Is three-piece maxillary segmentation surgery a stable procedure?

Objective: : The number of three-piece maxillary osteotomies has increased over the years; however, the literature remains controversial. The objective of this study was to evaluate the skeletal stability of this surgical modality compared with that of one-piece maxillary osteotomy. Methods: : This retrospective cohort study included 39 individuals who underwent Le Fort I maxillary osteotomies and were divided into two groups: group 1 (three pieces, n = 22) and group 2 (one piece, n = 17). Three cone-beam computed tomography scans from each patient (T1, pre-surgical; T2, post-surgical; and T3, follow-up) were used to evaluate the three-dimensional skeletal changes. Results: : The differences within groups were statistically significant only for group 1 in terms of surgical changes (T2-T1) with a mean difference in the canine region of 3.09 mm and the posterior region of 3.08 mm. No significant differences in surgical stability were identified between or within the groups. The mean values of the differences between groups were 0.05 mm (posterior region) and -0.39 mm (canine region). Conclusions: : Our findings suggest that one- and three-piece maxillary osteotomies result in similar post-surgical skeletal stability.

Craniofacial and airway morphology of individuals with oculoauriculovertebral spectrum.

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to characterize the craniofacial and airway morphology of oculo-auriculo-vertebral spectrum (OAVS) individuals using computed tomography (CT) examination. SETTING AND SAMPLE POPULATION: This sample included individuals in the age range from 5 to 14 years, consisted of a group of 18 OAVS individuals (12 females and 6 males), Pruzansky-Kaban1 IIB and III and by a paired control group matched by age and sex for comparison of morphometric and airway variables. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Through the CT examination, airway analysis was performed using Dolphin Imaging® Software, and seven morphometric measurements were performed to evaluate craniofacial morphology by Materialize Mimics® Software. To compare airway and morphometric variables, the control group was used. Student's t test and Mann-Whitney U test were performed to compare differences between the groups. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were showed between the control and OAVS groups for the variables: total airway (TA) area, volume and MAA, RP area, RP volume, RP MAA, RG volume, RG MAA, total posterior height diff, Md incl and y-axis asymmetry. Pearson and Spearman's correlation showed mostly moderate correlations between Mand Occlusal canting AS with TA area and RP volume, Ax-Gn with TA area and Hy-C3 with TA volume. CONCLUSIONS: The OAVS's airway was altered and worse than the control group. Our results suggest that the contralateral side of OAVS individuals is unaffected; however, longitudinal assessments are needed to confirm it. Hyoid bone and postural measures play an important role in interpreting airway features of individuals with and without OAVS.

Can palatal splint improve stability of segmental Le Fort I osteotomies?

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of a palatal splint on stability in multi-segment maxillary osteotomies. SETTING AND SAMPLE POPULATION: Retrospective series of fifty-one adult patients, consecutively operated with bilateral sagittal split osteotomy (BSSO) and three-piece maxillary osteotomies, divided according to the use of a palatal splint (Group 1, n = 30) or no palatal splint (Group 2, n = 21). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Maxillary surgical casts (T1) and post-retention casts (T2), taken at least six months after discontinuation of orthodontic retention, were digitized (MicroScribe-3DX), measured and compared. Fifty-one landmarks were identified on the maxillary, transverse dimension changes and arch length were calculated. Longitudinal changes in all measurements were assessed by t test. RESULTS: Post-surgical transverse instability in group 1 ranged from 0.3 ± 0.4 to -1.3 ± 0.2 mm and was statistically significantly smaller than in group 2 that ranged from -1.0 ± 0.3 to -2.5 ± 0.5 mm. CONCLUSIONS: The use of a palatal splint after segmental Le Fort I maxillary osteotomy improved transverse stability in the posterior region. The post-surgical transverse instability occurred only between canine gingival points and thus suggesting no clinical relevance.

Perfil profissional do egresso do Programa de Pós-Graduação em Odontopediatria da Faculdade de Odontologia da USP-São Paulo / Professional profile of egress of the graduate program in Pediatric Dentistry of School of Dentistry of University of São Paulo

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o atual local e tipo de atuação profissional do egresso do programa de pós-graduação em Ciências Odontológicas com área de concentração em Odontopediatria da Faculdade de Odontologia da Universidade de São Paulo (campus São Paulo) ­ FOUSP. Para tanto, a relação dos egressos dos cursos de mestrado e doutorado na área de concentração em Odontopediatria da FOUSP foi solicitada junto à coordenadoria do programa de pós-graduação da instituição. A partir de então, o local e tipo de atuação profissional exercidos por cada um dos egressos foram avaliados por meio da Plataforma Lattes (Curriculum Lattes - CL) desde a conclusão do curso de pós-graduação por cada um deles, considerando as atualizações feitas até o mês de setembro de 2012. Para avaliação dos resultados foram considerados o gênero do participante, data de matrícula no curso de pós-graduação, data de defesa da dissertação e/ou tese, data de atualização do CL, local e tipo de atividade profissional exercida atualmente (docência ou clínica). Partindo de um total de 65 egressos (54 do gênero feminino e 11 do masculino), 44 exercem atividade relacionada à docência, sendo que a maioria deles atua em São Paulo e atualiza o CL frequentemente. As atividades clínicas foram pouco relatadas no CL (AU).

The aim of this study was to evaluate the professional profile (location and professional activity) of egress of the graduate program in Pediatric Dentistry of School of Dentistry of University of São Paulo. For this, the number and the contact of the egresses of Master's and PhD courses with concentration area in Pediatric Dentistry were requested with the coordinating body of the graduate program of the Institution. The location and the professional activity exercised by each of the egresses was evaluated by the Lattes Platform (Curriculum Lattes - CL) since the conclusion of the graduate course, considering the updates of this system until September 2012.To describe the results, were considered the participant's gender, date of registry in the graduate program, date of the defense of dissertation and / or thesis, update date of the CL, place and type of professional activity exercised today (teaching or clinical). From 65 students (54 females and 11 males), 44 are linked in teaching. The most of them work in Sao Paulo and update their CL fre quently. Clinical activities were not often reported in CL (AU).