The effects of healing abutments of different size and anatomic shape placed immediately in extraction sockets on peri-implant hard and soft tissues. A pilot study in foxhound dogs.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this animal study was to compare the effects of narrow, concave-straight and wide anatomic healing abutments on changes to soft tissues and crestal bone levels around implants immediately placed into extraction sockets in foxhound dogs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-eight titanium implants (Bredent Medical GMBH, Germany) of the same dimensions were placed in six foxhound dogs. They were divided into two groups (n = 24): test (implants with anatomic abutment) and control (implants with concave-straight abutment). The implants were inserted randomly in the post extraction sockets of P2 , P3 , P4, and M1 bilaterally in six dogs. After eight and twelve weeks, the animals were sacrificed and samples extracted containing the implants and the surrounding soft and hard tissues. Soft tissue and crestal bone loss (CBL) were evaluated by histology and histomorphometry. RESULTS: All implants were clinically and histologically osseointegrated. Healing patterns were examined microscopically at eight and twelve weeks. After eight and twelve weeks, for hard tissues, the distance from the implant shoulder to the first bone-to-implant contact (IS-C) was higher for control group in the lingual aspect with statistical significance (P < 0.05). For soft tissues (STL), the distance from the top of the peri-implant mucosa to the apical portion of the junction epithelium (PM-Je) was significantly less on the lingual aspect in the test group (with wider abutment) at eight and twelve weeks (P < 0.05). The distance from the top of the apical portion of the junction epithelium to the first bone-to-implant contact (Je-C) was significantly higher in the test group (wider abutment) in the lingual aspect at eight and twelve weeks (P < 0.05). There was no connective tissue contact with any abutment surface. CONCLUSIONS: Within the limitations of this animal study, anatomic healing abutments protect soft and hard tissues and reduce crestal bone resorption compared with concave-straight healing abutments.

Multidisciplinary management of ankyloglossia in childhood. Treatment of 101 cases. A protocol.

BACKGROUND: Partial ankyloglossia is a limitation which restricts the possibility of protrusion and elevation of the tip of the tongue due to the shortness of either the lingual frenulum or the genioglossus muscles or both. The principal objective of this paper is to present our protocol of action for the treatment of ankyloglossia. The specific objectives are to study patients with ankyloglossia treated by the Service of Maxillofacial Surgery and the Service of Speech Therapy of our pediatric Hospital, describe the diagnostic procedures, the pre-surgical intervention, the surgical technique undertaken and the post-surgical rehabilitation taking into account the level of collaboration of the patients, and finally, describe the surgical complications and the referral of patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a descriptive study of healthy patients, without any diagnosis of syndrome, ranging between 4 and 14 years that have been surgically treated and rehabilitated post-surgery within a period of 2 years. RESULTS: 101 frenectomies and lingual plasties have been performed and patients have been treated following the protocol of action that we hereby present. After the surgical intervention, the degree of ankyloglossia has been improved, considering correction in 29 (28%) of the patients (95% CI: 20%, 38%), reaching, with the post-surgical orofacial rehabilitation, a correction of 97 (96%) of the participants (95% CI: 90%, 98%). CONCLUSIONS: The chosen surgical technique for moderate-severe ankyloglossia in our centre is the frenectomy and lingual plasty. The myofunctional training begins one week before the surgical intervention so that the patients learn the exercises without pain.

Influence of collar design on peri-implant tissue healing around immediate implants: A pilot study in Foxhound dogs.

