Articaine versus Lidocaine in only buccal infiltration anesthesia for the extraction of mandibular anterior teeth. A prospective split-mouth randomized-controlled clinical study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effectiveness of a single labial infiltration of 4% articaine versus 2% lidocaine for the extraction of mandibular anterior teeth without an additional lingual injection. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective, randomized-controlled, split-mouth clinical study was implemented. Healthy adult patients seeking bilateral extraction of mandibular anterior teeth were included in this study. Teeth extractions were randomly assigned to two equal groups, where one mandibular anterior tooth was extracted using a solitary labial infiltration of either 4% articaine (the study group) or 2% lidocaine (the control group). After 14 days, the other mandibular anterior tooth was extracted using the other local anesthetic agent. The selection of the anesthetic agent injected in the first session was done in a randomized fashion. After 5 min of local anesthetic injection, the tooth was extracted, and each patient was asked to record the intensity of the extraction pain using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). RESULTS: Thirty-one patients were included in the study. The efficacy of a single labial injection for mandibular anterior teeth extraction was established by the fact that none of the patients in the study or control group required re-administration of local anesthesia. The mean VAS for pain control during tooth extraction was 1.16 ± 0.93 for the articaine group and 1.71 ± 0.90 for the lidocaine group. The pain score showed a statistically significant decrease in the articaine group compared to that in the lidocaine group (P = 0.017). CONCLUSION: Although the anesthetic effects of only buccal infiltration of 4% articaine and 2% lidocaine for extraction of mandibular anterior teeth were comparable, the use of 4% articaine would have more effective and predictable outcomes. CLINICALTRIALS: ORG: (ID: NCT05223075) 3/2/2022.

Accuracy of virtual surgical planning in mandibular reconstruction: application of a standard and reliable postoperative evaluation methodology.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the accuracy of virtual surgical planning for mandibular reconstruction, along with the implementation of a postoperative evaluation methodology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study is a prospective case series for computer-assisted mandibular reconstruction surgery. Analysis of the degree of agreement between virtual measurements and postoperative actual outcomes was performed. The reliability of the proposed evaluation methodology was assessed and analyzed using the Inter-Class Coefficient (ICC) test. Statistical significance was set at the 5% level. RESULTS: Nine consecutive patients were selected. The analysis of all angular and linear parameters reported a highly statistically significant degree of agreement between the preoperative and postoperative measurements (P < 0.001). Furthermore, an extreme degree of reliability was reported when the evaluation methodology was scrutinized (ICC = 0.9). CONCLUSION: The excellent degree of agreement between the virtual plan and the actual outcome reported in this study validated the surgical accuracy of virtually assisted mandibular reconstruction. This study pointed out the reliability and reproducibility of the standardized evaluation protocol in an attempt to obtain a tolerable value for the acceptable postoperative results regarding the accuracy of computer-assisted surgery.

Post-COVID-19 related osteonecrosis of the jaw (PC-RONJ): an alarming morbidity in COVID-19 surviving patients.

PURPOSE: The recent coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic mainly affects the respiratory system; however, several oral and maxillofacial post-COVID-19 complications have also been observed. This series reports the growing number of osteonecrosis cases associated with post-COVID-19 patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective, multi-center case series that reports cases with maxillary osteonecrosis after various periods of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the period between January and August 2021 based on the PROCESS guidelines. RESULTS: Twelve cases were reported with post-COVID-19 manifestation of spontaneous osteonecrosis of the maxillary jaw. Five patients were hospitalized during COVID-19 management and all of the twelve cases had at least one systematic Co-morbidity, and undertake corticosteroids prescription based on the COVID-19 disease treatment protocol. The mean onset of osteonecrosis symptoms appearance was 5.5 ± 2.43 weeks calculated from the day of the negative PCR test. The management was successfully done through surgical debridement and pre and post-operative antibiotics. No anti-fungal medications were prescribed as the fungal culture and the histopathological report were negative. CONCLUSION: Post-COVID-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (PC-RONJ) could be now considered as one of the potential post-COVID-19 oral and maxillofacial complications that occurs unprovokedly and mainly in the maxilla.

Pycnodysostosis: a case report and literature review concerning oral and maxillofacial complications and their management.

