Visualization of droplets and aerosols in simulated dental treatments to clarify the effectiveness of oral suction devices.

PURPOSE: The hazards of aerosols generated during dental treatments are poorly understood. This study aimed to establish visualization methods, discover conditions for droplets/aerosols generated in simulating dental treatments and identify the conditions for effective suction methods. METHODS: The spreading area was evaluated via image analysis of the droplets/aerosols generated by a dental air turbine on a mannequin using a light emitting diode (LED) light source and high-speed camera. The effects of different bur types and treatment sites, reduction effect of intra-oral suction (IOS) and extra-oral suction (EOS) devices, and effect of EOS installation conditions were evaluated. RESULTS: Regarding the bur types, a bud-shaped bur on the air turbine generated the most droplets/aerosols compared with round-shaped, round end-tapered, or needle-tapered burs. Regarding the treatment site, the area of droplets/aerosols produced by an air turbine from the palatal plane of the anterior maxillary teeth was significantly higher. The generated droplet/aerosol area was reduced by 92.1% by using IOS alone and 97.8% by combining IOS and EOS. EOS most effectively aspirated droplets/aerosols when placed close (10 cm) to the mouth in the vertical direction (0°). CONCLUSIONS: The droplets/aerosols generated by an air turbine could be visualized using an LED light and a high-speed camera in simulating dental treatments. The bur shape and position of the dental air turbine considerably influenced droplet/aerosol diffusion. The combined use of IOS and EOS at a proper position (close and perpendicular to the mouth) facilitated effective diffusion prevention to protect the dental-care environment.

Use of 6-mm Short Implants in Japanese Patients: Clinical, Radiologic, and Patient Satisfaction Results in a Retrospective Study with a 2-Year Follow-up.

Implant therapy for tooth loss in the molar area is challenging due to the anatomical limitations, requiring bone augmentation procedures that are associated with high surgical complexity and long postsurgical recovery. Recently, many studies have demonstrated the usefulness of short implants. However, few studies have been performed in Japanese patients to evaluate peri-implant bone changes, changes in peri-implant epithelial tissue, and patient satisfaction. The present study included 16 patients (5 men, 11 women; mean age: 60 years) who received 26 short (6-mm) implants. Changes in peri-implant bone and epithelial tissue were measured radiographically at superstructure loading and after 2 years. Peri-implant pocket probing depth was measured at the epithelial tissue and compared at both time points. Patient satisfaction was graded using the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) before treatment and at follow-up. The mean mesial and distal bone levels were -0.05 mm and 0.37 mm at loading, respectively, and were 0.33 mm and 0.53 mm after 2 years, respectively. Significant peri-implant bone formation for mesial and distal bone levels at both time points were determined by Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Mean probing depth increased slightly, from 3.03 mm at loading to 3.33 mm after 2 years, but no significant difference was found. The OHIP-14 found that patient satisfaction levels increased after 2 years. Using 6-mm short implants in sites with insufficient bone levels can be a highly beneficial treatment option for patients, as it avoids the need for bone augmentation. However, more long-term and detailed studies on the clinical outcomes for these implants are required.

A collagen membrane for periosteal expansion osteogenesis using a timed-release system in rabbit calvaria.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of resorbable membranes, combined with a shape memory alloy (SMA) mesh device, on bone formation using a timed-release system for periosteal expansion osteogenesis (TIME-PEO). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve Japanese white rabbits were used in this study. An SMA device was inserted under the forehead periosteum, pushed and bent for attachment to the bone surface, and then fixed using resorbable thread. The rabbits were divided into four groups: C1 (5 weeks postoperatively without membrane), C2 (8 weeks postoperatively without membrane), E1 (5 weeks postoperatively with membrane), and E2 (8 weeks postoperatively with membrane). The rabbits were killed 5 or 8 weeks after the operation and the newly formed bone was assessed histologically and radiographically. RESULTS: SMA devices, concealed under soft tissue until the time of euthanasia, did not cause active inflammation. The mean activation height, from the original bone surface to the midpoint of the mesh, was 3.1 ± 0.6 mm. Newly formed bone was observed, and most of the subperiosteal space underneath the device was occupied by fibrous tissue. Immature bone was present at the outer surface of the original skull bone in all groups. On histomorphometric analysis, there was no significant difference in the volume of the new bone between C1 and E1 (p = 0.885), and C2 and E2 (p = 0.545). CONCLUSIONS: PEO using an SMA mesh device, which is based on guided bone regeneration (in atrophic alveolar bone), shows promise as an alternative for bone augmentation, irrespective of whether a resorbable membrane is used.