PURPOSE: The study aims to assess the soft tissue level (STL) and crestal bone level (CBL), of titanium dental implants with different mixed collar abutments configurations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 48 implants with the same dimensions. They were divided into two groups of 24 implants each one: implants with a polished collar of 2 mm plus a roughened area of 0.8 mm (CONTROL) and implants with a polished collar of 0.8 mm plus a micro-threated and roughened area of 2 mm (TEST). The implants were inserted randomly in the post-extraction sockets of P2, P3, P4, and M1 bilaterally in the lower jaw of six foxhound dogs. STL and CBL were evaluated after 8 and 12 weeks by histology and histometry. RESULTS: All implants were clinically and histologically osseointegrated. Healing patterns examined microscopically at 8 and 12 weeks for both groups yielded similar qualitative findings for the STL evaluation, without significant differences between groups (P > 0.05). CBL was significantly higher in the buccal side in comparison with the lingual side for both groups (P < 0.05); the comparison between groups at 8 weeks showed IS-B (distance from the implant shoulder to the top of the bony crest) and IS-C (distance from the implant shoulder to the first bone-to-implant contact) values significantly higher for control group in comparison with test (P < 0.05). At 12 weeks, CBL showed increased values for both groups that were higher in controls group in comparison with test (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Bony crest resorption could not be avoided both at test and control sites. However, the neck conformation at the test sites reduced the buccal bone resorption. Soft tissue dimensions were similar both at the test and control sites.

Effect of implant design in immediate loading. A randomized, controlled, split-mouth, prospective clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of two different designs, tapered vs cylindrical, on the primary stability of implants placed with an immediate loading protocol in edentulous mandibles to support fixed prostheses within occlusal contacts during the first 48 h. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Tapered and cylindrical implants were placed in a split-mouth study using the same implant protocol in ten patients with edentulous jaws. A total of 20 tapered implants (test group) and 20 cylindrical implants (control group) were placed. All implants were loaded immediately with provisional fixed prostheses during the healing period before the final restoration. The implants were evaluated at the implant placement by analyzing the insertion torque values (ITVs) and the resonance frequency analysis (RFA) and after the healing period of three months, the success of those implants and the marginal bone loss were evaluated. RESULTS: Two cylindrical implants were mobile within the same patient and no tapered implants failed, resulting in implant survival rates of 90% and 100%, respectively after three months. The ITVs were statistically significantly different (P = 0.0210) for the tapered implants than for the cylindrical implants. However, no statistically significant differences in RFA values were found (P = 0.6063) when comparing the implant designs and the primary stability measured with implant stability quotient (ISQ) values. The control group resulted in a mean bone loss after three months of 0.91 mm while the test group resulted 0.42 mm. CONCLUSION: The tapered implant achieved greater primary stability values measured with ITVs and less marginal bone loss than the cylindrical implants.

Novel hybrid drilling protocol: evaluation for the implant healing--thermal changes, crestal bone loss, and bone-to-implant contact.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate a new hybrid drilling protocol, by the analysis of thermal changes in vitro, and their effects in the crestal bone loss and bone-to-implant contact in vivo. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Temperature changes during simulated osteotomies with a hybrid drilling technique (biologic plus simplified) (test) versus an incremental drilling technique (control) were investigated. One hundred and twenty random osteotomies were performed (60 by group) in pig ribs up to 3.75-mm-diameter drill to a depth of 10 mm. Thermal changes and time were recorded by paired thermocouples. In a parallel experiment, bilateral mandibular premolars P2, P3, P4, and first molar M1 were extracted from six dogs. After 2-month healing, implant sites were randomly prepared using either of the drilling techniques. Forty eight implants of 3.75 mm diameter and 10 mm length were inserted. The dogs were euthanized at 30 and 90 days, and crestal bone loss (CBL) and bone-to-implant contact (BIC) were evaluated. RESULTS: The control group showed maximum temperatures of 35.3 °C ± 1.8 °C, ΔT of 10.4 °C, and a mean time of 100 s/procedure; meanwhile, the test group showed maximum temperatures of 36.7 °C ± 1.2 °C, ΔT of 8.1 °C, and a mean time of 240 s/procedure. After 30 days, CBL values for both groups (test: 1.168 ± 0.194 mm; control: 1.181 ± 0.113 mm) and BIC values (test: 43 ± 2.8%; control: 45 ± 1.3%) were similar, without significant differences (P > 0.05). After 90 days, CBL (test: 1.173 ± 0.187 mm; control: 1.205 ± 0.122 mm) and BIC (test: 64 ± 3.3%; control: 64 ± 2.4%) values were similar, without significant differences (P > 0.05). The BIC values were increased at 90 days in both groups compared with the 30-day period (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Within the limitations of this study, the new hybrid protocol for the preparation of the implant bed without irrigation, increase the temperature similarly to the incremental conventional protocol, and requires twice the time for the completion of the drilling procedure in vitro. Crestal bone loss and bone-to-implant contact in the hybrid drilling protocol are comparable with the conventional drilling protocol and do not affect the osseointegration process in vivo.

