Dental implants and free fibula flap: 23 patients.

INTRODUCTION: Mandibular reconstruction with a microvascular free fibula flap (MFF) is an elegant solution to restore the anatomic arch, oral functions, and facial esthetics. But the thin cutaneous tissue, the thickness of subcutaneous tissues, the absence of a pelvilingual and vestibular groove, and the fragility of soft tissues complicate dental prosthetic stabilization. Implants may restore prosthetic functionality. A lot has been published on osteointegration with a MFF, but few studies have been aimed at the prosthetic aspect, final goal of any oral reconstruction. The aim of this retrospective study was to present the results of oral reconstruction with implant supported prostheses after mandibular reconstruction with a MFF. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Twenty-three patients underwent mandibular reconstruction: 17 men and six women with a mean age of 46 years (17-66). Fourteen patients (60.8%) underwent radiotherapy before reconstruction. Mandibular osteoradionecrosis was the indication for reconstruction in seven patients. Each patient was assessed by dentascan. Implants were placed under general anesthesia. Postoperative clinical and radiographic controls were made regularly. Transmucous abutments were placed after six postoperative months and the prosthetic phase was initiated one month later. The criteria for implant and prosthetic success were assessed. RESULTS: Seventy-five implants were placed, on average 3.2 per patient, with an 80% success rate. Three implants (4%) were not used for prosthesis placement. Ten permanent prostheses and 13 removable prostheses were placed. The mean delay before implant loading was 7.6 months (6-10) and the mean follow-up was 27.5 months (1-71). Occlusion was considered as "satisfactory" for 69.6% of patients. For 57% of patients, the quality of surrounding soft tissues was considered as "satisfactory". For 74% of patients, oral rehabilitation was "satisfactory". DISCUSSION: The implant supported prosthesis after MFF mandibular reconstruction, on an irradiated site or not, gives satisfactory results despite the thickness and mobility of soft tissues, and despite scar contracture and the absence of keratinization. Implant placement must be performed after a prosthetic planning. Using radiosurgical guides, despite their cost and difficult adaptation, would certainly improve the technique greatly.

[Osteonecrosis of the jaw and biphosphonates: imaging features]. / Ostéonécrose de la machoire sous biphosphonates: aspects radiologiques.

PURPOSE: 1) To review the pathophysiology of osteonecrosis of the jaw in patients receiving biphosphonates. 2) To review the imaging findings of osteonecrosis of the jaw and attempt to define pathognomonic imaging features. Materials and methods. Retrospective study of 15 patients with metastatic disease treated with biphosphonates. All available imaging studies including orthopantomograms, CT and bone scans were reviewed simultaneously by two radiologists (FO, DB). RESULTS: The most frequent imaging finding was osteolysis. Signs of biphosphonate impregnation were frequently observed: areas os osteosclerosis or heterogeneous demineralization due to abnormal bone remodeling. The outer cortex appeared duplicated in one case. Complications including fracture, sequestra, oroantral fistula and sinusitis may also occur. CONCLUSION: The imaging features of osteonecrosis remain fairly non-specific. Drug-related osteonecrosis of the jaw should nonetheless be suggested in the appropriate clinical setting in the presence of osteolysis associated with osteosclerosis. Imaging is helpful to assess the extent of the disease and detect complications for improved patient management.

[Standards, Options and Recommendations (SOR) for good practices in dentistry for head and neck cancer patients. Federation of the French Cancer Centres (FNCLCC)]. / Standards, Options et Recommandations pour une bonne pratique odontologiques en cancérologie.

