The Use of TADs in the Mandibular Arch to Prevent Proclination of the Lower Incisors during the Use of the Mini Scope Herbst Appliance.

Class II malocclusions are the most frequent within the Italian population. Normally, these malocclusions are caused by a reduction in a mandibular component whose functional stimulus is still very much cause for debate. The negative effect of all types of Class II functional appliances is in the proclination of the lower incisors, which, in subjects whose incisors are already labially inclined, must be checked at all times to avoid serious consequences to these elements. In this case study, a girl aged 14 years and 5 months presented with Class II malocclusion, 2nd division with a convex profile and a visibly retruded chin. The lower incisors presented a marked proclination (-1/Go-Gn ini = 107.7°) in a brachyfacial patient. To avoid further inclination of the lower incisors a Herbst appliance was mounted in two separate sittings. The first part of the appliance including the tubes was mounted to the upper jaw allowing the vestibularisation of the upper incisors in order to increase the overjet. Once this was obtained the lower part of the appliance was mounted together with the telescopic arms associated with two temporary anchorage devices (TADs) in positions 36-37 and 46-47, and an anterior section 33-43 with distal loop to which two double metallic ligatures were anchored at the TADs to contrast the negative effect of the appliance. At the end of the first functional phase, the treatment was refined using MBK fixed therapy to finish the case. The orthodontic therapy led to a visible improvement of the profile and the achievement of a first-class dental-skeletal result on both sides. From the cephalometric evaluation carried out immediately after the Herbst appliance treatment at time T1 and at the end of the orthodontic therapy T2 it was possible to verify a slight increase in the inclination of the lower incisors (-1/Go-Gn fin = 108°). In conclusion, it can be said that the use of the skeletal anchorage avoided, in this case, the proclination effect in the lower incisors due to the use of a Herbst appliance.

10-Year Evaluation of the First Root Analogue Implant on Humans, Made Using a CT Scan, CAD/CAM and DMLS.

Ten years ago, for the first time in humans, thanks to the DLMS (direct metal laser sintering) technique, we designed, built and inserted an immediate post-extraction custom-made root-analogue implant in Ti-6Al-4v with platform switching. The implant was inserted into the post-extraction socket, respecting the biological width. After 10 years, we wanted to evaluate the dimensional stability of the implant and the eventual crestal bone resorption. The evaluation was performed clinically with periodontal parameters and radiographically by means of an intraoral X-ray with the parallel technique measuring the distance between the base of the bone crest and the implant shoulder. It appears that the implant has maintained dimensional stability of the peri-implant soft tissues, and the crestal resorption is 0 mm. This could represent a step forward to make this experimental method a valid alternative to the current immediate post-extraction implant procedures in use.

A Simplified Digital Approach to the Treatment of a Postpuberty Patient with a Class III Malocclusion and Bilateral Crossbite.

Monolateral and bilateral crossbites are amongst the most frequent forms of malocclusion in the world population. The lack of early correction of this type of malocclusion leads to the partial or total ossification of the sutures which then require surgical treatment in adult patients. In recent years, devices on minipalatal screws have noticeably increased the time window in which it is possible to correct these types of alterations. In this case report, we show how it is possible to correct a third-class skeletal malocclusion associated with a posterior bilateral crossbite in a young woman using a rapid expander on miniscrews and fixed orthodontic device to finalise the process. The procedure for the insertion of the palatal screws was aided by the use of a digitally printed surgical guide, and the appliance was applied in the same sitting thanks to the use of a digital flow software and a systematic easy driver. The CBCT scans show how the orthopaedic expansion of the upper maxilla was obtained without any important alterations that damaged the permanent teeth. This case report wishes to demonstrate how easy and predictable it can be to resolve cases of this type with optimal aesthetic and functional results even when body growth has ended.

Can Orthodontic Treatment Be Stable 20 Years after the End of the Treatment Scheme? Treatment of a Class 2, Division 1 Malocclusion with Severe Skeletal Discrepancy and Its 20-Year Follow-Up.

