Morphometric analysis of pterygomaxillary region by using cone beam computed tomography.

PURPOSE: Many complications during Le Fort I osteotomy are encountered during pterygomaxillary separation. The study aimed to evaluate the pterygomaxillary region in regards to the Le Fort I osteotomy using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The CBCT images of 200 patients (100 males, 100 females) aged 18-78 years were evaluated measuring the thickness and width of the pterygomaxillary region, the location of the descending palatine artery, and the length of the pterygoid plates on the axial section. RESULTS: It has been determined that the distance between the descending palatine canal and the priform rim is longer in males (P=0.037). Medial plate was longer on the right (P=0.0001) and left (P=0.025) in females. The thickness of the pterygomaxillary region was longer in females (P=0.000). The distance between the pterygomaxillary fissure and the descending palatine canal was longer on the right (P=0.001). CONCLUSION: The pterygomaxillary region may have different anatomies that predispose to specific complications associated with Le Fort I osteotomy. Therefore, before surgery, the pterygomaxillary region should be examined with CBCT, and necessary precautions should be taken preoperatively considering the possible complications.

Examination of the possible relation of the superior semicircular canal morphology with the roof thickness of the glenoid fossa and bone changes of the temporomandibular joint.

PURPOSE: This study sought to assess the relationships between a morphological characteristic of the superior semicircular canal (SSC) and both the roof thickness of the glenoid fossa (GF) and bone changes of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) on three-dimensional images. METHODS: Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images of 200 individuals (105 females and 95 males; 400 temporal bone regions) were examined by two different observers. The correlations between the bone thickness overlying the SSC and the thickness of the roof of the GF with TMJ's bone pathologies were analyzed. RESULTS: The superior semicircular canal dehiscence (SSCD) was significantly associated with dehiscence of the roof of the GF. The relationship between the dehiscence of the SSC and the roof thickness of the GF was found to be strongly correlated (p < 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences between the bone changes of TMJ and the presence or absence of the SSCD. CONCLUSIONS: A correlation between the bone thickness overlying the SSC and the roof thickness of the GF was found. However, there was no relationship between the bone thickness overlying the SSC and bone changes of TMJ.

Comparison of the quality of life of patients with mandibular third molars and mild pericoronitis treated by extraction or by a periodontal approach.

We have evaluated and compared the outcomes after conservatively treated and surgically managed third molars in patients with mild pericoronitis at the first, third, and sixth postoperative months, and we rated patients' quality of life (QoL) using the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14) index. Of the 128 patients who were originally assessed as eligible we studied 100 patients who fulfilled the protocol, being diagnosed with mild pericoronitis that affected the third molar teeth and who were followed up for six months. Fifty were treated by the periodontal approach and 50 by extraction of third molars. Their oral health-related QoL was assessed using the OHIP-14 index on a personal assessment question form and then repeated at the first, third, and sixth months. The data were analysed using the Mann Whitney, Friedman's, and Wilcoxon's test, as appropriate. There was a significant difference between the total OHIP-14 scores at different time points (p<0.0001). In both groups the three postoperative total OHIP-14 scores were significantly lower than the baseline score, and we noted a further decrease in OHIP-14 scores in the surgical treatment group. Periodontal treatment of mandibular third molar teeth may effectively reduce (but does not eliminate) symptoms, whereas tooth extraction seems to be more effective at the long term.

Botryoid odontogenic cyst: report of a case with extensive epithelial proliferation.

Botyroid odontogenic cyst (BOC) is considered a rare multilocular variant of the lateral periodontal cyst. In this report; clinical and histopathological features of a case of BOC found in mandibular mental region of a 32-year-old woman is presented. There was a multilocular radiolucency extending from the roots of the right premolar to the left premolar, involving almost the whole height of the mandible. Histologically, there was extensive intraluminal epithelial proliferation in the lining and MIB-1 positive cells were noted in the basal layer.

Stereophotogrammetric assessment of the effect of tenoxicam on facial swelling subsequent to third molar surgery.

The present study was undertaken in order to evaluate the effects of tenoxicam (Tilcotil), 20 mg daily, versus placebo on the inflammatory response induced in patients undergoing surgical removal of bilateral lower third molar teeth, using stereophotogrammetry to assess the degree of swelling. The results indicated that tenoxicam (20 mg/day) was no more effective than a nonactive placebo in modifying swelling in the first two postoperative days.

Stereophotogrammetric and clinical evaluation of morbidity after removal of lower third molars by two different surgical techniques.

PURPOSE: This study compared swelling, pain, and trismus after using the conventional buccal approach and the lingual split technique for the removal of impacted third molars. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty patients with a mean age of 21.5 years were included. Postoperative edema was followed stereophotogrammetrically for 48 hours by transferring photogrammetric data from three-dimensional profile views into orthographic maps. A visual analog scale was used for 6 days for determining pain. Mouth opening was measured on the 1st, 2nd, and 7th postoperative days. RESULTS: Maximal swelling was noted in both groups on the second postoperative day. In both groups, maximal trismus was noted on the first postoperative day. Approximately 98% of the measurements of interincisal distances had returned to the preoperative values by the 7th day. There was no significant difference in the pain intensity between the two groups on postoperative days 1 through 6. Swelling (P = .88) and pain (P = .12) were not significantly different in either groups. Trismus was found to be significantly less (P = .03) in the lingual split group. CONCLUSION: Although swelling and pain were comparable in both groups, the amount of trismus was less with the lingual split technique. This may be an advantage of the latter technique.