CONTEXT: The Standards, Options and Recommendations (SOR), initiated in 1993, is a collaborative project between the Federation of the French Cancer Centres (FNCLCC), the 20 French Cancer Centres and specialists from French Public Universities, General Hospitals and Private Clinics. The main objective is the development of clinical practice guidelines to improve the quality of health care and outcomes for cancer patients. The methodology is based on literature review and critical appraisal by a multidisciplinary experts group, with feedback from specialists in cancer care delivery. OBJECTIVES: To develop clinical practice guidelines for dentistry and oral hygiene in head and neck cancer patients. METHODS: Data have been identified by literature search using Medline (up to January 1999) and personal reference lists. The main end points considered were risk factors for treatment related late effects, safety and quality of life, efficacy of dental preventative measures and treatment. Once the guidelines were defined, the document was submitted to reviewers for peer review and to the medical committees of the 20 French Cancer Centres for review and agreement. RESULTS: The key recommendations are: 1) before receiving radiotherapy, surgery and chemotherapy for head and neck cancer, patients must benefit from a multidisciplinary approach including dental evaluation; 2) the patients must be informed of precautions and educated about oral hygiene; 3) after radiotherapy, the most important dental late effect to prevent is radionecrosis, in accordance with the oral and dental state, the dentist may propose conservation or extraction of teeth, fluoridation and regular follow-up; 4) during chemotherapy, the principal complications are mucositis, haemorrhage and infection risk; 5) after surgery, the dentist may propose prosthetic measures with the aim functional, aesthetic and psychological benefit; 6) in the particular case of children, treatment and prevention are the same as for adults but the follow-up is specific because of the dental development.

[Dental implants and microvascular free fibula flap: 23 patients]. / Implants dentaires et lambeau de fibula microanastomosé : 23 patients.

INTRODUCTION: Mandibular reconstruction with a microvascular free fibula flap (MFF) is an elegant solution to restore the anatomic arch, oral functions and facial esthetics. But the thin cutaneous tissue, the thickness of subcutaneous tissues, the absence of a pelvilingual and vestibular groove, and the fragility of soft tissues complicated dental prosthetic retention. Implants may restore prosthetic functionality. There is considerable publication on osteo-integration with a microvascular free fibula flap, but few studies were aimed at the prosthetic aspect, finality of any oral reconstruction. The aim of this retrospective study was to present the results of oral reconstruction with implant supported prostheses after mandibular reconstruction with a microvascular free fibula flap. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Twenty-three patients underwent mandibular reconstruction: 17 men and six women with a mean age of 46 years (17-66). Fourteen patients (60.8%) underwent radiotherapy before reconstruction. Mandibular osteoradionecrosis was the indication for reconstruction in seven patients. Each patient was assessed by dentascan. Implants were placed under general anesthesia. Postoperative clinical and radiographic controls were made regularly. Transmucous abutments were placed after six postoperative months and the prosthetic phase was initiated one month later. The criteria for implant and prosthetic success were assessed. RESULTS: Seventy-five implants were placed, on average 3.2 per patient, with an 80% success rate. Three implants (4%) were not used for prosthesis. Ten permanent prostheses and 13 removable prostheses were placed. The mean delay before implant loading was 7.6 months (6-10) and the mean follow-up was 27.5 months (1-71). The occlusion was considered as "satisfactory" for 69.6% of patients. For 57% of patients, the quality of surrounding soft tissues was considered as "satisfactory". For 74% of patients oral reconstruction was "satisfactory". DISCUSSION: The implant supported prosthesis after MFF mandibular reconstruction, on an irradiated site or not, gives satisfactory results despite the thickness and mobility of soft tissues, and despite scar contracture and the absence of keratinization. Implant placement must be performed after a prosthetic planning. Using radio-surgical guides, despite their cost and difficult adaptation, would certainly bring important improvement to the technique.

[Dental implants in irradiated areas: a series of 33 patients]. / Implants dentaires en territoire irradié: série de 33 patients.

INTRODUCTION: Prosthetic rehabilitation, particularly in radiated areas, can be particularly difficult in patients with partial or total edentation following treatment for orofacial cancer. We report a series of patients who underwent a protocol of implantation in radiated bone with evaluation of the prosthetic rehabilitation. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Thirty-three patients given radiotherapy for an orofacial cancer were implanted, followed by a dental prosthesis. The three phases of the protocol were a preoperative clinical and radiological analysis, a surgical phase under general anaesthesia and a postoperative clinical and radiological follow-up. RESULTS: Fifteen patients were treated for an oral cavity tumor, ten for a pharyngeal lesion, six for a laryngeal tumor and two for a maxillary cancer. The average dose of radiotherapy was 60.5 Gy. Sixty-eight implants were positioned, 91.9% in the anterior mandible. The delay between radiotherapy and implantation was 54 months. The delay between implantation and loading was seven months. The average follow-up was 31.9 months. No peri-implantitis was observed. DISCUSSION: Implantation in irradiated bone is possible if a strict protocol is used; a good rate of success and improved quality of life will favour development of this technique. Criteria for dental implant placement include local and general conditions, the psychological situation and technical possibilities. Sufficient delay after radiotherapy is necessary to verify healing and the good prognosis of the cancer. The vascular supply can be preserved by implantation under general anesthesia. All patients were satisfied with the functional and esthetic results.

