Unlocking the potential: laser surface modifications for titanium dental implants.

The review critically evaluates the current state of studies investigating laser irradiation for modifying titanium surfaces to enhance the biointegration of dental implants. Laser modification is a rapidly evolving physicochemical surface modification process with the potential to revolutionize dental implant technology. A thorough search of electronic databases, including PubMed, Science Direct, MEDLINE, and Web of Knowledge, was conducted to identify relevant articles. The review focuses on the surface features of laser-modified implants, encompassing in vitro cell culture experiments, rare animal experiments, and limited clinical trials. Of the 26 selected sources, 21 describe surface features, while only two involve in vivo human experiments. The review highlights the lack of long-term clinical experience and calls for further research to mature these technologies. Despite the absence of a consensus on optimal laser types and settings, the overall results are promising, with few negative outcomes. As research in laser irradiation of titanium surfaces progresses, significant advancements in dental implant technology and improved patient well-being are anticipated.

The effect of individual drilling sleeves on the precision of coronectomy tooth sections. An in vitro 3D-printed jaw model experiment.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effect of a 3D-printed drill sleeve (DS) on the precision and duration of coronectomy sections. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-six trainees and oral surgeons performed 72 coronectomy cuts in a 3D-printed, entirely symmetric mandible model. Coronectomy was performed freehand (FH) on one side and with a DS on the other side. The occurrence of "too superficial" (≥ 4 mm unprepared lingual tooth tissue) and "too deep" (drilling ≥ 1 mm deeper as tooth contour) cuts and sectioning times were registered. RESULTS: In 7 cases, the sections were "too deep" with FH, while none with DS (OR: 18.56; 95%CI: 1.02-338.5; p = 0.048). The deviation between virtually planned and real cut depths was significantly greater in the FH group (1.91 ± 1.62 mm) than in DS group (1.21 ± 0.72 mm) (p < 0.001). A total of 18 "too superficial" buccolingual sections occurred with FH, while 8 cases with DS (OR: 3.50; 95%CI: 1.26-9.72; p = 0.016). Suboptimal sections did not correlate with experience (p = 0.983; p = 0.697). Shortest, suboptimal drillings were most frequently seen distolingually (OR: 6.76; 95% CI: 1.57-29.07; p = 0.01). In the inexperienced group, sectioning time was significantly longer with FH (158.95 ± 125.61 s vs. 106.92 ± 100.79 s; p = 0.038). CONCLUSIONS: The DS effectively reduced tooth sectioning times by less experienced colleagues. Independently from the level of experience, the use of DS obviated the need for any preparation outside the lingual tooth contour and significantly decreased the occurrence of "too superficial" cuts, leaving thinner unprepared residual tooth tissue lingually. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Coronectomy sections may result in lingual hard and soft tissue injury with the possibility of damaging the lingual nerve. The precision of the buccolingual depth-control can be improved, while surgical time can be reduced when applying a drilling sleeve.

Is it possible to filter third molar cases with panoramic radiography in which roots surround the inferior alveolar canal? A comparison using cone-beam computed tomography.

Inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) entrapment in third molar (M3) roots bears a significant risk for nerve injury. The aim of this study was to identify specific panoramic radiographic (PR) signs that can reliably identify IAN entrapment (IANE) root conformations. In a retrospective case-control study, 10 IANE and 218 non-IANE third molar risk cases were examined by PR and CBCT. The collected data included "classic" specific high-risk panoramic signs, number of M3 roots, extent of inferior alveolar canal (IAC)-root tip overlap, rotated position of M3 and impaction pattern. After bivariate analysis, sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, positive likelihood ratios (LR+) and accuracy (AC) were calculated for the most significant predictive variables. Interruption of both cortical lines (LR+: 43.6; AC: 96.0%) and upward diversion of the IAC (LR+: 36.3; AC: 96.5%) were the most accurate single signs indicating IANE. Upward diversion combined with root darkening and interruption of the IAC (AC: 97.4%) and the combination of darkening with interruption and with a rotated M3 (LR+:130.8; AC: 97.8%) were the most accurate combinations predicting IANE. IANE may be correctly filtered with PR when focusing on the signs of upward diversion, darkening, interruption and rotated M3 position, especially in cases involving their multiple (≥3) presence. CBCT evaluation is highly recommended in these cases before partial and total tooth removals.

