Multidisciplinary approach to a nonsyndromic oligodontia patient using advanced surgical techniques.

Treatment of a woman suffering from oligodontia and multiple diastemata with insufficient alveolar ridges in both the maxilla and mandible is described in this clinical report. The total number of missing teeth was 11 (excluding the wisdom teeth). The treatment strategy consisted of an interdisciplinary team approach of orthodontic, surgical, and prosthodontic phases. Sinus floor augmentation, alveolar ridge augmentation via vertical alveolar distraction, and lateral augmentation with ramus graft procedures were performed after fixed orthodontic treatment and prior to dental implant placement. Oral rehabilitation of the patient was completed with the placement of fixed prostheses in the maxillary and mandibular posterior edentulous areas. Early dental intervention improved the patient's appearance and minimized the onset of emotional and psychosocial problems.

Results and complications of alveolar distraction osteogenesis to enhance vertical bone height.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this retrospective study was to analyze the outcome and complications of alveolar distraction osteogenesis for the correction of vertically deficient ridges by using intraosseous and extraosseous distractors. STUDY DESIGN: Seven patients with severely atrophic alveolar crests were treated by distraction osteogenesis in 5 alveolar ridge deficiencies by intraosseous distractors and in 2 alveolar ridge deficiencies by extraosseous distractors. The bone deficiencies were secondary to atrophy after periodontal disease, tooth extraction, or trauma. Three months after consolidation of the distracted segments, implants were placed in the distracted areas. The average follow-up period after prosthetic loading was 50 months. RESULTS: The mean alveolar height achieved was 7.8 mm (range, 4-9 mm). The intraoperative and postoperative problems encountered were lack of device activation (n = 1), lingual displacement of the distracted segment (n = 1), paresthesia of the lower lip (n = 4), and dehiscence and plate exposure (n = 2). Most of these complications were considered to be minor complications and were solved without any problems. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that alveolar distraction osteogenesis seems to be an effective technique to treat vertical alveolar ridge deficiencies, but adequate treatment planning is necessary for success. The complications related to this technique can be solved with simple treatments.

Epidermoid cyst in the floor of the mouth: report of a case.

The occurrence of epidermoid cysts in the oral cavity is extremely rare. These cysts generally present slow and progressive growth and often are not diagnosed until the second or third decade of life. Epidermoid and dermoid cysts in the floor of the mouth are painless, doughy or fluctuant lesions and cause no symptoms until they are large enough to interfere with speech or eating. This article presents the case of a 20-year-old man with swelling in the floor of his mouth that was causing difficulties with speech and swallowing. After surgical removal of the cyst, histopathologic examination confirmed the diagnosis of epidermoid cyst. Characteristics of epidermoid cysts are described and surgical treatment discussed.

Quantitative morphometric evaluation of critical size experimental bone defects by microcomputed tomography.

Our aim was to show that microcomputed tomography is a useful tool for acquiring high-resolution three-dimensional tomographic images to assess bone healing, the interface with materials, and the biocompatibility of bone substitutes. Acquired images can be used for non-invasive quantitative morphometric analysis of regenerating bone, leaving the option for conventional histology to be an adjunct used at defined intervals. The temporal characterisation of the mineralisation of bone potentially has a critical role in the understanding of the dynamics of mineralisation of healing bone. This has applications both for degradable and bioactive materials and for pharmaceutical products that act on bone. Formal validation of this promising new technique will be a critical part of continuing studies.