Long-term effects of chemotherapy on dental status in children treated for nephroblastoma.

Dental abnormalities among children treated at a young age for Wilms tumor are reported. The authors retrospectively reviewed the dental records and panoramic radiographs of 27 children treated for nephroblastoma between 1994 and 1998. They evaluated the frequency of apparent microdontia, excessive caries, root stunting, hypodontia, and enamel hypoplasia and compared this group to a control group of 78 children. Seventy percent of the children developed dental abnormalities, comprising root stunting (44%), enamel hypoplasia (22%), microdontia (18%), and hypodontia (7%). Results of control subjects were significantly different regarding dental abnormalities, especially microdontia and taurodontia. These results indicate that chemotherapy in children may lead to troubles affecting teeth growing at the time of treatment. Information and prospective dental care are needed, and further investigations are required.

[Postradiation dental extractions]. / Extractions dentaires en territoire irradié

INTRODUCTION: Healing may fail after postradiation dental extractions, with a risk of followed osteoradionecrosis, and its dramatic prognosis. We propose a protocol for postradiation extractions. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From January 2000 to December 2001, 107 patients underwent 287 dental extractions after radiation therapy: 80.5% in mandibular jaw, average radiation dose 61.6 Gy, average time between radiation and extraction 6 years. Extractions were performed under general anesthesia, diazanalgesia or local anesthesia, and extraction wounds were sutured after insertion of a collagenic sealant impregnated with gentamicin. General antibiotic prophylaxy was given. RESULTS: Healing failed in only two cases. The first case involved early-stage osteoradionecrosis and the second a tumoral localization. The rate of post-extraction osteoradionecrosis was thus 0.35%. DISCUSSION: A strict protocol associating non-traumatic surgery and an alveolar sealant can considerably decrease the risk of osteoradionecrosis after dental extraction in radiated bone.

Research controversies in management of oral mucositis.

The management of mucositis is the subject of many controversies, and the optimal treatment is still not known. Several evaluation scoring systems have been described, but no one of these is appropriate to all clinical situations: a simple scale such as that devised by the WHO can be used routinely, and more sophisticated ones can be implemented by trained experimenters working in research. We have considered the impact of each of the treatments currently available on each stage of mucositis. In attempts at prevention, self-care, in the sense of oral hygiene, must remain atraumatic. It is probably advisable to differentiate patients with good previous oral care, in whom tooth brushing is beneficial, from others, in whom the risk of hemorrhage and infection excludes any brushing. Before the dosage of chemotherapy is reduced, the curative or palliative intent of the strategy must be carefully evaluated. In the vascular phase protection of the proliferating cells is attempted by means of vasoconstriction (cryotherapy), cytoprotection (prostaglandin E2 and other antioxidants) or epithelial cell-inhibiting factors such as TGF-B3. Treatments applied in the epithelial phase are directed at increasing the cell proliferation to accelerate epithelial restoration by sucralfate and several growth factors: hematopoietic GF, which has demonstrated a direct effect on the mucosa (GM-CSF), or epithelial growth factors such as keratinocyte GF. In the ulcerative and bacteriological phase attempts are made to attenuate sepsis by means of antiseptics (chlorhexidine), amphotericin B and antiviral agents or antibiotic lozenges. In the healing phase application of the low-energy helium-neon laser has demonstrably been followed by a later time of onset, less pronounced peak severity and shorter duration of oral mucositis. After cancer treatment, oral hygiene, inhibition of oral flora, and pain relief are the main goals. Physiopathogen-specific treatment is the next step, with the emphasis on the inhibition of epithelial cell proliferation during drug exposure and facilitation of epithelial maturation and healing.