Effect of intra-alveolar placement of 0.2% chlorhexidine bioadhesive gel on the incidence of alveolar osteitis following the extraction of mandibular third molars. A double-blind randomized clinical trial.

UNLABELLED: Alveolar osteitis (AO) is a common complication after third molar surgery. One of the most studied agents in its prevention is chlorhexidine (CHX), which has proved to be effective. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this randomized double-blind clinical trial was to evaluate the efficacy of 0.2% bioadhesive chlorhexidine gel placed intra-alveolar in the prevention of AO after the extraction of mandibular third molars and to analyze the impact of risk factors such as smoking and oral contraceptives in the development of AO. STUDY DESIGN: The study was a randomized, double-blind, clinical trial performed in the Ambulatory Surgery Unit of Hospital Vall d'Hebron and was approved by the Ethics Committee. A total of 160 patients randomly received 0.2% bioadhesive gel (80 patients) or bioadhesive placebo (80 patients). RESULTS: 0.2% bioadhesive chlorhexidine gel applied in the alveolus after third molar extraction reduced the incidence of dry socket by 22% compared to placebo with differences that were not statistically significant. Smoking and the use of oral contraceptives were not related to higher incidence of dry socket. Female patients and the difficulty of the surgery were associated with a higher incidence of AO with statistically significant differences. 0.2% bioadhesive chlorhexidine gel did not produce any of the side effects related to chlorhexidine rinses. CONCLUSIONS: A 22% reduction of the incidence of alveolar osteitis with the application of 0.2% bioadhesive chlorhexidine gel compared to placebo with differences that were not statistically significant was found in this clinical trial. The lack of adverse reactions and complications related to chlorhexidine gel supports its clinical use specially in simple extractions and adds some advantages compared to the rinses in terms of duration of the treatment and reduction of staining and taste disturbance.

A Retrospective Analysis of 1311 Oral Surgery Procedures Performed in a Pediatric Hospital in Barcelona: A Study of Their Characteristics and Age-Related Diagnoses.

Background: Oral surgery involves the diagnosis and surgical treatment of diseases affecting the soft and hard tissues of the oral cavity and encompasses a wide range of surgical interventions. The aim of this investigation was to study the characteristics and age-related diagnoses of these oral surgeries, as well as to describe the surgical procedures performed in a pediatric oral and maxillofacial surgery service. Methods: A descriptive, retrospective, observational, and relational study was conducted on children and adolescents aged from 0 to 22 years who were treated in a pediatric oral and maxillofacial surgery service at a children's hospital. Results: We analyzed 1311 surgical interventions (51.4% were on boys and 48.6% on girls), consisting of 24.8% soft tissue surgeries, 65.9% bone and dental tissue surgeries, and 9.3% mixed tissue surgeries. The most common pathologies were tooth eruption disorders (65.9%), followed by ankyloglossia (20.5%). The most frequent treatment was wisdom teeth extraction (31.3%). A statistically significant association (p < 0.05) was found between surgical treatments and variables such as age, sex, tissue type, and biopsy. Conclusions: This study enhances our understanding of pediatric oral surgery, emphasizing that the most common pathology is altered tooth eruption, while the most frequent surgical intervention is the extraction of wisdom teeth at different stages of development.

