Third molars and periodontal pathology in American adolescents and young adults: a prevalence study.

PURPOSE: To assess the association between visible third molars and the prevalence of periodontal inflammatory disease of non-third molars. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Subjects aged 14 to 45 years with 4 asymptomatic third molars were enrolled in an institutional review board-approved study. Subjects were classified based on whether at least 1 third molar was visible or all third molars were not visible. Full-mouth periodontal probing depth (PD) data, with 6 sites per tooth, were obtained as a measure of a subject's periodontal status. At least 1 non-third molar PD of 4 mm or greater was indicative of periodontal inflammatory disease. Outcomes for the respective groups were compared by use of Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel row mean score statistics. The level of significance for differences was set at .05. RESULTS: The 342 subjects in the visible group were significantly older, with a median age of 26 years (interquartile range, 22.4-32.2 years), as compared with the 69 subjects in the not visible group, with a median age of 21 years (interquartile range, 18.8-24.9 years) (P < .01). The proportion of males and females was not statistically different between groups (P > .05). Most subjects were white. Significantly more subjects with at least a college education were in the visible group than in the not visible group (P < .01). The rate of tobacco use was low and did not differ between groups. Subjects in the visible group were significantly more likely to have at least 1 PD of 4 mm or greater on non-third molars than those in the not visible group: 59% versus 35%. In both groups, first/second molars were more affected than nonmolars when we controlled for differences in age between groups. CONCLUSIONS: The visible presence of third molars in adolescents and young adults was significantly associated with periodontal inflammatory disease of non-third molars.

Changes over time in the periodontal status of young adults with no third molar periodontal pathology at enrollment.

PURPOSE: To assess changes in periodontal status over time in subjects with all third molar region periodontal probing depths (PDs) of less than 4 mm at enrollment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Subjects were a subsample of young adults enrolled with 4 asymptomatic third molars in an institutional review board-approved longitudinal study. Full-mouth periodontal PD data, 6 sites per tooth, were measures of periodontal status. Data were aggregated to subject and jaw levels. A PD of 4 mm or greater was considered an indicator variable for periodontal pathology. Subjects were classified according to PD at follow-up: all PDs of less than 4 mm or at least 1 PD of 4 mm or greater. The demographic differences and the third molar anatomic position at baseline were compared to assess whether enrollment factors were related to the changes in periodontal pathology. The level of significance was set at .05. RESULTS: One hundred six subjects had all third molar region PDs of less than 4 mm at enrollment and were aged 25 years on average. Of these, 38% had a change in third molar region periodontal status, with at least 1 third molar region PD of 4 mm or greater detected at a median follow-up of 4.1 years (interquartile range, 2.4-5.9 years). A PD of at least 4 mm was detected significantly more often in the mandibular third molar region than in the maxillary third molar region (P < .01). No significant differences in age, gender, education, or length of follow-up were detected between the 40 subjects with a change in periodontal status in the third molar region and the 66 subjects who remained periodontally healthy (P > .05). At follow-up, 50% of subjects with at least 1 PD of 4 mm or greater in the third molar region had at least 1 PD of 4 mm or greater in non-third molar regions as compared with 15% of subjects with all third molar region PDs of less than 4 mm (P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: Periodontal pathology developing over time in healthy young adults was significantly more likely in the mandibular third molar region and mandibular non-third molars.

Impact of removal of asymptomatic third molars on periodontal pathology.

PURPOSE: This study assessed the impact of third molar removal on periodontal pathology in subjects with third molars asymptomatic at enrollment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Subjects in whom at least 2 third molars were removed were a subsample of healthy young subjects enrolled with 4 asymptomatic third molars in an institutional review board-approved longitudinal study. Full-mouth periodontal probing (PD) data, 6 sites per tooth, were obtained as a measure of periodontal status at each of 3 visits: enrollment, before removal of third molars, and after removal of third molars. Data were aggregated to subject and jaw levels. The oral cavity was divided by jaw into segments: the third molar region including the third molar (12 probing sites), distal to the second molar (4 probing sites), and non-third molars (80 probing sites). A PD >or=4 mm was considered an indicator variable for periodontal pathology. The number and percent of sites with a PD >or=4 mm were calculated from the total number of probing sites across all subjects. The frequency of subjects with at least one PD >or=4 mm and all third molars removed were compared with the frequency of subjects retaining at least 1 mandibular third molar using Fisher's exact test, with significance set at 0.05. RESULTS: Sixty-nine subjects had third molars removed: 57% were female, and 77% were Caucasian. The median age at surgery was 26.3 years (interquartile range, 23.3-31.5 yr). The median interval from enrollment to surgery was 2.4 years (interquartile range, 1.5-4.2 yr). The median follow-up after surgery was 9 months (interquartile range, 6.7-15.4 mo). All third molars were removed in 56 subjects; 13 retained at least 1 mandibular third molar. More subjects had at least 1 PD >or=4 mm around their mandibular third molars before surgery compared with enrollment (52% vs 45%, respectively). Of the total possible mandibular third molar probing sites, 18% had PD >or=4 mm presurgery compared with 12% at enrollment. Significantly fewer subjects who had all third molars removed had a PD >or=4 mm on the distal of their mandibular second molars after surgery, compared with those retaining at least 1 mandibular third molar (20% vs 69%, respectively, P= .001). The number of PDs >or=4 mm in the mandible was less after surgery if all third molars had been removed (1.4% vs 6.6%, respectively). CONCLUSION: Removal of the mandibular third molars significantly improved the periodontal status on the distal of second molars, positively affecting overall periodontal health.