Mandible fractures and dental injuries related to road traffic accidents over a 12-year period-Retrospective multicentre study.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Road traffic accidents (RTAs) are a common cause of maxillofacial injuries. The aim of this retrospective multicentre study was to investigate the characteristics of maxillofacial fractures and dental injuries that occurred in RTAs in Miyagi, Japan. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The records of 404 patients with maxillofacial injuries treated at the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Departments of four different institutions over a period of 12 years were analysed. Ninety-nine of these patients had suffered these injuries in an RTA. RTA-related cases were divided according to age, gender, presentation month, presentation day of the week, transportation mode, time of accident, fracture sites and fracture mechanism. RESULTS: There were 72 males and 27 females who suffered injuries as the result of an RTA, for a male-to-female ratio of 2.7:1.0, with a mean age of 35.3 years (range, 1-86 years old). Most of the accidents occurred in June and on a Wednesday, and most of the affected patients were riding a bicycle at the time. The number of patients with maxillofacial injuries related to bicycle riding showed an increasing trend in recent years. Mandible fractures were the most prevalent, followed by dental injuries and maxilla fractures. In cases with a single fracture of the mandible, the symphysis was the most frequent site, while in those with multiple fractures, the association of symphysis and bi-lateral condyle fractures was the greatest. For bicycle-related accidents, a single fracture in the mandible occurred more often than multiple fractures. CONCLUSIONS: The number of RTA-related injuries while bicycle riding showed an increasing trend with mandible fractures commonly seen in those cases. Efforts to reduce maxillofacial injuries related to bicycle accidents are needed.

Mandibular fractures and dental injuries sustained during baseball and softball over 14 years in a Japanese population: A retrospective multicentre study.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Active participation in sports is a risk factor for maxillofacial fractures. The aim of this retrospective multicentre study was to survey and evaluate the characteristics of mandibular fractures, and dental injuries that occurred during the practice of baseball and softball in Sendai, Japan. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The records of 454 patients with maxillofacial fractures from three departments of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery across a period 14 years were analysed. Fifty-one patients with 56 mandible fractures and dental injuries that occurred playing baseball or softball were included in this multicenter retrospective study. Patients were divided according to age, gender, sites of fractures, mechanism of fractures and treatment methods. RESULTS: There were 42 males and nine females, with a male-to-female ratio of 4.7:1.0. The mean age was 19.9 years old (range: 13-47 years old). As for the site, body of the mandible fractures prevailed, followed by the condyle, symphysis and angle. Fractures were mostly caused by the impact of a ball (42; 82.4%), followed by collisions with another player (5; 9.8%) and direct strike of a bat (4; 7.8%). All patients with mandibular fractures were treated with open reduction and internal fixation, except for six patients with condylar head fractures who were managed conservatively. CONCLUSIONS: The impact of a thrown ball against the batter's mandible can cause a condylar fracture when playing baseball and softball.

Fall-related mandible fractures in a Japanese population: A retrospective study.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Maxillofacial trauma is frequent and represents a heavy burden for patients and society. The aim of this study was to investigate the characteristics and management of mandibular fractures caused by falls. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred thirty-nine patients with 185 mandible fractures caused by falls were included in this retrospective study. The patients were grouped according to age, gender, fitness level (as classified by the American Society of Anesthesiology physical status classification), the month of the accident, sites of fractures and treatment methods. RESULTS: Most adult and fit patients were treated with open reduction and internal fixation, except for intracapsular condyle fractures. Conservative management was chosen for paediatric patients and in all cases deemed at high risk for lengthy procedures under general anaesthesia (physical status III according to the American Society of Anesthesiology). Young patients were mainly males, whereas geriatric patients were mainly females. In cases of single-site fracture, condylar fractures were the most prevalent. In cases with multiple sites, the association of condyle and symphysis fractures was the most frequent. CONCLUSIONS: The results show an increasing trend in geriatric condyle fractures, especially in females. The epidemiology of fall-related mandibular fractures is subject to the influence of seasonal, historical, cultural and demographic factors.

Real-time monitoring system for evaluating the acid-producing activity of oral squamous cell carcinoma cells at different environmental pH.

This study aimed to establish a real-time monitoring system for evaluating the acid-producing activity of cells and the effects of microenvironmental pH on their metabolism. Oral squamous cell carcinoma (HSC-2, HSC-3) and normal (HaCaT) cells were used. Their acid-producing activity from glucose, glutamine, and glutamate was monitored at various pH values using a pH stat system. Their production of lactic acid and ammonia was also measured. The acid-producing activity was monitored successfully. Both the cancer and normal cells produced acids from glucose, glutamine, and glutamate. All of the cells decreased their acid-producing activity as the environmental pH fell, but in glucose-derived acid-producing activity the cancer cells were more acid-tolerant than HaCaT cells. In the cancer cells, the proportion of lactic acid among all acids produced from glucose at the acidic environment tended to be higher than that in HaCaT cells. All of the cells produced ammonia from glutamine, while only HaCaT cells produced ammonia from glutamate. We established a real-time monitoring system for evaluating the acid-producing activity of cells. Our results suggest that the cancer cells possess acid-tolerant glucose metabolism with a tendency of metabolic shift to lactic acid production at acidic pH and they metabolise glutamate without ammonia production.