirm the efficacy of methylprednisolone in providing a more comfortable postoperative course after surgical extraction of impacted lower third molars.

Surgical management of actinic cheilitis.

OBJECTIVE: An analysis is made of the etiologic factors underlying actinic cheilitis and of the results obtained following surgical treatment of the disease in a series of 54 patients (32 males and 22 females). STUDY DESIGN: The case history was evaluated, along with the triggering factors, histopathological pattern and recurrence of lesions. A cold scalpel vermilionectomy was performed in 41 patients, followed by primary closure of the defect using an oral mucosal flap. The remaining 13 patients were subjected to carbon dioxide laser vermilion ablation. RESULTS: The history of the patients revealed liver disease associated to alcohol consumption in 35.2% of cases and tobacco smoking in 77.8%. As regards solar exposure, 53.1% of the men referred open-air professional activities, while 100% of the women presented important solar exposure. The most frequent clinical manifestations were bleeding and the presence of leukoplakia patches; pain was reported in only 16% of cases. Over 40% of the patients were asymptomatic. Following treatment, and after a follow-up period of at least 6 months, 90.7% of the subjects showed complete healing. Of the 5 patients reoperated upon, four healed and one evolved towards squamous cell carcinoma. CONCLUSION: Vermilionectomy is the recommended treatment for actinic cheilitis, using either a cold scalpel or carbon dioxide laser. A histological study of the lesion is indicated in all cases to secure early detection of possible malignization. The control of the possible etiologic factors is also essential.

Prevalence of biopsied oral lesions in a service of oral surgery.

INTRODUCTION: A retrospective study is made of 205 case histories of patients subjected to biopsy of an oral cavity lesion. PATIENTS, MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study covered an 18-month period in which 2960 first visits were documented, including 205 oral lesions amenable to histological evaluation. Patient age and sex was evaluated, along with the clinical manifestations and location of the lesions, the biopsy technique used, the size of the tissue fragment referred for histological study, the reason for consultation (related to the lesion or otherwise), and the histological results obtained. RESULTS: The most frequently biopsied lesions were cysts, including particularly root cysts (19.5%). Periapical granulomas (18.1%) and fibromas (15.7%) were also common in our series. The histological findings were varied, with a total of 35 different diagnoses. Two of the 205 biopsied oral lesions were shown to be squamous cell carcinomas (1%). CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of oral lesions susceptible to histopathological study was similar to the figures reported elsewhere in the literature.