Neurolytic effects of ampicillin on the rat infraorbital nerve.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the histomorphological changes of the infraorbital nerve of rats treated with ampicillin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The infraorbital nerve was approached through the infraorbital foramen, and 0.01 ml of ampicillin dissolved in distilled water was injected taking care not to damage the nerve. Saline solution was used in control animals. Nerves were dissected and after routine histology processing analysed by light microscopy. RESULTS: Cross-section of the nerve treated with ampicillin showed damaged axons with disintegration of heavily myelinated fibres, while thinly myelinated fibres remain unaffected. In the saline group, no damage was observed. The signs of regeneration of the damaged infraorbital nerves were detected on the fourth post-operative week. CONCLUSION: Ampicillin can cause peripheral nerve damage when injected perineurally.

[C-reactive protein as an inflammatory marker in monitoring therapy effectiveness of acute odontogenic infections].

INTRODUCTION: Clinical presentation of acute odontogenic infections may vary, while adequate evaluation of its severity is of great importance for determination of appropriate and effective therapy. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to monitor changes of C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, to correlate its values with symptoms of different acute odontogenic infections (AOI), and to monitor the effectiveness of the applied therapy. METHODS: Fifty-four patients with AOI were included in the study. Eighteen patients with good drainage and normal body temperature were treated only by surgical incision without using antibiotics. Twenty-two patients with poor drainage after incision and normal body temperature were treated by surgical incision and antibiotics. Fourteen patients with elevated body temperature were treated by incision and antibiotics, irrespective of the quality of the drainage. CRP levels were measured on admission, on the 3rd and 7th day after therapy initiation. RESULTS: On admission CRP levels were higher in AOI with elevated body temperature compared to poorly and well-drained AOI. There were no differences in CRP levels between well and poorly drained AOI on admission. On the 3rd day, a decline in the CRP levels was evident in all three groups of patients, and there was no difference among the groups. On the 7th day, the CRP levels normalized in all groups. CONCLUSION: CRP levels correlate well with the severity and resolution of AOI and could be used as a reliable parameter in monitoring the effectiveness of AOI therapy.

Implant stability in posterior maxilla: bone-condensing versus bone-drilling: a clinical study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this clinical trial was to compare primary and secondary stability of implants placed by bone condensing versus the standard drilling technique in the posterior edentulous maxilla. STUDY DESIGN: Forty-eight SLA Straumann implants 4.1 × 10 mm (Institut Straumann AG, Waldenburg, Switzerland) were placed into edentulous maxillary posterior region in the same positions bilaterally, using the bone condensation technique for one and the standard technique for the other side. Implant stability measurements were performed immediately after implant placement, as well as every week for the next 6 weeks by use of resonance frequency analysis (RFA). Data were analyzed using Mann-Whitney U and Wilcoxon tests. RESULTS: After bone condensing, significantly higher implant stability was recorded immediately after surgery as well as during the whole observation period of 6 weeks compared with bone-drilling technique (Mann-Whitney U test, P = .000). CONCLUSIONS: The bone-condensing technique can be recommended as an alternate surgical approach for implant site preparation in reduced bone density to achieve greater implant stability in the posterior maxilla.

The closure of oroantral communications with resorbable PLGA-coated beta-TCP root analogs, hemostatic gauze, or buccal flaps: a prospective study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the treatment of oroantral communications (OACs) with bioresorbable root analogs made of poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA)-coated beta-tricalcium phosphate (beta-TCP), hemostatic gauze or a buccal flap technique. STUDY DESIGN: In this prospective clinical study, 30 patients with oroantral communications were randomly assigned to a treatment. Clinical success, vestibular depth at the defect site, pain, and swelling were monitored. RESULTS: The OAC closure was successful in all cases. The vestibular depth stayed constant in the groups treated with the PLGA-beta-TCP composite or hemostatic gauze. In contrast, a vestibular depth reduction of 1.2 +/- 0.2 mm was observed in the buccal flap group, indicating atrophy of the alveolar ridge in these patients. Furthermore, pain and swelling were more pronounced in this group. CONCLUSION: Closures of OACs with PLGA-beta-TCP composite or hemostatic gauze are reliable minimally invasive methods that minimize atrophy of the alveolar ridge, swelling, and pain compared with a buccal flap technique.