OBJECTIVE: There is a lack of knowledge regarding pycnodysostosis (PYCD), which is commonly misdiagnosed as other, similar malformations. This study aims to report a patient with PYCD and conjointly present a comprehensive literature review regarding oral complications after oral surgery procedures. STUDY DESIGN: This study aims to report a noteworthy case of a 40-year-old woman with PYCD who suffered from a midface defect after iatrogenic fracture during extraction of the upper right molars. A comprehensive electronic search was carried out in January 2020 for detection and analysis of the most commonly encountered dentoalveolar PYCD-related complications. The study was granted an exemption from the local institutional review board. RESULTS: The electronic search yielded 35 articles reporting 41 PYCD cases with 62 various reported dentoalveolar complications. The survey reported a prevalence of osteomyelitis (n = 39) followed by pathologic fracture (n = 17), iatrogenic fracture (n = 5), and oronasal communication (n = 1). CONCLUSIONS: This study advocates handling patients with PYCD with care through the use of extensive clinical and radiographic examinations, giving priority to any conservative treatment modalities, atraumatic surgical procedures, prophylactic antibiotic prescriptions, and a regular follow-up schedule to tackle any anticipated complications.

Is nasopalatine nerve block still mandated for the extraction of maxillary anterior teeth?

Aim This study was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of a single labial injection of 4% articaine for the extraction of maxillary anterior teeth without the need for nasopalatine supplementary injection.Materials and methods A prospective, controlled, split-mouth clinical study was performed to evaluate the clinical performance of 4% articaine as a single labial infiltration anaesthesia for the extraction of maxillary anterior teeth and to compare it with the routine method of labial injection along with a supplementary nasopalatine injection using 2% lidocaine. Statistical analyses were performed, with the statistical significance being set at 5% level.Results A total of 37 patients met the inclusion criteria, and a statistically significant difference was observed in the reported pain during injection between the single labial articaine injection and the routine labial and palatal lidocaine injections (P <0.001). The extraction of maxillary anterior teeth was possible without the need for an additional nasopalatine injection in all the study patients (n = 37). The difference between both groups was statistically non-significant in terms of the pain encountered during extraction (P = 0.22).Conclusion With the use of 4% articaine as a single labial infiltration anaesthesia, nasopalatine nerve block for the extraction of maxillary anterior teeth may become an outdated modality.

The Use of A Solitary Multi-Planer Herbert Cannulated Bone Screw Osteosynthesis for The Treatment of Mandibular Angle Fracture.

This study aimed to evaluate the clinical and radiographic performance of a single Herbert bone screw in the treatment of mandibular angle fractures. A prospective case series clinical trial enrolling a sample of patients with unilateral isolated mandibular angle fractures was implemented in this study. The primary outcome variable was the fracture healing with postoperative stability. The secondary outcome was the incidence of postoperative complications. All of the recorded data were documented, tabulated, computed, and analyzed. Statistical significance was set at 5% level. Twenty patients were selected. Neither major nor minor clinical complication was reported. Only one case showed slight interfragmentary mobility in the first follow-up period, which improved spontaneously in the sixth postoperative week. A statistically significant gain in the mean bone density across the fracture line was calculated. These favorable clinical and radiographic outcomes may conclude that the utilization of a solitary Herbert cannulated bone screw osteosynthesis provides a successful, economic, minimally invasive and predictable treatment modality for the treatment of mandibular angle fractures.

Evaluation of orbital volume after orbitozygomatic complex fractures fixation: A radiographical study.

BACKGROUND: Orbitozygomatic complex fractures are one of the most commonly encountered injuries of the craniofacial skeleton. The aim of this study was to implement the orbital volume as an objective evaluation modality for the assessment of the accuracy of unilateral Orbitozygomatic complex fracture fixation, by comparing the postoperative values with the contralateral normal side and the pretreated values. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective radiographic, chart review was performed in order to investigate the primary outcome of the objective quantification of the accuracy of Orbitozygomatic complex fracture reduction utilizing orbital volume analysis. Comparing the postoperative orbital volume values with the preoperative, and the contralateral normal ones was set as the study secondary outcome, along with the percentage of changes in the orbital volume of unilateral Orbitozygomatic complex fracture treated patients. Data reliability was performed using Interclass correlation coefficient and Statistical significance was set at 5% level. RESULTS: Seventeen records met the inclusion criteria. While a statistically significant difference was found between the preoperative orbital volume values of the affected side and that in the normal unaffected side (P < 0.001), a statistically insignificant difference was encountered between the postoperative values and the control side (P = 0.333). An average percentage of decrease of 6.1%. was reported in the postoperative records when compared to the preoperative ones, with a statistically significant difference (P < 0.001). the study reported high inter (ICC = 0.97) and Intra (ICC = 0.97) observer reliability. CONCLUSION: Orbital volume analysis offers a valid modality for the objective evaluation of the efficiency of Orbitozygomatic complex fracture management.

Dentists' practices and patient safety: A cross-sectional study.