Comparison of periodontal inflammatory disease in young adults with and without pericoronitis involving mandibular third molars.

PURPOSE: To compare the prevalence and severity of periodontal inflammatory disease in subjects with pericoronitis involving a mandibular third molar and those without pericoronitis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data obtained from healthy adults consecutively enrolled in an institutional review board-approved trial with pericoronitis affecting at least 1 mandibular third molar (study group) were compared with data obtained during the same time frame from subjects without pericoronitis enrolled in a longitudinal third molar monitoring study (comparison group). The periodontal status of each subject was classified based on periodontal probing depths (PD): all PD <4 mm, no disease; 1 to 3 PD >or=4 mm, incipient disease; at least 4 PD >or=4 mm, early disease. Full mouth periodontal probing data were obtained as clinical measures of periodontal status. Data were aggregated to the subject level for the third molar region, the 6 third molar probing sites and the 2 second molar distal probing sites, the non-third molar region, and all remaining probing sites. The prevalence of disease in the study and comparison groups were compared with the Fisher's exact test. As an indicator of disease severity, the number of PD >or=4 mm in the 2 groups were compared by the Kruskal-Wallis test. Level of significance was set at P values less than .05. RESULTS: Median age of the 56 subjects with pericoronitis was 23.3 years (IQR 21.3-26.0 years). Fifty-five percent were Caucasian, 16% African American, and 22% Asian. Males and females were almost equally represented in the study group and in the comparison group. The 194 subjects enrolled without pericoronitis were significantly older (32.8 years; IQR 27.2-40.0 years; P < .001). Eighty-four percent were Caucasian, 10% African American, and 4% Asian. The proportion of subjects with periodontal inflammatory disease in the third molar region was significantly different between the study and comparison groups. Thirty-one percent of the subjects with pericoronitis had incipient and 55% early disease in the third molar region compared with 25% with incipient and 38% with early disease among subjects without pericoronitis (P = .003). The pattern was similar, but the proportion of subjects was not significantly different between the groups for the non-third molar region. In the study group, 32% had incipient disease and 32% early disease compared with 27% with incipient disease and 22% with early disease in the comparison group (P = .09). The median number of PD >or=4 mm for all teeth differed significantly for subjects with and without pericoronitis (median 5 [IQR 3-9] vs 3 [IQR 0-8], respectively; P = .03). CONCLUSION: Pericoronitis involving mandibular third molars may reflect more underlying periodontal inflammatory disease in affected young adults than might be found in young adults with retained third molars and no pericoronitis.

