Photobiomodulation as an adjunctive therapy for alveolar socket preservation: a preliminary study in humans.

Bone remodeling results in loss of alveolar bone height and thickness. Photobiomodulation (PBM) based on photochemical stimulation by low-intensity lasers emerges as an adjunctive therapy for alveolar socket preservation. Our study aimed to evaluate the effects of PBM therapy on alveolar bone repair. Twenty healthy patients in need of bilateral extraction of lower molars were enrolled in this split-mouth randomized and blind clinical trial. The extraction sites were randomly selected to receive either the PBM therapy with a CW GaAIAs diode laser (808 nm; 0.028 mm2; 0.1 W; 3.6 W/cm2; 89 J/cm2; 2.5 J/point) or no treatment (Control). Bone biopsies were harvested 45 days after the dental extraction and evaluated using micro-computerized tomography (µCT), morphometric, and histological analysis. Data were compared using the paired t test, and the level of significance was set at 5%. Bone surface (p = 0.029), bone surface/total volume (p = 0.028), trabecular number (p = 0.025), and connectivity density (p = 0.029) were higher at the PBM group compared with Control. The histological observations confirmed the µCT findings. PBM samples exhibited higher number of organized and connected bone trabeculae along with higher density of blood vessels than Control. Control samples displayed a dense and highly cellular connective tissue at the central area accompanied by the presence of immature bone trabeculae at the periphery. Our results indicated that the PBM therapy improved the newly bone trabeculae formation and their connectivity which increased bone surface, indicating the positive effect of the laser on alveolar human socket repair.

Characterization of progenitor/stem cell population from human dental socket and their multidifferentiation potential.

Dental stem cells have many applications in medicine, dentistry and stem cell biology in general due to their easy accessibility and low morbidity. A common surgical manoeuvre after a tooth extraction is the dental socket curettage which is necessary to clean the alveolus and favour alveolar bone healing. This procedure can cause very low morbidity compared to bone marrow collection procedures and the collected material is normally discarded. In order to investigate if the tissue obtained by dental socket curettage after a tooth extraction was a feasible alternative source to isolate human stem cells, we isolated and characterized two different stem cell populations based on STRO-1 and CD146 expression. We were able to collect and grow cells from dental socket of vital and non-vital teeth. Both populations were proliferative, clonogenic and expressed STRO-1, CD146, CD90, NG2, PDGFR-ß, which are markers found in stem cells, presented in vitro multiline-differentiation into osteogenic, chondrogenic, and adipogenic tissue, and in vivo transplanted cells formed mineralized tissue. Interestingly, STRO-1+ clonogenic cells presented better multidifferentiation than CD146+ cells. Our results showed that mesenchymal stem cells can be isolated from the tiny tissue collected by dental socket curettage after vital and non-vital tooth extraction and suggest that STRO-1 is an important marker to be used to sort cells with multidifferentiation capacity.

Selective outcome reporting in randomized clinical trials of dental implants.

AIM: Selective outcome reporting (SOR) is a type of bias that occurs when the primary outcome of a trial protocol is changed or omitted in the paper. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of SOR in publications of randomized clinical trials (RCT) concerning dental implants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two reviewers independently screened protocols registered at ClinicalTrials.gov until February/2019. If the protocol met the eligibility criteria, the reviewers tried to identify the corresponding publication. Data extraction was carried out by the same reviewers. Primary and secondary outcomes were recorded for each trial and compared to outcomes previously described in protocols. RESULTS: A total of 49 protocols were included. SOR was identified in 27 (55.1%) trials. The major discrepancies were as follows: protocol-defined primary outcome omitted in the publication (n = 6, 12.2%), new primary outcome introduced (n = 8, 16.3%), discrepancy in the primary outcome time frame (n = 17, 34.7%) and new secondary outcome introduced (n = 31, 63.3%). SOR was significantly associated with industry funding (p = 0.04) and timing of registration (p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate a high rate of SOR in dental implants clinical trials. Use of registry data during the peer-review process may help decreasing SOR.