The role of occlusal support and lower third molars in mandibular angle and condylar fractures / A bölcsességfog és az occlusio szerepének vizsgálata a mandibulaangulus és -condylus töréseiben

INTRODUCTION AND AIM: The aim of our study was to investigate the influence of the occlusal support, and mandibular third molars on mandibular angle and condylar fractures. METHOD AND RESULTS: Patients with unilateral and isolated angle or condylar fractures were included in this retrospective, cross-sectional study. Data was collected from patient records and panoramic x-rays. The predictor variables included the type of occlusal support and the presence or absence of third molars. The outcome variable was angle or condylar fracture, while other predictor variables included demographic factors. Bivariate (χ2 test) and logistic regression analyses were conducted to investigate the associations between variables and the outcome. 43 angle (mean age: 29.9 ± 12.8 years; 98.4% male) and 37 condylar (mean age: 46.8 ± 20.2 years; 62.2% male) fracture cases were included in this study. Bilateral occlusal support was present in 81.4% of angle fracture group and in 51.3% of condylar fracture group (p<0.001). In the case of bilateral occlusal support, an odds ratio (OR) of 4.2 was found for angle fractures (p<0.006). A third molar was present in 86% of the angle fracture group and in 43.2% of the condylar fracture group (p<0.001). The presence of a third molar exhibited an odds ratio of 8.1 for the angle fractures (p<0.001). When bilateral occlusal support and third molar were present simultaneously, the risk was 15.9 times higher for an angle fracture (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The presence of occlusal support and/or third molars was significantly associated with angle fractures, however, the absence of occlusal support and/or third molars significantly correlated with condylar fractures. Orv Hetil. 2020; 161(28): 1166-1174.

Identification of Specific Panoramic High-Risk Signs in Impacted Third Molar Cases in Which Cone Beam Computed Tomography Changes the Treatment Decision.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the treatment decisions of oral-maxillofacial surgeons in the management of impacted lower third molars (M3s) according to panoramic radiography (PR) and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) risk analysis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Ten surgeons analyzed 40 deliberately selected M3 cases showing 1 or more panoramic high-risk signs: 1) darkening of the root, 2) interruption of the white line, 3) diversion of the inferior alveolar canal (IAC), 4) narrowing of the IAC, and 5) 2 or more signs occurring simultaneously (including darkening and/or interruption of the IAC). After evaluating the PR images, the observers analyzed the patients' CBCT images. The treatment decision (extraction vs coronectomy) and surgical technique (number of planned tooth sections) were recorded. RESULTS: On the CBCT coronal slices, direct contact between the M3 and IAC, together with narrowing and/or fenestration of the IAC, was observed most frequently when 2 or more panoramic signs were seen simultaneously on the PR images (odds ratio [OR], 7.2; P = .021). CBCT findings led to a significant decrease in the number of coronectomy decisions (23% vs 14.5%, P = .002), which was most prominent in the groups showing panoramic signs of darkening (approximately 50%, P = .007) and narrowing (approximately 66%, P = .044). A significant number of extraction decisions were modified to coronectomy when 2 or more panoramic signs occurred together (OR, 7.9; P < .001). However, there were no significant differences regarding the number of planned hypothetical tooth sections. CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that the surgeons' confidence in the treatment decision increased after CBCT imaging, resulting in fewer coronectomy decisions. CBCT information that changed a previous coronectomy decision to extraction was most frequently observed in cases showing darkening and narrowing PR signs. The chance of changing an extraction decision to a coronectomy decision after evaluating the patient's CBCT images was the highest when 2 or more PR signs were observed simultaneously.

Association Between Third Molar Impaction Status and Angle or Condylar Fractures of the Mandible: A Retrospective Analysis.