A biomechanical evaluation of plating techniques used for reconstructing mandibular symphysis/parasymphysis fractures.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate and compare the biomechanical behavior of 5 different methods used to repair mandibular symphysis/parasymphysis fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty synthetic polyurethane mandible replicas (Synbone, Laudquart, Switzerland) were used in this investigation. Ten controls and 10 each of the experimental groups were tested by subjecting 5 constructs in each group to vertical loading at the incisal edge and 5 constructs to torsional loading at the molar region by an Instron 1331 (Instron, Canton, MA) servohydraulic mechanical testing unit. The 5 methods of reconstruction include: arch bars using 18-gauge stainless steel wire with an acrylic lingual splint, 2 2.4-mm lag screw technique, 2 2.0-mm 4-hole locking miniplates, 2 2.0-mm 6-hole nonlocking miniplates, and 2 2.4-mm 6-hole limited-contact dynamic-compression plates. Mechanical deformation data within a 0 to 900 N range were recorded. Yield load, displacement at yield load, and stiffness were determined. Means and standard deviations were derived and compared for statistical significance using a Fisher's protected least significant differences test with a confidence level of 95% (P < .05). Third-order polynomial best-fit curves also were created for each group to further evaluate and compare the mechanical behavior. RESULTS: For incisal edge loading, statistically significant differences were noted between the lag screw technique and the arch bar, limited-contact dynamic-compression plate and locking miniplate; and between the nonlocking miniplate and the arch bar, limited-contact dynamic-compression plate and locking miniplate for stiffness. Additionally, statistically significant differences were noted between the lag screw technique and arch bar; and between the nonlocking miniplate and the arch bar, dynamic-compression plate and locking miniplate for yield load. For molar loading, statistically significant differences were noted between the lag screw technique and all other groups for both yield load and stiffness; as well as the arch bar and locking miniplate for stiffness. No statistically significant differences were noted between any groups for displacement at yield, for either incisal edge or molar loading. CONCLUSIONS: Although statistically significant differences were noted between each of the fixation systems in their abilities to resist loads under the conditions tested, when placed in the context of functional parameters, all systems met the requirements for incisal edge loading. When molar loading was considered, the lag screw technique performed more favorably than the other systems.

Risk markers for periodontal pathology over time in the third molar and non-third molar regions in young adults.

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to analyze the clinical impact of risk markers for third molar and non-third molar periodontal pathology over time. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data were obtained from healthy adults with 4 asymptomatic third molars in an institutional review board-approved trial. Full-mouth periodontal probing depth (PD) data were collected as clinical measures of possible periodontal pathology. The third molar region included the 6 third molar probing sites and the 2 second molar distal probing sites (maximum of 16 sites per jaw). The non-third molar region included all remaining probing sites (maximum of 80 sites per jaw). Periodontal PDs were considered indicator variables for clinically detected periodontal pathology or its absence at baseline and follow-up. Subjects were grouped based on all PD less than 4 mm (no disease), 1 to 3 PD >or=4 mm (incipient disease), or at least 4 PD >or=4 mm (early disease). Levels of periodontal pathogens and gingival crevicular fluid inflammatory mediators at baseline also were assayed as risk markers for periodontal pathology. Baseline risk markers and possible confounding variables were included in risk assessment models to derive odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for periodontal pathology in the third molar and non-third molar regions at follow-up. RESULTS: A total of 195 subjects had a median follow-up of 5.9 years (interquartile range [IQR] = 4.6 to 6.9 years). Median age at enrollment was 26.2 years (IQR = 22 to 34 years); 52% were female, 84% were Caucasian, and 10% were African-American. A significant association was found between baseline and follow-up third molar region and non-third molar region periodontal pathology indicators (P < .01). Subjects who had incipient or early disease in the third molar region at baseline were significantly more likely to have an indication of periodontal pathology at follow-up in the third molar region and in the non-third molar region compared with those in whom no disease was detected at baseline. CONCLUSIONS: In young adults, the presence of periodontal pathology as indicated by periodontal PDs in the third molar region at baseline was predictive of detection of periodontal pathology in the third molar and non-third molar regions at follow-up.

Caries experience and periodontal pathology in erupting third molars.

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to document the prevalence of occlusal caries experience and periodontal pathology for erupting third molars in young adults. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The data are from 49 subjects enrolled in an institutional review board-approved trial with at least one third molar below the occlusal plane at baseline that erupted by longest follow-up. Teeth were considered erupted if they reached the occlusal plane. Caries experience on the occlusal surface of third molars was assessed by a visual-tactile examination. At least 1 periodontal probing depth (PD) >or=4 mm in the third molar region was considered indicative of periodontal pathology. The third molar region was defined as the 6 probing sites around third molars and 2 sites on the distal of second molars. The prevalence of third molar caries experience and periodontal pathology at longest follow-up was assessed. RESULTS: Most of the 49 subjects were female (51%), Caucasian (76%), and educated at least through high school (82%). Median age was 20.5 years (interquartile range [IQR] 18.4 to 24.1 years). Median follow-up was 5.1 years (IQR = 3.4 to 6.9 years). At baseline, none of the subjects had occlusal caries experience in a third molar; 51% of subjects had at least 1 PD >or=4 mm in a third molar region. At follow-up, 27% of the subjects had occlusal caries experience in at least 1 third molar that erupted to the occlusal plane; 61% had at least 1 PD >or=4 mm in a third molar region. Twenty-nine percent had occlusal caries in at least 1 third molar at the occlusal plane and at least 1 PD >or=4 mm in a third molar region. Thirty-seven percent had no third molar occlusal caries experience and all third molar region PD <4 mm. CONCLUSIONS: For third molars that erupted "late," periodontal pathology was more prevalent than occlusal caries.