Cell sheets of human dental pulp stem cells for future application in bone replacement.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the potential of human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) for maintaining their undifferentiated status and osteogenic differentiation capacity when arranged in cell sheets (CSs) for future application in bone replacement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CSs were formed after being induced for 10-15 days by clonogenic medium containing additional vitamin C (20 µg/ml). The cell viability of hDPSC4s in the CSs was followed until 96 h using the Live/Dead® assay. The cells of the CSs were enzymatically dissociated and then compared with the original hDPSC4s. The two cell types were characterized immunophenotypically by flow cytometry using specific mesenchymal stem cell-associated markers (CD105, CD146, CD44, STRO-1, and OCT3/4) and non-associated markers (CD34, CD45, and CD14). Osteogenic differentiation was analyzed with the Alizarin red assay. RESULTS: Living cells were observed until 96 h in the CSs. Both cell types exhibited osteogenic differentiation and expressed the specific undifferentiated MSC-associated markers. Cells spontaneously detached from the CSs attached and proliferated at the bottom of the culture dishes. CONCLUSIONS: Cells in the hDPSC4s cell sheets survived for at least 96 h. Moreover, the cells in the cell sheets retained their stemness and their osteogenic differentiation potential. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Cell sheets of hDPSCs could be employed as natural tri-dimensional structures for treating bone loss. This technique would be useful particularly for critical bone defects or any type of bone defects in patients carrying diseases that impair bone regeneration, such as diabetes mellitus, medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ), and osteoporosis.

Conventional Drilling Versus Piezosurgery for Implant Site Preparation: A Meta-Analysis.

The aim of this study was to evaluate if the stability of dental implants varies between dental implants placed by piezosurgery compared with those placed by conventional drilling. An electronic search in MEDLINE, SCOPUS, and the Cochrane Library was undertaken until August 2016 and was supplemented by manual searches and by unpublished studies at OpenGray. Only randomized controlled clinical trials that reported implant site preparation with piezosurgery and with conventional drilling were considered eligible for inclusion in this review. Meta-analyses were performed to evaluate the impact of piezosurgery on implant stability. Of 456 references electronically retrieved, 3 were included in the qualitative analysis and quantitative synthesis. The pooled estimates suggest that there is no significant difference between piezosurgery and conventional drilling at baseline (weighted mean differences [WMD]: 2.20; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -5.09, 9.49; P = .55). At 90 days, the pooled estimates revealed a statistically significant difference (WMD: 3.63; 95% CI: 0.58, 6.67, P = .02) favoring piezosurgery. Implant stability may be slightly improved when osteotomy is performed by a piezoelectric device. More randomized controlled clinical trials are needed to confirm these findings.

Can stem cells enhance bone formation in the human edentulous alveolar ridge? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Several non-biological materials are currently being used to increase the alveolar bone volume to support dental implants. Recently, stem cell therapy has emerged as a promising biological substitute or adjuvant to enhance bone healing. In order to determine if stem cell therapy has enough clinical evidence to bone ridge augmentation in humans, a systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted. Two independent investigators searched the Entrez PubMed, SCOPUS and Web of Science databases for eligible randomized clinical trials that describe stem cell therapies for alveolar bone formation. The included studies were evaluated for risk of bias. A random-effects meta-analysis model was used to evaluate the percentage of bone formation in the selected studies. Heterogeneity was evaluated using the Cochrane Chi 2 and I 2. Nine eligible trials were included. These studies presented an overall unclear risk of bias. A comparison between the lower heterogeneity studies and the long term observational outcomes showed a slight tendency to enhance bone formation. High heterogeneity between the included studies was observed. The lack of outcome standardization made a wide-ranging comparison difficult. The application of stem cells in oral surgery and implantology appears to be promising although more standardized study designs, increased samples and long-term observations are needed to strength the clinical evidence that stem cell therapy is effective for alveolar bone formation.

Selective outcome reporting in randomized clinical trials using the third molar surgery model.

Selective outcome reporting (SOR) can threaten the validity of results found in clinical trials. Some studies in the literature have analyzed SOR in dentistry, but there is no study that has observed SOR in clinical trials in oral and maxillofacial surgery. Impacted third molar surgery is one of the most used models in clinical trials to study mainly analgesic and anti-inflammatory drug interventions. Our study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of SOR in publications employing the third molar extraction clinical trial model, and to verify whether there was an association between the statistical significance of outcomes and other characteristics that could lead to SOR. A systematic search was performed on the ClinicialTrials.gov platform for randomized clinical trial protocols, using the condition of third molar extraction. The corresponding published articles were sourced in PubMed, Scopus, and Embase databases, and compared with the registered protocols regarding the methodological data, in terms of: sample calculation, primary outcome identification, end-point periods, insertion of new outcomes in the publication, and results of outcomes. 358 protocol records were retrieved; 87 presented their corresponding articles. SOR was identified in 28.74% of the publications, and had a significant relationship with changes in the protocol, insertions of new outcomes, and discrepancies in the types of study. General risk of bias was found to be low. There were associations between SOR and the discrepancies in terms of the type of study, the choice of new outcome, and changes in the history of protocol records. The prevalence of SOR in clinical research using the third molar extraction surgery model is moderate. The quality of the scientific reporting of the results and, consequently, the certainty of evidence relating to the intervention tested can be overstated, increasing the chances of misinterpretation by health professionals.