Class II malocclusions, after class I malocclusions, are the most frequent in the juvenile Italian population. They are most often skeletal in origin and due to mandibular retrusion. Functional devices seem to have a beneficial effect on the growth of the jaw. Long-term maintenance of the achieved results is essential for therapeutic success in any orthodontic treatment; moreover, the retention phase should last as long as possible, especially in the lower anterior sector. A female patient aged 10 years and 3 months presented a visibly convex profile and a severe mandibular retrusion. The anamnesis brought to light the habit of oral breathing and lower-lip sucking. The cephalometric analysis showed a normodivergent skeletal class II. The first treatment phase involved the use of a Bass type for 12 months at the end of the functional treatment; the second phase of fixed therapy was carried out following the principles of bioprogressive techniques. The photos at the end of treatment show an important improvement in the profile; a full class I ratio of molar and canine teeth was achieved with an excellent interarch relationship and a correction of the V-shaped upper arch. The result is occlusally and profilometrically stable after 2, 4, 5, 10, 14, and 20 years. The maintenance of a stable orthodontic result over time is the result not only of a correct and physiological occlusion but also and above all of a correct diagnosis and correct identification of problems that can cause the malocclusion itself. Flawed habits such as interposition of the lower lip and oral breathing must be intercepted and corrected early in order to correct them and not affect the long-term result of orthodontic treatment. In this case, a functional device associated with an orthodontic fixed finishing and a correct retention phase were necessary to correctly treat a second-class mandibular retrusion whose result remained stable 20 years after the end of therapy.

Change of Outpatient Oral Surgery during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Experience of an Italian Center.

COVID-19, which appeared to originate in China in December 2019, has spread worldwide in a pandemic way. The aim of this work is to present a protocol to standardize the outpatient oral surgery activities through remote triage, diagnostic tests, protections, and precautions that allow to provide care while minimizing risk for both patients and surgeons. This article summarizes the clinical and surgical experience of the Oral Surgery Unit of the "Mater Domini" Hospital (Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, Italy) during the COVID-19 pandemic. The application of a scrupulous triage protocol, the use of remote consultations to limit patients' access to the clinic, and the correct use of PPE prevented transmission of the virus between patients and staff members.

Primary Stability of Three Different Osteotomy Techniques in Medullary Bone: An in Vitro Study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this in vitro study was to analyse the primary stability of 20 implants placed with Twist drills (TD) versus 20 implants placed with Summers osteotomes (SO) and 20 implants placed with B&B bone compactors (BC) in medullary bone (quality type III and type IV). METHODS: The implants were placed in 10 fresh pig ribs fixed on a bench vice in order to avoid micro-movements during surgical procedures and measure recording. Peak insertion torque (PIT) and Peak removal torque (PRT) were recorded with MGT-12 digital torque gauge and ISQ was recorded through OSSTELL ISQ™ device by an independent operator. RESULTS: Comparing our data (Tukey test p = 0.05), it was evidenced a statistically significant difference in the PIT between TD and BC groups (p = 0.01). Analysing ISQ data, there was a statistically significant difference between the TD and BC groups (p = 0.0001) and between the SO and BC groups (p = 0.014). The analysis of PRT evidenced a statistically significant difference between the TD and BC groups (p = 0.038). CONCLUSIONS: This study evidenced that bone compactor preparation can positively influence primary implant stability (PS), however further in vivo studies and a larger sample are necessary to assess the usefulness in several clinical settings.

Can Autofluorescence Guide Surgeons in the Treatment of Medication-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw? A Prospective Feasibility Study.

PURPOSE: The main limitation of surgical treatment of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) is difficulty in defining resection margins. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of the surgeon's experience and autofluorescence-guided bone surgery to delimit resection margins for necrotic bone. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MRONJ requiring surgical treatment was classified according to American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons staging. To detect vital bone and resection margins, patients of each stage were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 surgical groups: an autofluorescence-guided surgery (AF) group and a conventional surgery (non-AF) group based on the surgeon's experience. Bone samples from the 2 groups were analyzed histopathologically. The main outcomes were defined as the absence of bone exposure or infection at the time of evaluation. Infection was defined as the presence of swelling, pain, or numbness in the area. Measurements were collected preoperatively and 1 week, 1 month, 6 months, and 1 year after surgery. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics and the Fisher exact test to evaluate eventual differences between the 2 surgical protocols. RESULTS: The 36 patients (21 women and 15 men) included in this study were equally divided into 2 groups according to the surgical protocol: 18 patients in the non-AF group and 18 in the AF group. Thirty-nine lesions were included in this analysis: 20 lesions in the non-AF group and 19 in the AF group. Histopathologic examination confirmed the necrotic nature of all bone samples. Statistical analysis showed no differences in necrotic bone exposure or signs of infections between the 2 surgical protocols at different times (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: Although the VELscope appears to be useful in guiding bone resection margins in patients with MRONJ, autofluorescence does not appear to be superior to conventional surgical techniques in mucosal healing and quality of life.