Impact of Nonsurgical Periodontal Treatment on Blood Pressure: A Prospective Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVES: Arterial hypertension and periodontitis are two of the most common diseases worldwide and recent evidence supports a causal relationship between them. Despite all antihypertensive strategies, an important number of patients are undiagnosed and a large number of the diagnosed fail to achieve optimal blood pressure (BP) measurements. Some studies point out that periodontal treatment could have positive effects on BP levels. The aim of this study is to determine if nonsurgical periodontal treatment can help BP level control in prehypertensive patients with periodontitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-five patients were included in the study and received nonsurgical periodontal treatment according to necessity. Clinical data, periodontal data, and BP measurements were taken at baseline, periodontal re-evaluation visit (4-6 weeks after treatment), and 6-month follow-up. RESULTS: Periodontal treatment caused a statistically significant reduction (p < 0.05) of systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) at re-evaluation visit of 4.7 (p = 0.016) and 3.4 mm Hg (p = 0.015), respectively. The effect was maintained at 6-month follow-up visit with a reduction in SBP and DBP of 5.2 (p = 0.007) and 3.7 (p = 0.003) mm Hg, respectively. CONCLUSION: Despite the limitations of this study, it suggests that nonsurgical periodontal treatment can be effective in lowering BP levels in patients with prehypertension and periodontitis. Moreover, it highlights the importance of dentists in prevention, detection, and control of this important cardiovascular risk factor.

Prevalence of high blood pressure in periodontal patients: A pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Arterial hypertension and periodontal diseases are pathologies with a high prevalence worldwide. Recent evidence suggests a possible causal relationship between them. Patients with moderate or severe periodontitis tend to have higher blood pressure measurements and a 30% to 70% higher likelihood of developing hypertension. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this cross-sectional pilot study was to ascertain the prevalence of high blood pressure in patients with periodontitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 40 patients diagnosed with periodontitis who required non-surgical periodontal treatment. Demographic, periodontal and clinical characteristics, including blood pressure measurements, were registered. RESULTS: Fifteen percent of the patients were classified as hypertensive (n = 6), 67.5% as high-normal (n = 27) and 17.5% as normotensive (n = 7). Recent studies have estimated that the prevalence of highnormal blood pressure in the general population ranges between 30% and 50%. These findings suggest that patients with periodontal disease are more likely to have elevated blood pressure than patients with healthy periodontal tissues. CONCLUSIONS: High-normal blood pressure is associated with a 3 times higher likelihood of developing hypertension, so early detection and prevention are crucial public health strategies. Despite the limitations of this pilot study, it highlights the role of dentists in the prevention, diagnosis and blood pressure control to improve health and cardiovascular risk of patients with periodontitis.

Thermal changes and drill wear in bovine bone during implant site preparation. A comparative in vitro study: twisted stainless steel and ceramic drills.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose was to assess thermal changes and drill wear in bovine bone tissue with the use of twisted stainless steel and zirconia-based drills, during implant site preparation. METHODS: A total of 100 implant site preparations were performed on bovine ribs using a surgical unit linked to a testing device, in order to standardize/simulate implant drilling procedures. Bone temperature variations and drilling force were recorded when drilling at a depth of 8 and 10 mm. A constant irrigation of 50 ml/min. (21±1°C) and drilling speed of 800 r.p.m. were used. Scanning electron microscopy analysis was preformed prior and after drilling. RESULTS: Mean temperature increase with both drills at 8 mm was 0.9°C and at 10 mm was 2°C (P<0.0001). Statistical significant higher bone temperatures were obtained with stainless steel drill (1.6°C), when comparing with the ceramic drill (1.3°C) (P<0.05). Temperature increase was correlated with higher number of perforations (P<0.05) and drilling load applied. There was no significant association between drilling force applied and temperature increase by either drill or at either depth. No severe signs of wear of either drill were detected after 50 uses. CONCLUSIONS: Drill material and design, number of uses, depth and drilling load applied appear to influence bone temperature variations during implant site preparation. Drilling depth was a predominant factor in bone temperature increase. Both drills can be used up to 50 times without producing harmful temperatures to bone tissue or severe signs of wear and deformation.

