Performance of coralline hydroxyapatite in sinus floor augmentation: a retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to retrospectively explore the utilization of coralline hydroxyapatite in maxillary sinus augmentation. METHOD: One hundred and eighteen cases of sinus lift with coralline hydroxyapatite (CHA) were included in this study. In detail, simultaneous implantation was conducted in 78 patients (174 implants) and delayed implantation was done in 40 cases (82 implants) around 6 months after bone transplantation. The clinical features and X-ray radiographs after operation were analyzed to evaluate osseointegration procedures according to a planned medical follow-up. In the delayed group, around 6 months, a bone biopsy was taken just during implant placement in order to evaluate the new formed bone from a histological and histomorphometrical point of view. A further 6 months later, abutment connection was performed, and the patients received prosthetic restoration of the missing teeth. RESULT: Clinically, the incisions healed well. No abnormal reactions were found during follow-up period. All the 174 simultaneous implants were successful after 1-5 years of medical review; Out of 82 delayed implants, 3 were found to be loose. Histologically, all the specimens showed signs of active remodeling, and all the tissues had a large amount of osteocyte at sixth month after sinus augmentation. New bone formed dramatically. Radiologically, the density of CHA gradually reduced since the beginning of the third month, and CHA may be completely resolved at about fifth year. CONCLUSION: CHA is proven an ideal bone graft material for its reliable clinical results and favorable histocompatibility in the treatment of sinus atrophy or other kinds of insufficient bone volume in this region. Moreover, CHA's signal application can achieve desired clinical effect. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This study shows the clinic application of CHA in maxillary sinus augmentation. Compared with popular mixture of autogenous bone and grafting materials, our results show CHA's signal application can achieve ideal osseointegration interface and satisfying clinic effect.

The epidemiology of cranio-facial injuries caused by animals in southern-central China.

A clinical investigation was conducted to demonstrate the epidemiology of cranio-facial injuries inflicted by animals in southern-central part of China-the World's most populous eastern country. It consisted of a retrospective study of 149 patients and was carried out in our department. All the patients were attacked by animals, such as buffalo, cattle, donkey, horse, dog, cat, and rat. There were 91 males and 58 females patients, aged from 5 to 65 years. 113 patients were from rural areas, and 36 from urban districts. Dogs, cattle, donkeys and buffalo, were the most common animals involved in this study. Bite was the predominant mechanism of injury, followed by kick, fall, trample, knock and scratch. The lip, chin and cheek were the commonest sites of soft tissue injury; Condylar process, symphysis, parasymphysis, and angle of mandible were the sites of fractures. Regarding the severity of injury, nearly half of the patients belonged to I and II classifications. The treatment results were satisfactory except for obvious scar formation, facial nerve palsy, and dysocclusion in a few patients. Facial injuries caused by animals are common in China, especially in rural areas. Timely treatment should be performed as soon as possible. Special attention should be paid to the prescription of antibiotics and vaccines. Psychotherapy may also be considered when necessary. It is suggested that adequate protective measures should be taken when animals are used for agricultural activities or kept as pets to minimize the incidence of facial injury.