Effects of transmandibular symphyseal distraction on teeth, bone, and temporomandibular joint.

PURPOSE: The aim of this clinical study was to investigate the clinical effects and long-term results of the transmandibular symphyseal distraction technique for the correction of mandibular transverse deficiencies. This was achieved by assessing the dental, skeletal, and temporomandibular joint changes in the sagittal, vertical, and axial planes using cephalograms, dental casts, and computed tomography (CT). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seven patients with mandibular transverse deficiencies (3 females and 4 males), aged 14.3 to 22.5 years (mean 16.2), were treated with a bone-borne transmandibular distractor. Lateral and posteroanterior cephalometric films, CT scans of both temporomandibular joints, and dental casts were obtained preoperatively, at the end of the distraction period, and at the end of 3 years (clinical follow-up period). The clinical findings were assessed according to the morphologic and functional success criteria established by the Steering Group of European Collaboration on Cranial Facial Anomalies for patients with developmental dentofacial anomalies undergoing craniofacial distraction osteogenesis. The statistical analysis of cephalometric films and dental cast measurements was done using the paired t test. The mean postoperative examination period was 40 months (range 36 to 48). RESULTS: The desired amount of distraction was achieved in all patients (mean 6.48 mm). The intraoperative and postoperative complications encountered included damage to the central incisors during vertical osteotomy (1 patient), wound dehiscence after a latent period (3 patients), mild temporomandibular joint pain during the distraction period (3 patients), and chronic gingivitis around the activation rods (7 patients). The success criteria for craniofacial distraction osteogenesis were fulfilled at the end of the 3-year follow-up period. Model analysis showed that the maximal amount of expansion was achieved at the premolar region (first premolar 5.79 mm, second premolar 5.07 mm). Frontal (posteroanterior) cephalograms taken at the end of the distraction period revealed significant increases in the bicondylar (0.35 mm), bigonion (3.43 mm), biantegonion (2.29 mm), and intermolar (4.0 mm) widths, and the ramal angle had decreased significantly (-1.64 degrees). The increase in the transverse measurements was greater at the dentoalveolar level than at the base of the mandible. Lateral cephalograms showed that transmandibular symphyseal distraction produced significant increases in the incisor mandibular plane angle (2.79 degrees) and mandibular body length (1.72 mm). The effect of the procedure on the condyle was 2.5 degrees to 3 degrees of distolateral rotation as calculated using the CT scans. Dental crowding was resolved rapidly by the movement of the teeth into the distraction regenerate. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical and radiologic results of the present study have shown that a transmandibular distractor is a clinically effective bone-borne distractor for the correction of mandibular transverse deficiencies and anterior crowding. The follow-up cephalograms and CT scans showed the transverse skeletal stability of the distraction procedure and no permanent temporomandibular dysfunction. However, additional multicenter studies with more patients are necessary to precisely evaluate the long-term postdistraction changes on the skeleton, teeth, and temporomandibular joint.

Intralesional corticosteroid injection for central giant cell granuloma: a case report and review of the literature.

Central giant cell granuloma (CGCG) is a benign intraosseous lesion of the jaws that is found predominantly in children and young adults. Although benign, it may be locally aggressive, causing extensive bone destruction, tooth displacement and root resorption. The common therapy is aggressive curettage, peripheral ostectomy or resection, which may be associated with loss of teeth and, in younger patients, loss of dental germs. A number of alternative nonsurgical approaches have been advocated in recent years for the management of CGCGs. These include intralesional corticosteroid injections, calcitonin injections and subcutaneous alpha-interferon injections. In this article, an 1-year-old boy with a CGCG is successfully treated with corticosteroid injections and this treatment is discussed within a review of the literature.

Comparison of autogenous mucosal grafts and collagen-based, solvent-preserved allografts for vestibuloplasty.

This study was designed to determine whether solvent-preserved dura mater and fascia lata grafts would be as effective as palatal mucosal grafts for vestibuloplasty. All graft systems succeeded in covering the alveolar ridge with firmly attached tissue, which is needed to ensure prosthetic stability. There was no remarkable reduction in area until the stents were removed. However, after 6 months of vestibuloplasty, there was a significant reduction in gained vestibular area in the fascia lata group, whereas no significant difference between dura mater and palatal grafts was observed. These findings suggest that dura mater could serve as a biologic oral dressing for mucosal defects as effectively as palatal grafts in vestibuloplasty.