Effectiveness of Topical Ozone Gel Application in the Management of Postextraction Wound Healing: An In Vivo Study.

AIM: The purpose of the current study was to determine the effectiveness of topical ozone gel application in the management of postextraction wound healing. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The current study involved a total of 40 participants. The patients were randomly placed into two groups with sample size estimated as n = 20 in each group. Group A: Control: patients received only saline irrigation and group B: patients receiving topical ozone gel. The surgical procedure was standardized for all groups, and local anesthesia was used during the procedure. After the removal of the mandibular third molar, the control group irrigated the socket with saline, whereas in the study group, the socket was filled with ozone gel. On the first, third, fifth, and seventh postoperative days, a single examiner evaluated each participant for postoperative mouth opening, discomfort, and patient satisfaction. The t-test was used to analyze quantitative data, whereas the Fisher exact test was employed to analyze qualitative data. Statistical significance was defined as a p value less than 0.05. RESULTS: On comparison of patient satisfaction, in the ozone gel group, 13 patients were very satisfied but in the control group, 8 patients were very satisfied. On comparison of pain intensity, on the 5th day, the complete absence of pain patients was more in the ozone gel group (12 patients) compared with the control group (4 patients). There was a statistically significant difference found between these two groups (p < 0.001). On comparison of mouth opening, on the 3rd and 5th day, mouth opening was better in the ozone gel group (29.22 ± 1.28 and 34.06 ± 0.09) compared with the control group (27.38 ± 1.03 and 31.14 ± 0.82), respectively. And there was a statistically significant difference found between these two groups (p < 0.001) on both the days. CONCLUSION: The current study came to the conclusion that using ozone gel significantly improves postoperative pain, mouth opening range, and promotes faster wound healing. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The primary goals of postoperative care for exodontia patients have always been pain management and infection control. The most frequent postoperative consequences are pain and edema. Hence, ozone therapy can be used as an effective topical agent to manage postextraction pain and swelling in healthy patients without the need for excess medications. How to cite this article: Varghese LJ, Lahiri B, Penumatsa NV, et al. Effectiveness of Topical Ozone Gel Application in the Management of Postextraction Wound Healing: An In Vivo Study. J Contemp Dent Pract 2023;24(11):887-890.

Evaluating Factors that Contribute to the Early Loss of Bone Around Submerged Implants Before they are Restored.

Aim: The aim of the present study was to examine various factors that may contribute to early crestal bone loss around submerged implants, prior to restoration. Methods: The research included a collective of 100 implants, procured from 60 participants. We allocated a total of 60 patients into two distinct groups: 20 individuals in the healthy group and 40 individuals in the ECBL group. Results: Out of the complete population, 56 people were unaffected by diabetes, while six persons were smokers. Systemic antibiotics were administered to almost all patients (98%) throughout the implantation procedure. The implant implantation consisted of 69% nonmolar implants and 31% molar implants. Conclusion: Engaging in a guided bone regeneration (GBR) operation before implant implantation has been shown to be a statistically significant factor in preventing early crestal bone loss (ECBL).

Comparative Analysis of Surgical Techniques for Wisdom Tooth Extraction.

Background: Wisdom tooth extraction often requires various surgical techniques due to differences in tooth position, root morphology, and patient characteristics. This research aims to compare traditional surgical extraction with minimally invasive techniques such as piezo surgery and laser-assisted extraction, as well as extraction with the aid of 3D imaging and navigation systems. Methods: Patients requiring wisdom tooth extraction were randomly assigned to one of the surgical technique groups. Preoperative imaging assessed tooth position and root morphology. Intraoperative variables and postoperative outcomes were recorded, including pain levels, swelling, and healing time. Patient-reported outcomes were assessed using standardized questionnaires. Results: Piezo surgery, 3D imaging, and navigation-guided extraction techniques demonstrated a shorter mean duration of surgery and lower incidence of intraoperative complications compared to traditional extraction and laser-assisted extraction. Postoperative outcomes were superior in the 3D imaging and navigation-guided extraction group, with lower pain scores, reduced swelling, and faster healing time. Conclusion: Advanced imaging-guided techniques, particularly 3D imaging and navigation-guided extraction, offer significant benefits for patients undergoing wisdom tooth extraction by improving surgical precision, minimizing complications, and enhancing postoperative outcomes. Incorporating these technologies into routine practice can optimize patient care and outcomes in oral surgery.

Effectiveness of the supraomohyoid neck dissection in clinically N0 neck patients with squamous cell carcinoma of buccal mucosa and gingivobuccal sulcus.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the effectiveness of the supraomohyoid neck dissection in clinically N0 neck patients with squamous cell carcinoma of buccal mucosa and gingivobuccal sulcus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a prospective study of five patients with squamous cell carcinoma of gingivobuccal mucosa of oral cavity with clinically N0 neck, conducted over a period of 2 years from July 2007 to Oct 2009 in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Narayana Dental College and Hospital. The study was conducted in patients irrespective of age, sex, size, thickness, and type of differentiation of the lesion. All patients have clinically non-palpable lymphnodes (N0 neck), while patients with palpable lymphnodes, patients with previous surgery, and patients with previous radiotherapy were excluded from the study. RESULTS: Level I was the commonest site of neck metastasis in our study. Among the five patients, two (40%) patients (case 2 and 3) had occult cervical metastasis (level IB nodes are histopathologically positive nodes) and the remaining three patients (60%) had no occult cervical metastasis. The recurrence rate was 20% for patients who received postoperative radiotherapy. There was no morbidity and postoperative dysfunction and the mortality rate was only 20% in our study. CONCLUSION: Supraomohyoid neck dissection is the therapeutic procedure in clinically N0 neck patients with squamous cell carcinoma of buccal mucosa and gingivobuccal sulcus of mandible. Supraomohyoid neck dissection, when indicated, contributes to the concept of less-invasive surgery and offers functional and aesthetic advantages without compromising the clearance with minimal morbidity.