Compositional and surface changes of retrieved stainless-steel hardware and its effects on surrounding soft tissues: A prospective study.

Purpose: To evaluate the surface, compositional, and histological changes in the overlying soft tissues of retrieved stainless-steel mini-plates and screws used for rigid internal fixation in the maxillofacial skeleton. Materials and Method: A prospective study was conducted comprising 60 patients who sustained maxillofacial trauma and underwent ORIF in our unit previously and who required hardware retrieval in the post-operative phase. The retrieved hardware was evaluated for surface and compositional changes with the help of a scanning electron microscope for surface roughness and corrosion changes. Energy-dispersive X-ray study was done to know the composition and metal release from the hardware. The data obtained from these results were compared with a control unused and a sterile stainless-steel mini-plate and screw. The effects of the corrosion changes of this hardware on the adjacent soft tissues were evaluated histologically to assess the cellular changes of the soft tissue cover overlying the stainless-steel mini-plates and screws. Results: A total of 96 stainless-steel mini-plates and 380 stainless-steel screws were retrieved from 60 patients. The control plate was smooth without any surface and corrosion defects, while the retrieved mini-plates irrespective of the reason for removal have shown surface roughness. Fe and Ni ions were found to be significantly reduced in the retrieved mini-plates. The presence of CrC in the retrieved plates indicates corrosion, which was seen only in hardware retrieved from symptomatic patients. The histological study revealed chronic inflammatory cell infiltrate with hyalinized connective tissue in all the samples irrespective of the reason for the removal of the plate. Conclusion: Stainless-steel mini-plates and screws act as a potent foreign body material and initiate a localized inflammatory reaction due to its corrosive products with longer duration of stay. Hence, the authors advocate the overall shift in the use of stainless-steel hardware to titanium hardware for ORIF.

A Novel Herbal Paste Formulation of Turmeric, Tulsi, and Honey for the Treatment of Oral Submucous Fibrosis.

Background and objectives Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is a condition that affects the oral cavity and is characterized by the development of fibrous bands in the submucosal layers, leading to progressive difficulty in mouth opening and other symptoms. Inflammation and advancing fibrosis of the submucosal tissues are the hallmarks of this chronic, disabling illness of the oral cavity. The disorder is well known for having a propensity for cancer and is particularly linked to the habit of chewing tobacco and areca nuts. The study mentioned aims to compare the effectiveness of a novel herbal paste formulation containing turmeric, tulsi (holy basil), and honey in managing OSMF. The use of herbal remedies is common in traditional medicine, and turmeric and tulsi are known for their potential anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Honey, too, is believed to have some therapeutic benefits. Methodology A study was conducted at MNR Dental College and Hospital, Sangareddy, Telangana, India, in the Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology (OMR) on 80 oral submucous fibrosis patients to evaluate the efficacy of a novel herbal paste formulation of turmeric, tulsi, and honey, comprising 77 males and three females. Patients were given a novel herbal paste formulation consisting of 10 g of turmeric powder and 10 g of tulsi powder, mixed in 10 ml of honey, to study subjects, and a placebo consisting of anti-oxidants was administered to control subjects for three months. The subjective and objective symptoms were recorded and statistically analyzed. Results The majority of the subjects were in the age group of 18-22 years, with an average age of 28.09+/-8.38 years with the most predominant habit of gutka chewing. A statistically significant change in the mouth opening, tongue protrusion, burning sensation, blanching of the mucous membrane, and reduction in palpable fibrous bands was found in the study subjects when compared to control subjects. Conclusion The present study evaluated the efficacy of a novel herbal paste formulation of turmeric, tulsi, and honey in the management of OSMF.

Analysis of the Effectiveness of 3D Printed Patient-Specific Implants for Reconstruction of Maxillary Defect Secondary to Mucormycosis.

Introduction: Patients affected with mucormycosis of maxilla have been increasing following Covid-19 infections. We followed the reconstruction of the maxilla using 3D manufactured patient-specific implants. The additive manufacturing technology is capable of fabricating custom-made titanium implants precisely for oral and maxillofacial reconstructions. Aim: To analyse the effectiveness of 3D manufactured patient-specific implants in the reconstruction of maxilla affected by mucormycosis secondary to Covid-19. Methodology: This study was conducted among 20 patients receiving patient-specific implants for surgical and prosthetic reconstruction of the maxilla. The parameters analysed at baseline, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months were pain, implant exposure, infection, wound dehiscence, fit of implant, postoperative surgical rating scale, and patient experience evaluation rating scale. Results: Inferential Statistics revealed a positive correlation. Conclusion: From the present data, it can be concluded that within the limitations of the study, patient-specific implant systems are an effective treatment strategy for the reconstruction of the maxilla affected by mucormycosis secondary to Covid-19. More studies with larger sample size and longer follow-up periods are required to substantiate the results from the present study. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12663-023-01922-7.

Management of Sunken Cheeks With Magnet-Retained Cheek Plumpers.

The loss of teeth, associated with sunken lips and cheeks, has a debilitating psychological effect on a person. It is essential for clinicians to incorporate facial esthetics into their treatment plan for complete denture patients in order to improve the patients' confidence and quality of life. Cheek plumpers ensure adequate support to facial muscles, which, in turn, minimizes the appearance of wrinkles, lines, and sagging over time. This case report describes the fabrication of detachable cheek plumpers using magnets to enhance the facial esthetics of a completely edentulous patient. Magnet-retained cheek plumpers, being small and lightweight, allow ease of placement and cleaning without the addition of weight to the prosthesis.

Sectional Impression Tray With Reusable Handle: A Single Solution for All Microstomia Cases.

A dimensionally accurate impression is one of the primary determinants for the precise fabrication of complete denture prostheses in microstomia patients. This can be achieved with the help of sectional trays. This technical report describes the fabrication of a sectional impression tray with a reusable sectional handle using magnets. The handles can be sterilized and reused, thus saving clinical time for future use. The proposed method provides ease of reassembling and disassembling, easy placement, and guided orientation of the two tray segments.

Management of Pediatric Mandibular Fracture With Acrylic Cap Splint.

Trauma during childhood can have an extreme mental jolt on the minds of growing children. The fundamentals of treatment of jaw fractures vary among children and adults. In children, minimal manipulation of facial skeleton is necessary to rehabilitate the supporting bony framework to pre-trauma condition. The procedure should not only be non-intrusive but also cause minimum malfunction and aesthetic disability. The case report presents the successful management of a seven-year-old boy with mandibular symphysis fracture using an acrylic cap splint retained with circum-mandibular wiring.