Orthodontic uprighting of a horizontally impacted third molar and protraction of mandibular second and third molars into the missing first molar space for a patient with posterior crossbites.

A 22-year-old woman came with a unilateral missing mandibular first molar and buccal crossbite. The open space was closed by protraction of the mandibular left second molar and uprighting and protraction of the horizontally impacted third molar using temporary skeletal anchorage devices, and her buccal crossbite was corrected with modified palatal and lingual appliances. The total active treatment time was 36 months. Posttreatment records after 9 months showed excellent results with a stable occlusion.

Postoperative perforation of the Schneiderian membrane in maxillary sinus augmentation: a case report.

Perforation of the Schneiderian membrane constitutes a major intraoperative complication of maxillary sinus floor elevation with graft materials, but postoperative perforation of the sinus membrane is very rare. This case report demonstrates that conservative treatment involving drainage and the administration of systemic antibiotics can be used to successfully treat postoperative sinus membrane perforation with infection of the graft material.

Post-traumatic bifid mandibular condyle: A case report and literature review.

Bifid mandibular condyle (BMC) is an uncommon morphological variant of the mandibular condyle. Although authors have proposed various etiologies for BMC, no consensus has emerged. In addition, varying findings have been reported regarding the epidemiological parameters of BMC (e.g., prevalence, gender ratio, and age), possibly due to its low incidence. BMC is occasionally associated with symptoms of the temporomandibular joint, such as ankylosis, pain, and trismus; however, it is difficult to detect this condition on conventional radiographs. This study reports a case of BMC with radiographic findings, and reviews the literature on the epidemiology of BMC.

An unusual abscess formation in the masticator space after acupressure massage: a case report.

Clinical features of masticator-space abscess (MSA) are very similar to those of parotitis or temporomandibular disorder (TMD), making early differential diagnosis difficult. Local causes of MSA include nerve block anesthesia, infection after tooth extraction, and trauma to the temporomandibular joint (TMJ); the systemic cause is immunodeficiency. Odontogenic causes account for most etiologies, but there are also unusual causes of MSA. A 66-year-old male patient visited the emergency room (ER) presenting with left-side TMJ pain three days after receiving an acupressure massage. He was tentatively diagnosed with conventional post-trauma TMD and discharged with medication. However, the patient returned to the ER with increased pain. At this time, his TMD diagnosis was confirmed. He made a third visit to the ER during which facial computed tomographic (CT) images were taken. CT readings identified an abscess or hematoma in the left masticator space. After hospitalizing the patient, needle aspiration confirmed pus in the infratemporal and temporal fossa. Antibiotics were administered, and the abscess was drained through an incision made by the attending physician. The patient's symptoms decreased, and he was discharged.