Effect of mono- and bimaxillary advancement on pharyngeal airway volume: cone-beam computed tomography evaluation.

PURPOSE: To evaluate pharyngeal airway volume changes after forward movements of the maxilla or mandible, or both, using cone-beam computed tomography. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective evaluation of 30 patients who underwent maxillomandibular advancement, maxillary advancement, or mandibular advancement was performed. Three groups of 10 subjects each were established: group 1, bimaxillary surgery (Le Fort I maxillary osteotomy and mandibular bilateral sagittal split osteotomy with maxillomandibular advancement); group 2, maxillary advancement (Le Fort I maxillary osteotomy); and group 3, mandibular advancement (bilateral sagittal split osteotomy). Pre- and postoperative cone-beam computed tomography scans were taken in each case, and the changes in pharyngeal airway volume were compared. RESULTS: A statistically significant increase in the pharyngeal airway volume occurred systematically. The average percentage of increase was 69.8% in group 1 and 78.3% in group 3. Group 2 exhibited a lower magnitude of increase (37.7%). CONCLUSION: Cone-beam computed tomography provides a new method for airway evaluation using a noninvasive, rapid, low-radiation, cost-effective scan. It seems the influence of mandibular advancement on the pharyngeal airway volume is greater than the effect of the forward movement of the maxilla.

"Envelope" approach for onlay bone grafting: preliminary surgical and prosthetic results.

UNLABELLED: Minimally invasive surgery principles have been applied to preprosthetic-implant surgery, and an adequate presurgical planning reduces morbidity in both harvesting and stabilization of the bone grafts. OBJECTIVE: A new "envelope" approach for onlay bone grafting at the alveolar process is presented, this avoids releasing incisions yet allowing adequate reconstruction of the defective site. STUDY DESIGN: To be included in the study the patient had to have an antero-posterior defect of the alveolar crest. Patient age and sex, location of the defect, type and size of graft, and complications appeared during follow up were recorded. RESULTS: Ten consecutive patients (4 men and 6 women) have been successfully treated with this technique between June/2006 and February/2008. Eight defects were located at the anterior maxilla (between canines), and the remaining two at the anterior mandible (between canines). Four patients received bone grafts harvested from the chin, and the remaining six patients received bone grafts from the mandibular body. Mean size of the graft was: width 11.5 mm (range 8 to 17), height 14.7 mm (range 9 to 18), depth 4.3 mm (range 3 to 6). CONCLUSION: This technique improves vascularization of the mucoperiosteal flap and avoidance of releasing incisions which has an aesthetic impact in patients with gingival smile.

A novel trephine design for sinus lift lateral approach. Case report.

Various techniques are described in the literature, either by crestal or lateral approach. Sinus augmentation has a high percentage of success, but presents a number of intraoperative and postoperative complications. The most frequent complication is the Schneiderian membrane perforation with a percentage of perforations between 11% and 56% according to authors. The aim of this study is to describe another membrane approach technique for the sinus lateral wall osteotomy that minimizes the risk of Schneiderian membrane perforation. We present a case of a 50 year old patient attended the University Dental Clinic (UDC) of International University of Catalonia for implant and crown treatment due to the loss of a right maxillary first molar. To insert an implant in position 1.6 a computerized tomography (CT) was requested to determine with greater accuracy the quantity of residual crestal bone. It showed a height of 5 mm and width of 8 mm. The lateral osteotomy was performed with a (SLA KIT®-Neobiotech) trephine mounted in the same implant handpiece with which the field for the implant and the implant itself were prepared. It can be concluded that in the case described, the use of trephine drills of the SLA system mounted in a handpiece allows better access to lateral approach due to its perpendicular position relative to the sinus wall minimizing the membrane perforation risk.