PURPOSE: To assess the frequency of dentist-reported practices to ensure patient safety in the dental office and the impact of training and work environment on this frequency using the framework of the International Patient Safety Goals (IPSGs). METHODS: Dentists attending major conferences in Egypt and Saudi Arabia were recruited in a cross-sectional study in 2018. They completed a questionnaire assessing professional background and the frequency of practices for the IPSGs. The relationship between explanatory variables: training (postgraduate degrees and continuing education) and work environment (years in profession, working in public sector and performing surgical procedures) and the outcome variable: frequency of practices for 4 IPSGs was assessed using multivariate general linear model, and univariate general linear model was used to assess their relationship to the overall score of safety practices calculated for all goals. RESULTS: The response rate was 81.1%. Practices related to reducing harm in the office environment were significantly less frequent than practices ensuring medication safety, ensuring safe surgery and controlling infection. The overall frequency of safety practices was significantly higher amongst senior than junior dentists. There were significant differences in safety practices frequency based on postgraduate degrees and receiving safety training. Dentists performing surgical procedures reported less frequent safety practices. CONCLUSION: Practices to reduce harm because of the dental office environment were less frequent than other safety practices. Senior dentists, dentists who had postgraduate degrees and who received safety training reported more safety practices whilst those performing surgical procedures reported fewer safety practices.

Delayed Healing of Tooth Extraction Sockets After Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Inhibition by Bevacizumab.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to explore the effect of the chemotherapeutic agent bevacizumab on the extraction socket healing process in New Zealand rabbits. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The animals received intraperitoneal bevacizumab treatment for 6 consecutive weeks (3 mg/kg per week). The right mandibular first premolar was extracted in the second week of the experiment, and the jaw bone containing the socket tissues was harvested at the end of the treatment period. The healing of the removed socket was analyzed histologically and radiographically using a micro-computed tomography scan. RESULTS: Quantitative morphometric and histologic assessments of the healing process of the extraction sockets in rabbits showed a marked (P ≤ .05) decrease in the bone volumetric mass after angiogenesis suppression by bevacizumab therapy (n = 5) compared with the control group (n = 5). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicate the physiological significance of angiogenesis in extraction socket healing. Moreover, this study highlights the risks and precautions that should be considered in clinical practice in patients undergoing targeted chemotherapy.

Influence of surgeon experience on the accuracy of implant placement via a partially computer-guided surgical protocol.

PURPOSE: There is always a tension between allowing novice trainees to place implants independently and the need to achieve accurate functional and esthetic outcomes. The aim of this study was to measure the influence of surgeon experience on the accuracy of implant placement using a teeth-supported surgical guide via a partially guided surgical protocol. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty partially edentulous patients were randomly allocated to expert and novice surgeon groups. Implant drilling and placement for the two groups were performed through a flapless surgical technique using surgical guides following a partially guided surgical protocol. The study primary independent variable was the surgeon experience, while the outcome variable was the accuracy, which was measured based on the differences in implant angulations preoperatively and postoperatively. Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was applied to find the influence of surgeon experience, implant size, and the interactive effect of surgeon experience and implant size on the angular deviation. RESULTS: A total of 40 implants were inserted in 7 men and 13 women. There was no significant difference (P = .453) in the mesiodistal deviation between the expert and novice groups. In a buccolingual direction, the expert group performed more accurate implant placement (3.7 ± 3.35) compared with the novice surgeons (8.5 ± 6.3). CONCLUSION: The level of surgeon experience affects the accuracy of implant placement using a teeth-supported surgical guide; therefore, the use of computer-guided surgery via a partially guided protocol does not completely compensate for the level of operator experience. However, such surgical guide might be used in a whole task training of novice surgeons, as it can bridge the gap between simulation training in vitro and freehand surgery in a clinical setting.

Herbert Cannulated Bone Screw Osteosynthesis in Anterior Mandibular Fracture Treatment: A Comparative Study With Lag Screw and Miniplate.

PURPOSE: The Herbert bone screw (HBS) is a successful and minimally invasive method of fracture fixation that is used routinely in orthopedic surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and radiographic performances of the HBS in the treatment of anterior mandibular fractures and compare it with the common and established treatment modalities, the lag screw (LS) and the 2.0-mm miniplate (MP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study implemented a randomized clinical trial and enrolled a sample of patients with anterior mandibular fractures. The primary predictor variable was treatment group categorized as HBS, LS, or MP fixation of the fracture. Primary outcome variables were the presence of interfragmentary mobility and radiodensitometric appraisal of fracture healing progression. The secondary outcome was the postoperative clinical evaluation. Other variables collected were grouped into demographic, fracture location, and intraoperative clinical data. All recorded data were documented, tabulated, computed, and analyzed. Statistical significance was set at the 5% level. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients were selected and randomly allocated to 1 of 3 groups based on the fixation modality used. There were no relevant differences in demographic data for the 3 groups. There were no statistically relevant differences in clinical evaluation outcomes. However, there was a statistically significant difference in the gain of mean postoperative bone density between the HBS and MP groups (P = .012) and between the LS and MP groups (P = .045), but not between the HBS and LS groups. CONCLUSION: Cannulated HBS osteosynthesis provides a successful and minimally invasive treatment modality for the management of anterior mandibular fractures.