Can the use of antibiotics interfere with the success of dental osseointegrated implants in diabetic patients?

AIM: The present review aims to discuss the last 10 years published data on the topic of the use of osseointegrated implants in diabetic subjects, particularly regarding the influence of antibiotics administration in the perioperative period. BACKGROUND: In the last decades, oral rehabilitation significantly has evolved particularly with the use of osseointegrated implants. Increased life expectation of population is reflecting in a greater number of diabetic patients who might require dental osseointegrated implants rehabilitation. Diabetes was considered for a long time as a contraindication for oral implant placement. In this context, the use of antibiotics is still a controversial factor when we correlate it to implant success rate. REVIEW RESULTS: Although 228 articles were initially selected for evaluation of proposed criteria, only 16 articles were considered valid. Among the 16 selected articles, only six articles represented clinical research that discussed the influence of the antibiotic in the success of osseointegration of dental implants in diabetic subjects. Five were retrospective studies and one a prospective research. CONCLUSION: Data favors the use of antibiotics without significant side effects but clinical investigations of the need of prophylaxis antibiotic or therapeutic antibiotics are still scarce. The lack of adequate methodology is one of the main problems of the current articles. It is important to emphasize that studies should present detailed methodology in order to allow reproducibility. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Permanent tooth loss is a pathological condition that affects millions of people worldwide. The possibility of successful treatment of edentulous areas through osseointegrated implants in those systemic compromised patients is a matter of scientific discussion. Although antimicrobial agents must be used rationally and carefully to avoid development of bacterial resistance, more studies are needed in order to support evidence regarding the influence of antibiotics in the success of dental implant surgery in diabetic patients.

Simultaneous irradiation of 660 and 808 nm on gingival epithelial cells and fibroblasts induces different patterns of oxidative/antioxidative activities: What is the role of the cell type and irradiation parameters?

The aim of this study was to investigate whether simultaneous irradiation at 660 and 808 nm generates different patterns of oxidative/antioxidative activities compared to consecutive irradiation. Primary cultures of gingival keratinocytes and fibroblasts were exposed to a diose laser (660 ± 2 nm and 808 ± 2 nm, 100 mW, 0.09 cm2 spot area) using double irradiation with the two wavelengths (consecutive or simultaneous) for 6, 10, and 20 s. The two irradiation regimens did not increase cell viability in any of the experimental conditions. Lipid peroxidation was increased after consecutive irradiation in epithelial cells, which was not detected after simultaneous irradiation. After 20s of the simultaneous mode, ROS levels increased, but antioxidative balance decreased. In the fibroblasts, the two double irradiations induced ROS reduction, increase in lipid peroxidation, and improvement of antioxidative balance, mainly after the 20 s irradiation time. In conclusion, simultaneous and consecutive irradiation induced distinct oxidative stress modulation in oral epithelial cells and fibroblasts. The imbalance in the oxidative system observed after longer exposures, allied with the absence of a significant increase in the viability of the two cell types, suggests a contraindication for longer simultaneous irradiation in clinical situations that demand cellular stimulation.

Poly-ε-caprolactone/poly(rotaxane) seeded with human dental pulp stem cells or osteoblasts promotes angiogenesis: a chorioallantoic membrane assay.