Relation between bone density and primary implant stability.

AIMS: This study aims to relate bone density in Hounsfield units (Hu) with the primary implant stability measured by insertion torque (Ncm) and resonance frequency analysis (ISQ). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten patients were included in this study. A total of 54 implant sites were provided from 10 computerized tomography scans. The computerized tomography scan was used for the preoperative evaluation of bone density for each patient. The bone mean density around planned implants was determined with Physioplanet TM software. Bone quality according resistance to drilling, insertion torque and resonance frequency measurements were recorded. RESULTS: A statistically significant relationship was observed between bone quality density and location with ISQ values. CONCLUSIONS: This research demonstrates a strong relationship between the bone density values from computerized tomography and the location in the maxillaries. A correlation exists between bone quality, according to the Lekholm & Zarb classification, and Hu computerized tomography values. The primary implant stability measured with resonance frequency analysis depends on bone density values, bone quality and implant location.

Does Periodontal Treatment Help in Arterial Hypertension Control? A Systematic Review of Literature.

Arterial hypertension and periodontal diseases are two of the pathologies with more prevalence worldwide. In the last few years, several scientific evidences have demonstrated the relationship between both diseases. Besides the etiopathogenic and causal relationship, some recent publications have pointed out that the therapeutic approach of periodontitis could have positive effects on the control of arterial hypertension.The aim of this systematic review is to determine whether there is a decrease in or better control of blood pressure after performing nonsurgical periodontal treatment in patients with periodontitis.A thorough search in PubMed, Scopus, and ISI Web of Science databases with the keywords "'periodontal disease' OR 'periodontitis' OR 'periodontal' AND 'blood pressure' OR 'hypertension' OR 'arterial hypertension'" was conducted. The quality of the reported information was assessed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement for systematic reviews.Eight articles were considered for this systematic review. Five of the studies showed statistically significant reduction in systolic blood pressure (SBP) values.Despite the limitations of the review, nonsurgical treatment of periodontal disease seems to reduce SBP values. Further research with larger and longer-term clinical trials are needed to demonstrate this potential positive effect.

Accuracy of Virtually Planned Maxillary Distraction in Cleft Patients - An Evaluative Study.

INTRODUCTION: Maxillary distraction may be used to treat severe maxillary hypoplasia in cleft lip and palate (CLP) patients. Three-dimensional (3D) planning has been shown to increase the accuracy of distraction and reduce operative time and complications. The aim of the study was to measure the accuracy of internal maxillary distraction after 3D planning in CLP patients, to add evidence to validate the virtual osteotomy and distraction procedure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eleven CLP patients with severe maxillary hypoplasia underwent maxillary distraction using internal distractors. Virtual planning was used to design the osteotomies, the distractor position, and the distraction vector. Cutting and positioning guides transferred this information to the surgical procedure. Four to six month postoperative computed tomography-scan was done before distractor removal; anatomical reference points were compared to the virtual planning to determine accuracy. RESULTS: A high accuracy (point dislocation <1.5 mm) was found in 90% of the points of the surface of the maxilla; the majority of the zygomatic screws were placed within a distance of 0.8-1 mm from their planned position. DISCUSSION: The high accuracy achieved through virtual planning promotes optimal distractor placement; a customized distraction vector has a direct effect on the final position of the maxilla.

Minimally invasive surgically assisted rapid palatal expansion with limited approach under sedation: a report of 283 consecutive cases.

