Alveolar ridge augmentation for implant placement in a growing patient.

BACKGROUND: Partial edentulism in growing children due to aplasia or trauma poses a difficult situation to manage. We present a case of horizontal ridge augmentation in a growing patient who had trauma in childhood when it was too early to place implants. METHODS AND RESULTS: This patient had a history of trauma, at age 13, that resulted in mandibular fracture and loss of teeth #23-27. The definitive restorative treatment plan was postponed due to the patient's continued growth. At age 18, horizontal bone augmentation was performed in a severely resorbed anterior mandible. After 7 months of healing, 7-8 mm ridge augmentation was achieved, and three implants were placed. Soft tissue augmentation by free gingival graft was performed at implant second stage surgery 4 months later. CONCLUSIONS: When considering the timing of implant placement in adolescents, the clinician walks a fine line between waiting as long as possible to place the implants and racing against continued resorption of the edentulous alveolar ridge. 70/30 mineralized/demineralized cortical bone allograft and injectable platelet-rich fibrin mix combined with tenting screws and resorbable membranes are useful measures for horizontal ridge augmentation in growing patients. KEY POINTS: Why is this case new information? There are insufficient data available when considering implant treatment in younger patients. The present case was managed with a variation of the sausage technique described by Urban. The use of allograft, I-PRF, and tenting screws replaced the use of autogenous bone and resulted in exceptional results. What are the keys to the successful management of this case? Delaying treatment until after the critical growth period has passed. Adequate flap release, tension-free primary flap closure, and space maintenance through the use of tenting screws and tacking the membranes using tacking pins provided support for the grafted site. What are the primary limitations to success in this case? The continued growth may cause infra occlusion of the implant-supported bridge.

The Effects of Dexamethasone on the Time to Pain Resolution in Dental Periapical Abscess.

BACKGROUND: Dental infections are frequently encountered in the emergency department (ED), with periapical abscesses being among the most painful. Traditional pain management strategies include local anesthetic injections, oral analgesics, and intravenous opioids. OBJECTIVES: We sought to identify an alternative pain management strategy with early use of dexamethasone as adjunct to conventional therapies for inflammation and pain at the site of infection. METHODS: We conducted a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study comparing the analgesic effect of dexamethasone and placebo in ED patients with periapical abscess during a 2-year timeframe at two urban academic EDs. Adult patients presenting with physical examination findings consistent with a diagnosis of periapical abscess were randomized to receive oral dexamethasone or an identical placebo. Pain was assessed using the verbal numeric scale in person at discharge and via telephone at 12, 24, 48, and 72 h after discharge from the ED. RESULTS: Seventy-three patients were enrolled, with 37 receiving dexamethasone and 36 receiving placebo. Follow-up pain scores were obtained for 52 patients at 12, 24, 48, and 72 h. Ten patients from the dexamethasone group and 11 from placebo group were lost to follow-up. Patients who received dexamethasone reported a greater reduction in pain at 12 h compared with the placebo group (p = 0.029). Changes in pain scores from baseline and at 24, 48, and 72 h were not statistically significant. No adverse events were reported. CONCLUSIONS: Single-dose dexamethasone as adjunct to conventional medical management for pain caused by periapical abscess demonstrated a significant reduction in pain 12 h post treatment compared with placebo.

Influence of T2DM and prediabetes on blood DC subsets and function in subjects with periodontitis.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the myeloid and plasmacytoid DC counts and maturation status among subjects with/without generalized periodontitis (GP) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODS: The frequency and maturation status of myeloid and plasmacytoid blood DCs were analyzed by flow cytometry in four groups of 15 subjects: healthy controls, T2DM with generalized CP (T2DM + GP), prediabetes with GP (PD + GP), and normoglycemics with GP (NG + GP). RT-PCR was used to determine levels of Porphyromonas gingivalis in the oral biofilms and within panDCs. The role of exogenous glucose effects on differentiation and apoptosis of healthy human MoDCs was explored in vitro. RESULTS: Relative to controls and to NG + GP, T2DM + GP showed significantly lower CD1c + and CD303 + DC counts, while CD141 + DCs were lower in T2DM + GP relative to controls. Blood DC maturation required for mobilization and immune responsiveness was not observed. A statistically significant trend was observed for P. gingivalis levels in the biofilms of groups as follows: controls