Biomaterials used for tissue regeneration should ideally provide a favorable environment for cell proliferation and differentiation. Angiogenesis is crucial for supplying oxygen and nutrients necessary for cellular survival at implantation sites. The aim of this study was to evaluate the overall angiogenesis response of a poly ε-caprolactone/poly (rotaxane) blend (poly-blend) carried by human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) or osteoblasts (OB) seeded in the chorioallantoic membranes (CAM) of fertilized chicken eggs on embryonic day 7. They were classified into the following intervention groups: (a) poly(polymeric blend disks free of cells); (b) hDPSC seeded onto CAM; (c) poly/hDPSC (where hDPSCs were seeded onto poly-blend); (d) poly/OB (where osteoblasts were seeded onto poly); (e) OB (where hDPSCs differentiated into osteoblasts were seeded onto CAM); and (f) a negative control when a sterilized silicone ring free of cells or polymer was inserted into CAM. On embryonic day 14, the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of the blood vessels in the CAMs were analyzed macroscopically and microscopically. Macroscopic examination showed that the Poly/hDPSC samples exhibited an increased medium vessel density. Additionally, microscopic observations showed that the Poly/hDPSC group and poly alone resulted in a large lumen area of vascularization. Thus, poly ε-caprolactone/poly (rotaxane) did not impair angiogenesis. Furthermore, poly-blend carried by stem cells of dental pulp origin shows a better vasculogenic potential, which is essential for regenerative therapies.

Photobiomodulation Therapy Minimizes the DNA Damage in 5FU-Treated Gingival Fibroblasts.

5-Fluoroufacil (5FU) is a chemotherapeutic agent indicated for solid tumors but causes oral mucositis, which can be prevented and treated using photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT). It is unknown whether PBMT modifies DNA damage induced by 5FU in oral cells. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of PBMT on DNA damage and repair and on oxidative stress in gingival fibroblasts exposed to 5FU. Primary gingival fibroblasts were exposed to 5FU and then treated with a laser (660 nm, 100 mW, 1 W cm-2 , 0.09 cm2 spot area) for three different irradiation times (6, 10 or 20 s). Six-second irradiation decreased DNA damage and lipidic peroxidation. All irradiated groups showed low H2AX levels and increased p53 expression. Ten-second irradiation showed a trend to induce high lipidic peroxidation levels and DNA damage than other irradiation groups. In conclusion, the PBMT effect on DNA damage and repair was dependent on the time irradiation: 6 s-time irradiation (6.6 J cm-2 ) protect gingival fibroblasts from 5FU-related genotoxicity and oxidative stress, whereas 10s- and 20s-time irradiations (11.1 J cm-2 and 22.2 J cm-2 , respectively) increased the risk of DNA damage after the 5FU exposure.

Surgical treatment of a rare bilateral synovial chondromatosis.

Synovial chondromatosis (SC) in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is an uncommon entity, mostly when the involvement is bilateral. The authors report a rare case of bilateral SC, with a follow-up of 13 months, and a literature review. A 60-year-old Caucasian woman, with the chief complaint of pain for 6 years in the bilateral pre-auricular region, had a progressive clacking and discomfort on the left side during mouth opening. The panoramic image was suggestive of SC. The bilateral lesion was surgically removed by direct access. Histopathological examination confirmed the clinical diagnosis of bilateral SC. This article shows the importance of a multidisciplinary approach for the early diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Also, it encourages the referral of such cases to professionals with a greater familiarity with this entity.

Keratin expression in gingival tissue and primary cultured gingival keratinocytes: Are there differences?

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether the process of primary gingival keratinocytes culture obtained from normal human gingiva modifies the expression of keratins (K) 10, K14, and K19. DESIGN: Human gingival fragments were collected from healthy individuals in the same oral site. One part of the samples underwent an immunohistochemistry assay for K10, K14, and K19. The labeling in the epithelium was quantified using a semiautomated method. Another part was used for primary gingival keratinocytes isolation and growth in two-dimensional culture. These cells were also stained for K10, K14, and K19 using immunofluorescence and immunocytochemistry. Positive cells were counted, and the nuclei and cytoplasmatic labeling areas were quantified. RESULTS: In the gingival tissue, a higher expression was found for K14 versus K10 (p < 0.001); K19 was negative in all samples. In gingival keratinocytes culture, K14 (89.6 %) had the highest expression with significant differences in relation to K10 (76.9 %, p < 0.01) and K19 (9.9 %, p < 0.01). The cells positive for K14 exhibited larger nuclei in comparison with K10 (p < 0.05) and K19 (p < 0.05), suggesting a more undifferentiated phenotype. K19 cells showed the largest cytoplasmatic labeling in relation to K10- (p < 0.05) and K14-positive (p < 0.05) cells. CONCLUSION: The process of growth in culture of gingival keratinocytes maintained the expression pattern of K10 and K14 observed in gingival tissues. However, this method induces the expression of K19, suggesting a potential transformation of the keratin network presented in the gingival keratinocytes during the formation of a monolayer in vitro. This reflects the dynamics of cell differentiation.