PURPOSE: An adequate transverse maxillary dimension is one of the critical aspects of a functional and stable occlusion. Surgically assisted rapid palatal expansion consists of a surgical liberation of the sites of resistance combined using orthopedic forces. Most technical descriptions advocate the use of general anesthesia with hospital admission. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between March 2000 and July 2008, surgery was performed on 283 consecutive cases with transverse skeletal maxillary hypoplasia. The incision ran horizontally to reach the level of the laterals. Osteotomies of lateral walls and pterygoid disjunction were performed in all cases. A V-Y closure was performed in 2 layers. Patients were discharged after recovery from sedation. RESULTS: One hundred seventy-two of the 283 patients were male. Mean age was 18.3 years. Mean surgical time from incision to last suture was 19 minutes. Expanders were Hyrax in 221 cases and Haas in 61, and a bone-borne expander was used in 1 case. At the 1-year follow-up visit, mean expansion was 8.0 at the canines and 8.9 at the mesiovestibular cuspid of the first molar. General anesthesia has been classically advocated for these procedures, the argument being that pterygomaxillary disjunction was too traumatic to be performed under sedation. The surgical technique used sought to attain a balance between maximum mobilization of the maxilla with a complete liberation of all the buttresses and minimum morbidity to avoid further complications. CONCLUSIONS: The new technique that we report seeks to combine both aspects and allows for rapid intervention with local anesthesia plus sedation and a minimal approach with a total liberation of the maxillary resistances (piriform aperture pillars, zygomatic buttresses, midpalatal suture, and pterygoid junctions). The minimal approach and incision used in the technique guarantee vascular support to the maxilla via the vestibular corridors.

Twenty four years of oral and maxillofacial surgery malpractice claims in Spain: patient safety lessons to learn.

PURPOSE: Oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMS) malpractice risk is of special interest due to both the aesthetic component of some procedures and the complexity of the pathologies involved. This study aims to identify relevant factors involved in OMS professional liability (PL) claims to help achive better management of risks and improve patient safety. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of 315 OMS claims opened between 1990 and 2014 from the database of the PL Department of the Catalonian Council of Medical Colleges, and identified their clinical, economical and juridical characteristics. RESULTS: OMS showed a high rate of compensation (33.8%). Dental implant surgery, third molar surgery and rhinoplasty presented the greatest exposure to claims, and in these cases, lack of osteointegration of dental implants, neurologic injury of inferior dentoalveolar/lingual nerves and a poor aesthetic result were the most frequently compensated sequelae. Statistically, significant association was found between this perioperative complications group and the presence of PL. Poorly documented patient information (informed consent document) was also significantly related with PL outcome. CONCLUSIONS: OMS is a specialty of medium risk for claims, especially oral surgery cases. Surgical complications, such as neurologic damage after oral/head and neck procedures and poor aesthetic results, do occur and deserve special attention to improve patient safety, as well as patient-information procedure.

Morbidity related to "endo-corticotomies" for transpalatal osteodistraction.

INTRODUCTION: The objective of this study was to evaluate morbidity arising from transnasal, endoscopically assisted corticotomies for transpalatal osteodistraction. This minimally invasive technique utilizes three 1-cm incisions in the nasal vestibule instead of the classical, two lateral and one medial oral vestibule incisions of 2-3 cm and 1cm long, respectively. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty-nine patients (33 females and 26 males; age range: 9-50 years, mean 20 years) who underwent surgery in the hub hospital by the senior surgeon were included in a prospective registry. Patients with congenital maxillary hypoplasia were excluded. Difficulties were systematically recorded. RESULTS: Mean operative time was 68 min (SD: 15 min) when no other procedures were combined with the transpalatal osteodistraction. Ten difficulties unrelated to either the device or oral hygiene were encountered: rhinorrhoea and minor nasal obstruction (1), nasal bleeding with hospital admission (1), periostitis at the piriform aperture that necessitated revision using local anaesthesia (1), periostitis with spontaneous healing (1), postoperative pain (2), dermatitis (1), infraorbital ecchymosis (1), excessive postoperative oedema (1), and prolonged cheek hyperaesthesia (1). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Operative time as well as both percentage and nature of complications was similar to those experienced with "open-sky TPD" (transpalatal distraction), with less pronounced oedema and patient surgical threshold decreased.