Biomimetic hydroxyapatite used in the treatment of periodontal intrabony pockets: clinical and radiological analysis.

AIM: Hydroxyapatite (PA) has a chemical composition and physical structure very similar to natural bone and therefore it has been considered to be the ideal biomaterial able to ensure a biomimetic scaffold to use in bone tissue engineering. The aim of this study is to clinically test hydroxyapatite used as osteoconductive biomaterial in the treatment of periodontal bone defects. Clinical and radiological evaluations were conducted at 6, 12 and 18 months after the surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty patients with 2- and 3-wall intrabony pockets were enrolled in this study. PPD, CAL, radiographic depth (RD) and angular defects were preoperatively measured. After surgery, patients were re-evaluated every 6 months for 18 months. Statistical analyses were also performed to investigate any differences between preoperative and postoperative measurements. RESULTS: Paired t-test samples conducted on the data obtained at baseline and 18 months after, showed significant (p<0.01) differences in each measurement performed. The role of preoperative RD was demonstrated to be a significant key factor (p<0.01). A relevant correlation between preoperative PPD and CAL gain was also found. CONCLUSIONS: Within the limitations of this study, the absence of anatomical variables, except the morphology of the bone defect, emphasizes the importance of the proper surgical approach and the graft material used.

Effectiveness of a diode laser in addition to non-surgical periodontal therapy: study of intervention.

BACKGROUND: Chronic periodontitis affects 47% of adult population over the age of 30. The first phase of periodontal treatment is always represented by scaling and root planning (SRP), that is a causal, non-surgical therapy that recognizes as primary aims the control of bacterial infection and the reduction of periodontal plaque-associated inflammation. Yet, another innovative causal therapy is represented by the irradiation of periodontal pockets with laser. AIM: To evaluate the effect of a 940-nm diode laser as an adjunct to SRP in patients affected by periodontitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-eight adult patients with moderate-to-severe periodontitis were sequentially enrolled and undergone to periodontal examination (V1) in order to detect gingival index (GI), plaque index (PI) and probing depth (PD). The patients were randomly divided into two groups: the first (n=34) received SRP treatment alone, the control group (n=34) received SRP and 940-nm diode laser therapy. RESULTS: Data were analyzed by Student's t-test, with two tails; for all clinical parameters, both groups reported statistically significant differences compared to basal values (p<0.0001). Both procedures were effective in improving GI, PI and PD, but the use of diode laser was associated with more evident results. CONCLUSIONS: Considered the better clinical outcomes, diode laser can be routinely associated with SRP in the treatment of periodontal pockets of patients with moderate-to-severe periodontitis.

Postextractive implants in aesthetic areas: evaluation of perimplant bone remodeling over time.

AIM: The aim of this research was to assess peri-implant bone remodeling of post-extractive implants over 2 years. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 30 patients meeting pre-established inclusion criteria were enrolled for the study. One implant for each patient was inserted in the post-extraction sockets according to a defined surgical protocol (atramautic extraction, curettage of extraction socket, implant insertion, grafting with collagenated cortico-cancellous porcine bone, and a trimmed collagen membrane to completely cover the socket, suture). A temporary adhesive bridge, with an adequate profile, was bonded to the adjacent teeth. X-ray evaluation with a standardized stent was carried out at different times. Measurements were obtained from the implant edge to the bone peak. The values obtained at time 0 and at 2 years were compared by t-student test. RESULT: Our results showed that after one year 73% of patient had 0 mm of bone reabsorption, 20% of patient had 0 mm ≤ x ≤ 0.5mm, 7% of patient had 0.5 mm ≤ x ≤ 2 mm of bone reabsorption. After two years 62% of patient had 0 mm of bone reabsorption, 24% had 0 mm ≤ x ≤ 0.5mm, 14% had 0.5 mm ≤ x ≤ 2 mm. CONCLUSIONS: The results showed no significant differences in bone reabsorption in most patients over 2 years.