Insurance billing and coding.

The purpose of this article is to highlight the importance of understanding various numeric and alpha-numeric codes for accurately billing dental and medically related services to private pay or third-party insurance carriers. In the United States, common dental terminology (CDT) codes are most commonly used by dentists to submit claims, whereas current procedural terminology (CPT) and International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD.9.CM) codes are more commonly used by physicians to bill for their services. The CPT and ICD.9.CM coding systems complement each other in that CPT codes provide the procedure and service information and ICD.9.CM codes provide the reason or rationale for a particular procedure or service. These codes are more commonly used for "medical necessity" determinations, and general dentists and specialists who routinely perform care, including trauma-related care, biopsies, and dental treatment as a result of or in anticipation of a cancer-related treatment, are likely to use these codes. Claim submissions for care provided can be completed electronically or by means of paper forms.

Maxillary sinus augmentation.

Attention to the principles of bone grafting, bone healing, and maxillary sinus physiology as well as anatomy is critical to the successful placement of dental implants in the posterior maxilla. The integration of these principles must take into account the restorative dental requirements and the patient's autonomy in guiding implant reconstruction. As in so many clinical disciplines, additional research is needed to provide better guidance for clinicians. Despite some gaps in our knowledge, however, sinus augmentation procedures have proven to be safe and effective and have permitted the placement of implants in sites that would have otherwise been impossible to treat. This article summarizes techniques and technologies related to maxillary sinus augmentation.

Biomechanical evaluation of fixation techniques for bridging segmental mandibular defects.

OBJECTIVE: To compare biomechanical properties of currently available plating systems used to reconstruct segmental mandibular defects. DESIGN: Controlled in vitro investigation. SETTING: Academic medical center laboratory. INTERVENTIONS: Thirty-two polyurethane mandibles were equally divided among 4 groups: mandibles with a 4-cm lateral segmental defect that was bridged with a (1) 3.0-mm locking-screw reconstruction plate, (2) 2.4-mm low-profile reconstruction plate, or (3) 2.4-mm reconstruction plate and (4) uncut (control) mandibles. All plates were contoured and secured to the synthetic mandibles with 4 bicortical screws on either side of the defect. Three constructs from each group were subjected to contralateral-molar single-load-to-failure testing. Mean yield displacement, yield load, and bending stiffness were quantified and compared among the 4 groups. The single-load-to-failure data were used to establish conditions for fatigue testing; such testing was then performed on the remaining 5 samples in each group. Mean cycles to failure were measured and compared among the 4 groups. RESULTS: Mean yield displacement, yield load, and bending stiffness were comparable among the plated groups. Both the 3.0-mm locking-screw and 2.4-mm low-profile reconstruction plate designs withstood 1580 and 1124 times more cycles to failure, respectively (P = .005), than did the control group. The other reconstruction plate was also superior to the unplated controls, offering an 865-fold improvement. CONCLUSIONS: All 3 mandibular fixation device systems tested produce comparable levels of single load to failure biomechanical integrity; however, the higher-profile plating system design offered slightly superior fatigue performance. No differences in performance were observed between the locking and nonlocking designs; neither failed at the screw-substrate interface.

Demographics and treatment options for orbital roof fractures.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this article was to review the frequency, germane anatomy, management modalities, and complications associated with the treatment of orbital roof fractures in the pediatric and the adult population. STUDY DESIGN: A review of the past 30 years of the English-language maxillofacial surgical literature was undertaken. Important concepts were coupled with the authors' experience to provide a synopsis of contemporary thought on this topic. RESULTS: More than 235 articles in the oral and maxillofacial, plastic and reconstructive, otolaryngology-head and neck, ophthalmologic, oculoplastic, neurologic, and pediatric surgical literature were reviewed and assessed. From this group, 50 articles were found to contain useful information. CONCLUSIONS: It has been estimated that 1% to 9% of all facial fractures involve the orbital roof. The typical adult with an orbital roof fracture is a man (89%-93%) who has been involved in a high-energy impact and who has sustained concomitant multisystem injuries (57%-77%). Orbital roof fractures most commonly coexist with other craniofacial injuries. In contrast, in pediatric patients with an orbital roof injury, we see nearly equal sex distribution; the typical patient in this case has a frontobasal fracture that is minimally displaced or nondisplaced (53%-93%) and has sustained concomitant multisystem injuries. The pediatric patient is usually managed by means of observation alone (53%-86%). For the adult patient, a subcranial approach to the orbital roof by means of a bitemporal flap or superior blepharoplasty incision offers wide access with minimal morbidity. Currently available titanium microscrew and miniscrew and mesh systems offer a near-ideal modality for orbital roof reconstruction. The coexisting neurocranial, frontal sinus, and supraorbital rim fractures take priority over the management of orbital roof fractures. Complications associated with orbital roof injuries can be categorized as those attributed to the following: concomitant injury, surgical access, postreconstruction volume discrepancy, muscle entrapment, hemorrhage, and/or infection.

