Application of calcium sulfate in surgical-orthodontic treatment of impacted teeth: a new procedure to control hemostasis.

PURPOSE: Calcium sulfate (CaS) is a simple, biocompatible material with a very long, safe clinical history in several different fields of medicine. CaS is a rapidly resorbing material that leaves behind a calcium phosphate lattice, which promotes bone regeneration and hemostasis. The aim of this study was to perform a clinical evaluation of a possible hemostatic effect of calcium sulfate hemihydrate (CaSO(4)), commonly known as plaster of Paris, in the surgical and orthodontic treatment of impacted teeth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-three patients with 66 impacted cuspids and premolars were enrolled in this study. The gap between teeth and bone was filled with several layers of CaS cement. Each layer was put in place and was compressed with a dry gauze. The outer layer was then hardened with a potassium sulfate solution. After hardening, the CaS excess was removed, and a bracket was applied to the surface of the tooth. RESULTS: In no case was a separation of the bracket by the surface of the tooth observed. CONCLUSIONS: These results seem to confirm the usefulness of the hemostatic effect of CaS in this procedure.

The effects of a bioabsorbable barrier membrane containing safflower seed extracts on periodontal healing of 1-wall intrabony defects in beagle dogs.

BACKGROUND: Recently, there has been much research done into the regenerative potential of materials used in oriental medicine. In several studies, evidence was found that these materials have an effect on bone regeneration. Among these materials, safflower seeds are of particular interest as they have been used for the treatment of blood stasis, bone fracture, and osteoporosis in traditional Korean medicine. In addition, they are known to have anti-inflammatory effects. The objective of this study is to evaluate the periodontal tissue regenerative effects of a bioabsorbable barrier membrane (polylactide glycolic acid electro-spun non-woven membrane) containing safflower seed extracts applied to surgically created 1-wall intrabony defects in beagle dogs. METHODS: One-wall intrabony defects were surgically created bilaterally at the mesial and distal sides of the mandibular second premolars and mesial side of the fourth premolars. These defects were randomly assigned either to the surgical control group which received a flap operation only or to one of two experimental groups consisting of defects which received a guided tissue regenerative procedure with either a bioabsorbable membrane (PLGA) or a bioabsorbable membrane containing safflower seed extracts (SSE/PLGA). The dogs were sacrificed 8 weeks after the operation, and a comparative histological examination was done. RESULTS: The new cementum formation was 2.49+/-0.41 mm in the surgical control group, 3.22+/-0.35 mm in the PLGA group, and 3.67+/-0.82 mm in the SSE/PLGA group. The extent of new cementum formation in barrier groups was significantly different from the surgical control group (P <0.05). The amount of intrabony cementum was 1.75+/-0.06 mm, 2.40+/-0.33 mm, and 2.70+/-0.81 mm for the surgical control group, the PLGA group, and the SSE/PLGA group, respectively; the amount of infrabony cementum in the barrier groups was significantly different from the surgical control group (P<0.05). The value of the suprabony cementum was 0.73+/-0.48 mm, 0.82+/-0.21 mm, and 0.97+/-0.09 mm for the surgical control group, the PLGA group, and the SSE/PLGA group, respectively, with no significant differences being observed among the treatments. The amount of new alveolar bone formation was 1.74+/-0.25 mm, 2.36+/-0.30 mm, and 2.64+/-0.74 mm for the surgical control group, the PLGA group, and the SSE/PLGA group, respectively, with a significant difference exhibited between the surgical control group and other groups (P <0.05). Superficial root resorption was often observed, but ankylosis was not present. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that surgical application of polylactide glycolic acid non-woven membrane with or without safflower seed extract could promote the regeneration of alveolar bone and cementum in intrabony periodontal defects.

The effect of tramadol on dento-alveolar surgical pain.

The aim of the study was to assess the analgesic effect of tramadol in the relief of pain after dentoalveolar operations that involve the removal of bone and suturing. Four-hundred and fifty-two patients over the age of 18 years who were to undergo removal of impacted teeth (n = 362), removal of root (n = 79), or alveolectomy, enucleation of cysts, or removal of soft tissue (n = 11) under local anesthesia were studied. Patients were randomly allocated to receive tramadol 100 mg or 50 mg four times daily, or 50 mg twice daily, or placebo. Median pain scores on the day of operation in the three tramadol groups were similar (2 in each group, ranges 1-5, 1-4.8, and 1-5 respectively) and were all significantly lower than that in the placebo group (2.3 range 1-4.2). The median number of Paracetamol tablets taken by patients in the three tramadol groups was 2 (ranges 0-8, 0-12 and 0-8 respectively), and were all significantly less than in the placebo group (4, range 0-12). More patients given tramadol reported complete pain relief than the placebo group. The advantages of tramadol continued over the next 2 days. There were no serious or unexpected adverse effects. It is concluded that tramadol is an effective analgesic after dentoalveolar operations.

Hyperbaric oxygen treatment of osteoradionecrosis of the mandible with repeated pathologic fracture. Report of a case.

Treatment of patients with osteoradionecrosis of the mandible with a pathologic fracture consists in almost all cases of a continuity resection of the mandible. This leads to functional and esthetic problems that can only be solved by often extensive surgery. In this case report we present a 38-year-old woman who developed osteoradionecrosis of the mandible with a pathologic fracture 1 1/2 years after combined surgical and radiation therapy of an adenocarcinoma of the right parotid gland. The patient had a subcondylar pathologic fracture together with osteolysis in the right mandibular body, normally an indication for partial resection of the mandible. Because of the absence of denuded bone, fistulation, and the poor quality of the surrounding soft tissues, a more conservative approach was chosen. Treatment consisted of hyperbaric oxygen and dental extractions with alveolectomy with the patient under local anesthesia. During follow-up, a second pathologic fracture occurred in the region of the right first and second molar. No additional treatment was given. Six and one-half years after the initial treatment and 5 1/2 years after the last fracture, the patient is free of complaints, the fractures have healed and both esthetic and functional results are good.

Report of an audit into third molar exodontia.

A postal audit of the main surgical variables in third molar exodontia under general anaesthesia was undertaken on consultants holding a National Health contract within the British Isles. This first paper presents the results. A response rate of 175 returned questionnaires from the 247 consultants was obtained (70.9%). Analysis revealed that the majority of consultants use antibiotics, mouthwashes, sutures, analgesics and postoperative review and the minority steroids and peroperative local anaesthetic, routinely in the majority of cases. Approximately half routinely use a chisel as opposed to a bur for bone removal. The consultants who gave all their patients steroids were significantly (p less than 0.01) more likely to possess a medical qualification than the consultants who did not.

Osteoradionecrosis of the mandible. Treatment with hyperbaric oxygen.

Hyperbaric oxygen used in the treatment of 14 patients with intractable osteonecrosis of the mandible produced a favorable response in relief of pain, elimination of extraoral draining sinus tracts, the return of osseous union in areas of the abnormal fracture, and the rapid dissolution of sequestrum without suppuration, so that further loss of hard and soft tissue was minimized. This treatment is a more conservative approach in the management of osteoradionecrosis.