Synergism between recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein 2/absorbable collagen sponge and bone substitutes favors vertical bone augmentation and the resorption rate of the biomaterials: Histomorphometric and 3D microcomputed tomography analysis.

BACKGROUND: Recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein 2 (rhBMP-2) is an osteoinductor frequently used for bone regeneration in oral and maxillofacial surgery. There is no consensus about the ideal carrier for this growth factor. The aim of this study was to compare the bone augmentation, bone microarchitecture, and biodegradation rate of additional carriers to rhBMP-2/absorbable collagen sponge (ACS) in a vertical guided bone regeneration model. METHODS: Four titanium cylinders were fixed onto the calvaria of rabbits (n = 20) that received (n = 10) or not (n = 10) rhBMP-2/ACS in conjunction with one of the carriers: beta-tricalcium phosphate (ß-TCP), biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP), bovine bone mineral (BBM) or blood clot. The samples were analyzed by means of microcomputed tomography and histomorphology after 14 weeks. RESULTS: All the materials with rhBMP-2/ACS exhibited improvement on bone augmentation, mainly BCP (P = 0.033) and ß-TCP (P = 0.038), in the upper portion of the cylinder. Although trabecular anisotropy was improved in all the materials groups, trabecular connectivity was diminished when the biomaterials received rhBMP-2/ACS. Resorption rate of the remaining biomaterial was improved by rhBMP-2/ACS, mainly in BBM (P <0.01) and ß-TCP (P <0.01). BBM exhibited the highest osteoclast density compared with the other materials groups. CONCLUSIONS: BCP and ß-TCP biomaterials exhibited a synergic effect with rhBMP-2/ACS, acting as suitable and viable carriers for vertical bone augmentation. The addition of rhBMP-2 significantly affected the biodegradation of ß-TCP and BBM, accelerating the resorption of these materials.

Oral mucocele exhibiting an extraoral swelling: a case report of an atypical presentation / Mucocele oral exibindo edema extraoral: relato de caso atípico

ABSTRACT Despite being common pathological entities found in the oral cavity, oral mucoceles can present distinct features, raising several diagnostic possibilities and treatments. In this study, we report the case of a 34-year-old man with an asymptomatic increased volume in the left periorbital region of more than a year, without remission or associated trauma. An aspiration biopsy was performed, followed by an excisional biopsy, and the specimen was sent for histopathological examination. Results led to the diagnosis of an oral mucocele. Surgical removal was performed in an excisional biopsy. Subsequently, the patient recovered promptly without further complications. Although oral mucoceles recur relatively often, its prognosis is good. This case emphasizes the importance of obtaining a detailed disease history, knowledge of its clinical features, and etiopathogenesis combined with complementary examinations to establish diagnostic hypotheses and converge on an adequate and individualized treatment plan

RESUMO Apesar de serem entidades patológicas comumente encontradas na cavidade oral, as mucoceles podem apresentar características distintas, o que pode sugerir diversas possibilidades diagnósticas e de tratamento. Paciente do gênero masculino, 34 anos, compareceu ao ambulatório com queixa de aumento de volume assintomático na região periorbitária esquerda há mais de um ano, sem remissão ou trauma associado. Foi realizada biópsia aspirativa seguida de biópsia excisional e a amostra encaminhada para exame histopatológico, que confirmou o diagnóstico de mucocele oral. O paciente evoluiu sem queixas e sem recidiva. Apesar da alta taxa de recorrência, mucoceles orais têm um bom prognóstico. Este relato de caso enfatiza a importância da obtenção de uma história detalhada da doença, do conhecimento de suas características clínicas e da etiopatogenia, para estabelecer hipóteses diagnósticas e convergir para um plano de tratamento adequado e individualizado.

Reclassification and treatment of odontogenic keratocysts: A cohort study.