PURPOSE: The aim of our study was to evaluate the correlations between mandibular third molar impaction status and mandibular angle and condylar fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective cross-sectional study included patients with unilateral and isolated angle or condylar fractures. Patient records and panoramic radiographs were evaluated. The predictor variables included the presence, impaction status (Pell and Gregory [P&G] classification), and angulation (Winter classification) of the third molar. The outcome variable was the type of fracture, whereas other predictor variables included demographic factors such as age, gender, and fracture etiology. Bivariate (χ2 test) and logistic regression analyses were conducted to estimate the associations between variables and the outcome. RESULTS: The sample was composed of 164 angle fracture (mean age, 31.6 ± 12.3 years; 83.5% male) and 115 condylar fracture (mean age, 41.9 ± 16.8 years; 76.5% male) patients. A third molar was present in 72.6% of the angle fracture group and 54.8% of the condylar fracture group (P = .002). Deep impactions (classes IC, IIC, IIIB, and IIIC) exhibited an odds ratio (OR) of 3.60 for angle fractures (P < .001). No association was found between tooth angulations and the type of fracture. According to logistic regression analysis, older age (adjusted OR, 1.05; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03 to 1.07), P&G class I impaction (OR, 1.86; 95% CI, 1.09 to 3.20), and P&G class A impaction (OR, 1.91; 95% CI, 1.12 to 3.24) were significantly associated with condylar fractures whereas the presence of a third molar (OR, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.28 to 0.76) or P&G class B impaction (OR, 0.287; 95% CI, 0.12 to 0.69) was associated with angular fractures. CONCLUSIONS: P&G class II or III and class B impaction status was significantly associated with angle fractures, whereas missing or fully erupted (class IA) third molars significantly correlated with condylar fractures.

The influence of the chosen in vitro bone simulation model on intraosseous temperatures and drilling times.

There is no consensus about the most suitable in vitro simulating material investigating heat generation during bone preparation. The aim was to compare heat increases and drilling times of bone removals in different bone simulating materials and to compare them to fresh human cadaver bone. A cavity was drilled in the following samples: (1) bovine rib; (2) pig rib; (3) 20 PCF (lb/ft3) polyurethane (PU) block with 3 mm (50 PCF) cortical layer; (4) 20PCF PU without cortical; (5) 30 PCF PU with 2 mm (40 PCF) cortical; (6) 30 PCF PU with 1 mm (40 PCF) cortical; (7) 30PCF PU without cortical; (8) poly-methyl-methacrylate (PMMA); (9) fresh human cadaver rib. Data were analyzed with ANOVA followed by Tukey's post hoc tests. P < 0.05 was considered significant. Highest heat increases and slowest drilling times were found in bovine ribs (p < 0.001). Regarding temperatures, human ribs were comparable to the pig rib and to PUs having cortical layers. Considering drilling times, the human rib was only comparable to the 20 PCF PU with 3 mm cortical and to 30 PCF PU without cortical. By the tested in vitro bone removals, only the 20 PCF PU with 3 mm cortical was able to simulate human ribs, considering both temperature increases and drilling times.

Piezosurgical management of sealer extrusion-associated mental nerve anaesthesia: A case report.

The present report describes a case where sealer extrusion (Sealapex) occurred during root canal obturation of a left lower second premolar tooth, and the patient experienced sudden pain and followed by complete anaesthesia of the lower lip. After 3 weeks of conservative therapy and an unaltered anaesthesia period, piezosurgical removal of the extruded sealer and root-end resection was performed despite the direct contact with the mental neurovascular bundle. At suture removal, 1 week after surgery, there was no improvement in sensation. Two weeks after the operation, the patient reported some changes, including a short paraesthesia period alternating with anaesthesia. At the fourth post-operative week, neurosensory function recovered completely. This case represents successful use of the piezoelectric technique for mental nerve decompression and periapical surgery of a lower second premolar with close contact of the mental nerve.

[Sunitinib and zoledronic acid induced osteonecrosis of the jaw]. / Sunitinib és zoledronsav által indukált állcsont-osteonecrosis.

The tendency for bisphosphonate and non-bisphosphonate (eg.: antiresorptive or anti-angiogenesis drugs) induced osteonecrosis is increasing. Treatment of these patients is a challenge both for dentists and for oral and maxillofacial surgeons. Cooperation with the drug prescribing general medicine colleagues to prevent osteonecrosis is extremely important. Furthermore, prevention should include dental focus elimination, oral hygienic instructions and education, dental follow-up and, in case of manifest necrosis, referral to maxillofacial departments. Authors outline the difficulties of conservative and surgical treatment of a patient with sunitinib and zoledronic acid induced osteonecrosis. The patient became symptomless and the operated area healed entirely six and twelve months postoperatively. A long term success further follow-up is necessary to verify long-term success.