Effect of two fascial incision options for access to the temporomandibular joint on facial nerve function: objective investigation.

This study was performed to compare the effects on facial nerve (FN) function of the deep supra-temporalis muscle subfascial approach (DSFA) and traditional fascial approach (TFA) for access to the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), via qualitative and quantitative evaluations. Thirty patients requiring open TMJ surgery were randomly allocated to one of two groups: group A patients underwent the DSFA approach, while group B patients underwent the TFA approach. The TMJ was accessed via modified endaural incision with temporal extension. Clinical examinations, FN conduction tests, and electromyography (EMG) of the frontalis and orbicularis oculi muscles were used to assess FN function. A FN function deficit was noted in 50% of the whole sample population immediately after surgery, with no statistically significant difference between the groups (P = 0.082). Overall, 37.5% of the total study population experienced temporary loss of frontalis muscle activity, while zygomatic nerve injury was seen only in 25% of group A. Within 2-6 months, normal function returned in both groups. Nerve conduction studies showed no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of nerve amplitude or latency after surgery. However, EMG of orbicularis oculi activity showed a significant difference between the groups after 6 months (P = 0.010). The results suggest that the traditional dissection approach is more protective of the FN, especially the zygomatic branch, than the deeper dissection technique.

Efficacy of platelet-rich fibrin and tacrolimus on facial nerve regeneration: an animal study.

This study was performed to investigate the effect of platelet-rich fibrin membrane (PRFM), alone and with topical tacrolimus application, on regeneration of the crushed facial nerve (FN). Thirty healthy 7-week-old albino rats were used. The left FN was damaged by crushing in all rats. Three random groups of rats were formed: group 1, untreated; group 2, treated with PRFM; group 3, treated with PRFM plus topical tacrolimus. Functional recovery and histological and immunohistochemical evaluations were performed 4 and 8 weeks later. Anti-S100 was used to detect myelin sheath. At 4 weeks, blinking reflex recovery was more rapid in group 3 than in groups 2 and 1 (4.30 ± 0.48, 3.40 ± 0.52, and 2.20 ± 0.42, respectively); the difference was statistically significant (P = 0.001). Histologically, group 3 showed more apparent normal FN structures than the other groups. Immunohistochemical caspase-3 evaluation of the axon area revealed a significant difference between group 2 (PRFM alone; 8.67 ± 0.029) and group 3 (PRFM plus topical tacrolimus; 4.42 ± 0.028) (P = 0.001). Group 3 showed the greatest positive staining in the myelin sheath. Based on the results of this animal study, clinical studies should be performed to determine whether the combination of PRF and tacrolimus also improves the outcome of nerve regeneration in humans.

Radiographic evaluation and determination of hypercementosis patterns in Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah, Saudi Arabia: A retrospective cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: Hypercementosis (HC) is an asymptomatic excessive cementum deposition at the dental root apex. There is a lack of research that determines the pattern and associated factors of HC in Saudi Arabia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted on a random sample of 815 Orthopantomograms (OPGs) that was obtained from a total of 14003 female patients archived OPGs. The OPGs were retrieved from the Kodak Carestream-R4 database for the period between 2015 and 2017 at Taibah University Dental College and Hospital (TUDCH), Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah, Saudi Arabia. Width and radiodensity of HC were measured and the distribution was calculated. Association between HC and factors including age and nationality were explored. Descriptive and inferential analyses were performed. RESULTS: The mean/SD age of HC affected patients (9.8%) was 30.16 ± 13.1 years, of whom 55% were Saudis. The mean/SD width and radiodensity of the hypercementosed roots were 4.14 ± 1.2 mm and 119.86 ± 29.83, respectively. The mandibular teeth were more frequently associated with hypercementosis (65%) specifically first molars (47.5%), while the majority (64%) had a single unilateral distribution pattern. There was a non-significant association between nationality, age, and HC (P = 0.921, P = 0.633, respectively). CONCLUSION: Hypercementosis observed in 9.8% of female patients attending TUDCH which was primarily unilateral and prominently confined to the mandibular teeth roots. The complication of teeth extraction among female patients in Almadinah region should be anticipated.

Social factors as career obstacles for female oral and maxillofacial surgeons in three Middle Eastern countries.

Despite the feminization of dentistry in many areas of the world, female representation in the field of oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMFS) is poor. The purpose of this study was to identify factors perceived by female oral and maxillofacial surgeons in Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia as being obstacles to their career progression and to compare them to factors identified by their male colleagues. This was a cross-sectional questionnaire-based study. A Google Forms questionnaire was designed to collect data on socio-demographics and perceived career obstacles in OMFS. This was distributed to oral and maxillofacial surgeons in Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia. Statistically significant differences between the genders were evident in terms of marital status (P=0.001), spouse's education (P=0.005), and spouse's occupation (P<0.001). When compared to male surgeons, female surgeons more often considered that their spouse's occupation hindered their career progression (P<0.001). Female surgeons, but not male surgeons, perceived sexism and social factors such as marriage, children, and the attitudes of society to be major career obstacles (P<0.005). In conclusion, female maxillofacial surgeons in some Middle Eastern countries were found to have different socio-demographic characteristics compared to their male colleagues and they considered sexism, marriage, children, and the attitudes of society to be major career obstacles.

Clinical outcomes of three different types of hardware for the treatment of mandibular angle fractures: a comparative retrospective study.

A retrospective study was conducted to compare the clinical outcomes of three different types of hardware that are used in mandibular angle fracture fixation. Thirty patients were selected from the hospital database. The patients were categorized into the following groups: group A, in which a single 2.0-mm locking miniplate was used; group B, in which a single rigid 2.3-mm plate was used; and group C, in which a single lag screw was inserted. All patients were followed for 6 months. With regard to intraoperative variables, significant differences were found among the groups in the duration of surgery and cost. Group C had the shortest surgical time, followed by group A and then group B. Two patients, one in group A and one in group B, suffered an occlusal discrepancy after surgery. Of the group A patients, two exhibited wound dehiscence and one had an infection. One patient in group B had an exposed plate. Sensory nerve involvement was noted in three group C patients and one group B patient. The lag screw was associated with the fewest complications and exhibited all of the advantages of plating systems in the treatment of angle fracture. The lag screw involved the least hardware and a short operating time, however the differences were not significant.