Effects of sunitinib targeted chemotherapy on the osseointegration of titanium implants.

Targeted chemotherapies are novel therapeutic approaches for many malignancies. In contrast to conventional chemotherapies, which are given for a predetermined duration, treatment with targeted chemotherapies like sunitinib is routinely continuous over longer periods, sometimes years. During this prolonged treatment period, patients may need to restore their missing teeth with dental implants. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of the anti-angiogenic substance sunitinib targeted chemotherapy on the osseointegration of titanium implants in a rabbit model. Fourteen white New Zealand rabbits were randomly assigned to two groups of either oral sunitinib at 10 mg/kg twice per week dose for 4 weeks (n = 7) or placebo (n = 7). The first dose was given 2 days before the surgical intervention. Each rabbit received one titanium dental implant in the right distal femoral condyle. Four weeks following implant insertion, rabbits were sacrificed and bone specimens containing the implants were retrieved. Osseointegration of the implants was analyzed using micro-computed tomography and histomorphometric evaluation. Both micro-computed tomography and histomorphometric analysis showed that the osseointegration parameters, including the ratio of bone volume to total volume and bone-implant contact percent for the sunitinib group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P ≤ 0.05). Sunitinib targeted chemotherapy had a negative effect on the osseointegration of titanium implants inserted in a rabbit model.

Articaine Versus Lidocaine Concentration in the Palatal Tissues After Supraperiosteal Buccal Infiltration Anesthesia.

PURPOSE: Palatal local anesthetic injection is a painful procedure. Previous studies have reported successful extraction of maxillary teeth using only buccal infiltration of 4% articaine without palatal anesthesia. The aim of the present study was to determine levels of 4% articaine solution in palatal bone and mucosal tissues after buccal injection and compare those levels with 2% lidocaine solution in New Zealand white rabbits. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eight rabbits received 2 different injections of 0.6 mL of 4% articaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine and 0.6 mL of 2% lidocaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine buccal to the right and left maxillary first molar, respectively, in a split-mouth study design using quantitative syringes. All injections were administered using the buccal infiltration technique without any palatal injection. Ten minutes later, palatal bone and mucosa specimens were collected for analysis. Levels of the 2 local anesthetic agents were measured in palatal tissues using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). RESULTS: HPLC analysis showed markedly higher 4% articaine solution values (0.319 ± 0.037) in palatal mucosal tissues compared with palatal mucosal concentrations of 2% lidocaine solution (0.0839 ± 0.017). In palatal bone, the mean concentration of 2% lidocaine solution was markedly lower than the mean concentration of 4% articaine solution (0.085 ± 0.012 vs 0.155 ± 0.012, respectively). There was no relevant difference between levels of 2% lidocaine in the palatal bone and mucosal tissues. However, the mean concentration of 4% articaine in the palatal mucosa was markedly higher than its concentration in palatal bone. CONCLUSIONS: The buccal vestibule-palatal diffusion of 4% articaine solution with 1:100,000 epinephrine is greater than 2% lidocaine solution with 1:100,000 epinephrine in a rabbit model.

Effects of cisplatin chemotherapy on the osseointegration of titanium implants.

PURPOSE: The effect of chemotherapy on the osseointegration of dental implants has received less interest compared with radiotherapy. Thus, the aim of the current study was to investigate the effect of cisplatin chemotherapy on the osseointegration of dental implants in a rabbit model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixteen New Zealand White rabbits were randomly assigned to two groups of treatment of either cisplatin at 2.5 mg/kg/week for 4 weeks (n = 8) or placebo (n = 8), in which the first dose was administered 2 days prior to the surgical procedure. Each rabbit received one titanium dental implant inserted in the right distal femoral condyle. Four rabbits from each group were sacrificed 4 and 8 weeks after implant insertion. Osseointegration of the dental implants was analysed using micro-computed tomography and histomorphometric evaluation. RESULTS: Analysis of micro-computed tomography data and histomorphometric data showed that the osseointegration parameters, including the ratio of bone volume to total volume (BV/TV) and bone-implant contact (BIC%) for the cisplatin group, were significantly lower compared to the control group at 4 and 8 weeks. (P ≤ 0.05). CONCLUSION: Cisplatin chemotherapy had a negative effect on the osseointegration of dental implants when inserted throughout the chemotherapeutic regimens in a rabbit model.