Biomaterials for use in frontal sinus obliteration.

Although fractures of the frontal sinus are infrequent (2-15% of victims of facial trauma), because of their proximity to the brain and eyes, the consequences of their management may have a significant impact on the patient. For frontal sinus injuries that affect the nasofrontal ducts or posterior wall, obliteration is indicated. Although frontal sinus surgery has been documented since 1750, a consensus as to the best material for obliteration has not been achieved. The particular autogenous and alloplastic materials for use in frontal sinus obliteration will be the focus of this review, with particular attention paid to assessing their physical properties, advantages, disadvantages, and complications. While numerous new alloplastic materials show promise for frontal sinus obliteration, autogenous fat remains the most popular and most frequently used material with the longest history of use, and it is versatile and reliable.

Plates, screws, and children: their relationship in craniomaxillofacial trauma.

The ideal modality for fixation of pediatric craniomaxillofacial fractures remains elusive for a number of reasons. Surgeons who manage these injuries have replaced wiring techniques with the introduction of some form of reconstructive implant. The most commonly used implants are either resorbable or semi-rigid titanium. This presentation is a synopsis of the past 30 years of the English-speaking scientific literature including plastic and reconstructive surgery, otolaryngology, head and neck surgery, oral and maxillofacial surgery, pediatric, trauma, craniofacial, materials, and biomaterials publications. While no consensus on ideal management was observed, various implant treatment options are discussed, including their indications, contraindications, considerations, and consequences after implant placement.

Microorganisms of the nose and paranasal sinuses.

The endogenous normal flora of the nose and paranasal sinuses works to create an environment of homeostasis within the region. This homeostasis can be interrupted by eliminating the anatomic barriers created by the skin, bone, and mucosa, such as after trauma and/or surgery; by altering the atmosphere of the surroundings, such as the creation of an anaerobic environment by obstruction of the sinus ostia or foramina; or by a change in the normal flora of the region. To fully understand the microbiological environment of this region, the normal flora of the nose and paranasal sinuses must be understood.

Management of atrophic mandible fractures.

Traumatic facial fractures that were once rarely encountered now present with increasing frequency in the elderly population. Included in this group of fractures are those of the atrophic edentulous mandible. As patients age and become edentulous, atrophy of the mandibular alveolar ridges and adjacent basal bone reduces bony surface area, bone density, and blood supply, making the mandible more brittle and increasing the likelihood of mandibular fracture during a traumatic event. Surgical treatment of these fractures has become more predictable and less morbid. However, because these fractures present so infrequently, many surgeons lack the relevant experience in handling them, and thus find the reduction and fixation of such injuries difficult. A number of techniques have been employed to treat this injury. This article reviews the more common modalities and presents updates on accepted surgical treatments.

Evidenced-based decision making: the third molar.

The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS) has been at the forefront of formal evidence-based dentistry with such projects as the Parameters of Care: Clinical Practice Guidelines for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, the AAOMS Outcomes Assessment Program, the AAOMS Third Molar Clinical Trial, and the AAOMS "White Paper on Third Molar Data." This article reviews these evidence-based resources to provide a consensus of opinion for the management of the third molar.

Mandibular Angle Fractures: A Clinical and Biomechanical Comparison-the Works of Ellis and Haug.

In a series of articles spanning 8 years, Ed Ellis reviewed the clinical results of the treatment of 478 mandibular angle fractures managed by eight different techniques. During a series of benchtop investigations employing polyurethane synthetic mandible replicas, Rich Haug investigated the biomechanical behavior of approximately 15 different techniques designed to reconstruct mandibular angle fractures. This article reviews these two series of investigations in an attempt to gain insight into the biomechanical and biological factors that affect the successful reconstruction of mandibular angle fractures. It appears that the current techniques used to reconstruct mandibular angle fractures are sound from the standpoint of biomechanics within a range of forces encountered during clinical function. It also appears that an unsuccessful reconstruction is based on a biological result of a behavioral issue such as noncompliance, substance abuse, and/or nutritional or immune compromise.