The odontogenic keratocyst (OKC) is a recurrent cyst that has been recently reclassified from an odontogenic tumor to an odontogenic cyst. The aim of the present study was to investigate its treatment and address issues related to its association with nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome (NBCCS). Lesions from the cohort of patients included in the present study consisted of 40 OKCs, of which 27 lesions were treated by enucleation (GE) and 13 underwent decompression (GD). Complementary treatment occurred in 38 (95%) lesions, of which 10 underwent isolated peripheral ostectomy (GO) and 28 underwent peripheral ostectomy combined with Carnoy's solution (GC). Thirteen lesions were associated with NBCCS (GS), while the others (n=27) were non-syndromic lesions (GnS). The recurrence-free periods (RFP) in the sample groups were compared using the Kaplan-Meier function and log-rank test at a significance level of 5% (p < 0.05) and were used to calculate the cumulative risk of recurrence (CRR) in each postoperative year. During the follow-up period, which had a mean of 43.5 months (range: 12-102 months), six (15%) recurrences were diagnosed. There was no significant difference among the RFP for the compared groups (p > 0.05) or increased CRR for the decompression (15.4%) over five years. Application of Carnoy's solution did not increase the efficacy of the peripheral ostectomy, but was related to a CRR of 0% for the syndromic lesions over five years. Therefore, 1) decompression did not increase the recurrence risk; 2) peripheral ostectomy demonstrated a similar efficacy as the combination with Carnoy's solution; 3) the association of NBCCS did not seem to significantly influence OKC recurrence; and 4) syndromic lesions seem to behave in the same manner as non-syndromic lesions when submitted to complementary treatments.

Clinical, radiological and histological features of calcifying epithelial odontogenic tumor: case report.

The calcifying epithelial odontogenic tumor (CEOT) is a rare benign odontogenic neoplasm that accounts for approximately 1% of all odontogenic tumors. Its origin is controversial as well as its true malignant potential. A case of an advanced CEOT associated with an impacted right second molar in the mandible of a young black female patient is presented. Computed tomography imaging, radiographic and pathological findings, surgical patterns, gross anatomy of the lesion and the performed treatment are discussed.

Action of antimicrobial agents on infected odontogenic cysts.

OBJECTIVE: The treatment of choice for odontogenic cysts is surgery, and when the cysts are infected, preoperative antibiotic coverage is needed. However, the diffusion of antibiotics is a matter of controversy because of the low vascularization of the cystic epithelium. The aim of the present study was to determine the antimicrobial action of amoxicillin and metronidazole on infected odontogenic cysts. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Ten odontogenic root cysts were punctured before and after antibiotic treatment in 2 patient groups. Group 1 consisted of 5 patients treated with 500 mg amoxicillin at 6-hour intervals, and group 2 consisted of 5 patients treated with 400 mg metronidazole at 8-hour intervals, for 7 days. After this period, the patients were submitted to surgery for enucleation. The fluid collected was seeded onto culture media for counts of total bacteria and facultative anaerobic bacteria. RESULTS: The results showed that the amount of bacteria present in the fluid was significantly higher than the amount isolated after antibiotic treatment. Also, most of the microorganisms present in the fluid collected before antibiotic administration were strict anaerobes. CONCLUSIONS: Both antibiotics reduced the number of bacteria in the cystic fluid, showing that they did diffuse into the lesions at sufficient concentrations to exert their antimicrobial action.

Surgical treatment of a rare bilateral synovial chondromatosis

Synovial chondromatosis (SC) in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is an uncommon entity, mostly when the involvement is bilateral. The authors report a rare case of bilateral SC, with a follow-up of 13 months, and a literature review. A 60-year-old Caucasian woman, with the chief complaint of pain for 6 years in the bilateral pre-auricular region, had a progressive clacking and discomfort on the left side during mouth opening. The panoramic image was suggestive of SC. The bilateral lesion was surgically removed by direct access. Histopathological examination confirmed the clinical diagnosis of bilateral SC. This article shows the importance of a multidisciplinary approach for the early diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Also, it encourages the referral of such cases to professionals with a greater familiarity with this entity.

Manual reduction of articular disc after traumatic extraction of mandibular third molar: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Disc displacement without reduction with limited opening is an intracapsular biomechanical disorder involving the condyle-disc complex. With the mouth closed, the disc is in an anterior position in relation to the condylar head and does not reduce with mouth opening. This disorder is associated with persistent limited mandibular opening. CASE REPORT: The patient presented severe limitation to fully open the mouth, interfering in her ability to eat. Clinical examination also revealed maximum assisted jaw opening (passive stretch) with less than 40 mm of maximum interincisal opening. Magnetic resonance imaging was the method of choice to identify the temporomandibular disorders. CONCLUSION: By means of reporting this rare case of anterior disc displacement without reduction with limited opening, after traumatic extraction of a mandibular third molar, in which manual reduction of temporomandibular joint articular disc was performed, it was possible to prove that this technique is effective in the prompt restoration of mandibular movements.